Waterproof key

Abstract

The utility model relates to a waterproof key, which comprises an accommodating cavity arranged on a shell. A switch assembly is arranged in the accommodating cavity; the switch assembly is wrapped by a silica gel sleeve. The accommodating cavity is provided with a key slot for mounting a key; the bottom of the key abuts against the silica gel sleeve and is arranged opposite to the touch switch in the switch assembly. The wrapping structure of the silica gel sleeve effectively guarantees durability and waterproofness of the switch assembly, the top of the silica gel sleeve can be completely clamped in the containing cavity through the protruding part, shaking of the silica gel sleeve is reduced, connection stability is improved, a gap between the silica gel sleeve and the containing cavity is further reduced, and the service life of the switch assembly is prolonged. The residual water is reduced after soaking in water, so that the risk of water inflow is reduced; one side of the silicon rubber case is tightly attached to the side wall provided with the receding groove, and meanwhile, the sealant is used for sealing the silicon rubber case and the containing cavity, so that water can be effectively prevented from entering the inner cavity through the receding groove, and the waterproof reliability is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of buttons, and more particularly to a waterproof button. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous improvement of living standards, the variety of electronic products is increasing, and consumers are demanding higher quality from them, especially in terms of waterproofing. Waterproofing is a growing concern for consumers, particularly for electronic products like smartwatches, smart glasses, mobile phones, and tablets.

[0003] Waterproofing electronic products, especially buttons, is particularly challenging due to their travel distance and the difficulty in maintaining waterproofing throughout the pressing process. The limited space in electronic products further complicates the waterproofing design. Current waterproofing designs typically involve placing a ring-shaped gasket under the button, but this complicates the fixing structure, leads to reduced waterproofing over time due to wear and tear, and results in a less tactile feel. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, this utility model provides a waterproof button.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the main technical solutions adopted by this utility model include:

[0006] A waterproof button includes a receiving cavity on a housing; a switch assembly is disposed inside the receiving cavity; the switch assembly is covered with a silicone sleeve; a button slot for installing the button is provided on the receiving cavity; the bottom of the button abuts against the silicone sleeve and is disposed opposite to a tactile switch inside the switch assembly.

[0007] Furthermore, the switch assembly includes a reinforcing plate; a tactile switch is provided on the reinforcing plate; and an FPC board is connected to the tactile switch.

[0008] Furthermore, a clearance groove is provided on the other side of the accommodating cavity opposite to the button slot; the FPC board extends into the inner cavity of the housing after passing through the clearance groove.

[0009] Furthermore, the top of the accommodating cavity is open; the top of the housing is sealed by a cover plate to close the top opening of the accommodating cavity.

[0010] Furthermore, the silicone sleeve is embedded in the switch assembly through injection molding to form a waterproof layer.

[0011] Furthermore, a mounting groove for mounting a switch assembly is formed inside the silicone sleeve; the switch assembly is disposed in the mounting groove and then sealed and connected by sealant.

[0012] Furthermore, one side of the silicone sleeve protrudes to form a raised portion; a recessed cavity for accommodating the button is formed below the raised portion.

[0013] Furthermore, the button is provided with a limiting protrusion located in the relief cavity to prevent the button from dislodging from the button slot.

[0014] Furthermore, the width of the silicone sleeve at the protrusion is approximately equal to the width of the accommodating cavity.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: The encapsulation structure of the silicone sleeve effectively ensures the durability and waterproofness of the switch assembly. The protrusion allows the top of the silicone sleeve to be completely locked into the receiving cavity, reducing the movement of the silicone sleeve and improving the stability of the connection. This also reduces the gap between the silicone sleeve and the receiving cavity, reducing water residue after immersion in water and helping to reduce the risk of water ingress. One side of the silicone sleeve is tightly attached to the side wall with a relief groove, and there is also sealant to seal the silicone sleeve and the receiving cavity, which can effectively prevent water from entering the inner cavity through the relief groove, ensuring the reliability of waterproofing. On the other hand, silicone has good flexibility. The tactile switch is located in the middle of the silicone sleeve, with a certain distance from the sealant. The deformation of the silicone sleeve caused by the button pressing is only partially transmitted to the sealant, and the pulling on the sealant is limited. This allows the sealant to be in a state of no force or only bearing a small tensile force for a long time, which can effectively improve durability. Compared with the gasket structure in the prior art, there is no failure of the waterproof seal due to wear and long-term pressing. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the structure of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the casing of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a reference diagram showing the usage state of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention (AA section).

[0021] Figure 5 This is an enlarged view of part B of this utility model;

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0023] 100. Housing; 110. Receiving cavity; 111. Button slot; 112. Relief groove; 120. Button; 121. Limiting protrusion; 130. Inner cavity; 140. Cover plate; 200. Switch assembly; 210. Reinforcing plate; 220. Tactile switch; 230. FPC board; 300. Silicone sleeve; 310. Protrusion; 320. Relief cavity; 330. Sealant; 301. Mounting groove. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this utility model provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed utility model, but merely represents selected embodiments of this utility model. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0025] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "front end," "rear end," "both ends," "one end," and "the other end," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0026] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "equipped with," "connected," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0027] For an example, please refer to... Figure 1 As shown:

[0028] A waterproof button includes a receiving cavity 110 provided on a housing 100; the top of the receiving cavity 110 is open; the top of the housing 100 is sealed by a cover plate 140 to seal the top opening of the receiving cavity 110; in this embodiment, sealing the top of the receiving cavity 110 with the cover plate 140 is to prevent water from entering the inner cavity 130, and also to facilitate the installation and maintenance of the switch assembly 200. The receiving cavity 110 and the inner cavity 130 form two separated areas, which helps to ensure that the inner cavity 130, as the core area, does not enter water; the switch assembly 200 is provided inside the receiving cavity 110. The switch assembly 200 is encased in a silicone sleeve 300; the accommodating cavity 110 is provided with a button slot 111 for mounting the button 120, thereby allowing a portion of the button 120 to extend out of the housing 100 for easy pressing operation; the bottom of the button 120 abuts against the silicone sleeve 300 and is positioned opposite to the tactile switch 220 inside the switch assembly 200; when an external force is applied to the button 120, the button 120 moves inward and transmits the force to the silicone sleeve 300, and the force of the silicone sleeve 300 is also transmitted to the tactile switch 220, which is then triggered by the force.

[0029] In one embodiment, the silicone sleeve 300 is embedded and injection molded to wrap around the switch assembly 200, forming a waterproof structure to prevent water from entering the switch assembly 200. The complete wrapping structure of the silicone sleeve 300 forms an integral structure, effectively ensuring the durability and waterproofness of the switch assembly 200, and facilitating installation and disassembly. The switch assembly 200 is electrically connected to the electrical components located in the inner cavity 130 through the FPC board 230. The FPC board 230 extends into the inner cavity 130 through the relief groove 112. Waterproofing at the FPC board 230 and the relief groove 112 can be achieved with sealant, which is a common method in the art. In another embodiment, the FPC board 230 can also be replaced with a wire to achieve electrical connection with the electrical components.

[0030] like Figure 2As shown, in one embodiment, the switch assembly 200 includes a reinforcing plate 210; a tactile switch 220 is provided on the reinforcing plate 210; an FPC board 230 is connected to the tactile switch 220; a clearance groove 112 is provided on the other side of the receiving cavity 110 opposite to the button slot 111; the FPC board 230 extends into the inner cavity 130 of the housing 100 after passing through the clearance groove 112, for electrical connection with electrical components;

[0031] like Figure 1-5 As shown, in one embodiment, a mounting groove 301 is formed inside the silicone sleeve 300; the switch assembly 200 is disposed within the mounting groove 301; the bottom of the mounting groove 301 is open; after the switch assembly 200 is disposed in the mounting groove 301, it is sealed and connected by sealant 330, thereby achieving waterproofing of the switch assembly 200; as shown Figure 5 In one embodiment, a protrusion 310 is formed on one side of the silicone sleeve 300; preferably, in one embodiment, the protrusion 310 is located at the top of the silicone sleeve 300; a recessed cavity 320 for accommodating the button 120 is formed below the protrusion 310; the width of the silicone sleeve 300 at the protrusion 310 is approximately equal to the width of the accommodating cavity 110, where the width refers to... Figure 5 In the horizontal direction; the protrusion 310 allows the top of the silicone sleeve 300 to be completely locked into the receiving cavity 110, reducing the shaking of the silicone sleeve 300, improving the stability of the connection, and thus reducing the gap between the silicone sleeve 300 and the receiving cavity 110, reducing water residue after soaking, which helps to reduce the risk of water ingress; in one embodiment, the protrusion 310 is provided at the top and bottom of the silicone sleeve 300, and the protrusion 310 at the bottom can physically block water, preventing it from entering the switch assembly 200 or the inner cavity 130;

[0032] In one embodiment, the button 120 is provided with a limiting protrusion 121 located in the relief cavity 320 to prevent the button 120 from disengaging from the button slot 111; the width of the button 120 in the relief cavity 320 is also approximately equal to the width of the relief cavity 320, thereby ensuring that the button 120 can effectively abut against the silicone sleeve 300, avoiding any empty travel, and ensuring that each press can be accurately recognized; in this embodiment, the silicone sleeve 300 and the switch assembly 200 are assembled as two independent parts, with one side of the silicone sleeve 300 tightly abutting against the side wall with the relief groove 112, and a sealant 330 is also used to seal the silicone sleeve 300 and the receiving cavity 110. This effectively prevents moisture from entering the inner cavity 130 through the clearance groove 112, ensuring the reliability of waterproofing. On the other hand, silicone has good flexibility. The tactile switch 220 is located in the middle of the silicone sleeve 300, with a certain distance from the sealant 330. The deformation of the silicone sleeve 300 caused by the button 120 being pressed is only partially transmitted to the sealant 330, and the pulling on the sealant 330 is limited. This allows the sealant 330 to remain in a state of no force or only bearing a small pulling force for a long time, which can effectively improve durability. Compared with the gasket structure in the prior art, there will be no failure of the waterproof seal due to wear and long-term pressing.

[0033] The above description is merely an embodiment of this utility model and does not limit the patent scope of this utility model. Any equivalent modifications made based on the content of this utility model specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A waterproof button, characterized in that: The device includes a receiving cavity (110) provided on the housing (100); a switch assembly (200) is provided inside the receiving cavity (110); the switch assembly (200) is wrapped with a silicone sleeve (300); the receiving cavity (110) is provided with a button slot (111) for installing a button (120); the bottom of the button (120) abuts against the silicone sleeve (300) and is arranged opposite to a tactile switch (220) inside the switch assembly (200).

2. A waterproof button according to claim 1, characterized in that: The switch assembly (200) includes a reinforcing plate (210); a tactile switch (220) is provided on the reinforcing plate (210); and an FPC board (230) is connected to the tactile switch (220).

3. A waterproof button according to claim 2, characterized in that: The accommodating cavity (110) has a relief groove (112) on the other side of the button slot (111); the FPC board (230) passes through the relief groove (112) and extends into the inner cavity (130) inside the housing (100).

4. A waterproof button according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the accommodating cavity (110) is open; the top of the housing (100) is sealed by a cover plate (140) to close the top opening of the accommodating cavity (110).

5. A waterproof button according to claim 1, characterized in that: The silicone sleeve (300) is embedded and injection molded to wrap around the switch assembly (200) to form a waterproof structure.

6. A waterproof button according to claim 1, characterized in that: The silicone sleeve (300) has a mounting groove (301) for mounting the switch assembly (200); the switch assembly (200) is disposed in the mounting groove (301) and then sealed and connected by sealant (330).

7. A waterproof button according to claim 1, characterized in that: The silicone sleeve (300) has a raised portion (310) on one side; a recessed cavity (320) for accommodating the button (120) is formed below the raised portion (310).

8. A waterproof button according to claim 7, characterized in that: The button (120) is provided with a limiting protrusion (121) located in the relief cavity (320) to prevent the button (120) from disengaging from the button slot (111).

9. A waterproof button according to claim 7, characterized in that: The width of the silicone sleeve (300) at the protrusion (310) is approximately equal to the width of the receiving cavity (110).

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