Compact ECG Button Assembly With Screwless Conduction Path

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing ECG buttons in electronic devices occupy a large space due to their square shape and require screws for conduction, limiting their integration in smaller devices.

Innovation Solution

An ECG button assembly with a conductive structure that includes a button part, plastic tube, metal tube, and elastic piece, eliminating the need for screws and optimizing the conduction path as button cap-elastic piece-metal tube-conductive sheet-circuit board, allowing for adaptive design and reduced size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a square-shaped ECG button with screw-conductive sheet structure is used, then reliable electrical conduction is achieved, but the button occupies large space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductionVSAvoidbutton size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the button shaft and conductive sheet into a single integrated component. The button shaft itself is made conductive and directly contacts the circuit board, eliminating the need for a separate conductive sheet and screw assembly. This integration reduces the overall button area while maintaining reliable electrical conduction for ECG functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the screw component from the traditional ECG button structure. By making the button shaft itself conductive and having it directly contact the circuit board, the design removes the unnecessary screw-conductive sheet assembly, thereby reducing space occupation while preserving electrical conduction reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a traditional screw-based conduction structure is used, then stable electrical connection is achieved, but the internal structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidinternal structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple components (button shaft, conductive element, and mounting structure) into a single integrated button shaft assembly. This eliminates the need for separate screws and conductive sheets, simplifying the internal structure while maintaining stable electrical connection for ECG signal transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The button shaft serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the button cap, acts as the conductive element for electrical connection, and serves as the mounting structure for the spring and conductive sheet. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying the overall internal structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution reduces the ECG button size and ensures effective conduction without affecting the device's aesthetics and functionality, suitable for various electronic devices including wearable and non-wearable devices.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic piece, and the button part is capable of moving in an axial direction of the button shaft relative to the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4398280B1ECG button assembly and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4398280B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4398280B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4398280B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application relates to the field of electronic device technologies, and discloses an ECG button assembly and an electronic device. The ECG button assembly includes a button part, a plastic tube, a metal tube, an elastic piece, and a conductive sheet. The housing is provided with a via hole, and the plastic tube is embedded in the via hole. A first through hole is provided at an interior of the plastic tube, the metal tube is embedded in the first through hole, the conductive sheet is connected to one end that is of the metal tube and that is located at an interior of the housing, and the conductive sheet is in contact with and electrically connected to a circuit board. The button part includes a button cap and a button shaft, a second through hole is provided at an interior of the metal tube, the button shaft penetrates through the second through hole, a first end of the button shaft is located at an exterior of the housing, and the button cap is connected to the first end of the button shaft. The elastic piece is sleeved on the button shaft, one end of the elastic piece is connected to the button cap, the other end of the elastic piece is connected to the metal tube, and the button part is capable of moving relative to the housing. According to the ECG button assembly disclosed in this application, not only circuit conduction of an ECG may be implemented, but also a size of the button assembly can be reduced.