Key apparatus and electronic device

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of keys. Provided are a key apparatus and an electronic device. The key apparatus comprises a keycap and a sensor assembly fixed to a back pressure surface of the keycap, wherein a front pressure surface of the keycap is configured to receive a pressing force, and the sensor assembly is configured to detect the pressing force; the sensor assembly comprises a pressing support sheet fixed to the back pressure surface of the keycap, a plurality of sensors fixed to the side of the pressing support sheet away from the keycap, a lead-out tab and a fixing tab which are fixed to the side of the pressing support sheet away from the keycap, and a piezoelectric single-crystal plate which is fixed to the side of the fixing tab away from the keycap; the plurality of sensors are spaced apart from each other, and the lead-out tab is located between the plurality of sensors; and orthographic projections of each of the plurality of sensors and the lead-out tab onto the keycap fall completely within the range of the back pressure surface of the keycap. Compared with the related art, the key apparatus of the present invention can provide sufficient pressing stiffness to support finger pressing, and can provide rich local vibration feedback to a finger, thereby achieving a good user experience.

Description

Button devices and electronic devices Technical Field

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

[0002] Touch buttons are a type of button technology that uses pressure signals to achieve corresponding control. Specifically, it uses the position and pressure of the press to accurately detect and achieve precise control. Technical issues

[0003] In related technologies, existing physical buttons are mainly implemented through buttons and button springs (metal domes, snap domes). The button's function is primarily achieved by pressing the snap dome to conduct circuitry, and the tactile feedback is achieved through the force feedback during the snap dome's deformation. Physical buttons offer relatively limited functionality and cannot be adapted to specific scenarios to provide users with more direct and muscle-memory-friendly cues and feedback. Furthermore, when implementing localized button vibration, these technologies can only provide button feedback within a single scenario, resulting in poor final effect and user experience.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a new button device to solve the above problems. Technical Solution

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a button device that can provide sufficient pressing stiffness support for finger pressing and bring rich local vibration feedback to the finger.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, in a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a key device, which includes a keycap and a sensor assembly fixed to the back pressure surface of the keycap, wherein the front pressure surface of the keycap is used to receive the pressing force, and the sensor assembly is used to detect the pressing force;

[0007] The sensor assembly includes a pressing support piece fixed to the back pressure surface of the keycap, multiple sensors fixed to the side of the pressing support piece away from the keycap, an output solder piece and a fixing solder piece fixed to the side of the pressing support piece away from the keycap, and a piezoelectric single crystal fixed to the side of the fixing solder piece away from the keycap; the multiple sensors are spaced apart from each other, and the output solder piece is located between the multiple sensors; and the orthogonal projections of the multiple sensors and the output solder piece onto the keycap completely fall within the range of the back pressure surface of the keycap.

[0008] Preferably, the stiffness of the pressing support piece is 50~80 N / mm.

[0009] Preferably, the plurality of sensors include a first sensor and a second sensor fixed at a distance from the side of the pressing support piece away from the keycap, wherein the orthographic projections of the first sensor and the second sensor onto the keycap are respectively located at both ends of the back pressure surface of the keycap.

[0010] Preferably, the sensor is any one of a resistive sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a capacitive sensor, and an ionization sensor.

[0011] Preferably, the two sides of the exported solder sheet are fixedly connected to the pressing support sheet and / or the piezoelectric single crystal by means of adhesive bonding or laser welding.

[0012] Preferably, the weld strip is made of stainless steel and the thickness of the weld strip is 0.3~0.5mm.

[0013] Preferably, the fixing tab includes a first fixing tab and a second fixing tab, both of which are fixed between the pressing support piece and the piezoelectric single crystal. The first fixing tab and the second fixing tab are spaced apart from each other along the length direction of the keycap, and the lead-out tab and the plurality of sensors are all located between the first fixing tab and the second fixing tab.

[0014] Preferably, the fixing sheet is made of stainless steel and the thickness of the fixing sheet is 0.3~0.5mm.

[0015] Preferably, the piezoelectric single crystal includes a substrate fixed to the side of the fixing tab away from the keycap and a piezoelectric ceramic sheet fixed to the side of the substrate away from the keycap, the side of the lead-out tab away from the keycap abuts against the substrate, and the side of the sensor away from the keycap is spaced from the substrate.

[0016] Preferably, the length of the substrate is greater than the length of the piezoelectric ceramic sheet, and the piezoelectric ceramic sheet is positioned directly opposite the keycap.

[0017] Preferably, the substrate is made of stainless steel or beryllium bronze, and the thickness of the substrate is 0.1~0.5mm.

[0018] Preferably, the piezoelectric ceramic sheet has a piezoelectric layer stack structure, and the number of layers in the piezoelectric layer stack structure is between 3 and 20.

[0019] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic device, the electronic device including a housing and a button device as described above fixed to the periphery of the housing; the housing includes a housing having a receiving space and a through groove penetrating the periphery of the housing; the keycap is disposed in the through groove, the side of the sensor assembly near the keycap is fixed to the inner wall of the housing, and the keycap is exposed or flush with the housing. Beneficial effects

[0020] Compared with the prior art, in the key device of the present invention, by fixing the sensor assembly to the keycap, the positive pressure surface of the keycap is used to receive the pressing force, and the sensor assembly is used to detect the pressing force; the sensor assembly includes a pressing support piece fixed to the back pressure surface of the keycap, multiple sensors fixed to the side of the pressing support piece away from the keycap, a lead-out solder piece and a fixed solder piece fixed to the side of the pressing support piece away from the keycap, and a piezoelectric single crystal fixed to the side of the fixed solder piece away from the keycap; the multiple sensors are spaced apart from each other, and the lead-out solder piece is located between the multiple sensors; the positive projections of the multiple sensors and the lead-out solder piece onto the keycap are completely within the range of the back pressure surface of the keycap; by pressing the keycap, the keycap squeezes the pressing support piece, the sensor installed on the pressing support piece detects the human hand pressing action, the lead-out solder piece presses the piezoelectric single crystal, and the corresponding force is fed back to the pressing support piece; so that the key can provide sufficient pressing stiffness support for finger pressing, and also bring rich local vibration feedback to the finger, thereby improving the user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0021] 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:

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the housing and button device of the electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the key device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the key device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1;

[0027] Figure 6 is a magnified view of part B in Figure 5.

[0028] In the figure, 100 is the button device, 1 is the keycap, 2 is the sensor assembly, 21 is the pressing support piece, 22 is the sensor, 221 is the first sensor, 222 is the second sensor, 23 is the lead-out solder piece, 24 is the fixing solder piece, 241 is the first fixing solder piece, 242 is the second fixing solder piece, 25 is the piezoelectric single crystal, 251 is the substrate, 252 is the piezoelectric ceramic sheet, 200 is the electronic device, 201 is the housing, 2011 is the shell, and 2012 is the through groove. 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 a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. 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] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. This embodiment of the invention provides an electronic device 200, which includes a housing 201 and a button device 100 fixed to the periphery of the housing 201. The housing 201 includes a shell 2011 with a receiving space and a through groove 2012 penetrating the periphery of the shell 2011. A keycap 1 is disposed within the through groove 2012, and a sensor assembly 2 is fixed to the inner wall of the shell 2011 on the side near the keycap 1. The keycap 1 is exposed or flush with the shell 2011. By pressing the keycap 1 within the housing 201 using the button device 100, the keycap 1 provides sufficient pressing stiffness support for finger pressing and also provides rich local vibration feedback, thereby improving the user experience.

[0031] Optionally, the electronic device 200 can be a mobile phone, tablet, headphones, gamepad, steering wheel, or other device that requires button operation.

[0032] As an optional embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figures 3-6. This embodiment provides a key device 100, which includes a keycap 1 and a sensor assembly 2 fixed to the back pressure surface of the keycap 1. The front pressure surface of the keycap 1 is used to receive the pressing force, and the sensor assembly 2 is used to detect the pressing force. Optionally, the keycap 1 has an overall ring-shaped structure, which is convenient to install and provides good pressing effect.

[0033] The sensor assembly 2 includes a pressing support piece 21 fixed to the back pressure surface of the keycap 1, multiple sensors 22 fixed to the side of the pressing support piece 21 away from the keycap 1, an output solder piece 23 and a fixing solder piece 24 fixed to the side of the pressing support piece 21 away from the keycap 1, and a piezoelectric single crystal 25 fixed to the side of the fixing solder piece 24 away from the keycap 1. The multiple sensors 22 are spaced apart from each other, and the output solder piece 23 is located between the multiple sensors 22. The orthogonal projections of the multiple sensors 22 and the output solder piece 23 onto the keycap 1 completely fall within the range of the back pressure surface of the keycap 1. The sensors 22, the output solder piece 23, and the fixing solder piece 24 are spaced apart from each other. By pressing the keycap 1, the keycap 1 squeezes the pressing support plate 21. The sensor 22 installed on the pressing support plate 21 detects the pressing action of the hand. The solder pad 23 presses the piezoelectric single crystal 25 and feeds back the corresponding force to the pressing support plate 21. This allows the key to provide sufficient pressing stiffness support for the finger pressing and to bring rich local vibration feedback to the finger, thereby improving the user experience.

[0034] In this embodiment, the stiffness of the pressing support piece 21 is 50~80 N / mm. The pressing support piece 21 provides stiffness support for the fingers pressing the side keys. Made of stainless steel, its stiffness of 50~80 N / mm ensures good support.

[0035] In this embodiment, the plurality of sensors 22 include a first sensor 221 and a second sensor 222 fixed at intervals on the side of the pressing support plate 21 away from the keycap 1. The orthographic projections of the first sensor 221 and the second sensor 222 onto the keycap 1 are respectively located at both ends of the back pressure surface of the keycap 1. By mounting the first sensor 221 and the second sensor 222 on the opposite ends of the pressing support plate 21 corresponding to the keycap 1, the first sensor 221 and the second sensor 222 can detect not only light and heavy finger presses, but also finger sliding presses, thus enriching the detection effect of finger pressing behavior.

[0036] In this embodiment, the sensor 22 and the pressing support piece 21 are fixedly connected by adhesive bonding or laser welding. This method is convenient to assemble and provides good fixation.

[0037] In this embodiment, the sensor 22 is any one of a resistive sensor 22, a piezoelectric sensor 22, a capacitive sensor 22, and an ionization sensor 22. The resistive sensor 22 is used to convert the physical quantity of pressure into a change in resistance, offering high detection accuracy. The piezoelectric sensor 22 is a sensor based on the piezoelectric effect; its sensing element is made of piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric sensor 22 is used to measure non-electrical physical quantities such as force and energy, which can be converted into electricity. The capacitive sensor 22 uses various types of capacitors as sensing elements to convert the measured physical or mechanical quantity into a change in capacitance; essentially, it is a capacitor with variable parameters. The ionization sensor 22 is used to convert the measured change into a change in ionizing current.

[0038] In this embodiment, the two sides of the lead-out solder pad 23 are fixedly connected to the pressing support plate 21 and / or the piezoelectric single crystal 25 by adhesive bonding or laser welding. This ensures good fixation between the lead-out solder pad 23, the pressing support plate 21, and the piezoelectric single crystal 25. The lead-out solder pad 23 connects the piezoelectric single crystal 25 and the pressing support plate 21, and transmits the bending vibration of the piezoelectric single crystal 25 to the keycap 1.

[0039] In this embodiment, the guide plate 23 is made of stainless steel, and its thickness is 0.3~0.5mm. Stainless steel has high structural strength and good support. At the same time, its thinness saves cost and installation space.

[0040] In this embodiment, the fixing tab 24 includes a first fixing tab 241 and a second fixing tab 242. Both the first fixing tab 241 and the second fixing tab 242 are fixed between the pressing support piece 21 and the piezoelectric single crystal 25. The first fixing tab 241 and the second fixing tab 242 are spaced apart from each other along the length of the keycap 1, serving to connect and fix the piezoelectric single crystal 25 to the pressing support piece 21. The lead-out tab 23 and the plurality of sensors 22 are all located between the first fixing tab 241 and the second fixing tab 242. Simultaneously, by placing the keycap 1 between the first fixing tab 241 and the second fixing tab 242, pressing the keycap 1 improves the elastic feedback performance by pressing the support piece 21, further enhancing the vibration feedback.

[0041] In this embodiment, the two sides of the fixing plate 24 are fixedly connected to the pressing support plate 21 and the piezoelectric single crystal 25 by adhesive bonding or laser welding. This ensures good fixation between the fixing plate 24, the pressing support plate 21, and the piezoelectric single crystal 25, and also facilitates assembly.

[0042] In this embodiment, the fixing plate 24 is made of stainless steel, and the thickness of the fixing plate 24 is 0.3~0.5mm. Stainless steel has high structural strength; at the same time, its thinness saves costs and installation space.

[0043] In this embodiment, the piezoelectric single-chip 25 includes a substrate 251 fixed to the side of the fixing tab 24 away from the keycap 1 and a piezoelectric ceramic sheet 252 fixed to the side of the substrate 251 away from the keycap 1. The side of the lead-out tab 23 away from the keycap 1 abuts against the substrate 251, and the side of the sensor 22 away from the keycap 1 is spaced apart from the substrate 251. The substrate 251 is used to mount and fix the fixing tab 24 and the pressing support sheet 21. Piezoelectric ceramics are information functional ceramic materials that can convert mechanical energy and electrical energy into each other—the piezoelectric effect has sensitive characteristics, making the key device 100 provide a better user experience.

[0044] In this embodiment, the length of the substrate 251 is greater than the length of the piezoelectric ceramic sheet 252, and the piezoelectric ceramic sheet 252 is positioned directly opposite the keycap 1. Furthermore, the substrate 251 may also have through holes at both ends, with the piezoelectric ceramic sheet 252 located between the through holes and positioned directly opposite the keycap 1. The through holes facilitate the fixing of the substrate 251 to the housing 2011 of the electronic device 200 using bolts.

[0045] In this embodiment, the substrate 251 is made of stainless steel or beryllium bronze, and the thickness of the substrate 251 is 0.1~0.5mm. Stainless steel has high structural strength; at the same time, its thinness saves costs and installation space.

[0046] In this embodiment, the piezoelectric ceramic sheet 252 has a piezoelectric layer stack structure, and the number of layers in the piezoelectric layer stack structure is between 3 and 20. The piezoelectric layer stack structure has good piezoelectric performance.

[0047] Compared with related technologies, in the key device of the present invention, by fixing the sensor assembly to the keycap, the positive pressure surface of the keycap is used to receive the pressing force, and the sensor assembly is used to detect the pressing force; the sensor assembly includes a pressing support piece fixed to the back pressure surface of the keycap, multiple sensors fixed to the side of the pressing support piece away from the keycap, a lead-out solder piece and a fixed solder piece fixed to the side of the pressing support piece away from the keycap, and a piezoelectric single crystal fixed to the side of the fixed solder piece away from the keycap; the multiple sensors are spaced apart from each other, and the lead-out solder piece is located between the multiple sensors; the positive projections of the multiple sensors and the lead-out solder piece onto the keycap are completely within the range of the back pressure surface of the keycap; by pressing the keycap, the keycap squeezes the pressing support piece, the sensor installed on the pressing support piece detects the human hand pressing action, the lead-out solder piece presses the piezoelectric single crystal, and the corresponding force is fed back to the pressing support piece; thus, the key can provide sufficient pressing stiffness support for finger pressing, and also bring rich local vibration feedback to the finger, thereby improving the user experience.

[0048] 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 keypad device comprising a keycap and a sensor assembly fixed to the back surface of the keycap, wherein the front surface of the keycap is used to receive pressing force, and the sensor assembly is used to detect the pressing force; characterized in that, The sensor assembly includes a pressing support piece fixed to the back pressure surface of the keycap, multiple sensors fixed to the side of the pressing support piece away from the keycap, an output solder piece and a fixing solder piece fixed to the side of the pressing support piece away from the keycap, and a piezoelectric single crystal fixed to the side of the fixing solder piece away from the keycap; the multiple sensors are spaced apart from each other, and the output solder piece is located between the multiple sensors; and the orthogonal projections of the multiple sensors and the output solder piece onto the keycap completely fall within the range of the back pressure surface of the keycap; The plurality of sensors include a first sensor and a second sensor fixed at a distance from the side of the pressing support piece away from the keycap, wherein the orthographic projections of the first sensor and the second sensor onto the keycap are respectively located at both ends of the back pressure surface of the keycap.

2. The button device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stiffness of the pressing support plate is 50~80N / mm.

3. The button device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor is any one of resistive sensor, piezoelectric sensor, capacitive sensor, and deionized sensor.

4. The button device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two sides of the exported solder sheet are fixedly connected to the pressing support sheet and / or the piezoelectric single crystal by adhesive bonding or laser welding.

5. The button device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lead-out welding sheet is made of stainless steel and has a thickness of 0.3~0.5mm.

6. The button device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing tabs include a first fixing tab and a second fixing tab. Both the first fixing tab and the second fixing tab are fixed between the pressing support piece and the piezoelectric single crystal. The first fixing tab and the second fixing tab are spaced apart from each other along the length direction of the keycap. The lead-out tab and the plurality of sensors are all located between the first fixing tab and the second fixing tab.

7. The button device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The fixing sheet is made of stainless steel and has a thickness of 0.3~0.5mm.

8. The button device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piezoelectric single crystal includes a substrate fixed to the side of the fixed solder pad away from the keycap and a piezoelectric ceramic sheet fixed to the side of the substrate away from the keycap. The side of the lead solder pad away from the keycap abuts against the substrate, and the side of the sensor away from the keycap is spaced apart from the substrate.

9. The button device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The substrate is longer than the piezoelectric ceramic sheet, and the piezoelectric ceramic sheet is positioned directly opposite the keycap.

10. The button device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The substrate is made of stainless steel or beryllium bronze and has a thickness of 0.1~0.5mm.

11. The button device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The piezoelectric ceramic sheet has a piezoelectric layer stack structure, and the number of layers in the piezoelectric layer stack structure is between 3 and 20.

12. An electronic device, characterized in that, The electronic device includes a housing and a button device as described in any one of claims 1-11 fixed to the periphery of the housing; the housing includes a housing having a receiving space and a through groove penetrating the periphery of the housing; the keycap is disposed in the through groove, the side of the sensor assembly near the keycap is fixed to the inner wall of the housing, and the keycap is exposed or flush with the housing.

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