Side toggle key toggle structure, assembling method thereof and electronic equipment
By incorporating a small toggle switch, magnet, and Hall effect chip into the fixed button housing, the contradiction between consistent feel, structural reliability, and waterproof sealing in the minimalist design of existing side-switch buttons is resolved, achieving a stable toggle feel and reliable triggering effect.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511868091.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing side-switch button structures struggle to achieve a balance between consistent feel, structural reliability, and waterproof sealing within limited space. This is especially true in minimalist designs, where traditional solutions suffer from large space requirements, inconsistent feel, high assembly difficulty, and limited sealing.
The button housing is made of a fixed material without external openings, and has a combination structure of built-in small paddle, magnet and Hall chip. The small paddle provides the tactile feel, and the magnet and Hall chip realize the trigger. The tactile feel and trigger mechanism are independently decoupled. The small paddle is fixed by a hot melt column to ensure sealing and stability.
It achieves stable toggle feel and reliable triggering under no-hole conditions, reduces the space occupied by the side structure, improves overall reliability and waterproof performance, and solves the design freedom and consistency problems in traditional solutions.
Smart Images

Figure CN121565718A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of input structure design for electronic devices, and more particularly to a side-switch button toggle structure, its assembly method, and an electronic device. Background Technology
[0002] As the design of portable electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets becomes increasingly minimalist, the space for side buttons is constantly being compressed. This is especially true for products with metal frames or unibody designs, where the side edges often need to be extremely narrow to improve grip and overall visual appeal. Meanwhile, most mainstream high-end devices are required to meet IP68 dust and water resistance standards, placing even stricter sealing requirements on side buttons. Achieving optimal button feel, structural reliability, and overall waterproofing within limited frame space remains a long-standing and unresolved challenge for the industry.
[0003] Existing IP68-rated side-switch buttons generally rely on the button's own elastic wall or skirt structure to provide the toggle feel, while Hall effect triggering structures are usually used in conjunction with elastic walls. This approach has two inherent structural limitations: firstly, the button skirt needs to retain sufficient elastic deformation space, which directly leads to a relatively wide side panel design, typically around 15 mm, severely impacting the device's industrial design; secondly, the elastic wall is prone to fatigue during long-term use, and is extremely sensitive to tolerances and fits during mass production assembly, resulting in poor consistency in toggle feel and unpredictable lifespan. Furthermore, to ensure Hall effect triggering accuracy, many solutions require structural holes in the housing or weaken the continuity of the mid-frame, thus introducing additional processes and risks for waterproof sealing.
[0004] Another type of improved solution attempts to enhance the feel by adding internal support structures or changing the shape of the elastic walls, but its core still relies on the elastic deformation of the shell or button body, and cannot fundamentally reduce the space occupied by the bezel. For devices pursuing ultimate bezel width control, this type of solution also struggles to meet the design trend of narrower sides. In addition, structural coupling still exists: the source of the feel, the trigger source, and the shell sealing are mutually constrained, resulting in significant deficiencies in the overall solution in terms of design freedom, reliability, and consistency.
[0005] In summary, existing side-switch button structures generally suffer from problems such as complex structure, large side space occupation, poor tactile consistency, high assembly difficulty, and limited sealing. The industry urgently needs a new structural form that decouples the toggle tactile sensation from the Hall trigger mechanism, and can achieve structural simplification, stable tactile sensation, and further reduction in side width while maintaining a sealed housing without openings, thereby meeting the dual requirements of industrial design and protective performance for next-generation electronic devices.
[0006] Therefore, existing technologies still need to be improved. Summary of the Invention
[0007] Given the significant limitations of existing technologies in terms of side space occupation, consistent tactile feedback, and shell sealing integrity, this invention proposes a novel side-operated toggle button structure. This structure provides tactile feedback by introducing an independent small paddle inside the shell and employs a magnet and Hall effect chip for contactless triggering, thus separating the tactile feedback mechanism from the triggering mechanism. This reduces side space occupation and improves overall reliability while maintaining a sealed shell without openings. This decoupling approach fundamentally resolves the inherent contradictions of traditional solutions, providing a new engineering path for achieving a more compact side design and a stable toggle experience.
[0008] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows: This invention provides a side-toggle button actuation structure to meet the waterproof sealing requirements of electronic devices, comprising: The side-switch button contains a magnet. The key housing is a fixed, closed structure without any external openings; A fixed button decorative piece is used to press and install the side-toggle button assembly into the fixed button housing material; The small lever is a flexible metal sheet and is fixed by a hot-melt column set inside the fixed button housing material; A Hall effect chip is positioned opposite the magnet. The side-toggle button moves the magnet relative to the Hall chip within its toggle stroke to trigger the button action. The small toggle undergoes elastic deformation during the toggle process to provide a toggle feel. The fixed button shell is kept sealed by a hole-free structure so that the button feel structure and the trigger structure are independent of each other and to avoid damage to the shell seal.
[0009] In one embodiment, the small paddle is fixed by hot-melt pins, and the position of the hot-melt pins is matched with the force distribution of the small paddle to maintain the overall sealing of the shell while providing a stable paddle feel.
[0010] In one embodiment, the small lever is a steel sheet whose thickness, bending structure, or free end length is adjusted by preset mechanical parameters so that its force-stroke curve matches the stroke of the side-toggle button.
[0011] In one embodiment, the magnet is positioned and engaged with the inner cavity of the side-toggle button to prevent rotation or displacement during toggle operation, thus ensuring the stability of Hall triggering.
[0012] In one embodiment, the fixed button decorative piece and the fixed button shell are fitted together by pressing, snapping, or interference to form a stable fixed structure for the side-to-side button assembly without damaging the overall seal.
[0013] In one embodiment, the fixed button housing or the side-toggle button is provided with a stop structure to limit the toggle angle or stroke of the side-toggle button, so as to prevent the small toggle piece from undergoing plastic deformation.
[0014] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for assembling a side-toggle button toggle structure, comprising: Place the small lever in the designated position inside the fixed button housing material and fix it by heat fusion through the heat fusion column; Insert the magnet into the side toggle button; The side-toggle button and magnet assembly are assembled into the fixed button housing and then pressed and fixed by the fixed button decorative piece. A Hall chip is installed on the casing of an electronic device, and the displacement-stroke relationship between the magnet and the Hall chip is adjusted. The fixed button housing maintains a structure without external openings throughout the entire assembly process.
[0015] In another aspect, the present invention provides a side-switch button module, which includes the structure described in any of the above claims and is installed as an integrated component in the housing of an electronic device.
[0016] In another aspect, the present invention provides an electronic device including the side-toggle button structure or module described in any of the above claims, enabling the device to obtain independent toggle tactile feedback and Hall triggering function while adopting a hole-free button structure.
[0017] In one embodiment, the electronic device includes, but is not limited to, smartphones, tablets, portable terminals, or other electronic products that require side-swipe input and waterproof sealing performance.
[0018] In summary, this invention achieves stable toggle feel and reliable trigger response under sealed conditions without openings by structurally separating the toggle feel from the Hall trigger and employing an independent combination of a small toggle piece and a hot-melt column within the fixed button housing. This structure avoids the space occupation of traditional elastic wall solutions and reduces the impact of assembly tolerances on feel consistency, allowing for greater freedom in button design across waterproofing, dustproofing, feel, and appearance control. The overall solution has a clear structure and controllable manufacturing process, facilitating mass production and effectively solving the engineering bottlenecks of existing side-toggle buttons in terms of sealing, reliability, and space constraints.
[0019] Compared to existing side-toggle solutions that rely on the elastic wall of the button to provide tactile feedback, the structure of this invention fundamentally separates the toggle tactile feedback and Hall effect triggering at a physical level: the tactile feedback is provided by a small paddle inside the casing, while the triggering is accomplished by a magnet and a Hall effect chip, with the two operating independently. This decoupling brings a series of unexpected effects that are difficult to achieve simultaneously in traditional structures.
[0020] First, by keeping the button housing completely free of openings, the button area no longer needs to perform a sealing function, making the overall waterproof structure simpler and more reliable. Traditional solutions often require multiple layers of sealing compensation around the buttons. Second, the small paddle is precisely fixed using a heat-fused pillar, ensuring that the position and deformation of the tactile feedback source are largely unaffected by housing tolerances after assembly. This solves common industry problems such as inconsistent left and right button feel and post-mass production degradation. Third, because it no longer relies on elastic walls for deformation space, the side structure can be significantly narrowed, allowing for greater freedom in appearance design. Traditional solutions struggle to maintain both tactile feedback and a secure seal under narrow-edge conditions.
[0021] More importantly, the overall structure formed by this invention retains the reliable triggering of the Hall effect while avoiding the chain reaction problems of traditional solutions where "changing the feel affects the seal" and "changing the seal affects the feel." This allows for the independent optimization of the toggle experience, waterproof performance, and structural stability for the first time. The comprehensive improvement brought about by this structural decoupling is difficult to achieve through local improvements in existing technologies. Attached Figure Description
[0022] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 A 2D assembly view of a design scheme for a side-toggle button toggle structure provided by the present invention; Figure 2 A 2D view of the single-unit structure of the toggle button and the small toggle piece provided by the present invention; Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating the method steps for assembling a side-toggle button toggle structure provided by the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a traditional side-switch button mechanism. Detailed Implementation
[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and effects of this invention clearer and more explicit, the invention is further described in detail below. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention. The embodiments of the invention are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0024] One embodiment of the present invention provides a side-switch button actuation structure to meet the waterproof sealing requirements of electronic devices. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 , Figure 2 ,include: The side-switch button 1 has a magnet 2 inside it; The fixed button housing 3 is a closed structure without external openings; The fixed button decorative part 4 is used to press and install the side toggle button 1 assembly into the fixed button shell 3; The small paddle 5 is an elastic metal sheet and is fixed by a hot melt column 6 set in the fixed button housing 3; Hall chip 7 is positioned opposite to magnet 2; In this process, the side-toggle button 1 moves the magnet 2 relative to the Hall chip 7 within its toggle stroke to trigger the button action. The small toggle 5 undergoes elastic deformation during the toggle process to provide a toggle feel. The fixed button shell 3 is kept sealed by a hole-free structure so that the button feel structure and the trigger structure are independent of each other and to avoid damage to the shell seal.
[0025] In this embodiment, the side-toggle button 1 is integrally mounted on the side of the electronic device. The fixed button housing 3 is a one-piece injection molded part, maintaining a completely closed shape on its outer side without any through holes to ensure the overall sealing of the area. The small toggle piece 5 is made of thin-gauge steel sheet by stamping, and its two ends match the positioning grooves on the inner side of the fixed button housing 3. It is fixed by spot melting through a pre-formed hot-melt column 6 inside the housing. During assembly, the hot-melt column 6 is locally heated using a special fixture to ensure that the small toggle piece 5 remains stable in its fixed position and is not affected by the subsequent side button assembly tolerances.
[0026] The side-toggle button 1 is a separate component, with an internal groove designed to accommodate the magnet 2. Once inserted, the magnet 2 moves synchronously with the button in the toggle direction. A controllable mechanical gap is formed between the button and the fixed button housing 3, allowing it to slide smoothly within a limited travel range. The fixed button decorative piece 4 secures the side-toggle button 1 assembly to the outside of the housing via a snap-fit or clamping structure, serving both an aesthetic purpose and a structural function to maintain the component's position.
[0027] The Hall effect chip 7 is mounted on the motherboard or connector board, positioned relative to the magnet 2 inside the side toggle button 1. When the button moves the magnet 2 within its toggle stroke, the Hall effect chip 7 detects the change in magnetic field, triggering the button. Because the trigger source (magnet 2 and Hall effect chip) and the tactile source (small toggle 5) are independent, the outer shell does not require an elastic wall structure, thus allowing the non-perforated shell to fully maintain the IP68 waterproof requirement. This entire structure provides a clear tactile feedback during actual use, while avoiding the problem of tactile feedback degradation after long-term use in traditional solutions relying on elastic walls.
[0028] In a further embodiment, the small paddle 5 is fixed by spot melting at least one hot-melt column 6, and the position of the hot-melt column 6 is arranged in accordance with the force distribution of the small paddle 5, so as to maintain the overall sealing of the shell material while providing a stable paddle feel.
[0029] In this specific implementation, the small lever 5 is made of stamped steel sheet, and its fixing method is through point melting of two hot-melt pillars 6. The fixed button shell 3 has a pre-reserved column structure for the hot-melt pillars 6 during injection molding, and small positioning bosses are set around the pillars to ensure accurate positioning of the small lever 5 during installation. During assembly, after the operator places the small lever 5 in the corresponding position inside the shell, the front end of the hot-melt pillar 6 is locally melted using a hot-melt device, causing it to collapse and cover the surface of the small lever 5, forming a mechanical limit. The location of the hot-melt points is consistent with the force path of the small lever 5 when it is turned, so that the fixed small lever 5 will not warp or loosen due to uneven force under repeated turning, and will not damage the overall sealing structure of the shell. This fixing method maintains tactile stability and avoids the additional hole risks that may be introduced by traditional screw or clip methods.
[0030] In a further embodiment, the small lever 5 is a steel sheet, the thickness, bending structure or free end length of which is adjusted by preset mechanical parameters so that its force-stroke curve matches the stroke of the side lever button 1.
[0031] Specifically, in another embodiment, the small lever 5 is made of elastic steel sheet with a thickness of approximately 0.1–0.2 mm. Its cross-sectional shape is pre-pressed with a slightly bent section during stamping, allowing it to produce linear and repeatable elastic deformation when pushed by the side-toggle button 1. The free end of the small lever 5 is designed as a slightly curved contact surface, forming a stable surface contact relationship with the inner contact area of the side-toggle button 1, thereby reducing local stress concentration. The toggle stroke and the deformation of the small lever 5 are matched during structural verification, enabling a clear tactile feedback during toggle operation and maintaining good recovery ability after long-term fatigue use. By adjusting the steel sheet thickness, shape, and installation angle, the toggle force curve can be further fine-tuned, effectively ensuring the consistency of the feel after assembly in each batch.
[0032] In a further embodiment, the magnet 2 is positioned and engaged with the inner cavity of the side toggle button 1 to prevent rotation or displacement during the toggle process, thus ensuring the stability of Hall triggering.
[0033] Specifically, the side-toggle button 1 has an internal receiving groove corresponding to the shape of the magnet 2. After the magnet 2 is placed, it is limited by the protrusions or snap-fit cuts inside the button to prevent the magnet 2 from shifting outside the toggle direction. The magnet 2 is preferably a small rare-earth magnet, with a very small gap between its size and the groove, so that the magnet 2 can only move linearly in the predetermined direction during the toggle stroke, without rotation or jumping up and down. After the side-toggle button 1 is assembled, its back is pressed tightly by the fixed button decorative piece 4, which further prevents the magnet 2 from loosening when subjected to impact or drop. Through this positioning structure, the magnetic field changes received by the Hall chip 7 are more stable, and the trigger point will not drift due to the offset of the magnet 2, ensuring that the whole machine can maintain consistent electrical triggering performance under high and low temperature conditions and long-term use conditions.
[0034] In a further embodiment, the fixed button decorative piece 4 and the fixed button shell 3 are fitted together by pressing, snapping or interference, so that the side-toggle button 1 assembly forms a stable fixed structure that does not damage the overall seal.
[0035] More specifically, the decorative button 4 engages with the fixed button housing 3 via an outer snap-fit, forming a complete assembly between the side-to-side button 1 and the housing. The snap-fit structure employs a beveled guide design, which automatically corrects its position during clamping assembly, ensuring that the decorative button evenly presses against the outer surface of the side-to-side button 1. The contact surface between the decorative button and the housing uses a micro-interference design, meaning that a very small overlap is reserved in the structure, allowing the assembled mating surface to form a reliable static seal. Unlike traditional solutions that require additional sealing strips, this embodiment achieves sealing through the bonding of the structure itself, thus avoiding potential failures caused by aging or displacement of the sealing strip. Furthermore, the outer surface of the decorative button, as a visible component, uses the same material and surface treatment as the overall frame, ensuring visual harmony and uniformity between the button's appearance and the entire device.
[0036] In a further embodiment, the fixed button housing 3 or the side-toggle button 1 is provided with a stop structure to limit the toggle angle or stroke of the side-toggle button 1, so as to prevent the small toggle piece 5 from undergoing plastic deformation.
[0037] Specifically, in another implementation, to prevent the side-toggle button 1 from being over-pushd during use and causing plastic deformation of the small lever 5, a pair of limiting ribs are provided on the inner wall of the fixed button housing 3. The position of the limiting ribs has been verified through actual toggle stroke, ensuring that when the button reaches the end of the designed stroke, the limiting ribs bear the remaining displacement without transferring additional stress to the small lever 5. At the same time, a corresponding stop step is also provided on the inner side of the side-toggle button 1 body, which provides reverse restraint when the button is toggled in the opposite direction. Through the bidirectional limiting structure, the toggle button can maintain its structural lifespan when subjected to external impact or repeated use, and will not damage the internal small lever 5 or affect the correspondence between the magnet 2 and the Hall chip 7 due to over-stroke. The entire limiting design does not interfere with the toggle feel during normal use, but can effectively protect the long-term reliability of the internal elastic components.
[0038] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an assembly method for the toggle structure of the side-toggle button 1. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 1 , Figure 3 ,include: S1. Place the small paddle 5 in the designated position inside the fixed button housing 3, and fix it by heat fusion through the heat fusion column 6; In this embodiment, the assembly of the toggle structure of the side-toggle button 1 begins with fixing the small toggle piece 5. The assembler places the button housing 3 in a positioning fixture, fully exposing the mounting area of the small toggle piece 5 inside the housing. Then, the small toggle piece 5 is gently inserted into the positioning surface inside the housing according to the design direction, ensuring a tight fit between the fixing section of the small toggle piece 5 and the contact surface of the housing. After confirming the position of the small toggle piece 5 is correct, the operator uses a hot-melt jig to locally heat the pre-reserved hot-melt column 6 inside the housing. This causes the hot-melt column 6 to slightly collapse and cover the fixing section of the small toggle piece 5 after heating, thus forming a reliable fixation. After the hot-melt structure has naturally cooled, the elastic recovery ability and fixing firmness of the small toggle piece 5 need to be confirmed by light pressure and toggle to ensure that it will not loosen or shift during subsequent toggle operations.
[0039] In a further embodiment, the method further includes: S2. Insert magnet 2 into the side toggle button 1; Next, the assembly of the magnet 2 inside the side-toggle button 1 begins. The side-toggle button 1 is placed in the assembly fixture with the magnet 2 receiving slot facing upwards. Before assembly, the polarity and size of the magnet 2 must be confirmed to avoid deviations from the triggering direction of the Hall chip 7. The magnet 2 is slowly inserted along the receiving slot until it aligns with the positioning protrusions or limiting structures within the slot. If necessary, it is gently pressed to ensure it is fully in place. To ensure its linear movement characteristics in the toggle direction, the assembler will gently shake the button after assembly to confirm that the magnet 2 does not loosen, flip, or jump in the non-toggle direction, ensuring that it can stably move with the toggle button.
[0040] In a further embodiment, the method further includes: S3. Assemble the side toggle button 1 and magnet 2 assembly into the fixed button housing 3, and press and fix it by the fixed button decorative part 4. After installing magnet 2, assemble the side-toggle button 1 with the fixed button housing 3. The assembler aligns the side-toggle button 1 (with magnet 2 installed) with the guide groove of the housing and slowly pushes it in along the design direction, ensuring the correct contact between the button's back contact point and the free end of the small lever 5. The assembly process must be stable to prevent misalignment that could cause subsequent toggle difficulties. Once the button is fully inserted into the housing, the fixed button decorative piece 4 is pressed against the snap-fit area of the housing from the outside, locking the button assembly inside the housing. The pressing action must apply uniform pressure to ensure consistent contact between the decorative piece and the housing, preventing warping and providing both sealing and positioning. After assembly, manually toggle the button to check for jamming, abnormal friction noise, or poor rebound, confirming that the expected tactile feedback has been achieved.
[0041] In a further embodiment, the method further includes: S4. Install Hall chip 7 on the electronic device housing and adjust the displacement stroke correspondence between magnet 2 and Hall chip 7; wherein, the fixed button housing 3 maintains a structure without external openings throughout the entire assembly process; After all button components are assembled, they are installed in the designated position on the electronic device casing, allowing the Hall chip 7 to be placed correspondingly on the motherboard or connector board. After soldering or mounting the Hall chip 7 to the circuit board, its position needs to be fine-tuned to ensure its sensitive surface aligns with the movement trajectory of the magnet 2 inside the side-toggle button 1. Once the device is powered on, it collects Hall output signals by repeatedly toggling the button, recording the magnetic field change curves of the magnet 2 at different toggle positions. Based on these curves, trigger thresholds, hysteresis, and debouncing logic are set to ensure a clear and stable trigger point in actual use. If insufficient magnetic field variation, trigger point drift, or unstable response is detected during the data collection process, the position of the magnet 2, the fit precision between the button and the casing, and the installation angle of the Hall chip 7 need to be checked and adjusted according to the actual situation until the entire button assembly achieves stable consistency between the toggle feel and trigger performance.
[0042] Another aspect of the present invention provides a side-switch button module, which includes the structure described above and is installed as an integrated component in the housing of an electronic device.
[0043] In this embodiment, the button device is integrated as an integral component in the side area of the device. Its structure includes a fixed button shell 3, a side-switch button 1, a small lever 5, a hot-melt column 6, a magnet 2, a fixed button decorative part 4, and a Hall chip 7 for detecting changes in the magnetic field. Before assembly, all components have undergone dimensional and appearance inspections to ensure that the tactile stability and triggering accuracy are maintained after assembly. The fixed button shell 3 is a closed structure without external openings. The pre-fabricated mounting area of the small lever 5, the hot-melt column 6, and the button slide are all formed by one-time injection molding to ensure that the shell has good sealing continuity and assembly reference accuracy.
[0044] The side-toggle button 1 has a magnet 2 receiving groove formed inside its body to maintain the linear movement of the magnet 2 in the toggle direction and to prevent the magnet 2 from flipping or jumping up under external force through a positioning structure. The small toggle piece 5 has been firmly fixed in the shell material through the aforementioned process, so that its free end forms a consistent contact relationship with the force transmission surface on the back of the button when the button is toggleed. The fixed button decorative piece 4 plays the role of pressing the button and limiting the stroke in the whole device. After its installation, the button assembly is stably locked in the shell material, and it also serves as an appearance part to form a continuous visual transition effect with the equipment casing.
[0045] The relative positions of magnet 2 and Hall effect chip 7 are precisely matched in the design, ensuring that magnet 2 generates a sufficiently clear magnetic field change within the button's toggle stroke. Hall effect chip 7 detects this change and outputs the corresponding button signal through the motherboard circuitry. Hall effect chip 7 is typically mounted on the motherboard or secondary connection board, maintaining a fixed structural distance from the button assembly to prevent positional drift due to casing deformation or long-term use. After installation, the entire button assembly undergoes multiple toggle tests to confirm that the tactile feedback, trigger point consistency, and magnetic field signal stability all meet design requirements.
[0046] Because the fixed button housing 3 has a hole-free structure, the entire button device does not compromise the device's waterproof sealing path in terms of appearance. Furthermore, the tactile feedback is entirely provided by the internal small lever 5, without relying on traditional elastic wall structures, thus avoiding issues such as decreased tactile feedback or cracking of the housing after prolonged pressure. With this structure, the tactile feedback structure and the triggering structure are independent of each other, and the working distance between the magnet 2 and the Hall chip 7 is stable and reliable. The device ensures both a good user experience and meets the device's dustproof and waterproof requirements.
[0047] Another aspect of the present invention provides an electronic device including the aforementioned side-toggle button 1 structure or module, enabling the device to obtain independent toggle tactile feedback and Hall trigger function while adopting a hole-free button structure.
[0048] In this embodiment, the overall structure of the electronic device adopts a side-mounting method to combine the button device with the housing. The side area of the device has a pre-reserved mounting cavity for the button assembly during the design phase, but the exterior surface remains intact without through holes, maintaining continuity in the overall appearance and waterproof structure. The button module has already been internally fixed before assembly, including the heat-sealing of the small lever 5, the combination of the magnet 2 and the button body, and the limiting and pressing work of the decorative parts on the buttons. When the module is embedded in the side of the device housing, the locking points on the outside of the housing cooperate with the limiting structure on the shoulder inside the housing, ensuring that the entire button device is stably positioned within the housing and will not loosen or shift during long-term use or drop impacts.
[0049] The Hall chip 7, pre-installed on the motherboard, maintains a relatively fixed position with the button device during assembly, allowing the Hall chip 7 to accurately capture the movement trajectory of the magnet 2 during tossing. After assembly, the device undergoes a power-on test, verifying the stability of the trigger logic by continuously tossing the button, including the contact point, rebound speed, and resistance to accidental touches. Due to the high strength and deformation control of the device casing, this button-motherboard combination structure demonstrates high reliability in mechanical strength, trigger consistency, and electromagnetic stability. Furthermore, because the button device itself is an independent modular structure, it can be directly disassembled and reassembled during subsequent repairs or replacements, reducing product maintenance costs. The final product forms an electronic device that provides both a complete waterproof path and precise tossing input from the side.
[0050] In a further embodiment, the electronic device includes, but is not limited to, smartphones, tablets, portable terminals, or other electronic products that require side-swipe input and waterproof sealing performance.
[0051] In this embodiment, the electronic device's casing adopts a hole-free, sealed design, making the area of the side-switch button 1 appear without any visible holes or soft rubber structures, instead forming a continuous curved surface consistent with the casing surface. The button device is fixed entirely by the engagement and compression between the internal casing material and the casing structure, without any external through holes for structural connection. Because the hole-free design significantly reduces the infiltration paths of moisture or dust, this structure effectively improves the overall reliability of the device in scenarios requiring high dust and water resistance, such as everyday waterproofing, accidental immersion, or outdoor dusty environments.
[0052] With this open-hole-free structure, the device's button operation does not rely on the flexible deformation of the casing. Instead, the feedback is entirely provided by the internal small lever 5, ensuring that the feel remains stable even when subjected to external impacts or temperature changes. Unlike traditional flexible wall buttons, which may become sluggish after high temperatures or prolonged use, this design prevents them from becoming sluggish. Simultaneously, the triggering relationship between the magnet 2 and the Hall chip 7 remains independent and minimally affected by the casing, preventing the trigger point from shifting due to casing stress or aging. Ultimately, the entire electronic device achieves a robust balance between aesthetic design, sealing capabilities, and button experience, making it particularly suitable for smart terminal products with high requirements for structural strength and protection.
[0053] In summary, based on the above embodiments, it can be seen that the side-toggle button structure proposed in this invention is not a simple minor adjustment to the existing structure, but rather a redesign path that deconstructs the design from the three core contradictions of housing sealing, toggle feel, and magnetic field triggering. By using a small toggle piece and a hot-melt column for independent fixing inside the sealed housing, the toggle feel no longer depends on housing deformation; by placing a magnet inside the button body and allowing it to move with the travel, the trigger signal is entirely handled by Hall effect detection; by applying pressure to the outside of the fixed button decorative piece, the structure maintains a stable fit after installation without compromising the housing's sealing performance. The entire structure is independent and does not interfere with each other in the three dimensions of mechanics, magnetism, and sealing, achieving a relatively balanced engineering solution between button feel consistency, trigger reliability, and overall sealing performance. Regardless of long-term use, temperature and humidity changes, or drop impacts, this structure has stronger maintenance and less drift tendency, possesses good mass production adaptability, and provides a stable structural foundation for subsequent expansion to different sizes or device forms.
[0054] It should be understood that the application of the present invention is not limited to the examples above. Those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A side-switch button actuation structure for meeting the waterproof sealing requirements of electronic devices, characterized in that, include: The side-switch button contains a magnet. The key housing is a fixed, closed structure without any external openings; A fixed button decorative piece is used to press and install the side-toggle button assembly into the fixed button housing material; The small lever is a flexible metal sheet and is fixed by a hot-melt column set inside the fixed button housing material; A Hall effect chip is positioned opposite the magnet. The side-toggle button moves the magnet relative to the Hall chip within its toggle stroke to trigger the button action. The small toggle undergoes elastic deformation during the toggle process to provide a toggle feel. The fixed button shell is kept sealed by a hole-free structure so that the button feel structure and the trigger structure are independent of each other and to avoid damage to the shell seal.
2. The actuating structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The small lever is fixed by at least one hot-melt column, and the position of the hot-melt column is matched with the force distribution of the small lever to maintain the overall sealing of the shell while providing a stable lever feel.
3. The actuating structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The small lever is a steel sheet, the thickness, bending structure or free end length of which is adjusted by preset mechanical parameters so that its force-stroke curve matches the stroke of the side lever button.
4. The actuating structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The magnet is positioned and engaged with the inner cavity of the side-toggle button to prevent rotation or displacement during toggle operation, thus ensuring the stability of Hall triggering.
5. The actuating structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed button decorative part and the fixed button shell are fitted together by pressing, snapping or interference, so that the side-to-side button assembly forms a stable fixed structure that does not damage the overall seal.
6. The actuating structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed button housing or the side-toggle button is provided with a stop structure to limit the toggle angle or stroke of the side-toggle button, so as to prevent the small toggle piece from undergoing plastic deformation.
7. A method for assembling a side-toggle button actuation structure, characterized in that, include: Place the small lever in the designated position inside the fixed button housing material and fix it by heat fusion through the heat fusion column; Insert the magnet into the side toggle button; The side-toggle button and magnet assembly are assembled into the fixed button housing and then pressed and fixed by the fixed button decorative piece. A Hall chip is installed on the casing of an electronic device, and the displacement-stroke relationship between the magnet and the Hall chip is adjusted. The fixed button housing maintains a structure without external openings throughout the entire assembly process.
8. A side-switch button module, characterized in that, It includes the structure described in any one of claims 1 to 6 and is mounted as an integrated component in the housing of an electronic device.
9. An electronic device, characterized in that, Includes the side-toggle button structure or module as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, enabling the device to obtain independent toggle feel and Hall trigger function while adopting a hole-free button structure.
10. The electronic device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The electronic devices include, but are not limited to, smartphones, tablets, portable terminals, or other electronic products that require side-swipe input and waterproof sealing performance.