Electric appliance and key operation device thereof

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of electric appliance accessories, and discloses an electric appliance and a key operation device of the electric appliance, comprising: a substrate carrying at least two touch switches arranged in parallel; the key is arranged opposite to the substrate and comprises a key cap and an elastic piece, the key cap is provided with at least two key columns corresponding to the at least two touch switches, the at least two key columns deviate from the center of the key cap and are arranged at intervals, and the key cap is pressed to trigger the corresponding touch switches through the key columns; and the elastic piece is connected between the key cap and the electric appliance shell and is used for resetting the key. Compared with the prior art in which the touch switch is contacted and triggered only at one position in the center of the key, the key in the scheme has at least two positions which can trigger the touch switch and are not concentrated at the center of the key, so that the distance from the edge area of the key to the triggering position can be reduced; therefore, when the edge of the key is pressed, the deformation quantity of the key triggering touch switch is reduced, and then the key triggering feedback can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electrical appliance accessories, in particular to an electrical appliance and a key operating device for the electrical appliance. Background Art

[0002] The key operating device of an existing electrical appliance is usually arranged in a housing, which mainly includes a circuit board arranged in the housing, a tact switch installed on the circuit board, and a button arranged on the housing. When the button is pressed, at least part of the button will produce elastic deformation to trigger the tact switch, and reset after the pressure is released. The closer the pressed position on the button is to the trigger end of the tact switch, the smaller the button deformation is to trigger the tact switch; conversely, a larger deformation is required to trigger the tact switch. When the tact switch is triggered, the smaller the deformation of the button, the better the button trigger feedback. In the prior art, the tact switch is usually set below the center of the button, but in actual use, the user's pressing position is often random, and the user will press the edge position far away from the tact switch, resulting in poor button trigger feedback. Utility Model Content

[0003] In order to overcome the disadvantage of poor key triggering feedback in the prior art, the utility model provides an electrical appliance and a key operating device for the electrical appliance to improve the key triggering feedback.

[0004] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a key operating device of an electrical appliance, comprising: a substrate, which carries at least two tact switches arranged in parallel; and a key arranged relative to the substrate, which comprises a keycap and an elastic member, at least two key columns are arranged on the keycap corresponding to the at least two tact switches, and the at least two key columns are offset from the center of the keycap and are arranged at intervals from each other, and pressing the keycap triggers the corresponding tact switch through the key columns; and an elastic member, which is connected between the keycap and the electrical appliance housing to reset the key.

[0005] In the above technical solution, since at least two tact switches arranged in parallel are provided on the substrate, the electrical appliance can be turned on or off by triggering any one of the tact switches or multiple tact switches at the same time; and the button column corresponding to the tact switch is provided in the button arranged relative to the substrate, so that when the user presses the button, the tact switch on the substrate can be triggered by the corresponding button column; at the same time, compared with the design in the prior art that only one button column is provided in the center of the key to trigger the tact switch, and the tact switch is difficult to be triggered when the edge of the key is pressed, the at least two button columns offset from the center of the keycap and spaced apart from each other are provided in this solution, compared with only a single button column provided in the center of the keycap. The button column in this solution is closer to the edge of the keycap. When the user presses the edge of the key, the edge of the keycap is closer to the position of the button column than in the prior art, and the tact switch is easier to be triggered when pressing the edge, thereby improving the triggering feedback of the key when the user presses the edge of the keycap.

[0006] The present invention is further configured as follows: the at least two button columns include a first button column and a second button column, the first button column is close to a first side of the keycap, the second button column is close to a second side of the keycap opposite to the first side, the horizontal spacing between the first button column and the first side is L1, the horizontal spacing between the second button column and the second side is L2, and the horizontal spacing between the first button column and the second button column is L3, L1<L3, L2<L3.

[0007] In the above technical solution, the first button column and the second button column are respectively close to the first side and the opposite second side on the keycap, so that when the user presses the edge of the key, the touch switch on the substrate can be triggered through the first button column or the second button column; and the horizontal distance L3 between the first button column and the second button column is respectively greater than the horizontal distance L1 between the first button column and the first side and the horizontal distance L3 between the second button column and the second side, so as to ensure that the horizontal distances between the first button column and the second button column and the first side and the second side respectively are short enough. When the user presses the key body, regardless of pressing the edge or the center part of the key body, the key body can trigger the touch switch faster to respond to the user's press.

[0008] The present invention is further configured as follows: the keycap is constructed in an elongated shape, the first button column and the second button column are spaced apart in the length direction of the keycap, and the first side and the second side are two wide sides of the keycap.

[0009] In the above technical solution, the keycap is long and narrow, the first side and the second side are the two wide sides of the keycap, and the first button column and the second button column are arranged close to the two wide sides, so that the user can trigger the switch with a smaller pressing force when pressing any part of the button, making the entire switch easier to trigger.

[0010] The present invention is further configured as follows: L1 = L2.

[0011] In the above technical solution, L1=L2 can ensure that the user can trigger the touch switch with the same pressing force when pressing the two wide sides.

[0012] The present invention is further configured as follows: the elastic member includes a first elastic arm, a second elastic arm and a fixing portion connected therebetween, the fixing portion is connected to the electrical appliance housing, and the first elastic arm and the second elastic arm are respectively connected to opposite sides of the keycap.

[0013] In the above technical solution, the first elastic arm and the second elastic arm can make the keycap rebound and return to its original position after being pressed by the user, and the fixed part connected between the two is connected to the electrical appliance housing, providing a fulcrum for the elastic deformation of the first elastic arm and the second elastic arm; they are respectively connected to the opposite sides of the keycap, so that the pressing force is dispersed to the opposite sides of the keycap when the keycap is pressed, and the first elastic arm and the second elastic arm on the opposite sides can undergo elastic deformation at the same time. After the pressing force disappears, the first elastic arm and the second elastic arm can rebound at the same time, ensuring that the keycap as a whole can return to its original position after being pressed.

[0014] The present invention is further configured such that: the first elastic arm and / or the second elastic arm extend in a curved shape.

[0015] In the above technical solution, the curved extending first elastic arm or the second elastic arm can better disperse stress and reduce the risk of cracks and breakage compared to a straight extension, thereby enhancing the durability and reliability of the first elastic arm or the second elastic arm.

[0016] The present invention is further configured such that: the elastic member and the keycap are an integrally formed structure.

[0017] In the above technical solution, the elastic portion and the key body can be manufactured simultaneously through a single injection molding process, which reduces the assembly process and reduces production costs. Because the elastic portion and the key body are integrated, there is no seam or connection between them, thus having better structural stability and durability.

[0018] The present invention is further configured such that: the button column is a cross-shaped button column.

[0019] In the above technical solution, the cross-shaped column has better stability when subjected to pressure and is less likely to deform or twist than columns such as cylinders.

[0020] The utility model also discloses an electrical appliance, comprising: the key operation device described in any one of the above solutions.

[0021] In the above technical solution, the electrical appliance uses the above-mentioned key operation device, and since at least two tact switches arranged in parallel are mounted on its substrate, the electrical appliance can be turned on or off by triggering any one of the tact switches or triggering multiple tact switches at the same time; and the key column corresponding to the tact switch is set in the key arranged relative to the substrate, so that when the user presses the key, the tact switch on the substrate can be triggered by the corresponding key column; at the same time, compared with the design in the prior art that only one key column is set in the center of the key to trigger the tact switch, and the tact switch is difficult to trigger when the edge of the key is pressed, the at least two key columns offset from the center of the keycap and spaced apart from each other are set in this solution, compared with only a single key column set in the center of the keycap. The key column in this solution is closer to the edge of the keycap. When the user presses the edge of the key, the edge of the keycap is closer to the position of the key column than in the prior art, and the tact switch is easier to trigger when pressing the edge, thereby improving the triggering feedback of the key when the user presses the edge of the keycap.

[0022] The present invention is further configured such that: the electrical appliance is a socket, and the key operation device controls the on and off of the socket.

[0023] In the above technical solution, when the user does not need to use the socket, he can control the power on and off of the socket through the key operation device, so as to avoid foreign objects entering the socket during non-use time, causing a short circuit and a fire. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the utility model;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the utility model Figure 1 ;

[0026] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The local diagram at point A in ;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the utility model Figure 2 ;

[0028] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The local diagram at point B in ;

[0029] Figure 6 It is a structural diagram of the button in the utility model;

[0030] Figure 7 It is a side view of the button in the utility model.

[0031] In the figure: substrate 1, touch switch 11, button 2, keycap 21, first side 211, second side 212, elastic member 22, first elastic arm 221, second elastic arm 222, fixing portion 223, button column 23, first button column 231, second button column 232, electrical appliance 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In the description of this embodiment, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," "outer," "front," and "rear" and the like are used to indicate positions or locations based on those shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are intended solely to facilitate the description of the present invention and simplify the description. They are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0033] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0034] Example 1:

[0035] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, an electrical appliance 3 and a key operating device of the electrical appliance 3 include: a substrate 1, which carries at least two tact switches 11 arranged in parallel; and a key 2 arranged relative to the substrate 1, which includes a keycap 21 and an elastic member 22, at least two key columns 23 are arranged on the keycap 21 corresponding to the at least two tact switches 11, and the at least two key columns 23 are offset from the center of the keycap 21 and are arranged at intervals from each other, and pressing the keycap 21 triggers the corresponding tact switch 11 through the key columns 23; and an elastic member 22, which is connected between the keycap 21 and the housing of the electrical appliance 3 and is used to reset the key.

[0036] In the present invention, since at least two tact switches 11 are provided in parallel on the substrate 1, the electrical appliance 3 can be turned on or off by triggering any one of the tact switches 11 or multiple tact switches 11 simultaneously. The key 2 provided on the substrate 1 and corresponding to the tact switch 11 is provided with a key column 23, so that when the user presses the key 2, the tact switch 11 on the substrate 1 can be triggered by the corresponding key column 23. At the same time, compared with the prior art design in which only one key column 23 is provided in the center of the key 2 to trigger the tact switch 11, which makes it difficult to trigger the tact switch 11 when pressing the edge of the key 2, the at least two key columns 23 provided in the present solution are offset from the center of the keycap 21 and spaced apart from each other. Compared with the prior art design in which only a single key column is provided in the center of the keycap 21, the key columns 23 in the present solution are closer to the edge of the keycap 21. When the user presses the edge of the key 2, the edge of the keycap 21 and the key column 23 are closer, and the tact switch 11 is more easily triggered when pressing the edge. This improves the triggering feedback of the key 2 when the user presses the edge of the keycap 21.

[0037] In this embodiment, only two parallel tact switches 11 are provided on the substrate 1, and two button columns with corresponding position relationships are provided on the corresponding keycaps 21. The button columns trigger the tact switches 11 by pressing the keycaps 21; of course, in other embodiments, multiple tact switches 11 can also be provided on the substrate 1, and multiple button columns can be provided on the corresponding keycaps 21.

[0038] In another embodiment, the number of tact switches 11 is greater than two, and the number of key columns on the key cap 21 may be set to only two. By adding multiple trigger angles on the key column, a single key column can trigger multiple tact switches 11.

[0039] It should be noted that the touch switch 1131 is electrically connected to the processing chip. When the touch switch 1131 is triggered, a signal is sent to the chip, which then controls the circuit to be turned on and off.

[0040] Specifically, in this embodiment, the two button columns include a first button column 231 and a second button column 232. The first button column 231 is close to the first side 211 of the keycap 21, and the second button column 232 is close to the second side 212 of the keycap 21 opposite to the first side 211. The horizontal distance between the first button column 231 and the first side 211 is L1, and the horizontal distance between the second button column 232 and the second side 212 is L2. The horizontal distance between the first button column 231 and the second button column 232 is L3, L1 < L3, L2 < L3; the first button column 231 and the second button column 232 are respectively close to the first side 211 and the opposite second side 212 on the keycap 21. 12, when a user presses the edge of the button, the touch switch 11 on the substrate 1 can be triggered through the first button column 231 or the second button column 232; and the horizontal distance L3 between the first button column 231 and the second button column 232 is respectively greater than the horizontal distance L1 between the first button column 231 and the first side 211, and the horizontal distance L3 between the second button column 232 and the second side 212, so as to ensure that the horizontal distances between the first button column 231 and the second button column 232 and the first side 211 and the second side 212 are sufficiently short. When the user presses the button body, regardless of pressing the edge or the center of the button body, the button body can trigger the touch switch 11 more quickly to respond to the user's press.

[0041] Among them, the keycap 21 in this embodiment is constructed in an elongated shape, and the first button column 231 and the second button column 232 are spaced apart in the length direction of the keycap 21. The first side 211 and the second side 212 are specifically the two wide sides of the keycap 21 in this solution. The keycap 21 is in an elongated shape, and the first side 211 and the second side 212 are the two wide sides of the keycap 21. The first button column 231 and the second button column 232 are arranged close to the two wide sides, so that the user can trigger the switch with a smaller pressing force when pressing any part of the button, and the entire switch is easier to trigger.

[0042] Specifically, in this embodiment, L1=L2 and L1=L2 in the above scheme can ensure that the user can trigger the touch switch 11 with the same pressing force when pressing the two wide sides; of course, in other embodiments, L1 does not have to be equal to L2, as long as L3 is kept greater than L1 and L2.

[0043] Among them, the elastic member 22 includes a first elastic arm 221, a second elastic arm 222 and a fixing portion 223 connected therebetween, the fixing portion 223 is connected to the housing of the electrical appliance 3, and the first elastic arm 221 and the second elastic arm 222 are respectively connected to the opposite sides of the keycap 21; the first elastic arm 221 and the second elastic arm 222 can make the keycap 21 rebound and return to its original position after being pressed by the user, and the fixing portion 223 connected therebetween is connected to the housing of the electrical appliance 3, providing a fulcrum for the elastic deformation of the first elastic arm 221 and the second elastic arm 222; they are respectively connected to the opposite sides of the keycap 21, so that the pressing force when the keycap 21 is pressed is dispersed to the opposite sides of the keycap 21, and the first elastic arm 221 and the second elastic arm 222 on the opposite sides can undergo elastic deformation at the same time. After the pressing force disappears, the first elastic arm 221 and the second elastic arm 222 can rebound at the same time, ensuring that the keycap 21 as a whole can return to its original position after being pressed.

[0044] Specifically, in this embodiment, the first elastic arm 221 and the second elastic arm 222 extend in a curved shape; compared with a straight extension, the first elastic arm 221 or the second elastic arm 222 extending in a curved shape can better disperse stress and reduce the risk of cracks and breakage, thereby enhancing the durability and reliability of the first elastic arm 221 and the second elastic arm 222.

[0045] In one embodiment, the first elastic arm 221 may extend in a curved shape.

[0046] In another embodiment, the second elastic arm 222 may extend in a curved shape.

[0047] Furthermore, the elastic portion and the key body are integrally injection-molded. Through a single injection molding process, the elastic portion 22 and the key body can be manufactured simultaneously, reducing assembly steps and production costs. Because the elastic portion and key body are integrally formed, there are no seams or joints between them, resulting in greater structural stability and durability.

[0048] Among them, the button column is a cross-shaped button column; the cross-shaped button column has better stability when subjected to pressure and is less likely to deform or twist than columns such as cylinders.

[0049] Specifically, if Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, the mounting portion is a rivet hole 211 provided on the elastic portion 22, and a rivet post is provided on the housing 1. The rivet post is riveted to the rivet hole and fixed by heat-seal. The rivet post is riveted to the rivet hole and fixed by heat-seal, which can enhance the fixing effect of the key 2 and prevent the key 2 from loosening or falling off during long-term use.

[0050] It is understood that in another embodiment, a through hole is provided on the elastic portion 22, a threaded hole is provided on the housing 1, and the button 2 is fixed to the housing 1 by bolts. Of course, in other embodiments, the housing 1 and the button 2 can also be fixed by a suitable method such as snap connection.

[0051] Embodiment 2: An electrical appliance 3, comprising: the key operation device in embodiment 1.

[0052] The electrical appliance 3 is operated by the key operation device, because the substrate 1 is provided with at least two parallel-connected tact switches 11, and the electrical appliance 3 can be turned on or off by triggering any one of the tact switches 11 or triggering multiple tact switches 11 simultaneously; and the key column 23 corresponding to the tact switch 11 is provided in the key 2 provided relative to the substrate 1, so that when the user presses the key 2, the tact switch 11 on the substrate 1 can be triggered by the corresponding key column 23; at the same time, compared with the prior art in which only one key column 23 is provided in the center of the key 2 to trigger the tact switch 11 , the design that the tact switch 11 is difficult to trigger when pressing the edge of the key 2, the at least two key columns 23 set away from the center of the keycap 21 and spaced apart from each other in this solution are provided. Compared with only a single key column 23 set in the center of the keycap 21, the key column 23 in this solution is closer to the edge of the keycap 21. When the user presses the edge of the key 2, the edge of the keycap 21 and the key column 23 are closer than in the prior art, and the tact switch 11 is easier to trigger when pressing the edge, thereby improving the triggering feedback of the key 2 when the user presses the edge of the keycap 21.

[0053] Specifically, the electrical appliance 3 is a socket. When the user does not need to use the socket, he can control the power on and off of the socket through the key operation device to avoid foreign objects entering the socket during non-use time, causing a short circuit and a fire.

[0054] The specific description of the present invention in the above embodiments is only used to further illustrate the present invention and cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. Technical engineers in this field may make some non-essential improvements and adjustments to the present invention based on the contents of the above-mentioned utility model, which fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A key operation device for an electrical appliance, characterized in that: include: A substrate carrying at least two tact switches arranged in parallel; as well as, A key disposed relative to the substrate, comprising a keycap and an elastic member, wherein at least two key posts are disposed on the keycap corresponding to at least two tact switches, the at least two key posts being offset from the center of the keycap and spaced apart from each other, and the corresponding tact switches are triggered via the key posts when the keycap is pressed; and An elastic member is connected between the key cap and the electrical appliance housing and is used for resetting the key.

2. The key operation device for an electrical appliance as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: include: The at least two button columns include a first button column and a second button column, the first button column is close to the first side of the keycap, the second button column is close to the second side of the keycap opposite to the first side, the horizontal distance between the first button column and the first side is L1, the horizontal distance between the second button column and the second side is L2, and the horizontal distance between the first button column and the second button column is L3, L1<L3, L2<L3.

3. The key operation device for an electrical appliance as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The keycap is configured in an elongated strip shape, the first key column and the second key column are spaced apart in a length direction of the keycap, and the first side and the second side are two wide sides of the keycap.

4. The key operation device for an electrical appliance as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: L1=L2.

5. The key operation device for an electrical appliance as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic member includes a first elastic arm, a second elastic arm and a fixing portion connected therebetween, the fixing portion is connected to the electrical appliance housing, and the first elastic arm and the second elastic arm are respectively connected to opposite sides of the keycap.

6. The key operation device for an electrical appliance as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: The first elastic arm and / or the second elastic arm extend in a curved shape.

7. The key operation device for an electrical appliance as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic member and the keycap are an integrally formed structure.

8. The key operation device for an electrical appliance as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The button column is a cross-shaped button column.

9. An electrical appliance, characterized in that include: The invention comprises the key operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The electrical appliance according to claim 9, characterized in that The electrical appliance is a socket, and the key operation device controls the on and off of the socket.

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