Casing for electronic device

Abstract

A casing for an electronic device. The casing comprises a housing, a button, and a pair of button supports. The housing comprises a tubular portion having an opening for receiving the button, and a pair of engagement elements provided on an inner wall of the tubular portion, each configured to engage with a respective button support to secure the button within the opening. Each button support extends from a respective side of the button along the inner wall of the tubular portion in a circumferential direction, and is configured to resiliently deform to enable movement of the button in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the button lies.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the field of electronic devices, and in particular, to electronic devices actuated by pushing a mechanical button.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Electronic devices generally have an on-off button to activate and de-activate the device. Many electronic devices employ a mechanical push button that is configured to move up and down to engage with an electronic switch on a printed circuit board assembly in order to turn the device on and off.

[0003] A mechanical push button for an electronic device is generally connected to a housing of the electronic device in a way that allows the button to be moved to activate the device. The way in which the button is connected to the housing depends on a variety of factors, including the force required to activate the device, the circumstances in which the device is used (e.g. devices commonly used in bathrooms, such as toothbrushes and shavers, require a watertight button construction to prevent water entering the device at the edges of the button), how often the device is used, the desired lifetime of the electronic device, the volume of space available for the button construction, whether the electronic device is designed to allow the button to be replaced, etc.

[0004] One common button construction involves a single part button with an elongated arm. A distal end of the elongated arm is attached to an inner wall of a housing of the device, typically via a clicked connection. The length of the elongated arm provides sufficient flexibility to allow the button to be moved up and down.

[0005] There is an ongoing desire to provide improved button mechanisms for electronic devices.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention is defined by the claims.

[0007] According to examples in accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a casing for an electronic device comprising: a housing, wherein the housing comprises: a tubular portion having an opening configured to receive a button; and a pair of engagement elements provided on an inner wall of the tubular portion on respective sides of the opening; a button received in the opening of the tubular portion and lying in a first plane; and a pair of button supports, each button support extending from a respective side of the button along the inner wall of the tubular portion in a circumferential direction, wherein: each button support is configured to engage with a respective engagement element to thereby secure the button within the opening; and each button support is able to resiliently deform to thereby allow the button to move in a first direction, perpendicular to the first plane.

[0008] The use of button supports that extend circumferentially along an inner wall of the housing enable a button to be more easily attached to a tubular housing (particularly an integrally-formed tubular housing, rather than a 2-part tube), as the technical constraints of the injection molding process typically used to manufacture such a housing require that features on an inside of the housing are formed in a single direction. Further, this design provides a button mechanism that takes up less space within the housing than conventional button mechanisms, enabling a more compact housing to be used.

[0009] In some examples, each button support has a same curvature as a respective portion of the inner wall of the tubular portion along which the button support extends.

[0010] In some examples, each button support comprises a plurality of longitudinal indentations, wherein adjacent longitudinal indentations are provided at opposite edges of the button support to form a meander structure.

[0011] In other words, each button support may have a zigzag or serpentine shape. This provides a structure that reliably deforms in order to allow movement of the button in the first direction and that is unlikely to break or become permanently deformed.

[0012] In some examples, for each button support, a longitudinal indentation closest to the button is provided at an opposite edge of the button support to a longitudinal indentation closest to the engagement element with which the button support is configured to engage.

[0013] This equalizes the deformation of the button support, reducing a likelihood of the button tilting during movement of the button.

[0014] In some examples, each button support has a serpentine shape. This provides a more even distribution of stress on each button support.

[0015] In some examples, a distance between adjacent longitudinal indentations is at least 0.6 mm. In other words, a thickness of each part of each button support having a longitudinal indentation on either side is at least 0.6 mm. This reduces a likelihood of the button support breaking. In some examples, the distance between adjacent longitudinal indentations is at least 1 mm.

[0016] In some examples, a width of each longitudinal indentation in a circumferential direction is between 0.6 mm and 3 mm. For instance, the width of each longitudinal indentation may be between 1 mm and 3 mm.

[0017] In some examples, a thickness of each button support in a radial direction is at least 0.6 mm. For instance, the thickness of each button support may be at least 1 mm.

[0018] In some examples, a width of each button support in a longitudinal direction is between 8 mm and 15 mm.

[0019] In some examples, the button and the pair of button supports are integrally formed.

[0020] In some examples, each engagement element comprises an engagement surface configured to apply a contact force, in the first direction, to the respective button support.

[0021] In some examples, each button support is mounted within the housing in a partially deformed configuration.

[0022] There is also provided an electronic device comprising: the casing described above; and a control circuit, wherein the button and control circuit are configured such that the control circuit is actuated by movement of the button in the first direction.

[0023] In some examples, the electronic device is a handheld personal care device. For instance, the electronic device may be a shaver, beard trimmer, hair trimmer, epilator, IPL (intense pulsed light) hair removal device, toothbrush, oral irrigator, ultrasonic tooth cleaner, skin scrubber or hairdryer.

[0024] In some examples, the electronic device further comprises a stopper configured to limit an amount of movement of the button in the first direction.

[0025] This may ensure that the button remains at least partially contained within the opening of the tubular portion (i.e. that the button cannot be depressed so much that button is pushed through the opening entirely).

[0026] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a casing for an electronic device, according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the button and button supports of the casing; Fig. 3 illustrates a top view of the button and button supports; Fig. 4 illustrates a side view of the button and button supports; Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the housing of the casing; Fig. 6 illustrates a side view of the casing; Fig. 7 illustrates an electronic device comprising the casing, according to an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the electronic device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0028] The invention will be described with reference to the Figures.

[0029] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, systems and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the Figures are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the Figures to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0030] The invention provides a casing for an electronic device. The casing comprises a housing, a button, and a pair of button supports. The housing comprises a tubular portion having an opening for receiving the button, and a pair of engagement elements provided on an inner wall of the tubular portion, each configured to engage with a respective button support to secure the button within the opening. Each button support extends from a respective side of the button along the inner wall of the tubular portion in a circumferential direction, and is configured to resiliently deform to enable movement of the button in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the button lies.

[0031] Illustrative embodiments may, for example, be employed in handheld electronic devices, including handheld personal care devices, such as a hair removal device (e.g. a shaver, a beard trimmer, a hair trimmer, an epilator or an IPL hair removal device), an oral care device (e.g. a toothbrush, an oral irrigator or an ultrasonic tooth cleaner), a skin scrubber, and / or a hair dryer, and other handheld electronic devices, such as handheld garment steamers.

[0032] Fig. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a casing 100 for an electronic device, according to an embodiment of the invention. The casing comprises a housing 110, a button 120, and a pair of button supports 130.

[0033] The housing 110 comprises a tubular portion having an opening configured to receive the button 120, and a pair of engagement elements 111 provided on an inner wall 112 of the tubular portion on respective sides of the opening. In Fig. 1, the engagement elements are protrusions extending from the inner wall of the housing. The opening and the engagement elements are described in more detail below.

[0034] The button 120 is received in the opening of the tubular portion of the housing and lies in a first plane X-Z (the longitudinal direction Z is perpendicular to the page in Fig. 1). An outward-facing surface of the button (i.e. a surface of the button that is visible and accessible from the outside of the housing when the button is received in the opening) is a surface of the button designed to be pressed / pushed by a user of the electronic device in order to operate the button, and may be flush with the outer surface of the tubular portion, as shown in Fig. 1 (alternatively, the button may protrude slightly from the opening on the outside of the tubular portion or may be slightly recessed within the opening). The outward-facing surface of the button may be flat or curved (e.g. the button may have a same curvature as the tubular portion of the housing); if the outward-facing surface is curved, the first plane X-Z may be parallel to a tangent plane to the curved surface at a center of the surface.

[0035] Each button support 130 extends, from a respective side of the button, along the inner wall 112 of the tubular portion in a circumferential direction (i.e. a direction parallel to the circumference of the inner wall of the tubular portion). Each button support may have a same curvature as a respective portion of the inner wall of the tubular portion of the housing along which the button support extends. Preferably, each button support is identical or symmetric to the other button support (i.e. the pair of button supports may have reflectional symmetry with respect to a line extending in the longitudinal direction Z and passing through a center of the button), in order to provide even (i.e. symmetric) movement of the button 120.

[0036] Each button support 130 is configured to engage with a respective engagement element 111 to thereby secure the button within the opening. In particular, the portions of the inner wall 112 of the tubular along which the button supports extend prevent the button from falling out of the housing through the opening, while the engagement elements prevent the button from falling into the housing. The sides of the opening within which the button is received restrict movement of the button in a longitudinal direction.

[0037] Each engagement element 111 may comprise an engagement surface configured to apply a contact force to the respective button support in a first direction Y, perpendicular to the first plane X-Z in which the button lies. For instance, the engagement surface of each engagement element may lie in first plane X-Z. Alternatively, each engagement surface may be slanted towards the inner wall 112 of the tubular portion.

[0038] The positions of the engagement surfaces of the engagement elements 111 with respect to the opening of the tubular portion may be such that the distal end of each button support from the button is further from the button in an X direction (i.e. a direction parallel to the first plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Z of the tubular portion) than any other part of the button support. In other words, the button supports may each have a curved shape that does not curve back on itself (as this would be likely to result in the button supports buckling inwards). For instance, if the tubular portion is cylindrical (or has another shape having reflective symmetry about a line parallel to the X direction), the engagement surfaces of both engagement elements may be provided in a same half of the tubular portion as the opening within which the button is received.

[0039] Each button support 130 is able to resiliently deform to thereby allow the button 120 to move in the first direction Y (i.e. perpendicular to the first plane X-Z in which the button lies). The distance by which the button is able to move in the first direction Y may depend on the requirements of the electronic device for which the casing 100 is used, and in particular, on a distance between the button and an element of the electronic device with which the button is intended to engage (e.g. an electronic switch of a control circuit or an intermediate element that is moved by movement of the button in order to engage with an electronic switch of a control circuit). In some examples, the distance by which the button is able to move may be limited by one or more components of the electronic device, as described in more detail below.

[0040] In some examples, the button supports 130 may be mounted within the housing in a partially deformed configuration, in order to bias the button towards the opening; this provides a larger interior volume of the casing, allowing components of an electronic device to be inserted into the casing more easily.

[0041] Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the button 120 and button supports 130. In Fig. 2, each button support comprises a plurality of longitudinal indentations 131, with adjacent longitudinal indentations provided at opposite edges of the button support to form a meander structure. The longitudinal indentations extend into the edges of each button support in the longitudinal direction Z; these indentations enable the button supports to resiliently deform.

[0042] In Fig. 2, the meander structure is serpentine; in other words, the corners in each button support formed by the longitudinal indentations are rounded. This has been found to provide a more even distribution of stress. However, other shapes of longitudinal indentations are also envisaged. For instance, the longitudinal indentations may each have a rectangular shape (i.e. with angular corners) or a triangular shape. The shape of the longitudinal indentations may depend on a size of the button supports (and therefore on a size, and in particular a circumference, of the housing).

[0043] In some examples, the longitudinal indentation 131a of each button support that is closest to the button is provided at an opposite edge of the respective button support to a longitudinal indentation 131d that is closest to the engagement element with which the respective button support is configured to engage (i.e. a longitudinal indentation at a distal end of the button support to the button). In other words, the total number of longitudinal indentations in each button support is even.

[0044] The meander structure of the button supports 130 illustrated in Fig. 2 has been found to have a particularly low likelihood of one or both of the button supports breaking or becoming permanently deformed due to movement of the button 120 in the first direction Y. However, other configurations of the button supports are also possible. For instance, each button support may comprise a plurality of frame elements provided along the circumferential direction and linked to one another by one or more crossbars (extending in the circumferential direction), each frame element having a cut-out to enable the resilient deformation of the button support. For example, each frame element may have an annular shape or a rectangular frame shape.

[0045] The button supports 130 may be formed from any suitable material (i.e. a material that allows the button supports to resiliently deform), such as a plastic (e.g. a thermoplastic) or a metal (e.g. steel). Thermoplastic button supports may be manufactured more easily and at a lower cost, while metal button supports may enable a lower thickness of the button supports in a radial direction, thus enabling a diameter / circumference of the housing to be reduced or providing a larger interior volume of the casing available for other components of the electronic device. Metal button supports may be used for casings for electronic devices in which the button supports are not able to make electrical contact with wiring in the electronic device, such as where the electrical components of the electronic device are provided in an inner housing, e.g. for watertightness.

[0046] The button supports 130 may be manufactured using any suitable technique, which may depend on the material used. For instance, plastic button supports may be formed by a molding technique (e.g. injection molding), while metal button supports may be manufactured by cutting and bending a metal sheet. In some examples, the button 120 and the button supports may be integrally formed; this reduces a complexity and cost of manufacturing. Alternatively, the button and button supports may be manufactured separately, and the button supports may then be attached to the button; this may be the case, for example, where the button is formed from a different material to the button supports (e.g. the button supports may be formed from a metal in order to reduce a radial thickness, while the button may be formed from a plastic for aesthetic purposes).

[0047] Fig. 3 illustrates a top view of the button 120 and button supports 130, showing more clearly the meander structure of the button supports. The width I in a circumferential direction of each longitudinal indentation 131 may be at least 0.6 mm (e.g. between 0.6 mm and 3 mm for a handheld electronic device; longitudinal indentations wider than 3 mm may be used in larger devices). In some examples, the width I of each longitudinal indentation may be at least 1 mm (e.g. between 1 mm and 3 mm). A likelihood of breaking a mold used to manufacture the button supports is higher where the width I of the longitudinal indentations is less than 1 mm, and significantly higher where the width I is less than 0.6 mm. Each longitudinal indentation may extend far enough into the respective button support that a thickness of a part of the button support adjacent to the longitudinal indentation in the longitudinal direction Z is similar to (e.g. no greater than twice the size of and no smaller than half the size of) a thickness T of each portion of each button support between adjacent longitudinal indentations. For instance, the length of the longitudinal indentations may be such that the meander part of each button support has a uniform thickness throughout.

[0048] The thickness T of each portion of each button support between adjacent longitudinal indentations may be at least 0.6 mm (e.g. at least 1 mm). The width W of each button support in a longitudinal direction may depend on the desired force-reaction and the material from which the button support is formed, as well as the size of the button to which the button supports are attached and the circumference of the housing. In some examples, the width W may be between 8 mm and 15 mm.

[0049] In Figs. 2 and 3, each button support 130 has four longitudinal indentations 131; however, as the skilled person will readily appreciate, the number of longitudinal indentations may depend on the desired amount of resilient deformation of the button supports (i.e. on the distance by which the button is to be moved), and on the circumference of the tubular portion of the housing.

[0050] Fig. 4 illustrates a side view of the button 120 and button supports 130. A thickness H of each button support in a radial direction may depend on the diameter of the tubular portion of the housing 110. The thickness H may be at least 0.6 mm. In some examples, the thickness H may be at least 1 mm.

[0051] Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the housing 110. Fig. 5 more clearly shows the opening 115 of the tubular portion of the housing configured to receive the button 130. The opening has a same shape as the portion of the button to be received in the opening, and is slightly larger than the button in the X and Z directions (e.g. to provide a gap between the button and the opening of approximately 0.1 mm on all sides), enabling the button to move within the opening in the first direction Y, while limiting movement of the button in the X and Z directions.

[0052] Fig. 6 illustrates a side view of the casing 100. Fig. 6 more clearly illustrates the engagement elements 111, each of which protrudes from the inner wall 112 of the tubular portion and extends along the inner wall in the longitudinal direction Z. The configuration of the engagement elements illustrated in Fig. 6 enable the tubular portion of the housing to be molded as a single piece, since these engagement elements allow the tubular portion to be removed from a mold by pulling the tubular portion from the mold in the longitudinal direction Z. The tubular portion may be open at at least one end in order to allow the tubular portion to be removed from a mold.

[0053] Alternatively, the engagement elements may be provided by a tubular portion having a first thickness at a first segment of the tubular portion, around the opening 115, and a second thickness at a second segment (provided at least in a half of the tubular portion opposite the opening); the engagement elements may then be provided as ridges at the points where the thickness of the tubular portion changes.

[0054] Fig. 7 illustrates an electronic device 700, according to an embodiment of the invention. The electronic device comprises the casing 100 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, and a control circuit (not visible in Fig. 7). The button 120 and the control circuit are configured such that the control circuit is activated by movement of the button in the first direction Y.

[0055] In Fig. 7, the electronic device is a beard trimmer; however, as the skilled person will readily appreciate, the casing 100 may be used as a casing for any suitable electronic device, including other handheld personal care devices, such as a shaver, a hair trimmer, an epilator, an IPL hair removal device, a toothbrush, an oral irrigator, an ultrasonic tooth cleaner, a skin scrubber, or a hair dryer, and other handheld electronic devices, such as a handheld garment steamer.

[0056] Fig. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 700, taken along line A-A of Fig. 7. Fig. 8 illustrates the control circuit 740 provided inside the casing 100. In the electronic device 700 illustrated in Fig. 8, the control circuit 740 is configured to control a motor 750 of the electronic device. A switch element 745 of the control circuit 740 is aligned with the button 120 in the first direction Y, such that movement of the button in the first direction Y operates the switch element, either by directly engaging with the switch element or by moving an intermediate element that in turn engages with the switch element.

[0057] In some examples, the control circuit 740 and any other electronic components (e.g. the motor 750) of the electronic device 700 may be provided in a watertight inner housing 760, which is then provided in the casing 100. The watertight inner housing may have a watertight connection to the housing 110 of the casing 100. The watertight inner housing may comprise a mechanical element 770, configured to actuate the control circuit responsive to movement of the button 120 in the first direction Y; in other words, movement of the button in the first direction Y may cause movement of the mechanical element, which may in turn actuate the control circuit of the electronic device.

[0058] In some examples, the electronic device 700 may comprise a stopper 780, configured to limit movement of the button 120 in the first direction Y (e.g. to ensure that at least part of the button is provided within the opening at all times, in order to restrict movement of the button in any direction other than the first direction Y). The stopper may be provided on a component of the electronic device contained within the tubular portion, e.g. on a face of the component facing the button). In Fig. 8, the stopper is provided on an outer surface of the watertight inner housing. In some examples, the stopper may comprise a first stopper element, configured to engage with a first half of the button (e.g. an upper half), and a second stopper element, configured to engage with a second half of the button (e.g. a lower half), in order to prevent or reduce tilting of the button.

[0059] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0060] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0061] If the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or description, it is noted the term "adapted to" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to". If the term "arrangement" is used in the claims or description, it is noted the term "arrangement" is intended to be equivalent to the term "system", and vice versa.

[0062] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A casing (100) for an electronic device (700), the casing comprising: a housing (110), wherein the housing comprises: a tubular portion having an opening (115) configured to receive a button; and a pair of engagement elements (111) provided on an inner wall (112) of the tubular portion on respective sides of the opening; a button (120) received in the opening of the tubular portion and lying in a first plane (X-Z); and a pair of button supports (130), each button support extending from a respective side of the button along the inner wall of the tubular portion in a circumferential direction, wherein: each button support is configured to engage with a respective engagement element to thereby secure the button within the opening; and each button support is able to resiliently deform to thereby allow the button to move in a first direction (Y), perpendicular to the first plane.

2. The casing (100) of claim 1, wherein each button support (130) has a same curvature as a respective portion of the inner wall (112) of the tubular portion along which the button support extends.

3. The casing (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein each button support (130) comprises a plurality of longitudinal indentations (131, 131a, 131b, 131c, 131d), wherein adjacent longitudinal indentations are provided at opposite edges of the button support to form a meander structure.

4. The casing (100) of claim 3, wherein, for each button support (130), a longitudinal indentation (131a) closest to the button is provided at an opposite edge of the button support to a longitudinal indentation (131d) closest to the engagement element (111) with which the button support is configured to engage.

5. The casing (100) of claim 3 or 4, wherein each button support (130) has a serpentine shape.

6. The casing (100) of any of claims 3 to 5, wherein a distance (T) between adjacent longitudinal indentations (131, 131a, 131b, 131c, 131d) is at least 0.6 mm.

7. The casing (100) of any of claims 3 to 6, wherein a width (I) of each longitudinal indentation (131, 131a, 131b, 131c, 131d) in a circumferential direction is between 0.6 mm and 3 mm.

8. The casing (100) of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein a thickness (H) of each button support (130) in a radial direction is at least 0.6 mm.

9. The casing (100) of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein a width (W) of each button support (130) in a longitudinal direction (Z) is between 8 mm and 15 mm.

10. The casing (100) of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the button (120) and the pair of button supports (130) are integrally formed.

11. The casing (100) of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein each engagement element (111) comprises an engagement surface configured to apply a contact force, in the first direction (Y), to the respective button support (130).

12. The casing (100) of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein each button support (130) is mounted within the housing (110) in a partially deformed configuration.

13. An electronic device (700) comprising: the casing (100) of any of claims 1 to 12; and a control circuit (740), wherein the button (120) and control circuit are configured such that the control circuit is actuated by movement of the button in the first direction (Y).

14. The electronic device (700) of claim 13, wherein the electronic device is a handheld personal care device.

15. The electronic device (700) of claim 13 or 14, wherein the electronic device further comprises a stopper (780) configured to limit an amount of movement of the button (120) in the first direction (Y).

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