Side Button Assembly Structure for Thin Electronic Housings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of achieving a lightweight and thin electronic device design is hindered by the instability of side buttons due to their reduced size, leading to failure after repeated presses.
Innovation Solution
A button assembly design featuring a frame body with distinct openings on opposite sides, allowing an elastic member to be mounted through a smaller opening on one side while maintaining stability by using a larger opening on the other side, ensuring the elastic member's size is not reduced, thus facilitating a compact design without compromising button stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the button size in the thickness direction is reduced to make the device light and thin, then the device thickness is reduced, but the button pressing stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mounting dimension of the elastic member from the thickness direction (second opening) to the lateral direction (first opening). By mounting the elastic member through the first opening from the side, the device thickness can be reduced while the elastic member maintains its original size for stable pressing operation. This dimensional change allows the elastic member to be installed without passing through the thickness direction, resolving the contradiction between thinness and button stability.
2Length of moving object
If the button size in the thickness direction is reduced to make the device light and thin, then the device thickness is reduced, but the button durability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent installs the elastic member through the first opening located on the lateral surface of the frame body, rather than through the thickness direction. This allows the elastic member to maintain its original dimensions for durable operation while the device achieves a thinner profile. The mounting groove and first opening configuration enables the elastic member to be securely installed without compromising its pressing durability.
3Length of moving object
If the elastic member size is reduced to fit a smaller second opening, then the device can be made thinner, but the button stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the installation path of the elastic member from the thickness direction (through second opening) to the lateral direction (through first opening). This dimensional change allows the elastic member to maintain its full size for stable button operation while the device achieves a thinner profile. The mounting groove configured to receive the elastic member from the side enables this size preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the button assembly into distinct components: the elastic member, the mounting groove, and the first opening. This segmentation allows the elastic member to be independently sized for stability while the opening dimensions are optimized for device thinness. The modular configuration enables the elastic member to be installed through the first opening without being constrained by the smaller second opening dimensions.
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
This design enables a lightweight and thin electronic device with stable side buttons, enhancing durability and maintaining functionality through a novel button assembly structure.
Implementation Method 1
the button assembly includes a button cap and an elastic member
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide an electronic device, including a frame body and a button assembly, where the frame body includes a first side surface and a second side surface, the second side surface is exposed to an outer surface of the electronic device, a mounting groove is provided in the frame body, a first opening is provided on the first side surface, a second opening is provided on the second side surface, and both the first opening and the second opening are in communication with the mounting groove; the button assembly includes a button cap and an elastic member, the button cap is disposed in the second opening, the elastic member is disposed in the mounting groove, a slide cover is disposed in the first opening, and the slide cover is detachably connected to the frame body; and a projection size of the elastic member on the first side surface is smaller than a size of the first opening, and a projection size of the elastic member on the second side surface is larger than a size of the second opening.