Key module of gamepad and gamepad

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides a key module of a gamepad and the gamepad. The key module comprises a PCB, a silica gel key which is arranged on the PCB and is uniformly provided with a plurality of key bulges around the central axis, pressing key caps which are buckled on the key bulges of the silica gel key, and a key support which is assembled on the PCB so as to clamp and fix the silica gel key on the PCB, and the key support is provided with a through hole. A supporting column protrudes from the middle of the side face, facing the key support, of the pressing key cap, the outer wall of the bottom end of the supporting column symmetrically protrudes around the central axis to form a plurality of anti-disengaging protruding blocks, the key support is provided with elastic barbs, and the barb part of each elastic barb is bent towards the direction of the PCB to form an inverted conical hole in the middle of the key support. The key cap is pressed to enable the supporting column to be inserted into the inverted conical hole, and each anti-disengaging protruding block correspondingly extrudes and crosses one elastic barb and is buckled and limited by the elastic barb. According to the embodiment, the operation hand feeling is stronger, and key linkage interference is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of gamepad button technology, and in particular to a button module and gamepad for a gamepad. Background Technology

[0002] Game controllers typically feature cross-shaped buttons. Currently, most cross-shaped button modules on the market use a silicone button design. In these modules, the support point for the keycap is located at the edge of the button module. When the user presses down on the keycap, the keycap, through leverage, moves the silicone button's protrusion downwards, connecting the circuitry on the PCB board. However, during implementation, the inventors discovered that because the support point for the keycap is at the edge of the button module, when pressing down on one of the silicone button's protrusions moves downwards, adjacent protrusions are also pressed down, easily causing button interference. Furthermore, the button feel is relatively poor. Utility Model Content

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model embodiment is to provide a button module for a game controller that provides a better operating feel and avoids interference from button linkage.

[0004] The further technical problem to be solved by this utility model embodiment is to provide a game controller that has a stronger operating feel and avoids interference from button linkage.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model embodiment first provides the following technical solution: a button module for a game controller, including a PCB board, a silicone button disposed on the PCB board and having a plurality of button protrusions evenly arranged around a central axis, a press-button cap covering each button protrusion of the silicone button, and a button bracket assembled on the PCB board to clamp and fix the silicone button to the PCB board. The button bracket has through holes for each button protrusion to pass through in a corresponding manner. The press-button cap is assembled on the button bracket, and the press-button cap protrudes from the center of one side of the button bracket. The support column has several anti-detachment protrusions symmetrically protruding from its bottom outer wall around the central axis. The button bracket has several elastic barbs symmetrically arranged around the central axis of the button bracket. The barb of each elastic barb is bent towards the PCB board to form an inverted conical hole in the middle of the button bracket. The keycap is inserted into the inverted conical hole by the support column. Each anti-detachment protrusion is squeezed past an elastic barb and is limited by the elastic barb. When the keycap pushes down on one of the silicone buttons, the support column deflects it in the inverted conical hole in a direction away from the central axis of the inverted conical hole.

[0006] Furthermore, the anti-detachment protrusion has a guide surface on the side facing the button bracket to guide the elastic deformation of the elastic barb.

[0007] Furthermore, the button bracket has a core tube in the middle, and a boss is formed at the top of the core tube. The top surface of the boss is recessed towards the bottom of the core tube to form the inverted conical hole. The boss is divided into various elastic barbs by a number of grooves arranged around the central axis of the core tube.

[0008] Furthermore, the outer edge of the key bracket also has a retaining ring formed around the central axis toward the pressing keycap. The retaining ring is symmetrically provided with positioning notches, and the edge of the pressing keycap symmetrically protrudes to form positioning protrusions for inserting into the positioning notches to prevent the pressing keycap from deflecting around the central axis.

[0009] Furthermore, the button bracket is provided with a receiving groove corresponding to the positioning notch, for accommodating the positioning protrusion when the pressing keycap drives one of the silicone button protrusions to move to the maximum travel position.

[0010] Furthermore, the keycap includes a keycap liner and a keycap cover fixed to the top surface of the keycap liner. The support post is disposed on the keycap liner. The side of the keycap liner facing the key support is also provided with a pressing part corresponding to the key protrusion. The outer edge of the keycap liner forms an outer ring edge, and the positioning protrusion is disposed on the outer ring edge.

[0011] Furthermore, the silicone button has a receiving hole in the middle, and the bottom end of the support column passes through the button bracket and is received in the receiving hole.

[0012] Furthermore, the button bracket is provided with screw holes and a plurality of positioning pins on one side facing the PCB board. The PCB board is provided with through holes corresponding to the screw holes and positioning pins corresponding to the positioning pins. The button bracket is inserted into each of the positioning pins on the PCB board after the positioning pins pass through the silicone button. The screw passes through the through holes and the silicone button and is then locked in the screw holes.

[0013] Furthermore, the silicone button has four button protrusions arranged in a cross shape, and the outer side of the keycap has a cross-shaped pressing part for the user to press.

[0014] On the other hand, in order to solve the above-mentioned further technical problems, the present utility model provides the following technical solution: a game controller, including a housing and a button module assembled in the housing, wherein the button module is the button module as described in any of the above.

[0015] After adopting the above technical solution, the present utility model embodiment has at least the following beneficial effects: By adding a key bracket, the key protrusion of the silicone key protrudes from the through hole of the key bracket. During specific assembly, the keycap is inserted into the inverted conical hole of the key bracket through the support post, forming an anti-detachment protrusion on the support post corresponding to the elastic barb of the inverted conical hole, thereby preventing the support post from coming out of the inverted conical hole. On the one hand, the keycap and the key bracket are effectively connected; on the other hand, since the barb of each elastic barb is bent towards the PCB board and forms an inverted conical hole in the middle of the key bracket, when the user operates the keycap to push down one of the silicone key protrusions, the support post can deflect in the inverted conical hole in a direction away from the central axis of the inverted conical hole, thereby realizing the key pressing function. At the same time, since the support connection part of the keycap and the key bracket is located in the middle of the two, when one key protrusion is pressed down, the downward displacement of the other key protrusions is very small, thereby effectively avoiding key interference and improving the operation feel. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the split structure of an optional embodiment of the button module of the game controller of this utility model.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the inverted, disassembled structure of an optional embodiment of the button module of the game controller of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of an optional embodiment of the button module of the game controller of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optional embodiment of the button module of the game controller of this utility model along the central axis of the two elastic barbs.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of an optional embodiment of the button module of the game controller of this utility model, along the central axis of the two button protrusions.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of a button protrusion after it has been pressed down, representing an optional embodiment of the button module of the game controller of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the following illustrative embodiments and descriptions are only used to explain the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Moreover, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other unless otherwise specified.

[0023] like Figures 1-6 As shown, an optional embodiment of this utility model provides a button module for a game controller, including a PCB board 1, silicone buttons 3 disposed on the PCB board 1 and having a plurality of button protrusions 30 evenly arranged around the central axis, and keycaps 5 covering each button protrusion 30 of the silicone buttons 3, and a button bracket 7 assembled on the PCB board 1 to clamp and fix the silicone buttons 3 to the PCB board 1. The button bracket 7 has through holes 70 for each button protrusion 30 to pass through in a corresponding manner. The keycaps 5 are assembled on the button bracket 7, and a support post 50 protrudes from the center of one side of the keycaps facing the button bracket 7. The bottom end of the support post 50 The outer wall has a number of anti-detachment protrusions 501 symmetrically protruding around the central axis. The button bracket 7 has a number of elastic barbs 70 symmetrically arranged around the central axis of the button bracket 7. The barb portion 701 of each elastic barb 70 is bent toward the PCB board 1 to form an inverted conical hole 72 in the middle of the button bracket 7. The pressing keycap 5 is inserted into the inverted conical hole 72 by the support post 50. Each anti-detachment protrusion 501 is squeezed past an elastic barb 70 and is hooked and limited by the elastic barb 70. When the pressing keycap 5 drives one of the button protrusions 30 of the silicone button 3 to press down, the support post 50 deflects in the inverted conical hole 72 in a direction away from the central axis of the inverted conical hole 72.

[0024] This embodiment of the invention adds a button bracket 7, allowing the button protrusion 30 of the silicone button 3 to protrude from the through hole 70 of the button bracket 7. During assembly, the keycap 5 is inserted into the inverted conical hole 72 of the button bracket 7 via the support post 50, forming an anti-detachment protrusion 501 on the support post 50 corresponding to the elastic barb 70 of the inverted conical hole 72, thereby preventing the support post 50 from detaching from the inverted conical hole 72. On the one hand, this achieves an effective connection between the keycap 5 and the button bracket 7; on the other hand, since the barb portion 701 of each elastic barb 70 faces... The PCB board 1 is bent in the direction to form an inverted conical hole 72 in the middle of the key bracket 7. When the user presses the keycap 5 to push down one of the silicone key protrusions 30, the support column 50 can deflect in the inverted conical hole 72 in a direction away from the central axis of the inverted conical hole 72, thereby realizing the key pressing function. At the same time, since the supporting connection between the keycap 5 and the key bracket 7 is located in the middle of the two, when one key protrusion 30 is pressed down, the downward displacement of the other key protrusions 30 is very small, which can effectively avoid key interference and improve the operation feel.

[0025] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the anti-detachment protrusion 501 has a guide surface 503 on the side facing the button bracket 7 for guiding the elastic deformation of the elastic barb 70. In this embodiment, by providing a guide surface 503 on the side of the anti-detachment protrusion 501 facing the button bracket 7, when the anti-detachment protrusion 501 presses past the barb portion 701 of the elastic barb 70, the guide surface 503 can guide the elastic deformation of the elastic barb 70 of the anti-detachment protrusion 501, making assembly more convenient. Specifically, the guide surface 503 can be a guide slope or a guide arc surface.

[0026] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the button bracket 7 has a core tube 74 in the middle, and a boss 741 is formed at the top of the core tube 74. The top surface of the boss 741 is recessed towards the bottom of the core tube 74 to form the inverted conical hole 72. The boss 741 is divided into individual elastic barbs 70 by a plurality of grooves 743 arranged around the central axis of the core tube 74. In this embodiment, by providing a boss 741 at the top of the core tube 74 and dividing the boss 741 into individual elastic barbs 70 by a plurality of grooves 743, the structure is very simple and easy to form.

[0027] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the outer edge of the key support 7 is further formed with a retaining ring 75 around the central axis towards the keycap 5. The retaining ring 75 has symmetrically provided positioning notches 751, and the edge of the keycap 5 has symmetrically protruding positioning protrusions 52 for inserting into the positioning notches 751 to prevent the keycap 5 from deflecting around the central axis. In this embodiment, the positioning notches 751 on the retaining ring 75 of the key support 7 and the positioning protrusions 52 on the keycap 5 are interlocked and assembled, effectively preventing the keycap 5 from deflecting around the central axis and avoiding positional displacement between the keycap 5 and the key protrusion 30 of the silicone key 3, ensuring smooth up-and-down movement of the keycap 5 during pressing.

[0028] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the button bracket 7 is provided with a receiving groove 753 at the position corresponding to the positioning notch 751, for accommodating the positioning protrusion 52 when the keycap 5 drives one of the key protrusions 30 of the silicone button 3 to move down to the maximum travel position. In this embodiment, by providing the receiving groove 753 at the position corresponding to the positioning notch 751 on the button bracket 7, when the keycap 5 drives one of the key protrusions 30 of the silicone button 3 to move down to the maximum travel position, the positioning protrusion 52 can be precisely accommodated in the receiving groove 753, effectively increasing the downward travel of the keycap 5.

[0029] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the keycap 5 includes a keycap liner 54 and a keycap cover 56 fixed to the top surface of the keycap liner 54. A support post 50 is disposed on the keycap liner 54. The side of the keycap liner 54 facing the key support 7 is also provided with a pressing part 541 corresponding to each key protrusion 30. An outer ring edge 543 is formed on the outer edge of the keycap liner 54, and a positioning protrusion 52 is disposed on the outer ring edge 543. In this embodiment, the keycap 5 is assembled from the keycap liner 54 and the keycap cover 56, resulting in a simple structure. The support post 50, positioning protrusion 52, and pressing part 541 can be assembled on the inner keycap liner 54, and the keycap cover 56 for user operation is separately fastened to the top surface of the keycap liner 54, facilitating manufacturing and design.

[0030] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the silicone button 3 has a receiving hole 32 in the middle, and the bottom end of the support column 50 passes through the button bracket 7 and is received in the receiving hole 32. In this embodiment, when the keycap 5 is pressed down, the bottom end of the support column 50 will move down. At this time, this prevents the support column 50 from hitting the silicone button 3 and provides displacement space for the support column 50, reducing the overall height of the button. Therefore, a receiving hole 32 is provided on the silicone button 3 to receive the bottom end of the support column 50.

[0031] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the button bracket 7 is provided with screw holes 76 and a plurality of positioning pins 78 on one side facing the PCB board 1. The PCB board 1 is provided with through holes 10 corresponding to the screw holes 76 and positioning pins 12 corresponding to the positioning pins 78. The button bracket 7 is inserted into each of the positioning pins 78 of the silicone button 3 in a corresponding manner into the positioning pins 12 of the PCB board 1. A screw 14 is then passed through the through hole 10 and the silicone button 3 and locked into the screw hole 76. In this embodiment, the button bracket 7 is quickly positioned by inserting the positioning pins 78 into the positioning pins 12 of the PCB board 1. Then, by locking the screw 14 into the screw hole 76 after passing through the through hole 10 and the silicone button 3, the button bracket 7, the silicone button 3, and the PCB board 1 are stably and securely connected.

[0032] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the silicone button 3 has four button protrusions 30 arranged in a cross-shaped symmetrical configuration, and the outer side of the keycap 5 has a cross-shaped pressing portion 58 for the user to press. In this embodiment, the silicone button 3 has four button protrusions 30 arranged in a cross-shaped symmetrical configuration, and the outer side of the keycap 5 has a corresponding cross-shaped pressing portion 58, thereby enabling the button module to be used as a cross-shaped button module.

[0033] On the other hand, this utility model embodiment further provides a game controller, including a housing and a button module assembled within the housing, wherein the button module is the button module described in any of the above embodiments. In this embodiment, the game controller uses the aforementioned button module, which provides a better operating feel and avoids interference from button linkage.

[0034] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other forms under the guidance of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. All of these forms are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A key module of a gamepad, comprising a PCB board, a silica gel key provided on the PCB board and uniformly provided with a plurality of key protrusions around a central axis, and a pressing key cap buckled on each key protrusion of the silica gel key, characterized in that, The key module further comprises a key support assembled on the PCB board to clamp and fix the silica gel key on the PCB board, the key support is provided with a through hole through which each key protrusion corresponds one-to-one, the pressing key cap is assembled on the key support, a support column is protruded from the middle part of the side of the pressing key cap facing the key support, a plurality of anti-drop protrusions are symmetrically protruded around the middle axis of the support column at the bottom end outer wall of the support column, the key support is provided with a plurality of elastic hooks symmetrically arranged around the middle axis of the key support, the hook part of each elastic hook is bent towards the PCB board to form an inverted cone hole in the middle part of the key support, the pressing key cap is inserted into the inverted cone hole through the support column, each anti-drop protrusion is extruded to pass one elastic hook and is limited by the hook of the elastic hook, when the pressing key cap drives one key protrusion of the silica gel key to press down, the support column is deflected in the inverted cone hole towards the direction deviating from the middle axis of the inverted cone hole.

2. The key module of the gamepad according to claim 1, wherein, The anti-drop protrusion is provided with a guide surface on the side facing the key support for guiding the elastic deformation of the elastic hook.

3. The key module of the gamepad as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The middle part of the key support is provided with a core pipe, the top end of the core pipe is formed with a boss, the top surface of the boss is recessed towards the bottom end of the core pipe to form the inverted cone hole, and the boss is divided into each elastic hook by a plurality of cross grooves arranged around the middle axis of the core pipe.

4. The key module of claim 1, wherein, The outer edge of the key support is further formed with a stop ring around the middle axis towards the pressing key cap, the stop ring is symmetrically provided with a positioning notch, and the edge of the pressing key cap is symmetrically protruded to form a positioning protrusion for being inserted into the positioning notch to prevent the pressing key cap from deflecting around the middle axis.

5. The key module of claim 4, wherein, The key support is provided with an accommodation groove at the position corresponding to the positioning notch for accommodating the positioning protrusion when the pressing key cap drives one key protrusion of the silica gel key to move to the maximum stroke position.

6. The key module of claim 4, wherein, The pressing key cap comprises a key cap lining and a key cap outer cover fixed to the top surface of the key cap lining, the support column is arranged on the key cap lining, and the side of the key cap lining facing the key support is further provided with a pressing part corresponding to each key protrusion, the outer edge of the key cap lining is formed with an outer ring edge, and the positioning protrusion is arranged on the outer ring edge.

7. The key module of claim 1, wherein, The middle part of the silica gel key is provided with an accommodation hole, and the bottom end of the support column is accommodated in the accommodation hole after passing through the key support.

8. The key module of claim 1, wherein, The key support is provided with a screw hole and a plurality of positioning insertion columns on the side facing the PCB board, the PCB board is provided with a through hole corresponding to the screw hole and a positioning insertion hole corresponding to the positioning insertion column, the key support is inserted into each positioning insertion hole of the PCB board one by one through the positioning insertion columns passing through the silica gel key, and then a screw is locked in the screw hole after passing through the through hole and the silica gel key.

9. The key module of claim 1, wherein, The silica gel key is provided with four key protrusions arranged in a cross symmetry, and the outer side of the pressing key cap is provided with a cross pressing part for being pressed by a user.

10. A gamepad comprising a housing and a key module assembled in the housing, characterized in that, The key module is the key module according to any one of claims 1-9.

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