Button structure and electronic device

Abstract

Disclosed in the present invention are a button structure and an electronic device. The button structure comprises a button cap, an elastic sealing ring arranged around the outer peripheral side of the button cap and fixedly connected to the button cap, a sensor fixed to the back side of a pressing surface of the button cap, a metal connecting member fixed to the side of the sensor away from the button cap, and a piezoelectric single-crystal assembly fixed to the side of the metal connecting member away from the sensor. The central axis of the sealing ring is perpendicular to the sensor; the sealing ring is used for being fixed to a housing of an electronic device when the button structure is embedded into the housing of the electronic device; the piezoelectric single-crystal assembly is used for being fixed to the inner side of the housing. The present invention can improve the drop reliability of the button structure and enhance the esthetic appearance after the button structure is mounted to a housing of an electronic device, and allow the button structure to adapt to various scenarios and produce corresponding effects, and also provide users with more direct prompts and feedback that facilitate muscle memory. In addition, the button structure has a waterproof function.

Description

Button structure and electronic devices Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of button technology, and more particularly to a button structure and electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] Mechanical buttons are control structures that enable control functions by pressing corresponding positions. They are mainly used in electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and game consoles.

[0003] In related technologies, mechanical buttons mainly consist of keycaps and dome switches. Their control principle is to achieve displacement by pressing the part of the keycap that protrudes outside the casing of the electronic device. At this time, the displacement generated by the keycap will be transmitted to the dome switch to conduct the circuit and achieve the control effect. Correspondingly, the feel of mechanical buttons is achieved through the force feedback during the deformation process of the dome switch.

[0004] While these mechanical buttons provide control functions for electronic devices, their keycaps protrude beyond the device's casing, affecting the seamless integration of the buttons with the casing and impacting both the button's drop reliability and the device's appearance. Furthermore, these mechanical buttons offer limited functionality, failing to adapt to various scenarios and providing users with direct, muscle-memory-enhancing cues and feedback.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a button structure and electronic device to solve the above problems. Technical issues

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a button structure and electronic device to solve the problems in related technologies where the drop reliability of mechanical buttons and the appearance of the electronic device casing are affected, and they cannot adapt to various scenarios to achieve the desired effect, while failing to provide users with more direct prompts and feedback that are conducive to muscle memory. Technical solutions

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a button structure for installation in an electronic device to realize touch feedback of the electronic device. The button structure includes a keycap, a sealing ring that surrounds the outer periphery of the keycap and is fixedly connected to the keycap and has elasticity, a sensor fixed to the back of the pressing surface of the keycap, a metal connector fixed to the side of the sensor away from the keycap, and a piezoelectric single-crystal component fixed to the metal connector on the side away from the sensor. The central axis of the sealing ring is perpendicular to the sensor. The sealing ring is used to fix the button structure to the housing of the electronic device when it is embedded in the housing. The piezoelectric single-crystal component is used to fix the button structure to the inner side of the housing.

[0008] Preferably, the sealing ring is a silicone ring; the stiffness of the sealing ring is 50-80 N / mm.

[0009] Preferably, the sealing ring is fixedly connected to the keycap by injection molding or adhesive bonding.

[0010] Preferably, the sensor is any one of a piezoresistive sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a capacitive sensor, and an isoelectric sensor; the sensor is fixedly connected to the keycap by adhesive bonding or laser welding.

[0011] Preferably, the metal connector is a stainless steel connector; the thickness of the metal connector is 0.3-0.5mm.

[0012] Preferably, the outer periphery of the keycap is recessed inward to form an annular mounting groove; the sealing ring includes an annular semi-circular body with an outwardly convex cross-section, an annular upper tongue extending upward along its axial direction from the upper side of the ring body, and an annular lower tongue extending downward along its axial direction from the lower side of the ring body. The upper and lower tongues are closer to the outer side of the ring body than the inner side of the ring body; the ring body is fixedly housed in the mounting groove, the upper tongue extends upward along the outer periphery of the keycap to be flush with the pressing surface of the keycap, and the lower tongue extends downward along the outer periphery of the keycap and fits against the outer periphery of the keycap.

[0013] Preferably, the piezoelectric single crystal assembly includes a metal substrate fixed to the side of the metal connector away from the sensor and a piezoelectric ceramic sheet fixed to the side of the metal substrate away from the metal connector. The length of the metal substrate is greater than that of the piezoelectric ceramic sheet, and the portions of the metal substrate that are longer than the piezoelectric ceramic sheet at both ends are respectively provided with through mounting holes. The mounting holes are used to fix the metal substrate to the housing by means of fasteners.

[0014] Preferably, the metal substrate is a stainless steel substrate or a beryllium bronze substrate; the thickness of the metal substrate is 0.1-0.5 mm.

[0015] Preferably, the piezoelectric ceramic sheet is a piezoelectric stack structure formed by stacking 3-20 layers sequentially; the piezoelectric ceramic sheet is fixedly connected to the metal substrate by adhesive bonding or laser welding.

[0016] Secondly, the present invention provides an electronic device, which includes a housing and a button structure as described above. The side of the housing is provided with a through fixing hole. The piezoelectric single crystal component is installed and fixed on the inner side of the housing. The pressing surface of the keycap is on the same horizontal plane as the corresponding outer side of the housing. The sealing ring is sandwiched between the keycap and the periphery of the fixing hole. Beneficial effects

[0017] Compared with related technologies, the button structure of the present invention, by setting a sealing ring on the outer periphery of the keycap and fixing the sealing ring to the housing of the electronic device, and by using a piezoelectric single crystal component to fix it to the inner side of the housing of the electronic device, allows the button structure to be connected to the housing of the electronic device and form an integral part through the elastic sealing ring. This is equivalent to allowing the button structure to be completely integrated into the housing of the electronic device without the keycap protruding from the housing of the electronic device. At the same time, it can also provide rigid support for the keycap when it is pressed and allow the keycap to have the freedom of local vibration. In other words, the present invention improves the drop reliability of the button structure and its aesthetics after installation in the housing of the electronic device, and allows the button structure to adapt to various scenarios and produce various effects. It also provides users with more direct prompts and feedback that are conducive to muscle memory. In addition, the sealing ring fixed to the housing of the electronic device also provides a waterproof function. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort, wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the button structure provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is a structural exploded view of the button structure provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1;

[0022] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the structure of part B in Figure 3;

[0023] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the electronic device provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 is a partial structural exploded view of the electronic device provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along line CC in Figure 5;

[0026] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the structure of part D in Figure 7.

[0027] Among them, 100 is the key structure; 1 is the keycap; 11 is the mounting slot; 2 is the sealing ring; 21 is the ring body; 22 is the upper ring tongue; 23 is the lower ring tongue; 3 is the sensor; 4 is the metal connector; 5 is the piezoelectric single crystal component; 51 is the metal substrate; and 52 is the piezoelectric ceramic sheet.

[0028] 200. Electronic equipment; 201. Housing; 202. Mounting hole. Embodiments of the present invention

[0029] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] Example 1

[0031] This invention provides a button structure 100, as shown in Figures 1 to 4. It includes a keycap 1, a sealing ring 2 that surrounds the outer periphery of the keycap 1 and is fixedly connected to it and has elasticity, a sensor 3 fixed to the back of the pressing surface of the keycap 1, a metal connector 4 fixed to the side of the sensor 3 away from the keycap 1, and a piezoelectric single-crystal component 5 fixed to the side of the metal connector 4 away from the sensor 3. The central axis of the sealing ring 2 is perpendicular to the sensor 3. The sealing ring 2 is used to fix the button structure 100 to the housing of the electronic device when it is embedded in the housing. The piezoelectric single-crystal component 5 is used to fix it to the inner side of the housing.

[0032] The button structure 100 is used to install on electronic devices to realize touch feedback of electronic devices. When the button structure 100 needs to be installed on electronic devices, the piezoelectric single crystal component 5 is fixed to the inner side of the housing, and the sealing ring 2 is clamped and fixed between the keycap 1 and the housing. At the same time, the pressing surface of the keycap 1 is also on the same horizontal plane as the corresponding outer side of the housing. If the outer side of the housing is a curved surface or an irregular surface, the side of the keycap 1 away from the sensor 3 is matched with the outer side of the housing.

[0033] The pressing surface of keycap 1 is the side of keycap 1 away from sensor 3, and the back of the pressing surface of keycap 1 is the side of keycap 1 close to sensor 3.

[0034] The keycap 1 has an inwardly recessed mounting groove 11 on its outer periphery. The sealing ring 2 includes a ring body 21 that is annular and has an outwardly convex cross-section, an annular upper tongue 22 that extends upward along its axial direction from the upper side of the ring body 21, and an annular lower tongue 23 that extends downward along its axial direction from the lower side of the ring body 21. The upper tongue 22 and the lower tongue 23 are closer to the outer side of the ring body 21 than the inner side of the ring body 21. The ring body 21 is fixedly housed in the mounting groove 11. The upper tongue 22 extends upward along the outer periphery of the keycap 1 to be flush with the pressing surface of the keycap 1, and the lower tongue 23 extends downward along the outer periphery of the keycap 1 and fits against the outer periphery of the keycap 1. This design can improve the stability between the sealing ring 2 and the keycap 1, and facilitates a sealed and stable fixed connection between the sealing ring 2 and the housing of the electronic device.

[0035] Sealing ring 2 is a silicone ring. Of course, depending on the actual needs, sealing ring 2 can also be a rubber ring or a plastic ring, etc.

[0036] The stiffness of sealing ring 2 is 50-80 N / mm. Of course, the stiffness of sealing ring 2 can be appropriately reduced or increased according to actual needs.

[0037] The sealing ring 2 is fixedly connected to the keycap 1 by injection molding or adhesive bonding. When the sealing ring 2 is fixedly connected to the keycap 1 by injection molding, the sealing ring 2 and the keycap 1 are integrally formed.

[0038] Sensor 3 is any one of piezoresistive sensor, piezoelectric sensor, capacitive sensor and deionized sensor, used to detect the pressing action of keycap 1.

[0039] The sensor 3 is fixedly connected to the keycap 1 by adhesive bonding or laser welding.

[0040] Metal connector 4 is made of stainless steel and has a sheet-like structure, also known as a weld plate. Of course, depending on the actual needs, metal connector 4 can also be made of other alloy materials, such as copper sheets.

[0041] The thickness of the metal connector 4 is 0.3-0.5mm. Of course, the thickness of the metal connector 4 can be appropriately reduced or increased according to actual needs.

[0042] The metal connector 4 is fixedly connected to the sensor 3 and the piezoelectric single crystal component 5 by means of adhesive bonding or laser welding.

[0043] The piezoelectric single crystal component 5 includes a metal substrate 51 fixed to the side of the metal connector 4 away from the sensor 3 and a piezoelectric ceramic sheet 52 fixed to the side of the metal substrate 51 away from the metal connector 4.

[0044] The length of the metal substrate 51 is greater than that of the piezoelectric ceramic sheet 52, and the two ends of the metal substrate 51 that are longer than the piezoelectric ceramic sheet 52 are respectively provided with mounting holes (not shown in the figure); the mounting holes are used to fix the metal substrate 51 to the housing by means of fasteners (not shown in the figure), such as rivets, screws, bolts, etc.

[0045] The metal substrate 51 can be a stainless steel substrate or a beryllium bronze substrate. Of course, depending on the actual needs, the metal substrate 51 only needs to be made of metal, and is not limited to stainless steel or beryllium bronze.

[0046] The thickness of the metal substrate 51 is 0.1-0.5 mm. Of course, the thickness of the metal substrate 51 can be appropriately reduced or increased according to actual needs.

[0047] The piezoelectric ceramic sheet 52 is a piezoelectric stack structure formed by stacking 3-20 layers sequentially; the piezoelectric ceramic sheet 52 is fixedly connected to the metal substrate 51 by adhesive bonding or laser welding.

[0048] Compared with related technologies, the button structure 100 of this embodiment, by setting a sealing ring 2 on the outer periphery of the keycap 1 and fixing the sealing ring 2 to the housing of the electronic device, and by fixing the piezoelectric single crystal component 5 to the inner side of the housing of the electronic device, allows the button structure 100 to be connected to the housing of the electronic device and form an integral unit through the elastic sealing ring 2. This means that the button structure 100 can be completely integrated into the housing of the electronic device without the keycap 1 protruding from the housing of the electronic device. At the same time, it can also provide rigid support for the keycap 1 when it is pressed and give the keycap 1 the freedom of local vibration. In other words, the present invention improves the drop reliability of the button structure 100 and its aesthetics after installation in the housing of the electronic device, and allows the button structure 100 to adapt to various scenarios and produce various effects. At the same time, it provides users with more direct prompts and feedback that are conducive to muscle memory, that is, it can bring users rich local vibration feedback. In addition, the sealing ring 2, after being fixed to the housing of the electronic device, can also play a waterproof role.

[0049] Example 2

[0050] This invention provides an electronic device 200, as shown in Figures 5 to 8. It includes a housing 201 and a button structure 100 as described in the first embodiment. The side of the housing 201 is provided with a through fixing hole 202. The piezoelectric single crystal component 5 is installed and fixed inside the housing 201. The pressing surface of the keycap 1 is at the same level as the corresponding outer surface of the housing 201. The sealing ring 2 is sandwiched between the keycap 1 and the periphery of the fixing hole 202.

[0051] Among them, electronic device 200 can be mobile phone, tablet, game console, etc.

[0052] The piezoelectric single crystal component 5 is fixed to the inner circumference of the housing 201 by a fastener passing through the mounting hole on the metal substrate 51.

[0053] Since the electronic device 200 in this embodiment includes the button structure 100 in the first embodiment above, it can also achieve the technical effect achieved by the button structure 100 in the first embodiment above, which will not be described in detail here.

[0054] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make improvements without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention, but these improvements all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A button structure for installation in an electronic device to provide tactile feedback, characterized in that, The button structure includes a keycap, a sealing ring that is elastic and fixedly connected to the keycap and surrounding its outer periphery, a sensor fixed to the back of the keycap's pressing surface, a metal connector fixed to the sensor on the side away from the keycap, and a piezoelectric single crystal component fixed to the metal connector on the side away from the sensor. The central axis of the sealing ring is perpendicular to the sensor. The sealing ring is used to fix the button structure to the housing of the electronic device when it is embedded in the housing of the electronic device. The piezoelectric single crystal component is used to fix it to the inner side of the housing.

2. The button structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing ring is a silicone ring; the stiffness of the sealing ring is 50-80 N / mm.

3. The button structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The sealing ring is fixedly connected to the keycap by injection molding or adhesive bonding.

4. The button structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor is any one of a piezoresistive sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a capacitive sensor, and an isoelectric sensor; the sensor is fixedly connected to the keycap by adhesive bonding or laser welding.

5. The button structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The metal connector is a stainless steel connector; the thickness of the metal connector is 0.3-0.5mm.

6. The button structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The outer periphery of the keycap is recessed inward to form an annular mounting groove; the sealing ring includes an annular body with a semi-circular cross-section that convex outward, an annular upper tongue extending upward along its axial direction from the upper side of the body, and an annular lower tongue extending downward along its axial direction from the lower side of the body. The upper and lower tongues are closer to the outer side of the body than the inner side of the body. The body is fixedly housed in the mounting groove. The upper tongue extends upward along the outer periphery of the keycap to be flush with the pressing surface of the keycap, and the lower tongue extends downward along the outer periphery of the keycap and fits against the outer periphery of the keycap.

7. The button structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The piezoelectric single crystal assembly includes a metal substrate fixed to the side of the metal connector away from the sensor and a piezoelectric ceramic sheet fixed to the side of the metal substrate away from the metal connector. The length of the metal substrate is greater than that of the piezoelectric ceramic sheet, and the portions of the metal substrate that are longer than the piezoelectric ceramic sheet at both ends are respectively provided with mounting holes that penetrate through them. The mounting holes are used to fix the metal substrate to the housing by means of fasteners.

8. The button structure as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The metal substrate is a stainless steel substrate or a beryllium bronze substrate; the thickness of the metal substrate is 0.1-0.5 mm.

9. The button structure as described in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The piezoelectric ceramic sheet is a piezoelectric stack structure formed by stacking 3-20 layers sequentially; the piezoelectric ceramic sheet is fixedly connected to the metal substrate by adhesive bonding or laser welding.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that, The electronic device includes a housing and a button structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 9. The side of the housing is provided with a through fixing hole. The piezoelectric single crystal component is installed and fixed on the inner side of the housing. The pressing surface of the keycap is on the same horizontal plane as the corresponding outer side of the housing. The sealing ring is clamped and fixed between the keycap and the periphery of the fixing hole.

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