Button module and electronic device

Abstract

The present application discloses a button module (1) and an electronic device. The button module (1) comprises a support assembly (10), a button assembly (11) and a piezoelectric module. The button assembly (11) is mounted on the support assembly (10), and the piezoelectric module is mounted on the support assembly (10). The piezoelectric module comprises a piezoelectric sheet (12), and the piezoelectric sheet (12) has a first deformed side (121). The piezoelectric module further comprises a first protective plate (13) and a second protective plate (14), wherein the first protective plate (13) is connected to the first deformed side (121) of the piezoelectric sheet (12), and the second protective plate (14) is connected to the side of the first protective plate (13) away from the piezoelectric sheet (12). The stiffness of the second protective plate (14) is greater than that of the first protective plate (13). A part of the button assembly (11) is connected to the first protective plate (13).

Description

Button modules and electronic devices

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410806439.7, filed on June 20, 2024, entitled "Button Module and Electronic Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of electronic product technology, and more specifically, to a button module and an electronic device. Background Technology

[0003] With the development of science and technology and the improvement of living standards, various electronic products have gradually entered thousands of households and become necessities for people's lives; people's requirements for the user experience of electronic products are also getting higher and higher. Traditional mobile phone vibration relies on motors, which can only achieve the vibration of the whole device, and the vibration is monotonous; in recent years, button modules that can provide local vibration and haptic feedback have begun to be applied to electronic products to provide users with better tactile feedback and enhance the user experience.

[0004] However, this type of button module, which can provide localized vibration, has the disadvantage of poor drop performance, which seriously restricts the widespread application of such buttons.

[0005] In view of this, a new technical solution is needed to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One objective of this disclosure is to provide a new technical solution for a button module and an electronic device.

[0007] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a button module is provided, the button module comprising:

[0008] Support components;

[0009] A button assembly, wherein the button assembly is mounted on the support assembly;

[0010] A piezoelectric module is mounted on the support assembly; the piezoelectric module includes a piezoelectric sheet having a first deformable side.

[0011] The piezoelectric module further includes a first protection plate and a second protection plate, wherein the first protection plate is connected to the first deformation side of the piezoelectric sheet, and the second protection plate is connected to the side of the first protection plate away from the piezoelectric sheet; the stiffness of the second protection plate is greater than that of the first protection plate.

[0012] A portion of the button assembly is connected to the first protection plate.

[0013] Optionally, the material of the second protective plate is the same as that of the first protective plate, and the thickness of the second protective plate is greater than that of the first protective plate.

[0014] Optionally, both the first protection board and the second protection board are printed circuit boards.

[0015] Optionally, the button module further includes a pressure sensor and a main controller. The pressure sensor is located on the side of the second protection board away from the first protection board. Both the pressure sensor and the piezoelectric element are electrically connected to the main controller.

[0016] Optionally, the first protective plate has a first side surface connected to the piezoelectric sheet, the area of ​​the first side surface is larger than the area of ​​the first deformable side surface, and the first deformable side surface is fixedly connected to the first side surface as a whole.

[0017] Optionally, the first protective plate has a second side away from the piezoelectric sheet, and the central region of the second side is fixedly connected to the second protective plate.

[0018] Optionally, a portion of the button assembly is connected to the edge region of the second side.

[0019] Optionally, the second protective plate has a third side connected to the first protective plate, the area of ​​which is larger than the area of ​​the second side.

[0020] Optionally, the button assembly includes a button body and a connecting post, the connecting post being disposed on the side of the button body near the second protective plate;

[0021] The second protective plate has a clearance through hole, and the connecting post passes through the clearance through hole and is connected to the first protective plate.

[0022] Optionally, the button module further includes a buffer, which is disposed on the side of the second protection plate away from the first protection plate.

[0023] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, an electronic device is provided, the electronic device including a button module as described in the first aspect.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a button module is provided that effectively protects the piezoelectric sheet by connecting a first protective plate and a second protective plate to the first side of the piezoelectric sheet's deformation, thereby improving the drop performance of the button module and the electronic products to which it is applied.

[0025] Other features and advantages of this disclosure will become clear from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with their description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 1a is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a button module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 1b is an exploded structural diagram of a button module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 1c is a second exploded structural diagram of a button module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of the force deformation of a piezoelectric sheet in a button module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of the stress deformation of a piezoelectric sheet in a button module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Button module; 10. Support assembly; 101. Support frame; 102. Support bracket; 11. Button assembly; 111. Button body; 112. Connecting post; 12. Piezoelectric sheet; 121. First deformation side; 122. Second deformation side; 13. First protective plate; 131. First side; 132. Second side; 14. Second protective plate; 141. Third side; 140. Clearance through hole; 15. Pressure sensor; 16. Buffer. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0034] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit this disclosure or its application or use.

[0035] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0036] In all the examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0037] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be discussed further in subsequent figures.

[0038] Referring to Figures 1a-2b, according to an embodiment of this disclosure, a button module 1 is provided. The button module 1 includes a support assembly 10, a button assembly 11, and a piezoelectric module. The button assembly 11 is mounted on the support assembly 10; the piezoelectric module is mounted on the support assembly 10; the piezoelectric module includes a piezoelectric sheet 12, the piezoelectric sheet 12 having a first deformable side 121.

[0039] The piezoelectric module further includes a first protection plate 13 and a second protection plate 14, wherein the first protection plate 13 is connected to the first deformation side 121 of the piezoelectric sheet 12, and the second protection plate 14 is connected to the side of the first protection plate 13 away from the piezoelectric sheet 12; the stiffness of the second protection plate 14 is greater than the stiffness of the first protection plate 13; a portion of the button assembly 11 is connected to the first protection plate 13.

[0040] In the button module provided in this embodiment, when a user applies force to the button assembly 11, the piezoelectric sheet 12 can deform to provide the user with a tactile feedback of vibration, thereby improving the user's experience.

[0041] In practical applications, piezoelectric pads 12 are mostly piezoelectric ceramic sheets. When the piezoelectric pad 12 receives an electrical signal fed back by the pressing force, the piezoelectric pad 12 will produce a deformation of one side contracting and the other side stretching, thereby causing vibration. The vibration of the piezoelectric pad 12 caused by different pressing forces is different, thereby achieving the effect of identifying different pressure states and feeding back different local vibrations.

[0042] When the electronic product to which this button module is used is dropped, the piezoelectric element 12 will be subjected to either force F1 as shown in Figure 2a or force F2 as shown in Figure 2b. Due to the inherent material properties of the piezoelectric element, force F1 in Figure 2a is less likely to damage the piezoelectric element 12; that is, the piezoelectric element 12 can withstand a relatively large force of F1. However, force F2 in Figure 2b is more likely to damage the piezoelectric element 12; that is, the piezoelectric element 12 can withstand a relatively small force of F2. Therefore, in practical applications, it is necessary to prevent the piezoelectric element 12 from deforming and bending as shown in Figure 2b.

[0043] In the button module provided in this embodiment, when the electronic product to which the button module is applied is dropped, the impact force is transmitted from the button assembly 11 to the first protective plate 13 connected to the button assembly 11. At this instant, the first protective plate 13 causes the piezoelectric sheet 12 to bend. Since the impact force is transmitted from the direction close to the first deformation side 121, the piezoelectric sheet 12 will undergo the deformation shown in FIG2a. This deformation is not likely to cause damage to the piezoelectric sheet 12. After the first protective plate 13 causes the piezoelectric sheet 12 to bend, the first protective plate 13 will rebound and cause the piezoelectric sheet 12 to bend in the opposite direction. This reverse bending is the deformation bending shown in Figure 2b. Since the first protective plate 13 is connected to the second protective plate 14, and the stiffness of the second protective plate 14 is greater than that of the first protective plate 13, the second protective plate 14 restricts the bending caused by the rebound of the first protective plate 13 during the process of the first protective plate 13 causing the piezoelectric sheet 12 to bend in the opposite direction. This reduces the degree of reverse deformation bending of the piezoelectric sheet 12 as shown in Figure 2b, thus effectively protecting the piezoelectric sheet 12 and improving the drop performance of the button module and the electronic products in which it is applied.

[0044] In one embodiment, the material of the second protective plate 14 is the same as that of the first protective plate 13, and the thickness of the second protective plate 14 is greater than that of the first protective plate 13.

[0045] In this specific example, the first protective plate 13 and the second protective plate 14 can be made of the same material, for example, both the first protective plate 13 and the second protective plate 14 are stainless steel plates. Furthermore, the thickness of the second protective plate 14 is greater than the thickness of the first protective plate 13, thereby ensuring that the rigidity of the second protective plate 14 is greater than that of the first protective plate 13.

[0046] In one embodiment, both the first protection board 13 and the second protection board 14 are printed circuit boards.

[0047] In this specific example, a PCB board can be selected as the first protection board 13 and the second protection board 14, thereby integrating the hardware circuit and making the button module more integrated, thus effectively saving space in electronic products.

[0048] Referring to Figures 1b and 1c, in one embodiment, the button module further includes a pressure sensor 15 and a main controller. The pressure sensor 15 is disposed on the side of the second protection plate 14 away from the first protection plate 13. Both the pressure sensor 15 and the piezoelectric element 12 are electrically connected to the main controller.

[0049] In this specific example, when the user applies force to the button assembly 11, the button assembly 11 causes the second protection plate 14 to deform. The pressure sensor 15 mounted on the second protection plate 14 can detect this deformation and send a signal back to the main controller. The main controller sends an alternating electrical signal to the piezoelectric element 12 based on the feedback signal, thereby causing the piezoelectric element 12 to undergo mechanical deformation and vibrate. The main controller can be, for example, a main control chip integrated on a PCB board.

[0050] Referring to Figures 1a to 1c, in one embodiment, the first protective plate 13 has a first side surface 131 connected to the piezoelectric sheet 12. The area of ​​the first side surface 131 is larger than the area of ​​the first deformation side surface 121, and the first deformation side surface 121 is fixedly connected to the first side surface 131 as a whole.

[0051] In this specific example, the first deformable side 121 of the piezoelectric sheet 12, which is connected to the first protective plate 13, is completely fixed to the first side 131 of the first protective plate 13. For example, the first deformable side 121 is completely bonded to the first protective plate 13 using adhesive. This ensures that the first protective plate 13 can deform along with the piezoelectric sheet 12, and the first protective plate 13 then transmits the deformation vibration of the piezoelectric sheet 12 to the button assembly 11 connected to the first protective plate 13, thereby providing the user with a tactile feedback of vibration. At the same time, the piezoelectric sheet 12 and the first protective plate 13 are completely bonded together, and the first protective plate 13 can provide effective protection for the piezoelectric sheet 12.

[0052] Referring to Figures 1a to 1c, in one embodiment, the first protective plate 13 has a second side 132 away from the piezoelectric sheet 12, and the central region of the second side 132 is fixedly connected to the second protective plate 14.

[0053] In this specific example, the second side 132 of the first protective plate 13 is fixedly connected to the second protective plate 14 only in its central region. The connection method can be, for example, laser welding or adhesive bonding. The edge region of the second side 132 is in a free state, that is, the edge region of the second side 132 is not fixedly connected to the second protective plate 14; that is, only the central region of the second side 132 of the first protective plate 13 is in a constrained state, while the edge region is in a free state. This ensures that when the piezoelectric sheet 12 receives an alternating electrical signal and deforms and vibrates, the piezoelectric sheet 12 can drive the first protective plate 13 to deform together, thereby transmitting the vibration to the button assembly 11.

[0054] Referring to Figures 1a to 1c, in one embodiment, a portion of the button assembly 11 is connected to the edge region of the second side 132.

[0055] In this specific example, the button assembly 11 is connected to the unconstrained edge area of ​​the second side 132, thereby ensuring that the button assembly 11 can receive the deformation vibration from the first protective plate 13 in a timely and accurate manner.

[0056] Referring to Figures 1a to 1c, in one embodiment, the second protective plate 14 has a third side 141 connected to the first protective plate 13, and the area of ​​the third side 141 is larger than the area of ​​the second side 132.

[0057] In a specific example, the second protective plate 14, the first protective plate 13, and the piezoelectric sheet 12 are all rectangular parallelepipeds, and their cross-sectional areas decrease sequentially. The second protective plate 14 has the largest cross-sectional area, which facilitates the installation of the pressure sensor 15, and it deforms under the action of the button assembly 11.

[0058] Referring to Figures 1a to 1c, in one embodiment, the button assembly 11 includes a button body 111 and a connecting post 112, wherein the connecting post 112 is disposed on the side of the button body 111 near the second protective plate 14.

[0059] The second protective plate 14 has an avoidance through hole 140, and the connecting post 112 passes through the avoidance through hole 140 and is connected to the first protective plate 13.

[0060] In this specific example, one side of the button body 111 is exposed to the support assembly 10, and the other side of the button body 111 is connected to the connecting post 112. The connecting post 112 passes through the clearance through hole 140 and is connected to the first protective plate 13, thereby accurately transmitting vibration between the button body 111 and the first protective plate 13. When the electronic product to which this button module is used is dropped, the impact force is transmitted from the button body 111 to the connecting post 112 and then to the first protective plate 13 connected to the connecting post 112. When the piezoelectric sheet 12 receives an alternating electrical signal and deforms and vibrates, the piezoelectric sheet 12 drives the first protective plate 13 to deform and vibrate together. The first protective plate 13 transmits the deformation vibration to the connecting post 112 and then to the button body 111.

[0061] Optionally, the support assembly 10 includes a support frame 101 and a support bracket 102, which can be connected by snap-fit, threaded connection or welded connection.

[0062] Referring to Figures 1b to 1c, in one embodiment, the button module further includes a buffer 16, which is disposed on the side of the second protection plate 14 away from the first protection plate 13.

[0063] In this specific example, the buffer 16 can, to a certain extent, cushion the impact and absorb the vibration deformation during a fall; optionally, the buffer 16 is made of silicone.

[0064] According to another embodiment of this disclosure, an electronic device is provided, the electronic device including the button module 1 as described above. The electronic device may be, for example, a mobile phone.

[0065] The above embodiments mainly describe the differences between the various embodiments. As long as the different optimization features between the various embodiments are not contradictory, they can be combined to form a better embodiment. For the sake of brevity, they will not be elaborated here.

[0066] While specific embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail by way of example, those skilled in the art should understand that the examples are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A button module, characterized in that, The button module includes: Support component (10); A button assembly (11) is mounted on the support assembly (10); A piezoelectric module is mounted on the support assembly (10); the piezoelectric module includes a piezoelectric sheet (12) having a first deformable side (121); The piezoelectric module further includes a first protection plate (13) and a second protection plate (14), wherein the first protection plate (13) is connected to the first deformation side (121) of the piezoelectric sheet (12), and the second protection plate (14) is connected to the side of the first protection plate (13) away from the piezoelectric sheet (12); the stiffness of the second protection plate (14) is greater than the stiffness of the first protection plate (13); A portion of the button assembly (11) is connected to the first protection plate (13).

2. The button module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material of the second protective plate (14) is the same as that of the first protective plate (13), and the thickness of the second protective plate (14) is greater than that of the first protective plate (13).

3. The button module according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the first protection board (13) and the second protection board (14) are printed circuit boards.

4. The button module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The button module also includes a pressure sensor (15) and a main controller. The pressure sensor (15) is located on the side of the second protection plate (14) away from the first protection plate (13). The pressure sensor (15) and the piezoelectric sheet (12) are both electrically connected to the main controller.

5. The button module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first protective plate (13) has a first side surface (131) connected to the piezoelectric sheet (12), the area of ​​the first side surface (131) is larger than the area of ​​the first deformable side surface (121), and the first deformable side surface (121) is fixedly connected to the first side surface (131) as a whole.

6. The button module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first protective plate (13) has a second side (132) away from the piezoelectric sheet (12), and the central region of the second side (132) is fixedly connected to the second protective plate (14).

7. The button module according to claim 6, characterized in that, A portion of the button assembly (11) is connected to the edge region of the second side (132).

8. The button module according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The second protective plate (14) has a third side (141) connected to the first protective plate (13), and the area of ​​the third side (141) is larger than the area of ​​the second side (132).

9. The button module according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that, The button assembly (11) includes a button body (111) and a connecting post (112), wherein the connecting post (112) is disposed on the side of the button body (111) near the second protective plate (14); The second protective plate (14) has a clearance through hole (140), and the connecting post (112) passes through the clearance through hole (140) and is connected to the first protective plate (13).

10. The button module according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The button module also includes a buffer (16), which is disposed on the side of the second protection plate (14) away from the first protection plate (13).

11. An electronic device, characterized in that, The electronic device includes a button module as described in any one of claims 1-10.

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