Key assembly

Abstract

The invention provides a key assembly. The key assembly comprises a pressing part (101), a shell (102) and a connecting part (103), the shell (102) comprises a cylindrical side wall (308), the side wall (308) is provided with a first end (381) and a second end (382), and the first end (381) is provided with a first opening (315); the connecting part (103) is arranged between the pressing part (101) and the shell (102), and the connecting part (103) is hermetically connected with the pressing part (101) and the first end (381) of the side wall (107), so that the pressing part (101) and the connecting part (103) cover the first opening (315); wherein the connecting part (103) is made of an elastic material, so that the pressing part (101) can move relative to the shell (102). The key assembly provided by the invention has good waterproof performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a key assembly, in particular to a waterproof key assembly. Background Art

[0002] The key assembly is used to realize corresponding function control through the pressing operation of the operator. The key assembly includes a support structure and a circuit device, and the support structure is connected to the corresponding installation position. The support structure includes a pressing part, and the operator can trigger and control the circuit device by operating the pressing part to realize the corresponding function. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present application provides a key assembly, including a pressing part, a shell and a connecting part, the shell including a cylindrical side wall, the side wall having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first opening; the connecting part is arranged between the pressing part and the shell, the connecting part is sealedly connected to the pressing part and the first end of the side wall, so that the pressing part and the connecting part cover the first opening; wherein the connecting part is made of an elastic material, so that the pressing part can move relative to the shell.

[0004] In the key assembly as described above, the pressing portion, the connecting portion and the shell are an integrated structure.

[0005] The key assembly as described above further comprises a circuit device, and the circuit device is located inside the shell.

[0006] As described above, the button assembly, the inner side of the shell includes a limiting surface and a buckle, the limiting surface is arranged toward the second end, the buckle is located on the side of the limiting surface facing the second end, and the circuit device can be clamped between the limiting surface and the buckle.

[0007] In the key assembly as described above, the limiting surface extends continuously along the circumferential direction.

[0008] As for the key assembly as described above, after the circuit device is installed in the housing, the circuit device is sealed in the housing through a glue potting and sealing process.

[0009] In the key assembly as described above, the pressing portion and the first end of the shell both have an anti-slip structure, and the anti-slip structure includes a convex portion, a concave portion and / or a step portion.

[0010] In the key assembly as described above, the connecting portion comprises an annular convex rib, and the convex rib causes the outer surface of the connecting portion to protrude in a direction away from the second end of the side wall.

[0011] In the key assembly as described above, the connecting portion is connected to the pressing portion and the housing through a two-color injection molding process.

[0012] As described above, the button assembly, the inner wall of the shell includes a guide rib extending along the direction from the second end to the first end of the side wall, and the circuit device includes a guide recess, which can cooperate with the guide rib to guide the installation direction of the circuit device.

[0013] As described above, the second end of the button assembly has a second opening. When the circuit device is connected to the shell, the circuit device is installed into the shell from the second opening so that the circuit device is clamped between the limiting surface and the buckle. Then, glue is poured into the circuit device from the second opening, so that the circuit device is sealed and connected to the shell.

[0014] In the key assembly as described above, the connecting portion includes a corrugated portion.

[0015] In the present application, the key assembly has a housing, a connecting portion and a pressing portion, wherein the connecting portion is made of an elastic material, and the connecting portion is sealed and connected to the housing and the pressing portion, which can prevent water from entering the interior of the key assembly from the pressing portion, so that the key assembly has a good waterproof function. The circuit device in the present application is directly installed in the housing, and there is no need to set up a fastening structure to connect the circuit device to the housing. The key assembly of the present application has fewer parts, which can reduce the installation steps of the key assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1A is a three-dimensional diagram of the key assembly in this application;

[0017] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A Exploded view of the touch assembly;

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1B An exploded view of the main body of the middle button assembly;

[0019] Figure 3A yes Figure 2 A perspective view of the middle shell;

[0020] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A A three-dimensional view of the middle shell from another angle;

[0021] Figure 4A yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram of the middle pressing portion;

[0022] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A A three-dimensional view of the middle pressing portion from another angle;

[0023] Figure 5A yes Figure 2A three-dimensional view of the middle connection;

[0024] Figure 5B yes Figure 5A A cross-sectional view of the middle connecting portion;

[0025] Figure 6 yes Figure 1B A perspective view of the circuit device in FIG.

[0026] Figure 7 yes Figure 1A Cross-sectional view of the middle button assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Various specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings that form a part of this specification. It should be understood that although terms indicating directions, such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc., are used in this application to describe various example structural parts and elements of the present application, these terms are used here only for the purpose of convenience of description and are determined based on the example orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in the present application can be set in different directions, these terms indicating directions are only for illustration and should not be regarded as limitations. Where possible, the same or similar figure numbers used in this application refer to the same parts.

[0028] Figure 1A is a stereogram of the key assembly in this application, Figure 1B yes Figure 1A Exploded view of the touch components. Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the key assembly 100 includes a main body 150 and a circuit device 160. The circuit device 160 is located inside the main body 150. The main body 150 includes a pressing portion 101, a housing 102 and a connecting portion 103. The pressing portion 101 is connected to the housing 102 through the connecting portion 103. The pressing portion 101 is used for an operator to operate to trigger a corresponding part of the circuit device 160.

[0029] Figure 2 yes Figure 1B An exploded view of the main body of the middle button assembly. Figure 2 As shown, the pressing part 101 is connected to one end of the main body 150 through the connecting part 103. The pressing part 101 and the shell 102 are made of a material with a certain hardness. The connecting part 103 is made of an elastic material, so that the pressing part 101 can move and reset relative to the shell 102. The connecting part 103 is sealed and connected to the pressing part 101 and the shell 102. In one application of the present application, the pressing part 101, the connecting part 103 and the shell 102 are made by a two-color injection molding process and form an integrated structure. In other words, the main body 150 is surrounded by a cavity with an opening at one end and the rest of the cavity is closed.

[0030] Figure 3A yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram of the middle shell. Figure 3B yes Figure 3A Another perspective view of the middle shell. Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the housing 102 includes a side wall 308 and a pair of protrusions 341 and 342. The side wall 308 is generally a hollow cylindrical structure, and the side wall 308 extends along the axial direction, and its first end 381 has a first opening 315, and its second end 382 has a second opening 316. The pair of protrusions 341 and 342 extend from the outside of the second end 382 in a direction away from each other. The protrusions 341 and 342 are provided with connecting holes 343 and 344, and the connecting holes 343 and 344 are used to cooperate with mounting structures such as screws to fix the housing 102 to the mounting position.

[0031] The first end 381 of the side wall 308 has a plurality of grooves 365, which are formed by being recessed from the end surface of the first end 381 toward the direction of the second end 382. The plurality of grooves 365 are evenly distributed on the circumferential direction of the first end 381. When the first end 381 is connected to the connecting portion 103, the material of the connecting portion 103 can be embedded in the plurality of grooves 365, thereby strengthening the connection firmness between the connecting portion 103 and the first end 381 and preventing the connecting portion 103 from falling off from the first end 381. The first end 381 also includes an annular recess 366, which is recessed inwardly from the surface of the first end 381. The annular recess 366 is located outside the plurality of grooves 365. When the first end 381 is connected to the connecting portion 103, the material of the connecting portion 103 can be embedded in the annular recess 366, thereby further strengthening the connection firmness between the connecting portion 103 and the first end 381. In other words, the plurality of grooves 365 and the annular recess 366 form an anti-slip structure.

[0032] The inner side of the side wall 308 has a step surface 361 and a buckle 362. The step surface 361 is arranged toward the second end 382. The side wall 308 includes a first section 371 and a second section 372, wherein the first section 371 is close to the first end 381, and the second section 372 is close to the second end 382. The inner diameter of the first section 371 is smaller than the inner diameter of the second section 372, so that the step surface 361 is formed at the connection between the first section 371 and the second section 372. The step surface 361 is annular and extends continuously along the circumferential direction. The step surface 361 can limit the circuit device 160 loaded into the housing 102 from the second opening 316 from continuing to move toward the first end 381. The buckle 362 is arranged on one side of the step surface 361 close to the second end 382. The buckle 362 is a convex portion protruding inward from the inner surface of the second section 372. The buckle 362 includes an inclined slope 332. In the direction from the second end 382 and the first end 381, the inclined surface 332 extends obliquely toward the inside of the housing 102, and the inclined surface 332 is used to guide the circuit device 160 to move toward the step surface 361. The buckle 362 also includes a joint surface 334 arranged toward the step surface 361, and there is a spacing between the joint surface 334 and the step surface 361, and the spacing is substantially equal to the thickness at the edge of the circuit device 160, so that the buckle 362 can cooperate with the step surface 361 to clamp the circuit device 160 between the buckle 362 and the step surface 361. In the present application, there can be multiple buckles 362, and they are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction.

[0033] The inner side of the second section 372 further includes a guide rib 392, and the guide rib 392 extends in a direction from the second end 382 to the first end 381. The guide rib 392 is used to guide the installation direction of the circuit device 160.

[0034] Figure 4A yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram of the middle pressing part, Figure 4B yes Figure 4A A three-dimensional image of the pressing portion from another angle. Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown, the pressing portion 101 includes a central portion 401 and a flange portion 402. The flange portion 402 is formed by extending outward from the outer side of the central portion 401. The first side of the pressing portion 101 includes a flat pressing surface 403, which is arranged toward the operator for the operator to press. The second side of the pressing portion 101 includes a triggering protrusion 405, which is arranged to protrude. The triggering protrusion 405 can contact the circuit device 160 to trigger the corresponding circuit.

[0035] The pressing portion 101 includes a plurality of protrusions 418 protruding in a direction outward from the center portion 401. The protrusions 418 are trapezoidal in shape and gradually widen from the inside to the outside. When the pressing portion 101 is connected to the connecting portion 103, the protrusions 418 can be embedded in the connecting portion 103, thereby strengthening the connection strength between the connecting portion 103 and the pressing portion 101, and preventing the connecting portion 103 from falling off from the pressing portion 101 in the extending direction of the pressing surface 403. The flange portion 402 of the pressing portion 101 also includes a plurality of step portions 419, and the step portion 419 includes a first step 421 and a second step 422, and the first step 421 extends in a direction away from the center portion 401 and exceeds the second step 422, so that the first step 421 and the second step 422 are staggered, thereby forming the step portion 419. The step portion 419 can be arranged at the protrusion 418, that is, one or more of the plurality of protrusions 418 include a staggered first step and a second step. When the pressing portion 101 is connected to the connecting portion 103, the step portion 419 strengthens the connection strength between the connecting portion 103 and the step portion 419, and prevents the connecting portion 103 from falling off from the pressing portion 101 in the extending direction perpendicular to the pressing surface 403, that is, the moving direction of the pressing portion 101. The pressing portion 101 also includes a plurality of grooves 465 that are recessed inward from the outer surface around the pressing portion 101, and the grooves 465 extend roughly in a direction parallel to the pressing surface 403. The grooves 465 are located at the central portion 401 or the flange portion 402. When the pressing portion 101 is connected to the connecting portion 103, the material of the connecting portion 103 can enter the grooves 465, thereby strengthening the connection strength between the connecting portion 103 and the pressing portion 101. In the extending direction perpendicular to the pressing surface 403, that is, the moving direction of the pressing portion 101, the grooves 465 can prevent the connecting portion 103 from falling off from the pressing portion 101. In the pressing portion 101 , the convex portion 418 , the stepped portion 419 and the concave groove 465 form an anti-slip structure.

[0036] Figure 5A yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram of the middle connection. Figure 5B yes Figure 5A A cross-sectional view of the middle connection. Figure 5A and Figure 5BAs shown, the connecting portion 103 is roughly an annular ring. The inner side 511 of the connecting portion 103 is connected to the pressing portion 101, and the outer side 512 is connected to the housing 102. The inner side 511 of the connecting portion 103 forms a recess 541 that matches the protrusion 418 of the pressing portion 101, and a matching portion 529 that matches the step portion 419. The outer side 512 of the connecting portion 103 forms a protrusion 565 that matches the groove 365 of the housing 102, a protrusion 566 that matches the groove 465, and an annular protrusion 566 that matches the annular recess 366 of the housing 102. The connecting portion 103 is made of elastic material and is connected to the pressing portion 101 and the housing 102 by a two-color injection molding process, so that the shapes of the inner side 511 and the outer side 512 of the connecting portion 103 match the corresponding parts of the pressing portion 101 and the housing 102.

[0037] The connecting portion 103 further includes a pleated portion 540. In one embodiment of the present application, the pleated portion 540 is a generally V-shaped structure protruding from the upper surface 521 to the lower surface 522 of the connecting portion 103. In another embodiment of the present application, the pleated portion 540 may include a plurality of continuous V-shaped structures. The pleated portion 540 can increase the elasticity of the connecting portion 103, so that the pressing operation of the pressing portion 101 is more labor-saving.

[0038] The connecting portion 103 further includes an annular convex rib 590, which protrudes upward from the upper surface 521 of the connecting portion 103. The annular convex rib 590 is used to cooperate with the mounting portion to form a seal.

[0039] Figure 6 yes Figure 1B A three-dimensional diagram of the circuit device in FIG. Figure 6 As shown, the circuit device 160 includes a flat plate portion 601 and a trigger portion 602. The flat plate portion 601 is generally flat and has an upper surface 611 and a lower surface 612. The trigger portion 602 is connected to the upper surface 611 of the flat plate portion 601. A guide recess 692 is provided on one side of the flat plate portion 601, and the guide recess 692 cooperates with the guide rib 392 of the housing 102 to indicate the installation direction of the circuit device 160 and prevent the circuit device 160 from being installed upside down.

[0040] The trigger portion 602 protrudes from the flat plate portion 601 , and the trigger portion 602 can cooperate with the trigger protrusion 405 of the pressing portion 101 to trigger the circuit.

[0041] Figure 7 yes Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of the middle button assembly. Figure 7As shown, the pressing portion 101 is connected to the first end 381 of the side wall 308 of the shell 102 through the connecting portion 103, thereby covering the first opening 315, and the first end 381 of the side wall 308 is closed, and the main body 150 is surrounded by a cavity 701 with one end closed and the other end having a second opening 316.

[0042] When installing the circuit device 160, the trigger portion 602 is directed toward the trigger protrusion 405 of the pressing portion 101, and the guide recess 692 is aligned with the guide rib 392, and then the circuit device 160 is installed into the housing 102 from the second opening 316. The circuit device 160 is continuously pushed toward the pressing portion 101, and the flat plate portion 601 of the circuit device 160 passes over the buckle 362 until it contacts the step surface 361, so that the circuit device 160 cannot continue to move toward the pressing portion 101. At the same time, the circuit device 160 is blocked by the buckle 362 and cannot move in a direction away from the pressing portion 101. The circuit device 160 is clamped between the step surface 361 and the buckle 362. At this time, the circuit device 160 reaches the pre-installation position. In the pre-installation position of the circuit device, the top of the trigger portion 602 has a small distance from the trigger protrusion 405 of the pressing portion 101 or contacts the trigger portion 602. Subsequently, glue is poured from the second opening 316 toward the circuit device 160 using a glue pouring process, and the glue can fill the gap between the circuit device 160 and the inner wall of the housing 102, so that a seal is formed between the circuit device 160 and the housing 102. When the glue pouring work is completed, the trigger portion 602 is sealed in the closed cavity 708 surrounded by the flat portion 601, the pressing portion 101, the connecting portion 103 and the housing 102. External water cannot enter the closed cavity 708 to interfere with the performance of the circuit device 160, so that the key assembly 100 has a good waterproof function.

[0043] In the present application, when performing the glue pouring operation, the flowing glue is poured onto the lower surface 612 of the flat plate portion 601 of the circuit device 160, and the glue flows into the gap between the flat plate portion 601 and the housing 102, and flows toward the step surface 361. Since the step surface 361 extends continuously in the circumferential direction, the step surface 361 can guide the glue to flow evenly, so that the glue is evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. After standing for a certain period of time, the glue turns into a solid state, so that the circuit device 160 is sealed and connected to the housing.

[0044] like Figure 7 As shown, the key assembly 100 is mounted on a mounting panel 720 , and the mounting panel 720 has a first side 721 facing the user and a second side 722 facing the interior space of the vehicle. The mounting panel 720 has a mounting hole 724 penetrating the first side 721 and the second side 722 .

[0045] The pressing surface 403 of the central portion 401 of the pressing portion 101 is higher than the first end 381 of the side wall 308 of the connecting portion 103 and the housing 102. When installing the key assembly 100, the pressing portion 101 is aligned with the mounting hole 724 of the mounting panel 720 so that the pressing portion 101 passes through the mounting hole 724. When the key assembly 100 is installed in place in the mounting panel 720, the pressing surface of the pressing portion 101 is roughly flush with the first side 721 of the mounting panel 720, and the annular convex rib 590 of the connecting portion 103 abuts against the second side of the mounting panel 720 and is squeezed to undergo a certain deformation. The first side 721 is set toward the user, and the operator can operate the pressing surface 403. The annular rib 590 is squeezed and deformed to form a seal with the second side of the mounting panel 720. The annular rib 590 can prevent further flow of water in the gap between the pressing portion 101 and the mounting panel 720, thereby preventing water from entering the corresponding structure located on the second side of the mounting panel 720.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present application, at the initial position of the pressing portion 101, there is a distance between the triggering protrusion 405 of the pressing portion 101 and the triggering portion 602 of the circuit device 160. When the operator applies pressure to the pressing surface 403 of the pressing portion 101, the pressure overcomes the elastic force of the connecting portion 103, so that the pressing portion 101 moves toward the circuit device 160. When the triggering protrusion 405 of the pressing portion 101 contacts the triggering portion 602 of the circuit device 160, the pressing portion 101 reaches the triggering position and the corresponding circuit is triggered. When the operator removes the pressure applied to the pressing portion 101, the elastic force of the connecting portion 103 causes the pressing portion 101 to move away from the circuit device 160 and return to the initial position. The distance between the pressing portion 101 and the circuit device 160 is set so that the pressing portion 101 can trigger the circuit device 160 when subjected to an external force, and maintains a distance from the circuit device 160 when the external force is removed, so that it is not easy to be accidentally touched.

[0047] In another embodiment of the present application, in the initial position of the pressing portion 101, the triggering protrusion 405 of the pressing portion 101 is in contact with the elastic component of the triggering portion 602 of the circuit device 160. When the operator applies pressure to the pressing surface 403 of the pressing portion 101, the pressure overcomes the elastic force of the elastic components of the connecting portion 103 and the triggering portion 602, so that the pressing portion 101 moves a certain distance toward the circuit device 160, and the elastic component of the triggering portion 602 is deformed and reaches a specific position, then the pressing portion 101 reaches the triggering position, and the corresponding circuit is triggered. When the operator removes the pressure applied to the pressing portion 101, the elastic force of the connecting portion 103 and the elastic force of the elastic component of the triggering portion 602 together cause the pressing portion 101 to move away from the circuit device 160 and return to the initial position.

[0048] In the present application, the main body 150 of the key assembly 100 is an integrated structure, the gap between the pressing portion 101 and the housing 102 is sealed by the connecting portion 103, and the key assembly has a good waterproof function, which can prevent water near the pressing portion 101 from entering the interior of the key assembly 100. The circuit device 160 is sealed inside the housing 102 through a glue filling process, which can prevent water from the second opening 316 from affecting the performance of the circuit device 160.

[0049] In the present application, the circuit device 160 is directly installed in the housing 102, and no additional fastening structure is required to connect the circuit device 160 to the housing. The key assembly of the present application has fewer parts, which can reduce the installation steps of the key assembly 100.

[0050] Although the present disclosure has been described in conjunction with the examples of the embodiments summarized above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and / or substantially equivalent solutions, whether known or currently or foreseeable in the near future, may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. In addition, the technical effects and / or technical problems described in this specification are exemplary rather than restrictive; so the disclosure in this specification may be used to solve other technical problems and have other technical effects. Therefore, the examples of the embodiments of the present disclosure set out above are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to include all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and / or substantially equivalent solutions.

Claims

1. A key assembly, characterized in that include: A pressing portion (101); A housing (102), the housing (102) comprising a cylindrical side wall (308), the side wall (308) having a first end (381) and a second end (382), the first end (381) having a first opening (315); a connecting portion (103), the connecting portion (103) being arranged between the pressing portion (101) and the housing (102), the connecting portion (103) being sealingly connected to the pressing portion (101) and the first end (381) of the side wall (107), so that the pressing portion (101) and the connecting portion (103) cover the first opening (315); The connecting portion (103) is made of an elastic material, so that the pressing portion (101) can move relative to the housing (102).

2. The key assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressing portion (101), the connecting portion (103) and the housing (102) are an integrated structure.

3. The key assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The key assembly further comprises a circuit device (160), and the circuit device (160) is located inside the housing (102).

4. The key assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The inner side of the shell (102) comprises a limiting surface (361) and a buckle (362); the limiting surface (361) is arranged toward the second end (382); the buckle (362) is located on the side of the limiting surface (361) facing the second end (382); and the circuit device (160) can be clamped between the limiting surface (361) and the buckle (362).

5. The key assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The limiting surface (361) extends continuously along the circumferential direction.

6. The key assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: After the circuit device (160) is installed in the housing (102), the circuit device (160) is sealed in the housing (102) through a glue potting and sealing process.

7. The key assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressing portion (101) and the first end (381) of the shell (102) both have an anti-slip structure (188), and the anti-slip structure includes a convex portion, a concave portion and / or a step portion.

8. The key assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting portion (103) includes an annular convex rib (590), wherein the convex rib (590) causes an outer surface of the connecting portion (103) to protrude in a direction away from the second end (382) of the side wall (308).

9. The key assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting portion (103) is connected to the pressing portion (101) and the housing (102) by a two-color injection molding process.

10. The key assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The inner wall of the shell (102) includes a guide rib (392) extending in a direction from the second end (382) to the first end (381) of the side wall (107), and the circuit device (160) includes a guide recess (692), and the guide recess (692) can cooperate with the guide rib (392) to guide the installation direction of the circuit device (160).

11. The key assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second end (382) has a second opening (316). When the circuit device (160) is connected to the housing (102), the circuit device (160) is inserted into the housing (102) through the second opening (316), so that the circuit device (160) is clamped between the limiting surface (361) and the buckle (362). Then, glue is poured into the circuit device (160) from the second opening (316), so that the circuit device (160) and the housing (102) are sealed.

12. The key assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting portion (103) includes a corrugated portion (540).

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