Key, gear shifter and vehicle

Abstract

A button, a gear shifter and a vehicle wherein the button comprises: a mounting base having a cavity in which a switch is accommodated; the key cap is located at the first end of the cavity; the mounting base is provided with a sliding guide structure on one side, far away from the cavity, of the key cap; the sliding structure is connected with the key cap, and the sliding structure is in sliding fit with the sliding guide structure; when the key cap is pressed, the sliding structure is driven to slide along the sliding guide structure, and the switch is triggered. The sliding structure and the switch are arranged on the different sides of the key cap, so that the sliding stroke of the sliding structure is not limited by the space of the cavity any more, the sliding stroke can be long, the shaking amount is small, and the good key pressing hand feeling is achieved; and meanwhile, no sliding structure occupies space in the cavity, so that more key functions can be integrated in the space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive switches, and more particularly to a button, a gear shifter, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] With technological advancements, the transmission relationship between the gear shift assembly and the transmission in automobiles has gradually shifted from mechanical transmission to electric drive-by-wire control. Electronic gear shifters transmit shift signals from the shifter to the transmission. They typically incorporate switches and sensors at each gear position on the shift lever to detect gear changes, send electrical signals, and control the transmission. While this method is simpler, the space available for electronic gear shifters is more limited.

[0003] In related technologies, the P gear of an electronic gear shifter is set as a button on the shift lever. Due to the limited space reserved for the electronic gear shifter, the travel of the P gear button's moving mechanism is relatively short, making it more difficult to integrate more button functions. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this application proposes a button, a gear shifter, and a vehicle.

[0005] Firstly, a button is proposed, including:

[0006] The mounting base has a cavity that houses the switch;

[0007] A button cap is located at the first end of the cavity; the mounting base has a sliding guide structure on the side of the button cap away from the cavity.

[0008] A sliding structure is connected to the button cap, and the sliding structure slides in conjunction with the sliding guide structure; when the button cap is pressed, it drives the sliding structure to slide along the sliding guide structure and triggers the switch.

[0009] In this embodiment, the sliding guide structure and the sliding structure are disposed on the mounting base on the side of the button cap away from the cavity, while the switch is disposed within the cavity. That is, the sliding structure and the switch are located on different sides of the button cap. Compared to related technologies where both the sliding structure and the switch are located on the same side of the cavity, the sliding stroke of the sliding structure in this embodiment is no longer limited by the space of the cavity, allowing for a longer sliding stroke, resulting in less wobble and a better button feel. Furthermore, since no sliding structure occupies space within the cavity, more button functions can be integrated.

[0010] Optionally, the sliding guide structure includes a groove, and the sliding structure includes a sliding part; the sliding part slides in conjunction with the groove.

[0011] Optionally, the sliding structure further includes a connecting portion, which is intersected and connected to the sliding portion, and the button cap is connected to the connecting portion.

[0012] Optionally, the mounting base includes a cavity shell and a bracket; the bracket is located on the side of the button cap away from the cavity, the bracket has a sliding guide structure, the cavity shell surrounds to form the cavity, and the bracket is connected to the cavity shell.

[0013] Optionally, the mounting base further includes a cover, which is located on the side of the button cap away from the cavity. The cover is fixedly connected to the cavity shell and the bracket. The cover and the cavity shell enclose a sliding surface, and the button cap slides in cooperation with the sliding surface.

[0014] Optionally, the mounting base further includes a bottom cover, which is connected to the cavity shell and located at the second end of the cavity.

[0015] Optionally, it also includes a circuit board, which is housed in the cavity and connected to the bottom cover; the switch is connected to the circuit board.

[0016] Optionally, the switch includes a first switch and a second switch, and sliding the button cap triggers the first switch and the second switch, with the first switch and the second switch triggering different functions.

[0017] Optionally, the first switch is used to trigger the P gear function and / or the second switch is used to trigger the electronic parking brake function.

[0018] Optionally, the button further includes an elastic material layer, which is at least partially disposed between the switch and the button cap to provide a restoring force for the button cap.

[0019] Optionally, the first switch has a movable contact that is reciprocating in the sliding direction of the keycap, and the elastic material layer includes a partial protrusion that covers the movable contact to provide a restoring force for the keycap.

[0020] Optionally, the elastic material layer includes a locally thickened portion, and there is a movable gap between the locally thickened portion and the circuit board. The locally thickened portion can reciprocate in the sliding direction of the keycap to trigger the second switch.

[0021] Optionally, the elastic material layer covers the surface of the circuit board for waterproofing and dustproofing.

[0022] Optionally, the button further includes a limiting member connected to the mounting base and located at the first end of the cavity, for limiting the sliding stroke of the button cap.

[0023] Secondly, a gear shifter is proposed, which includes the aforementioned buttons and has the same beneficial effects as the aforementioned buttons.

[0024] Thirdly, a vehicle is proposed that includes the aforementioned buttons or gear shifter, having the same beneficial effects as the aforementioned buttons or gear shifter.

[0025] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this application will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of buttons according to an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a button according to an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 3 This is an internal schematic diagram of a button according to an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 4 This is another cross-sectional view of the button according to an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 5 An exploded view of the keycap according to an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 6 This is another internal schematic diagram of a button according to an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a gear shifter according to an embodiment of this application.

[0034] Figure label:

[0035] Mounting base 10; cavity 11; first end 111; second end 112; cavity shell 1;

[0036] 2. Bracket; 21. Sliding guide structure; 211. Slide groove; 3. Cover; 4. Button cap; 40. Button cap body; 41. Inlay; 42. Light guide;

[0037] Sliding structure 5; sliding part 51; connecting part 52; connecting limiting part 521;

[0038] Circuit board 6; switch 7; first switch 71; moving contact 711; second switch 72; bottom cover 8;

[0039] Elastic material layer 9; Local protrusion 91; Local thickening 92;

[0040] Limiting component 12; Fastener 13;

[0041] Gear shifter 100; gear shift lever 101; control panel 102. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0043] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are used only for the convenience of describing this application 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0044] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0045] This application provides a button, see reference. Figure 1-2The button includes: a mounting base 10 having a cavity 11, the cavity 11 housing a switch 7; a button cap 4 located at the first end 111 of the cavity 11; the mounting base 10 having a sliding guide structure 21 on the side of the button cap 4 away from the cavity 11; and a sliding structure 5 connected to the button cap 4, the sliding structure 5 slidingly engaging with the sliding guide structure 21, the button cap 4 being pressed causing the sliding structure 5 to slide along the sliding guide structure 21 and triggering the switch 7.

[0046] In this embodiment, the sliding guide structure 21 and the sliding structure 5 are disposed on the mounting base 10 on the side of the keycap 4 away from the cavity 11, and the switch 7 is disposed in the cavity, that is, the sliding structure and the switch are disposed on different sides of the keycap 4. Compared with the cavity in related technologies where the sliding structure and the switch are both disposed on the same side, the sliding stroke of the sliding structure in this embodiment is no longer limited by the space of the cavity, and can have a longer sliding stroke, resulting in less wobble and better button feel; at the same time, since there is no sliding structure occupying space in the cavity, there is space to integrate more button functions.

[0047] In some embodiments, switch 7 can be a pressure switch or a distance switch. Mounting base 10 can be a one-piece structure or a modular assembly.

[0048] See Figure 2 The sliding guide structure 21 includes a groove 211, and the sliding structure 5 includes a sliding part 51; the sliding part 51 is slidably connected to the groove 211. This sliding structure is simple in structure, occupies little space, and is easy to process and assemble.

[0049] In some embodiments, the sliding guide structure can be a slide rod, and the sliding structure can be a slide groove; or one of the sliding guide structure and the sliding structure is a slide rail and the other is a slider.

[0050] See Figure 2 The sliding structure 5 also includes a connecting part 52, which intersects and connects with the sliding part 51. The button cap 4 is connected to the connecting part 52. In this way, the position of the sliding part and the installation position of the button cap are offset on the horizontal plane, facilitating user operation of the button. Specifically, the angle between the connecting part 52 and the sliding part 51 can be approximately 90°. The connecting part 52 and the sliding part 51 can be integrally formed or assembled.

[0051] The mounting base 10 includes a cavity shell 1 and a bracket 2. The bracket 2 is located on the side of the button cap 4 away from the cavity 11. The bracket 2 has a sliding guide structure 21. The cavity shell 1 encloses the cavity 11 to form the cavity 11. The bracket 2 is connected to the cavity shell 1. The button cap 4 is located between the cavity shell 1 and the bracket 2. That is, the mounting base is assembled in separate parts, which facilitates the processing or installation of the cavity and the sliding guide structure.

[0052] The mounting base 10 also includes a cover 3, which is located on the side of the button cap 4 away from the cavity 11. The cover 3 is fixedly connected to the cavity shell 1 and the bracket 2. The cover 3 and the cavity shell 1 enclose a sliding surface, and the button cap 4 slides in contact with the sliding surface. The cover 3 is used to limit and fix the bracket 1, and can also serve as a decorative surface to cover and beautify the internal structure. Specifically, the cover 3 can be detachably connected to the bracket 2 and the cavity shell 1 by means of a snap fastener, or it can be connected by adhesive or heat pressing. The button cap 4 slides in contact with the cavity shell 1 and the cover 3, and when the button is pressed / released, the button cap 4 moves vertically downward / upward.

[0053] The mounting base 10 also includes a bottom cover 8, which is connected to the cavity shell 1 and located at the second end 112 of the cavity 11. The bottom cover 8 facilitates the machining of the cavity 11 and can also serve as a base for connecting to external structures.

[0054] The button embodiment of this application also includes a circuit board 6, which is housed in the cavity 11 and connected to the bottom cover 8; a switch 7 is connected to the circuit board 6. The circuit board is used to acquire signals from the switch 7 to transmit control commands. Integration within the button facilitates modular application of the button.

[0055] See Figure 2-4 The switch 7 includes a first switch 71 and a second switch 72. The sliding of the button cap 4 triggers the first switch 71 and the second switch 72, and the functions triggered by the first switch 71 and the second switch 72 are different. Since the sliding engagement structure is moved out of the cavity, multiple switches 7 can be set inside the cavity to achieve multiple triggering functions.

[0056] Specifically, the first switch is used to activate the P gear function and / or the second switch is used to activate the electronic parking brake (EPB) function. This allows the EPB to be activated simultaneously with the P gear activation, simplifying user operation. Alternatively, other functions can be activated in conjunction with the P gear activation or EPB activation.

[0057] The button also includes an elastic material layer 9, which is at least partially disposed between the switch 7 and the button cap 4 to provide a restoring force for the button cap 4.

[0058] The first switch 71 has a movable contact 711, which can reciprocate in the sliding direction of the keycap 4. The elastic material layer 9 includes a partial protrusion 91 that covers the movable contact 711 and provides a restoring force for the keycap 4. Specifically, the partial protrusion 91 abuts against the keycap 6, and can also abut against the sliding portion 51 or the connecting portion 52 of the sliding structure 5. In this way, the partial protrusion 91 not only provides waterproofing and dustproofing for the first switch 71, but also provides a restoring force for the keycap 6.

[0059] See Figure 3-4 The elastic material layer 9 includes a locally thickened portion 92, which has a movable gap with the circuit board 6. The locally thickened portion 92 can reciprocate in the sliding direction of the keycap 4 to trigger the second switch 72. This design allows the locally thickened portion 92 to provide a reset force for the keycap 6 while also serving as a switch contact, reducing the space occupied by the second switch 72 within the cavity 11.

[0060] Specifically, the locally thickened portion 92 abuts against the connecting portion 52, and of course, it can also abut against the button cap 4. The elastic material layer 9 can be made of elastic materials such as rubber or silicone.

[0061] See Figure 4 An elastic material layer 9 covers the surface of the circuit board 6. The elastic material layer also serves to waterproof and dustproof the circuit board 6, resulting in a simple, compact structure with strong connections.

[0062] See Figure 5 The keycap 4 includes a keycap body 40, an insert 41, and a light guide 42. The light guide 42 is installed between the keycap body 40 and the insert 41. The insert 41 is fixedly connected to the keycap body 40, which can be achieved through snap-fitting, bonding, welding, high-temperature pressing, or other methods. When the key is pressed, the light source inside the cavity 11 emits light, which passes through the light guide 42 to allow the user to perceive the function status. For easy disassembly and maintenance, the insert 41 is slidably installed on the connection limiting part 521 of the connecting part 52 to limit the position of the keycap 4 in the X and Y directions. The insert 41 is snap-fitted to the connecting part 52 to limit the installation position of the keycap 4 in the Z direction.

[0063] See Figure 6 The button in this application also includes a limiting member 12, which is connected to the mounting base 10 and located at the first end 111 of the cavity 11. The limiting member 12 is used to limit the sliding stroke of the button cap 4, so that the button cap slides within a reasonable sliding stroke without falling out or exposing the internal structure. Specifically, the limiting member 12 is fixed to the bottom cover 8 by fasteners 13, and the circuit board 6 is also fixed between the limiting member 12 and the bottom cover 8.

[0064] See Figure 7 This application discloses a gear shifter 100, which includes the buttons described above and has the same beneficial effects. The gear shifter 100 also includes a gear shift lever 101 and an operation panel 102, with button caps 4 disposed between the gear shift lever 101 and the operation panel 102. The gear shift lever 101 is similar in design to an aircraft grip, and the buttons are integrated between the gear shift lever and the operation panel 102, resulting in a compact structure, a cool and technologically advanced appearance, and an improved user experience.

[0065] A vehicle includes the aforementioned buttons or gear shifter 100, and has the beneficial effects of the aforementioned buttons and gear shifter 100. The vehicle can be of various energy forms, such as a gasoline vehicle, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

[0066] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0067] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A button, characterized in that, include: The mounting base (10) has a cavity (11) that houses the switch (7); A keycap (4) is located at the first end (111) of the cavity (11); the mounting base (10) has a sliding guide structure (21) on the side of the keycap (4) away from the cavity (11); The sliding structure (5) is connected to the button cap (4), and the sliding structure (5) is slidably engaged with the sliding guide structure (21); when the button cap (4) is pressed, the sliding structure (5) slides along the sliding guide structure (21) and triggers the switch (7).

2. The button according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding guide structure (21) includes a groove (211), and the sliding structure (5) includes a sliding part (51); the sliding part (51) slides in cooperation with the groove (211).

3. The button according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sliding structure (5) further includes a connecting part (52), which is intersected and connected to the sliding part (51), and the button cap (4) is connected to the connecting part (52).

4. The button according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The mounting base (10) includes a cavity shell (1) and a bracket (2); the bracket (2) is located on the side of the button cap (4) away from the cavity (11), the bracket (2) has a sliding guide structure (21), the cavity shell (1) surrounds and forms the cavity (11), and the bracket (2) is connected to the cavity shell (1).

5. The button according to claim 4, characterized in that, The mounting base (10) also includes a cover (3), which is located on the side of the button cap (4) away from the cavity (11). The cover (3) is fixedly connected to the cavity shell (1) and the bracket (2). The cover (3) and the cavity shell (1) enclose each other to form a sliding surface, and the button cap (4) slides in cooperation with the sliding surface.

6. The button according to claim 4, characterized in that, The mounting base (10) also includes a bottom cover (8), which is connected to the cavity shell (1) and located at the second end (112) of the cavity (11).

7. The button according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a circuit board (6), which is housed in the cavity (11) and connected to the bottom cover (8); the switch (7) is connected to the circuit board (6).

8. The button according to claim 7, characterized in that, The switch (7) includes a first switch (71) and a second switch (72). The sliding of the button cap (4) triggers the first switch (71) and the second switch (72). The functions triggered by the first switch (71) and the second switch (72) are different.

9. The button according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first switch (71) is used to trigger the P gear function and / or the second switch (72) is used to trigger the electronic parking brake function.

10. The button according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes an elastic material layer (9), which is at least partially disposed between the switch (7) and the button cap (4) to provide a restoring force for the button cap (4).

11. The button according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first switch (71) has a movable contact (711) that can reciprocate in the sliding direction of the keycap (4). The elastic material layer (9) includes a partial protrusion (91) that covers the movable contact (711) and provides a restoring force for the keycap (4).

12. The button according to claim 10, characterized in that, The elastic material layer (9) includes a locally thickened portion (92), which has a movable gap with the circuit board (6). The locally thickened portion (92) can reciprocate in the sliding direction of the keycap (4) to trigger the second switch (72).

13. The button according to claim 10 or 12, characterized in that, The elastic material layer (9) covers the surface of the circuit board (6) and serves to make the circuit board (6) waterproof and dustproof.

14. The button according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a limiting member (12), which is connected to the mounting base (10) and located at the first end (111) of the cavity (11) to limit the sliding stroke of the button cap (4).

15. A gear shifter (100), characterized in that, Includes the button as described in any one of claims 1-14.

16. The gear shifter (100) according to claim 15, characterized in that, The gear shifter (100) also includes a gear shift lever (101) and an operation panel (102), and the button cap (4) is disposed between the gear shift lever (101) and the operation panel (102).

17. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the button as described in any one of claims 1-14 or the gear shifter as described in any one of claims 15-16.

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