Key Button Engagement Structure for Rigid, Contamination-Resistant Side Frames
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The rigidity of electronic device side frames is weakened by button accommodation recesses and engagement holes, which can lead to contamination and malfunction due to the introduction of foreign matter.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a key button with an engagement structure on the protrusion for pressing the dome key, eliminating the need for a separate engagement structure and using inclined surfaces in through-holes and engagement portions to prevent foreign matter ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If button accommodation recess and engagement holes are formed in the side frame, then key buttons can be installed and operated, but the rigidity of the side frame is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement structure is merged with the protrusion of the key button itself. The protrusion includes an engagement portion that directly engages with the inner surface of the side frame, eliminating the need for separate engagement holes or recesses in the side frame. This combining of the engagement function into the button structure preserves the side frame's rigidity while still enabling secure key button installation.
2Reliability
If engagement holes are formed in the side frame, then key buttons can be secured in place, but foreign matter can enter through the holes causing contamination and malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement holes are completely removed from the side frame structure. Instead, the engagement portion of the protrusion engages with the inner surface of the side frame in a holeless manner. This extraction of the holes eliminates the pathway for foreign matter to enter the button accommodation recess, thereby preventing contamination while still securing the key buttons reliably.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple engagement holes are formed for key button installation, then key buttons can be securely attached, but the side frame requires additional machining steps
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement holes and their associated machining operations are completely removed from the side frame design. The engagement function is achieved through the protrusion's engagement portion interacting with the inner surface of the side frame, which requires no additional holes or complex machining steps. This simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining secure key button attachment.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing including an outer surface configured to at least partially form an external appearance of the electronic device, a button accommodation recess having a predetermined depth from the outer surface in a first direction oriented to the inner space of the electronic device, and at least one through-hole connected to the inner surface of the housing in the button accommodation recess, a key button disposed through the button accommodation recess, and including a key top inserted into the button accommodation recess and at least partially exposed to the outside, and a key base coupled to the key top, and including a protrusion facing a key flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) disposed in the inner space through the at least one through-hole. The protrusion may include an engagement portion formed at an end thereof to be larger than the protrusion.