Structure of conductive rubber key

Abstract

The utility model discloses a structure of conductive rubber key belongs to the technical field of automobile electronic parts, and the structure includes the key part, contact, apron and base part of integrally formed, and all are made of conductive rubber material, and the contact is located the lower surface of key part, and the apron surrounds the periphery of key part, and the base part is located apron bottom, and the thickness of key part is greater than apron, and the lower surface of contact is lower than the upper surface of base part, and key part and contact are axially symmetrical distribution. Preferably, the contact includes the first contact and the second contact in the same horizontal plane, to realize redundant circuit connection and synchronous contact, the apron is annular belt structure of even thickness, and the cross section is trapezoidal of narrow top and wide bottom, the thickness of base part is greater than apron, the lower surface of key part is plane, the upper surface of base part is equipped with the locating column, the upper surface of key part is equipped with the convex push rod contact installation structure, and the first contact is equipped with the connecting rib between the second contact. The utility model effectively solves the problem that double contact action is not synchronous, and the reliability, synchronism and service life of key are improved significantly, and it is especially suitable for the automobile key scene of high safety requirement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive electronic components technology, specifically to a conductive rubber button structure for automotive buttons, which is particularly suitable for redundant button switches with high functional safety requirements. Background Technology

[0002] Conductive rubber buttons are a key component in automotive buttons. Their function is to elastically deform when pressed, connecting the conductive area on the back of the button to a contact pad on the underlying circuit board (such as a PCB or FPC), forming an electrical circuit and triggering a switch signal. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown.

[0003] With the increasing electrification and intelligence of automobiles, especially in critical control systems related to functional safety—such as airbags, electronic stability programs, and autonomous driving—higher demands are placed on the reliability of their buttons. To improve the reliability of signal operation and avoid malfunctions caused by single-point failures, a redundant design approach is commonly adopted. This involves placing two independent conductive rubber button contacts within a single button, corresponding to two independent circuit channels. The system must simultaneously detect signal input from both channels to determine that the button operation is valid.

[0004] In existing technologies, this type of redundant design is typically achieved through two separate conductive rubber button structures. Each button has its own independent skirt structure, which is a conical or hemispherical protrusion, corresponding to two contact pads on the circuit board.

[0005] However, in practical applications, this structure has been found to have significant defects. Because the two button structures are completely independent, slight deviations may exist in the elasticity of their skirts, their molding dimensions, and their positional state after assembly. During pressing, the deformation behavior of the two buttons is difficult to maintain perfectly synchronized, easily resulting in one contacting the circuit board first and the other contacting later. This leads to an asynchronous time difference between the two electrical signals, and this difference may exceed the synchronization tolerance required by functional safety standards (generally no more than one or two hundred milliseconds). As a result, the system cannot accurately identify valid operations, and may even incorrectly classify it as a single-path fault, seriously affecting the operational reliability of the buttons and the functional safety performance of the entire vehicle.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new type of conductive rubber button structure to address the shortcomings of dual-contact buttons in terms of action synchronization, thereby meeting the application requirements of high-reliability buttons in automobiles. Utility Model Content

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a structure for a conductive rubber button.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by this application to solve its technical problem is: a structure of a conductive rubber button, including a button part, a contact, a skirt, and a base part, wherein the button part, the contact, the skirt, and the base part are an integral structure and the material is conductive rubber; the contact is disposed on the lower surface of the button part; the skirt is disposed around the button part; the base part is located at the bottom of the skirt; the thickness of the button part is greater than the thickness of the skirt; the button part and the contact are axially symmetrically distributed; the lower surface of the contact is lower than the upper surface of the base part.

[0009] Preferably, the contacts include at least a first contact and a second contact, which correspond to two independent contact pads on the conductive plate respectively, to achieve redundant circuit connection.

[0010] Preferably, the lower surfaces of the first and second contacts are located on the same horizontal plane to ensure synchronous contact with the conductive plate.

[0011] Preferably, the skirt edge is an annular strip structure with uniform thickness.

[0012] Preferably, the skirt has a trapezoidal cross-section that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom to improve structural stability and resilience during the pressing process.

[0013] Preferably, the thickness of the base portion is greater than the thickness of the skirt, which is used to provide overall structural support and installation positioning.

[0014] Preferably, the thickness of the button portion is uniform, and its lower surface is flat to ensure uniform pressing force.

[0015] Preferably, it also includes positioning posts or positioning holes provided on the base portion for assembly and positioning with an external support plate or PCB board.

[0016] Preferably, the upper surface of the button portion is provided with a mounting post for contacting the push rod, and the mounting post for contacting the push rod is a raised structure.

[0017] Preferably, a connecting rib is provided between the first contact and the second contact, and the connecting rib is integrally formed with the button part to enhance the overall structure and further ensure the synchronicity of the two contact actions.

[0018] This invention significantly improves the overall integrity and structural stability of the button by designing the button section, contacts, skirt, and base as a single-piece conductive rubber structure. Features such as the button section being thicker than the skirt and the lower surface of the contacts being lower than the upper surface of the base ensure both sufficient pressing travel and tactile feedback, as well as priority and reliability in contact between the contacts and the circuit board. The axially symmetrical contact design combined with the integral molding process effectively improves the uniformity of force distribution and consistency of action.

[0019] Furthermore, by setting up a dual-contact structure on the same horizontal plane, redundant circuit connections are achieved, greatly improving the reliability of button operation and meeting functional safety requirements. The skirt adopts a trapezoidal cross-section with uniform thickness and a narrower top and wider bottom, enhancing the guiding and rebound performance during pressing and extending service life. The thickened base design and the setting of positioning posts / holes facilitate installation and positioning, improving assembly accuracy and efficiency.

[0020] Furthermore, the lower surface of the button is flat, while the upper surface features protrusions or grooves that mate with the push rod, further optimizing force transmission and tactile feedback. The connecting rib structure added between the first and second contacts strengthens the overall mechanical linkage, fundamentally ensuring absolute synchronization of the two contact actions and avoiding misjudgments or malfunctions caused by signal asynchrony. This is particularly suitable for automotive electronic button scenarios with high reliability requirements. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments: Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the prior art of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the prior art of this utility model.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the conductive rubber button of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the conductive rubber button of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Button section; 2. Skirt; 3. Base section; 4. Contact point; 5. Positioning post; 6. Push rod contact mounting structure; 7. Connecting rib.

[0026] Implementation, for example Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, this utility model provides a structure for a conductive rubber button, including a button portion 1, contacts 4, a skirt 2, and a base portion 3. The button portion 1, contacts 4, skirt 2, and base portion 3 are an integral structure made of conductive rubber. The contacts 4 are disposed on the lower surface of the button portion 1. The skirt 2 surrounds the button portion 1. The base portion 3 is located at the bottom of the skirt 2. The thickness of the button portion 1 is greater than the thickness of the skirt 2. The button portion 1 and the contacts 4 are axially symmetrically distributed. The lower surface of the contacts 4 is lower than the upper surface of the base portion 3. This technical solution makes the overall button structure stable, the stress distribution more reasonable when pressed, effectively preventing poor contact caused by uneven force, and ensuring that the contacts 4 can contact the circuit board first before the base portion 3, resulting in a faster and more reliable conduction response.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the contact 4 includes at least a first contact and a second contact, which respectively correspond to two independent contact pads on the conductive plate to achieve redundant circuit connection. This technical solution ensures that when one contact fails due to contamination or slight misalignment, the other contact can still maintain circuit continuity, greatly improving the functional safety and reliability of the button in harsh environments.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the lower surfaces of the first and second contacts are located on the same horizontal plane to ensure synchronous contact with the conductive plate. This technical solution enables both contacts to simultaneously connect the circuit, eliminating signal asynchrony caused by height differences and meeting the stringent signal timing requirements of functional safety applications such as automobiles.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the skirt 2 is an annular strip structure with uniform thickness. This technical solution ensures that the skirt 2 deforms uniformly during pressing, providing stable and consistent elastic recovery force, guaranteeing a good tactile feel and long service life for the button.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the skirt 2 has a trapezoidal cross-section that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom to improve structural stability and rebound performance during the pressing process. This technical solution makes the skirt 2 less prone to lateral twisting or collapse when subjected to vertical pressure, resulting in a more stable structure, faster and more powerful rebound, and further improving the operational quality of the button.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the base portion 3 is greater than the thickness of the skirt 2, serving to provide overall structural support and installation positioning. This technical solution provides the base portion 3 with a solid mounting foundation for the entire button, facilitating accurate positioning and fixation on the PCB board or support plate, and enhancing the convenience of product assembly and structural integrity.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the button portion 1 has a uniform thickness and its lower surface is flat to ensure uniform pressing force. This technical solution allows the pressing force to be evenly transmitted through the button portion 1 to the contact point 4 and the skirt 2, avoiding localized stress concentration and ensuring the stability and consistency of the contact action.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, a positioning post 5 is further provided on the base portion 3 for assembly and positioning with an external support plate or PCB board. This technical solution enables rapid and precise installation of the conductive rubber button through the cooperation of the positioning post 5 with the positioning hole on the PCB board, effectively preventing misalignment during assembly and use, and improving production efficiency and product yield.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the upper surface of the button part 1 is provided with a mounting structure 6 for contacting the push rod, and the push rod contact mounting structure 6 is a protruding structure. This technical solution ensures a stable fit between the protruding structure and the external push rod, guaranteeing that the pressing force can be accurately and efficiently transmitted to the button part 1, improving force transmission efficiency, and preventing the push rod from slipping.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, a connecting rib 7 is provided between the first contact and the second contact. The connecting rib 7 is integrally formed with the button part 1 to enhance the overall structural integrity and further ensure the synchronicity of the two contact actions. This technical solution enables the connecting rib 7 to form a robust connection between the first and second contact, greatly enhancing the mechanical strength of this area and ensuring that the two contactes move absolutely synchronously when pressed, fundamentally eliminating the risk of signal asynchrony.

[0036] The working principle and process of this utility model are as follows: When the external push rod applies a vertically downward pressing force, the force first acts on the push rod contact mounting structure 6 on the upper surface of the button part 1, and then is evenly transmitted to the entire structure through the button part 1. The skirt 2 undergoes elastic deformation, allowing the button part 1 to drive the contact 4 to move downward. Since the lower surface of the contact 4 is lower than the upper surface of the base part 3, the contact 4 will contact the corresponding contact plate on the PCB board before the base part 3, thereby realizing circuit conduction. During this period, the integrated structure, the connecting rib 7, and the double contacts located on the same plane work together to ensure the high synchronicity of the two contacts' actions. When the pressing force is removed, the skirt 2 relies on its own elastic restoring force to drive the entire button structure back to its initial position, the contact 4 separates from the contact plate, and the circuit is broken.

[0037] In summary, this utility model, through its integrated structural design, symmetrical dual-contact layout, special skirt shape, and multiple positioning and reinforcement structures, effectively solves the problems of asynchronous contact, insufficient reliability, unstable feel, and inconvenient assembly found in existing conductive rubber buttons. This structure significantly improves the button's operational reliability, synchronization, and service life, making it particularly suitable for automotive electronic control systems and other industrial fields with extremely high safety and reliability requirements.

[0038] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A structure for a conductive rubber button, characterized in that, The device includes a button portion, contacts, a skirt, and a base portion, all of which are integrally formed and made of conductive rubber. The contacts are disposed on the lower surface of the button portion. The skirt surrounds the button portion. The base portion is located at the bottom of the skirt. The thickness of the button portion is greater than the thickness of the skirt. The button portion and the contacts are axially symmetrically distributed. The lower surface of the contacts is lower than the upper surface of the base portion.

2. The structure of the conductive rubber button according to claim 1, characterized in that: The contacts include at least a first contact and a second contact, which correspond to two independent contact pads on the conductive plate, respectively, to achieve redundant circuit connections.

3. The structure of the conductive rubber button according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lower surfaces of the first and second contacts are located on the same horizontal plane to ensure synchronous contact with the conductive plate.

4. The structure of the conductive rubber button according to claim 3, characterized in that: The skirt is a ring-shaped strip structure with uniform thickness.

5. The structure of the conductive rubber button according to claim 4, characterized in that: The skirt has a trapezoidal cross-section that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom to improve structural stability and resilience during the pressing process.

6. The structure of the conductive rubber button according to claim 5, characterized in that: The thickness of the base portion is greater than the thickness of the skirt, which is used to provide overall structural support and installation positioning.

7. The structure of the conductive rubber button according to claim 6, characterized in that: The thickness of the button is uniform, and its lower surface is flat to ensure that the pressing force is uniform.

8. The structure of the conductive rubber button according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes positioning posts disposed on the base portion for assembly and positioning with an external support plate or PCB board.

9. The structure of the conductive rubber button according to claim 8, characterized in that: The upper surface of the button is provided with a mounting post for contacting the push rod.

10. The structure of the conductive rubber button according to claim 9, characterized in that: A connecting rib is provided between the first contact and the second contact. The connecting rib is integrally formed with the button part to enhance the overall structure and further ensure the synchronicity of the two contact actions.

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