Key device and electronic equipment
By integrating light guide structures and light-emitting components into electronic devices, the problem of large surface area occupied by buttons and light-emitting devices is solved, achieving higher surface utilization and device miniaturization.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, the buttons and light-emitting devices of electronic devices need to be drilled at different locations on the outer casing, which occupies a large surface area and reduces the surface utilization rate.
The design integrates a light guide structure and a light-emitting component. The light is emitted to the outside through the light guide structure on the keycap, and the light-emitting component and the key component are moved by pressing the keycap to realize the key function, while reducing the area occupied by the electronic device.
Without affecting the illumination and button functions, the surface area occupied by the illumination and button components of the electronic device is reduced, thereby improving surface utilization and miniaturization of the device.
Smart Images

Figure CN224248506U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of electronic device technology, and in particular to a button device and an electronic device. Background Technology
[0002] With the continuous development of electronic devices, various electronic devices have been widely used in users' lives. One example is wireless headphones. Wireless headphones can include earbuds and a charging case. The earbuds can be placed in the charging case, which has lighting and buttons on its surface. The lighting indicates the connection status or battery level of the headphones. The buttons function through physical pressing.
[0003] However, setting buttons and lighting devices requires openings in different locations on the electronic device's casing, which takes up a large surface area of the electronic device. Utility Model Content
[0004] This application provides a button device and an electronic device that can reduce the surface area occupied by buttons and light-emitting devices on the surface of the electronic device.
[0005] A first aspect of this application provides a button device, the button device comprising:
[0006] Keycaps, including light guide structures;
[0007] The light-emitting components are arranged along the first direction with the light-guiding structure;
[0008] The button assembly is located on the side of the light-emitting assembly facing away from the light guide structure in the first direction.
[0009] This application provides a button device in which a light-emitting component emits light to the outside of an electronic device through a light guide structure on the keycap to achieve various indicator functions. The user can press the keycap, for example, the light guide structure on the keycap, causing the light guide structure to move towards the light-emitting component, and further driving the light-emitting component to move towards the button component along a first direction. When the light-emitting component contacts and presses the button component, it can press and trigger the button component to perform the corresponding function. The light guide structure not only receives the pressing operation to achieve the button function, but also guides light. Compared to the prior art where the light-emitting device and the button are separated and independently arranged on the outer surface of the electronic device, the button device in this application can reduce the surface area occupied by the light-emitting component and the button component on the outer surface of the electronic device without affecting the light emission of the light-emitting component and the physical pressing of the button component. This increases the usable area on the surface of the electronic device, improves the surface utilization of the electronic device, and also increases the integration between the light-emitting component and the button component.
[0010] In one possible implementation, the light-emitting component includes:
[0011] A first circuit board has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other along the first direction, the first surface facing the keycap and connected to the keycap;
[0012] A light-emitting element is disposed on the first surface and faces the light-guiding structure;
[0013] The button assembly is located on the side of the first circuit board facing away from the keycap in the first direction.
[0014] In this way, while ensuring that the button component can be triggered, it is also possible to avoid the button component being located between the light-emitting element and the light guide structure. This prevents the button component from blocking the light emitted from the light-emitting element into the light guide structure, allowing the light guide structure to emit light normally in all directions and ensuring the uniformity of light emission from the light guide structure.
[0015] In one possible implementation, the button component includes:
[0016] The button body is disposed on the second side of the first circuit board;
[0017] The trigger structure is located on the side of the button body facing away from the second surface.
[0018] In this way, the space between the first and second sides of the first circuit board can be fully utilized, the distance between the light-emitting component and the button component can be shortened, thereby reducing the volume of the button device in the first direction, and thus reducing the space occupied by the button device on the electronic device, which helps to miniaturize the electronic device.
[0019] In one possible implementation, the first circuit board is a first flexible circuit board.
[0020] This reduces the thickness of the first circuit board in the first direction, reduces the thickness of the light-emitting component in the first direction, and consequently reduces the thickness of the button device in the first direction, thereby reducing the space occupied by the button device in the electronic device in the first direction and helping to improve the miniaturization design of the electronic device.
[0021] In one possible implementation, the light-emitting component further includes a reinforcing plate, wherein the first flexible circuit board is disposed on the side of the reinforcing plate facing the light guide structure.
[0022] This improves the structural strength of the first flexible circuit board, preventing damage from external forces due to its thinness or low structural strength. This enhances the structural strength of the light-emitting component and, consequently, the durability of the button device.
[0023] In one possible implementation, the button component includes:
[0024] A support structure is located on the second side of the first circuit board, and the support structure is spaced apart from the second side.
[0025] The second circuit board is disposed on the side of the support structure facing the first circuit board;
[0026] The button body is disposed on the side of the second circuit board facing the first circuit board, and the button body is spaced apart from the second surface of the first circuit board.
[0027] This allows for the separate disassembly and repair of the button body and the light-emitting components, reducing the ease of disassembly and assembly of the light-emitting components and the button body, and lowering maintenance costs.
[0028] In one possible implementation, the button assembly further includes a pressing structure connected to the support structure;
[0029] The pressing structure is located between the first circuit board and the button body, and the pressing structure is spaced apart from the button body.
[0030] This avoids the situation where the distance between the button body and the first circuit board is too large and the travel distance of the first circuit board along the first direction is too short, which would prevent the first circuit board from being able to squeeze and trigger the button body, thus improving the practicality of the button device.
[0031] In one possible implementation, the pressing structure is an elastic element;
[0032] The elastic element includes a connecting part and a pressing part that are connected to each other. The connecting part is connected to the support structure, and the pressing part is located between the first circuit board and the button body, and the pressing part is spaced apart from the button body.
[0033] In this way, by setting the pressing structure as an elastic element, which includes a connecting part and a pressing part, at least the pressing part can elastically deform relative to the connecting part under the action of external force, and return to its initial state under the action of elastic restoring force after the external force is removed. The pressing structure is relatively simple, which can reduce the manufacturing cost of the pressing structure, and thus reduce the manufacturing cost of the button device.
[0034] In one possible implementation, the second circuit board is a second flexible circuit board.
[0035] This reduces the thickness of the second circuit board in the first direction, reduces the thickness of the button assembly in the first direction, and further reduces the thickness of the button device in the first direction, thereby reducing the space occupied by the button device in the electronic device in the first direction and helping to improve the miniaturization design of the electronic device.
[0036] Furthermore, if the second circuit board is a flexible circuit board, the material cost of the second circuit board can be reduced compared to the case where the second circuit board is a rigid circuit board, thereby reducing the material cost and manufacturing cost of the button device.
[0037] In one possible implementation, the light guide structure has a first receiving groove on the side facing the light-emitting element;
[0038] Along the first direction, at least a portion of the structure of the light-emitting element is located within the first receiving groove.
[0039] This reduces the thickness of the assembled light-emitting components and keycaps in the first direction, thereby reducing the thickness of the assembled button device in the first direction and reducing the space occupied by the button device inside the electronic device in the first direction, which in turn helps to miniaturize the electronic device.
[0040] In one possible implementation, the keycap further includes a light-shielding structure disposed on the side of the light guide structure facing the light-emitting component, and the light-shielding structure surrounds the outer periphery of the light-emitting component.
[0041] In this way, the light-shielding structure can ensure that the light emitted by the light-emitting component can be emitted to the outside of the electronic device through the light guide structure, while also preventing the light emitted by the light-emitting component from entering the inside of the electronic device through refraction or diffuse reflection. This avoids the light entering the inside of the housing from escaping through seams or gaps in other locations on the housing, thereby reducing light leakage from the housing, improving the luminous effect of the light-emitting component and the user experience of the electronic device.
[0042] In one possible implementation, the light-shielding structure has a second receiving groove on the side facing the light-emitting component, and at least a portion of the light-emitting component is located within the second receiving groove along the first direction.
[0043] This reduces the thickness of the keycaps and light-emitting components along the first direction after assembly, thereby reducing the space occupied by the key device along the first direction and improving the space utilization rate inside the electronic device housing.
[0044] In one possible implementation, a portion of the button assembly is located within the second receiving slot.
[0045] In this way, after the button assembly, the light-emitting component and the keycap are assembled, the space occupied by the button assembly in the first direction can be shortened, thereby reducing the space occupied by the button device in the first direction and helping to improve the space utilization of electronic devices with the button device installed.
[0046] In one possible implementation, the light-shielding structure and the light-guiding structure are integrally injection-molded structures.
[0047] This reduces the number of keycap components, improves keycap assembly efficiency, and consequently improves the assembly efficiency of the key mechanism.
[0048] In one possible implementation, the button device further includes a sealing structure;
[0049] The outer peripheral wall of the keycap has a groove, and the sealing structure is disposed in the groove. The sealing structure is used to seal the gap between the keycap and the wall of the key hole. The key hole is an opening on the electronic device for installing the key device.
[0050] In this way, while ensuring that the keycap can move relative to the keyhole in the first direction, the sealing structure can seal the gap between the keycap and the keyhole, reducing the chance of debris or liquid entering the electronic device through the gap and improving the sealing performance of the electronic device.
[0051] Furthermore, by placing the sealing structure within the groove of the keycap, with the opening of the groove facing the inner wall of the key hole, and the groove having opposing sidewalls along the first direction, the sidewalls of the groove can prevent the sealing structure from moving along the first direction, thereby reducing the probability of the sealing structure falling off the keycap, improving the installation stability of the sealing structure on the keycap, and thus improving the structural stability of the key device.
[0052] In one possible implementation, the sealing structure is a rubber component or a silicone component.
[0053] In this way, since both rubber and silicone parts have good flexibility, the sealing structure can plastically deform while ensuring that the gap between the keycap and the key hole is filled during the movement of the keycap in the first direction, so as to avoid the keycap being unable to move due to excessive frictional resistance between the sealing structure and the inner wall of the key hole.
[0054] In one possible implementation, the outer wall of the keycap is provided with a limiting structure, which abuts against the wall of the electronic device housing.
[0055] This allows the limiting structure to abut against the wall of the housing near the keyhole, preventing the keycap from coming out of the keyhole, and thus preventing the light-emitting component and the key component from coming out of the keyhole, thereby improving the installation stability between the key device and the electronic device.
[0056] In one possible implementation, the limiting structure is a flange extending away from the sidewall of the keycap, the surface of the flange facing away from the key assembly abutting against the inner wall of the housing near the key hole.
[0057] This increases the contact area between the limiting structure and the side wall of the housing, as well as the uniformity of the circumferential limiting contact of the keycap, thereby improving the limiting effect on the keycap.
[0058] A second aspect of this application provides an electronic device, which includes a main body, a housing, and a button device as described above;
[0059] The main body is disposed inside the housing, and the housing has a button hole;
[0060] The button device includes a light-emitting component, a button component, and keycaps;
[0061] Both the light-emitting component and the button component are disposed within the housing. The button component is located on the side of the keycap facing away from the light-emitting component, and the keycap is disposed within the button hole.
[0062] In this way, by using the above-mentioned button device, the number of openings on the housing of the electronic device can be reduced, thereby reducing the surface area occupied by the button device and improving the surface area utilization of the electronic device. Attached Figure Description
[0063] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device in related technologies;
[0064] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device in related technologies from another perspective;
[0065] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0066] Figure 4 An exploded view of a button device provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0067] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a button device provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0068] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of another button device provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0069] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0070] 1-Electronic devices;
[0071] 11-Button device; 12-Main body; 13-Housing; 14-Button hole;
[0072] 2-Earphone case;
[0073] 21-Button; 22-Housing section; 23-Indicator light; 24-Main body;
[0074] 100-keycaps;
[0075] 110 - Light guiding structure; 120 - Light blocking structure; 130 - Limiting structure;
[0076] 111 - First receiving groove; 121 - Second receiving groove; 122 - Groove;
[0077] 200 - Light-emitting components;
[0078] 210 - First circuit board; 220 - Light-emitting component; 230 - Reinforcing plate;
[0079] 211 - First page; 212 - Second page;
[0080] 300-Button assembly;
[0081] 310 - Button body; 320 - Trigger structure; 330 - Support structure; 340 - Second circuit board; 350 - Pressing structure;
[0082] 351 - Connecting part; 352 - Pressing part; 353 - Triggering part. Detailed Implementation
[0083] This application provides an electronic device, which can be an electronic device with a button device and an indicator light, such as a smart wearable device with a button device and an indicator light, or a wireless headphone kit with an earphone case, etc.
[0084] The following explanation uses a wireless headphone kit with a built-in earphone case as an example.
[0085] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1The present invention pertains to a wireless earphone kit with an earphone case 2. The wireless earphone kit may include earphones and an earphone case 2. The earphone case 2 is used to store the earphones and may have a charging function to charge the wireless earphones. The earphone case 2 may include a housing portion 22, a battery (not shown), a main body 24, a button 21, and an indicator light 23. The main body 24 and the battery may be disposed inside the housing portion 22. The button 21 may be disposed on the earphone housing portion 22. The button 21 may be operated by physical pressing, for example, the button 21 may be a micro-switch button 21. The indicator light 23 may also be disposed on the battery housing portion 22. The indicator light 23 may be used to indicate the connection status between the earphones and a terminal device, or the indicator light 23 may be used to display the earphone's battery level.
[0086] However, the buttons 21 and indicator lights 23 in the aforementioned related technologies occupy a large area on the surface of the electronic device, reducing the utilization rate of the electronic device's surface.
[0087] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The reason for this problem is that the buttons 21 and indicator lights 23 in the related technology are distributed at different positions on the surface of the housing portion 22. For example, the indicator lights 23 can be set on a large surface of the housing portion 22, while the buttons 21 can be set on a smaller side surface. When the indicator lights 23 and buttons 21 are independently set and distributed on the surface of the housing portion 22, they occupy a large area on the surface of the housing portion 22. This also results in the independently distributed indicator lights 23 and buttons 21 occupying a large space on the housing portion 22, thus causing the buttons 21 and indicator lights 23 to occupy a large area on the surface of the electronic device, reducing the utilization rate of the electronic device's surface.
[0088] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a button device 11. The light-emitting component 200 can emit light to the outside of the electronic device 1 through the light guide structure 110 on the keycap 100 to achieve various indicator functions. Furthermore, the user can press the keycap 100, for example, by pressing the light guide structure 110 on the keycap 100, causing the light guide structure 110 to move towards the light-emitting component 200, and further driving the light-emitting component 200 to move towards the button assembly 300 along a first direction. When the light-emitting component 200 contacts and presses the button assembly 300, it can press and trigger the button assembly 300, enabling the button assembly 300 to perform the corresponding function. The light guide structure 110 can not only perform pressing operations but also emit light, thus enabling the button assembly 300 and the light-emitting component 200 to be integrated into a single design. Compared to the prior art where the light-emitting device and the button are separated and independently arranged on the outer surface of the electronic device 1, the button device 11 in this application can reduce the surface area occupied by the light-emitting component 200 and the button component 300 on the outer surface of the electronic device 1 without affecting the light emission of the light-emitting component 200 and the physical pressing of the button component 300, thereby increasing the usable area of the outer surface of the electronic device 1 and improving the utilization rate of the surface of the electronic device 1.
[0089] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of the embodiments of this application more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0090] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 This application also provides an electronic device 1, which may include a main body 12, a housing 13, and the aforementioned button device 11. The main body 12 is disposed within the housing 13, and the housing 13 has a button hole 14. The button device 11 can be disposed within the button hole 14.
[0091] The button device 11 may include a light-emitting component 200, a button component 300, and a keycap 100. The light-emitting component 200 and the button component 300 are both disposed within the housing 13. The button component 300 is located on the side of the keycap 100 facing away from the light-emitting component 200. The keycap 100 is disposed within the button hole 14 and can move relative to the button hole 14 in a first direction.
[0092] In this way, by arranging the light-emitting component 200 and the button component 300 longitudinally in the thickness direction of the housing 13 wall, it is possible to avoid the light-emitting component 200 and the button component 300 occupying a large surface area on the housing 13, reduce the number of openings on the housing of the electronic device, improve the utilization rate of the surface of the housing 13 and the space utilization rate, and contribute to the miniaturization design of the electronic device 1.
[0093] In some embodiments, the electronic device 1 may be a device with wireless earphones, a shaver, or a smart wearable device. The wireless earphones may include earphones and an earphone case. The earphone case includes a main body 12, a housing 13, and a button device 11. The earphones may be disposed inside the earphone case, the main body 12 may be disposed inside the housing 13, and the button device 11 may be disposed on the surface of the housing 13.
[0094] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 This application provides a button device 11, which may include a keycap 100, a light-emitting component 200, and a button component 300.
[0095] The keycap 100 may include a light guide structure 110, which has a light guiding function. When the key device 11 is installed on the electronic device 1, the light guide structure 110 can guide light to the outside of the electronic device 1.
[0096] In some embodiments, the light guide structure 110 has a first direction (e.g., Figure 4 The light source and the second surface are opposite to each other in the Y direction. The first surface may have a light-incident surface that is disposed toward the light-emitting component 200, and the second surface may have a light-emitting surface that is disposed toward the external environment. At least a portion of the second surface may serve as the light-emitting surface, for example, the entire surface of the second surface may serve as the light-emitting surface, or a portion of the surface of the second surface may serve as the light-emitting surface.
[0097] The outline shape of the orthographic projection of the light-emitting surface along the first direction can be circular, elliptical, polygonal, or annular. For example, the outline shape of the orthographic projection of the light-emitting surface along the first direction can be annular, elliptical, or polygonal.
[0098] The light-emitting component 200 and the light guide structure 110 are arranged along a first direction. When the button device 11 is installed on the electronic device 1, the first direction can be perpendicular to the wall thickness direction of the housing 13 of the electronic device 1. The light guide structure 110 can face the outside of the electronic device 1 relative to the light-emitting component 200. The light guide structure 110 can guide the light emitted by the light-emitting component 200 to the outside of the housing 13, so as to realize the light indication function of the light-emitting component 200.
[0099] The button assembly 300 is located on the side of the light-emitting component 200 facing away from the light-guiding structure 110 in the first direction. When the button device 11 is mounted on the housing 13 of the electronic device 1, the button assembly 300 can be closer to the interior of the housing 13 relative to the light-emitting component 200, so that the button assembly 300, the light-emitting component 200, and the keycap 100 can be arranged along the first direction. The button assembly 300 can be a structure triggered by physical pressure; the button assembly 300 will be triggered when subjected to external pressure.
[0100] In a specific implementation, when the button device 11 is installed on the housing 13 of the electronic device 1, when the user squeezes the keycap 100 toward the button assembly 300 along the first direction, the keycap 100 will squeeze and drive the reflective component to move toward the button assembly 300, and the light-emitting component 200 will squeeze and deform the button assembly 300 so that the button assembly 300 is triggered.
[0101] This application provides a button device 11. The light-emitting component 200 can emit light to the outside of the electronic device 1 through the light guide structure 110 on the keycap 100 to achieve various indicator functions. Furthermore, the user can press the keycap 100, for example, by pressing the light guide structure 110 on the keycap 100, causing the light guide structure 110 to move towards the light-emitting component 200, and further driving the light-emitting component 200 to move towards the button assembly 300 along a first direction. When the light-emitting component 200 contacts and presses the button assembly 300, it can press and trigger the button assembly 300, enabling the button assembly 300 to perform the corresponding function. The light guide structure 110 can not only perform pressing operations but also emit light, thus enabling the button assembly 300 and the light-emitting component 200 to be integrated into a single design. Compared to the prior art where the light-emitting device and the button are separated and independently arranged on the outer surface of the electronic device 1, the button device 11 in this application can reduce the surface area occupied by the light-emitting component 200 and the button component 300 on the outer surface of the electronic device 1 without affecting the light emission of the light-emitting component 200 and the physical pressing of the button component 300, thereby increasing the usable area of the outer surface of the electronic device 1 and improving the utilization rate of the surface of the electronic device 1.
[0102] In some embodiments, the light-emitting component 200 and the keycap 100 can be connected, either directly or indirectly. The light-emitting component 200 and the keycap 100 can be connected by adhesive bonding, or by a connector.
[0103] Specifically, the light-emitting component 200 can be directly or indirectly connected to the light guide structure 110 in the keycap 100, and the light guide structure 110 can be connected to the light-emitting component 200 through other structures in the keycap 100.
[0104] In other embodiments, the button assembly 300 and the light-emitting assembly 200 can also be connected, or the button assembly 300 and the light-emitting assembly 200 can be set at intervals. In this way, when the button assembly 300 needs to be triggered, the light-emitting assembly 200 will move toward the button assembly 300 under the pressing and squeezing of the keycap 100 and trigger the button assembly 300.
[0105] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the light-emitting component 200 may include a first circuit board 210 and a light-emitting element 220.
[0106] The first circuit board 210 has a first surface 211 and a second surface 212 opposite to each other along a first direction. The first surface 211 faces the keycap 100 and is connected to the keycap 100. A light-emitting element 220 is disposed on the first surface 211 and faces the light-guiding structure 110, facilitating the light-emitting element 220 to transmit light to the outside through the light-guiding structure 110, thereby achieving the function of an indicator light. The button assembly 300 is located on the side of the first circuit board 210 facing away from the keycap 100 in the first direction. It is understood that a portion of the structure of the button assembly 300 can be connected to the first circuit board 210, or the button assembly 300 can be spaced apart from and not connected to the first circuit board 210.
[0107] In this way, by positioning the button assembly 300 on the side of the first circuit board 210 facing away from the keycap 100 in the first direction, it is possible to ensure that the button assembly 300 can be triggered while also preventing the button assembly 300 from being located between the light-emitting element 220 and the light guide structure 110. This prevents the button assembly 300 from blocking the light emitted from the light-emitting element 220 into the light guide structure 110, ensuring that the light guide structure 110 can emit light normally in all directions and guaranteeing the uniformity of light emission from the light guide structure 110.
[0108] In some embodiments, the first surface 211 of the first circuit board 210 is connected to the keycap 100. This can be understood as the first surface 211 of the first circuit board 210 and the keycap 100 being connected by adhesive, or the first surface 211 of the first circuit board 210 and the keycap 100 being connected by a connector, or the first surface 211 of the first circuit board 210 and the keycap 100 being in direct contact.
[0109] In this way, by connecting the first surface 211 of the first circuit board 210 to the surface, it is possible for the user to directly transmit force to the first circuit board 210 when pressing the keycap 100, and further trigger the button assembly 300 through the first circuit board 210.
[0110] In some embodiments, since the first surface 211 of the first circuit board 210 is connected to the keycap 100, there may be a gap between the light-emitting element 220 and the keycap 100, thereby preventing the keycap 100 from squeezing the light-emitting element 220 and reducing the probability of the light-emitting element 220 being damaged due to squeezing by the keycap 100. In a specific implementation, if the light-emitting element 220 faces the light guide structure 110 in the first direction, the light-emitting element 220 and the light guide structure 110 can be spaced apart to prevent the light guide structure 110 from squeezing the light-emitting element 220 when the keycap 100 is pressed.
[0111] In some embodiments, if the first surface 211 of the first circuit board 210 and the keycap 100 can be connected by adhesive bonding, the assembly efficiency between the keycap 100 and the first circuit board 210 can be improved, thereby improving the assembly efficiency of the key device 11.
[0112] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the first circuit board 210 may be a rigid circuit board or a flexible circuit board.
[0113] In this way, by setting the first circuit board 210 as a first flexible circuit board, the thickness of the first circuit board 210 in the first direction can be reduced, the thickness of the light-emitting component 200 in the first direction can be reduced, and the thickness of the button device 11 in the first direction can be reduced, thereby reducing the space occupied by the button device 11 in the first direction, which helps to improve the miniaturization design of the electronic device 1.
[0114] Furthermore, if the first circuit board 210 is a flexible circuit board, the material cost of the first circuit board 210 can be reduced compared to the case where the first circuit board 210 is a rigid circuit board, thereby reducing the material cost and manufacturing cost of the button device 11.
[0115] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the light-emitting component 200 may further include a reinforcing plate 230, with the first flexible circuit board disposed on the side of the reinforcing plate 230 facing the light-guiding structure 110. Thus, by including the reinforcing plate 230 and disposing of the first flexible circuit board on the side of the reinforcing plate 230 facing the light-guiding structure 110, the structural strength of the first flexible circuit board can be improved, preventing damage from external forces due to its thinness or low structural strength. This improves the structural strength of the light-emitting component 200 and consequently enhances the durability of the button device 11.
[0116] It is understandable that if the button body 310 is disposed on the second side 212 of the first flexible circuit board, the reinforcing plate 230 will not affect the placement of the button body 310 on the second side 212 of the first flexible circuit board. For example, a through hole can be opened on the reinforcing plate 230 and the button body 310 can be disposed in the through hole to avoid the reinforcing plate 230 from interfering with the installation of the button body 310 and the first flexible circuit board.
[0117] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the light guide structure 110 has a first receiving groove 111 on the side facing the light-emitting element 220. Along a first direction, at least a portion of the structure of the light-emitting element 220 is located within the first receiving groove 111. For example, along the first direction, a portion of the light-emitting element 220 can be located within the first receiving groove 111, or along the first direction, the light-emitting element 220 can be completely located within the first receiving groove 111.
[0118] In this way, by opening a first receiving groove 111 on the side of the light guide structure 110 facing the light-emitting element 220 and accommodating at least a portion of the light-emitting element 220 in the first receiving groove 111, the thickness of the assembled light-emitting component 200 and keycap 100 in the first direction can be reduced, thereby reducing the thickness of the assembled button device 11 in the first direction and reducing the space occupied by the button device 11 in the first direction, which in turn helps to miniaturize the design of the electronic device 1.
[0119] In some embodiments, when at least a portion of the light-emitting element 220 is located within the first receiving groove 111, the light-emitting element 220 and the bottom wall of the first receiving groove 111 can be spaced apart to prevent the light-emitting element 220 from being crushed when the light guide structure 110 presses the first circuit board 210 under external force.
[0120] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the keycap 100 may further include a light-shielding structure 120, which is disposed on the side of the light guide structure 110 facing the light-emitting component 200 and surrounds the outer periphery of the light-emitting component 200.
[0121] It is understood that the light-shielding structure 120 is arranged around the outer periphery of the light-emitting component 200. It can be understood that the light-shielding structure 120 is arranged around the outer periphery of the light-emitting component 200 with the first direction as the axis, and the light-shielding structure 120 is not arranged on both sides of the light-emitting component 200 along the first direction.
[0122] In this way, by setting a light-shielding structure 120 and using the light-shielding structure 120 to surround the outer periphery of the light-emitting component 200, the keycap 100 can ensure that the light emitted by the light-emitting component 200 can be emitted to the outside of the electronic device 1 through the light guide structure 110, while also preventing the light emitted by the light-emitting component 200 from entering the interior of the housing 13 of the electronic device 1 through refraction or diffuse reflection. This prevents the light entering the interior of the housing 13 from being emitted through seams or gaps at other locations on the housing 13, thereby reducing light leakage from the housing 13, improving the light-emitting effect of the light-emitting component 200 and the user experience of the electronic device 1.
[0123] In some embodiments, the first circuit board 210 in the light-emitting component 200 can be connected to or abutted against the light-shielding structure 120 so that when the keycap 100 is subjected to an external force, the light-shielding structure 120 in the keycap 100 drives the first circuit board 210 to move along a first direction. Specifically, the first surface 211 of the first circuit board 210 can be bonded to the surface of the light-shielding structure 120 facing the first circuit board 210.
[0124] In some embodiments, when the button device 11 is installed in the button hole 14 on the housing 13 of the electronic device 1, a portion of the light-shielding structure 120 on the keycap 100 can also be located in the button hole 14 to prevent the light emitted by the light-emitting component 200 from leaking to the outside of the housing 13 through the gap between the button hole 14 and the keycap 100.
[0125] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the light-shielding structure 120 and the light-guiding structure 110 are integrally injection-molded structures.
[0126] In this way, by setting the light-shielding structure 120 and the light-guiding structure 110 as an integral injection-molded structure, the number of parts of the keycap 100 can be reduced, the assembly efficiency of the keycap 100 can be improved, and thus the assembly efficiency of the key device 11 can be improved.
[0127] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the light-shielding structure 120 has a second receiving groove 121 on the side facing the light-emitting component 200, and at least a portion of the light-emitting component 200 is located in the second receiving groove 121 along the first direction.
[0128] In this way, by providing a second receiving groove 121 on the side of the light-shielding structure 120 facing the light-emitting component 200, and by accommodating at least a portion of the light-emitting component 200 within the second receiving groove 121, the thickness of the keycap 100 and the light-emitting component 200 along the first direction after assembly can be reduced, thereby reducing the space occupied by the key device 11 along the first direction and improving the space utilization rate inside the housing 13 of the electronic device 1.
[0129] In some embodiments, if the light-emitting component 200 has a first circuit board 210 and a light-emitting element 220, the first circuit board 210 can be located in the second receiving groove 121, and the first surface 211 of the first circuit board 210 can abut against or be connected to the bottom wall of the second receiving groove 121.
[0130] In some embodiments, based on the second receiving groove 121 formed on the light-shielding structure 120, the light guide structure 110 may have the aforementioned first receiving groove 111 formed on it. The first receiving groove 111 communicates with the bottom wall of the second receiving groove 121, so that while the light-emitting component 200 is received in the second receiving groove 121, at least a portion of the light-emitting element 220 in the light-emitting component 200 is received in the first receiving groove 111. This can further reduce the thickness of the assembled keycap 100 and the light-emitting component 200 along the first direction, which helps to further reduce the space occupied by the key device 11 along the first direction.
[0131] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, a portion of the key assembly 300 is located within the second receiving groove 121.
[0132] In this way, by accommodating a portion of the key assembly 300 within the second receiving groove 121, the space occupied by the key assembly 300 in the first direction can be reduced after the key assembly 300, the light-emitting component 200, and the keycap 100 are assembled. This reduces the space occupied by the key device 11 in the first direction and helps to improve the space utilization of the electronic device 1 on which the key device 11 is installed.
[0133] In some embodiments, if the button assembly 300 includes a button body 310 and the light-emitting assembly 200 includes a first circuit board 210, and the button body 310 can be disposed on the second surface 212 of the first circuit board 210, then the button body 310 can be located in the second receiving groove 121 to further reduce the space occupied by the button assembly 300 in the first direction.
[0134] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5In some embodiments, the button device 11 may also include a sealing structure (not shown in the figure). The outer peripheral wall of the keycap 100 is provided with a groove 122, and the sealing structure is disposed in the groove 122. The sealing structure is used to seal the gap between the keycap 100 and the wall of the button hole 14. The button hole 14 is an opening on the electronic device 1 for mounting the button device 11.
[0135] When the keycap 100 is installed in the keyhole 14 on the housing 13 of the electronic device 1, a gap is formed between the outer sidewall of the keycap 100 and the inner sidewall of the keyhole 14 to facilitate the installation of the keycap 100 in the keyhole 14 and to facilitate the movement of the keycap 100 in the keyhole 14 along the first direction. By providing a sealing structure on the outer sidewall of the keycap 100, the sealing structure can seal the gap between the keycap 100 and the keyhole 14 while ensuring that the keycap 100 can move relative to the keyhole 14 in the first direction. This reduces the probability of debris or liquid entering the interior of the electronic device 1 through the gap and improves the sealing performance of the electronic device 1.
[0136] Furthermore, by setting the sealing structure in the groove 122 of the keycap 100, with the opening of the groove 122 facing the inner sidewall of the key hole 14, and the groove 122 having sidewalls opposite each other along the first direction, the sidewalls of the groove 122 can prevent the sealing structure from moving along the first direction, thereby reducing the probability of the sealing structure falling off the keycap 100, improving the installation stability of the sealing structure on the keycap 100, and thus improving the structural stability of the key device 11.
[0137] In some embodiments, if the keycap 100 includes a light-shielding structure 120, a groove 122 for mounting a sealing structure can be formed on the outer periphery of the light-shielding structure 120. The groove 122 can be an annular groove with the opening of the annular groove facing the inner wall of the keyhole 14. The sealing structure can also be annular and can be fitted inside the annular groove.
[0138] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the sealing structure can be a structure with elastic deformation capability, such as a rubber component or a silicone component.
[0139] In this way, by setting the sealing structure as a rubber or silicone part, since both rubber and silicone parts have good flexibility, the sealing structure can plastically deform while ensuring that the gap between the keycap 100 and the key hole 14 is filled during the movement of the keycap 100 in the first direction, so as to avoid the keycap 100 being unable to move due to excessive frictional resistance between the sealing structure and the inner wall of the key hole 14.
[0140] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the outer wall of the keycap 100 is provided with a limiting structure 130, which abuts against the wall of the housing 13 of the electronic device 1.
[0141] In this way, by setting a limiting structure 130 on the outer wall of the keycap 100, the limiting structure 130 abuts against the wall of the housing 13 near the key hole 14, thereby preventing the keycap 100 from coming out of the key hole 14, and thus preventing the light-emitting component 200 and the key component 300 from coming out of the key hole 14, thereby improving the installation stability between the key device 11 and the electronic device 1.
[0142] In some embodiments, the limiting structure 130 can be a limiting block, which can be disposed on the outer wall of the keycap 100 and can extend toward the inner wall of the limiting hole. There can be at least two limiting blocks, and the two limiting blocks can be symmetrically arranged about the central axis of the key hole 14 of the electronic device 1.
[0143] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the limiting structure 130 may also be a flange extending away from the side wall of the keycap 100, the flange facing away from the surface of the trigger structure 320 for abutting against the inner wall of the electronic device 1 near the key hole 14.
[0144] In this way, by setting the limiting structure 130 on the flange arranged circumferentially along the keycap 100, so that the flange abuts against the inner wall of the housing 13 near the key hole 14, the contact area between the limiting structure 130 and the side wall of the housing 13 can be increased, as well as the uniformity of the circumferential limiting abutment of the keycap 100, thereby improving the limiting effect of the keycap 100.
[0145] In some embodiments, the limiting structure 130 can be an integral structure with the keycap 100, for example, the limiting structure 130 can be an integral injection molded structure with the keycap 100.
[0146] If the keycap 100 includes a light-shielding structure 120 and a light-guiding structure 110, then the limiting structure 130 can be disposed on the outer periphery of the light-shielding structure 120, and the limiting structure 130 and the light-shielding structure 120 can be an integral injection-molded structure.
[0147] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5In some embodiments, the button assembly 300 may include a button body 310 and a trigger structure 320. The button body 310 may be disposed on the second surface 212 of the first circuit board 210. The trigger structure 320 may be disposed on the side of the button body 310 facing away from the second surface 212. When a user presses the keycap 100, the keycap 100 will move the first circuit board 210 and the button body 310 on the first circuit board 210 toward the trigger structure 320, and trigger the button body 310 under the reaction force of the trigger structure 320.
[0148] In this way, by setting the button body 310 on the first circuit board 210, the space of the first surface 211 and the second surface 212 of the first circuit board 210 can be fully utilized, the distance between the light-emitting component 200 and the button component 300 can be shortened, thereby reducing the volume of the button device 11 in the first direction, and thus reducing the space occupied by the button device 11 on the electronic device 1, which is conducive to the miniaturization design of the electronic device 1.
[0149] In some embodiments, the button body 310 can be one of a micro switch, a membrane switch, and a conductive rubber button. The trigger structure 320 can be fixed inside the housing 13 of the electronic device 1, and the trigger structure 320 can be detachably connected and fixed to the housing 13, which facilitates the disassembly, assembly, and maintenance of the trigger structure 320 inside the housing 13.
[0150] In some embodiments, the trigger structure 320 and the button body 310 can be in contact in a first direction, or the trigger structure 320 and the button body 310 can be spaced apart in a first direction to avoid accidental touch of the button body 310.
[0151] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, the button assembly 300 may include a support structure 330, a second circuit board 340, and a button body 310.
[0152] The support structure 330 is located on the side where the second surface 212 of the first circuit board 210 is located, and the support structure 330 is spaced apart from the second surface 212. The support structure 330 can be detachably connected to the housing 13 of the electronic device 1. The second circuit board 340 is located on the side of the support structure 330 facing the first circuit board 210. The button body 310 is located on the side of the second circuit board 340 facing the first circuit board 210, and the button body 310 is spaced apart from the second surface 212 of the first circuit board 210.
[0153] Specifically, the support structure 330 can be used to support the second circuit board 340 and the key body 310. When the user applies a force toward the key body 310 to the keycap 100, the first circuit board 210 of the light-emitting component 200 moves toward the key body 310 on the second circuit board 340 under the pressure of the keycap 100 until the first circuit board 210 presses and triggers the key body 310.
[0154] In this way, by independently setting the button body 310 and the light-emitting element 220 in the light-emitting component 200, and installing the button body 310 on the second circuit board 340, the button body 300 can realize the individual disassembly and maintenance of the button body 310 and the light-emitting element 220, thereby reducing the convenience of disassembling and assembling the light-emitting element 220 and the button body 310 and reducing maintenance costs.
[0155] In some embodiments, there may be a gap between the button body 310 and the first circuit board 210, or the button body 310 and the first circuit board 210 may be in contact.
[0156] In other embodiments, the button body 310 can indirectly contact the first circuit board 210 through additional structures.
[0157] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, the button assembly 300 may further include a pressing structure 350, which is connected to the support structure 330. The pressing structure 350 is located between the first circuit board 210 and the button body 310, and the pressing structure 350 and the button body 310 are spaced apart.
[0158] In this way, the button assembly 300 includes a pressing structure 350, which can be connected to the support structure 330. The first circuit board 210 moves toward the pressing structure 350 under the squeezing action of the keycap 100, and squeezes the pressing structure 350 toward the button body 310. Furthermore, the pressing structure 350 triggers the button body 310. This can avoid the first circuit board 210 being unable to squeeze and trigger the button body 310 due to the excessive distance between the button body 310 and the first circuit board 210 and the short travel distance of the first circuit board 210 along the first direction. This can improve the practicality of the button device 11.
[0159] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, the pressing structure 350 is an elastic element, which may include a connecting part 351 and a pressing part 352 connected to each other. The connecting part 351 is connected to the support structure 330, and the pressing part 352 is located between the first circuit board 210 and the button body 310, and the pressing part 352 is spaced apart from the button body 310.
[0160] When the keycap 100 is pressed against the first circuit board 210 and moves toward the key body 310 under external force, the first circuit board 210 first presses the pressing part 352. The pressing part 352 can elastically deform under the pressure of the first circuit board 210 and move toward the key body 310 to trigger the key body 310. After the external force is removed, the pressing part 352 can return to its initial state under the action of elastic restoring force.
[0161] In this way, by setting the pressing structure 350 as an elastic element, which includes a connecting portion 351 and a pressing portion 352, at least the pressing portion 352 can elastically deform relative to the connecting portion 351 under the action of external force, and return to its initial state under the action of elastic restoring force after the external force is removed. The structure of the pressing structure 350 is relatively simple, which can reduce the manufacturing cost of the pressing structure 350, and thus reduce the manufacturing cost of the button device 11.
[0162] The pressing structure 350 may also include a trigger part 353, which is disposed on the side of the pressing part 352 facing the button body 310. The trigger part 353 protrudes relative to the pressing part 352 towards the button body 310, so that the pressing structure 350 can more easily trigger the button body 310, improving the usability of the button device 11 and thus enhancing the usability of the electronic device 1.
[0163] In some embodiments, the pressing part 352, the triggering part 353, and the connecting part 351 can be an integral structure, for example, the pressing part 352, the triggering part 353, and the connecting part 351 can be an integral injection molded structure.
[0164] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, the second circuit board 340 may be a rigid circuit board or a flexible circuit board.
[0165] In this way, by setting the second circuit board 340 as a second flexible circuit board, the thickness of the second circuit board 340 in the first direction can be reduced, the thickness of the button assembly 300 in the first direction can be reduced, and the thickness of the button device 11 in the first direction can be reduced, thereby reducing the space occupied by the button device 11 in the first direction, which helps to improve the miniaturization design of the electronic device 1.
[0166] Furthermore, if the second circuit board 340 is a flexible circuit board, the material cost of the second circuit board 340 can be reduced compared to the case where the second circuit board 340 is a rigid circuit board, thereby reducing the material cost and manufacturing cost of the button device 11.
[0167] The various embodiments or implementation methods described in this specification are presented in a progressive manner. Each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments, and the same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to each other.
[0168] Generally speaking, terms should be understood at least in part by their use in context. For example, at least in part by context, the term "one or more" as used in the text can be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic of the singular meaning, or a combination of features, structures, or characteristics of the plural meaning. Similarly, at least in part by context, terms such as "a" or "the" can also be understood to convey either singular or plural usage.
[0169] It should be readily understood that the terms “on,” “above,” and “on top of” in this disclosure should be interpreted in the broadest possible sense, such that “on” means not only “directly on something” but also “on something” with an intermediate feature or layer therebetween, and that “above” or “on top of” means not only “on top of something” but also “on top of something” without an intermediate feature or layer therebetween (i.e., directly on something).
[0170] Furthermore, for ease of explanation, spatially relative terms such as "below," "below," "under," "above," and "above" may be used to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to other elements or features as shown in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation other than those shown in the figures. The device may have other orientations (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptive terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.
[0171] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.
Claims
1. A button device, characterized in that, include: Keycaps, including light guide structures; The light-emitting components are arranged along the first direction with the light-guiding structure; The button assembly is located on the side of the light-emitting assembly facing away from the light guide structure in the first direction.
2. The button device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light-emitting component includes: A first circuit board has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other along the first direction, the first surface facing the keycap and connected to the keycap; A light-emitting element is disposed on the first surface and faces the light-guiding structure; The button assembly is located on the side of the first circuit board facing away from the keycap in the first direction.
3. The button device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The button assembly includes: The button body is disposed on the second side of the first circuit board; The trigger structure is located on the side of the button body facing away from the second surface.
4. The button device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first circuit board is a first flexible circuit board.
5. The button device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The light-emitting component also includes a reinforcing plate, and the first flexible circuit board is disposed on the side of the reinforcing plate facing the light guide structure.
6. The button device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The button assembly includes: A support structure is located on the second side of the first circuit board, and the support structure is spaced apart from the second side. The second circuit board is disposed on the side of the support structure facing the first circuit board; The button body is disposed on the side of the second circuit board facing the first circuit board, and the button body is spaced apart from the second surface of the first circuit board.
7. The button device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The button assembly further includes a pressing structure, which is connected to the supporting structure; The pressing structure is located between the first circuit board and the button body, and the pressing structure is spaced apart from the button body.
8. The button device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The pressing structure is an elastic element; The elastic element includes a connecting part and a pressing part that are connected to each other. The connecting part is connected to the support structure, and the pressing part is located between the first circuit board and the button body, and the pressing part is spaced apart from the button body.
9. The button device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second circuit board is a second flexible circuit board.
10. The button device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The light guide structure has a first receiving groove on the side facing the light-emitting element; Along the first direction, at least a portion of the structure of the light-emitting element is located within the first receiving groove.
11. The button device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The keycap also includes a light-shielding structure, which is disposed on the side of the light guide structure facing the light-emitting component and surrounds the outer periphery of the light-emitting component.
12. The button device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The light-shielding structure has a second receiving groove on the side facing the light-emitting component, and at least a portion of the light-emitting component is located within the second receiving groove along the first direction.
13. The button device according to claim 12, characterized in that, A portion of the button assembly is located within the second receiving slot.
14. The button device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The light-shielding structure and the light-guiding structure are integrally injection molded structures.
15. The button device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The button device also includes a sealing structure; The outer peripheral wall of the keycap has a groove, and the sealing structure is disposed in the groove. The sealing structure is used to seal the gap between the keycap and the wall of the key hole. The key hole is an opening on the electronic device for installing the key device.
16. The button device according to claim 15, characterized in that, The sealing structure is a rubber component or a silicone component.
17. The button device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the keycap is provided with a limiting structure, which abuts against the wall of the electronic device housing.
18. The button device according to claim 17, characterized in that, The limiting structure is a flange extending away from the side wall of the keycap, and the surface of the flange facing away from the key assembly abuts against the inner wall of the housing near the key hole.
19. An electronic device, characterized in that, It includes a main body, a housing, and a button device as described in any one of claims 1-18; The main body is disposed inside the housing, and the housing has a button hole; The button device includes a light-emitting component, a button component, and keycaps; Both the light-emitting component and the button component are disposed within the housing. The button component is located on the side of the keycap facing away from the light-emitting component, and the keycap is disposed within the button hole.