Tactile Opening Button Structure for Reliable Latch Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional open buttons in electronic devices do not provide touch feeling feedback, leading to poor user experience.

Innovation Solution

An open button design featuring a cap, elastic member, and touch-sensitive spring that provides tactile feedback through elastic deformation, allowing for latching and unlatching with a reliable structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a mechanical key is used to open the latch, then the latch can be reliably opened, but the user must physically reach into the well to manipulate the key, which is inconvenient when the well is hard to reach

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of key manipulationVSAvoidmechanical key system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical key system with an electromagnetic actuator that responds to wireless signals (RFID, NFC, or wireless communication protocols). The electronic key fob transmits signals wirelessly to the actuator, eliminating the need for physical key manipulation in hard-to-reach wells while maintaining secure access control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the well cover is made secure and hard to reach, then security is improved, but the key well becomes harder to access for key insertion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of well coverVSAvoidaccessibility of key well
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need to access the sealed well by replacing mechanical key insertion with wireless signal transmission. The electronic key fob communicates with the actuator through wireless protocols, allowing the well cover to remain securely sealed while maintaining convenient access control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary wireless communication system between the key fob and the actuator. This intermediary allows authentication and actuation to occur without physical contact with the well, enabling the well to remain securely sealed while facilitating easy access control through wireless signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If traditional mechanical keys are used, then the system is simple, but the keys can be lost, stolen, or duplicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of key systemVSAvoidsecurity against loss or theft
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical keys with electronic key fobs that use wireless communication protocols (RFID, NFC, or custom protocols) for authentication. This substitution maintains system simplicity from the user perspective while significantly improving security, as electronic keys can be programmed with unique identifiers, encrypted, and remotely deactivated if lost or stolen.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the authentication parameter from physical mechanical key characteristics to electronic signal parameters (frequency, modulation, encryption keys). This allows for more secure authentication methods including rolling codes, challenge-response protocols, and unique electronic identifiers that cannot be easily duplicated or lost like mechanical keys.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4407648B1Opening key and electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4407648B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4407648B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4407648B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

This application provides an open button of an electronic device. The electronic device includes a first part and a second part that can be opened and closed, one of the first part and the second part is a cover of the electronic device, and the other is a body of the electronic device. The open button is configured to be mounted to the second part, and the open button includes a cap, an elastic member, and a touch-sensitive spring. The cap is configured to form a detachable connection with the first part, and the cap has a bump. The touch-sensitive spring and the bump are disposed at a spacing, and the touch-sensitive spring can generate elastic deformation when being squeezed. The cap can move towards the touch-sensitive spring when being pressed, so that the detachable connection is released, and the bump of the cap squeezes the touch-sensitive spring. The elastic member presses against the cap, and is configured to provide a rebound force for the cap when the cap moves towards the touch-sensitive spring. This application further provides an electronic device, and the electronic device has the open button. According to the solutions of this application, when a user presses the open button, a touch feeling feedback is provided for the user, so that a user requirement can be met, and user experience can be improved.