Button of mobile apparatus protective case and mobile apparatus protective case set having same

Abstract

A button of the present invention comprises a plastic body and a plurality of conductors, which are bonded to the plastic body and arranged at intervals in the length direction of the plastic body. Each conductor is formed by mixing a plastic material and a conductive material, so that each conductor exhibits good electrical conductivity. Thus, when the button of the present invention is touched by a finger, the objectives of sensing and pressing can be achieved by using a potential difference formed between the plastic body and the conductors. In addition, the present invention further provides a mobile apparatus protective case set having one of the aforementioned buttons.

Description

[0001] The button of the mobile device protective case and the mobile device protective case assembly with the button

[0002] [Technical Field]

[0003]

[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.

[0004] [Previous Technology]

[0005]

[0002] In order not to affect the functionality of the mobile device, existing protective cases will set corresponding buttons at the positions of the function buttons of the mobile device. This allows users to activate or deactivate the corresponding functions of the mobile device by pressing the buttons on the protective case without removing the protective case.

[0006]

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

[0007] [Summary of the Invention]

[0008]

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

[0009]

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned main objective, 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.

[0010]

[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 excellent 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 achieves accurate sensing and reliable pressing.

[0011]

[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.

[0012]

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

[0013] [0009J Preferably, the conductive polymer is polypyrrole.]

[0014]

[0010] Preferably, the plastic body is elongated and has a plurality of bonding grooves, which are spaced apart along the length of the plastic body and bonded to the conductors. Thus, the conductors are covered by the plastic body.

[0015]

[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. The outer diameter of the second tapered portion gradually decreases from the inner surface to the outer surface. The outer diameter of the tapered portion gradually decreases from the outer surface towards 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 diameter of the first tapered portion and the outer diameter of 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 connecting groove, making it difficult for each conductor to detach from the plastic body.

[0016]

[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.

[0017]

[0013] Preferably, each of the conductors has an outer end face, and when each of the bonding grooves 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.

[0018]

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

[0019]

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

[0020] [0016J 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 possibility of the button breaking under axial force, thereby improving structural strength.]

[0021]

[0017] Preferably, the plastic body is a plurality of 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 improves the appearance and texture and prevents each conductor from being directly rubbed by external foreign objects, thereby improving its service life.

[0022]

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

[0023]

[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 a plurality of notches, each notch located between two adjacent conductors. These notches enhance the flexibility of the button for easier installation, while reducing the likelihood of breakage under axial stress, thereby improving structural strength.

[0024]

[0020] Preferably, the plastic body has an inner surface and an outer surface, and each of the bonding grooves is recessed from the outer surface toward the inner surface and bonded to a conductor. The plastic body further has a plurality of receiving grooves, each of the receiving grooves is recessed from the inner surface toward the outer surface and is connected to the bonding grooves in a one-to-one manner, and an elastic body is disposed in each receiving groove to abut against the conductor. By means of the elastic force of each elastic body, each conductor can operate independently and provide a special pressing feel.

[0025]

[0021] In another aspect, a secondary 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, the frame having 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, thereby enabling the mobile device protective case assembly of the present invention to achieve accurate sensing and reliable pressing effects through the good conductivity provided by the button.

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

[0026] [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0027]

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

[0028]

Implementation Method

[0029]

[0024] The applicant hereby clarifies that, in the embodiments described below, directional terms are based on the directions in the drawings, but are only for illustrative purposes 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 component reference numerals represent the same or similar components or their structural features.

[0025] Please refer to Figure 1 first. The mobile device protective case assembly 1 of the present invention is used to cover a mobile device 2 (e.g., mobile phone, tablet computer, smartwatch, or wireless charging case for headphones). Although the state presented 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 a back plate 12 and may only have a frame 14.

[0030]

[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 bodies 30 (six are used as an example in this embodiment, but are not limited to six).

[0031]

[0027] In the wood embodiment, the plastic wood 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 embedded in 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 combined into a whole. By means of the above-mentioned interlocking relationship, under normal use, the plastic body 20 will not easily detach from the button mounting hole 16 of the frame 14. However, as long as the applied force is greater than the interlocking 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 extend along the length of the plastic body 20. The directions are arranged at equal intervals. However, 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 plastic body 20 along its length is smaller, while the interval between two adjacent mating grooves 23 near the middle part of the plastic body 20 is larger. This can be designed according to the button characteristics of the mobile device corresponding to button 18a. In addition, as shown in FIG4, each mating 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 to the outer surface 22, and the inner diameter of the second tapered portion 25 gradually decreases from the outer surface 22 to 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.

[0032]

[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. 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).

[0033]

[0029] Referring again to Figure 3, the conductors 30 are joined one-to-one in 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 again 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 embedded in the limiting part 26 of each joining groove 23. In this way, by means of the structural configuration between the limiting part 26 and the first tapered part 24 and the second tapered part 25, the conductors...

[0034] 30 provides a softer pressing feel, and at the same time, the engagement relationship between the limiting part 26 and the limiting groove 33 makes it less likely for the conductor 30 to detach from the plastic body 20.

[0035]

[0030] Please continue referring 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.

[0036] 【0()31】 As described above, through the conductive material 30, which is a mixture of plastic and conductive materials, the button 18a of the present invention exhibits 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 formed between the plastic body 20 and the conductive material 30 achieves precise sensing and reliable pressing.

[0037]

[0032] It should be added that the invention can also have different structural variations according to actual needs. Please refer 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 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 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, so as to avoid the outline of the conductor 30 being exposed and affecting the vision or tactile feel.

[0038]

[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. The difference is 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 conductors 30 and is connected to the two adjacent conductors 30 by its two opposite sides, so that each spacer 41 separates the two adjacent conductors 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 conductor 30, respectively. A surface layer 44 covers the outer end face 43 of each spacer 41 and the outer end face 32 of each conductor 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 conductors 30 from being directly rubbed by external foreign objects, thereby improving the service life.

[0039]

[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 conductors 30 and is connected to the two adjacent conductors 30 with its two opposite ends, so that a gap G is formed between the two adjacent conductors 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.

[0040]

[0035] Please refer 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. However, the difference lies in that, in addition to the different shape of the connecting groove 63 and the fact that the inner end face 31 of each conductor 30 is 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 and separates the two adjacent conductors 30. By means of these narrow portions 62, the flexibility of the button 18e is improved to facilitate installation, and at the same time, the possibility of the button 18e breaking under axial force is reduced, thereby improving the structural strength.

[0041]

[0036] Please refer to Figure 9. The difference between the button 18f of the sixth embodiment of the present invention and the above embodiments is that the conductor 30 is bonded to the inner surface 71 of the plastic body 70. In addition, the inner surface 71 of the plastic body 70 has a plurality of notches 72 (two in this embodiment), and each notch 72 is located between two adjacent conductors 30. The two adjacent conductors 30 are separated. The notch 72 increases the flexibility of the button 18f to facilitate installation, while reducing the possibility of the button 18f breaking under axial force, thereby improving structural strength.

[0042]

[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 conductive body 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 conductive body 30. By means of the elastic force of the elastic body 85, the conductive body 30 can operate independently and provide a special pressing feel.

[0043]

[0038] In summary, regardless of which structure the plastic bodies 20, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 are presented, through the configuration of the conductor 30, the buttons 18a~18g of the present invention 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 effects are achieved.

[0044] [Symbol Explanation]

[0045]

[0039]

[0046] 1: Protective casing for mobile devices

[0047] 2: Mobile Device

[0048] 10: Protective Case for Mobile Devices

[0049] 12: Back panel

[0050] 14: Border

[0051] 16: Button mounting hole 162: Embedded R convex part

[0052] 18a~18g: Button

[0053] 20: Plastic body

[0054] 202: embedded card recess

[0055] 21: Inner surface

[0056] 22: Outer surface

[0057] 23: Connecting groove

[0058] 24: First tapering section

[0059] 25: Second tapering section

[0060] 26: Limiting part

[0061] 30: Conductor

[0062] 31: Inner end face

[0063] 32: Outer end face

[0064] 33: Limiting groove

[0065] 40: Plastic body

[0066] 41: Spacer

[0067] 42: Inner end face

[0068] 43 Xibu End Face

[0069] 44: Surface

[0070] 50: Plastic body

[0071] 51: Connector

[0072] G: Gap ii: Plastic body: Inner surface: Narrow part: Joint groove: Plastic body: Inner surface: Notch: Plastic body: Inner surface: Outer surface: Joint groove Melt tank: Elastomer

Claims

[Scope of Patent Application] 【Request 1】 A button for a protective case of a mobile device, 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 protective case for a mobile device according to claim 1, wherein, The conductive material can be a metal, carbon nanotubes, or polypyrrole. 【Request 3】The button of the mobile device protective case as described in Request 1, wherein each of the conductors has a conductive material with a mass fraction of 50% to 90%. 【Request 4】 The button of the mobile device protective case as described in Request 1, wherein the plastic body is elongated and the plastic-wood body has a plurality of joint grooves, the joint grooves being spaced apart along the length direction of the plastic-wood body and being combined with the conductors. 【Request 5】The button of the mobile device protective case as described in Request 4, wherein the plastic body has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the mating grooves penetrate the inner surface and the outer surface. 【Request Item 6】 The button of the mobile device protective case as described in Request Item 5, wherein each of the connecting 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, 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 connecting groove.

7. The button of the protective case for the mobile device according to claim 5, wherein each of the conductive bodies has an outer end surface flush with the outer surface of the plastic body. 【Request 8】The button of the mobile device protective case as described in Request 5, wherein each of the conductors has an inner end face that protrudes from the inner surface of the plastic body. 【Request 9】The button of the mobile device protective case as described in Request 8, wherein the inner end face of each conductor is convex arc-shaped. 【Request 1.】 The button of the mobile device protective case as described in Request 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. 【Request 11】The button of the mobile device protective case as described in Request 10, wherein each of the conductors has an inner end face that protrudes from the inner surface of the plastic body. 【Request 12】The button of the mobile device protective case as described in Request 11, wherein the inner end face of each conductor is convex arc-shaped.

13. The button of the protective case for the mobile device according to claim 12, wherein, The plastic body has multiple narrow sections, each of which is located between two adjacent conductors. 【Request 14】 The button of the mobile device protective case as described in Request 4, wherein the plastic body has an inner surface and an outer surface, each of the mating grooves is recessed from the outer surface toward the inner surface and is mated to a conductor; the plastic body further has a plurality of receiving grooves, each of the receiving grooves is recessed from the inner surface toward the outer surface and is connected to each mating groove in a one-to-one manner, and an elastic body abutting against the conductor is provided in each receiving groove.

15. The button of the protective case for mobile devices according to claim 1, wherein the plastic body is a plurality of spacers, each of the spacers is located between two adjacent conductive bodies and connects the two adjacent conductive bodies by two opposite sides of the spacer; each of the spacers and each of the conductive bodies is covered by a surface layer. 【Request 16】 The button of the mobile device protective case as described in Request 1, wherein the plastic body is a plurality of elongated connectors, each connector being positioned between two adjacent conductors and connected to the two adjacent conductors at their two opposite ends, thereby forming a gap between the two adjacent conductors. 【Request 17】 The button of the mobile device protective case as described in Request 1, wherein the plastic body is elongated and the plastic body has an inner surface, the conductors are bonded to the inner surface, the inner surface of the plastic body has a plurality of notches, each notch being located between two adjacent conductors. 【Request 18】The button of the mobile device protective case as described in Request 1, wherein the conductive polymer is polypyrrole. 【Request 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 requests 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. 【Request 20】The mobile device protective case assembly as described in Request 19, wherein the mobile device protective case further has a back panel, the outer periphery of which is connected to the frame. 【Request 21】The protective housing assembly for the mobile device as described in Request 19, wherein the wall of the button mounting hole has a counter-engaging protrusion, and the outer peripheral surface of the plastic body has two counter-engaging recesses, the recesses being detachably engaged with the protrusions. 15

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