Micro-stroke key
By designing micro-stroke buttons, using the combination of cover plate, elastic O-ring, waterproof partition and magnetic induction chip, the existing button structure is complex and single function is solved, and a variety of interaction methods and anti-fault touch functions are realized, which improves the aesthetics and functionality of the buttons.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202421236399.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-02
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-05-31
AI Technical Summary
The existing micro switch buttons have complex structures, too large size, low aesthetics, single functions, unable to achieve multiple interaction methods, and difficult to achieve anti-touch function.
A micro-stroke button is designed, including a button cover plate, an elastic O-ring, a waterproof partition and two magnetic induction chips. The magnet is driven to generate micro displacement through the cover plate, changing the magnetic field strength detected by the magnetic induction chip, and combining the sensing signal amplitude and polarity of the magnetic induction chip, the detection of multiple pressing states is achieved.
It realizes a button with a simple structure, small size and high aesthetics, and can realize a variety of interaction methods, including sliding interaction, and has anti-detective function.
Smart Images
Figure CN222827221U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to the field of input components of human-computer interaction equipment, in particular to a key with a micro-stroke. Background Art
[0002] Although modern portable devices (including mobile phones, watches, tablet computers, etc.) have widely adopted touch display components as input and output devices for human-computer interaction, physical buttons cannot be completely abandoned due to the needs of certain interaction methods. In order to meet the requirements of device miniaturization or the overall aesthetics of the device for physical buttons, the buttons usually used on portable devices are micro switch buttons. To install a micro switch button on a portable device, it is necessary to punch a hole in the portable device casing to embed the micro switch button, and place the micro switch button on the partition at the bottom of the button. By pressing the button cap to a certain degree, a corresponding switch signal is generated to realize the function of press detection.
[0003] The existing micro switch buttons have complex structures, large volumes, and are easily protruding from the device frame, which makes them less beautiful. More importantly, the existing micro switch buttons have single functions and cannot provide more possible interaction methods. For example, the sliding interaction method cannot be realized. This is unacceptable for devices that require multiple key input signals and have strict restrictions on the number of physical entities of keys. At the same time, in order to realize the anti-mistouch function of portable devices, the existing micro switch buttons often need to add complex physical structures and judgment logic. Summary of the invention
[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a key with a simple structure, a small size, convenient implementation of the anti-mistouch function, and the ability to achieve multiple interaction modes.
[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the utility model provides the following micro-stroke key:
[0006] A micro-stroke key comprises a key cover, an elastic O-ring, a waterproof partition and two magnetic induction chips.
[0007] Among them, the cover plate is a strip-shaped hard cover plate, the upper surface of which is used for pressing contact, the side is provided with an annular groove, the middle of the bottom surface is provided with a hard support block protruding downward and fixedly contacting the upper surface of the waterproof partition, and magnet layers are provided at both ends; the thickness of the hard support block is not less than the thickness of the magnet layer.
[0008] The elastic O-ring is installed in the annular groove and cooperates with the edge of the device button hole to support and fix the cover plate. After the button cover plate is pressed and released, the elastic force of the elastic O-ring rebounds the button cover plate to the initial state (the state when it is not pressed).
[0009] The waterproof baffle is installed inside the device and directly below the cover plate; the two magnetic induction chips are installed on the bottom surface of the waterproof baffle and directly below the corresponding magnet layer. When the button is not pressed, there is a gap between the magnet layer and the upper surface of the waterproof baffle; the gap is determined by the difference between the thickness of the hard support block and the thickness of the magnet layer.
[0010] Furthermore, the waterproof partition includes a hard waterproof layer as an upper surface layer and an FPC or PCB soft board layer as a lower surface layer, and the two magnetic induction chips are installed on the lower surface layer of the waterproof partition. Such an arrangement can further enhance the waterproof and moisture-proof functions of the magnetic induction chip and its related circuits through the waterproof partition.
[0011] Furthermore, the magnetization directions of the magnet layers at both ends of the bottom of the cover plate are the same, both are magnetized up and down, and the magnetic field sensing directions of the two magnetic sensing chips are the same, both are parallel or anti-parallel to the magnetization direction of the magnet layer. This arrangement can adjust the size of the magnet layer and the size of the gap so that the sensing output of the magnetic sensing chip is in a linear relationship with the pressing stroke of the key, which is convenient for subsequent processing of the sensing signal and realization of sliding detection.
[0012] When the button is pressed, the cover plate forms a pressing lever with the hard support block as a support point; the pressing state of the button is determined based on the output signals of the two magnetic induction chips. The pressing state of the button includes at least: left pressing, right pressing and sliding pressing.
[0013] Preferably, the output signals of the two magnetic induction chips are respectively used as two differential signals to obtain sensing signals after subtracting them; the pressing state of the key is determined based on the amplitude and polarity of the sensing signal, so as to determine the pressing state of the key based on the output signals of the two magnetic induction chips.
[0014] In one embodiment, the output signals of the two magnetic sensing chips are respectively connected to the two input terminals of the differential amplifier; the pressing state of the button is determined based on the amplitude and polarity of the output signal of the differential amplifier. At this time, the method for judging the occurrence of sliding pressing or sliding interaction is: when the sensing signal is in a preset time interval, between two signal thresholds of opposite polarities, and both reach or exceed the two signal thresholds, it is judged that sliding interaction occurs.
[0015] Furthermore, the type of the magnetic induction chip is XMR or Hall, and the XMR includes TMR, GMR, and AMR.
[0016] The key provided by the utility model drives the magnet to produce a micro-displacement through the cover plate, thereby changing the magnetic field strength detected by the magnetic induction chip, and combining the sensing signal amplitude and polarity of the two magnetic induction chips to determine the specific pressing state. Since the displacement of the corresponding magnet relative to the two chips is different when pressing / sliding at different positions on the cover plate, the output difference of the two magnetic induction chips can be used to detect various pressing states including sliding, providing more possibilities for human-computer interaction through keys. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the utility model. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.
[0018] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a key provided by the utility model in one embodiment.
[0019] Figure 2 It is a simulation result of the magnetic field and stroke sensed by the magnetic sensing chip under different key gaps provided by the utility model in one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiment of the utility model clearer, the technical solution in the embodiment of the utility model will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiment of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiment is a part of the embodiment of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiment of the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.
[0021] In this application, the terms "comprises", "comprising" or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the sentence "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising the element.
[0022] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.
[0023] The utility model is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0024] exist Figure 1 In one embodiment shown, the utility model provides a micro-stroke key, including: a key cover plate 1, an elastic O-ring 7, a waterproof partition (a composite plate composed of 4 and 5) and two magnetic induction chips 61, 62.
[0025] The cover plate 1 is a strip-shaped (with a long strip-shaped pressing surface) hard cover plate, the upper end surface of which is used for contact pressing, the lower end surface is embedded in the key hole of the device, and the side surface is provided with an annular groove (for setting the elastic O-ring 7, Figure 1 (not shown); a downwardly protruding hard support block 3 is provided in the middle of its lower end surface, and magnet layers 21, 22 are provided at both ends, and the thickness of the hard support block 3 is not less than the thickness of the magnet layers 21, 22. When the button (or cover plate 1) is not pressed, there is a gap between the magnet layers 21, 22 and the upper surface of the waterproof baffle; the gap is determined by the difference between the thickness of the hard support block 3 and the thickness of the magnet layers 21, 22. This requires that the thickness of the hard support block 3 is greater than the thickness of the magnet layers 21, 22, and at least not less than the thickness of the magnet layers 21, 22.
[0026] The elastic O-ring 7 is installed in the annular groove and cooperates with the edge of the device button hole to support and fix the cover plate 1; it provides a rebound force for the cover plate 1 so that after the button cover plate 1 is pressed and released, the button cover plate 1 rebounds to the initial state (the state when not pressed) by the rebound force of the elastic O-ring 7.
[0027] The waterproof baffle is installed inside the device and directly below the cover plate 1. The two magnetic induction chips 61 and 62 are installed below the waterproof baffle and contact the lower surface of the waterproof baffle. The magnetic induction chip 61 is located directly below the magnet layer 21, and the magnetic induction chip 62 is located directly below the magnet layer 22.
[0028] Specifically, the waterproof baffle includes a hard waterproof layer 4 and an FPC or PCB soft board layer 5. The hard waterproof layer 4 is used as the upper surface layer of the waterproof baffle and is close to the cover plate. The FPC or PCB soft board layer 4 is used as the lower surface layer of the waterproof baffle, and the magnetic induction chips 61 and 62 are installed on the lower surface layer of the waterproof baffle. This arrangement can further play a waterproof role for the installation of magnetic induction chips 61 and 62 and related circuits.
[0029] Preferably, the magnet layers 21 and 22 are magnets magnetized up and down, and the sensitive directions of the two magnetic induction chips are the same, and are parallel or antiparallel to the magnetization direction of the magnet layers. After such a setting, the sensing output of the magnetic induction chips 61 and 62 can be linearly related to the pressing stroke of the key through the size of the magnet layers 21 and 22 and the size of the gap. This is because when the pressing stroke is small enough, the corresponding output curve of the magnetic induction chips 61 and 62 only intercepts a small approximately linear segment; at the same time, the magnetization direction and size design of the magnet layers 21 and 22 also make the magnetic field component in the sensing direction of the magnetic induction chips 61 and 62 be linearly related to the pressing stroke when the key is pressed micro-stroke.
[0030] like Figure 2 The simulation results shown in the figure show that when the magnet layers 21 and 22 are both rectangular blocks with a length of 3 mm, a width of 1.3 mm, and a height of 0.7 mm (magnetized from top to bottom), the relationship between the stroke and the magnetic field felt by the magnetic induction chip 61 or 62 (parallel to the magnetization direction of the magnet layer (i.e., the magnetic field component in the top and bottom directions)) under different gap conditions is highly linear.
[0031] Furthermore, the pressing state of the button is determined based on the output signals of the two magnetic induction chips 61 and 62. The pressing state of the button at least includes: left pressing, right pressing and sliding pressing.
[0032] Preferably, the output signals of the two magnetic induction chips 61 and 62 are respectively used as two differential signals to obtain a sensing signal after subtracting; the pressing state of the key is determined based on the amplitude and polarity of the sensing signal, so as to determine the pressing state of the key based on the output signals of the two magnetic induction chips 61 and 62. For example, the output signals of the two magnetic induction chips 61 and 62 are respectively connected to the two input terminals of a differential amplifier; the pressing state of the key is determined based on the amplitude and polarity of the output signal of the differential amplifier. Accordingly, the method for judging the occurrence of sliding pressing or sliding interaction is: when the sensing signal is in a preset time interval, between two signal thresholds of opposite polarity, and both reach or exceed the two signal thresholds, it is judged that a sliding interaction occurs.
[0033] At this time, the method for determining whether a sliding press or sliding interaction occurs is: when the sensing signal transitions between two signal thresholds of opposite polarities within a preset time interval and both reach or exceed the two signal thresholds, it is determined that a sliding interaction occurs.
[0034] Furthermore, the type of the magnetic induction chip is XMR or Hall, and the XMR includes TMR, GMR, and AMR.
[0035] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the utility model, rather than to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, ordinary technicians in this field should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solution deviate from the scope of the technical solution of the embodiments of the utility model.
Claims
1. A micro-stroke key, characterized in that: The button includes: a cover plate, an elastic O-ring, a waterproof baffle and two magnetic induction chips; The cover plate is a strip-shaped hard cover plate, the upper surface of which is used for pressing contact, the side surface is provided with an annular groove, the middle part of the bottom surface is provided with a hard support block protruding downward and in fixed contact with the upper surface of the waterproof partition, and both ends are provided with a magnetic layer, and the thickness of the hard support block is not less than the thickness of the magnetic layer; The elastic O-ring is installed in the annular groove and cooperates with the edge of the device button hole to support and fix the cover plate; The waterproof baffle is installed inside the device and directly below the cover plate; the two magnetic induction chips are installed on the bottom surface of the waterproof baffle and are respectively located directly below the corresponding magnet layer; When the button is not pressed, there is a gap between the magnet layer and the upper surface of the waterproof baffle; the gap is determined by the difference between the thickness of the hard support block and the thickness of the magnet layer.
2. The key according to claim 1, characterized in that The magnetization directions of the magnet layers at both ends of the bottom of the cover plate are the same, both are magnetized up and down, and the magnetic field induction directions of the two magnetic induction chips are the same, both are parallel or anti-parallel to the magnetization direction of the magnet layers.
3. The key according to claim 2, characterized in that: The size of the magnet layer and the size of the gap are set so that the sensing output of the magnetic induction chip is in a linear relationship with the pressing stroke of the key.
4. The key according to claim 3, characterized in that: The waterproof baffle includes a hard waterproof layer as an upper surface layer, and an FPC or PCB soft board layer as a lower surface layer. The two magnetic induction chips are installed on the lower surface layer of the waterproof baffle.
5. The key according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the button is pressed, the cover plate forms a pressing lever with the hard supporting block as a supporting point; the pressing state of the button is determined based on the output signals of the two magnetic induction chips.
6. The key according to claim 5, characterized in that: The pressing states of the button include at least: left pressing, right pressing and sliding pressing.
7. The key according to claim 5, characterized in that: The output signals of the two magnetic induction chips are respectively connected to the two input terminals of the differential amplifier; the pressing state of the key is determined based on the amplitude and polarity of the output signal of the differential amplifier.
8. The key according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The type of the magnetic induction chip is XMR or Hall, and the XMR includes TMR, GMR, and AMR.