Conductive key

Abstract

The utility model discloses a conductive button, which comprises a button main body and a conductive piece arranged on the button main body, the button main body is provided with a first surface and a second surface which are opposite to each other, the conductive piece is provided with a first end and a second end which are opposite to each other, the first end is exposed on the first surface, and the second end is exposed on the second surface. And the second end is embedded in the key main body and is separated from the second surface. The conductive part is arranged on the key main body, the first end, exposed on the first surface, of the conductive part can be in contact with the touch key of the electronic equipment to form electric connection, and the second end, close to the second surface, of the conductive part can conduct micro-current of a human body, so that an electric loop is formed between the human body and the electronic equipment; therefore, a user can realize the function of the touch key of the electronic equipment by touching the conductive key, and the second end of the conductive part is embedded in the key main body, so that the second end of the conductive part can be prevented from being exposed, and the appearance of the conductive key is not influenced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of keys of electronic equipment, in particular to a conductive key. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development of technology, the popularity of electronic devices such as mobile phones is increasing. To facilitate user use, function buttons are usually set on the side of the phone. Existing buttons usually activate corresponding functions by pressing, such as volume adjustment, power on and off, etc. However, with the development of technology and the higher requirements for the waterproof and dustproof performance of mobile phones, touch-activated buttons are beginning to appear on mobile phones. The buttons no longer require pressing, but only the touch of a finger to activate the corresponding function.

[0003] However, existing protective cases are usually adapted to the pressing structure of mechanical pressing buttons, which cannot be adapted to touch buttons and will hinder users from touching the touch buttons on the mobile phone, affecting the user's normal use of the touch buttons. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a new conductive key to solve the above problems.

[0005] A conductive key provided in the present application includes a key body and a conductive part installed on the key body, the key body having a first surface and a second surface relative to each other, the conductive part having a first end and a second end relative to each other, the first end being exposed to the first surface, and the second end being buried in the key body and spaced apart from the second surface.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first end of the conductive element protrudes out of the first surface.

[0007] In some embodiments, the height of the first end protruding from the first surface is 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm.

[0008] In some embodiments, a distance between an end surface of the second end away from the first end and the second surface is 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm.

[0009] In some embodiments, the distance between the first surface and the second surface is no less than 1.8 mm.

[0010] In some embodiments, the conductive element is columnar, and the conductive element extends from the second surface to the first surface.

[0011] In some embodiments, the conductive member is block-shaped, there are multiple conductive members, the key body has a length direction and a width direction, the conductive member extends along the width direction, and the multiple conductive members are arranged at intervals along the length direction.

[0012] In some embodiments, the conductive member extends from one side of the key body toward the other side of the key body along the width direction; or

[0013] The conductive member includes two conductive parts spaced apart along the width direction, and two opposite sides of the two conductive parts extend toward two opposite sides of the key body respectively.

[0014] In some embodiments, the conductive member extends along the width direction to a circumferential edge of the key body.

[0015] In some embodiments, the button body includes a mounting portion, the conductive member is installed on the mounting portion, the mounting portion includes a main body portion and an edge portion surrounding the outer periphery of the main body portion, and the conductive member extends to the circumferential edge of the main body portion and / or the edge portion.

[0016] In some embodiments, the button body includes a mounting portion and a covering portion located on one side of the mounting portion, the conductive member is installed on the mounting portion, the first surface is located on the side of the mounting portion away from the covering portion, and the second surface is located on the side of the covering portion away from the mounting portion.

[0017] In some embodiments, the mounting portion and the covering portion are integrally formed; or, the mounting portion and the covering portion are separately connected and fixed in place; or, a connecting structure is provided between the mounting portion and the covering portion, and the mounting portion and the covering portion are connected via the connecting structure.

[0018] In some embodiments, a groove is provided on the circumferential outer side of the key body, and the groove is located between the first surface and the second surface and is spaced apart from the first surface and the second surface respectively.

[0019] The conductive key provided by the present invention is configured such that a conductive member is provided on the key body. The first end of the conductive member exposed to the first surface can contact the touch key of the electronic device to form an electrical connection. The second end of the conductive member close to the second surface can conduct microcurrents of the human body, thereby forming an electrical circuit between the human body and the electronic device, so that the user can realize the touch key function of the electronic device by touching the conductive key. Moreover, the second end of the conductive member is buried in the key body and spaced from the second surface, which can prevent the second end of the conductive member from being exposed and will not affect the appearance of the conductive key. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a conductive key provided in the first embodiment of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of another perspective of the conductive key shown in ;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the conductive key shown in ;

[0023] Figure 4 This is an exploded schematic diagram of a conductive button provided in the second embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 5 This is an exploded schematic diagram of a conductive button provided in a third embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 6 This is an exploded schematic diagram of a conductive button provided in a fourth embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 7 This is an exploded schematic diagram of a conductive button provided in one embodiment of the present utility model;

[0027] Figure 8 A schematic structural diagram of a conductive key provided in a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 9 A schematic structural diagram of a conductive key provided in a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 10 This is a schematic structural diagram of a conductive key provided in the seventh embodiment of the present utility model.

[0030] In the figure: 10, conductive button; 12, button body; 14, conductive part; 141, first end; 142, second end; 16, first surface; 18, second surface; 20, groove; 22, mounting portion; 24, covering portion; 26, main body; 28, edge portion; 30, connecting structure; 32, snap portion; 34, snap hole; 36, conductive portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Below, the present invention is further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods. It should be noted that, under the premise of no conflict, the various embodiments or technical features described below can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments.

[0032] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of the present invention (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, inside, outside, top, bottom...) are only used to explain the relative position relationship between the various components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0033] It should also be noted that when an element is referred to as being “fixed on” or “disposed on” another element, the element may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is referred to as being “connected to” another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element.

[0034] See also Figures 1 to 10 The conductive button 10 provided in one embodiment of the present invention is applied to a protective case of an electronic device with touch buttons. This application is explained using a mobile phone as an example of an electronic device. When the protective case is placed outside the electronic device, the conductive button 10 corresponds to and contacts the touch buttons on the mobile phone.

[0035] The conductive key 10 includes a key body 12 and a conductive member 14 mounted on the key body 12. The key body is used to connect to a protective case. The key body 12 has opposing first and second surfaces 16 and 18. The conductive member 14 has opposing first and second ends 141 and 142. The first end 141 is exposed on the first surface 16, while the second end 142 is embedded in the key body 12 and spaced apart from the second surface 18. The conductive member 14 is electrically conductive. The first end 141, exposed on the first surface 16, can contact the touch button of a mobile phone to form an electrical connection. The second end 142 can conduct microcurrents from the human body when a user touches the conductive key 10, thereby forming an electrical circuit between the human body and the mobile phone. This allows the user to activate the touch button function of the mobile phone by touching the conductive key 10, making it easier to use. The second end 142 of the conductive member 14 is spaced apart from the second surface 18 of the key body 12, preventing it from being exposed. Therefore, when the conductive key 10 is mounted on the protective case, the conductive member 14 does not affect the appearance of the conductive key 10.

[0036] It should be noted that the first end 141 of the conductive member 14 is exposed to the first surface 16, which may mean that the first end 141 of the conductive member 14 protrudes from the first surface 16, or it may mean that the end surface of the first end 141 of the conductive member 14 is flush with the first surface 16, as long as the first end 141 of the conductive member 14 can contact the touch button of the mobile phone to form an electrical connection.

[0037] Preferably, the first end 141 of the conductive member 14 protrudes from the first surface 16, which facilitates contact with the touch button of the mobile phone and is compatible with tolerances caused by processing errors or deformation of the button body 12, ensuring that the conductive member 14 can contact the touch button of the mobile phone.

[0038] The height of the first end 141 of the conductive member 14 protruding from the first surface 16 is 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm. Keeping the protrusion within this range ensures a tolerance while avoiding the problem of excessive protrusion height causing the overall thickness of the conductive key 10 to increase. Preferably, the height of the conductive member 14 protruding from the first surface 16 is 0.1 mm.

[0039] The specific materials of the conductive member 14 and the key body 12 are not limited. In the present application, the conductive member 14 is a conductive or highly conductive material, and the key body 12 is entirely or partially made of a hard plastic material.

[0040] The specific connection method between the conductive part 14 and the key body 12 is not limited. For example, the conductive part 14 can be directly placed in the mold used to form the key body 12. During the process of forming the key body 12, the key body 12 and the conductive part 14 are directly fixed together to form a conductive key 10. Alternatively, after the key body 12 is obtained, a storage structure such as a hole or a groove is set on the key body 12, and then the conductive part 14 is fixedly installed in the storage structure.

[0041] The specific number of the conductive parts 14 is not limited and can be one or more. In the application, the number of the conductive parts 14 is multiple, and the multiple conductive parts 14 are spaced apart from each other to increase the area of the conductive region of the conductive button 10 and ensure the stability of the electrical connection with the touch button of the mobile phone.

[0042] The spacing between the end surface of the second end 142 facing away from the first end 141 and the second surface 18 is 0.3mm to 0.8mm. This prevents a small spacing from affecting the concealment of the conductive element 14, while also preventing a large spacing from affecting the conduction of microcurrents, ensuring that the conductive element 14 can conduct the human body's microcurrents. A certain spacing exists between the end surface of the second end 142 facing away from the first end 141 and the second surface 18. Because the key body 12 is made of a non-conductive material, the portion of the key body 12 located between the end surface of the second end 142 facing away from the first end 141 and the second surface 18 constitutes the insulating dielectric in the capacitor structure, while the human body and the conductive element 14 serve as electrodes located at either end of the insulating dielectric. When the human body contacts the second surface 18, the microcurrent (which can be understood as alternating current) on the human body can be transferred to the conductive element 14 through the capacitor structure. The conductive element then transfers the current to the phone keys, enabling the phone keys to be operated by touching the second surface 18 with a finger.

[0043] The distance between the first surface 16 and the second surface 18 is not less than 1.8 mm. The direction from the first surface 16 to the second surface 18 is the thickness direction of the key body 12. The thickness of the key body 12 is not less than 1.8 mm to avoid the problem of inconvenience in installing the conductive part 14 due to too small thickness.

[0044] It should be noted that the distance between the two surfaces, that is, the distance between the end face of the second end 142 of the conductive member 14 and the second surface 18, and the distance between the first surface 16 and the second surface 18 mentioned above, can refer to the distance between two parallel surfaces, or the distance between non-parallel surfaces, and when the two surfaces are not parallel, the distance between the two surfaces can refer to the maximum distance between the two surfaces, or the minimum distance between the two surfaces.

[0045] In this application, first surface 16 is a shaped surface formed by a combination of parallel and curved surfaces, second surface 18 is a flat surface, and the spacing between first surface 16 and second surface 18 refers to the maximum distance between them. Preferably, second surface 18 is a smooth and flat surface to reduce friction with fingers during use and enhance the user experience.

[0046] In one embodiment, a groove 20 is provided on the circumferential outer side of the key body 12, and the groove 20 is located between the first surface 16 and the second surface 18, and the groove 20 is spaced from the first surface 16 and the second surface 18. That is, along the thickness direction of the key body 12, the groove 20 is located in the middle position of the key body 12. The conductive key 10 can be installed to the protective shell through the groove 20 to form a snap-on effect.

[0047] Specifically, the groove 20 is annular, and the cross-section of the key body 12 is I-shaped.

[0048] The button body 12 includes a mounting portion 22 and a covering portion 24 located on one side of the mounting portion 22. The conductive member 14 is installed on the mounting portion 22. The first surface 16 is located on the side of the mounting portion 22 away from the covering portion 24. The second surface 18 is located on the side of the covering portion 24 away from the mounting portion 22. The mounting portion 22 and the covering portion 24 cooperate to form a groove 20.

[0049] It is understandable that the second end 142 of the conductive element 14 may be exposed on a side of the mounting portion 22 away from the first surface 16 , or may be embedded in the mounting portion 22 .

[0050] The mounting portion 22 includes a main body 26 and an edge portion 28 surrounding the main body 26 . The covering portion 24 is located on a side of the main body 26 away from the edge portion 28 . The groove 20 is located between the edge portion 28 and the covering portion 24 .

[0051] The specific connection method between the covering portion 24 and the mounting portion 22 is not limited, such as integral molding or separate connection.

[0052] like Figure 2 As shown, in the first embodiment, the covering portion 24 and the mounting portion 22 are integrally formed, for example, by injection molding, to ensure the connection strength between the covering portion 24 and the mounting portion 22 while eliminating the fixing process.

[0053] In this embodiment, the covering portion 24 and the mounting portion 22 are both made of hard plastic material.

[0054] like Figure 4 As shown, in the second embodiment, the mounting portion 22 and the covering portion 24 are connected separately and fixed together, that is, the mounting portion 22 and the covering portion 24 are formed separately and then fixed together.

[0055] The specific method of fitting and fixing the mounting portion 22 and the covering portion 24 is not limited. For example, the covering portion 24 can be fitted and fixed to the mounting portion 22 by using processes such as beer lamination, gluing, and ultrasonic waves.

[0056] In this embodiment, the mounting portion 22 is made of a hard plastic material, and the covering portion 24 can be a metal sheet, or a plastic sheet or a patch made of other materials.

[0057] like Figure 5 As shown, in the third embodiment, the mounting portion 22 and the covering portion 24 are connected separately, and a connecting structure 30 is provided between the mounting portion 22 and the covering portion 24 , and the mounting portion 22 and the covering portion 24 are connected via the connecting structure 30 .

[0058] The specific type of the connecting structure 30 is not limited, and can include, for example, a snap-fit structure, a plug-in structure, a magnetic structure, etc. In this embodiment, the connecting structure 30 is a snap-fit structure, which includes a snap-fit portion 32 provided on the cover portion 24 and a corresponding snap-fit hole 34 provided on the mounting portion 22. Once the snap-fit portion 32 is inserted into the snap-fit hole 34, the cover portion 24 and the mounting portion 22 are fixed together.

[0059] Preferably, there are two snap-fit portions 32 and two button holes 34. The two snap-fit portions 32 are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the covering portion 24, and the two button holes 34 are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the mounting portion 22. Each snap-fit portion 32 can cooperate with a corresponding button hole 34 to enhance the connection strength between the covering portion 24 and the mounting portion 22.

[0060] The shape of the conductive member 14 is not limited, for example, it can be columnar, block-shaped, sheet-shaped, etc.

[0061] like Figure 6As shown, in the fourth embodiment, the conductive member 14 is columnar and extends from the second surface 18 to the first surface 16. Specifically, the conductive member 14 is cylindrical, and the first end 141 and the second end 142 are axial ends of the conductive column.

[0062] In this embodiment, there are multiple conductive elements 14, which are spaced apart from each other, and the first end 141 of each conductive element 14 protrudes from the first surface 16. The arrangement of the multiple conductive elements 14 is not limited, such as a matrix arrangement, a row and column arrangement, etc.

[0063] like Figure 7 As shown, in one embodiment, the conductive member 14 is block-shaped, with the first end 141 being the bottom end of the conductive member 14 and the second end 142 being the top end of the conductive member 14. Compared to cylindrical conductive members 14, block-shaped conductive members 14 have higher space utilization. Given the same area of the first surface 16, the block-shaped conductive member 14 can increase the conductive area of the conductive key 10, ensuring that the conductive key 10 can maintain electrical connection with the touch key of the mobile phone.

[0064] In this embodiment, the key body 12 has a length direction and a width direction that are perpendicular to each other. The direction from the first surface 16 to the second surface 18 is the thickness direction of the key body 12. The length direction and the width direction are respectively perpendicular to the thickness direction. Each conductive member 14 extends along the width direction, and multiple conductive members 14 are arranged at intervals along the length direction.

[0065] Specifically, the key body 12 is in an elongated strip shape, and the plurality of conductive keys 10 are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the key body 12 .

[0066] The conductive member 14 extends to the circumferential edge of the key body 12, so that the conductive member 14 is not only partially exposed to the second surface 18, but also partially exposed to the circumferential outer surface of the key body 12, thereby increasing the exposed area of the conductive member 14, that is, increasing the contact area between the conductive member 14 and the touch button of the mobile phone, thereby ensuring the stability of the connection.

[0067] Specifically, the conductive member 14 is mounted on the mounting portion 22 of the key body 12 . The mounting portion 22 includes a main body 26 and an edge portion 28 surrounding the outer periphery of the main body 26 . The conductive member 14 extends to the circumferential edge of the main body 26 and / or the edge portion 28 .

[0068] like Figure 8 As shown, in the fifth embodiment, the conductive member 14 is block-shaped and extends to the circumferential edge of the edge portion 28. Specifically, the conductive member 14 is exposed on the circumferential outer surface of the edge portion 28 but not on the circumferential outer surface of the main body portion 26. This increases the contact area between the conductive member 14 and the touch buttons of the mobile phone.

[0069] In this embodiment, each conductive member 14 extends from one side of the key body 12 toward the other side of the key body 12 along the width direction of the key body 12, that is, the conductive member 14 extends from the outer surface of one side of the edge portion 28 to the outer surface of the other opposite side of the edge portion 28 along the width direction, so that both sides of the conductive member 14 in the width direction are exposed to the outer surface of the edge portion 28.

[0070] like Figure 9 As shown, in the sixth embodiment, the conductive member 14 is block-shaped and extends to the circumferential edges of the edge portion 28 and the main body portion 26, that is, the conductive member 14 is exposed to the circumferential outer surface of the edge portion 28 and the main body portion 26 to further increase the contact area between the conductive member 14 and the touch button of the mobile phone.

[0071] In this embodiment, each conductive member 14 extends from one side of the key body 12 to the other opposite side of the key body 12 along the width direction of the key body 12, that is, the conductive member 14 extends from the outer surface of one side of the edge portion 28 and the main body 26 along the width direction to the outer surface of the other opposite side of the edge portion 28 and the main body 26, so that both sides of the conductive member 14 in the width direction are exposed to the outer surfaces of the edge portion 28 and the main body 26.

[0072] like Figure 10 As shown, in the seventh embodiment, the conductive member 14 is block-shaped, and the conductive member 14 includes two conductive parts 36 arranged at intervals along the width direction of the key body 12, and the two opposite sides of the two conductive parts 36 extend toward the opposite sides of the key body 12 respectively, so that the conductive member 14 is exposed to the circumferential outer surface of the key body 12 on both sides in the width direction.

[0073] It is understood that the opposite sides of the two conductive portions 36 may extend only to the outer surface of the main portion 26 or the edge portion 28, or may extend to the outer surfaces of both the main portion 26 and the edge portion 28. In this embodiment, the opposite sides of the two conductive portions 36 extend to the outer surfaces of the opposite sides of the edge portion 28.

[0074] It should be noted that, in the fourth to seventh embodiments, the connection method between the covering portion 24 and the mounting portion 22 can be any one of the connection methods in the first to third embodiments.

[0075] The above-mentioned embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and cannot be used to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any non-substantial changes and replacements made by technicians in this field on the basis of the present invention fall within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

Claims

1. A conductive button, characterized in that: It includes a key body and a conductive part installed on the key body, the key body has a first surface and a second surface relative to each other, the conductive part has a first end and a second end relative to each other, the first end is exposed to the first surface, and the second end is buried in the key body and spaced from the second surface.

2. The conductive key according to claim 1, wherein: The first end of the conductive element protrudes out of the first surface.

3. The conductive key according to claim 2, characterized in that: The height of the first end protruding from the first surface is 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm.

4. The conductive key according to claim 1, wherein: A distance between an end surface of the second end away from the first end and the second surface is 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm.

5. The conductive key according to claim 1, wherein: The distance between the first surface and the second surface is not less than 1.8 mm.

6. The conductive key according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The conductive element is column-shaped and extends from the second surface to the first surface.

7. The conductive key according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The conductive member is block-shaped, and there are multiple conductive members. The key body has a length direction and a width direction. The conductive member extends along the width direction, and the multiple conductive members are arranged at intervals along the length direction.

8. The conductive key according to claim 7, characterized in that: The conductive member extends from one side of the key body toward the other side of the key body along the width direction; or The conductive member includes two conductive parts spaced apart along the width direction, and two opposite sides of the two conductive parts extend toward two opposite sides of the key body respectively.

9. The conductive key according to claim 7, characterized in that: The conductive member extends along the width direction to a circumferential edge of the key body.

10. The conductive key according to claim 9, characterized in that: The button body includes a mounting portion, the conductive member is mounted on the mounting portion, the mounting portion includes a main body portion and an edge portion surrounding the outer periphery of the main body portion, and the conductive member extends to the circumferential edge of the main body portion and / or the edge portion.

11. The conductive key according to claim 1, wherein: The button body includes a mounting portion and a covering portion located on one side of the mounting portion. The conductive member is installed on the mounting portion. The first surface is located on a side of the mounting portion away from the covering portion. The second surface is located on a side of the covering portion away from the mounting portion.

12. The conductive key according to claim 11, characterized in that: The mounting portion and the covering portion are integrally formed; or, the mounting portion and the covering portion are separately connected and fixed in place; or, a connecting structure is provided between the mounting portion and the covering portion, and the mounting portion and the covering portion are connected via the connecting structure.

13. The conductive key according to claim 1, wherein: A groove is provided on the circumferential outer side of the key body. The groove is located between the first surface and the second surface and is spaced apart from the first surface and the second surface respectively.

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