Key structure and electronic device

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of keys, and discloses a key structure and an electronic device, the key structure comprises a key part, an elastic assembly, a flexible circuit board, at least two pressure sensors and a supporting assembly, the elastic assembly is pasted on the opposite side of the pressed side of the key part, and the side, opposite to the key part, of the elastic assembly is fixedly connected to a shell of the electronic device through the supporting assembly; the elastic assembly is provided with a containing cavity, the supporting section of the flexible circuit board and the pressure sensors electrically connected with the flexible circuit board are both arranged in the containing cavity, the elastic assembly comprises two oppositely-arranged deformation ends, and the at least two pressure sensors are arranged at the two deformation ends respectively. When different positions of the pressed side of the key part are pressed, the deformation quantities of the two deformation ends of the elastic assembly are different, and the strain parameters detected by the at least two pressure sensors are different, so that the pressed position of the key part is calculated, and pressure detection of continuous sliding of the key structure is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of keys, and in particular to a key structure and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] The various pressure sensors in a key structure are typically implemented as FPCs or PCBs, attached to the surface or interior of the key structure. Pressing the key structure against the pressure sensor deforms the sensor's material, causing a change in the sensor's resistance or capacitance to detect pressure.

[0003] In the related art, a pressure sensor is provided at the corresponding pressing position of a key structure, and the pressure sensor detects the pressure parameters at the pressing position. Furthermore, the pressure sensor can only detect the pressure parameters at the corresponding pressing position and has difficulty detecting the pressure parameters at other positions of the key structure. In other words, the pressure sensor of the key structure has difficulty in detecting pressure during continuous sliding. Therefore, the application scope of the key structure is greatly limited. For example, when the key structure is applied to the side of a mobile phone, it is difficult to adjust the volume, focus, etc. by sliding the key structure.

[0004] Therefore, it is now necessary to provide a key structure to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In response to the above problems, the main purpose of the present invention is to provide a key structure and an electronic device, which can detect the pressure parameters of the key structure under continuous sliding, and meet the design requirements of the continuous sliding key structure to adjust the function of the electronic device.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a key structure comprising:

[0007] A button portion, the button portion having a pressure-receiving side;

[0008] an elastic component, the elastic component comprising a first elastic member fixed to a side of the button portion away from the pressure-receiving side, a support portion fixed to a side of the first elastic member away from the button portion, and a second elastic member fixed to the support portion and spaced apart from the first elastic member to form a receiving cavity, the second elastic member having a middle portion spaced apart from the first elastic member and two deformed ends located at opposite ends of the middle portion, the two deformed ends being fixedly connected to the support portion;

[0009] a support assembly connected to a side of the middle portion facing away from the first elastic member, the deformed end being spaced apart from the support assembly, and a side of the support assembly away from the middle portion being fixed to a housing of the electronic device;

[0010] a flexible circuit board, the flexible circuit board comprising a support section located in the accommodating cavity and fixed to a side of the second elastic member facing the first elastic member, and a bent section formed by the support section bending and extending in a direction away from the button portion, the bent section being electrically connected to an external circuit;

[0011] At least two pressure sensors, at least two of the pressure sensors are fixed on the side of the support section facing the first elastic member, each of the deformation ends is corresponding to at least one of the pressure sensors along the pressure direction of the pressure side, and the pressure sensors are electrically connected to the support section.

[0012] Preferably, there are two supporting parts, which are respectively arranged at two ends of the first elastic member, and at least two pressure sensors are arranged between the two supporting parts.

[0013] Preferably, the supporting portion is fixed to an end portion of the deformed end away from the middle portion.

[0014] Preferably, the support assembly includes a first support member connected to the side of the middle part facing away from the first elastic member and a second support member connected to the first support member facing away from the middle part, the second support member and the deformed end are spaced apart along the compression direction of the compressed side, and the side of the second support member facing away from the first support member is fixed to the housing of the electronic device.

[0015] Preferably, both ends of the second supporting member are symmetrically arranged about the middle portion, and the length of the second supporting member is greater than or equal to the length of the second elastic member.

[0016] Preferably, the length of the first elastic member is equal to the length of the button portion, and the bottom end of the first elastic member completely covers the side of the button portion opposite to the pressed side.

[0017] Preferably, the bending section is connected to the middle portion of the supporting section.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present invention provides an electronic device, comprising a shell and a button structure as described above fixed to the shell, wherein the button portion is exposed from the shell, the elastic component, the flexible circuit board and the pressure sensor are all arranged in the shell, and the side of the elastic component facing away from the button portion is used for fixed connection to the shell.

[0019] In the key structure and electronic device of the embodiments of the present invention, when the pressure-bearing side of the key part is subjected to external pressure, the key part will transmit the external pressure through the first elastic part to the support part of the first elastic part away from the key part, and the support part will transmit the pressure to the two deformation ends of the second elastic part. The two deformation ends are deformed by the force and generate strain. The strain of each deformation end is transmitted to the corresponding pressure sensor, and the resistance information of the corresponding pressure sensor is transmitted to the external circuit through the support section and the bending section in turn. The pressing position of the key part is calculated based on the resistance parameters of at least two pressure sensors, and then the volume, focal length and other parameters of the electronic device are adjusted according to the pressing position of the key part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can also derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive work, among which:

[0021] Figure 1 1 is a schematic assembly diagram of a key structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the split key structure shown;

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Partial schematic diagram of the AA section of the key structure shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention more apparent, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many technical details are provided in various embodiments of the present invention to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention. However, even without these technical details and the various variations and modifications based on the following embodiments, the technical solutions claimed in the present invention can still be implemented.

[0025] Reference Attachment Figure 1 To the attached Figure 3The technical solution of the present invention provides a key structure 100, which includes: a key portion 10, an elastic component 20, a flexible circuit board 30, at least two pressure sensors 40 and a support component 50. Specifically, the key portion 10 has a pressure-bearing side, the elastic component 20 is fixed to the side opposite to the pressure-bearing side of the key portion 10, the support component 50 is connected to the side of the elastic component 20 facing away from the key portion 10, and the side of the support component 50 away from the elastic component 20 is fixed to the housing of the electronic device (not shown in the figure). The elastic component 20 has a receiving cavity, and the supporting section 31 of the flexible circuit board 30 and the at least two pressure sensors 40 are respectively arranged in the receiving cavity of the elastic component 20. The at least two pressure sensors 40 are fixed to the supporting section 31 and the at least two pressure sensors 40 are electrically connected to the supporting section 31. The pressure sensors 40 are used to collect pressure parameters generated by the supporting section 31 after the key portion 10 is pressurized.

[0026] Specifically, the elastic assembly 20 includes a first elastic member 21, a second elastic member 22, and a support portion 23. The first elastic member 21 is fixed to the side of the button portion 10 away from the pressure-receiving side, the support portion 23 is fixed to the side of the first elastic member 21 away from the button portion 10, and the second elastic member 22 is fixed to the side of the support portion 23 away from the first elastic member 21. The second elastic member 22 is spaced apart from the first elastic member 21 and forms a receiving cavity to accommodate the support section 31 of the flexible circuit board 30 and the pressure sensor 40. Furthermore, the second elastic member 22 includes a middle portion 221 and deformed ends 222 located at opposite ends of the middle portion 221. The middle portion 221 is spaced apart from the first elastic member 21. Specifically, the side of the middle portion 221 facing away from the first elastic member 21 is connected to the support assembly 50 to achieve connection with the housing of the electronic device, and the two deformed ends 222 at both ends of the middle portion 221 are respectively connected to the support portion 23, so that the pressure exerted on the button portion 10 is transmitted to the support portion 23 through the first elastic member 21, and then transmitted to the second elastic member 22 through the support portion 23.

[0027] The support assembly 50 is connected to the middle portion 221 of the second elastic member 22. The deformed end 222 of the second elastic member 22 is spaced apart from the support assembly 50. That is, there is space between the deformed end 222 and the support assembly 50. This allows sufficient deformation space for the second elastic member 22, ensuring that the pressure sensor 40 accurately captures strain. The side of the support assembly 50 away from the middle portion 221 is fixedly connected to the housing of the electronic device.

[0028] The flexible circuit board 30 includes a supporting section 31 and a bending section 32, wherein the supporting section 31 is located in the accommodating cavity of the elastic component 20, and the supporting section 31 is fixed to the side of the second elastic member 22 facing the first elastic member 21. The bending section 32 is formed by bending and extending the middle part of the supporting section 31 in the direction away from the button part 10. The bending section 32 is electrically connected to the external circuit to transmit information from the flexible circuit board 30 to the external circuit.

[0029] At least two pressure sensors 40 are located in the accommodating cavity of the elastic component 20, and at least two pressure sensors 40 are fixed to the side of the support section 31 of the flexible circuit board 30 facing the first elastic member 21. Each deformation end 222 is arranged corresponding to at least one pressure sensor 40 along the pressure direction of the pressure side, so that the pressure sensor 40 can obtain the deformation and strain of the deformation end 222, thereby obtaining information such as the pressure position and pressure of the button part 10.

[0030] In the key structure 100 of an embodiment of the present invention, when the pressure-bearing side of the key part 10 is subjected to external pressure, the key part 10 transmits the external pressure through the first elastic part 21 to the support part 23 of the first elastic part 21 away from the key part 10. The support part 23 transmits the pressure to the two deformation ends 222 of the second elastic part 22. The two deformation ends 222 are deformed by the force and generate strain. The strain of each deformation end 222 is transmitted to the corresponding pressure sensor 40, and the resistance of the corresponding pressure sensor 40 changes. The resistance information of the pressure sensor 40 is transmitted to the external circuit through the support section 31 and the bending section 32 in turn. The pressing position of the key part 10 is calculated based on the resistance parameters of at least two pressure sensors 40, and then the volume, focal length and other parameters of the electronic device are adjusted according to the pressing position of the key part 10.

[0031] Specifically, when different positions on the pressure-receiving side of the button portion 10 are subjected to external pressure, the pressures transmitted from the button portion 10 to the two deformed ends 222 of the second elastic member 22 via the support portion 23 of the first elastic member 21 on the side away from the button portion 10 are different. As the pressure-receiving position on the pressure-receiving side of the button portion 10 slides, the two deformed ends 222 of the second elastic member 22 deform and produce different strains. The strain of each deformed end 222 is transmitted to the corresponding pressure sensor 40, resulting in a different resistance change. Based on the resistance values of at least two pressure sensors 40 distributed at the two deformed ends 222, the change in the pressure-receiving position of the button portion 10 can be calculated in real time, thereby realizing the position detection of the button portion 10 when it is slid and pressed, and adjusting parameters such as the volume and focal length of the electronic device in real time according to the sliding position of the button portion 10, thereby realizing precise control of parameters such as the volume and focal length of the electronic device.

[0032] Preferably, there are two support portions 23, one at each end of the first elastic member 21, with at least two pressure sensors 40 positioned between the two support portions 23. This prevents the support portions 23 from directly contacting the pressure sensors 40, preventing the support portions 23 from directly transmitting pressure to the pressure sensors 40 and thereby increasing the service life of the pressure sensors 40. Furthermore, a gap exists between the pressure sensors 40 and the first elastic member 21. When the first elastic member 21 deforms, the first elastic member 21 and the pressure sensors 40 remain in a non-contact state, preventing the first elastic member from directly contacting the pressure sensors 40 and affecting their accuracy.

[0033] Preferably, the support portion 23 is fixed to the end of the deformation end 222 away from the middle portion 221. When different positions of the deformation end 222 are subjected to the same pressure, the deformation amount of the deformation end 222 is different. When the end of the deformation end 222 close to the middle portion 221 is subjected to the same pressure, the deformation amount of the deformation end 222 is the smallest. When the end of the deformation end 222 away from the middle portion 221 is subjected to the same pressure, the deformation amount of the deformation end 222 is the largest. Therefore, fixing the support portion 23 to the end of the deformation end 222 away from the middle portion 221 can make the deformation end 222 produce a larger deformation amount, so that the pressure sensor 40 can obtain the strain of the deformation end 222.

[0034] Preferably, the number of pressure sensors 40 is two, and the two pressure sensors 40 are respectively arranged at the two deformation ends 222 of the second elastic member 22, that is, one pressure sensor 40 is respectively arranged at the two deformation ends 222 of the second elastic member 22. When the two deformation ends 222 of the second elastic member 22 are deformed and strain is generated, the resistance of the two pressure sensors 40 distributed at the two deformation ends 222 changes. According to the change in the resistance of the two pressure sensors 40, the pressure position of the button part 10 can be detected.

[0035] Preferably, the two deformable ends 222 are symmetrically arranged about the middle portion 221, and the two pressure sensors 40 are symmetrically arranged at the two deformable ends 222 about the middle portion. When the center position of the pressure-bearing side of the button portion 10 is subjected to external pressure, the two deformable ends 222 deform identically, and the strains of the two deformable ends 222 detected by the two pressure sensors 40 are identical. When a non-center position of the pressure-bearing side of the button portion 10 is subjected to external pressure, the two deformable ends 222 deform differently, and the strains of the two deformable ends 222 detected by the two pressure sensors 40 are different. The specific location of the pressure on the button portion 10 is calculated based on the two different strains detected by the two pressure sensors 40. By symmetrically arranging the two deformable ends 222 at both ends of the middle portion 221 and the two pressure sensors 40 symmetrically at the deformable ends 222 at both ends of the middle portion 221, the calculation process of the two pressure sensors 40 can be simplified. It should be noted that the center position refers to the center position along the length direction of the button portion 10, and correspondingly, the non-center position refers to any position other than the center position along the length direction of the button portion 10.

[0036] Preferably, the support assembly 50 includes a first support member 51, one side of the first support member 51 abuts against the middle of the elastic assembly 20 facing away from the button portion 10. Specifically, one side of the first support member 51 is connected to the side of the second elastic member 22 facing away from the first elastic member 21, and the other side of the first support member 51 is used to be fixedly connected to the housing of the electronic device. The elastic assembly 20 can be fixed to the housing of the electronic device through the support assembly 50.

[0037] The length of the first support member 51 is less than that of the elastic component 20. That is, the ends of the elastic component 20 extend outward from the ends of the first support member 51, thereby reducing the influence of the first support member 51 on the deformation of the two deformed ends 222 of the elastic component 20. Specifically, the first support member 51 and the middle portion 221 are the same length, and the middle portion 221 is connected to the first support member 51. The two deformed ends 222 of the second elastic member 22 are respectively at the ends of the first support member 51, thereby preventing the first support member 51 from affecting the deformation of the two deformed ends 222.

[0038] Preferably, the support assembly 50 further includes a second support member 52, which is connected to the side of the first support member 51 facing away from the elastic assembly 20. The side of the second support member 52 facing away from the first support member 51 is fixedly connected to the housing of the electronic device. The two ends of the second support member 52 are symmetrically arranged about the middle portion 221, and the second support member 52 is spaced apart from the two deformed ends 222 of the second elastic member 22. The length of the first support member 51 is less than that of the second support member 52. By connecting the second support member 52 to the housing of the electronic device, the connection area between the key structure 100 and the housing of the electronic device can be increased, thereby improving the reliability of the connection between the key structure 100 and the housing of the electronic device. Furthermore, the length of the second support member 52 is the same as that of the second elastic member 22, and it can also protect the elastic assembly 20 from the side of the elastic assembly 20 facing away from the key portion 10, preventing electronic device components from interfering with the deformation of the elastic assembly 20 and improving the reliability of strain detection by the key structure 100.

[0039] Preferably, the flexible circuit board 30 further includes a bent section 32 formed by bending the middle portion of the support section 31 away from the button portion 10. The support section 31 of the flexible circuit board 30 transmits the strain parameters detected by the pressure sensor 40 to the bent section 32, which then transmits the strain parameters to the electronic device through the bent section 32 to adjust parameters such as the volume and focal length of the electronic device.

[0040] Preferably, the first elastic member 21, the second elastic member 22, the support portion 23, the first support member 51, and the second support member 52 are all elastic members that will strain and return to their original position when a force is applied. The elastic members can be metal elastic members or non-metallic elastic members. Specifically, the metal elastic member is a metal spring, and the non-metallic elastic member is a non-metallic spring. The non-metallic spring can be made of any of silicone, foam, and plastic.

[0041] The technical solution of the present invention also provides an electronic device, which includes a shell and the key structure 100 as described above fixed to the shell, wherein the key part 10 is exposed from the shell, the elastic component 20, the flexible circuit board 30 and the pressure sensor 40 are all arranged in the shell, and the side of the elastic component 20 facing away from the key part 10 is used for fixed connection to the shell.

[0042] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a shell and a key structure 100 housed in the shell, wherein the key portion 10 of the key structure 100 is exposed from the shell to facilitate pressing the key portion 10, and the elastic component 20, flexible circuit board 30 and pressure sensor 40 of the key structure 100 are all arranged in the shell to make the shell of the electronic device more beautiful, and the side of the elastic component 20 facing away from the key portion 10 is fixedly connected to the shell, so that the shell of the electronic device supports the side of the elastic component 20 facing away from the key portion 10. When the pressure side of the button part 10 is subjected to external pressure, the button part 10 will transmit the external pressure through the first elastic part 21 to the support part 23 on the side of the first elastic part 21 away from the button part 10. The support part 23 transmits the pressure to the two deformation ends 222 of the second elastic part 22. The two deformation ends 222 are deformed by the force and generate strain. The strain of each deformation end 222 is transmitted to the corresponding pressure sensor 40, and the resistance information of the corresponding pressure sensor 40 is transmitted to the external circuit through the support section 31 and the bending section 32 in turn. The pressing position of the button part 10 is calculated based on the resistance parameters of at least two pressure sensors 40, and then the volume, focal length and other parameters of the electronic device are adjusted according to the pressing position of the button part 10.

[0043] The electronic device of the embodiment of the present invention can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, remote control, car computer, etc. The pressure sensor 40 is any one of a piezoresistive, piezoelectric and pressure-capacitive type sensor that senses pressure through strain.

[0044] The electronic device of an embodiment of the present invention includes an external circuit (not shown in the figure) and a control processor (not shown in the figure). The control processor is electrically connected to the external circuit, and the external circuit is electrically connected to the bending section 31 of the flexible circuit board 30. The external circuit obtains information from the pressure sensor 40 through the flexible circuit board 30 and transmits it to the control processor. The control processor obtains the pressing position of the button part 10 based on the information from the pressure sensor 40, and the control processor adjusts the volume, focal length and other parameters of the electronic device according to the pressing position of the button part 10.

[0045] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above embodiments are specific embodiments for implementing the present invention, and that in actual applications, various changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A key structure, characterized in that: The button structure includes: A button portion, the button portion having a pressure-receiving side; an elastic component, the elastic component comprising a first elastic member fixed to a side of the button portion away from the pressure-receiving side, a support portion fixed to a side of the first elastic member away from the button portion, and a second elastic member fixed to the support portion and spaced apart from the first elastic member to form a receiving cavity, the second elastic member having a middle portion spaced apart from the first elastic member and two deformed ends located at opposite ends of the middle portion, the two deformed ends being fixedly connected to the support portion; a support assembly connected to a side of the middle portion facing away from the first elastic member, the deformed end being spaced apart from the support assembly, and a side of the support assembly away from the middle portion being fixed to a housing of the electronic device; a flexible circuit board, the flexible circuit board comprising a support section located in the accommodating cavity and fixed to a side of the second elastic member facing the first elastic member, and a bent section formed by the support section bending and extending in a direction away from the button portion, the bent section being electrically connected to an external circuit; At least two pressure sensors, at least two of the pressure sensors are fixed on the side of the support section facing the first elastic member, each of the deformation ends is corresponding to at least one of the pressure sensors along the pressure direction of the pressure side, and the pressure sensors are electrically connected to the support section.

2. The key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are two supporting parts, which are respectively arranged at two ends of the first elastic member, and at least two pressure sensors are arranged between the two supporting parts.

3. The key structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The supporting portion is fixed to an end portion of the deformed end away from the middle portion.

4. The key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support assembly includes a first support member connected to the side of the middle part facing away from the first elastic member and a second support member connected to the first support member facing away from the middle part. The second support member and the deformed end are spaced apart along the compression direction of the compressed side, and the side of the second support member facing away from the first support member is fixed to the housing of the electronic device.

5. The key structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: Both ends of the second supporting member are symmetrically arranged about the middle portion, and a length of the second supporting member is greater than or equal to a length of the second elastic member.

6. The key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length of the first elastic member is equal to the length of the button portion, and the bottom end of the first elastic member completely covers the side of the button portion opposite to the pressed side.

7. The key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bending section is connected to the middle portion of the supporting section.

8. An electronic device, characterized in that: The electronic device includes a shell and a button structure according to claim 1 fixed to the shell, the button part is exposed from the shell, the elastic component, the flexible circuit board and the pressure sensor are all arranged in the shell, and the side of the elastic component facing away from the button part is used for fixed connection to the shell.

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