Flexible Key Assembly with Integrated Water-Resistant Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional key assemblies in portable electronic devices are large in size, making it difficult to reduce the opening size, which allows ambient moisture and dust to enter, thereby reducing the device's service life and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A key assembly with a flexible button that includes a pressing portion, a shaft portion, and water-resistant portions, allowing for reduced-size design and easy assembly/repair, while preventing moisture and dust ingress through the actuating portion's deformation to actuate the switch component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional key assembly with keypad, spring, water-resistant member and retaining ring is used, then the key assembly can perform switching functions, but the size of the opening for accommodating the key assembly cannot be effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components (keycap, spring, water-resistant member, and retaining ring) into a single integrated key assembly structure. The key cap is designed with an integrated water-resistant protrusion that serves both as a structural element and a sealing component, eliminating the need for separate water-resistant members and reducing the overall opening size required.
Solution Approach 2:
The key assembly components are nested within each other to minimize space. The spring is positioned within the key cap structure, the water-resistant protrusion is integrated into the key cap body, and the retaining ring engages with features on the key cap. This nested arrangement allows the entire assembly to fit through a smaller opening while maintaining all necessary functions.
2Ease of manufacture
If a conventional key assembly with multiple components is used, then the switching function is achieved, but the assembly and repair processes become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete components into a single integrated key cap assembly. The key cap includes an integrated spring mechanism and water-resistant protrusion, reducing the number of separate parts that need to be handled during assembly and repair. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process and makes field repairs more straightforward.
Solution Approach 2:
While integrating components, the design maintains functional segmentation where the key cap can be removed as a single unit from the device. This allows the entire key assembly to be replaced in one piece during repair, simplifying the process compared to handling multiple small components separately, while still providing modular replacement capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a larger opening is provided for the key assembly, then the key assembly can be accommodated, but ambient moisture or dust can easily enter the interior of the portable electronic device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible rubber key cap that acts as a sealing element. The key cap material deformable properties allow it to create a tight seal around the opening when pressed, preventing moisture and dust ingress while maintaining a small opening size. The elastic nature of the rubber key cap ensures continuous protection during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-resistant protrusion integrated into the key cap serves as an intermediary sealing element between the key assembly and the device interior. This protrusion extends into the opening to block the path of moisture and dust, while the key cap material itself provides additional sealing, effectively protecting the interior without requiring a large opening.
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 flexible button's design enhances the key assembly's compactness, ease of assembly and repair, and improves the electronic device's reliability by preventing environmental contaminants from entering, thus prolonging its service life.
Implementation Method 1
When a force is applied to the pressing portion, the pressing portion produces compressive deformation and makes the actuating portion produce expensive deformation to actuate the switch component
Implementation Method 2
the actuating portion of the flexible button may produce expansive deformation to actuate the switch component
Data Source
AI summary
A key assembly configured to an electronic device is provided. The key assembly includes a switch component and a flexible button. The switch component is disposed in a case of the electronic device. The flexible button has a pressing portion, a shaft portion, at least one water-resistant portion and an actuating portion. The pressing portion is exposed from the case. The shaft portion connects the pressing portion and the actuating portion, and passes through a through hole of the case. The water-resistant portion is connected to the shaft portion and covers the through hole. The actuating portion is located in the case and aligned to the switch component. When a force is applied to the pressing portion, the pressing portion produces compressive deformation and makes the actuating portion produce expensive deformation to actuate the switch component.