Button for mobile device protective case and mobile device protective case set having the same

Abstract

The button of this invention comprises a plastic body and a plurality of conductive elements. These conductive elements are bonded to the plastic body and arranged at intervals along the length of the plastic body. Each conductive element is composed of a plastic material and a conductive material, giving each conductive element good conductivity. Therefore, when the button of this invention is touched by a finger, the potential difference formed between the plastic body and the conductive elements achieves the purpose of sensing and pressing. Furthermore, this invention also provides a protective shell assembly for a mobile device having one of the aforementioned buttons.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to mobile device protective cases, and in particular to a button for a mobile device protective case and a mobile device protective case assembly having the button. Prior Technology

[0002] To avoid affecting the functionality of mobile devices, existing protective cases typically include corresponding buttons at the locations of the device's various function buttons. This allows users to activate or deactivate the corresponding functions of the mobile device by pressing the buttons on the protective case without removing it.

[0003] In pursuit of aesthetic or functional variations, some protective cases use metal buttons. However, when a mobile device with such a case accidentally bumps into a foreign object, especially if the impact is on the metal button, the metal material can easily scratch or damage the corresponding button on the device. Furthermore, since new smartphones may feature touch buttons, traditional all-metal or all-plastic buttons cannot activate their corresponding functions. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in traditional all-metal or all-plastic buttons. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide a button for a mobile device protective case that can effectively protect the corresponding button of the mobile device from damage and has good conductivity, thereby achieving accurate sensing and reliable pressing.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned main objectives, the button provided by the present invention includes a plastic body and a plurality of conductors. The plastic body has a length direction, and the conductors are attached to the plastic body and arranged at intervals along the length direction of the plastic body. Each conductor is made of a mixture of a plastic material and a conductive material, or is made of a conductive polymer.

[0006] As described above, through the combination of the plastic material and the conductive material, or the various conductors made of conductive polymers, the button of the present invention exhibits good conductivity while effectively protecting the corresponding button of the mobile device from damage. When the button of the present invention is touched by a finger, the potential difference formed by the plastic body and the conductors is used to achieve accurate sensing and reliable pressing.

[0007] Preferably, the conductive material is a metal, carbon nanotubes, or polypyrrole, which allows it to be uniformly mixed with the plastic material, thereby exhibiting good conductivity.

[0008] Preferably, each conductor has 50% to 90% by weight of the conductive material, giving each conductor good conductivity.

[0009] Preferably, the conductive polymer is polypyrrole.

[0010] Preferably, the plastic body is elongated and has multiple bonding grooves that are spaced apart along the length of the plastic body and bonded to the conductors. Thus, the conductors are encapsulated by the plastic body.

[0011] Preferably, each of the mating grooves has a first tapered portion, a second tapered portion, and a limiting portion. The outer diameter of the first tapered portion gradually decreases from the inner surface to the outer surface, and the outer diameter of the second tapered portion gradually decreases from the outer surface to the inner surface. The limiting portion connects the first tapered portion and the second tapered portion, and the outer diameter of the limiting portion is smaller than the outer diameters of the first tapered portion and the second tapered portion. Each conductor has a limiting groove on its outer peripheral surface, and the limiting groove of each conductor is engaged with the limiting portion of each mating groove, making it difficult for each conductor to detach from the plastic body.

[0012] Preferably, the plastic body has an inner surface and an outer surface, and each of the mating grooves can penetrate the inner surface and the outer surface, or can be recessed from the inner surface toward the outer surface.

[0013] Preferably, each conductor has an outer end face, and when each bonding groove penetrates the inner surface and the outer surface, the outer end face of each conductor is flush with the outer surface of the plastic body for finger touch.

[0014] Preferably, each conductor has an inner end face that protrudes from the inner surface of the plastic body. When each conductor is touched by a finger, each conductor touches the corresponding button of the mobile device with its inner end face.

[0015] Preferably, the inner end face of each conductor is convex arc-shaped, so that each conductor touches the corresponding button of the mobile device in a point contact manner, thereby improving the sensing accuracy.

[0016] Preferably, the plastic body has a plurality of narrow portions, each of which is located between two adjacent conductors. These narrow portions enhance the flexibility of the button for easy installation, while reducing the likelihood of the button breaking under axial force, thereby improving structural strength.

[0017] Preferably, the plastic body comprises multiple spacers, each spacer being located between two adjacent conductors and connected to the two adjacent conductors by its two opposite sides; each spacer and each conductor is covered by a surface layer, which enhances the appearance and texture and prevents the conductors from being directly rubbed by external foreign objects, thereby extending their service life.

[0018] Preferably, the plastic body comprises multiple elongated connectors, each connector being located between two adjacent conductors and connected to the adjacent conductors at their two opposite ends, thus forming a gap between the adjacent conductors. These gaps increase the flexibility of the button, improving pressing comfort and ease of installation, while simultaneously reducing the likelihood of the button breaking under axial force, thereby enhancing structural strength.

[0019] Preferably, the plastic body is elongated and has an inner surface to which the conductors are bonded. Furthermore, the inner surface of the plastic body has multiple notches, each notch located between two adjacent conductors. These notches enhance the flexibility of the button for easier installation, while simultaneously reducing the likelihood of breakage under axial stress, thereby improving structural strength.

[0020] Preferably, the plastic body has an inner surface and an outer surface, and each of the mating grooves is recessed from the outer surface toward the inner surface and is mated with a conductor. The plastic body further has a plurality of recesses, each of the recesses being recessed from the inner surface toward the outer surface and connected to the mating grooves in a one-to-one manner. An elastic body is disposed in each of the recesses to abut against the conductor, and the elastic force of each elastic body enables each conductor to operate independently and provide a special pressing feel.

[0021] On the other hand, a second object of the present invention is to provide a mobile device protective case assembly, which includes a mobile device protective case and the aforementioned button. The mobile device protective case has a frame with a button mounting hole; the button is disposed in the button mounting hole of the frame and is attached to the frame of the protective case by the plastic body. By means of the good conductivity provided by the button, the mobile device protective case assembly of the present invention can achieve the effect of accurate sensing and reliable pressing.

[0022] Detailed construction, features, assembly, and usage of the button for a mobile device protective case and the mobile device protective case assembly having the button provided by this invention will be described in the following detailed description of embodiments. However, those skilled in the art should understand that such detailed descriptions and the specific embodiments listed for implementing this invention are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this patent application. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the protective shell assembly for the mobile device of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the button in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a perspective sectional view of the button according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the button used in conjunction with the protective case of the mobile device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a planar sectional view of the button according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a planar sectional view of the button according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a planar sectional view of the button according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a planar sectional view of the button according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a planar sectional view of the button according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 is a planar sectional view of the button according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. Implementation

[0024] The applicant hereby clarifies that, in the embodiments described below, directional terms are based on the directions shown in the drawings, but are for illustrative purposes only to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, and are not intended to limit the invention. Secondly, in the embodiments and drawings described below, the same element reference numerals represent the same or similar elements or their structural features.

[0025] Please refer to Figure 1. The mobile device protective case assembly 1 of the present invention is used to fit a mobile device 2 (e.g., a mobile phone, tablet computer, smartwatch, or wireless charging case for earphones). Although the appearance shown in Figure 1 is an example of use with a mobile phone, it is not actually limited thereto. The mobile device protective case assembly 1 of the present invention includes a mobile device protective case 10 and at least one button 18a. The mobile device protective case 10 is made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and has a back plate 12 and a frame 14. The frame 14 is connected to the outer periphery of the back plate 12, and the frame 14 has at least one button mounting hole 16 for mounting the button 18a. The wall of the button mounting hole 16 has two opposing inserting protrusions 162. In some embodiments, the mobile device protective case 10 may not include the back plate 12 and may only have the frame 14.

[0026] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. The button 18a of the first embodiment of the present invention is suitable for use with the buttons (not shown) of the mobile device 2, especially the electrosensitive button or the hybrid electrosensitive and pressure-sensitive button. The buttons of the mobile device 2 can be operated synchronously by sensing the button 18a through pressure, touch or sliding. Please continue to refer to Figure 2. The button 18a of the first embodiment of the present invention includes a plastic body 20 and a plurality of conductive elements 30 (six are used as an example in this embodiment, but are not limited to six).

[0027] In this embodiment, the plastic body 20 is a strip-shaped structure made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The outer periphery of the plastic body 20 has two opposing recesses 202. The two recesses 202 of the plastic body 20 are engaged with the two protrusions 162 of the frame 14, so that the plastic body 20 and the frame 14 of the mobile device protective shell 10 are integrated. Due to the above-mentioned engagement relationship, the plastic body 20 will not easily detach from the button mounting hole 16 of the frame 14 under normal use. However, as long as the force applied is greater than the engagement relationship between the protrusions 162 and the recesses 202, the plastic body 20 can be forced to detach from the button mounting hole 16 of the frame 14 for easy maintenance and replacement. As shown in Figure 3, the plastic body 20 has an inner surface 21, an outer surface 22, and a plurality of mating grooves 23 (six are used as an example in this embodiment, but not limited to six). These mating grooves 23 penetrate the inner surface 21 and the outer surface 22 and are arranged at equal intervals along the length direction of the plastic body 20. In other embodiments, they do not necessarily have to be arranged at equal intervals. For example, the interval between two adjacent mating grooves 23 near the two ends of the length direction of the plastic body 20 is smaller, while the interval between two adjacent mating grooves 23 near the middle part of the plastic body 20 is larger. The design can be based on the button characteristics of the mobile device corresponding to the button 18a. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, each connecting groove 23 has a first tapered portion 24, a second tapered portion 25, and a limiting portion 26. The inner diameter of the first tapered portion 24 gradually decreases from the inner surface 21 toward the outer surface 22, and the inner diameter of the second tapered portion 25 gradually decreases from the outer surface 22 toward the inner surface 21. The limiting portion 26 connects the first tapered portion 24 and the second tapered portion 25, and the inner diameter of the limiting portion 26 is smaller than the outer diameter of the first tapered portion 24 and the inner diameter of the second tapered portion 25.

[0028] In this embodiment, the conductor 30 is made by injection molding a plastic material and a conductive material. The plastic material is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and the conductive material can be a metal, carbon nanotubes, or polypyrrole (PPy). In this embodiment, carbon nanotubes are used. The weight percentage of the plastic material is between 10% and 50%, and the weight percentage of the conductive material is between 50% and 90%, with 70% to 80% being the optimal range for the conductive material. This ratio allows the conductor 30 to exhibit good conductivity. It is worth noting that compared to metal, using carbon nanotubes or polypyrrole as the conductive material results in better uniformity when mixed with the plastic material due to their material properties. In some embodiments, the conductor can also be made directly from a conductive polymer, such as polypyrrole (PPy).

[0029] Referring again to Figure 3, the conductors 30 are joined one-to-one within the joining grooves 23 of the plastic body 20, such that the conductors 30 are surrounded by the plastic body 20 and are arranged at equal intervals along the length of the plastic body 20. Referring to Figure 4, each conductor 30 has a limiting groove 33 on its outer peripheral surface. The limiting groove 33 of each conductor 30 is engaged with the limiting portion 26 of each joining groove 23. In this way, by means of the structural configuration of the limiting portion 26 located between the first tapered portion 24 and the second tapered portion 25, the conductors 30 can provide a softer pressing feel. In addition, by means of the engaging relationship between the limiting portion 26 and the limiting groove 33, the conductors 30 are less likely to detach from the plastic body 20.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 4. Each conductor 30 has an inner end face 31 and an outer end face 32. The inner end face 31 protrudes from the inner surface 21 of the plastic body 20 and is used to touch the corresponding button of the mobile device. The outer end face 32 is flush with the outer surface 22 of the plastic body 20 and is used for the user's finger to touch. In this embodiment, the inner end face 31 is presented in a convex arc shape to ensure that when the button 18a is pressed, the inner end face 31 can reliably touch the corresponding button of the mobile device, thereby improving the sensing accuracy.

[0031] As described above, the conductive material 30, formed by mixing plastic and conductive materials, enables the button 18a of the present invention to exhibit good conductivity while effectively protecting the corresponding button of the mobile device from damage. Furthermore, when the button 18a of the present invention is touched by a finger, the potential difference between the plastic body 20 and the conductive material 30 achieves precise sensing and reliable pressing.

[0032] It should be noted that the present invention can also have different structural variations according to actual needs. Referring to Figure 5, the button 18b of the second embodiment of the present invention is structurally similar to that of the first embodiment described above. The difference is that the connecting groove 23 is recessed from the inner surface 21 of the plastic body 20 toward the outer surface 22 of the plastic body 20, but does not penetrate through the outer surface 22 of the plastic body 20. As for the inner end face 31 of the conductor 30, it also protrudes from the inner surface 21 of the plastic body 20 and touches the corresponding button of the moving device with a convex arc-shaped surface. The outer end face 32 of the conductor 30 is covered by the plastic body 20, which can prevent the outline of the conductor 30 from being exposed and affecting the vision or tactile feel.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 6. The button 18c of the third embodiment of the present invention is structurally similar to that of the first embodiment described above. However, the difference lies in that the plastic body 40 consists of multiple spacers 41 arranged at equal intervals (five are used as an example in this embodiment). Each spacer 41 is located between two adjacent conductive bodies 30 and is connected to the two adjacent conductive bodies 30 by its two opposite sides, so that each spacer 41 separates the two adjacent conductive bodies 30. In addition, the inner and outer end faces 42, 43 of each spacer 41 are flush with the inner and outer end faces 31, 32 of each conductive body 30, respectively. A surface layer 44 covers the outer end face 43 of each spacer 41 and the outer end face 32 of each conductive body 30. The surface layer 44 can be made of leather, plastic, rubber or glass. The surface layer 44 can not only improve the appearance and texture, but also prevent the conductive bodies 30 from being directly rubbed by external foreign objects, thereby improving their service life.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 7. The button 18d of the fourth embodiment of the present invention is structurally similar to that of the third embodiment described above. However, the difference is that the plastic body 50 consists of multiple elongated connectors 51 (five in this embodiment). Each connector 51 is located between two adjacent conductive bodies 30 and is connected to the two adjacent conductive bodies 30 with its two opposite ends, so that a gap G is formed between the two adjacent conductive bodies 30. The gap G increases the flexibility of the button 18d to improve the pressing comfort and installation convenience, while reducing the possibility of the button 18d breaking under axial force, thereby improving the structural strength.

[0035] Referring to Figure 8, the button 18e of the fifth embodiment of the present invention is structurally similar to that of the second embodiment described above. The difference lies in that, besides the different shape of the connecting groove 63 and the fact that the inner end faces 31 of each conductor 30 are flush with the inner surface 61 of the plastic body 60, the plastic body 60 also has a plurality of narrow portions 62 (five in this embodiment). Each narrow portion 62 is located between two adjacent conductors 30, separating them. These narrow portions 62 enhance the flexibility of the button 18e for easier installation, while also reducing the possibility of breakage under axial force, thereby improving structural strength.

[0036] Referring to Figure 9, the difference between the button 18f in the sixth embodiment of the present invention and the embodiments described above is that the conductor 30 is bonded to the inner surface 71 of the plastic body 70. Furthermore, the inner surface 71 of the plastic body 70 has multiple notches 72 (five in this embodiment), each notch 72 located between two adjacent conductors 30, thus separating them. The notches 72 enhance the flexibility of the button 18f for easier installation, while also reducing the likelihood of breakage under axial force, thereby improving structural strength.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 10. The button 18g of the seventh embodiment of the present invention is structurally similar to that of the first embodiment described above. However, the difference lies in that the plastic body 80 has an inner surface 81, an outer surface 82, a plurality of mating grooves 83 (five in this embodiment), and a plurality of receiving grooves 84 (five in this embodiment). Each mating groove 83 is recessed from the outer surface 82 toward the inner surface 81, and a conductor 30 is disposed in each mating groove 83. Each receiving groove 84 is recessed from the inner surface 81 toward the outer surface 82 and is connected to each mating groove 83 in a one-to-one manner. An elastic body 85 is disposed in each receiving groove 84 to abut against the conductor 30. Through the elastic force of the elastic body 85, the conductor 30 can operate independently and provide a special pressing feel.

[0038] In summary, regardless of which structure the plastic bodies 20, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 are presented in, the arrangement of the conductor 30 enables the buttons 18a-18g of this invention to exhibit good conductivity while effectively protecting the corresponding buttons of the mobile device from damage. Furthermore, by utilizing the potential difference formed between the buttons and the plastic bodies 20, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80, accurate sensing and reliable pressing are achieved.

[0039] 1: Protective casing for mobile devices 2: Mobile Device 10: Protective Case for Mobile Devices 12: Back panel 14: Border 16: Button mounting hole 162:embedded convex part 18a~18g: Button 20: Plastic body 202: embedded card recess 21: Inner surface 22: Outer surface 23: Connecting groove 24: First tapering section 25: Second tapering section 26: Limiting part 30: Conductor 31: Inner end face 32: Outer end face 33: Limiting groove 40: Plastic body 41: Spacer 42: Inner end face 43: Outer end face 44: Surface 50: Plastic body 51: Connector G: Gap 60: Plastic body 61: Inner surface 62: Narrow section 63: Connecting groove 70: Plastic body 71: Inner surface 72: Gap 80: Plastic body 81: Inner surface 82: Outer surface 83: Combination groove 84: Container 85: Elastomers

Claims

1. A button for a mobile device protective case, comprising: a plastic body having a length direction; and a plurality of conductors bonded to the plastic body and arranged at intervals along the length direction of the plastic body, each conductor being made of a mixture of a plastic material and a conductive material, or made of a conductive polymer.

2. The button of the mobile device protective case as described in claim 1, wherein, The conductive material can be a metal, carbon nanotubes, or polypyrrole.

3. The button of the mobile device protective case as described in claim 1, wherein, Each conductor contains 50% to 90% by weight of the conductive material.

4. The button of the mobile device protective case as described in claim 1, wherein, The plastic body is elongated and has multiple bonding grooves that are spaced apart along the length of the plastic body and bonded to the conductors.

5. The button of the mobile device protective case as described in claim 4, wherein, The plastic body has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the joint grooves penetrate the inner surface and the outer surface.

6. The button of the mobile device protective case as described in claim 5, wherein, Each of the mating grooves has a first tapered portion, a second tapered portion, and a limiting portion. The outer diameter of the first tapered portion gradually decreases from the inner surface to the outer surface, and the outer diameter of the second tapered portion gradually decreases from the outer surface to the inner surface. The limiting portion connects the first tapered portion and the second tapered portion, and the outer diameter of the limiting portion is smaller than the outer diameters of the first tapered portion and the second tapered portion. Each conductor has a limiting groove on its outer peripheral surface, and the limiting groove of each conductor is embedded in the limiting portion of each mating groove.

7. The button of the mobile device protective case as described in claim 5, wherein, Each conductor has an outer end face that is flush with the outer surface of the plastic body.

8. The button of the mobile device protective case as described in claim 5, wherein, Each of the conductors has an inner end face that protrudes from the inner surface of the plastic body.

9. The button of the mobile device protective case as described in claim 8, wherein, The inner end face of each conductor is convex arc-shaped.

10. The button of the mobile device protective case as described in claim 4, wherein, The plastic body has an inner surface and an outer surface, and each of the mating grooves is recessed from the inner surface toward the outer surface.

11. The button of the mobile device protective case as described in claim 10, wherein, Each of the conductors has an inner end face that protrudes from the inner surface of the plastic body.

12. The button of the mobile device protective case as described in claim 11, wherein, The inner end face of each conductor is convex arc-shaped.

13. The button of the mobile device protective case as described in claim 12, wherein, The plastic body has multiple narrow sections, each of which is located between two adjacent conductors.

14. The button of the mobile device protective case as described in claim 4, wherein, The plastic body has an inner surface and an outer surface. Each of the bonding grooves is recessed from the outer surface toward the inner surface and is bonded to a conductor. The plastic body also has a plurality of receiving grooves. Each receiving groove is recessed from the inner surface toward the outer surface and is connected to the bonding grooves in a one-to-one manner. An elastic body that abuts against the conductor is disposed in each receiving groove.

15. The button of the mobile device protective case as described in claim 1, wherein, The plastic body comprises multiple spacers, each spacer being located between two adjacent conductors and connected to the two adjacent conductors by its two opposite sides; each spacer and each conductor is covered by a surface layer.

16. The button of the mobile device protective case as described in claim 1, wherein, The plastic body consists of multiple strip-shaped connectors, each of which is located between two adjacent conductors and is connected to the two adjacent conductors at its two opposite ends, thereby forming a gap between the two adjacent conductors.

17. The button of the mobile device protective case as described in claim 1, wherein, The plastic body is elongated and has an inner surface. The conductors are bonded to the inner surface. The inner surface of the plastic body has multiple notches, each of which is located between two adjacent conductors.

18. The button of the mobile device protective case as described in claim 1, wherein, The conductive polymer is polypyrrole.

19. A mobile device protective case assembly comprising: a mobile device protective case having a frame having a button mounting hole; and a button as described in any one of claims 1 to 17, disposed in the button mounting hole of the frame and attached to the frame of the protective case by the plastic body.

20. The protective casing for the mobile device as described in claim 19, wherein, The protective case for the mobile device also has a back panel, the outer perimeter of which is connected to the frame.

21. The protective casing for the mobile device as described in claim 19, wherein, The button mounting hole has two opposing recessed protrusions on its wall and two opposing recessed recesses on its outer peripheral surface. The recessed recesses are detachably engaged with the protrusions.

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