Protective shell and touch connector thereof

Abstract

The utility model discloses a protective shell and a touch connector thereof, the touch connector comprises a shell and a conduction module, and the shell comprises a top wall, a circle of side wall and an accommodating cavity enclosed by the top wall and the side wall. The conduction module is contained in the containing cavity and comprises a substrate, a plurality of upper conducting strips located on the upper surface of the substrate, a plurality of lower conducting strips located on the lower surface of the substrate and a plurality of via holes, and the upper conducting strips and the lower conducting strips which vertically correspond to each other are conducted through the via holes. The conduction module is further provided with a coating covering the lower conducting strip. In the touch connector with the protective shell, the lower conducting strip of the conduction module is covered and protected by the coating, so that abrasion can be avoided, and the transmission performance of the touch connector is ensured to be stable.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Current mobile smart devices, such as mobile phones and tablets, typically have touch keys on their sides. Touching these keys allows for various controls, such as waking up the device and adjusting the volume. Protective cases for existing mobile smart devices typically have openings to expose the touch keys, allowing for easy touch operation. However, these openings can compromise the waterproofness of the protective case. If the protective case doesn't have openings to completely cover the touch keys, this can further hinder touch operation. Therefore, the applicant is developing a tactile connector capable of conducting touch operations. This connector, when installed on the protective case, can both cover the touch keys and allow normal operation. The tactile connector comprises a housing and a conductive module within the housing. The conductive module includes a substrate, several upper conductive sheets located on the top surface of the substrate, and several lower conductive sheets located on the bottom surface of the substrate, electrically connected to the corresponding upper conductive sheets via vias in the substrate. The conductive sheets are in contact with the touch keys, and the lower conductive sheets are formed of a gold-plated layer, which is easily worn, resulting in reduced transmission performance and affecting the normal use of the tactile connector. Utility Model Content

[0003] The utility model provides a protective shell with stable transmission performance and a tactile connector thereof.

[0004] Specifically, the present invention is realized through the following technical solutions: a tactile connector, comprising a shell and a conductive module, the shell comprising a top wall, a circle of side walls and a receiving cavity surrounded by the top wall and the side walls; the conductive module is received in the receiving cavity and comprises a substrate, a plurality of upper conductive sheets located on the upper surface of the substrate, a plurality of lower conductive sheets located on the lower surface of the substrate and a plurality of vias, the vias conducting the upper and lower corresponding conductive sheets; the conductive module is also provided with a coating covering the lower conductive sheet.

[0005] In a preferred embodiment, the coating is formed on the lower surface of the substrate and the lower conductive sheet by using printing, electrophoresis, PVD, baking paint, spraying and other processes.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the coating layer is an ink layer, and the material of the ink layer is resin and pigment.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the ink layer is formed by a micro-mesh screen printing process.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the coating is less than 0.05 mm.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the coating avoids the via hole.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the lower conductive sheet is a gold-plated layer.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, a double-sided tape is further provided, and the double-sided tape adheres the bottom surface of the top wall and the upper surface of the conductive module, and the double-sided tape completely covers the upper conductive sheet.

[0012] The present invention also provides the following technical solution: a protective shell for covering a mobile device, comprising a shell and the aforementioned tactile connector, wherein the tactile connector is mounted on a side of the shell.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, a retaining hole is provided on the 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, a circle of groove is provided on the side wall of the tactile connector, and the edge of the retaining hole is clamped in the groove.

[0014] In the touch connector of the protective shell of the present invention, the lower conductive sheet of the conductive module is covered and protected by the coating, which can avoid wear and tear and ensure the stable transmission performance of the touch connector.

[0015] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a protective shell in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 a perspective view of the tactile connector of the protective case;

[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A perspective view of the tactile connector from another angle;

[0019] Figure 4 for Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the tactile connector shown;

[0020] Figure 5 and Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of the tactile connector shown;

[0021] Figure 6 and Figure 5 A three-dimensional view of the conductive module of the touch connector after removing the coating;

[0022] Figure 7 For the Figure 1Partial cross-section of line AA in .

[0023] Description of reference numerals:

[0024] Protective case 100, housing 1, side 11, retaining hole 12, edge 121, tactile connector 2, outer shell 21, top wall 211, side wall 212, receiving cavity 213, opening 214, groove 215, conductive module 22, substrate 221, upper conductive sheet 222, lower conductive sheet 223, via 224, double-sided tape 23. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, with examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, identical numerals in different figures represent identical or similar elements, unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are not intended to represent all embodiments consistent with the present invention. Rather, they are merely examples of devices, systems, apparatus, and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present invention.

[0026] refer to Figure 1 As shown, the protective case 100 of the present invention is used to protect smart mobile devices. It can be a mobile phone protective case or a tablet protective case. The mobile phone protective case 100 is used as an example for description below. The protective case 100 is wrapped around the mobile phone (not shown). The protective case 100 includes a housing 1 and a touch-sensitive connector 2 provided on the side 11 of the housing 1. The position of the touch-sensitive connector 2 corresponds to the touch key (not shown) on the side of the mobile phone (not shown), and is used to shield the touch key (not shown) and transmit the user's touch operation to the touch key (not shown).

[0027] refer to Figures 2 to 6 As shown, the tactile connector 2 is generally in the shape of a bar, comprising a housing 21, a conductive module 22, and double-sided tape 23 that secures the conductive module 22 within the housing 21. The housing 21 has a top wall 211 and a circle of side walls 212. The top wall 211 and the side walls 212 together define a receiving cavity 213. The receiving cavity 213 has an opening 214 formed on the bottom side of the housing 21. The conductive module 22 is assembled into the receiving cavity 213 through the opening 214, with the top surface of the conductive module 22 facing the top wall 211. The double-sided tape 23 is disposed between the top wall 211 of the housing 21 and the conductive module 22, bonding the bottom surface of the top wall 211 and the top surface of the conductive module 22 to secure the conductive module 22 within the receiving cavity 213.

[0028] The conductive module 22 is a PCB board, comprising a substrate 221, a plurality of upper conductive pads 222 disposed on the upper surface of the substrate 221, a plurality of lower conductive pads 223 disposed on the lower surface of the substrate 221, a plurality of vias 224, and a coating 225 disposed on the lower surface of the substrate 221. The upper conductive pads 222 and the lower conductive pads 223 are arranged one above the other. The vias 224 penetrate the upper conductive pads 222, the substrate 221, and the corresponding lower conductive pads 223 to electrically connect the upper and lower conductive pads 222 and 223. During manufacturing, gold is electroplated on the upper and lower surfaces of the PCB board, as well as on the inner walls of the vias 224, forming a gold-plated layer, which provides electrical connection between the upper and lower conductive pads 222 and 223.

[0029] The upper conductive sheet 222, lower conductive sheet 223, and via 224, aligned vertically, are collectively referred to as a conductor. The specific form of the conductor is not limited. The top wall 211 of the housing 21 is relatively thin, which does not affect the conduction of static electricity. The double-sided tape 23 is also relatively thin, which does not affect the conduction of static electricity. The upper conductive sheet 222 is exposed upward, and the conductive module 22 is connected to the human body through the double-sided tape 23 and the housing 21. The lower conductive sheet 223 is connected to the touch key (not shown) through the coating 225. In the touch connector 2, the conductive module 22 is in the form of a PCB board, which is smaller and can reduce product costs. 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 conductors to identify the tactile sensation of slip and gap conduction.

[0030] The coating 225 completely covers the lower conductive sheets 223 on the lower surface of the substrate 221, protecting them from wear and tear from the touch buttons (not shown) of the mobile phone (not shown), which could degrade transmission performance. The coating 225 can be formed integrally on the lower surfaces of the substrate 221 and the lower conductive sheets 223 using processes such as printing, electrophoresis, PVD (physical vapor deposition), baking varnish, and spraying. The coating 225 is an insulating layer, preferably an ink layer composed of a mixture of resin and pigment, printed using a fine-mesh screen.

[0031] During printing, the coating 225 must avoid the vias 224 to prevent blocking the vias 224 and affecting the capacitance conduction between the upper conductive sheet 222 and the lower conductive sheet 223. The coating 225 should be thick enough to prevent it from being scratched by foreign objects and affecting the appearance. The coating 225 is preferably less than 0.05 mm, preferably 0.01 mm to 0.02 mm, as a thinner thickness allows for more sensitive operation when subjected to wear and tear. The coating 225 can be designed in white, black, green, or other colors, and can be designed based on the color of the housing 21 of the tactile connector 2 or the color of the protective case 100, providing a decorative effect.

[0032] Back to Figures 2 to 3As shown, the outer surface of the side wall 212 of the housing 21 of the touch connector 2 is provided with a circle of horizontal grooves 215, and the grooves 215 are respectively located on both sides of the longitudinal direction of the housing 21. Figure 7 As shown, the side edge 11 of the housing 1 is provided with a through-hole 12. Inside the hole 12 is a rim 121 extending into the hole 12. The touch connector 2 extends from the inside outward through the hole 12. The rim 121 of the housing 1 elastically engages with the groove 215, securing the touch connector 2 to the protective case 100. When the protective case 100 is used with a mobile phone (not shown), a user's finger sliding along the top wall 211 of the housing 21 transmits the energy to the multiple upper conductive pads 222, which are then further transmitted to the multiple lower conductive pads 223, causing the multiple lower conductive pads 223 to be electrically connected. The lower conductive pads 223 are then electrically connected to the touch keys (not shown) on the mobile phone (not shown), creating a tactile effect of sliding contact on the surface of the touch keys (not shown). Depending on the function defined by the touch keys (not shown), control effects such as zooming in or out, scrolling up or down, and so on can be achieved.

[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 principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tactile connector, characterized in that: It includes a shell and a conductive 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; the conductive module is received in the receiving cavity and includes a substrate, a plurality of upper conductive sheets located on the upper surface of the substrate, a plurality of lower conductive sheets located on the lower surface of the substrate and a plurality of vias, the vias conducting the upper and lower corresponding conductive sheets; the conductive module is also provided with a coating covering the lower conductive sheet.

2. The tactile connector according to claim 1, wherein: The coating is formed on the lower surface of the substrate and the lower conductive sheet by using printing, electrophoresis, PVD, baking paint, spraying and other processes.

3. The tactile connector according to claim 1, wherein: The coating layer is an ink layer, and the material of the ink layer is resin and pigment.

4. The tactile connector according to claim 3, wherein: The ink layer is formed by adopting a micro-mesh screen printing process.

5. The tactile connector according to claim 1, wherein: The thickness of the coating is less than 0.05 mm.

6. The tactile connector according to claim 1, wherein: The coating avoids the via hole.

7. The tactile connector according to claim 1, wherein: The lower conductive sheet is a gold-plated layer.

8. The tactile connector according to claim 1, wherein: Double-sided tape is also provided, and the double-sided tape adheres the bottom surface of the top wall and the upper surface of the conductive module, and the double-sided tape completely covers the upper conductive sheet.

9. A protective case for covering a mobile device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a housing and the tactile connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the tactile connector is mounted on a side of the housing.

10. The protective case according to claim 9, characterized in that: The side of the shell is provided with a holding hole, the inner side of the holding hole is provided with an edge, the tactile connector is passed through the holding hole, the side wall of the tactile connector is provided with a circle of grooves, and the edge of the holding hole is clamped in the groove.

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