Elastic snap structure

Abstract

An elastic buckle structure comprises a housing, a key hole through the housing, an outer cover detachably mounted on the housing and located at one side of the key hole, a key sleeved in the key hole, an elastic arm extending upward from the rear end of the key and located at the rear side of the housing, a buckle member extending sideward from the rear end of the key and then extending downward, a fixing part provided at the end of the elastic arm and fixed with the housing, a buffer member attached to the rear end of the key, the elastic arm and the buckle member, a metal elastic member clamped between the elastic arm and the buffer member, and a fixing structure provided at the rear side of the outer cover and engaged with the buckle member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a snap-fit ​​structure, and more particularly to an elastic snap-fit ​​structure applied to a detachable housing. Background Technology

[0002] Removable covers are often included in electronic devices to meet usage requirements, such as battery compartment covers and connector terminal protective covers. These covers typically feature a spring-loaded latch structure for easy opening and closing. This latch structure usually relies on independent elastic elements such as springs or soft rubber to provide elastic force, but these independent elastic elements also have drawbacks. For example, the structure used to position the spring is complex to assemble and requires high positional accuracy, which can increase manufacturing and assembly costs. The soft rubber is prone to performance degradation due to material fatigue, affecting button lifespan. Furthermore, these designs are mostly based on linear displacement motion, and to ensure sufficient button travel, additional space is often required. This creates a design and layout bottleneck for miniaturized electronic devices with compact internal structures and limited space.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a compact, flexible snap-fit ​​structure with good resilience and durability to improve the ease of assembly and reliability of electronic devices. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to provide an elastic buckle structure, comprising: a housing; a button hole penetrating the housing; an outer cover detachably mounted on the housing and located on one side of the button hole; a button sleeved in the button hole; a spring arm extending upward from the rear end of the button and located on the rear side of the housing; a buckle member extending laterally and then downward from the rear end of the button; a fixing part disposed at the end of the spring arm, the fixing part being connected and fixed to the housing; a buffer member abutting the rear ends of the button, the spring arm, and the buckle member; a metal elastic member clamped between the spring arm and the buffer member; and a fixing structure disposed on the rear side of the outer cover and being engaged with the buckle member.

[0005] In some embodiments, a limiting portion is provided on the side edge of the rear end of the button. The limiting portion is in the shape of a skirt and abuts against the inner side of the housing.

[0006] In some embodiments, the latching member includes a connecting arm that protrudes rearward and extends to the left from the left side of the rear end of the button, and a stop portion that extends forward from the lower side of the connecting arm, the stop portion engaging with the fixing structure.

[0007] In some embodiments, the buffer includes a buffer body disposed on the button, a buffer sheet extending to the left from the bottom end of the buffer body, the extension path of the buffer sheet being in contact with the rear surface of the buckle, and a buffer arm extending upward from the top end of the buffer body.

[0008] In some embodiments, the top end of the spring arm is bent downward to form the fixing part, and a protruding positioning member is provided on the rear side of the housing, and the fixing part is engaged with the positioning member.

[0009] Another objective of this utility model is to provide an elastic snap-fit ​​structure, comprising: a housing; a button hole penetrating the housing; an outer cover detachably mounted on the housing and located on one side of the button hole; a button sleeved in the button hole; a spring arm extending from the rear end of the button and located on the rear side of the housing; a fixing part extending from and bent from the spring arm; a positioning member disposed on the housing and abutting against the rear side of the fixing part; a connecting arm extending from the rear end of the button and located on the rear side of the outer cover; a stop part extending forward from the connecting arm; and a fixing structure disposed on the outer cover and engaged with the stop part.

[0010] In some embodiments, the length of the spring arm is greater than the length of the connecting arm.

[0011] In some embodiments, a metal elastic element is provided on the rear side of the elastic arm.

[0012] In some embodiments, a buffer is disposed on the rear side of the button, the metal elastic member, the fixing part, and the connecting arm.

[0013] As described above, the elastic buckle structure of this utility model utilizes a metal elastic element sandwiched between the spring arm and the buffer arm, a buffer element attached to the rear surface of the spring arm, the button, and the buckle element, and a buckle element located at the rear end of the button and adjacent to the outer cover. When the button is pressed, the button causes the buckle element to move backward, allowing the outer cover to be disassembled when needed. When the button is released, the spring arm and the metal elastic element allow the button to automatically reset, thereby ensuring that the outer cover is securely engaged with the buckle element during installation, improving the assembly convenience and durability of the electronic device. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To make the above and other objects, features, advantages and embodiments of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the contents of this case can be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the electronic device in this utility model.

[0016] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the electronic device in this utility model.

[0017] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the electronic device in this utility model from another perspective.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the button assembly in this utility model.

[0019] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the button assembly in this utility model.

[0020] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the button assembly in this utility model from another perspective.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the elastic snap-fit ​​structure in the reset state of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the elastic snap-fit ​​structure of this utility model being pressed to remove the outer cover.

[0023] Figure 9 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device in this utility model before the outer cover is installed.

[0024] Figure 10 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the elastic snap-fit ​​structure of this utility model being pressed to install the outer cover. Detailed Implementation

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

[0026] Please see Figures 1 to 4The elastic buckle structure 100 of this utility model is applied to an electronic device 200 for user operation. For ease of explanation, the term "front" in this specification is defined as the direction towards the user through the elastic buckle structure 100, and the term "rear" is defined as the direction towards the interior of the electronic device 200. The elastic buckle structure 100 includes: a housing 10; a button hole 20 penetrating the housing 10; an outer cover 30 detachably mounted on the housing 10 and located on one side of the button hole 20; a button 40 installed in the button hole 20; a spring arm 50 extending upward from the rear end of the button 40, the spring arm 50 being located on the rear side of the housing 10; and a spring arm extending laterally from the rear end of the button 40 and then... The device includes: a downwardly extending latching member 60; a fixing part 55 disposed at the end of the spring arm 50, the fixing part 55 being connected and fixed to the housing 10; a buffer member 70 disposed behind the button 40, the spring arm 50, and the latching member 60; a metal elastic member 80 sandwiched between the spring arm 50 and the buffer member 70; and a fixing structure 90 disposed on the rear side of the outer cover 30, the fixing structure 90 being configured to engage with the latching member 60. The top ends of the fixing part 55 and the buffer member 70 are jointly fixed to a positioning member 210 disposed inside the housing 10. The button 40, the spring arm 50, the latching member 60, the buffer member 70, and the metal elastic member 80 constitute a button assembly 300.

[0027] Please see Figures 2 to 6 The button 40 is made of plastic and has a pressing portion 41 with its front end exposed on the surface of the electronic device 200; and a limiting portion 42 provided along the rear end side edge of the pressing portion 41. The spring arm 50 extends rearward and upward from the rear end of the pressing portion 41, and the top end of the spring arm 50 bends downward to form the fixing portion 55. The positioning member 210 protrudes from the rear side of the housing 10, and the fixing portion 55 engages with the positioning member 210 to ensure the stability of the assembled position of the button 40. In this embodiment, the limiting portion 42 is skirt-shaped and abuts against the inner side of the electronic device 200 to prevent the button 40 from moving or shifting excessively, thereby improving the stability of the elastic buckle structure 100.

[0028] Please see again Figure 2 , Figure 4 as well as Figures 5 to 8The latching member 60 is located on the side adjacent to the outer cover 30 and is connected to the fixing structure 90 to fix the outer cover 30 to the electronic device 200 in the assembled state. The latching member 60 includes a connecting arm 61 that protrudes rearward and extends to the left from the left side of the rear end of the button 40, and a stop portion 62 that extends forward from the lower side of the connecting arm 61. The stop portion 62 engages with the fixing structure 90, so that the outer cover 30 is reliably fixed to the electronic device 200 in the assembled state. Therefore, when the button 40 is pressed, it will cause the latching member 60 to move rearward and disengage from the fixing structure 90, thereby releasing the outer cover 30. The length of the connecting arm 61 is shorter than the length of the spring arm 50, so that the distance from the button 40 to the stop portion 62 is shorter than the distance from the button 40 to the fixing portion 55.

[0029] Please continue reading. Figures 5 to 8 To prevent the button 40 and the latching member 60 from directly impacting the internal structure of the electronic device 200 during movement, the buffer member 70 is designed to fit against the rear surfaces of the button 40, the spring arm 50, and the latching member 60, and is made of an elastic material. The buffer member 70 includes a buffer body 71 located at the rear end of the pressing part 41; a buffer arm 72 extending upward from the top of the buffer body 71 and aligned with the spring arm 50; and a buffer sheet 73 extending to the left from the bottom end of the buffer body 71. The extension path of the buffer arm 72 is similar to that of the spring arm 50, and the top of the buffer arm 72 bends downward to form a bent section 74, which also engages with the positioning member 210. The extension path of the buffer sheet 73 is along and abuts the rear surface of the latching member 60, thereby absorbing impact when the button 40 and the latching member 60 are activated, reducing wear and noise of the mechanism.

[0030] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The metal elastic element 80 is disposed between the spring arm 50 and the buffer arm 72, and is made of a single metal sheet. It is combined with the button 40 and the buffer element 70 through a two-stage injection molding process. In this embodiment, the elastic buckle structure 100 of this utility model is a composite structure made of a plastic layer, a metal sheet, and an elastic material layer. The metal elastic element 80 has a first surface 81 and a second surface 82. The spring arm 50 engages and adheres to the first surface 81 during the first injection molding, and the buffer arm 72 engages and adheres to the second surface 82 during the second injection molding, so that the metal elastic element 80 is embedded between the spring arm 50 and the buffer arm 72 to ensure the strength of the overall structure.

[0031] Please see Figure 7 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 In this embodiment, the operation mode of the elastic buckle structure 100 during the installation of the outer cover 30 is as follows: When the pressing part 41 is pressed, the buffer 70 moves backward with the button 40 and is clamped between the button 40 and the internal structure 220 of the electronic device 200 to reduce the impact force borne by the buckle 60. At the same time, the spring arm 50 and the metal elastic element 80 generate a semi-rotational elastic deformation to absorb displacement. After the outer cover 30 is installed and the button 40 is released, the spring arm 50 and the metal elastic element 80 release the stored elastic energy, causing the button 40 to automatically reset, thereby reliably engaging the buckle 60 with the fixed structure 90. This absorbs displacement and provides a stable reset force, thereby improving the overall structural stability and operating feel.

[0032] In summary, the metal elastic element 80 of the elastic buckle structure 100 of this utility model is sandwiched between the spring arm 50 and the buffer arm 72, and is combined with the button 40 and the buffer element 70 through two injection molding processes. The buckle element 60 is provided on the side of the rear end of the button 40 adjacent to the outer cover 30, and the buffer element 70 is provided behind the button 40, the spring arm 50, and the buckle element 60 to absorb displacement when the pressing part 41 is pressed, avoid the button 40 and the buckle element 60 from directly impacting the internal structure 220, and reset the button 40 after it is released. Furthermore, the buckle element 60 reliably engages with the fixing structure 90 during the assembly of the outer cover 30. Therefore, the elastic buckle structure 100 of this utility model can simultaneously achieve good elasticity and fastening stability in a limited space, enhance the overall assembly stability and operational smoothness, and effectively improve the durability and long-term reliability of the electronic device 200 structure.

[0033] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone with ordinary knowledge in the art may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A flexible snap-fit ​​structure, characterized in that: The device comprises: a housing; a button hole penetrating the housing; an outer cover detachably mounted on the housing and located on one side of the button hole; a button fitted into the button hole; a spring arm extending upward from the rear end of the button and located on the rear side of the housing; a latching member extending laterally and then downward from the rear end of the button; a fixing portion disposed at the end of the spring arm, the fixing portion being connected and fixed to the housing; a buffer member abutting the rear ends of the button, the spring arm, and the latching member; a metal elastic member clamped between the spring arm and the buffer member; and a fixing structure disposed on the rear side of the outer cover and being engaged with the latching member.

2. The elastic snap-fit ​​structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The button has a limiting part on its rear side edge. The limiting part is skirt-shaped and abuts against the inner side of the housing.

3. The elastic snap-fit ​​structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The fastener includes a connecting arm that protrudes rearward and extends to the left from the left side of the rear end of the button, and a stop portion that extends forward from the lower side of the connecting arm, the stop portion engaging with the fixing structure.

4. The elastic snap-fit ​​structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The buffer includes a buffer body disposed on the button, a buffer sheet extending to the left from the bottom end of the buffer body, the extension path of the buffer sheet being in contact with the rear surface of the buckle, and a buffer arm extending upward from the top end of the buffer body.

5. The elastic snap-fit ​​structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the spring arm is bent downward to form the fixing part, and a protruding positioning member is provided on the rear side of the housing, and the fixing part is engaged with the positioning member.

6. A flexible snap-fit ​​structure, characterized in that: The device comprises: a housing; a button hole penetrating the housing; an outer cover detachably mounted on the housing and located on one side of the button hole; a button fitted into the button hole; a spring arm extending from the rear end of the button and located on the rear side of the housing; a fixing part extending from and bent from the spring arm; a positioning member disposed on the housing and abutting against the rear side of the fixing part; a connecting arm extending from the rear end of the button and located on the rear side of the outer cover; a stop part extending forward from the connecting arm; and a fixing structure disposed on the outer cover and engaged with the stop part.

7. The elastic snap-fit ​​structure as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The length of the spring arm is greater than the length of the connecting arm.

8. The elastic snap-fit ​​structure as described in claim 7, characterized in that: A metal elastic element is provided on the rear side of the elastic arm.

9. The elastic snap-fit ​​structure as described in claim 8, characterized in that: A buffer is provided on the rear side of the button, the metal elastic element, the fixing part and the connecting arm.

Images