Key cap and electronic equipment

Abstract

The utility model provides a key cap and electronic equipment. The key cap comprises a key cap body, a plurality of fixed arms arranged at the periphery of the key cap body, and elastic arms connected between the key cap body and the fixed arms, the key cap body, the fixed arm and the elastic arm are integrally formed and have elasticity, the key cap body is used for triggering the key device, the fixed arm is used for being in interference fit with an opening of a circuit board provided with the key device so as to fix the key cap body above the key device, and the elastic arm is used for providing elastic force for the key cap body to be separated from the key device. According to the technical scheme, the assembly mode of the key cap is simple, and the assembly cost is reduced; the key cap body, the fixed arm and the elastic arm are fixed on the circuit board, so that even if the production yield is not high, the shell does not need to be scrapped together, and the after-sales maintenance cost is reduced; the elastic arm, the key cap body and the fixed arm are integrally formed, and the key cap body has elasticity, so that the pressing hand feeling is good, and the pressing experience of operators is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electronic equipment, and more specifically, to a button cap and electronic equipment. Background Art

[0002] The traditional button design structure is as follows: the button cap is fixed to the shell by a hot-melt elastic arm or a buckle. The button cap adopts a common engineering plastic hard glue structure and is fixed to the shell by a hot-melt column on the shell. When the button cap is pressed, the elastic arm is deformed to achieve the effect of rebounding after pressing.

[0003] The above traditional button cap design has the following disadvantages:

[0004] 1. When using hard glue, the price of key materials of the same size is high, and the production and assembly costs are high.

[0005] 2. Due to the hot-melt process, there is a certain defective rate in production, and the shell and buttons will all be scrapped. At the same time, the cost of after-sales repair and replacement of the shell is high.

[0006] 3. The button cap uses an elastic arm as the pressing and rebounding structure, which has a complex structure and a hard pressing feel. Utility Model Content

[0007] The utility model aims to provide a key cap and an electronic device to solve the technical problems existing in the prior art of high key assembly cost, low production yield, complex structure and hard feel.

[0008] In order to achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted by the utility model is:

[0009] In a first aspect, a key cap is provided, comprising:

[0010] A key cap body, a plurality of fixed arms arranged on the periphery of the key cap body, and an elastic arm connecting the key cap body and the fixed arms; the key cap body, the fixed arms and the elastic arms are integrally formed and have elasticity, the key cap body is used to trigger a key device, the fixed arms are used to interference fit with an opening of a circuit board provided with the key device so as to fix the key cap body above the key device, and the elastic arms are used to provide elastic force for the key cap body to separate from the key device.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution:

[0012] First, the key cap is elastic and is made of elastic material. Compared with hard plastic material, the production cost of elastic material is low. At the same time, the elastic fixing arm can be fixed to the key cap body relative to the key device by interference fit with the opening of the circuit board. The assembly method is simple and the assembly cost is reduced.

[0013] Secondly, the button cap body, the fixed arm and the elastic arm are fixed on the circuit board, so even if the production yield is not high, there is no need to scrap the shell together, which reduces the after-sales maintenance cost;

[0014] Finally, the elastic arm is integrally formed with the button cap body and the fixed arm. The elastic arm is used as a simple pressing and rebounding structure. At the same time, the button cap body is elastic, which makes the pressing feel good and improves the operator's pressing experience.

[0015] In one embodiment, the key cap body is provided with a key cap contact for triggering the key device, the key cap contact is used to abut against the key device, and the contact surface area between the key cap contact and the key device is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the key cap body.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution,

[0017] In one embodiment, the key cap further includes a support arm disposed between the fixed arm and the elastic arm, the support arm being coaxially disposed with the fixed arm, the radial dimension of the support arm being larger than the radial dimension of the fixed arm, and the support arm being used to abut against the circuit board so that a gap is formed between the key cap contact and the key device.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, the setting of the key cap contact increases the success rate of triggering the key device and ensures the reliability of the key cap body.

[0019] In one embodiment, the gap has a size of 0.2-0.7 mm.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, the gap within the above size range takes into account both the easy triggering of the key cap body and the difficulty of accidental touching.

[0021] In one embodiment, the button cap further includes an assembly handle disposed on the fixed arm, the assembly handle is coaxially disposed with the fixed arm and located on a side away from the support arm, and a radial dimension of the assembly handle is smaller than a radial dimension of the fixed arm.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, the assembly handle coaxially arranged with the fixed arm can make it easier to insert the assembly handle into the opening, and the assembly handle is convenient for the assembler to pull the fixed arm and the support arm so that both are installed in place.

[0023] In one embodiment, a guide structure is formed between the assembly handle and the fixed arm, and the guide structure is tapered from the fixed arm in a direction approaching the assembly handle.

[0024] By adopting the above technical solution, the smoothness of the assembly handle when pulling the fixed arm into the opening is improved.

[0025] In one embodiment, the key cap further includes a key seat, which is arranged around the key cap body. A thin-walled portion is provided between the key seat and the key cap body, and the thickness of the thin-walled portion is less than the thickness of the key seat. The key seat is used to support the thin-walled portion, and the thin-walled portion is the elastic arm. The fixed arm is also provided on the key seat.

[0026] By adopting the above technical solution, it is easy to form a thin-walled portion between the key seat and the key cap body, so that the elastic arm is easy to process and manufacture.

[0027] In one embodiment, the thickness of the thin-walled portion is 0.2 mm to 1 mm.

[0028] By adopting the above technical solution, the thin-walled portion has a better pressing feel, that is, the elastic arm can provide a suitable rebound elastic force.

[0029] In one embodiment, the button seat is further provided with a plurality of elastic arm auxiliary grooves surrounding the button cap body.

[0030] By adopting the above technical solution, the resilience provided by the elastic arm when deformed is improved, the possibility of false triggering of the key cap body is reduced, and the reliability of the key cap is improved.

[0031] In a second aspect, an electronic device is provided, comprising a device body, a circuit board, a key device and a key cap as described above, wherein the circuit board is arranged on the device body, the circuit board is provided with an opening that is interference fit with a fixed arm, and the key device is arranged on the circuit board.

[0032] By adopting the above technical solution, on the basis of having the advantages of the key cap of the above embodiment, the electronic device of this embodiment also has the advantages of low manufacturing cost and high production yield. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0034] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the utility model.

[0035] Figure 2 It is an exploded diagram of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the utility model.

[0036] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a key cap provided by an embodiment of the utility model from one viewing angle.

[0037] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a key cap provided by an embodiment of the utility model from another viewing angle.

[0038] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the utility model.

[0039] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Magnified view of point “A” in the figure.

[0040] The reference numerals in the figures are:

[0041] 100, button cap; 200, button device; 300, circuit board; 400, device body;

[0042] 1. Button cap body; 2. Fixed arm; 3. Elastic arm; 4. Support arm; 5. Assembly handle; 6. Guide structure; 7. Button seat;

[0043] 11. key cap contact; 12. gap; 71. thin wall portion; 72. elastic arm auxiliary groove;

[0044] 301. Open the hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects to be solved by the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0046] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly located on the other element or indirectly located on the other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to the other element.

[0047] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" etc., indicating directions or positional relationships, are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention, and do not indicate that a device or element must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, it should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0048] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating relative importance or indicating the number of technical features. In the description of the present utility model, the meaning of "multiple" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined. The following is a more detailed description of the specific implementation of the present utility model in conjunction with specific embodiments:

[0049] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a key cap 100 provided in an embodiment of the utility model is used for an operator to press to trigger a key device 200, so that a circuit board 300 provided with the key device 200 can receive input instructions and output control information at the same time; the key cap 100 of this embodiment is an integrally formed part, which has elasticity and can be directly fixed on the circuit board 300. The key cap 100 has low material price, low production, assembly and after-sales costs, simple structure, and good pressing feel; the following is an explanation through specific implementation methods:

[0050] Please also read Figure 3 to Figure 4 The key cap 100 of this embodiment includes:

[0051] A key cap body 1, a plurality of fixed arms 2 arranged on the periphery of the key cap body 1, and an elastic arm 3 connecting the key cap body 1 and the fixed arms 2; the key cap body 1, the fixed arms 2 and the elastic arms 3 are integrally formed and have elasticity, the key cap body 1 is used to trigger the key device 200, the fixed arms 2 are used to interference fit with the opening of the circuit board 300 provided with the key device 200 to fix the key cap body 1 above the key device 200, and the elastic arms 3 are used to provide elastic force for the key cap body 1 to separate from the key device 200.

[0052] Here, it can be understood that the key cap body 1 is used to trigger the key device 200; specifically, the key cap body 1 is used to abut against the key device 200 to trigger the key device 200;

[0053] The fixing arm 2 is used to fix the key cap body 1 on the circuit board 300, so that the key cap body 1 is located above the key device 200; specifically, the circuit board 300 provided with the key device 200 is provided with an opening 301, and the fixing arm 2 can be inserted into the opening 301 and has an interference fit with the opening 301, that is, the fixing arm 2 is fixed in the opening 301 by the force generated by the interference fit with the opening 301, so that the key cap body 1 can be fixed relative to the circuit board 300, that is, fixed relative to the key device 200;

[0054] The elastic arm 3 is used to provide elastic force for the key cap body 1 to separate from the key device 200; specifically, the elastic arm 3 connects the key cap body 1 and the fixed arm 2. When the key cap body 1 is pressed, the key cap body 1 abuts against the key device 200 to trigger the key device 200. At the same time, the elastic arm 3 is deformed to provide elastic force for the key cap body 1 to rebound. When the pressing force is removed, the key cap body 1 separates from the key device 200 under the elastic force of the elastic arm 3.

[0055] The working principle of the key cap 100 provided in this embodiment is as follows:

[0056] A plurality of openings 301 are provided on a circuit board 300 provided with a key device 200, and the number and positions of the openings 301 correspond to the number and positions of the fixed arms 2, and the fixed arms 2 are inserted into the openings 301 one by one. At this time, the key cap body 1 is located above the key device 200; when the key cap body 1 is pressed, the key cap body 1 moves toward the key device 200 until it abuts against the key device 200, thereby triggering the key device 200; at the same time, since the elastic arm 3 connects the case cap body and the fixed arm 2, the elastic arm 3 is stretched and deformed to generate elastic force. When the operator's pressing force is cancelled, the key cap body 1 is separated from the key device 200 under the elastic force of the elastic arm 3, and the state of triggering the key device 200 is cancelled.

[0057] By adopting the above technical solution:

[0058] First, the key cap 100 is elastic and is made of an elastic material. Compared with hard plastic materials, the production cost of elastic materials is low. At the same time, the elastic fixing arm 2 can be used in an interference fit manner with the opening 301 of the circuit board 300 to fix the key cap body 1 relative to the key device 200. The assembly method is simple and the assembly cost is reduced.

[0059] Secondly, the button cap body 1, the fixed arm 2 and the elastic arm 3 are fixed on the circuit board 300, so even if the production yield is not high, there is no need to scrap the shell together, which reduces the after-sales maintenance cost;

[0060] Finally, the elastic arm 3 is integrally formed with the button cap body 1 and the fixed arm 2. The elastic arm 3 is used as a simple pressing and rebounding structure. At the same time, the button cap body 1 is elastic, which makes the pressing feel good and improves the operator's pressing experience.

[0061] In one embodiment, the aperture (diameter) of the opening 301 of the circuit board 300 is 1.5 mm-2.5 mm, and the diameter of the fixing arm 2 is 0.2-0.4 mm larger than the aperture of the opening 301 .

[0062] Through the above technical solution, the fixed arm 2 and the opening 301 within the above size range have a high degree of fit.

[0063] In one embodiment, the key cap 100 is entirely made of silicone material and formed by an oil pressure mold, and the overall material and manufacturing costs are low.

[0064] In one embodiment, the key cap body 1 is provided with a key cap contact 11 for triggering the key device 200 . The key cap contact 11 is used to abut against the key device 200 . The contact surface area between the key cap contact 11 and the key device 200 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the key cap body 1 .

[0065] Here, it can be understood that the key cap contact 11 is used to abut against the key device 200, and the key cap body 1 is used for the operator to press, therefore, the structural size of the key cap body 1 is set larger to facilitate pressing, while the key cap contact 11 is used to abut against the key device 200, therefore, the structural size of the key cap contact 11 is set smaller to increase the pressure when pressing on the key device 200, thereby increasing the success rate of triggering the key device 200.

[0066] By adopting the above technical solution, the setting of the key cap contact 11 increases the success rate of triggering the key device 200 and ensures the reliability of the key cap body 1.

[0067] Please also read Figure 5 and Figure 6 In one embodiment, the key cap 100 also includes a support arm 4 arranged between the fixed arm 2 and the elastic arm 3. The support arm 4 is coaxially arranged with the fixed arm 2. The radial dimension of the support arm 4 is larger than the radial dimension of the fixed arm 2. The support arm 4 is used to abut against the circuit board 300, so that a gap 12 is formed between the key cap contact 11 and the key device 200.

[0068] Here, it can be understood that when the fixed arm 2 is inserted into the opening 301, the fixed arm 2 extends into the opening 301 along its own axis, and the support arm 4 is arranged between the fixed arm 2 and the elastic arm 3. At the same time, the support arm 4 is also coaxially arranged with the fixed arm 2. The support arm 4 is used to abut against the circuit board 300 to limit the fixed arm 2, so that the fixed arm 2 no longer continues to extend into the opening 301, and then the key cap contact 11 can form a gap 12 with the key device 200 when not pressed, thereby ensuring that the key device 200 is not accidentally touched.

[0069] By adopting the above technical solution, the possibility of the key cap 100 being triggered by mistake is reduced, and the reliability of the key cap 100 is improved.

[0070] In one embodiment, the size of the gap 12 is 0.2-0.7 mm.

[0071] Preferably, the size of the gap 12 is 0.5 mm.

[0072] By adopting the above technical solution, the gap 12 within the above size range takes into account both the easy triggering of the key cap body 1 and the difficulty of accidental touching.

[0073] In one embodiment, the button cap 100 further includes an assembly handle 5 disposed on the fixed arm 2 . The assembly handle 5 is coaxially disposed with the fixed arm 2 and is located on a side away from the support arm 4 . The radial dimension of the assembly handle 5 is smaller than the radial dimension of the fixed arm 2 .

[0074] Here, it can be understood that the assembly handle 5 is used for the assembler to hold; specifically, the assembly handle 5 is coaxially arranged with the fixed arm 2 and is located on the side away from the support arm 4. When the assembly handle 5 and the fixed arm 2 are inserted into the opening 301 in sequence, the assembly handle 5 is exposed outside the opening 301. In this way, the assembler can hold the assembly handle 5 and pull the fixed arm 2 to insert into the opening 301, while making the support arm 4 rest against the circuit board 300, ensuring that the fixed arm 2 and the support arm 4 are installed in place.

[0075] By adopting the above technical solution, the assembly handle 5 coaxially arranged with the fixed arm 2 can make it easier to insert the assembly handle 5 into the opening 301. At the same time, the assembly handle 5 facilitates the assembler to pull the fixed arm 2 and the support arm 4 so that both are installed in place.

[0076] In one embodiment, a guide structure 6 is formed between the assembly handle 5 and the fixed arm 2 , and the guide structure 6 is tapered from the fixed arm 2 in a direction approaching the assembly handle 5 .

[0077] Here, it can be understood that since the radial dimension of the assembly handle 5 is smaller than the radial dimension of the fixed arm 2, a guide structure 6 is provided between the assembly handle 5 and the fixed arm 2 to enable a smooth transition between the assembly handle 5 and the fixed arm 2, and the guide structure 6 guides the fixed arm 2 into the opening 301.

[0078] By adopting the above technical solution, the smoothness of the assembly handle 5 when pulling the fixed arm 2 into the opening 301 is improved.

[0079] Please refer again Figure 3 and Figure 4 In one embodiment, the key cap 100 also includes a key seat 7, which is arranged around the key cap body 1. A thin-walled portion 71 is provided between the key seat 7 and the key cap body 1. The thickness of the thin-walled portion 71 is less than the thickness of the key seat 7. The key seat 7 is used to support the thin-walled portion 71, and the thin-walled portion 71 is an elastic arm 3. A fixed arm 2 is also provided on the key seat 7.

[0080] Here, it can be understood that the thin-walled portion 71 is used to act as an elastic arm 3, and the thickness of the thin-walled portion 71 is smaller than the thickness of the key seat 7, so that the thin-walled portion 71 can undergo elastic deformation when the key cap body 1 is pressed, and at the same time the key seat 7 can support the thin-walled portion 71, so that the key cap body 1 connected to the thin-walled portion 71 can be fixed relative to the key device 200 when not pressed; in addition, a fixed arm 2 is provided on the key seat 7, so that when the fixed arm 2 is inserted into the opening 301, the key seat 7 is fixed relative to the key device 200.

[0081] By adopting the above technical solution, it is easy to form the thin-walled portion 71 between the key seat 7 and the key cap body 1, so that the elastic arm 3 is easy to process and manufacture.

[0082] In one embodiment, the thickness of the thin-walled portion 71 is 0.2 mm to 1 mm.

[0083] Preferably, the thickness of the thin-walled portion 71 is 0.5 mm.

[0084] By adopting the above technical solution, the thin-walled portion 71 has a better pressing feel, that is, the elastic arm 3 can provide a suitable rebound elastic force.

[0085] In one embodiment, the key base 7 is further provided with a plurality of elastic arm auxiliary grooves 72 surrounding the key cap body 1 .

[0086] Here, it can be understood that the elastic arm auxiliary groove 72 is used to increase the mechanical strength of the key base 7, so that the elastic arm 3 is more easily deformed under the drive of the key cap body 1, that is, the elastic arm 3 has a strong deformation ability and provides a greater resilience.

[0087] By adopting the above technical solution, the resilience provided by the elastic arm 3 when deformed is improved, the possibility of false triggering of the key cap body 1 is reduced, and the reliability of the key cap 100 is improved.

[0088] In the second aspect, an electronic device is provided, including a device body 400, a circuit board 300, a button device 200 and a button cap 100 as described above, wherein the circuit board 300 is arranged on the device body 400, the circuit board 300 is provided with an opening 301 which is interference fit with the fixed arm 2, and the button device 200 is arranged on the circuit board 300.

[0089] Here, it can be understood that the circuit board 300 is provided with openings 301, the number and positions of the openings 301 correspond to the number and positions of the fixed arms 2, and when the fixed arms 2 are inserted into the openings 301, the key cap 100 is fixed as a whole on the circuit board 300, and the key cap body 1 is located above the key device 200.

[0090] By adopting the above technical solution, on the basis of having the advantages of the key cap 100 of the above embodiment, the electronic device of this embodiment also has the advantages of low manufacturing cost and high production yield.

[0091] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A button cap, characterized in that: include: A key cap body, a plurality of fixed arms arranged on the periphery of the key cap body, and an elastic arm connecting the key cap body and the fixed arms; the key cap body, the fixed arms and the elastic arms are integrally formed and have elasticity, the key cap body is used to trigger a key device, the fixed arms are used to interference fit with an opening of a circuit board provided with the key device so as to fix the key cap body above the key device, and the elastic arms are used to provide elastic force for the key cap body to separate from the key device.

2. The button cap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The key cap body is provided with a key cap contact for triggering the key device, the key cap contact is used to abut against the key device, and the contact surface area between the key cap contact and the key device is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the key cap body.

3. The button cap according to claim 2, characterized in that: The key cap also includes a support arm arranged between the fixed arm and the elastic arm, the support arm is coaxially arranged with the fixed arm, the radial dimension of the support arm is larger than the radial dimension of the fixed arm, and the support arm is used to abut against the circuit board so that a gap is formed between the key cap contact and the key device.

4. The button cap according to claim 3, characterized in that: The size of the gap is 0.2-0.7 mm.

5. The button cap according to claim 3, characterized in that: The button cap further comprises an assembly handle arranged on the fixed arm, the assembly handle is coaxially arranged with the fixed arm and is located on a side away from the support arm, and the radial dimension of the assembly handle is smaller than the radial dimension of the fixed arm.

6. The button cap according to claim 5, characterized in that: A guide structure is formed between the assembly handle and the fixed arm, and the guide structure is tapered from the fixed arm in a direction approaching the assembly handle.

7. The button cap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The key cap also includes a key seat, which is arranged around the key cap body. A thin-walled portion is provided between the key seat and the key cap body. The thickness of the thin-walled portion is less than the thickness of the key seat. The key seat is used to support the thin-walled portion, and the thin-walled portion is the elastic arm. The fixed arm is also provided on the key seat.

8. The button cap according to claim 7, characterized in that: The thickness of the thin-walled portion is 0.2 mm to 1 mm.

9. The button cap according to claim 7, characterized in that: The button seat is also provided with a plurality of elastic arm auxiliary grooves surrounding the button cap body.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that: It comprises a device body, a circuit board, a key device and a key cap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the circuit board is arranged on the device body, the circuit board is provided with an opening which is interference fit with a fixed arm, and the key device is arranged on the circuit board.

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