Integrated key structure of printer and printer

Abstract

The utility model provides an integrated button structure of printer and printer, including the shell body, the shell body is provided with the button position, the button position is partially hollow, the hollow part of the button position is provided with the pressing body and the elastic arm, one end of the elastic arm is connected with the pressing body, the other end of the elastic arm is connected with the button position, and the other end of the elastic arm is connected with the button position. One end of the elastic arm is connected with the pressing body, the other end of the elastic arm is connected with the inner wall of the hollow part of the key position, a gap is formed between the pressing body and the inner wall of the hollow part of the key position, the pressing body and the elastic arm are integrally formed, and the elastic arm and the shell body are integrally formed. By arranging the partially-hollowed-out key position on the shell body, when the shell is formed, the pressing body of the hollowed-out part is connected with the inner wall of the hollowed-out part through the elastic arm, the pressing body and the shell body are formed into a whole, the elastic arm provides reset force and connection limiting, the structure is more compact, excessive free shaking is avoided, additional assembly is not needed, and the cost is reduced. The production efficiency can be improved, independent mold opening for the key is not needed, and the production cost can be saved.

Description

An integrated button structure for a printer and the printer itself. Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of printing equipment technology, and in particular to an integrated button structure for a printer and a printer. Background Technology

[0002] The button structure of existing printers is usually mounted separately on the printer casing, without automatic reset capability, and only provides tactile feedback through the dome switch. The button is loosely assembled to the casing, allowing it to wobble freely within a confined area. To change this, buttons with additional elastic arms have appeared on the market. The elastic arm of the button needs to be mounted to the printer casing with screws or other fasteners, as shown in patent document CN216545391U. Although this solves the problem of loose assembly and free wobble, this structure increases the number of assembly steps and affects overall production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned problems, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an integrated button structure for a printer and a printer in general.

[0004] This utility model is implemented using the following method: an integrated button structure for a printer, including a housing body, on which a button position is provided, the button position being partially hollowed out, the hollowed-out portion of the button position being provided with a pressing body and an elastic arm, one end of the elastic arm being connected to the pressing body, the other end of the elastic arm being connected to the inner wall of the hollowed-out portion of the button position, a gap being provided between the pressing body and the inner wall of the hollowed-out portion of the button position, the pressing body and the elastic arm being integrally formed, and the elastic arm being integrally formed with the housing body.

[0005] Preferably, the side of the non-connecting end of the elastic arm has a gap with the inner wall of the hollowed-out part of the button position, and a gap with the side of the pressing body.

[0006] Preferably, the pressing body and the elastic arm divide the gap of the key position cutout into a spiral shape.

[0007] Preferably, the pressing body has a protrusion on its outer surface facing the outer casing.

[0008] Preferably, a first transition portion is provided at the connection between the elastic arm and the inner wall of the hollowed-out portion of the button, and a second transition portion is provided at the connection between the elastic arm and the pressing body.

[0009] Preferably, the thickness of the first transition portion gradually decreases from the end in contact with the inner wall of the key hole to the end away from it; the thickness of the second transition portion gradually decreases from the end in contact with the pressing body to the end away from it.

[0010] Preferably, the button positions of the outer casing body are covered with a faceplate on the outer surface of the outer casing body.

[0011] Preferably, the button position has a light-transmitting hole that avoids the hollowed-out part; the position of the faceplate opposite to the light-transmitting hole is made of light-transmitting material, and the position of the faceplate opposite to the pressing body has a protrusion that is away from the outer shell body.

[0012] A printer having an integrated button structure as described above.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This utility model provides an integrated button structure for a printer and a printer. Compared with the prior art, this utility model has at least the following technical effects: 1. By opening partially hollowed-out button positions on the outer shell body, the press body of the hollowed-out part is connected to the inner wall of the hollowed-out part through an elastic arm during the molding of the outer shell body, forming an integral part with the outer shell body. The elastic arm provides a restoring force and connection limit. The elastic button is formed by utilizing a part of the outer shell body, resulting in higher positioning accuracy and less free wobbling. This reduces the number of parts, saves material and assembly costs, helps improve production efficiency, and eliminates the need for separate molds for the buttons, thus saving production costs. 2. The non-connecting end of the elastic arm has a gap with the press body and the inner wall of the hollowed-out button position, allowing the elastic arm to deform and displace relative to the outer shell body. Consequently, the press body connected to it can move to trigger the switch inside the outer shell body. 3. The press body and the elastic arm divide the space within the hollowed-out part into a spiral. This structure increases the length of the elastic arm, allowing the press body to have a larger stroke and obtain a better pressing feel. 4. The surface of the press body has localized protrusions, making it easier for the button to contact the motherboard surface-mount switch inside the housing, allowing the press body to be pressed a longer distance into the housing. 5. A transition section is provided at the connection point between the elastic arm and the inner wall of the press body and the hollowed-out section, allowing the elastic arm to have greater deformation. 6. The transition sections are all designed to gradually thin away from the connection point, reducing the thickness of the section between the two transition sections of the elastic arm. This makes it easier to deform under external force, providing a better tactile feel. 7. The faceplate at the button position prevents foreign objects from entering the button position and also limits the pressing stroke, protecting the elastic arm. 8. The light-transmitting hole allows the light from the signal indicator lights on the circuit board inside the housing to shine through. The corresponding position on the faceplate is made of a light-transmitting material to avoid blocking the light; the faceplate has localized protrusions on the press body, making the press body easier to press. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the integrated button structure of a printer of this utility model in the state of the button panel being separated.

[0015] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the integrated button structure of a printer according to this utility model with the button surface separated.

[0016] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the external structure of an integrated button structure for a printer according to this utility model.

[0017] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an integrated button structure of a printer according to this utility model.

[0018] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the integrated button structure of a printer according to this utility model after removing the faceplate.

[0019] Figure 6 is a front view of the integrated button structure of a printer according to this utility model after removing the faceplate.

[0020] The following are the reference numerals: 1. Outer shell; 11. Button position; 12. Gap; 13. Light-transmitting hole; 2. Pressing body; 21. Protrusion; 3. Elastic arm; 31. First transition part; 32. Second transition part; 4. Faceplate; 5. Switch. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0022] Please refer to Figures 1 to 6. A one-piece button structure for a printer includes a housing body 1. The housing body 1 has a button position 11, which is partially hollowed out. The hollowed-out portion of the button position 11 has a pressing body 2 and an elastic arm 3. One end of the elastic arm 3 is connected to the pressing body 2, and the other end is connected to the inner wall of the hollowed-out portion of the button position 11. A gap 12 exists between the pressing body 2 and the inner wall of the hollowed-out portion of the button position 11. The pressing body and the elastic arm 3 are integrally formed, and the elastic arm 3 is integrally formed with the housing body 1. By creating a partially hollowed-out button position 11 on the housing body 1, the hollowed-out pressing body 2 is connected to the inner wall of the hollowed-out portion through the elastic arm 3 during housing molding, forming an integral part with the housing body 1. The elastic arm 3 provides a restoring force and connection limit. Utilizing a portion of the housing body to form an elastic button results in higher positioning accuracy without excessive free wobbling, reduces the number of parts, saves material and assembly costs, helps improve production efficiency, and eliminates the need for a separate mold for the button, further reducing production costs. Furthermore, reducing the number of parts can further save internal space, making the machine more compact and portable.

[0023] Please refer to Figures 1 to 6. Preferably, the side of the non-connecting end of the elastic arm 3 has a gap 12 with the inner wall of the hollowed-out portion of the button position 11, and also has a gap 12 with the side of the pressing body 2. The gap 12 between the non-connecting end of the elastic arm 3 and the inner wall of the hollowed-out portion of the pressing body 2 and the button position 11 allows the elastic arm 3 to deform and displace relative to the outer shell 1, thereby enabling the pressing body 2 connected to it to move and trigger the switch 5 inside the outer shell 1.

[0024] Please refer to Figures 1 to 6. Preferably, the pressing body 2 and the elastic arm 3 divide the gap 12 of the hollowed-out portion of the button position 11 into a spiral shape. The pressing body 2 and the elastic arm 3 divide the space within the hollowed-out portion into a spiral, and the elastic arm 3 becomes a meandering, curved shape. This structure increases the length of the elastic arm 3, allowing the pressing body 2 to have a greater stroke and thus a better pressing feel. Of course, the elastic arm 3 can also be directly connected to the pressing body 2 without being curved, directly connecting the pressing body 2 and the inner wall of the hollowed-out portion.

[0025] Please refer to Figures 1 to 6. Preferably, the surface of the pressing body 2 facing outward from the outer casing 1 has a protrusion 21. The surface of the pressing body 2 has a partial protrusion, which makes it easier for the button to touch the motherboard surface-mount switch 5 inside the outer casing 1, that is, it allows the pressing body 2 to be pressed into the outer casing 1 a longer distance.

[0026] Please refer to Figures 1, 5, and 6. Preferably, a first transition portion 31 is provided at the connection between the elastic arm 3 and the inner wall of the hollowed-out portion of the button position 11, and a second transition portion 32 is provided at the connection between the elastic arm 3 and the pressing body 2. Providing transition portions at the connection ends of the elastic arm 3 with the pressing body 2 and the inner wall of the hollowed-out portion allows the elastic arm 3 to have a greater deformation.

[0027] Please refer to Figures 1, 5, and 6. Preferably, the thickness of the first transition portion 31 gradually decreases from the end in contact with the inner wall of the hollowed-out portion of the button position 11 towards the end away from it; the thickness of the second transition portion 32 gradually decreases from the end in contact with the pressing body 2 towards the end away from it. Both transition portions are designed to gradually thin away from the connecting end, that is, to reduce the thickness of the portion between the two transition portions of the elastic arm 3. This allows for easier deformation under external force, providing a better tactile feel; and also ensures the connection strength between the elastic arm and the pressing body and the inner wall of the hollowed-out portion.

[0028] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4. Preferably, the surface of the button position 11 facing outwards from the outer casing 1 is covered with a faceplate 4. Providing the faceplate 4 to the button position 11 serves two purposes: firstly, it prevents foreign objects from entering the button position 11; secondly, it limits the pressing stroke and protects the elastic arm 3.

[0029] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4. Preferably, the button position 11 has a light-transmitting hole 13, avoiding the hollowed-out portion; the position of the faceplate 4 opposite to the light-transmitting hole 13 is made of a light-transmitting material, and the position of the faceplate 4 opposite to the pressing body 2 has a protrusion away from the outer shell body. The light-transmitting hole 13 allows the light of the signal indicator light of the circuit board in the outer shell body 1 to pass through. The corresponding position on the faceplate 4 is made of a light-transmitting material to avoid blocking the light; the faceplate 4 has a local protrusion on the pressing body 2, making the pressing body 2 easier to press.

[0030] A printer having an integrated button structure as described above.

[0031] The working principle of this utility model is as follows:

[0032] When in use, the finger presses the protruding part of the faceplate 4 (i.e. the protruding part 21 of the pressing body 2), pushing the pressing body 2 into the outer shell body 1. The elastic arm 3 is deformed by the force transmitted from the pressing body 2 until the pressing body 2 stops pressing the internal switch 5. The finger is released from contact with the faceplate 4, and the restoring force of the elastic arm 3 drives the elastic arm 3 to return to its initial shape, thereby driving the pressing body 2 away from the internal switch 5 of the outer shell body 1 and returning it to its initial position.

[0033] Several points should be noted: First, in the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection" and "linkage" should be interpreted broadly, and can be mechanical or electrical connection, or internal connection between two components, or direct connection. "Up", "down", "left", "right", etc. are only used to indicate relative positional relationship. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may change.

[0034] Secondly: The accompanying drawings of the embodiments disclosed in this utility model only involve the structures involved in the embodiments disclosed in this utility model. Other structures can refer to the general design. In the absence of conflict, the same embodiment and different embodiments of this utility model can be combined with each other.

[0035] Finally, the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model. The protection scope of the present utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions that fall within the scope of the present utility model are protected by the present utility model.

[0036] It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, any improvements and modifications made without departing from the principles of this utility model should also be considered within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. An integrated button structure for a printer, comprising a housing body, characterized in that: The outer casing has a button position, which is partially hollowed out. The hollowed-out portion of the button position has a pressing body and an elastic arm. One end of the elastic arm is connected to the pressing body, and the other end of the elastic arm is connected to the inner wall of the hollowed-out portion of the button position. There is a gap between the pressing body and the inner wall of the hollowed-out portion of the button position. The pressing body and the elastic arm are integrally formed, and the elastic arm is integrally formed with the outer casing.

2. The integrated button structure for a printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side of the non-connecting end of the elastic arm has a gap with the inner wall of the hollowed-out part of the button, and a gap with the side of the pressing body.

3. The integrated button structure for a printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pressing body and the elastic arm divide the gap of the hollowed-out part of the button into a spiral shape.

4. The integrated key structure of a printer according to claim 1, wherein: The pressing body has a protrusion on its outer surface facing the outer shell.

5. The integrated key structure of a printer according to claim 1, wherein: The connection between the elastic arm and the inner wall of the hollowed-out part of the button is provided with a first transition part, and the connection between the elastic arm and the pressing body is provided with a second transition part.

6. The integrated button structure for a printer according to claim 5, characterized in that: The thickness of the first transition portion gradually decreases from the end in contact with the inner wall of the cutout portion of the button to the end away from it; the thickness of the second transition portion gradually decreases from the end in contact with the pressing body to the end away from it.

7. The integrated button structure for a printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The button positions on the outer surface of the housing body are covered with a faceplate.

8. The integrated button structure for a printer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The button position has a light-transmitting hole that avoids the hollow part; the position of the faceplate opposite to the light-transmitting hole is made of light-transmitting material, and the position of the faceplate opposite to the pressing body has a protrusion that is away from the outer shell body.

9. A printer, characterized in that: The printer is equipped with an integrated button structure as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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