Key structure and protective shell

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides a key structure and a protective shell. The key structure provided by the embodiment of the utility model comprises a main body part and a connecting part, wherein the main body part is provided with a user contact surface and a key contact surface which are opposite to each other; the key contact surface is an arc-shaped surface, the key contact surface protrudes towards the direction opposite to the user contact surface, and the connecting part is arranged on the main body part, so that the key structure can be connected to an external structure through the connecting part. The key structure provided by the embodiment of the utility model can be accurately pressed to different positions of the equipment key, so that the key structure is suitable for equipment keys such as non-mechanical keys and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of 3C digital accessories, in particular to a key structure and a protective shell. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development of smart phones, the types of buttons on the side of the phone used to control the phone's functions are becoming more and more diverse. The more commonly used mobile phone buttons are mechanical buttons, that is, buttons that require users to apply pressure to press the buttons to trigger the corresponding functions, such as volume buttons, power buttons, etc. Later, non-mechanical buttons such as touch buttons and light-sensitive buttons appeared. These buttons realize button functions through pressure sensors, capacitive sensors or light sensors. They not only have the characteristics of triggering corresponding functions without pressing buttons, but also have the characteristics of triggering different functions by pressing different areas, such as the HOME button of some mobile phones and the fingerprint unlocking button on the side of the phone.

[0003] In order to avoid affecting the button functions, the phone case will set a button structure at the corresponding position of the button to realize the operation of the button. The specific method is that the user first presses the button structure on the phone case, and the button structure then transmits the pressure to the phone button to trigger the corresponding function. For non-mechanical buttons, the existing button structure is not applicable because the pressing position must be accurate to trigger the corresponding function. Utility Model Content

[0004] Therefore, in order to overcome at least some of the defects and shortcomings in the prior art, the embodiments of the present invention provide a button structure and a protective shell that can be accurately pressed to different positions of device buttons, thereby being suitable for device buttons such as non-mechanical buttons.

[0005] An embodiment of the utility model provides a button structure, comprising: a main body portion, the main body portion having a relative user contact surface and a button contact surface; the button contact surface is an arc-shaped surface, and the button contact surface protrudes in a direction away from the user contact surface; a connecting portion, arranged on the main body portion, so that the button structure can be connected to an external structure through the connecting portion.

[0006] In some embodiments, the distance between the button contact surface and the user contact surface gradually decreases from the middle of the button contact surface to both ends.

[0007] In some embodiments, the connecting portion includes a protrusion protruding from the main body portion.

[0008] In some embodiments, the main body includes a side surface between the user contact surface and the button contact surface, and the protrusion includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding from two opposite side surfaces of the main body.

[0009] In some embodiments, the connecting portion includes a slot formed on the main body.

[0010] In some embodiments, the main body includes a first body and a second body arranged opposite to each other, the user contact surface is located on the side of the first body facing away from the second body, the button contact surface is located on the side of the second body facing away from the first body, and the card slot is formed between the first body and the second body.

[0011] In some embodiments, one side of the first body facing the second body has a first central area and a first peripheral area surrounding the first central area; one side of the second body facing the first body has a second central area and a second peripheral area surrounding the second central area; the main body also includes an inter-body connecting member connected between the first body and the second body; the inter-body connecting member is respectively connected to the first central area and the second central area, and the slot is formed between the first peripheral area and the second peripheral area; or, the inter-body connecting member connects the edges of the first body and the second body, and are respectively located on opposite sides of the first body in the first direction, the slot is formed between the first peripheral area and the second peripheral area and are respectively located on opposite sides of the first body in the second direction, and the first direction and the second direction are cross-arranged.

[0012] In some embodiments, the main body is made of conductive material or is covered with an inductive coating, wherein the inductive coating includes a first coating covering the user contact surface and a second coating covering the button contact surface; the button structure also includes an inductive conductive member connecting the first coating and the second coating.

[0013] An embodiment of the utility model also provides a protective shell, including: a shell body, the shell body having a device accommodating cavity, and the shell body having a key through hole; in some embodiments, the key structure is arranged in the key through hole, and the key contact surface is arranged toward the device accommodating cavity; the key structure is connected to the shell body through the connecting part.

[0014] In some embodiments, a snap-fit ​​structure is provided on the side wall of the shell body facing the button through hole, and the connecting portion and the snap-fit ​​structure are snap-fitted with each other.

[0015] It can be seen from the above that the above embodiments of the utility model can achieve one or more of the following beneficial effects: the key contact surface of the key structure is a curved surface, so that when the user touches different positions of the user contact surface, different areas of the curved surface can contact the keys on the device, thereby realizing operations on different positions of the keys on the device, and can be suitable for device buttons such as non-mechanical press buttons. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The specific implementation of the utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a key structure in one embodiment of the utility model.

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A side view of the key structure shown.

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the movement principle of the key structure shown when it comes into contact with the device key.

[0020] Figure 4 A side view of a key structure in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a key structure provided in another embodiment of the utility model.

[0022] Figure 6 The present invention is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a key structure provided in yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Side schematic diagram of the key structure shown.

[0024] Figure 8 for Figure 6 A three-dimensional exploded schematic diagram of the key structure shown.

[0025] Fig. 9 for Figure 6 A three-dimensional exploded schematic diagram of the key structure shown from another angle.

[0026] Fig.10 The present invention is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a key structure provided in yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Fig.11 for Fig.10 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the key structure shown.

[0028] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a protective shell provided in one embodiment of the utility model.

[0029] Fig.13 for Fig.12 A schematic three-dimensional exploded view of the protective shell shown.

[0030] Fig.14 for Fig.12The cross-sectional schematic diagram of the protective shell shown is taken at AA.

[0031] Fig.15 for Fig.14 A partial enlarged schematic diagram of area B in the middle.

[0032] [Description of Reference Numerals]

[0033] 100. Protective shell; 10. Button structure; 11. Main body; 111. User contact surface; 112. Button contact surface; 113. Side; 114. First main body; 115. Second main body; 116. First central area; 117. First peripheral area; 118. Second central area; 119. Second peripheral area; 12. Connecting part; 121. Protruding part; 1211. First protruding part; 1212. Second protruding part; 122. Card slot; 13. Connecting part between main bodies; 14. Inductive coating; 141. First coating; 142. Second coating; 143. Inductive conductive part; 20. Shell body; 21. Equipment accommodating cavity; 22. Button through hole; 221. Card connection structure; 30. Equipment button. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the utility model and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the utility model described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0037] It should also be noted that the division of multiple embodiments in the present invention is only for the convenience of description and should not constitute a special limitation. The features in various embodiments can be combined and referenced to each other without contradiction.

[0038] like Figure 1 to Figure 2 As shown, an embodiment of the utility model provides a key structure 10, including a main body 11 and a connecting portion 12. The main body 11 has a user contact surface 111 and a key contact surface 112 opposite to each other, the key contact surface 112 is an arc-shaped surface, and the key contact surface 112 protrudes in the direction away from the user contact surface 111. The connecting portion 12 is arranged on the main body 11, so that the key structure 10 can be connected to an external structure through the connecting portion 12. The key structure 10 can be connected to different external structures, such as a mobile phone case, a mobile phone or other electronic devices, through the connecting portion 12. When connected to an external structure, the button contact surface 112 faces the button of the electronic device, and the user contact surface 111 faces away from the button of the electronic device. When the user operates, his fingers touch or press the user contact surface 111. Since the button contact surface 112 is arc-shaped and protrudes in the direction away from the user contact surface 111, the thickness of the main body 11 at different positions is different. When the user touches or presses at different positions of the main body, the contact position of the button contact surface 112 and the device button 30 is different. Therefore, the button structure 10 provided in this embodiment can be used to implement operations corresponding to different areas of the device button 30, and can adapt to the operation of non-mechanical press buttons on electronic devices.

[0039] In some embodiments, the distance between the button contact surface 112 and the user contact surface 111 gradually decreases from the middle of the button contact surface 112 to the two ends. Figure 2 As shown, the distance between the key contact surface 112 and the user contact surface 111 gradually decreases from the middle to the two ends along the length direction of the main body, thereby forming an arc-shaped key contact surface 112 with the middle protruding from the two ends.

[0040] Figure 3 The schematic diagram shows the position of the key contact surface 112 on the main body 11 when it contacts the device key 30. The device key 30 is, for example, a non-mechanical key such as a touch key and a light-sensitive key. Figure 3 As shown in the main body 11 indicated by a solid line in the figure, when the user presses the main body 11 of the key structure 10 toward the device key 30 at the middle of the user contact surface 111, the middle of the key contact surface 112 first contacts the middle of the device key 30, while the two ends of the key contact surface 112 do not contact the device key 30. At this time, the corresponding function of the middle of the device key 30 can be accurately triggered; Figure 3As shown in the main body 11 indicated by the dotted line in the figure, when the user presses the main body 11 toward the device button 30 at the upper end of the user contact surface 111, the upper end of the button contact surface 112 contacts the upper end of the device button 30, while the middle and lower ends of the button contact surface 112 do not contact the device button 30, and the corresponding function of the upper end of the button contact surface 112 can be accurately triggered. Therefore, the button structure 10 can be accurately pressed to different positions of the device button 30, thereby accurately triggering the function of the corresponding position of the corresponding device button 30.

[0041] In some embodiments, the distance between the button contact surface 112 and the user contact surface 111 gradually decreases from one end to the other end of the button contact surface 112. Figure 4 As shown, the distance between the key contact surface 112 and the user contact surface 111 gradually decreases from the lower end to the upper end, thereby forming an arc-shaped key contact surface 112 with the lower end protruding from the upper end. Similarly, the key structure 10 in this embodiment can be accurately pressed to different positions of the device key 30, thereby accurately triggering the function of the corresponding position of the corresponding device key 30.

[0042] In some embodiments, the connecting portion 12 includes a protruding portion 121 protruding from the main body portion 11. Figure 1 As shown, the main body 11 includes a side surface 113 located between the user contact surface 111 and the key contact surface 112, and the protrusion 121 includes a first protrusion 1211 and a second protrusion 1212 protruding from two opposite side surfaces 113 of the main body 11, and is used to connect the key structure 10 to an external structure through the protrusions 121 on both sides. The first protrusion 1211 and the second protrusion 1212 are closer to the user contact surface 111, which can not only play a connecting role, but also avoid affecting the key contact surface 112.

[0043] In some embodiments, reference Figure 5 The raised portion 121 includes a first raised portion 1211 and a second raised portion 1212 on opposite sides of the user contact surface 111 and protruding away from the key contact surface 112 , and can also be connected to an external structure.

[0044] In some embodiments, the protrusion 121 may also be a ring-shaped structure that completely surrounds the side surface 113 of the main body 11 .

[0045] like Figures 6 to 10 As shown, in some embodiments, the connecting portion 12 includes a slot 122 formed on the main body 11 .

[0046] In some embodiments, the main body 11 includes a first body 114 and a second body 115 that are arranged opposite to each other, the user contact surface 111 is located on the side of the first body 114 facing away from the second body 115, the button contact surface 112 is located on the side of the second body 115 facing away from the first body 114, and a card slot 122 is formed between the first body 114 and the second body 115.

[0047] In some embodiments, the first body 114 has a first central region 116 and a first peripheral region 117 surrounding the first central region 116 on one side facing the second body 115; the second body 115 has a second central region 118 and a second peripheral region 119 surrounding the second central region 118 on one side facing the first body 114. The body portion 11 further includes an inter-body connector 13 connected between the first body 114 and the second body 115.

[0048] In some embodiments, the inter-body connector 13 is connected to the first central region 116 and the second central region 118 respectively, and a slot 122 is formed between the first peripheral region 117 and the second peripheral region 119 .

[0049] like Figure 8 As shown, the area within the dotted line on the side of the first body 114 facing the second body 115 is the first central area 116 on the first body 114, and the area outside the dotted line is the first peripheral area 117. Fig. 9 As shown, the area within the dotted line on the side of the second body 115 facing the first body 114 is the second central area 118 on the second body 115, and the area outside the dotted line is the second peripheral area 119. Between the first body 114 and the second body 115, the main body connecting portion 12 connects the first central area 116 with the second central area 118, and a slot 122 surrounding the inter-body connecting member 13 is formed between the unconnected first peripheral area 117 and the second peripheral area 119. The slot 122 surrounding the main body connecting member can be clamped to the external structure in a surrounding manner, so that the key structure 10 is firmly connected to the external structure.

[0050] In some embodiments, Fig.10 As shown, the inter-body connecting member 13 connects the edges of the first body 114 and the second body 115 and is respectively located at two opposite sides of the first body 114 in the first direction, the slot 122 is formed between the first peripheral area 117 and the second peripheral area 119 and is respectively located at two opposite sides of the first body 114 in the second direction, and the first direction and the second direction are arranged crosswise. For example, the first direction is the width direction of the body portion 11, and the second direction is the length direction of the body portion 11.

[0051] like Fig.10As shown, the first direction is the width direction of the first body 114 and the second body 115, and the second direction is the length direction of the first body 114 and the second body 115. The inter-body connector 13 includes an inter-body connector 114 and an inter-body connector 115, which are respectively located on opposite sides of the first body 114 in the first direction. A slot 122 is formed between the first peripheral area 117 and the second peripheral area 119 that are not connected by the inter-body connector 13 on opposite sides of the first body 114 along the second direction. Since the first central area 116 and the second central area 118 are not connected by the inter-body connector 13, a hollow area is formed between the first body 114 and the second body 115.

[0052] In some embodiments, the key structure 10 is a conductive material, such as a conductive metal or conductive plastic material, to adapt to a capacitive non-mechanical key. When a user presses the main body 11, the static electricity of the user's finger can be conducted through the user contact surface 111 to the position where the key contact surface 112 contacts the device key 30, thereby triggering the corresponding function.

[0053] In some embodiments, reference Fig.11 The key structure 10 is covered with a sensing coating 14, which includes at least one of materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO), nano silver wires, metal grids, graphene, and carbon nanotubes. Fig.11 As shown, the inductive coating 14 includes a first coating 141 covering the user contact surface 111 and a second coating 142 covering the key contact surface 112. The key structure 10 also includes an inductive conductive member 143 connecting the first coating 141 and the second coating 142.

[0054] Specifically, the inductive conductive member 143 may be, for example, a coating of the same material as the first coating 141 and the second coating 142, or a wire or a conductive material of other shapes. When the inductive conductive member 143 is a coating, for example, it may cover the surface of the inter-body connector 13, connecting the edge of the first coating 141 with the edge of the second coating 142. When the user presses the main body 11, the first coating 141 first senses the signal of the user's finger, and then transmits the sensing signal to the second coating 142 through the inductive conductive member 143, and finally triggers the corresponding function of the contact position between the second coating 142 and the device button 30.

[0055] The key structure 10 is made of conductive material or covered with a sensing coating 14 , which enables the key structure 10 to adapt to capacitors, touch keys, and the like.

[0056] like Figures 12 to 15As shown, the embodiment of the utility model further provides a protective shell 100, including a shell body 20 and a button structure 10, wherein the shell body 20 has a device accommodating cavity 21 for placing electronic devices such as mobile phones and IPads. The shell body 20 has a button through hole 22. The button structure 10 is disposed in the button through hole 22, and the button contact surface 112 is disposed toward the device accommodating cavity 21. The button structure 10 is connected to the shell body 20 through a connecting portion 12. In the protective shell 100 provided in this embodiment, the shell body 20 protects the electronic device, and the buttons of the electronic device in the protective shell 100 can be operated through the button structure 10.

[0057] In some embodiments, Fig.13 As shown, a clamping structure 221 is provided on the side wall of the shell body 20 facing the key through hole 22 , and the connecting portion 12 and the clamping structure 221 are clamped with each other.

[0058] like Fig.14 and Fig.15 As shown, the key structure 10 is connected to the shell body 20, and a clamping structure 221 is provided on the side wall of the key through hole 22. When the connecting portion 12 of the key structure 10 includes a protruding portion 121, the clamping structure 221 includes a corresponding groove to engage with the protruding portion 121. When the connecting portion 12 of the key structure 10 includes a clamping groove 122, the clamping structure 221 includes a corresponding protrusion to engage with the clamping groove 122, so as to achieve a stable connection between the key structure 10 and the shell body 20.

[0059] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute any form of limitation to the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment as above, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with the profession can make some changes or modifications to equivalent embodiments of equivalent changes using the technical contents disclosed above without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modification, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention are still within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A key structure (10), characterized in that: include: A main body (11), the main body (11) having a user contact surface (111) and a key contact surface (112) opposite to each other; the key contact surface (112) is an arc-shaped surface, and the key contact surface (112) protrudes in a direction away from the user contact surface (111); A connecting portion (12) is arranged on the main body (11), so that the key structure (10) can be connected to an external structure through the connecting portion (12).

2. The key structure (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance between the button contact surface (112) and the user contact surface (111) gradually decreases from the middle of the button contact surface (112) toward both ends.

3. The key structure (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting portion (12) comprises a protruding portion (121) protruding from the main body portion (11).

4. The key structure (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The main body (11) comprises a side surface (113) located between the user contact surface (111) and the key contact surface (112), and the raised portion (121) comprises a first raised portion (1211) and a second raised portion (1212) protruding from two opposite side surfaces (113) of the main body (11).

5. The key structure (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting portion (12) comprises a slot (122) formed on the main body (11).

6. The key structure (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The main body (11) comprises a first main body (114) and a second main body (115) which are arranged opposite to each other; the user contact surface (111) is located on a side of the first main body (114) facing away from the second main body (115); the key contact surface (112) is located on a side of the second main body (115) facing away from the first main body (114); and the card slot (122) is formed between the first main body (114) and the second main body (115).

7. The key structure (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first body (114) has a first central area (116) and a first peripheral area (117) surrounding the first central area (116) on one side facing the second body (115); the second body (115) has a second central area (118) and a second peripheral area (119) surrounding the second central area (118) on one side facing the first body (114); the body portion (11) further comprises an inter-body connecting member (13) connected between the first body (114) and the second body (115); The inter-body connecting member (13) is connected to the first central area (116) and the second central area (118) respectively, and the slot (122) is formed between the first peripheral area (117) and the second peripheral area (119); or, The inter-body connecting member (13) connects the edges of the first body (114) and the second body (115), and is respectively located on two opposite sides of the first body (114) in a first direction; the card slot (122) is formed between the first peripheral area (117) and the second peripheral area (119), and is respectively located on two opposite sides of the first body (114) in a second direction; the first direction and the second direction are arranged crosswise.

8. The key structure (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The main body (11) is made of a conductive material or the main body (11) is covered with an inductive coating (14), the inductive coating (14) comprising a first coating (141) covering the user contact surface (111) and a second coating (142) covering the key contact surface (112); the key structure (10) further comprises an inductive conductive element (143) connecting the first coating (141) and the second coating (142).

9. A protective shell (100), characterized in that: include: A shell body (20), wherein the shell body (20) has a device accommodating cavity (21), and the shell body (20) has a key through hole (22); The key structure (10) as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 is arranged in the key through hole (22), and the key contact surface (112) is arranged toward the device accommodating cavity (21); the key structure (10) is connected to the shell body (20) through the connecting portion (12).

10. The protective case (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that: A clamping structure (221) is provided on the side wall of the shell body (20) facing the key through hole (22), and the connecting portion (12) and the clamping structure are mutually clamped.

Images