Protective shell and touch connector thereof

By designing a tactile connector including a shell and a conduction module, the first and second section structures of the side wall and the double-sided adhesive fixing the conduction module is solved, and the waterproofness and easy connector fall off when the protective case covers the touch keys is achieved, and reliable touch operation conduction and waterproof performance are improved.

CN223024470UActive Publication Date: 2025-06-24KUSN 3E ELECTRONICS
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202422084835.1
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-08-27
Publication Date
2025-06-24
Estimated Expiration
2034-08-27

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

While the existing mobile smart device protective case covers the touch keys, it is difficult to maintain waterproofness and the tactile connector is easily fallen off when the device shakes.

Method used

A tactile connector is designed, which includes a housing and a conducting module, the side walls of the housing are provided with a first and a second section, the first section is narrower for passing through the edge of the holding hole, the second section is wider to avoid falling off, and the conducting module is fixed by double-sided adhesive to ensure the stability of the connector.

Benefits of technology

It realizes that the protective case covers the touch keys while reliably conducting touch operations, and prevents the touch connector from falling off when the device shakes, improving the user experience and the waterproof performance of the device.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The utility model discloses a protective shell and a touch connector thereof, the touch connector comprises a shell and a conducting module, the shell comprises a top wall, a circle of side wall and an accommodating cavity enclosed by the top wall and the side wall, and the conducting module is accommodated in the accommodating cavity. A circle of groove is formed in the outer surface of the side wall in the circumferential direction of the side wall, the side wall comprises a first section located on the upper side of the groove and a second section located on the lower side of the groove, and compared with the outer side face of the first section, a section difference is formed between the outer side face of the second section and the outer side face of the first section. The touch connector is clamped in the holding hole of the protective shell in the mode that the top side of the touch connector faces the holding hole of the protective shell, the first section enters the holding hole and passes through the edge of the holding hole to enable the edge to be clamped in the groove, and the first section is located on the inner side of the edge all the time. The touch connector provided by the utility model can be reliably fixed to the protective shell and is prevented from falling off when the protective shell shakes.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a protective case for a mobile intelligent device and a tactile connector thereof. Background Art

[0002] For current mobile intelligent devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, etc., touch keys are usually provided on their sides. Some controls of the mobile intelligent device can be realized by touching the touch keys, such as waking up, adjusting the volume, etc. Generally, the protective cases of existing mobile intelligent devices are provided with openings for exposing the touch keys, so as to expose the touch keys for convenient touch operation by users. However, such openings will affect the waterproof performance of the protective case. If the mobile phone protective case is not provided with openings and completely covers the touch keys, it will affect the touch operation of users. Therefore, the applicant is researching and developing a connector that can conduct touch operations. When it is disposed on the protective case, it can cover the touch keys and operate the touch keys normally. However, when the protective case shakes with the mobile device, the connector is prone to fall off and needs further improvement. Summary of the Utility Model

[0003] The utility model provides a protective case and a tactile connector thereof, and the tactile connector can be reliably fixed to avoid falling off.

[0004] Specifically, the utility model is realized by the following technical solutions: a tactile connector includes a housing and a conduction module. The housing includes a top wall, a circumferential side wall, and a receiving cavity surrounded by the top wall and the side wall. The conduction module is received in the receiving cavity. A circumferential groove is provided on the outer surface of the side wall along its circumference. The side wall includes a first section located above the groove and a second section located below the groove. The outer side surface of the second section extends outward compared with the outer side surface of the first section, and a step difference is formed between the outer side surface of the second section and the outer side surface of the first section.

[0005] In a preferred embodiment, the conduction module includes a substrate, a plurality of upper conductive sheets provided on the upper surface of the substrate, a plurality of lower conductive sheets provided on the lower surface of the substrate, and a plurality of vias penetrating through the substrate. The vias conduct the upper conductive sheets and the lower conductive sheets corresponding to each other up and down.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the step difference between the outer side surface of the second section and the outer side surface of the first section is 0.1 mm.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, an arc guiding angle is formed at the transition between the periphery of the top surface and the outer side surface of the first section.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the radius of the guiding angle is 0.2 mm.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the conduction module is a PCB board.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, a double-sided adhesive is further provided, and the double-sided adhesive bonds the bottom surface of the top wall to the upper surface of the conduction module, and the double-sided adhesive completely covers the upper conductive sheet.

[0011] The present utility model further provides the following technical solution: a protective case for covering the outside of a mobile device, including a case body and the aforementioned tactile connector. A holding hole is provided on the side of the case body, an edge is provided inside the holding hole, the tactile connector passes through the holding hole, and the first section enters the holding hole and passes through the edge so that the edge is snapped into the groove.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the first section is located outside the edge, and the second section is located inside the edge.

[0013] On the side wall of the tactile connector of the protective case of the present utility model, a first section and a second section are provided. The first section is located outside the edge through the edge of the holding hole of the protective case, so it is narrower to pass through the edge; while the second section is always located inside the edge, so it is wider to prevent the tactile connector from falling off when the protective case shakes.

[0014] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit the present utility model. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the protective case in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0016] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a perspective view of the tactile connector of the protective case shown;

[0017] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a perspective exploded view of the tactile connector shown;

[0018] Figure 4 Similar to Figure 3 and taken from another angle;

[0019] Figure 5 is a partial view of the side plan view of the tactile connector;

[0020] Figure 6 is Figure 1 a partial sectional view along the line A-A in

[0021] Figure 7 Similar to Figure 6 and shows an assembly schematic diagram of the tactile connector and the case body.

[0022] Description of the reference numerals:

[0023] Protective case 100, housing 1, side 11, holding hole 12, edge 121, tactile connector 2, outer shell 21, top wall 211, side wall 212, receiving cavity 213, opening 214, groove 215, first section 216, second section 217, guiding angle 218, conduction module 22, substrate 221, upper conductive sheet 222, lower conductive sheet 223, via hole 224, double-sided tape 23. Detailed implementation

[0024] Here, the exemplary embodiments will be described in detail, and the examples are shown in the drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present invention. On the contrary, they are only examples of devices, systems, equipment, and methods consistent with some aspects of the present invention.

[0025] Reference Figure 1 As shown, the protective case 100 of the present invention is used to protect intelligent mobile devices, which can be a mobile phone case or a Pad case. Here, the mobile phone case 100 will be taken as an example for illustration. The protective case 100 is wrapped outside the mobile phone (not shown). The protective case 100 includes a housing 1 and a tactile connector 2 provided on the side 11 of the housing 1. The position of the tactile connector 2 corresponds to the touch keys (not shown) on the side of the mobile phone (not shown), and is used to block the touch keys (not shown) and conduct the user's touch operations to the touch keys (not shown).

[0026] Reference Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the tactile connector 2 is generally in the shape of a strip block, and includes an outer shell 21, a conduction module 22, and a double-sided tape 23 that fixes the conduction module 22 into the outer shell 21. The outer shell 21 is provided with a top wall 211 and a circle of side walls 212. The top wall 211 and the side walls 212 together enclose a receiving cavity 213, and the receiving cavity 213 forms an opening 214 on the bottom side of the outer shell 21. The conduction module 22 is assembled into the receiving cavity 213 from the opening 214, and the top surface of the conduction module 22 faces the top wall 211. The double-sided tape 23 is provided between the top wall 211 of the outer shell 21 and the conduction module 22, and adheres to the bottom surface of the top wall 211 and the top surface of the conduction module 22 to fix the conduction module 22 in the receiving cavity 213.

[0027] The conduction module 22 is a PCB board, including a substrate 221, a plurality of upper conductive sheets 222 arranged on the upper surface of the substrate 221, a plurality of lower conductive sheets 223 arranged on the lower surface of the substrate 221, and a plurality of vias 224. The upper conductive sheets 222 and the lower conductive sheets 223 are arranged one by one in the upper and lower directions, and the vias 224 penetrate the upper conductive sheets 222, the substrate 221, and the corresponding lower conductive sheets 223 to electrically conduct the upper conductive sheets 222 and the lower conductive sheets 223 arranged in the upper and lower directions. During manufacturing, gold is plated on the upper and lower surfaces of the PCB board and the inner wall of the vias 224 by electroplating to form a gold-plated layer, namely the upper conductive sheets 222 and the lower conductive sheets 223 that are conductive to each other. The double-sided adhesive 23 covering the top surface of the conduction module 22 can completely cover the upper conductive sheet 222.

[0028] The upper conductive sheet 222, the lower conductive sheet 223 and the via 224 aligned up and down are collectively referred to as a conductor. The specific form of the conductor is not limited. In this embodiment, it is a conductive sheet. Other forms may also be used, such as a conductive terminal (not shown), a conductive column, a separate or integrated one. The top wall 211 of the housing 21 is relatively thin, which does not affect the conduction of static electricity. The double-sided adhesive 23 is also relatively thin and does not affect the conduction of static electricity. The conductor exposes the conductive module 22 upwards and is connected to the housing 21 and the human body through the double-sided adhesive 23. The conductor exposes the conductive module 22 downwards and is connected to the touch key (not shown). It can also be connected to the touch key (not shown) through another layer of double-sided adhesive (not shown) that adheres the touch key (not shown) and the conductive module 22. In the touch connector 2, the conduction module 22 is in the form of a PCB board, which is smaller in size and can reduce the cost of the product. Several conductors are distributed along the longitudinal direction of the touch connector 2. The number and shape of the conductors can be adjusted, but there are at least two to identify the tactile sensation of slip and gap conduction.

[0029] refer to Figures 4 to 5 As shown, the outer surface of the side wall 212 of the housing 21 of the touch connector 2 is provided with a circle of concave grooves 215 along its circumference. The side wall 212 of the housing 21 includes a first section 216 located on the upper side of the groove 215 and a second section 217 located on the lower side of the groove 215, and the first section 216 and the second section 217 are arranged in a circle. The first section 216 is closer to the top wall 211, and the outer side surface of the second section 217 is extended compared to the outer side surface of the first section 216, and a step difference A of 0.1mm is formed between the two. Taking the short side direction of the housing 21 as an example, the width of the first section 216 is 4.8mm, and the width of the second section 217 is 5mm. The single-side width difference between the first section 216 and the second section 217 is 0.1mm, which is the above-mentioned step difference A. The first section 216 forms an arc guide angle 218 with a radius of 0.2mm at the transition between the periphery of its top surface and the outer side surface.

[0030] refer to Figure 6As shown, a through holding hole 12 is provided on the side 11 of the housing 1. An inner side of the holding hole 12 is provided with a circle of edges 121 extending into the holding hole 12. The touch connector 2 is inserted into the holding hole 12. The edge 121 of the housing 1 is snapped into the groove 215 to snap the touch connector 2 onto the protective housing 100.

[0031] Combined Figure 7 As shown, the touch connector 2 is inserted into the holding hole 12 from the inner side of the side 11 with its top surface facing outward. The first section 216 of the outer shell 21 of the touch connector 2 enters the holding hole 12 and is located outside the edge 121 through the edge 121, while the second section 217 of the outer shell 21 is always located inside the edge 121. The first section 216 is slightly narrower and can smoothly pass through the edge 121 of the holding hole 12. The guiding angle 218 of the first section 216 can play a guiding role. The second section 217 is wider, has a larger pressing area with the edge 121, and is not easily passed through the edge 121 of the holding hole 12, which can prevent the touch connector 2 from shaking or falling off the housing 1.

[0032] When the protective housing 100 is used in cooperation with a mobile phone (not shown), the sliding of the user's finger on the top wall 211 of its outer shell 21 can be transmitted to a plurality of upper conductive sheets 222, and further conducted to a plurality of lower conductive sheets 223, so that the plurality of lower conductive sheets 223 are intermittently conducted. The lower conductive sheets 223 are electrically conducted with the touch keys (not shown) on the mobile phone (not shown). Thus, a tactile effect of sliding contact is generated on the surface of the touch keys (not shown). According to the function definition of the touch keys (not shown) themselves, control effects such as zooming in or out of the screen, or flipping up or down the screen page can be generated.

[0033] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tactile connector, characterized in that: It includes a shell and a conduction module, the shell includes a top wall, a circle of side walls and a receiving cavity surrounded by the top wall and the side walls, and the conduction module is received in the receiving cavity; the outer surface of the side wall is provided with a circle of grooves along its circumference, the side wall includes a first section located on the upper side of the groove and a second section located on the lower side of the groove, wherein the outer side surface of the second section is extended compared to the outer side surface of the first section to form a step difference with the outer side surface of the first section.

2. The tactile connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conduction module includes a substrate, a plurality of upper conductive sheets arranged on the upper surface of the substrate, a plurality of lower conductive sheets arranged on the lower surface of the substrate, and a plurality of via holes penetrating the substrate, wherein the via holes conduct the upper conductive sheets and the lower conductive sheets corresponding to each other.

3. The tactile connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The step difference between the outer side surface of the second section and the outer side surface of the first section is 0.1 mm.

4. The tactile connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first section forms an arc guide angle at the transition between the periphery of the top surface and the outer side surface.

5. The tactile connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The radius of the guide angle is 0.2 mm.

6. The tactile connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The conduction module is a PCB board.

7. The tactile connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: A double-sided adhesive is also provided, and the double-sided adhesive adheres the bottom surface of the top wall and the upper surface of the conductive module, and the double-sided adhesive completely covers the upper conductive sheet.

8. A protective case for covering a mobile device, characterized in that: It comprises a shell and a tactile connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a retaining hole is provided on a side of the shell, an edge is provided on the inner side of the retaining hole, the tactile connector is passed through the retaining hole, and the first section enters the retaining hole and passes through the edge so that the edge is stuck in the groove.

9. The protective case according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first section is located on the outside of the edge, and the second section is located on the inside of the edge.