KEY PLACEMENT

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a key assembly comprising a pressing section (101), a housing (102) and a connecting section (103); wherein the housing (102) has a tubular side wall (308), the side wall (308) having a first end (381) and a second end (382), and the first end (381) having a first opening (315); wherein the connecting section (103) is arranged between the pressing section (101) and the housing (102) and the connecting section (103) is connected to the pressing section (101) and the first end (381) of the side wall (308) in a sealing manner, such that the pressing section (101) and the connecting section (103) cover the first opening (315); and wherein the connecting section (103) is made of an elastic material such that the pressing section (101) is movable relative to the housing (102). The key arrangement of the present disclosure exhibits good water resistance.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a key assembly, particularly a waterproof key assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] A button assembly is used to achieve a corresponding functional control through a pressing action by an operator. The button assembly comprises a support structure and a switching device, and the support structure is connected at a corresponding installation position. The support structure has a pressing section, and the operator can trigger and control the switching device by operating the pressing section to achieve a corresponding function. SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure provides a key assembly comprising a pressing portion, a housing, and a connecting portion; wherein the housing has a tubular sidewall, the sidewall having a first end and a second end, and the first end having a first opening; wherein the connecting portion is disposed between the pressing portion and the housing, and the connecting portion is connected to the pressing portion and the first end of the sidewall in a sealing manner such that the pressing portion and the connecting portion cover the first opening; and wherein the connecting portion is made of an elastic material such that the pressing portion is movable relative to the housing.

[0004] According to the key arrangement as described above, the pressing portion, the connecting portion and the housing are an integrated structure.

[0005] According to the key assembly as described above, the key assembly further comprises a circuit device, and the circuit device is arranged within the housing.

[0006] According to the key arrangement as described above, an inner side of the housing has a boundary surface and a latch, wherein the boundary surface is arranged facing the second end, the latch is arranged on a side of the boundary surface facing the second end, and the circuit device is clampable between the boundary surface and the latch.

[0007] According to the key arrangement as described above, the boundary surface extends continuously in a circumferential direction.

[0008] According to the key arrangement as described above, when the circuit device is installed in the housing, the circuit device is sealed within the housing by a molding and sealing process.

[0009] According to the key assembly as described above, both the pressing portion and the first end of the housing have an anti-off structure, and the anti-off structure has projections, grooves and / or stepped portions.

[0010] According to the key assembly as described above, the connecting portion has an annular rib, and the rib projects from an outer surface of the connecting portion in a direction away from the second end of the side wall.

[0011] According to the key arrangement as described above, the connecting portion is connected to the pressing portion and the housing by a two-color injection molding process.

[0012] According to the key assembly as described above, an inner wall of the housing has a guide rib extending in a direction from the second end to the first end of the side wall, the circuit device has a guide recess, and the guide recess is capable of cooperating with the guide rib to guide an installation direction of the circuit device.

[0013] According to the key assembly as described above, when the circuit device is connected to the housing, the second end has a second opening, wherein the circuit device is installed into the housing from the second opening, whereby the circuit device is clamped between the boundary surface and the latch, and wherein the circuit device is subsequently potted through the second opening so that the circuit device is sealingly connected to the housing.

[0014] According to the key arrangement as described above, the connecting portion has a corrugated portion.

[0015] In the present disclosure, the key assembly includes a housing, a connecting portion, and a pressing portion. The connecting portion is made of the elastic material, and the connecting portion is sealingly connected to the housing and the pressing portion, so that water can be prevented from penetrating into the interior of the key assembly from the pressing portion, and the key assembly thus has a good waterproof function. The circuit device in the present disclosure is directly installed in the housing, so that the circuit device is connected to the housing without additionally providing a fixing structure. The key assembly of the present disclosure consists of fewer parts, thereby reducing the assembly steps of the key assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a key assembly according to the present disclosure; Fig. 1B is an exploded view of the key layout in Fig. 1A; Fig. 2 is an exploded view of a body of the key assembly in Fig. 1B; Fig. 3A is a perspective view of a housing in Fig. 2; Fig. 3B is a perspective view of the housing in Fig. 3A from a different perspective; Fig. 4A is a perspective view of a pressing section in Fig. 2; Fig. 4B is a perspective view of the pressing section in Fig. 4A from a different perspective; Fig. 5A is a perspective view of a connecting portion in Fig. 2; Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the connecting portion in Fig. 5A; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a circuit device in Fig. 1B; and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the key arrangement in Fig. 1A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Various specific embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the present disclosure. It should be understood that although terms indicating directions such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used in the present disclosure to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements of the present disclosure, these terms are used herein for convenience of description only and are determined based on the exemplary orientation shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure can be arranged in various directions, these directional terms are only illustrative and should not be considered limitations.Where possible, the same or similar reference numerals used in this disclosure refer to the same elements.

[0017] Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a key assembly according to the present disclosure, and Fig. 1B is an exploded view of the key layout in Fig. 1A. As in Fig. 1A and Fig. As shown in Figure 1B, the key assembly 100 includes a body 150 and a circuit device 160. The circuit device 160 is located within the body 150. The body 150 includes a pressing portion 101, a housing 102, and a connecting portion 103. The pressing portion 101 is connected to the housing 102 via the connecting portion 103. The pressing portion 101 is configured for actuation by an operator to trigger a corresponding part of the circuit device 160.

[0018] Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the body of the key assembly in Fig. 1B. As in Fig. 2, the pressing portion 101 is connected to one end of the housing 150 via the connecting portion 103. The pressing portion 101 and the housing 102 are made of a material with a certain hardness. The connecting portion 103 is made of an elastic material, so that the pressing portion 101 is movable and recoverable relative to the housing 102. The connecting portion 103 is sealingly connected to the pressing portion 101 and the housing 102. In one application of the present disclosure, the pressing portion 101, the connecting portion 103, and the housing 102 are manufactured using a two-color injection molding process and form an integrated structure. That is, the body 150 encloses a cavity, one end of which is open and the other part of which is closed.

[0019] Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the housing in Fig. 2, and Fig. 3B is a perspective view of the housing in Fig. 3A from a different perspective. As in Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, the housing 102 includes a side wall 308 and a pair of protruding portions 341 and 342. The side wall 308 is a substantially hollow, tubular structure, and the side wall 308 extends axially and includes a first opening 315 at a first end 381 and a second opening 316 at a second end 382. The pair of protruding portions 341 and 342 extend from an outer side of the second end 382 in a direction away from each other. Connecting holes 343 and 344 are formed in the protruding portions 341 and 342, and the connecting holes 343 and 344 are configured to mate with mounting structures, such as screws, to secure the housing 102 to a mounting member.

[0020] The first end 381 of the side wall 308 has a plurality of grooves 365, and the plurality of grooves 365 are recessed from an end surface of the first end 381 toward the second end 382. The plurality of grooves 365 are evenly distributed in a circumferential direction of the first end 381. When the first end 381 is connected to the connecting portion 103, the material of the connecting portion 103 can be embedded in the plurality of grooves 365, so that the connection strength between the connecting portion 103 and the first end 381 is reinforced, thereby preventing the connecting portion 103 from falling off from the first end 381. The first end 381 further has an annular recess 366, and the annular recess 366 is recessed inward from a surface of the first end 381. The annular recess 366 is arranged outside the plurality of grooves 365.When the first end 381 is connected to the connecting portion 103, the material of the connecting portion 103 can be embedded in the annular recess 366, thereby further enhancing the connection strength between the connecting portion 103 and the first end 381. That is, the plurality of grooves 365 and the annular recess 366 form an anti-off structure.

[0021] An inner side of the sidewall 308 has a stepped surface 361 and a latch 362. The stepped surface 361 is arranged facing the second end 382. The sidewall 308 has a first segment 371 and a second segment 372, wherein the first segment 371 is proximate the first end 381, the second segment 372 is proximate the second end 382, ​​and the inner diameter of the first segment 371 is smaller than the inner diameter of the second segment 372, such that the stepped surface 361 is formed at a junction between the first segment 371 and the second segment 372. The stepped surface 361 is annular and extends continuously in the circumferential direction. The stepped surface 361 can limit the continuous movement of the switching device 160, which is installed in the housing 102 through the second opening 316, toward the first end 381. The latch 362 is disposed on one side of the stepped surface 361 near the second end 382.The latch 362 is a projection that protrudes inward from an inner surface of the second portion 372. The latch 362 has a slope 332. The slope 332 extends obliquely into the interior of the housing 102 in a direction from the second end 382 to the first end 381, and the slope 332 is configured to guide the switching device 160 toward the stepped surface 361. The latch 362 further has a connecting surface 334 facing the stepped surface 361. A distance exists between the connecting surface 334 and the stepped surface 361, and the distance corresponds substantially to the thickness at an edge of the circuit device 160, so that the latch 362 can cooperate with the stepped surface 361 to clamp the circuit device 160 between the latch 362 and the stepped surface 361.In the present disclosure, a plurality of snappers 362 may be provided that are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction.

[0022] An inner side of the second segment 372 further includes a guide rib 392, and the guide rib 392 extends in a direction from the second end 382 to the first end 381. The guide rib 392 is configured to guide an installation direction of the circuit device 160.

[0023] Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the Fig. 2 shown pressing section, and Fig. 4B is a perspective view of the pressing section in Fig. 4A from a different perspective. As in Fig. 4A and Fig. As shown in Figure 4B, the pressing portion 101 includes a central portion 401 and a flange portion 402. The flange portion 402 is formed by extending outward from an outer side of the central portion 401. A first side of the pressing portion 101 includes a flat pressing surface 403, and the pressing surface 403 is arranged facing the operator to be pressed by the operator. A second side of the pressing portion 101 includes a trigger projection 405, and the trigger projection 405 is arranged in a protruding manner. The trigger projection 405 can be in contact with the circuit device 160 to trigger a corresponding circuit.

[0024] The pressing portion 101 has a plurality of protrusions 418 that protrude outward from the central portion 401. The protrusion 418 has a trapezoidal shape that gradually widens from the inside to the outside. When the pressing portion 101 is connected to the connecting portion 103, the protrusion 418 can be embedded in the connecting portion 103, thus increasing the connection strength between the connecting portion 103 and the pressing portion 101, thereby preventing the connecting portion 103 from falling off the pressing portion 101 in an extending direction of the pressing surface 403.The flange portion 402 of the pressing portion 101 further includes a plurality of stepped portions 419, wherein the stepped portion 419 includes a first step 421 and a second step 422, and the first step 421 extends beyond the second step 422 in a direction away from the central portion 401, such that the first step 421 and the second step 422 are arranged in a staggered manner, and the first step 421 and the second step 422 together form the stepped portion 419. The stepped portion 419 may be arranged on the projection 418, that is, one or more of the plurality of projections 418 include a first step and a second step arranged in a staggered manner.When the pressing portion 101 is connected to the connecting portion 103, the stepped portion 419 increases the connection strength between the connecting portion 103 and the pressing portion 101 and prevents the connecting portion 103 from falling off from the pressing portion 101 in an extending direction perpendicular to the pressing surface 403, that is, in a moving direction of the pressing portion 101. The pressing portion 101 further includes a plurality of grooves 465 recessed inward from an outer side surface surrounding the pressing portion 101, and the grooves 465 extend substantially in a direction parallel to the pressing surface 403. The grooves 465 are arranged at the central portion 401 or the flange portion 402.When the pressing portion 101 is connected to the connecting portion 103, the material of the connecting portion 103 can penetrate into the grooves 465, thereby increasing the connection strength between the connecting portion 103 and the pressing portion 101. In the extension direction perpendicular to the pressing surface 403, that is, in the moving direction of the pressing portion 101, the grooves 465 are formed to prevent the connecting portion 103 from falling off the pressing portion 101. In the pressing portion 101, the projections 418, the stepped portions 419, and the grooves 465 form an anti-off structure.

[0025] Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the connecting portion in Fig. 2, and Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the connecting portion in Fig. 5A. As in Fig. 5A and Fig. As shown in Figure 5B, the connecting portion 103 is substantially an annular ring. An inner side 511 of the connecting portion 103 is connected to the pressing portion 101, and an outer side 512 is connected to the housing 102. The inner side 511 of the connecting portion 103 is formed with recesses 541 that mate with the projections 418 of the pressing portion 101, and with fitting portions 529 that mate with the stepped portions 419. The outer side 512 of the connecting portion 103 is formed with projections 565 that fit into the grooves 365 of the housing 102, projections 566 that fit into the grooves 465, and an annular projection 566 that fits into the annular recess 366 of the housing 102.The connecting portion 103 is made of the elastic material and is connected to the pressing portion 101 and the housing 102 by the two-color injection molding process, so that the inner side 511 and the outer side 512 of the connecting portion 103 correspond in shape to the corresponding parts of the pressing portion 101 and the housing 102.

[0026] The connecting portion 103 further includes a corrugated portion 540. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the corrugated portion 540 has a substantially V-shaped structure protruding from an upper surface 521 to a lower surface 522 of the connecting portion 103. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the corrugated portion 540 may include a plurality of continuous V-shaped structures. The corrugated portion 540 may increase the elasticity of the connecting portion 103, so that a pressing operation on the pressing portion 101 requires less force.

[0027] The connecting portion 103 further includes an annular rib 590, and the annular rib 590 projects upwardly from the upper surface 521 of the connecting portion 103. The annular rib 590 is configured to cooperate with a fitting to form a seal.

[0028] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a circuit device in Fig. 1B. As in Fig. 6, the circuit device 160 includes a flat plate portion 601 and a trigger portion 602. The flat plate portion 601 is substantially in the shape of a flat plate and has an upper surface 611 and a lower surface 612. The trigger portion 602 is connected to the upper surface 611 of the flat plate portion 601. A guide recess 692 is provided on one side of the flat plate portion 601, and the guide recess 692 cooperates with the guide rib 392 of the housing 102 to indicate the installation direction of the circuit device 160 and prevent the circuit device 160 from being installed upside down.

[0029] The trigger portion 602 protrudes from the flat plate portion 601, and the trigger portion 602 can cooperate with the trigger projection 405 of the pressing portion 101 to trigger the circuit.

[0030] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the key arrangement in Fig. 1A. As in Fig. 7, the pressing portion 101 is connected to the first end 381 of the side wall 308 of the housing 102 via the connecting portion 103 for covering the first opening 315, the first end 381 of the side wall 308 being closed, and the body 150 encloses a cavity 701 having one closed end and the second opening 316 at the other end.

[0031] When the switching device 160 is installed, the trigger portion 602 faces the trigger projection 405 of the pressing portion 101, with the guide recess 692 aligned with the guide rib 392, and the switching device 160 is then installed into the housing 102 through the second opening 316. The switching device 160 is further pushed toward the pressing portion 101, and the flat plate portion 601 of the switching device 160 passes over the latch 362 until the flat plate portion 601 comes into contact with the stepped surface 361, so that the switching device 160 can no longer move toward the pressing portion 101. Meanwhile, the switching device 160 is blocked by the latch 362 and cannot move in a direction away from the pressing portion 101, and the switching device 160 is clamped between the stepped surface 361 and the latch 362.In this case, the circuit device 160 reaches a pre-installation position. In the pre-installation position of the circuit device, the top surface of the trigger portion 602 is slightly spaced from the trigger protrusion 405 of the pressing portion 101 or contacts the trigger protrusion 405. The circuit device 160 is later potted through the second opening 316 using a potting process, and a gap between the circuit device 160 and an inner wall of the housing 102 can be filled with an adhesive, thus forming a seal between the circuit device 160 and the housing 102. After the potting process is completed, the trigger portion 602 is sealed in a closed cavity 708 enclosed by the flat plate portion 601, the pressing portion 101, the connecting portion 103, and the housing 102.External water cannot penetrate the closed cavity 708, thereby preventing deterioration of the performance of the circuit device 160. The key assembly 100 has a good waterproof function.

[0032] In the present disclosure, when the molding process is performed, the flowing adhesive is poured onto the bottom surface 612 of the flat plate portion 601 of the circuit device 160, and the adhesive flows into the gap between the flat plate portion 601 and the housing 102 and flows toward the stepped surface 361. Since the stepped surface 361 extends continuously in the circumferential direction, the stepped surface 361 can guide the adhesive to flow smoothly, so that the adhesive is evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. After a certain period of time, the adhesive changes to a solid state, so that the circuit device 160 is sealed to the housing.

[0033] As in Fig. 7, the button assembly 100 is installed on a mounting plate 720, and the mounting plate 720 has a first side 721 facing a user and a second side 722 facing an interior of a vehicle.

[0034] The mounting plate 720 has a mounting hole 724 that passes through the first side 721 and the second side 722.

[0035] The pressing surface 403 of the central portion 401 of the pressing portion 101 is higher than the connecting portion 103 and the first end 381 of the side wall 308 of the housing 102. When the key assembly 100 is installed, the pressing portion 101 is aligned with the installation hole 724 of the installation plate 720 so that the pressing portion 101 passes through the installation hole 724. When the key assembly 100 is installed in the installation plate 720, the pressing surface of the pressing portion 101 is approximately flush with the first side 721 of the installation plate 720, and the annular rib 590 of the connecting portion 103 abuts the second side of the installation plate 720 and is pressed to undergo a certain deformation. The first side 721 faces the user, and the user can operate the pressing surface 403.The annular rib 590 is deformed under pressure to form a seal with the second side of the mounting plate 720, and the annular rib 590 can prevent further water flow in the gap between the pressing portion 101 and the mounting plate 720, so that the water cannot penetrate into a corresponding structure on the second side of the mounting plate 720.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, in a home position of the pressing portion 101, there is a distance between the trigger protrusion 405 of the pressing portion 101 and the trigger portion 602 of the switching device 160. When the operator applies pressure to the pressing surface 403 of the pressing portion 101, the pressure overcomes an elastic force of the connecting portion 103, so that the pressing portion 101 moves toward the switching device 160; and when the trigger protrusion 405 of the pressing portion 101 comes into contact with the trigger portion 602 of the switching device 160, the pressing portion 101 reaches a trigger position, and the corresponding circuit is triggered. When the operator releases the pressure applied to the pressing portion 101, the elastic force of the connecting portion 103 causes the pressing portion 101 to move away from the switching device 160 and return to the home position.The distance between the pressing portion 101 and the switching device 160 is set so that the pressing portion 101 can trigger the switching device 160 when the pressing portion 101 is subjected to an external force, and the distance between the pressing portion 101 and the switching device 160 is maintained when the external force is removed, so that false triggering is less likely.

[0037] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the trigger protrusion 405 of the pressing portion 101, in the home position of the pressing portion 101, comes into contact with an elastic component of the trigger portion 602 of the circuit device 160. When the operator applies pressure to the pressing surface 403 of the pressing portion 101, the pressure overcomes an elastic force of the connecting portion 103 and an elastic force of the elastic component of the trigger portion 602, so that the pressing portion 101 moves a certain distance toward the circuit device 160, and the elastic component of the trigger portion 602 is deformed and reaches a certain position, whereby the pressing portion 101 reaches a trigger position and the corresponding circuit is triggered.When the operator releases the pressure on the pressing portion 101, the elastic force of the connecting portion 103 and the elastic force of the elastic component of the trigger portion 602 together cause the pressing portion 101 to move away from the switching device 160 and return to the original position.

[0038] In the present disclosure, the body 150 of the key assembly 100 is of an integrated structure, and the gap between the pressing portion 101 and the housing 102 is sealed by the connecting portion 103, so that the key assembly has a good waterproof function and the water near the pressing portion 101 can be prevented from penetrating into the interior of the key assembly 100. The circuit device 160 is sealed within the housing 102 by the molding process, so that the water from the second opening 316 can be prevented from affecting the performance of the circuit device 160.

[0039] In the present disclosure, the circuit device 160 is directly integrated into the housing 102, so that the circuit device 160 is connected to the housing without the need for additional mounting structure. The key assembly of the present disclosure consists of fewer parts, thereby reducing the assembly steps of the key assembly 100.

[0040] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the examples of embodiments described above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and / or substantial equivalents that are currently known or foreseen, or can be foreseen in the near future, may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, the technical effects and / or technical problems described in this specification are exemplary rather than restrictive; therefore, the disclosure in this specification may be used to solve other technical problems and have other technical effects. Accordingly, the examples of embodiments of the present disclosure as set forth above are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to cover all known or previously disclosed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and / or substantial equivalents.

Claims

[1] Key layout, comprising: a pressing section (101); a housing (102), the housing (102) having a tubular side wall (308), the side wall (308) having a first end (381) and a second end (382), and the first end (381) having a first opening (315); and a connecting portion (103) disposed between the pressing portion (101) and the housing (102), the connecting portion (103) being sealingly connected to the pressing portion (101) and the first end (381) of the side wall (308) such that the pressing portion (101) and the connecting portion (103) cover the first opening (315); wherein the connecting portion (103) is made of an elastic material so that the pressing portion (101) is movable relative to the housing (102). [2] The key assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pressing portion (101), the connecting portion (103) and the housing (102) have an integrated structure. [3] The key assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the key assembly further comprises a circuit device (160) disposed within the housing (102). [4] Key arrangement according to claim 3, wherein an inner side of the housing (102) has a boundary surface (361) and a snap (362), wherein the boundary surface (361) is arranged facing the second end (382), the snap (362) is arranged on a side of the boundary surface (361) facing the second end (382), and the circuit device (160) can be clamped between the boundary surface (361) and the snap (362), wherein preferably the boundary surface (361) extends continuously in the circumferential direction. [5] Key assembly according to claim 4, wherein when the circuit device (160) is installed in the housing (102), the circuit device (160) is sealed within the housing (102) by a potting and sealing process, preferably wherein the second end (382) has a second opening (316) when the circuit device (160) is connected to the housing (102), wherein the circuit device (160) is installed into the housing (102) from the second opening (316), whereby the circuit device (160) is clamped between the boundary surface (361) and the latch (362), and the circuit device (160) is then potted through the second opening (316) so that the circuit device (160) is connected to the housing (102) in a sealing manner. [6] Key assembly according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein both the pressing portion (101) and the first end (381) of the housing (102) have an anti-off structure (188), the anti-off structure comprising projections, grooves and / or stepped portions. [7] A key assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the connecting portion (103) includes an annular rib (590), the rib (590) projecting from an outer surface of the connecting portion (103) in a direction away from the second end (382) of the side wall (308). [8] Key assembly according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the connecting portion (103) is connected to the pressing portion (101) and the housing (102) by a two-color injection molding process. [9] Key assembly according to one of claims 3 to 8, wherein an inner wall of the housing (102) has a guide rib (392) extending in a direction from the second end (382) to the first end (381) of the side wall (308), wherein the circuit device (160) has a guide recess (692), and the guide recess (692) is capable of cooperating with the guide rib (392) to guide an installation direction of the circuit device (160). [10] Key assembly according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the connecting portion (103) has a corrugated portion (540).

Images