Button

Abstract

A button includes: a substrate, a frame, a cover, a resilient conductive element, and a sensing switch. The frame is disposed on the substrate and has an opening on a side of the frame away from the substrate. The cover is movably disposed at the opening. The resilient conductive element is disposed between the substrate and the cover and surrounded by the frame. The sensing switch is electrically connected to the resilient conductive element and is adapted to generate a first control signal. The sensing switch forms a sensing area on the side of the cover away from the substrate via the resilient conductive element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a button, and more particularly to a button with a non-contact button function. Prior Technology

[0002] Buttons are common signal input devices, allowing users to input signals by pressing them. For hygiene reasons, some buttons now offer the ability to input commands via non-contact sensing methods such as infrared or ultrasound. Among various non-contact sensing methods, capacitive sensing, which generates signals by sensing changes in an electric field, has significant development potential due to its reliable mechanical structure and ability to sense a wide variety of objects.

[0003] Capacitive sensing switches include switches that use ITO electrodes. ITO electrodes have the advantage of being thin, but because the structure of the ITO electrode in the wire part is relatively fragile compared to ordinary wires, it can easily affect the usability and durability of the button. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a button that functions as a non-contact button, and is simple in construction, easy to repair and assemble.

[0005] To achieve the above advantages, one embodiment of the present invention provides a button, including: a substrate, a frame, a cover plate, an elastic conductive element, a contact switch, and a sensing switch. The frame is disposed on the substrate and has an opening on the side away from the substrate. The cover plate is movably disposed at the opening. The elastic conductive element is disposed between the substrate and the cover plate and surrounded by the frame. The sensing switch is electrically connected to the elastic conductive element and is adapted to generate a first control signal. The sensing switch forms a sensing area on the side of the cover plate away from the substrate through the elastic conductive element.

[0006] In one embodiment, the aforementioned elastic conductive element is an elastic conductive needle.

[0007] In one embodiment, the aforementioned elastic conductive element is a spring.

[0008] In one embodiment, the aforementioned elastic conductive element is a tapered spring that tapers from the cover plate toward the substrate.

[0009] In one embodiment, the button further includes a cover light-emitting element, which is disposed on a substrate and surrounded by a spring.

[0010] In one embodiment, the cover plate is a light-transmitting plate.

[0011] In one embodiment, the button further includes a contact switch disposed on the substrate and located within the frame, the contact switch being adapted to generate a second control signal when pushed by the cover plate.

[0012] In one embodiment, the button further includes a middle frame disposed within the frame and located between the substrate and the cover plate, and is adapted to be pushed by the cover plate to contact the contact switch.

[0013] In one embodiment, the aforementioned middle frame has a body and a plurality of spring arms, the spring arms extending from the body toward the substrate and adapted to create a gap between the body and the contact switch, the body contacting the cover plate and adapted to be pushed by the cover plate to contact the contact switch.

[0014] In one embodiment, the above-mentioned elastic conductive member has a conductive frame and a plurality of conductive spring arms. The conductive spring arms extend from the conductive frame toward the substrate and are electrically connected to the substrate. They are adapted to create a gap between the conductive frame and the contact switch. The conductive frame contacts the cover plate and is adapted to form a sensing area. The conductive frame is also adapted to be pushed by the cover plate to contact the contact switch.

[0015] Based on the above description, the button of the present invention, by using an elastic conductive element as the medium for generating the sensing area required for the sensing switch, can reduce the number of components in the button, simplify its construction, and thus facilitate maintenance and assembly.

[0016] To make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0017] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a button according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the button in the embodiment of Figure 1 along section line AA; Figures 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams of the button's operation along section AA in the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the optical imaging component in the embodiment of Figure 1; Figures 6 to 9 are schematic diagrams of the sensing area of ​​the button in other embodiments of the present invention. Implementation

[0018] In the following text, the terms used in the description of embodiments of the present invention, such as "upper" and "lower" indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings. These terms are merely for the convenience of describing the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention; that is, they do not indicate or imply that the mentioned elements must include a specific orientation or be constructed in a specific orientation. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" mentioned in this specification or the claims are only used to name elements or distinguish different embodiments or scopes, and are not used to limit the upper or lower limit of the number of elements.

[0019] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a button according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the button of the embodiment of Figure 1 along section line AA. The sizes of the sensing areas shown in the following descriptions are for illustrative purposes only; the actual size of the sensing area can be adjusted according to requirements. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the button 1 of this embodiment includes: a substrate 2, a frame 3, a cover plate 4, an elastic conductive element 5, and a sensing switch 7. The frame 3 is disposed on the substrate 2 and has an opening 31 on the side away from the substrate 2. The cover plate 4 is movably disposed in the opening 31. The elastic conductive element 5 is connected between the substrate 2 and the cover plate 4 and is disposed within the frame 3. The sensing switch 7 is electrically connected to the elastic conductive element 5 and is adapted to generate a first control signal. The sensing switch 7 forms a sensing area R1 (see Figure 2) on the side of the cover plate 4 away from the substrate 2 through the elastic conductive element 5.

[0020] According to the present invention, there are no restrictions on the installation object of button 1, such as, but not limited to, elevators or other operable devices. During installation, button 1 is, for example, installed on the trim panel 9 (FIG. 2) of an elevator and exposed through the opening 91 on the trim panel 9 to the cover plate 4.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the substrate 2 is adapted to directly or indirectly support the various components required for the button 1, including the aforementioned frame 3, cover plate 4, elastic conductive element 5, and sensing switch 7. The substrate 2 is, for example, but not limited to, a printed circuit board (PCB). The shape and size of the substrate 2 are not limited and can be, for example, corresponding to the shape of the frame 3 as needed.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the frame 3 is suitable for housing the cover plate 4 and the flexible conductive element 5, and is fixed to the decorative panel 9, for example, when installing the button 1, but is not limited thereto. The material of the frame 3 is, for example, plastic. The frame 3 is, for example, a rectangular frame, but can be set according to requirements. There is no particular limitation on the size of the frame 3, for example, the size of the opening 31 of the frame 3 can be greater than or equal to the size of the opening 91 on the decorative panel 9 (as shown in Figure 2).

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cover plate 4 covers the opening 31, which is suitable for preventing and protecting the resilient conductive element 5 from being exposed. In this embodiment, the cover plate 4 is also suitable for forming a pattern indicating the intention of the control button 1, but the manner is described in detail later.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the elastic conductive element 5 is connected between the substrate 2 and the cover plate 4. The elastic conductive element 5 is, for example, a spring fixed to the substrate 2. In a specific location, the elastic conductive element 5 is connected to the substrate 2 and corresponds to the center of the cover plate 4. In the thickness direction D of the button 1, the length of the elastic conductive element 5 when not subjected to external force is, for example, slightly longer than or equal to the distance between the cover plate 4 and the substrate 2, which can prevent the elastic conductive element 5 from separating from the substrate 2 or moving inside the button 1 and affecting the position of the sensing range R1.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sensing switch 7 is mounted on the substrate 2, for example. The mounting position of the sensing switch 7 is not particularly limited; for example, it can be mounted on the surface of the substrate 2 away from the frame 3, but this is not a limitation. The sensing switch 7 is, for example, a capacitive sensing switch. Specifically, the sensing switch 7 includes, for example, an oscillating circuit (not shown), which can sense whether an object is approaching the button 1 by sensing the changes caused when an object carrying static electricity enters its set electric field range (including the sensing area R1), such as changes in the oscillation frequency. In this embodiment, the sensing area R1 of the sensing switch 7 is, for example, formed on the side of the cover plate 4 away from the substrate 2, using only the elastic conductive element 5 as a medium.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment, button 1 further includes, for example, a contact switch 6. The contact switch 6 is disposed on the substrate 2 and located within the frame 3, and is adapted to generate a second control signal when pushed by the cover plate 4. By providing the contact switch 6, button 1 can function as a button that simultaneously generates control signals through pressing and through non-contact methods.

[0027] The contact switch 6 is, for example, a tactile switch, adapted to generate a second control signal when pressed or touched. Specifically, in this embodiment, the contact switch 6 generates a second control signal after being pushed by the middle frame 8 (described in detail later) driven by the cover plate 4. However, in other embodiments, since the shape of the cover plate 4 is not particularly limited, in some embodiments the contact switch 6 may also generate a second control signal after being directly pushed by the cover plate 4.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the button also includes, for example, a middle frame 8. The middle frame 8 is located within the frame 3 and between the substrate 2 and the cover plate 4, and surrounds the elastic conductive element 5. The middle frame 8 may be made of an elastic material, such as plastic.

[0029] Figures 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams of the button's operation along section AA in the embodiment of Figure 1. Specifically, the middle frame 8 has, for example, a body 81 and a plurality of spring arms 82 surrounding the body 81. The body 81 is adapted to contact the cover plate 4 when not subjected to external force, and to contact the contact switch 6 when the cover plate 4 moves, pushed by the cover plate 4. The shape of the body 81 is, for example, rectangular, and the position of the body 81 is, for example, above the contact switch 6 in the pressing direction (the same thickness direction D as the button 1).

[0030] In the thickness direction D, the spring arm 82 is located on the side of the body 81 near the substrate 2, and extends obliquely from the body 81 toward the substrate 2 relative to the thickness direction D. The spring arm 82 can be integrally formed with the body 81, as shown in FIG2. With this structure, when the button 1 is not subjected to external force, the body 81 of the middle frame 8 can contact the bottom of the cover plate 4, and on the side away from the cover plate 4, it is supported on the substrate 2 by the spring arm 82, thus creating a gap with the contact switch 6. As shown in FIG4 and FIG5, when the middle frame 8 is pushed by the cover plate 4, by changing the shape of the spring arm 82, the body 81 can contact and press the contact switch 6. It should be understood that in some embodiments, by changing the shape of the cover plate 4 or the detailed components of the contact switch 6, the button 1 may not include the middle frame 8.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the button also includes, for example, a light-emitting element 21. The light-emitting element 21 is mounted on the substrate 2 and is adapted to project a light beam L toward the opening 31. The light-emitting element 21 is, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED), and the wavelength range of the light beam L is, for example, within the wavelength range of visible light, but is not limited thereto. Specifically, the number of light-emitting elements 21 can be, for example, multiple, and the number and arrangement can be set according to requirements.

[0032] In this embodiment, because the elastic conductive element 5 is a spring, it has gaps and is not easily affected by the light path direction of the light-emitting element 21. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the elastic conductive element 5 can be arranged around the light-emitting element 21, or it can be surrounded by other light-emitting elements 21.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cover plate 4 covers the opening 31. In this embodiment, since the button 1 has the function of a contact button, the cover plate 4 is also adapted to contact the user's finger and to move toward the substrate 2 when pushed by the finger in order to trigger the contact switch 6. In addition, in this embodiment, the cover plate 4 is, for example, a light-transmitting element and includes a pressing element 41 and an optical imaging assembly 42.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pressing member 41 is located on the side of the cover plate 4 away from the substrate 2, suitable for contact with the user's fingers and protecting the optical imaging assembly 42. The pressing member 41 is, for example, injection molded from plastic. In terms of specific shape, the pressing member 41 includes, for example, a pressing portion 411 and an outer flange 412. The pressing portion 411 is, for example, circular, corresponding to and similar to the shape of the opening 91 on the trim panel 9. The outer flange 412 surrounds the pressing portion 411 and corresponds to the shape of the opening 31 of the frame 3, and can cover the entire opening 31. As shown in Figure 2, in the thickness direction D, the thickness of the pressing portion 411 can be greater than the thickness of the outer flange 412. When assembled, the surface of the pressing portion 411 can be aligned with the surface of the trim panel 9.

[0035] In this embodiment, the pressing member 41 includes, for example, a fixing block 413 and a guide block 414. The fixing block 413 is adapted to fix the optical imaging assembly 42. The fixing block 413 extends from the outer flange 412 along the thickness direction D toward the substrate 2, and has a claw 413a at one end. The claw 413a is used to lock the optical imaging assembly 42. The guide block 414 is disposed on the wall surface of the fixing block 413 away from the pressing part 411, and is adapted to slide in the guide rail 32 on the inner wall surface of the frame 3 during assembly. In this embodiment, the guide block 414 can abut against the wall surface of the guide rail 32 away from the substrate 2 when sliding, preventing the cover plate 4 from disengaging from the opening 31.

[0036] It should be understood that the shape and structure of the various pressing parts 41 described above can be set according to requirements and are not limited to the examples mentioned above.

[0037] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the optical imaging component in the embodiment of Figure 1. As shown in Figure 5, the optical imaging component 42 is disposed, for example, via a fixing block 413 on the side of the pressing member 41 near the substrate 2, and is adapted to form a suspended optical image P on the side of the cover plate 4 away from the substrate 2. The shape of the optical imaging component 42 corresponds, for example, to the shape of the pressing member 41, but is not limited thereto. The optical imaging component 42 includes, for example, a lens array 421, an imaging unit 422, and an optical path conversion unit 423 in sequence in the direction toward the substrate 2.

[0038] Lens array 421 is located on the side of optical imaging assembly 42 away from substrate 2. Lens array 421 is, for example, a lens array composed of multiple biconvex lenses, suitable for forming a stereoscopic image from the light beam L passing through imaging unit 422. Lens array 421 can determine the imaging position of the suspended optical image P, for example, the position corresponding to the sensing area R1. In other embodiments not shown, lens array 421 can also be a single-sided convex lens array, which can be set as needed. The material of lens array 421 is not limited, for example, glass or transparent acrylic resin.

[0039] Imaging unit 422 is disposed opposite to lens array 421 on the side facing substrate 2. Imaging unit 422 may be, for example, a film, photomask, or layer film with a preset pattern, but is not limited thereto. The preset pattern on imaging unit 422 corresponds to the suspended optical image P to be presented after the light beam L passes through optical imaging component 42. The image content of suspended optical image P is not limited, for example, it may correspond to the pattern required by the device on which button 1 is installed, such as numbers indicating elevator floors or patterns indicating the intention of operation commands input through button 1 (e.g., opening or closing doors).

[0040] The optical path conversion unit 423 is disposed on the side of the optical imaging assembly 42 near the substrate 2. The optical path conversion unit 423 is adapted to diffuse and / or convert the light beam L into a parallel light beam to improve the brightness of the suspended optical image P. The optical path conversion unit 423 is, for example, a Fresnel lens, but is not limited thereto. The material of the optical path conversion unit 423 may be the same as the material of the aforementioned lens array 421, but there is no particular limitation. In some embodiments, if the substrate 2 is provided with multiple light-emitting elements 21 to provide uniform illumination, the optical imaging assembly 42 may not have an optical path conversion unit 423.

[0041] Figures 6 to 9 are schematic diagrams of the button sensing area in other embodiments. As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the position and size of the sensing area R1 can be determined based on the position of the elastic conductive element 5 or the performance (sensitivity) of the sensing switch 7. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the button 1 forms a sensing area R1 at the center by installing the elastic conductive element 5 at the center of the cover plate 4. In the embodiment of Figure 6, the button 1a can form a sensing area R2 larger than the sensing area R1 at the same location using the same elastic conductive element 5 without changing the design or position of the elastic conductive element 5, but the way the sensing area is changed is not limited to this.

[0042] As shown in Figure 7, in one embodiment, the elastic conductive element 5a of button 1b is, for example, a tapered spring that tapers from the cover plate 4 towards the substrate 2, such that the projected area of ​​the elastic conductive element 5a near the cover plate 4 in the thickness direction D is larger than the projected area of ​​the side near the substrate 2. Therefore, as shown in Figures 2 and 7, since the projected area of ​​the elastic conductive element 5a of button 1b near the cover plate 4 is larger than the projected area of ​​the elastic conductive element 5 of button 1 near the cover plate 4, button 1b can form a sensing area R3 that is larger than the sensing area R1 of button 1. It should be understood that changing the shape of the elastic conductive element to change the size of the sensing area can be combined with changing the sensitivity of the sensing switch 7.

[0043] As shown in Figure 8, in one embodiment, the elastic conductive element 5b of button 1c is, for example, a plurality of conductive pins (or spring pins, pogo pins) evenly distributed within the frame 3, and the sensing area R4 is increased by increasing the number of elastic conductive elements 5b. As shown in Figures 2 and 8, since the number of elastic conductive elements 5b of button 1c is greater than the number of elastic conductive elements 5 of button 1, button 1c can form a sensing area composed of multiple sensing areas R4, which is larger than that of button 1 in Figure 6.

[0044] As shown in Figure 9, in one embodiment, the middle frame 8a of button 1d can be entirely made of conductive material. The middle frame 8a includes, for example, a conductive frame 81a (the shape of which corresponds to the body 81) and a conductive spring arm 82a (corresponding to the spring arm 82). In this embodiment, the middle frame 8a can be used as an elastic conductive element, and it forms the sensing area R5 through the conductive frame 81a. The middle frame 8a is electrically connected to the substrate 2 and the sensing switch 7 through the conductive spring arm 82a. In an embodiment not shown in the figure, a frame with a shape similar to the middle frame 8a can be made first using a non-conductive material. Then, a metal frame suitable for forming the sensing area is provided on the side of this frame that contacts the cover plate 4, and metal contacts for electrical connection to the substrate 2 are provided on the spring arm of this frame. The metal contacts and the metal frame are electrically connected through wires or conductive patterns on this frame, thus creating a component that is substantially similar in function and shape to the middle frame 8a described above.

[0045] As can be seen from the above description, in the above embodiments, the sensing area is only related to the elastic conductive element and the sensing switch 7 and is independent of the design of the cover plate 4. In other words, the shape and material of the cover plate 4 can be arbitrarily selected. In addition, since the sensing switch in the above embodiments generates the first control signal by whether an object enters the sensing area, in other words, when the button 1 generates the second control signal through the contact switch 6, the sensing switch 7 can also generate the first control signal at the same time without specially setting related control elements, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0046] Based on the above description, the button of the present invention, by using an elastic conductive element as the medium for generating the sensing area required for the sensing switch, can reduce the number of button components, simplify the button's structure, and thus facilitate maintenance and assembly. Furthermore, in embodiments where a contact switch is incorporated to function as both a contact and non-contact button, the button's elastic conductive element can simultaneously generate the rebound force required for the contact switch and the sensing area required for the sensing switch, thereby further reducing the number of button components and simplifying the button's structure.

[0047] Although the present invention has been disclosed above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

[0048] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d: Buttons 2:Substrate 21: Illuminating components 3: Frame 31: Opening 32: Guide rail 4: Cover plate 41: Pressing component 411: Pressing part 412: Outer flange 413: Fixed block 413a:Claw 414: Guide Block 42: Optical Imaging Components 421: Lens Array 422: Imaging Unit 423: Optical Path Conversion Unit 5, 5a, 5b: Elastic conductive components 6: Contact switch 7, 7a: Sensor switch 8, 8a: Middle frame 81:Ontology 81a: Conductive frame 82: Spinning arm 82a: Conductive spring arm 9: Decorative panels 91: Opening R1, R2, R3, R4, R5: Sensing areas P: Suspended optical image L: Beam D: Thickness direction AA: Section line

Claims

1. A button, comprising: One substrate; A frame is disposed on the substrate, the frame having an opening on the side away from the substrate; a cover plate is movably disposed at the opening; at least one elastic conductive element is disposed between the substrate and the cover plate and surrounded by the frame; and a sensing switch is electrically connected to the at least one elastic conductive element and adapted to generate a first control signal, the sensing switch forming at least one sensing area on the side of the cover plate away from the substrate through the at least one elastic conductive element; wherein the at least one elastic conductive element is at least one elastic conductive pin or a spring, or the at least one elastic conductive element has a conductive frame and a plurality of conductive spring arms, the conductive frame being adapted to form the at least one sensing area, and the conductive spring arms being connected to the conductive frame and extending toward the substrate.

2. The button as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastic conductive element is a tapered spring that tapers from the cover plate toward the substrate.

3. The button as claimed in claim 1, the cover plate further includes at least one light-emitting element disposed on the substrate and surrounded by the spring.

4. The button as described in claim 1, wherein the cover is a light-transmitting plate.

5. The button as claimed in claim 1 further includes a contact switch disposed on the substrate and located within the frame, the contact switch being adapted to generate a second control signal when pushed by the cover plate.

6. The button as claimed in claim 5 further includes a middle frame disposed within the frame and located between the substrate and the cover plate, and adapted to be pushed by the cover plate to contact the contact switch.

7. The button as claimed in claim 6, wherein the middle frame has a body and a plurality of spring arms extending from the body toward the substrate and adapted to create a gap between the body and the contact switch, the body contacting the cover plate and adapted to be pushed by the cover plate to contact the contact switch.

8. The button as claimed in claim 5, wherein the conductive spring arms are adapted to create a gap between the conductive frame and the contact switch, the conductive frame contacting the cover plate, and the conductive frame is also adapted to be pushed by the cover plate to contact the contact switch.

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