Button Structure

Abstract

This utility model discloses a button structure, comprising: a button with a housing, the housing having a fixing part; a conductive film disposed on an inner side wall of the housing and around the fixing part; a bracket disposed behind the button, the bracket having a positioning post and a through hole; a circuit board disposed on the bracket; and a metal elastic member disposed between the button and the bracket, the metal elastic member having a first main body, a connecting part, and a second main body, the top and bottom ends of the first main body respectively sleeved on the positioning post and the fixing part, the connecting part fixed to the lower surface of the bracket, and the second main body disposed within the through hole and extending through the through hole to be electrically connected to the circuit board. Therefore, this button structure utilizes a non-linear approach to simplify mechanical parts, streamline assembly, reduce costs, and provide touch-sensitive functionality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a button structure, and more particularly to a button structure that avoids displacement and poor contact of metal elastic elements, while simplifying mechanical parts, simplifying assembly, reducing costs, and having touch sensing function. Background Technology

[0002] In game controllers, shoulder buttons are frequently used operation keys. These shoulder buttons are symmetrically located on both sides of the front end of the game controller. The game controller is typically operated by pressing the shoulder buttons with the index finger. The shoulder buttons generally rely on their own rebound force and structural strength to return to their original position. Due to the relatively long length of the shoulder buttons, and manufacturing and assembly tolerances between the shoulder buttons and other components of the game controller, there is a distance between the shoulder button and the electronic components when pressed. This results in a larger gap between the shoulder button contact and the electronic components, leading to a less than ideal tactile experience.

[0003] Taiwan Patent Certificate No. M666479 discloses "a button structure", including a button with a pressing part and a latching block; a conductive film disposed on the inner side of the pressing part and covering the latching block; a bracket disposed behind the button, the bracket having a positioning post and a through hole, the through hole being formed on one side of the positioning post; a circuit board disposed behind the button and on the bracket; and a metal elastic member disposed between the button and the bracket, having at least two main parts, with a connecting part between the two main parts, the connecting part being fixed to the lower surface of the bracket, one of the main parts having its two ends respectively sleeved on the latching block and the positioning post, and the other main part being disposed in the through hole and extending through the through hole and electrically connected to the circuit board.

[0004] Using the existing button structure, the trigger button of the game controller can also adopt a similar design, including a bracket, circuit board, and elastic element, to trigger the circuit when the trigger button is pressed and automatically return to its original position after release, thus forming an operating mode different from the shoulder buttons. However, in the existing button structure design, the increased deformation of the metal elastic element during rotation can lead to displacement of the metal elastic element and poor contact.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a button structure that avoids displacement and poor contact of the metal elastic element, while simplifying the mechanism parts, simplifying assembly, reducing costs, and having touch-sensitive function. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a button structure that addresses the defects and shortcomings of existing technologies.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model discloses a button structure, comprising: a button having an outer shell and an inner shell assembled thereon, an inner sidewall of the outer shell extending to form a fixing portion, the inner shell having a slot penetrating the inner shell, the fixing portion being located in the slot; a conductive film disposed on the inner sidewall of the outer shell and surrounding the fixing portion; a bracket disposed behind the button, the bracket having a positioning post and a through hole; a circuit board disposed on the bracket; and a metal elastic member disposed between the button and the bracket, the metal elastic member having a first main body, the top end of the first main body being sleeved on the positioning post, the bottom end of the first main body being sleeved on the fixing portion and abutting against the conductive film, the top end of the first main body extending forward to form a connecting portion, the connecting portion being fixed to the lower surface of the bracket, one end of the connecting portion extending upward to form a second main body, the second main body being disposed on one side of the first main body, the second main body passing through the through hole and electrically connected to the circuit board.

[0008] As a further improvement, the fixing part is provided with a fixing post extending from the inner wall of the outer shell, the fixing post passing through the slot.

[0009] As a further improvement, the fixing part is provided with two baffles extending from the inner side wall, the fixing post is formed between the two baffles, and the bottom end of the first main body abuts between the two baffles.

[0010] As a further improvement, the inner housing is provided with a body, the inner housing is provided with a slot that penetrates the body, and the left and right sides of the body extend to form a pair of rotating arms, the slot being formed between the pair of rotating arms.

[0011] As a further improvement, the lower surface of the bracket extends to form two side walls, which are formed on the outside of the positioning post and the through hole, and the rotating arm abuts against the side walls.

[0012] As a further improvement, the two sidewalls extend outward to form two stops, and one side of several rotating arms abuts against the two stops.

[0013] As a further improvement, each of the rotating arms is provided with a pivot hole that passes through the rotating arm, the two sidewalls extend to form two pivots, and the pivot holes are fixed to the pivots.

[0014] As a further improvement, the body extends to form a covering portion between the pair of rotating arms, and the inner wall extends to form a first protrusion, the covering portion covering the first protrusion.

[0015] As a further improvement, the upper surface of the first protrusion is recessed downward to form an assembly hole, and the inner housing is provided with a through hole penetrating the upper and lower surfaces of the covering part, the through hole being aligned with the assembly hole.

[0016] As a further improvement, the body extends to form an extension, the bracket has a cutout that penetrates the bracket, and the extension passes through the cutout and contacts the circuit board.

[0017] As described above, the metal elastic element of the button structure of this utility model comprises a first main body, a second main body, and a connecting part. The bottom end of the first main body is sleeved on the fixing part of the button. The fixing part comprises a fixing post and two baffles. The inner shell comprises a slot penetrating the upper and lower surfaces of the main body. The fixing post of the fixing part of the outer shell is received in the slot. The bottom end of the first main body is sleeved on the fixing post. The bottom end of the first main body is clamped between the two baffles, therefore, the bottom end of the metal elastic element can be stably fixed inside the button. The top end of the first main body is sleeved on the positioning post of the bracket. The top end of the first main body extends forward to form the connecting part. The connecting part is fixed to the lower surface of the bracket. One end of the connecting part extends upward to form the second main body. The second main body is disposed on one side of the first main body. The second main body is disposed in the through hole of the bracket and the top end of the second main body protrudes from the through hole of the bracket and is electrically connected to the circuit board. Therefore, the button structure of this invention can avoid displacement and poor contact of the metal elastic parts, while simplifying the mechanical parts, simplifying assembly, reducing costs, and having touch sensing function. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the button structure of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a partially exploded view of the button structure of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a partially exploded view of the button structure of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the button structure of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a partially exploded view of the button structure of this utility model.

[0023] The labels in the attached figures are explained as follows.

[0024] Button structure 100 Button 1 Outer shell 11 Inner wall surface 110 Fixing part 111 First protrusion 112 Second protruding post 113 Fixed post 114 Baffle 115 Assembly hole 116 Inner shell 12 body 120 Grooving 121 Covering part 122 Notch 123 Rotating arm 124 Shaft hole 125 Extension 126 Through-hole 127, conductive film 2 Metal elastic component 3 First main body 31 Second main body 32 Connecting part 33 Circuit board 4, bracket 5 Positioning post 51, perforation 52 Positioning part 53 convex part 54 Positioning hole 55, space 56 Side wall 57, stop part 571 Shaft 58, hollow section 59 Locking element 6. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To explain in detail the technical content, structural features, objectives and effects of the button structure 100 of this utility model, the following embodiments are provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Please see Figures 1 to 4 The button structure 100 of this invention includes a button 1, a conductive film 2, a metal elastic element 3, a circuit board 4, and a bracket 5. The button 1 is located below the front end of the bracket 5. The button 1 is also located below the front end of the circuit board 4. In this embodiment, the conductive film 2 is disposed within the button 1. The circuit board 4 is disposed above the bracket 5. The metal elastic element 3 is disposed between the button 1 and the bracket 5. Both ends of the metal elastic element 3 are respectively fixed to the inside of the button 1 and the lower surface of the circuit board 4.

[0027] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The button 1 has an outer shell 11 and an inner shell 12. The inner shell 12 is disposed on the inner side of the outer shell 11. The conductive film 2 is attached to the inner side of the outer shell 11. The conductive film 2 is disposed between the outer shell 11 and the inner shell 12. Therefore, the button 1 has a conductive function.

[0028] The outer casing 11 has an inner wall surface 110, a fixing portion 111, a first protrusion 112, and several second protrusions 113. In this embodiment, the conductive film 2 is attached to the inner wall surface 110 of the outer casing 11. The inner wall surface 110 of the outer casing 11 extends upward to form the fixing portion 111. The fixing portion 111 is received within the inner casing 12 to achieve positioning and fixation of the outer casing 11 and the metal elastic member 3. The conductive film 2 is disposed around the fixing portion 111, and one end of the metal elastic member 3 is sleeved on the fixing portion 111 and abuts against the conductive film 2. Therefore, the outer casing 11 has a conductive function.

[0029] The fixing part 111 is provided with a fixing post 114 and two baffles 115. The fixing post 114 is formed by extending upward from the middle of the front end of the inner wall surface 110 of the outer shell 11. One end of the metal elastic member 3 is sleeved on the fixing post 114. The two baffles 115 are formed by extending upward from the middle of the front end of the inner wall surface 110 of the outer shell 11. The fixing post 114 is formed between the two baffles 115. One end of the metal elastic member 3 is clamped between the two baffles 115, therefore, one end of the metal elastic member 3 can be stably fixed in the button 1.

[0030] The first protrusion 112 extends upward from one side of the inner wall 110 of the outer casing 11. The first protrusion 112 is fixed to the inner casing 12. The upper surface of the first protrusion 112 is recessed downward to form an assembly hole 116. Several second protrusions 113 extend upward from the left and right sides of the front end of the inner wall 110 of the outer casing 11. The several second protrusions 113 are fixed to the inner casing 12.

[0031] The inner housing 12 has a body 120, a slot 121, a covering portion 122, several notches 123, a pair of rotating arms 124, several pivot holes 125, an extension portion 126, and a through hole 127. The inner housing 12 has the slot 121 penetrating the upper and lower surfaces of the body 120. The fixing post 114 of the fixing portion 111 of the outer housing 11 is received in the slot 121. The upper surface of the body 120 extends upward to form the covering portion 122. The covering portion 122 covers the first protrusion 112 of the outer housing 11. The inner housing 12 has the through hole 127 penetrating the upper and lower surfaces of the covering portion 122. The through hole 127 is aligned with the assembly hole 116 of the outer housing 11 and is secured with a screw to achieve positioning and fixation of the outer housing 11 and the inner housing 12.

[0032] The upper surface of the body 120 has several notches 123 formed by downward indentation on the left and right sides of its front end. Several second protrusions 113 of the outer shell 11 are secured to the notches 123. The upper surface of the body 120 extends upward on the left and right sides to form a pair of rotating arms 124. The slot 121 and the covering portion 122 are formed between the pair of rotating arms 124. Each rotating arm 124 has a pivot hole 125 that penetrates the left and right surfaces of the rotating arm 124. The pivot hole 125 is fitted onto the left and right sides of the front end of the bracket 5 to achieve positioning, fixation, and relative rotation of the button 1 and the bracket 5.

[0033] The rear end of the upper surface of the body 120 extends upward to form the extension 126. The extension 126 passes through the bracket 5 and contacts the bottom surface of the circuit board 4. The extension 126 is rotated by the rotating arm 124 and presses against a switch (not shown) on the bottom surface of the circuit board 4 to generate a trigger signal. The trigger signal is transmitted to a processor in a game controller (not shown) so that the processor executes instructions according to the trigger signal.

[0034] Please see Figures 2 to 5 The metal elastic element 3 comprises a first main body 31, a second main body 32, and a connecting part 33. The bottom end of the first main body 31 is sleeved on the fixing part 111 of the button 1 to achieve positioning, fixation, and contact between the metal elastic element 3 and the button 1. The bottom end of the first main body 31 is clamped between the two baffles 115. The top end of the first main body 31 is sleeved on the bracket 5 to achieve positioning and fixation between the metal elastic element 3 and the bracket 5. When the button 1 is released, the first main body 31 can rebound from its original position due to its own elastic force. The top end of the first main body 31 extends forward to form the connecting part 33. The connecting part 33 is fixed to the lower surface of the bracket 5. One end of the connecting part 33 extends upward to form the second main body 32. The second main body 32 is disposed on one side of the first main body 31. The second main body 32 is disposed within the bracket 5, and the top end of the second main body 32 protrudes from the bracket 5 and is electrically connected to the circuit board 4.

[0035] In this embodiment, the first main body 31 and the second main body 32 are not arranged on the same straight line, that is, they are not aligned front to back. The first main body 31 and the second main body 32 use a non-linear approach to achieve the functions of simplifying mechanical parts, simplifying assembly, and reducing costs.

[0036] In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the first main body portion 31 is larger than the outer diameter of the second main body portion 32. The difference in outer diameter between the first main body portion 31 and the second main body portion 32 is used to improve the tactile feel of the button structure 100. In specific implementations, the outer diameters of the first main body portion 31 and the second main body portion 32 can also be the same.

[0037] Please see Figures 2 to 4 The bracket 5 is provided with a positioning post 51, a through hole 52, a positioning part 53, a protrusion 54, a positioning hole 55, a space 56, two side walls 57, several rotating shafts 58, and a hollowed-out part 59. The positioning post 51 is formed by the downward extension of the lower surface of the bracket 5. The positioning post 51 is aligned with the fixing part 111 of the button 1. The top end of the first main body part 31 of the metal elastic member 3 is sleeved on the positioning post 51. The bracket 5 is provided with the through hole 52 penetrating the upper and lower surfaces of the bracket 5. The through hole 52 is formed in front of the positioning post 51. The second main body part 32 of the metal elastic member 3 is disposed in the through hole 52, and the top end of the second main body part 32 of the metal elastic member 3 passes through the through hole 52, protrudes from the upper surface of the bracket 5, and contacts and conducts with the lower surface of the circuit board 4. The positioning part 53 is formed by the downward extension of the lower surface of the bracket 5. The positioning part 53 is formed between the positioning post 51 and the through hole 52. The lower surface of the bracket 5 extends downward to form the protrusion 54. The protrusion 54 is formed between the positioning post 51 and the through hole 52. In this embodiment, the protrusion 54 is formed on one side of the positioning part 53, but it is not limited to this in specific implementations. The bracket 5 is provided with a positioning hole 55 penetrating the upper and lower surfaces of the bracket 5, and the positioning hole 55 is formed in the middle of the positioning part 53. In this embodiment, a locking element 6 is locked in the positioning hole 55, and a space 56 is formed between the positioning part 53 and the protrusion 54. The connecting part 33 is disposed in the space 56. The locking element 6 covers the space 56 and fixes the connecting part 33 of the metal elastic member 3. The locking element 6 abuts against the surface of the positioning part 53 and the surface of the protrusion 54, and the height of the positioning part 53 is equal to the height of the protrusion 54 to prevent the locking element 6 from being skewed. In specific implementations, the locking element 6 can also be replaced by a heat fusion method to fix the connecting part 33.

[0038] The lower surface of the bracket 5 extends downwards from the left and right sides of its front end to form two sidewalls 57. These two sidewalls 57 are formed on the outer sides of the positioning post 51, the through hole 52, the positioning portion 53, the protrusion 54, the positioning hole 55, and the space 56. The rotating arm 124 of the inner housing 12 of the button 1 abuts against the sidewalls 57. The front ends of the two sidewalls 57 extend outwards to form two stop portions 571. When the button 1 is not pressed, one side of each of the rotating arms 124 abuts against the rear surface of the two stop portions 571 to restrict the initial position of the button 1. When the button 1 is pressed, one side of each of the rotating arms 124 disengages from the rear surface of the two stop portions 571. When the button 1 is released, the rotating arms 124 return to their original position through the elastic action of the first main body 31 of the metal elastic member 3.

[0039] Two pivots 58 are formed by extending outward from the middle of the two sidewalls 57. Several pivot holes 125 of the button 1 are fixed to several pivots 58 to achieve positioning and relative rotation between the bracket 5 and the button 1. The bracket 5 has a hollowed-out portion 59 penetrating the middle of its upper and lower surfaces. The extension portion 126 of the button 1 passes through the hollowed-out portion 59 and contacts the bottom surface of the circuit board 4.

[0040] As described above, the metal elastic element 3 of the button structure 100 of this utility model is provided with a first main body 31, a second main body 32, and a connecting part 33. The bottom end of the first main body 31 is sleeved on the fixing part 111 of the button 1. The fixing part 111 is provided with a fixing post 114 and two baffles 115. The inner shell 12 is provided with a slot 121 penetrating the upper and lower surfaces of the body 120. The fixing post 114 of the fixing part 111 of the outer shell 11 is received in the slot 121. The bottom end of the first main body 31 is sleeved on the fixing post 114. The bottom end of the first main body 31 is clamped between the two baffles 115, so the bottom end of the metal elastic element 3 can be stably fixed in the button 1. The top end of the first main body 31 is sleeved on the positioning post 51 of the bracket 5. The top end of the first main body 31 extends forward to form the connecting part 33. The connecting part 33 is fixed to the lower surface of the bracket 5. One end of the connecting portion 33 extends upward to form the second main body portion 32. The second main body portion 32 is disposed on one side of the first main body portion 31. The second main body portion 32 is disposed within the through hole 52 of the bracket 5, and the top end of the second main body portion 32 protrudes through the through hole 52 of the bracket 5 and is electrically connected to the circuit board 4. Therefore, the button structure 100 of this invention can avoid displacement of the metal elastic element and poor contact, while simplifying the mechanical parts, simplifying assembly, reducing costs, and having touch sensing function.

Claims

1. A button structure, characterized in that, include: A button is provided with an outer shell and an inner shell assembled on the outer shell. An inner side wall of the outer shell extends to form a fixing part. The inner shell has a slot that penetrates the inner shell. The fixing part is located in the slot. A conductive film is disposed on the inner side wall of the outer shell and around the fixing part. A bracket is disposed behind the button, the bracket having a positioning post and a through hole; a circuit board is disposed on the bracket; and a metal elastic member is disposed between the button and the bracket, the metal elastic member having a first main body portion, the top end of the first main body portion being sleeved on the positioning post, the bottom end of the first main body portion being sleeved on the fixing portion and abutting against the conductive film, the top end of the first main body portion extending forward to form a connecting portion, the connecting portion being fixed to the lower surface of the bracket, one end of the connecting portion extending upward to form a second main body portion, the second main body portion being disposed on one side of the first main body portion, the second main body portion passing through the through hole and electrically connected to the circuit board.

2. The button structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing part is provided with a fixing post extending from the inner wall of the outer shell, and the fixing post passes through the slot.

3. The button structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The fixing part is provided with two baffles extending from the inner side wall, the fixing post is formed between the two baffles, and the bottom end of the first main body abuts between the two baffles.

4. The button structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The inner housing has a body, and the inner housing has a slot that penetrates the body. The left and right sides of the body extend to form a pair of rotating arms, and the slot is formed between the pair of rotating arms.

5. The button structure as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The lower surface of the bracket extends to form two side walls, which are formed on the outside of the positioning post and the through hole, and the rotating arm abuts against the side walls.

6. The button structure as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The two sidewalls extend outward to form two stops, and one side of each of the rotating arms abuts against the two stops.

7. The button structure as described in claim 5, characterized in that: Each of the rotating arms is provided with a pivot hole that passes through the rotating arm, the two side walls extend to form two pivots, and the pivot holes are fixed to the pivots.

8. The button structure as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The body extends to form a covering portion between a pair of rotating arms, and the inner wall extends to form a first protrusion, which is covered by the covering portion.

9. The button structure as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The upper surface of the first protrusion is recessed downward to form an assembly hole, and the inner shell is provided with a through hole penetrating the upper and lower surfaces of the covering part, and the through hole is aligned with the assembly hole.

10. The button structure as described in claim 9, characterized in that: The main body extends to form an extension, and the bracket has a cutout that penetrates the bracket. The extension passes through the cutout and contacts the circuit board.

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