Housing for electronic device

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing for an electronic device. A housing for a personal care device. The housing includes a housing, a button, and a pair of button supports. The housing includes a tubular portion having an opening for receiving the button, and a pair of engagement elements disposed on an inner wall of the tubular portion, each engagement element configured to engage with a respective button support to secure the button within the opening. Each button support extends in a circumferential direction from a respective side of the button along an inner wall of the tubular portion, and each button support is configured to elastically deform to enable the button to move between a pressed state and a non-pressed state.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of electronic devices, and in particular, to electronic devices actuated by pressing a mechanical button. In some aspects, the present disclosure relates to a casing for a personal care appliance. In some aspects, the present disclosure relates to a personal care appliance having a casing with a tubular housing portion and a button. BACKGROUND

[0002] US2011 / 220481A1 discloses a lever button for an electronic device that enables actuation in two directions. The lever button includes a manipulation member and a resilient member having one end supported by the manipulation member and the other end supported by a support frame. The resilient member forms at least one cantilever. The lever button can be used to operate a menu of operations for navigating through the electronic device.

[0003] EP2492935A1 discloses a switch for an electric shaver, which is coupled to a switch support and includes a button, a locking assembly, a tab, and a hook. The locking assembly includes an operation ring and a locking ring, the operation ring rotates around the button between an unlocked position allowing actuation of the button and a locked state prohibiting actuation of the button, the locking ring rotates integrally with the operation ring. When the operation ring is in the locked position, the hook and the tab are arranged in the same position in a circumferential direction. When the operation ring is in the unlocked position, the hook and the tab are separated from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0004] US2010 / 116637A1 discloses a key structure provided in an operation panel of an electronic device such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile machine, a personal computer, a telephone, a game machine, or the like. DE102008041966A1 discloses a household appliance having a housing and an operating element mounted to the housing. An actuating element actuatable by the operating element is formed integrally with the housing. US2001 / 017255A1 discloses an electric shaver including a housing, a button switch housed in the housing, a button for pressing the button switch, and a waterproof gasket provided between the button and the button switch.

[0005] Electronic devices often have an on-off button to activate and deactivate the device. Many electronic devices employ a mechanical button that is configured to move up and down to engage with an electronic switch on a printed circuit board assembly to turn the device on and off.

[0006] Mechanical buttons for electronic devices are typically connected to the housing of the electronic device in a manner that allows the button to move to activate the device. The manner in which the button is connected to the housing depends on a variety of factors, including the force required to activate the device, the environment in which the device is used (e.g., devices commonly used in the bathroom, such as toothbrushes and shavers, require a waterproof button structure to prevent water from entering the device at the edges of the button), the frequency of use of the device, the expected life of the electronic device, the volume of space available for the button structure, whether the electronic device is designed to allow the button to be replaced, etc.

[0007] A common button structure comprises a single piece button having an elongate arm. The distal end of the elongate arm is typically attached to the inner wall of the housing of the device by a snap connection. The length of the elongate arm provides sufficient flexibility to allow the button to move up and down.

[0008] There is currently a desire to provide improved button mechanisms for electronic devices. SUMMARY

[0009] The invention is defined by the claims.

[0010] In a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a housing for a personal care device, the housing comprising a housing, wherein the housing comprises a tubular portion having an opening configured to accommodate a button, and a pair of engagement elements provided on the inner wall of the tubular portion on respective sides of the opening, the housing further comprising the button and a pair of button supports, the button being accommodated in the opening of the tubular portion, each button support extending from a respective side of the button in a circumferential direction along the inner wall of the tubular portion, wherein each button support is configured to engage with a respective engagement element, thereby securing the button within the opening; and wherein each button support is elastically deformable, thereby allowing the button to move between a pressed state and a non-pressed state.

[0011] In some examples, the direction of movement is the direction in which the button is released after being pushed into the opening of the housing. In some examples, the direction of movement of the button is a radial direction relative to the centre of the tubular portion of the housing.

[0012] According to the disclosure, according to an example of an aspect, there is provided a housing for an electronic device, the housing comprising a housing, a button, and a pair of button supports, wherein the housing comprises a tubular portion having an opening configured to accommodate the button, and a pair of engagement elements provided on the inner wall of the tubular portion on respective sides of the opening, the button being accommodated in the opening of the tubular portion and lying in a first plane, each button support extending from a respective side of the button in a circumferential direction along the inner wall of the tubular portion, wherein: each button support is configured to engage with a respective engagement element, thereby securing the button within the opening; and each button support is elastically deformable, thereby allowing the button to move in a first direction perpendicular to the first plane.

[0013] In some examples, the engagement element is a protrusion formed on an inner wall of the housing. In some examples, the engagement element protrudes radially from the inner wall of the housing. In some examples, the engagement element is a rib extending in a longitudinal direction (i.e. a direction substantially parallel to the main extension direction of the tubular portion of the housing).

[0014] In some examples, the button support is preloaded when in the mounted state so as to bias the button towards the opening. Thus, a spring-like behaviour can be provided. In some examples, the button support rests on an inner wall of the housing.

[0015] In some examples, two button supports are formed on two opposite sides of the button. In some examples, due to the preloading of the button supports when in the mounted state, and due to the curved shape of the button supports, the button is clamped by the two button supports between the two engagement elements, and is thus pushed outward into the opening. In some examples, the button supports are configured as a meandering band extending from the button in opposite directions.

[0016] The use of button supports extending circumferentially along the inner wall of the housing enables the button to be more easily attached to a tubular housing (in particular a one-piece tubular housing, rather than a two-part tube), as the technical limitations of the injection moulding process typically used to manufacture such housings require features on the inside of the housing to be formed in a single direction. Furthermore, such a design provides a button mechanism which occupies less space within the housing than a conventional button mechanism, enabling a more compact housing to be used.

[0017] In some examples, each button support has a curvature which is the same as the curvature of the respective portion of the inner wall of the tubular portion along which the button support extends.

[0018] In some examples, each button support comprises a plurality of longitudinal notches, wherein adjacent longitudinal notches are provided at opposite edges of the button support to form a meandering structure.

[0019] In other words, each button support can have a zig-zag shape or a serpentine shape. This provides a structure which reliably deforms to allow the button to move in the first direction, and which is unlikely to break or become permanently deformed.

[0020] In some examples, for each button support, the longitudinal notch closest to the button is provided at an opposite edge of the button support relative to the longitudinal notch closest to the engagement element, the button support being configured to engage with the engagement element.

[0021] This balances the deformation of the button support, reducing the likelihood of the button tilting during movement of the button.

[0022] In some examples, each button support has a serpentine shape. This provides a more even stress distribution over each button support.

[0023] In some examples, the distance between adjacent longitudinal notches is at least 0.6 mm. In other words, the thickness of each part of each button support having a longitudinal notch on each side is at least 0.6 mm. This reduces the likelihood of the button support breaking. In some examples, the distance between adjacent longitudinal notches is at least 1 mm.

[0024] In some examples, each longitudinal notch has a width in the circumferential direction of between 0.6 mm and 3 mm. For example, each longitudinal notch can have a width of between 1 mm and 3 mm.

[0025] In some examples, each button support has a thickness in the radial direction of the tubular portion of at least 0.6 mm. For example, each button support can have a thickness of at least 1 mm.

[0026] In some examples, each button support has a width in the longitudinal direction of the tubular portion of between 8 mm and 15 mm.

[0027] In some examples, the button and the pair of button supports are integrally formed.

[0028] In some examples, each engagement element comprises an engagement surface configured to exert a contact force on the respective button support in the direction of movement.

[0029] In some examples, each button support is mounted within the housing in a partially deformed configuration.

[0030] In some examples, each button support has a curved shape having a curvature corresponding (e.g. identical) to a curvature of a respective portion of the inner wall of the tubular portion of the housing along which the button support extends.

[0031] In some examples, the button is an on-off press button having two states.

[0032] In another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a personal care device, in particular a hand-held personal care device, the personal care device comprising a housing and a control circuit according to at least one embodiment disclosed herein, wherein the button and the control circuit are configured such that the control circuit is actuated by movement of the button between a non-pressed state and a pressed state.

[0033] There is also provided an electronic device comprising a housing and a control circuit as described above, wherein the button and the control circuit are configured such that the control circuit is actuated by movement of the button in a first direction.

[0034] In some examples, the electronic device is a handheld personal care device. For example, the electronic device can be a shaver, a beard trimmer, a hair trimmer, an epilator, an IPL (intense pulsed light) hair removal device, a toothbrush, an oral irrigator, an ultrasonic tooth cleaner, a skin scrubber, or a hairdryer.

[0035] In some examples, the electronic device further comprises a stopper configured to limit the amount of movement of the button in the first direction.

[0036] This can ensure that the button remains at least partially contained within the opening of the tubular portion (i.e. the button cannot be pressed so much that the button is pushed completely through the opening).

[0037] These and other aspects of the application will be apparent from the embodiments described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0038] For a better understanding of the present application, and to show how it can be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0039] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a housing for an electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a button and a button support of the housing;

[0041] Figure 3 shows a top view of the button and the button support;

[0042] Figure 4 shows a side view of the button and the button support;

[0043] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a housing body of the housing;

[0044] Figure 6 shows a side view of the housing;

[0045] Figure 7 shows an electronic device comprising a housing according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0046] Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the electronic device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] It should be understood that while the detailed description and specific examples indicate exemplary embodiments of the devices, systems, and methods, they are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the devices, systems, and methods of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to denote the same or similar parts.

[0049] This disclosure provides a housing for an electronic device. The housing includes a casing, a button, and a pair of button supports. The casing includes a tubular portion having an opening for receiving the button, and a pair of engaging elements disposed on the inner wall of the tubular portion, each engaging element being configured to engage with a corresponding button support to secure the button within the opening. Each button support extends circumferentially from a corresponding side of the button along the inner wall of the tubular portion and is configured to elastically deform such that the button can move in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the button is located.

[0050] The illustrative embodiments may be used, for example, for handheld electronic devices, including handheld personal care devices such as hair removal devices (e.g., razors, beard trimmers, hair clippers, epilators, or IPL hair removal devices), oral care devices (e.g., toothbrushes, oral irrigators, or ultrasonic dental cleaners), skin scrubbers and / or hair dryers, and other handheld electronic devices (such as handheld garment steamers).

[0051] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a housing 100 for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The housing includes a casing 110, a button 120, and a pair of button supports 130.

[0052] The housing 110 includes a tubular portion and a pair of engaging elements 111. The tubular portion has an opening configured to receive a button 120, and the pair of engaging elements 111 are disposed on the inner wall 112 of the tubular portion and located on corresponding sides of the opening. Figure 1 In this context, the engaging element is a protrusion extending from the inner wall of the housing. The opening and engaging element are described in more detail below.

[0053] In some examples, button 120 is housed in an opening in the tubular portion of the housing and located in the first plane XZ (longitudinal direction Z and Figure 1 (The paper is perpendicular to the paper). The outward-facing surface of the button (i.e., the visible surface of the button that can be accessed from the outside of the housing when the button is housed in the opening) is the surface of the button, which is designed to be pressed / pushed by the user of the electronic device to operate the button, and can be flush with the outer surface of the tubular portion, such as... Figure 1The buttons can be flush with the opening of the tubular portion (alternatively, the buttons can slightly protrude from the opening of the outer side of the tubular portion or can slightly recess within the opening). The outward facing surface of the buttons can be flat or curved (e.g., the buttons can have the same curvature as the curvature of the tubular portion of the housing); if the outward facing surface is curved, the first plane X-Z can be parallel to the tangent of the curved surface at the center of the surface.

[0054] Each button support 130 extends in a circumferential direction (i.e., a direction parallel to the circumference of the inner wall of the tubular portion) from a respective side of the button along the inner wall 112 of the tubular portion. Each button support can have the same curvature as the curvature of the respective portion of the inner wall of the tubular portion of the housing along which the button support extends. Optionally, each button support is identical or symmetric to the other button support (i.e., the pair of button supports can be reflectionally symmetric with respect to a line extending in the longitudinal direction Z and passing through the center of the buttons), so as to provide even (i.e., symmetric) movement of the buttons 120.

[0055] Each button support 130 is configured to engage with a respective engagement element 111, thereby securing the button within the opening. In particular, the portion of the inner wall 112 of the tube along which the button support extends prevents the button from falling out of the housing through the opening, while the engagement element prevents the button from falling into the housing. The sides of the opening within which the button is housed limit the movement of the button in the longitudinal direction.

[0056] Each engagement element 111 can comprise an engagement surface configured to exert a contact force on the respective button support in a first direction Y direction perpendicular to the first plane X-Z in which the button lies. For example, the engagement surface of each engagement element can lie in the first plane X-Z. Alternatively, each engagement surface can be inclined towards the inner wall 112 of the tubular portion.

[0057] As can be seen in at least some of the figures shown herein, the longitudinal direction Z can be substantially parallel to the main extension direction of the outer shell 100 / housing 110 (in particular, the main extension direction of the tubular portion of the outer shell 100 / housing 110). The first direction Y is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Z and can be parallel to the movement / actuation direction of the buttons 120. The direction X is substantially perpendicular to the first direction Y and to the longitudinal direction Z.

[0058] The position of the engagement surfaces of the engagement elements 111 relative to the opening of the tubular portion can be such that the distal end of each button support distal from the button is further from the button than any other part of the button support in the X-direction (i.e. a direction parallel to the first plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Z of the tubular portion). In other words, the button supports can each have a curved shape that does not bend back on itself (as this can cause the button support to flex inwards). For example, if the tubular portion is cylindrical (or has another shape that is reflectionally symmetric about a line parallel to the X-direction), the engagement surfaces of the two engagement elements can be disposed in the same half of the tubular portion as the opening within which the button is housed.

[0059] Each button support 130 is elastically deformable, thereby allowing the button 120 to move in a first direction Y (i.e. a direction perpendicular to the first plane X-Z in which the button lies). The distance by which the button is able to move in the first direction Y can depend on the requirements of the electronic device in which the housing 100 is used, and in particular on the distance between the button and the element of the electronic device with which the button is intended to engage (e.g. an electronic switch of a control circuit or an intermediate element that is moved by movement of the button so as to engage with an electronic switch of a control circuit). In some examples, the distance by which the button is able to move can be limited by one or more components of the electronic device, as described in more detail below.

[0060] In some examples, the button supports 130 can be mounted within the housing in a partially deformed configuration so as to bias the button towards the opening; this provides a greater internal volume of the housing, allowing components of the electronic device to be more easily inserted into the housing.

[0061] Figure 2 A perspective view of the button 120 and the button supports 130 is shown. In Figure 2 Each button support comprises a plurality of longitudinal indentations 131, adjacent longitudinal indentations being disposed at opposite edges of the button support to form a meander structure. The longitudinal indentations extend into the edges of each button support in the longitudinal direction Z, the indentations enabling the button support to elastically deform.

[0062] In Figure 2 The meander structure is serpentine, in other words the corners formed by the longitudinal indentations in each button support are rounded. This has been found to provide a more even stress distribution. However, other shapes of longitudinal indentation are also envisaged. For example, each longitudinal indentation can have a rectangular shape (i.e. have sharp cornered corners) or a triangular shape. The shape of the longitudinal indentations can depend on the dimensions of the button support (and hence the dimensions of the housing, in particular the circumference).

[0063] In some examples, the longitudinal notch 131a of each button support closest to the button is provided at an opposite edge of the respective button support relative to the longitudinal notch 131d closest to the engagement element with which the respective button support (i.e. the longitudinal notch at the distal end of the button support relative to the button) is configured to engage. In other words, the total number of longitudinal notches in each button support is even.

[0064] It has been found that Figure 2 The meandering structure of the button supports 130 shown has a particularly low likelihood of one or both of the button supports breaking or becoming permanently deformed due to movement of the buttons 120 in the first direction Y. However, other configurations of the button supports are possible. For example, each button support can comprise a plurality of frame elements provided along the circumferential direction and connected to each other by one or more cross-bars (extending in the circumferential direction), each frame element having a cut-out to enable elastic deformation of the button support. For example, each frame element can have a ring shape or a rectangular frame shape.

[0065] The button supports 130 can be formed from any suitable material (i.e. a material that allows the button supports to elastically deform), such as a plastic (e.g. a thermoplastic) or a metal (e.g. steel). Thermoplastic button supports can be easier and less costly to manufacture, whereas metal button supports can enable a smaller thickness of the button supports in the radial direction, thereby enabling a reduction in the diameter / circumference of the housing or providing a larger internal volume of the housing that can be used for other components of the electronic device. Metal button supports can be used for housings of electronic devices where the button supports cannot be in electrical contact with wiring in the electronic device, such as where electrical components of the electronic device are provided in an inner housing (e.g. for waterproofing).

[0066] The button supports 130 can be manufactured using any suitable technique, which can depend on the material used. For example, plastic button supports can be formed by a moulding technique (e.g. injection moulding), whereas metal button supports can be manufactured by cutting and bending a metal sheet. In some examples, the buttons 120 and the button supports can be integrally formed, which reduces the complexity and cost of manufacture. Alternatively, the buttons and the button supports can be manufactured separately, and the button supports can subsequently be attached to the buttons, for example, this can be the case where the buttons are formed from a different material to the button supports (e.g. the button supports can be formed from metal in order to reduce the radial thickness, whereas the buttons can be formed from plastic for aesthetic purposes).

[0067] Figure 3A top view of the buttons 120 and the button supports 130 is shown, which more clearly illustrates the meandering structure of the button supports. The width I of each longitudinal notch 131 in the circumferential direction can be at least 0.6 mm (e.g., between 0.6 mm and 3 mm for a handheld electronic device, longitudinal notches greater than 3 mm can be used for larger devices). In some examples, the width I of each longitudinal notch can be at least 1 mm (e.g., between 1 mm and 3 mm). With a width I of less than 1 mm for the longitudinal notches, the likelihood of a mold used to manufacture the button supports breaking is higher, and with a width I of less than 0.6 mm, the likelihood of breaking is significantly higher. Each longitudinal notch can extend far enough into the respective button support such that the thickness of the portion of the button support adjacent to the longitudinal notch in the longitudinal direction Z is similar to the thickness T of each portion of the button support between adjacent longitudinal notches of each button support (e.g., not more than twice its size and not less than half its size). For example, the length of the longitudinal notches can be such that the meandering portion of each button support always has a uniform thickness.

[0068] The thickness T of each portion of each button support between adjacent longitudinal notches can be at least 0.6 mm (e.g., at least 1 mm). The width W of each button support in the longitudinal direction can depend on the desired force-reaction and the material from which the button supports are formed, as well as the size of the buttons to which the button supports are attached and the circumference of the housing. In some examples, the width W can be between 8 mm and 15 mm.

[0069] In Figure 2 and Figure 3 each button support 130 has four longitudinal notches 131; however, as will be readily understood by one of skill in the art, the number of longitudinal notches can depend on the desired amount of elastic deformation of the button supports (i.e., on the distance the buttons move), as well as on the circumference of the tubular portion of the housing.

[0070] Figure 4 A side view of the buttons 120 and the button supports 130 is shown. The thickness H of each button support in the radial direction can depend on the diameter of the tubular portion of the housing 110. The thickness H can be at least 0.6 mm. In some examples, the thickness H can be at least 1 mm.

[0071] Figure 5 A perspective view of the housing 110 is shown. Figure 5The opening 115 of the tubular portion of the housing configured to accommodate the button 120 is shown more clearly. The opening has the same shape as the portion of the button to be accommodated in the opening and is slightly larger than the button in the X and Z directions (e.g. providing a clearance of approximately 0.1 mm between the button and the opening on all sides) so that the button can move within the opening in the first direction Y while limiting movement of the button in the X and Z directions.

[0072] Figure 6 A side view of the housing 100 is shown. Figure 6 The engagement elements 111 are shown more clearly, each of which projects from and extends along the inner wall 112 of the tubular portion in the longitudinal direction Z. Figure 6 The configuration of the engagement elements shown enables the tubular portion of the housing to be moulded as a single piece, as these engagement elements allow the tubular portion to be removed from the mould by pulling the tubular portion in the longitudinal direction Z from the mould. The tubular portion can be open at at least one end in order to allow the tubular portion to be removed from the mould.

[0073] Alternatively, the engagement elements can be provided by the tubular portion having a first thickness at a first section of the tubular portion around the opening 115 and a second thickness at a second section (provided at least in half of the tubular portion opposite the opening); the engagement elements can then be provided as ridges at the points where the thickness of the tubular portion changes.

[0074] Figure 7 An electronic device 700 according to an embodiment of the disclosure is shown. The electronic device comprises Figures 1 to 6 The housing 100 and control circuitry (not visible in Figure 7 ) are shown. The button 120 and control circuitry are configured such that the control circuitry is activated by movement of the button in the first direction Y.

[0075] In Figure 7 , the electronic device is a beard trimmer; however, as will be readily appreciated by the skilled person, the housing 100 can be used as a housing for any suitable electronic device, including other handheld personal care devices such as a shaver, a hair trimmer, an epilator, an IPL hair removal device, a toothbrush, an oral irrigator, an ultrasonic tooth cleaner, a skin scrubber or a hairdryer, as well as other handheld electronic devices such as a handheld garment steamer.

[0076] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the electronic device 700 taken along the line A-A of Figure 7 is shown. Figure 8 The control circuitry 740 disposed within the housing 100 is shown. In Figure 8In the illustrated electronic device 700, the control circuit 740 is configured to control the motor 750 of the electronic device. The switch element 745 of the control circuit 740 is aligned with the button 120 in the first direction Y, such that movement of the button in the first direction Y operates the switch element, either directly by engaging the switch element or by moving an intermediate element and in turn engaging the switch element with the intermediate element.

[0077] In some examples, the control circuit 740 and any other electronic components of the electronic device 700 (e.g., the motor 750) can be disposed in a watertight inner housing 760, which is then disposed in the outer housing 100. The watertight inner housing can have a watertight connection with the housing 110 of the outer housing 100. The watertight inner housing can include a mechanical element 770 configured to actuate the control circuit in response to movement of the button 120 in the first direction Y; in other words, movement of the button in the first direction Y can cause movement of the mechanical element, which can in turn actuate the control circuit of the electronic device.

[0078] In some examples, the electronic device 700 can include a stopper 780 configured to limit movement of the button 120 in the first direction Y (e.g., to ensure that at least a portion of the button is always disposed within the opening, so as to limit movement of the button in any direction other than the first direction Y). The stopper can be disposed on a component of the electronic device contained within the tubular portion (e.g., on a face of the component facing the button). In Figure 8 In some examples, the stopper can include a first stopper element configured to engage with a first half (e.g., an upper half) of the button and a second stopper element configured to engage with a second half (e.g., a lower half) of the button, so as to prevent or reduce tilting of the button.

[0079] Other aspects and embodiments of the disclosure are set forth in the following clauses:

[0080] Clause 1 : An outer housing for an electronic device, the outer housing comprising:

[0081] a housing, wherein the housing comprises:

[0082] a tubular portion having an opening configured to house a button; and

[0083] a pair of engagement elements disposed on an inner wall of the tubular portion at a respective side of the opening;

[0084] a button housed in the opening of the tubular portion and lying in a first plane X-Z; and

[0085] a pair of button supports, each button support extending in a circumferential direction along the inner wall of the tubular portion from a respective side of the button, wherein:

[0086] each button support is configured to engage with a respective engagement element, thereby securing the button within the opening; and

[0087] each button support is elastically deformable, thereby allowing the button to move in a first direction Y perpendicular to the first plane.

[0088] Clause 2: The housing of clause 1, wherein each button support has a curvature identical to a curvature of a respective portion of the inner wall of the tubular portion along which the button support extends.

[0089] Clause 3: The housing of clause 1 or 2, wherein each button support comprises a plurality of longitudinal notches, wherein adjacent longitudinal notches are provided at opposite edges of the button support to form a meandering structure.

[0090] Clause 4: The housing of clause 3, wherein, for each button support, a longitudinal notch closest to the button is provided at an opposite edge of the button support relative to a longitudinal notch closest to the engagement element with which the button support is configured to engage.

[0091] Clause 5: The housing of clause 3 or 4, wherein each button support has a serpentine shape.

[0092] Clause 6: The housing of any one of clauses 3 to 5, wherein a distance T between adjacent longitudinal notches is at least 0.6 mm.

[0093] Clause 7: The housing of any one of clauses 3 to 6, wherein a width I of each longitudinal notch in a circumferential direction is between 0.6 mm and 3 mm.

[0094] Clause 8: The housing of any one of clauses 1 to 7, wherein a thickness H of each button support in a radial direction is at least 0.6 mm.

[0095] Clause 9: The housing of any one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein a width W of each button support in a longitudinal direction Z is between 8 mm and 15 mm.

[0096] Clause 10: The housing of any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the button and the pair of button supports are integrally formed.

[0097] Clause 11: The housing of any one of clauses 1-10, wherein each engagement element comprises an engagement surface configured to apply a contact force to the respective button support in the first direction Y.

[0098] Clause 12: The housing of any one of clauses 1-11, wherein each button support is mounted within the housing in a partially deformed configuration.

[0099] Clause 13: An electronic device comprising:

[0100] the housing of any one of clauses 1-12; and

[0101] a control circuit, wherein the button and the control circuit are configured such that the control circuit is actuated by movement of the button in the first direction Y.

[0102] Clause 14: The electronic device of clause 13, wherein the electronic device is a handheld personal care device.

[0103] Clause 15: The electronic device of clause 13 or 14, wherein the electronic device further comprises a stopper configured to limit an amount of movement of the button in the first direction Y.

[0104] Variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles “a” or “an” do not exclude a plurality.

[0105] The fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0106] If the term “adapted to” is used in the claims or specification it should be noted that the term “adapted to” is intended to be equivalent to the term “configured to.” If the term “arranged” is used in the claims or specification it should be noted that the term “arranged” is intended to be equivalent to the term “system,” and vice versa.

[0107] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A housing (100) for a personal care device (700), the housing comprising: Housing (110), wherein the housing comprises: A tubular portion having an opening (115) configured to receive a button; and A pair of engaging elements (111) are disposed on the inner wall (112) of the tubular portion on the corresponding side of the opening; Button (120), said button (120) being received in said opening of said tubular portion; and A pair of button supports (130), each button support extending circumferentially from a corresponding side of the button along the inner wall of the tubular portion, wherein: Each button support is configured to engage with a corresponding engagement element, thereby securing the button within the opening; and Each button support can elastically deform, thereby allowing the button to move between a pressed state and a non-pressed state.

2. The housing (100) according to claim 1, wherein each button support (130) has the same curvature as a corresponding portion of the inner wall (112) of the extending tubular portion of the button support.

3. The housing (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each button support (130) includes a plurality of longitudinal recesses (131, 131a, 131b, 131c, 131d), wherein adjacent longitudinal recesses are provided at opposite edges of the button support to form a tortuous structure.

4. The outer casing (100) according to claim 3, wherein, For each button support (130), the longitudinal notch (131a) closest to the button is provided at the opposite edge of the longitudinal notch (131d) closest to the engagement element (111) of the button support, the button support being configured to engage with the engagement element (111).

5. The housing (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each button support (130) has a serpentine shape.

6. The housing (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the distance (T) between adjacent longitudinal notches (131, 131a, 131b, 131c, 131d) is at least 0.6 mm.

7. The housing (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the width (I) of each longitudinal notch (131, 131a, 131b, 131c, 131d) in the circumferential direction is between 0.6 mm and 3 mm.

8. The housing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the thickness (H) of each button support (130) in the radial direction of the tubular portion is at least 0.6 mm.

9. The housing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the width (W) of each button support (130) in the longitudinal direction (Z) of the tubular portion is between 8 mm and 15 mm.

10. The housing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the button (120) and the pair of button supports (130) are integrally formed.

11. The housing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each engagement element (111) includes an engagement surface configured to apply a contact force to the corresponding button support (130) in the direction of movement.

12. The housing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each button support (130) is mounted within the housing (110) in a partially deformed configuration.

13. The housing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the button (120) is an on-off press button having two states.

14. A personal care device (700), particularly a handheld personal care device (700), comprising: The outer casing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13; as well as A control circuit (740) wherein the button (120) and the control circuit are configured such that the control circuit is actuated by the movement of the button between the non-pressed state and the pressed state.

15. The personal care device (700) of claim 14, wherein the personal care device further comprises a stop (780) configured to limit the amount of movement of the button (120).

Images