Key structure and electronic device

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of key structure and electronic equipment, it is related to key technical field, wherein, key structure includes key, shell, waterproof rubber ring and elastic reset piece, key includes key cap and guide rod, guide rod is integrally formed with key cap setting;Shell is equipped with guide hole, guide rod is inserted into guide hole and is slidably connected with guide hole;Waterproof rubber ring is sleeved on the outer periphery of guide rod, to seal guide rod and guide hole, waterproof rubber ring is interference fit with guide rod, and guide rod is slidably contacted with the inner wall of waterproof rubber ring when along guide hole sliding;Elastic reset piece is sleeved on the outer periphery of guide rod, and one end of elastic reset piece is connected with key cap, and the other end is connected with shell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of button technology, and in particular to a button structure and electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] With the widespread use of electronic products, button structures, as a primary human-computer interaction method, are widely used in remote controls, handheld terminals, smart wearable devices, and various children's electronic devices. Especially in applications such as children's watches, toys, and learning machines, these products are often used outdoors or in humid environments. The button structure is easily affected by rainwater, sweat, beverages, and other liquids, which can cause short circuits or functional failures, shortening the product's lifespan. Furthermore, because children's electronic devices are more susceptible to impacts and bumps, the button structure is more likely to loosen and detach, potentially leading to accidental swallowing by children and posing a safety hazard. Utility Model Content

[0003] The main purpose of this invention is to propose a button structure and electronic device, which aims to solve the technical problems of buttons being prone to water ingress and falling off.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the button structure proposed in this utility model includes: A button, the button comprising a keycap and a guide rod, the guide rod being integrally formed with the keycap; A housing, wherein a guide hole is provided on the housing, and a guide rod extends into the guide hole and slides in cooperation with the guide hole; A waterproof rubber ring is fitted around the outer periphery of the guide rod to seal the guide rod and the guide hole. The waterproof rubber ring is interference-fitted with the guide rod, and the guide rod slides relative to the guide hole and makes sliding contact with the inner wall of the waterproof rubber ring. An elastic reset member is sleeved on the outer periphery of the guide rod, with one end of the elastic reset member connected to the keycap and the other end connected to the housing. The elastic reset member is used to deform and generate elastic deformation when the keycap is pressed, and to restore and drive the keycap to reset when the keycap is released.

[0005] This utility model also proposes an electronic device that uses the above-mentioned button structure. Attached Figure Description

[0006] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0007] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the button structure of some embodiments of the present invention from one perspective; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the button structure of some embodiments of the present invention from another perspective; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the button structure in some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the button structure in some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a partially exploded view of the button structure in some embodiments of the present invention.

[0008] Explanation of icon numbers: 100. Button structure; 1. Button; 11. Keycap; 111. Connecting part; 112. Connecting groove; 113. Abutting platform; 12. Guide rod; 121. Sliding section; 122. Connecting section; 1221. Snap ring; 1222. Connecting ring; 123. Limiting groove; 2. Housing; 21. Guide hole; 22. Receiving groove; 23. Sealing groove; 3. Waterproof rubber ring; 4. Elastic reset component; 5. Gasket; 6. Snap ring; 61. Abutting part; 7. Button.

[0009] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0010] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0011] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0012] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0013] In applications such as children's watches, toys, and learning machines, these products are often used outdoors or in humid environments. The button structure is easily affected by rainwater, sweat, beverages, and other liquids, which can cause short circuits or malfunctions, shortening the product's lifespan. Furthermore, because children's electronic devices are more susceptible to impacts and bumps, the button structure is more likely to loosen and fall off, potentially leading to accidental swallowing by children and posing a safety hazard.

[0014] The applicant provides a button structure 100, which aims to solve the technical problems of buttons being prone to water ingress and falling off.

[0015] Please combine Figures 1 to 3 In one embodiment of this utility model, the button structure 100 provided by this utility model includes a button 1, a housing 2, a waterproof rubber ring 3, and an elastic reset member 4. The button 1 includes a keycap 11 and a guide rod 12, which are integrally formed with the keycap 11. A guide hole 21 is provided on the housing 2, and the guide rod 12 extends into the guide hole 21 and slides in cooperation with the guide hole 21. The waterproof rubber ring 3 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the guide rod 12 to seal the guide rod 12 and the guide hole 21. The waterproof rubber ring 3 and the guide rod 12 are interference-fitted, and the guide rod 12 slides in contact with the inner wall of the waterproof rubber ring 3 when sliding along the guide hole 21. The elastic reset member 4 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the guide rod 12, and one end of the elastic reset member 4 is connected to the keycap 11, and the other end is connected to the housing 2. The elastic reset member 4 is used to deform and generate elastic deformation when the keycap 11 is pressed, and is used to restore and drive the keycap 11 to reset when the keycap 11 is released.

[0016] In the above solution, by integrally molding the keycap 11 and the guide rod 12, the keycap 11 is less likely to fall off the guide rod 12, thus preventing children from accidentally swallowing the keycap 11 and improving safety. At the same time, the waterproof rubber ring 3 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the guide rod 12 and is interference-fitted with the guide rod 12, so that the waterproof rubber ring 3 is pressed against the guide rod 12, improving the sealing between the guide rod 12 and the guide hole 21. When the guide rod 12 is pressed up and down with the keycap 11, the waterproof rubber ring 3 can slide and contact the guide rod 12, so that the waterproof rubber ring 3 will not affect the raising and lowering of the guide rod 12. This allows the guide rod 12 to maintain its sealing performance while raising and lowering normally, preventing liquid from entering the housing 2 from the gap between the guide hole 21 and the guide rod 12, protecting the electronic components inside the housing 2 from being damaged by liquid immersion, and extending the service life of the key structure 100. This utility model, through the integrated molding of button 1 and guide rod 12 and the design of the cooperation between waterproof rubber ring 3 and guide rod 12, solves the problems of button 1 being prone to water ingress and button 1 being prone to falling off, thereby improving the safety and sealing of electronic devices.

[0017] Specifically, one end of the guide rod 12 that extends into the housing 2 abuts against the electronic trigger key of the button 7, so that when the keycap 11 is pressed, the guide rod 12 moves with the keycap 11 to trigger the button 7.

[0018] Please combine Figures 3 to 5 In one embodiment, a connecting portion 111 is formed in the middle of the side of the keycap 11 facing the guide hole 21. The guide rod 12 includes a sliding section 121 that slides with the guide hole 21 and a connecting section 122 that connects to the connecting portion 111. A connecting groove 112 is formed in the connecting portion 111. A waterproof rubber ring 3 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the sliding section 121. The end of the connecting section 122 away from the sliding section 121 extends outward to form a snap ring 1221. The groove sidewall of the connecting groove 112 protrudes inward to form an annular abutment platform 113. The abutment platform 113 abuts against the outer wall surface of the connecting section 122, and one sidewall of the abutment platform 113 along the axial direction of the guide rod 12 abuts against the snap ring 1221 to confine the connecting section 122 within the connecting groove 112. The connecting portion 111 and the guide rod 12 are integrally formed.

[0019] By providing a snap-fit ​​ring 1221 at the end of the connecting section 122 away from the sliding section 121, and a connecting groove 112 adapted to the connecting section 122 is provided in the connecting part 111 of the keycap 11, the annular abutment platform 113 in the connecting groove 112 abuts against the outer wall of the connecting section 122 and then against the snap-fit ​​ring 1221. Since the diameter of the snap-fit ​​ring 1221 is larger than the diameter of the connecting section 122, the keycap 11 and the guide rod 12 form a stable snap-fit ​​connection after the snap-fit ​​ring 1221 is snapped in place by the abutment platform 113. This effectively prevents the keycap 11 from separating from the guide rod 12 when subjected to impact, drop, or repeated pressing, avoiding accidental swallowing of the keycap 1 by children, thereby significantly improving the safety of the product. Meanwhile, the engagement of the locking ring 1221 and the connecting groove 112 allows the keycap 11 and the guide rod 12 to be inserted into the connecting groove 112 as a single unit during assembly, thus locking them together without the need for additional fasteners or adhesive bonding processes. This reduces assembly time and manual complexity, which is beneficial for mass production and cost control. In one embodiment, the end of the connecting segment 122 near the sliding segment 121 extends outward to form a connecting ring 1222. The size of the connecting ring 1222 is larger than the size of the connecting segment 122 and the snap ring 1221, and the end face of the connecting ring 1222 facing the sliding segment 121 is flush with the end face of the connecting portion 111 facing the sliding segment 121.

[0020] The end face of the connecting ring 1222 facing the sliding section 121 is flush with the end face of the connecting part 111 facing the sliding section 121, which improves the overall surface flatness of the button 1 during one-piece molding and avoids protrusions that could scratch children. At the same time, the size of the connecting ring 1222 is larger than that of the connecting section 122 and the snap ring 1221, which makes the contact area between the connecting ring 1222 and the connecting part 111 larger, improving the connection stability between the connecting ring 1222 and the connecting part 111, further reducing the possibility that the keycap 11 will fall off when it is impacted, and improving safety.

[0021] In one embodiment, the guide rod 12 and the connecting part 111 are integrally formed by insert injection molding process.

[0022] Specifically, the guide rod 12 is an insert, and the keycap 11 is formed on the outer periphery of the guide rod through injection molding. The guide rod 12 and the connecting part 111 are integrally formed through the insert injection molding process. During the molding process, the molten material and the insert are completely covered and fused together, so that there is no gap between the guide rod 12 and the connecting part 111 after assembly, and there will be no loosening, falling off or gaps. This ensures a stable structure when subjected to drops, impacts or frequent pressing, and further avoids the safety risk of children accidentally swallowing the keycap 11 after it falls off.

[0023] Specifically, the keycap 11 is made of ABS material, and the guide rod 12 is made of stainless steel. ABS material has excellent impact resistance and toughness, allowing the keycap 11 to better withstand instantaneous impact forces in usage scenarios such as children's watches, toys, and learning machines where drops and bumps are frequent, preventing the keycap 11 from cracking or breaking and improving the durability and safety of the key structure 100. Stainless steel has high hardness and high strength, making the guide rod 12 less prone to bending or wear under long-term pressing, impact, and friction conditions. At the same time, stainless steel has excellent resistance to sweat, rain, and beverage corrosion, preventing the guide rod 12 from rusting due to liquid intrusion near the guide hole 21.

[0024] In one embodiment, the outer wall of the housing 2 is provided with an outward-facing receiving groove 22, the keycap 11 is slidably disposed in the receiving groove 22, and the inner peripheral wall of the receiving groove 22 is spaced apart from the outer peripheral wall of the keycap 11, and the guide hole 21 is opened in the bottom wall of the receiving groove 22.

[0025] By placing button 1 within the receiving groove 22, on the one hand, the button 1 is prevented from protruding too much from the housing 2, thus preventing the formation of a local bulge that could easily cause injury to the user and improving the safety of the button structure 100. On the other hand, the receiving groove 22 provides bidirectional constraint on the keycap 11 in both the longitudinal and lateral directions, making the initial position of the keycap 11 more stable. This ensures that the elastic reset member 4 arranged on the outer periphery of the guide rod 12 remains stably stressed during compression and recovery, preventing the button 1 from shifting during pressing.

[0026] In one embodiment, a sealing groove 23 is provided around the outer periphery of the housing 2 corresponding to the guide hole 21. The opening of the sealing groove 23 is set towards the keycap 11. A waterproof rubber ring 3 is disposed in the sealing groove 23, and the waterproof rubber ring 3 is interference-fitted with the sealing groove 23.

[0027] The waterproof rubber ring 3 is placed in the sealing groove 23, and the waterproof rubber ring 3 is interference-fitted with the sealing groove 23, so that the waterproof rubber ring 3 is in a stable limiting and sealing state in the sealing groove 23. This can prevent the waterproof rubber ring 3 from being displaced or detached when the guide rod 12 slides for a long time, the elastic reset member 4 is repeatedly compressed, or the equipment is impacted, thereby keeping the waterproof rubber ring 3 in the correct sealing position at all times.

[0028] In one embodiment, the button structure 100 further includes a gasket 5, which is connected to the housing 2 and covers the opening of the sealing groove 23 to press the waterproof rubber ring 3 in the sealing groove 23. The gasket 5 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the guide rod 12.

[0029] After the gasket 5 is placed over the sealing groove 23 and connected to the housing 2, it provides additional clamping force to the waterproof rubber ring 3 within the sealing groove 23, creating a more reliable sealing contact between the waterproof rubber ring 3 and the guide rod 12. This helps improve the overall waterproof performance and prevents liquid from seeping into the electronic device through the guide hole 21 area. The gasket 5 covers and clamps the waterproof rubber ring 3, limiting its upward displacement within the sealing groove 23. This prevents the waterproof rubber ring 3 from jumping, flipping, or shifting under external force, sliding friction of the guide rod 12, or repeated pressing, ensuring a consistently stable and reliable seal.

[0030] Please combine Figure 4 and Figure 5 In one embodiment, a limiting groove 123 extending circumferentially is provided on the guide rod 12. The limiting groove 123 is located at one end of the guide rod 12 near the inner side of the housing 2. A retaining spring 6 is provided on the inner wall of the housing 2 corresponding to the guide hole 21. The retaining spring 6 extends into the limiting groove 123 and abuts against the bottom wall of the limiting groove 123 to connect the guide rod to the housing 2.

[0031] By providing a limiting groove 123 on the guide rod 12 and a retaining ring 6 that can extend into the limiting groove 123 on the inner wall of the housing 2, the guide rod can achieve a reliable limiting connection with the housing 2 without the need for additional fasteners, resulting in a simpler structure and easier assembly. Simultaneously, the cooperation between the retaining ring 6 and the limiting groove 123 effectively prevents the guide rod from falling off in the axial direction, improving the stability of the button structure 100 during long-term use.

[0032] In one embodiment, the retaining spring 6 is plate-shaped, and the dimension of the limiting groove 123 along the axial direction of the guide rod is larger than the dimension of the retaining spring 6 along the axial direction of the guide rod. The retaining spring 6 includes a plurality of abutting portions 61 protruding toward the guide rod 12. The plurality of abutting portions 61 are spaced apart along the circumference of the guide rod 12, and the plurality of abutting portions 61 extend into the limiting groove 123 and abut against the bottom wall of the limiting groove 123.

[0033] The retaining ring 6 adopts a sheet-like structure, and the dimension of the limiting groove 123 along the axial direction of the guide rod is larger than the axial dimension of the retaining ring 6. This allows the retaining ring 6 to slide within the limiting groove 123 after assembly, thus enabling the retaining ring 6 to stabilize and limit the guide rod 12 without affecting the lifting and lowering of the guide rod 12. Multiple inwardly protruding abutment portions 61 on the retaining ring 6 can make multi-point contact with the bottom wall of the limiting groove 123, thereby increasing the contact area with the guide rod 12, improving the limiting effect on the guide rod 12, and further enhancing the vibration resistance and service life of the overall structure.

[0034] According to some embodiments of this utility model, this utility model provides an electronic device that applies the above-described button structure 100. The specific structure of the button structure 100 is as described in the above embodiments. Since this electronic device adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, and will not be described in detail here.

[0035] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the scope of protection of the present utility model. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the technical concept of the present utility model and the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A button structure, characterized in that, include: A button, the button comprising a keycap and a guide rod, the guide rod being integrally formed with the keycap; A housing, wherein a guide hole is provided on the housing, and a guide rod extends into the guide hole and slides in cooperation with the guide hole; A waterproof rubber ring is fitted around the outer periphery of the guide rod to seal the guide rod and the guide hole. The waterproof rubber ring is interference-fitted with the guide rod, and the guide rod slides relative to the guide hole and makes sliding contact with the inner wall of the waterproof rubber ring. An elastic reset member is sleeved on the outer periphery of the guide rod, with one end of the elastic reset member connected to the keycap and the other end connected to the housing. The elastic reset member is used to deform and generate elastic deformation when the keycap is pressed, and to restore and drive the keycap to reset when the keycap is released.

2. The button structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A connecting portion is formed in the middle of the side of the keycap facing the guide hole. The guide rod includes a sliding section that slides with the guide hole and a connecting section that connects to the connecting portion. A connecting groove is formed in the connecting portion. The waterproof rubber ring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the sliding section. The end of the connecting section away from the sliding section extends outward to form a snap ring. The groove sidewall of the connecting groove protrudes inward to form an annular abutment platform. The abutment platform abuts against the outer wall surface of the connecting section, and the side wall of the abutment platform along the axial direction of the guide rod abuts against the snap ring to confine the connecting section within the connecting groove. The connecting portion and the guide rod are integrally formed.

3. The button structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting segment extends outward from one end near the sliding segment to form a connecting ring. The size of the connecting ring is larger than the size of the connecting segment and the size of the snap ring, and the end face of the connecting ring facing the sliding segment is flush with the end face of the connecting portion facing the sliding segment.

4. The button structure as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The guide rod and the connecting part are integrally formed by insert injection molding process.

5. The button structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the housing is provided with an outward-facing receiving groove, the keycap is slidably disposed in the receiving groove, and the inner peripheral wall of the receiving groove is spaced apart from the outer peripheral wall of the keycap, and the guide hole is opened in the bottom wall of the receiving groove.

6. The button structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The housing is provided with a sealing groove around the outer periphery of the guide hole, the opening of the sealing groove is oriented toward the keycap, and the waterproof rubber ring is disposed in the sealing groove, with the waterproof rubber ring and the sealing groove being interference fit.

7. The button structure as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The button structure also includes a gasket, which is connected to the housing and covers the opening of the sealing groove to press the waterproof rubber ring in the sealing groove. The gasket is sleeved on the outer periphery of the guide rod.

8. The button structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The guide rod has a limiting groove extending circumferentially. The limiting groove is located at one end of the guide rod near the inner side of the housing. A retaining spring is provided on the inner wall of the housing corresponding to the guide hole. The retaining spring extends into the limiting groove and abuts against the bottom wall of the limiting groove to connect the guide rod to the housing.

9. The button structure as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The retaining spring is in the form of a sheet. The dimension of the limiting groove along the axial direction of the guide rod is larger than the dimension of the retaining spring along the axial direction of the guide rod. The retaining spring includes a plurality of abutting portions protruding toward the guide rod. The plurality of abutting portions are spaced apart along the circumference of the guide rod. The plurality of abutting portions extend into the limiting groove and abut against the bottom wall of the limiting groove.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that, The electronic device employs a button structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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