Patent Description:
This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a housing assembly and an electronic device.

With continuous development of electronic technologies, electronic devices such as laptop computers, industrial computers, routers, and television sets are widely used in people's daily life and work, which brings great convenience to people's daily life and work.

Keys are usually disposed on an electronic device, and a user can quickly implement man-machine interaction with the electronic device by pressing the keys. A key module including keys is assembled from inside to outside of the electronic device, is fastened to a housing of the electronic device, and the keys are exposed out of the housing.

As an electronic device becomes thinner, how to fasten a key module to a housing without increasing a thickness of the electronic device is an urgent problem to be resolved.

<CIT> relates to a keyboard applied to an electronic device having a housing, comprising a main body comprising a plurality of keys, the main body defining at least one punch hole; a connecting panel defining at least one mounting hole corresponding to the at least one punch hole; and at least one fixing member comprising a head portion and a tail; wherein the head portion is fitted into the mounting hole to fix the at least one fixing member to the connecting panel, and the tail extends through the punch hole and is further riveted to a bottom surface of the main body opposite to the connecting panel, to fasten the connecting panel and the main body together.

<CIT> relates to an electronic apparatus includes a housing, an engagement portion on an inner surface of the housing, a module in the housing, and a member. The member is configured to slide in parallel with the inner surface of the housing in order to engage the engagement portion and to support the module.

To resolve the foregoing technical problem, this application provides a housing assembly and an electronic device, so as to reduce a thickness of the electronic device.

The housing assembly includes: a housing, where at least one hollowed-out portion is disposed on the housing, and the hollowed-out portion penetrates through the housing; at least one fastening structure, where the fastening structure is fastened to the housing, and a notched portion is disposed on the fastening structure; a support structure, where at least one support hole is disposed on the support structure, the support hole penetrates through the support structure, at least a part of the fastening structure passes through the support hole, and a part of the support structure close to the support hole is fastened in a notched portion; the fastening structure includes a protrusion portion and a first part and a second part that are located on one side of the protrusion portion that is away from the housing; one end of the first part is connected to the protrusion portion, and the other end of the first part is connected to the second part; an extension direction of the first part is the same as that of the protrusion portion, and are both parallel to a plane in which the housing is located; the extension direction of the first part is different from that of the second part; the protrusion portion, the first part, and the second part are combined to form the notched portion; and a material of the housing includes metal material.

A fastening structure is disposed on the housing, and the fastening structure includes a notched portion. A part of the support structure that is close to the support hole is fastened to the notched portion in the fastening structure, so that the support structure is fastened to the housing. A key module is disposed on the support structure, so that the key module can be fastened to the housing. In this way, no plastic bracket needs to be disposed, that is, a structure is reduced, a thickness of an electronic device is reduced, and a weight of the electronic device is reduced. In addition, in a process procedure, because a process step of forming the plastic bracket may be omitted, the process procedure may be further simplified, preparation efficiency is improved, and costs are reduced. In addition, a material of the housing includes metal material. When the housing assembly is applied to the electronic device, the electronic device has higher quality and is more beautiful. In addition, the metal housing may further shield interference from environment electromagnetism to the electronic device, and heat dissipation of the electronic device is facilitated.

In a first aspect, along an extension direction of the second part, a distance from a surface on one side of at least a part of the second part that is close to the housing to the housing gradually decreases. That is, in a direction perpendicular to a plane in which the housing is located, a size of an opening of the notched portion gradually decreases. In this way, the support structure may be firmly fastened in the notched portion.

In some possible implementations according to the first aspect, in a case in which the distance from the surface on one side of at least a part of the second part that is close to the housing to the housing gradually decreases, the second part includes a first subpart and a second subpart that are continuous. One end of the first subpart is connected to the first part, and the other end of the first subpart is connected to the second part. Along a direction in which the first subpart points to the second part, a distance from a surface on one side of the first subpart that is close to the housing to the housing gradually decreases until the distance is equal to a distance from a surface on one side of the second subpart that is close to the housing to the housing. Distances from all points of a surface on one side of the second subpart that is close to the housing to the housing are the same. In this way, the part of the support structure that is close to the support hole is fastened to the notched portion. In addition, along a direction in which the first subpart points to the second subpart, a distance from a surface on one side of the first subpart that is close to the housing to the housing gradually decreases, so that the support structure may be firmly fastened to the notched portion.

In some possible implementations according to the first aspect, in a case in which the distance from the surface in at least a part on one side of the second part that is close to the housing to the housing gradually decreases, along an extension direction of the second part, a distance from a surface on one side of the second part that is close to the housing to the housing gradually decreases; a distance from a surface on one side of a part of the support structure located at the notched portion that is away from the housing to the housing gradually decreases; and a surface on one side of the second part that is close to the housing is in direct contact with the surface on one side of the part of the support structure located at the notched portion that is away from the housing. In this way, the support structure can be clamped in the notched portion more stably.

In a second aspect, a surface on one side of the second part that is close to the housing includes an uneven surface. A shape of a surface of a part on one side of the support structure that is located in the notched portion and that is away from the housing matches a shape of the surface on one side of the second part that is close to the housing, so as to avoid moving of the support structure in a direction parallel to a plane in which the housing is located, thereby improving stability between the support structure and the housing.

In some possible implementations according to the second aspect, in a case in which the surface on one side of the second part that is close to the housing includes the uneven surface, a protrusion structure is disposed on a surface on one side of the second part that is close to the housing; a groove is disposed on the surface on one side of the part of the support structure that is located in the notched portion and that is away from the housing; and the protrusion structure is embedded in the groove, so as to prevent the support structure from moving out of the notched portion, thereby improving stability between the support structure and the housing.

In some possible implementations according to the second aspect, in a case in which the surface on one side of the second part that is close to the housing includes the uneven surface, a surface on one side of the second part that is close to the housing is a bumpy surface. This further improves stability between the support structure and the housing.

In some possible implementations according to the second aspect, in a case in which the surface on one side of the second part that is close to the housing is the bumpy surface, the surface on one side of the second part that is close to the housing includes a serrated surface.

In some possible implementations, an annular blind hole is disposed on a surface on one side of the support structure that is away from the housing, and the annular blind hole does not penetrate through the support structure. The annular blind hole is disposed around the support hole, and communicates with the support hole. The support structure includes a step portion, and the step portion is exposed out of the annular blind hole in a direction perpendicular to a plane in which the housing is located. At least a part of the step portion is fastened to the notched portion. This may further reduce a thickness of the housing assembly in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the housing is located.

In some possible implementations, the support structure includes a support portion, a connection portion, and a step portion. Along a direction parallel to a plane in which the housing is located, the step portion is located on one side of the connection part that is away from the support portion; and one end of the connection portion is connected to the support portion, and the other end of the connection portion is connected to the step portion. An extension direction of the support portion and that of the step portion are both parallel to the plane in which the housing is located; and the extension direction of the connection portion is different from the extension direction of the support portion. In a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the housing is located, a distance from a surface on one side of the support portion that is away from the housing to the housing is greater than a distance from a surface on one side of the step portion that is away from the housing to the housing. This further reduces a thickness of the housing assembly in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the housing is located, and expands a volume of an area enclosed by the housing and the support structure, so that some structures in the key module are disposed in the accommodating cavity.

In some possible implementations, a material of the housing includes stainless steel, aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, titanium alloy, or the like, which can further shield interference from environment electromagnetism to the electronic device, and facilitate heat dissipation of the electronic device.

In some possible implementations, the housing and the fastening structure are formed integrally. When the fastening structure and the housing are formed integrally, process steps are simplified, the fastening structure and the housing do not need to be disposed separately, and the fastening structure and the housing do not need to be bonded, thereby improving preparation efficiency of the housing assembly.

In some possible implementations, the housing and the fastening structure are formed separately. When the housing and the fastening structure are formed separately, a location in which the fastening structure is disposed on the housing is more flexible.

This application provides an electronic device, including any one of the foregoing housing assemblies, and can implement all effects of the housing assembly.

The following clearly and completely describes technical solutions in embodiments of this application with reference to accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Apparently, the described embodiments are some rather than all of the embodiments of this application. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the protection scope of this application.

In this specification, the term "and/or" is only used to describe an association relationship between associated objects, and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and/or B may indicate the following: Only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists.

In the specification and claims of this application, the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", and the like are intended to distinguish between different objects but do not indicate a particular order of the objects. For example, a first target object and a second target object are used to distinguish between different target objects, and are not used to describe a specific order of the target objects. In embodiments of this application, the word such as "as an example" or "for example" is used to represent giving an example, an illustration, or a description. In embodiments of this application, any embodiment or design solution described as "as an example" or "for example" shall not be explained as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or design solutions. To be precise, the use of the word such as "as an example" or "for example" is intended to present a related concept in a specific manner.

In the descriptions of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, "a plurality of" means two or more than two. For example, a plurality of processing units refer to two or more processing units. A plurality of systems refer to two or more systems; and a plurality of systems refer to two or more systems.

An embodiment of this application provides an electronic device. The electronic device may be, for example, an electronic device with a key module, such as a keyboard, a notebook computer, an industrial computer, a personal digital assistant (personal digital assistant, PDA), a router, or a television set. The electronic device includes a housing. The housing is provided with at least one hollowed-out portion. A key module is located in the electronic device, is assembled from inside to outside of the electronic device, is fastened to the housing of the electronic device, and a key of the key module is exposed out of the hollowed-out portion.

For example, when the electronic device is a keyboard, a plurality of hollowed-out portions are disposed on the housing. The keys on the key modules (also referred to as key caps of the keyboard) are exposed out of the plurality of hollowed-out portions. The keyboard may be used together with the electronic device as an external input device of the electronic device. In some embodiments, a keyboard serving as an external input device may include a wireless keyboard such as a Bluetooth keyboard, or may include a wired keyboard such as a keyboard connected to an electronic device such as a computer through a USB interface. When the electronic device is a notebook computer, an industrial computer, a personal digital assistant (personal digital assistant, PDA), or the like, a plurality of hollowed-out portions are disposed on the housing. The keys on the key modules (also referred to as keycaps of the keyboard) are exposed out of the plurality of hollowed-out portions.

When the electronic device is a router, a television set, or the like, for example, one hollowed-out portion is disposed on the housing. A key on the key module (also referred to as an appearance key or a power on key) is exposed out of the hollowed-out portion. A specific form of the foregoing electronic device is not specifically limited in this embodiment of this application. As shown in <FIG>, for ease of description, that the electronic device is a notebook computer is used as an example for description below.

As shown in <FIG>, the notebook computer includes a first body <NUM> and a second body <NUM>. The first body <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, and the housing <NUM> includes a plurality of hollowed-out portions <NUM>. The first body <NUM> further includes a key module <NUM>. The key module <NUM> is located in the first body <NUM>. The key module <NUM> includes a structure such as a key <NUM> (also referred to as a key cap). In some possible implementations, the key module <NUM> further includes a structure such as a connection connected to the key <NUM>.

In addition, a support structure (not shown in <FIG>) is further disposed in the first body <NUM>. The key module <NUM> is located on the support structure. The support structure supports the key module <NUM>, and fastens the key module <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. The key <NUM> is exposed out of the hollowed-out portion <NUM>. A display <NUM> is disposed on the second body <NUM>.

To clearly describe subsequent structural features and a location relationship between the structural features, a location relationship between structures in the notebook computer is specified by using an X-axis direction, a Y-axis direction, and a Z-axis direction. The X-axis direction is a length direction of the first body <NUM> of the notebook computer, the Y-axis direction is a width direction of the first body <NUM> of the notebook computer, and the Z-axis direction (also referred to as a first direction) is a thickness direction of the first body <NUM> of the notebook computer.

Refer to <FIG>. In a related technology, a plastic bracket <NUM> is disposed on the housing <NUM>. The plastic bracket <NUM> includes a plastic column <NUM> protruding from one side of the plastic bracket <NUM> that is away from the housing <NUM>. The plastic bracket <NUM> is formed by an adhesive dispensing process. The support structure <NUM> is fastened to the housing <NUM> by hot-melting the plastic column <NUM>, and therefore further fastens the keyboard module <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. The key <NUM> of the key module <NUM> is exposed out of the hollowed-out portion <NUM>.

However, fastening the support structure <NUM> to the housing <NUM> by using the plastic bracket <NUM> increases a weight of the notebook computer and a thickness of the first housing <NUM> in the Z-axis direction. For example, an increased weight of the notebook computer is approximately greater than or equal to <NUM> and less than or equal to <NUM>. An increased thickness of the notebook computer in the Z-axis direction is about <NUM> or more and is less than or equal to <NUM>. In addition, disposing the plastic bracket <NUM> by an adhesive dispensing process not only makes a process procedure complex, but also increases costs.

Based on this, an embodiment of this application provides a housing assembly. The housing assembly includes a support structure, a housing, and a fastening structure fastened to the housing. The housing is provided with at least one hollowed-out portion. A key module is located on the support structure. The key module is fastened to the housing by using a support structure, and a key of the key module is exposed out of a hollowed-out portion on the housing. It may be understood that when the housing assembly is applied to a keyboard, a notebook computer, an industrial computer, and a PDA, there may be a quantity of hollowed-out portions in the housing assembly, so as to expose a plurality of key caps. When the housing assembly is applied to a router, a television set, or the like, there may be one hollowed-out parts in the housing assembly is, for example, one, so as to expose an appearance key or a power switch key. A support structure is directly fastened by using a fastening structure formed on the housing, so that a key module located on the support structure is fastened to the housing, no plastic bracket needs to be disposed, a thickness of the electronic device in the Z-axis direction is reduced, and a weight of the electronic device is reduced. In addition, an assembly process may be simplified, preparation efficiency is improved, and costs are reduced.

The following describes the structure of the housing assembly in detail with reference to the electronic device. To describe the subsequent solution more easily and clearly, the following describes a specific structure of a housing assembly by using a housing assembly that is applied to a notebook computer as an example. The following content does not constitute a limitation of this application. It may be understood that when the housing assembly is applied to an electronic device such as a keyboard, a router, or a television set, an effect generated by the housing assembly is the same as the following examples in which the housing assembly is applied to a notebook computer, and a specific structure when the housing assembly is applied to an electronic device such as a keyboard, a router, or a television set is not described below.

As shown in <FIG>, a housing assembly includes a housing <NUM> and a support structure <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is provided with at least one hollowed-out portion <NUM>. In the Z-axis direction, the hollowed-out portion <NUM> penetrates through the housing <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, a housing assembly further includes at least one fastening structure <NUM> fastened to the housing <NUM>. A notched portion <NUM> is disposed on the fastening structure <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, at least one support hole <NUM> is disposed on a support structure <NUM>. In the Z-axis direction, the support hole <NUM> penetrates through the support structure <NUM>.

Refer to <FIG>. In the Z-axis direction, at least a part of the fastening structure <NUM> is located in the support hole <NUM>. In addition, a part of the support structure <NUM> that is close to the support hole <NUM> is fastened to the notched portion <NUM>, so that the support structure <NUM> is fastened to the fastening structure <NUM>. Because the fastening structure <NUM> is fastened to the housing <NUM>, the support structure <NUM> is fastened to the housing <NUM>. Refer to <FIG>. Because a key module <NUM> is fastened to the support structure <NUM>, the key module <NUM> may be fastened to the housing <NUM>, and a key <NUM> of the key module <NUM> may be exposed out of the hollowed-out portion <NUM>.

It should be noted that a specific structure of the key module <NUM> and a location of the key module <NUM> on the support structure <NUM> are not specifically limited in this embodiment. Provided that the key module <NUM> is fastened to the housing <NUM> by using the support structure <NUM>, this falls within the protection scope of this application. For example, a structure (for example, a connector connecting the key <NUM>) other than the key <NUM> in the key module <NUM> is located between the housing <NUM> and the support structure <NUM>. The key <NUM> is exposed out of the hollowed-out portion <NUM>.

It should be noted that there may be one or more fastening structures <NUM>. This is not limited in this embodiment of this application. In this embodiment of this application, that there is one fastening structure <NUM> is used as an example for description.

In this application, at least one fastening structure <NUM> is disposed on the housing <NUM>, and a part of the supporting structure <NUM> that is close to the supporting hole <NUM> is fastened to a notched portion <NUM> in the fastening structure <NUM>, so that the supporting structure <NUM> is fastened to the housing <NUM>, and a key module is fastened to the housing <NUM>. No plastic bracket needs to be disposed, a thickness of the thin electronic device in the Z-axis direction is reduced, and a weight of the electronic device is reduced. In addition, in a process procedure, because a process step of forming the plastic bracket may be omitted, the process procedure may be further simplified, preparation efficiency is improved, and costs are reduced.

For a shape of the fastening structure <NUM>, a shape of the fastening structure is not limited in this embodiment, provided that the keyboard module <NUM> may be fastened to the housing <NUM> by using the fastening structure <NUM> and the support structure <NUM> together.

In some examples, still refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. The fastening structure <NUM> includes a protrusion portion <NUM> and a first part <NUM> and a second part <NUM> that are located on one side of the protrusion portion <NUM> that is away from the housing <NUM>. One end of the first part <NUM> is connected to the protrusion portion <NUM>, and the other end of the first part <NUM> is connected to the second part <NUM>. An extension direction of the second part <NUM> is the same as an extension direction of the protrusion portion <NUM>, and the extension directions are both parallel to an XY plane formed by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. An extension direction of the first part <NUM> is different from the extension direction of the second part <NUM>. For example, the first part <NUM> extends in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the protrusion portion <NUM>, the first part <NUM>, and the second part <NUM> are combined to form the notched portion <NUM>.

A material of the housing <NUM> is not specifically limited in this embodiment of this application. In some possible implementations, the material of the housing <NUM> includes, for example, metal. For example, the material of the housing <NUM> may include, for example, metal material such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, or titanium alloy. When the material of the housing includes metal material, and the housing assembly is applied to the electronic device, the electronic device has higher quality and is more beautiful. In addition, the metal housing may further shield interference from environment electromagnetism to the electronic device, and heat dissipation of the electronic device is facilitated.

A material of the fastening structure <NUM> is not specifically limited in this embodiment of this application. In some possible implementations, the material of the fastening structure <NUM> includes, for example, metal. For example, the material of the fastening structure <NUM> may include, for example, metal material such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, or titanium alloy. When the material of the fastening structure <NUM> is metal material, difficulty in preparing the fastening structure <NUM> is reduced, and preparation efficiency of the fixed structure <NUM> is improved. A material of the support structure <NUM> is not specifically limited in this embodiment of this application. In some possible implementations, the material of the support structure <NUM> includes, for example, metal. For example, the material of the support structure <NUM> may be, for example, steel. When the material of the support structure <NUM> is steel, a support effect for the key module <NUM> is good, which prevents a collapse of the key module <NUM> that affects normal use.

In addition, in this application, the fastening structure <NUM> and the housing <NUM> may be formed separately or integrally.

Still refer to <FIG> is an example in which the fastening structure <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are formed separately. The fastening structure <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are formed separately, so that a location in which the fastening structure <NUM> is disposed on the housing <NUM> is more flexible. For example, refer to <FIG>. A location in which the fixed structure <NUM> is disposed on the housing <NUM> may be between two adjacent hollowed-out portions <NUM>, and may alternatively be between four adjacent hollowed-out portions <NUM>, for example, in an FF area in <FIG>. Alternatively, the fastening structure <NUM> is located on an edge of the housing <NUM>, such as GG in <FIG>.

It may be understood that when the fastening structure <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are formed separately, the fastening structure <NUM> is fastened to the housing <NUM>, for example, by using a connection layer <NUM>. For example, the connection layer <NUM> includes but is not limited to a double-sided adhesive tape.

<FIG> is an example in which the fastening structure <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are formed integrally. The fastening structure <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are formed integrally, that is, the fastening structure <NUM> is formed while the housing <NUM> is formed. When the fastening structure <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are formed integrally, process steps are simplified, the fastening structure <NUM> and the housing <NUM> do not need to be disposed separately, and the fastening structure <NUM> and the housing <NUM> do not need to be bonded, thereby improving preparation efficiency of the housing assembly.

It should be noted herein that the following fastening structure <NUM> and the housing <NUM> may be formed separately or integrally. The following uses an example in which the fastening structure <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are formed integrally for description.

In addition, for a specific structure of the support structure <NUM>, the foregoing example shows only a specific structure of the support structure <NUM>, that is, as shown in <FIG>, at least one support hole <NUM> is disposed on the support structure <NUM>. In the Z-axis direction, the support hole <NUM> penetrates through the support structure <NUM>. However, this does not constitute a limitation of this application, provided that the key module <NUM> can be fastened to the housing <NUM> by using the fastening structure <NUM> and the support structure <NUM> together.

In some possible implementations, refer to <FIG>. The support structure <NUM> is provided with the support hole <NUM>, and an annular blind hole <NUM> is further disposed on a surface on one side that is away from the housing <NUM>. In the Z-axis direction, the annular blind hole <NUM> does not penetrate through the support structure <NUM>. The annular blind hole <NUM> is disposed around the support hole <NUM>, and communicates with the support hole <NUM>. A part that the ring blind hole <NUM> does not penetrate is a step portion <NUM>. At least a part of the step portion <NUM> is fastened to the notched portion <NUM>, so that at least a part of the second part <NUM> is located in the annular blind hole <NUM>. Optionally, in the Z-axis direction, a surface of the fastening structure <NUM> that is away from one side of the housing <NUM> is flush with a surface on one side of the support structure <NUM> that is away from the housing <NUM>. In this way, the thickness of the housing assembly in the Z-axis direction can be further reduced.

In still another possible implementation, refer to <FIG>. The support structure <NUM> includes a support portion <NUM>, a connection portion <NUM>, and a step portion <NUM>. In a direction parallel to the XY plane, the step portion <NUM> is located on one side of the connection portion <NUM> that is away from the support portion <NUM>. One end of the connection portion <NUM> is connected to the support portion <NUM>, and the other end of the connection portion <NUM> is connected to the step portion <NUM>. An extension direction of the support portion <NUM> and an extension direction of the step portion <NUM> are both parallel to the XY plane. An extension direction of the connection portion <NUM> is different from the extension direction of the support portion <NUM>. In the Z-axis direction, a distance H1 from a surface on one side of the support portion <NUM> that is away from the housing <NUM> to the housing <NUM> is greater than a distance H2 from a surface on one side of the step portion <NUM> that is away from the housing <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. At least a part of the step portion <NUM> is fastened to the notched portion <NUM>, and at least a part of the second part <NUM> is located on one side of the step portion <NUM> that is away from the housing <NUM>. Optionally, in the Z-axis direction, a surface on one side of the fastening structure <NUM> that is away from the housing <NUM> is flush with a surface on one side of the support structure <NUM> that is away from the housing <NUM>. In this way, the thickness of the housing assembly in the Z-axis direction can be further reduced, and a volume of an area enclosed by the housing <NUM> and the support structure <NUM> can be expanded, so that some structures (for example, a connector connecting the key <NUM>) in the key module <NUM> are disposed in the accommodating cavity.

It should be noted herein that the following uses an example in which the support structure <NUM> includes the support portion <NUM>, the connection portion <NUM>, and the step portion <NUM> for description.

In addition, this further improves stability between the support structure <NUM> and the housing <NUM>.

In some possible implementations, refer to <FIG>. The second part <NUM> includes a first subpart <NUM> and a second subpart <NUM>. One end of the first subpart <NUM> is connected to the first part <NUM>, and the other end of the first subpart <NUM> is connected to the second subpart <NUM>. Along a direction in which the first subpart <NUM> points to the second subpart <NUM>, a distance from a surface on one side of the first subpart <NUM> that is close to the housing <NUM> to the housing <NUM> gradually decreases until the distance is equal to a distance from a surface on one side of the second subpart <NUM> that is close to the housing <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. That is, in a direction in which the first subpart <NUM> points to the second subpart <NUM>, a size of an opening of the notched portion <NUM> in the Z-axis direction decreases. In this way, the step portion <NUM> can be firmly fastened to the notched portion <NUM>.

In still some other possible implementations, refer to <FIG>. Along a direction in which the support portion <NUM> points to the step portion <NUM>, a distance from a surface on one side of the second part <NUM> that is away from the housing <NUM> to the housing <NUM> gradually decreases; and a distance from a surface on one side of the step portion <NUM> that is away from the housing <NUM> to the housing <NUM> gradually decreases. The surface on one side of the second part <NUM> that is close to the housing <NUM> is in direct contact with the surface on one side of the step portion <NUM> that is away from the housing <NUM>. That is, in the Z-axis direction, a size of an opening of the notched portion <NUM> is less than a thickness of the step portion <NUM>. In this way, the step portion <NUM> can be clamped in the notched portion <NUM> more stably.

In still some other possible implementations, refer to <FIG>. A protrusion structure <NUM> is disposed on a surface on one side of the second part <NUM> that is close to the housing <NUM>. A groove <NUM> is disposed on a surface on one side of the step portion <NUM> that is away from the housing <NUM>. The protrusion structure <NUM> is embedded in the groove <NUM>. In this way, the support structure <NUM> can be prevented from moving in a direction parallel to the XY plane, thereby improving stability between the support structure <NUM> and the housing <NUM>.

It should be noted herein that, along the Z-axis direction, the groove <NUM> may penetrate through the step portion <NUM>, or may not penetrate through the step portion <NUM>.

In still some other possible implementations, refer to <FIG>. A surface on one side of the second part <NUM> that is close to the housing <NUM> is a bumpy surface. In some possible implementations, the surface on one side of the second part <NUM> that is close to the housing <NUM> is a serrated surface. A shape of a surface on one side of the step portion <NUM> that is away from the housing <NUM> matches a shape of the surface on one side of the second part <NUM> that is close to the housing <NUM>. In this way, the support structure <NUM> can be prevented from moving in a direction parallel to the XY plane, thereby improving stability between the support structure <NUM> and the housing <NUM>.

This application further provides a method for preparing a housing assembly. The method may be used to prepare, for example, the housing assembly shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the method may be specifically implemented in the following steps:
S161: As shown in <FIG>, at least one hollowed-out portion <NUM> is disposed on a flat plate-shaped housing <NUM>, and a fastener <NUM>' is formed. The fastener <NUM>' includes a protrusion portion <NUM>, a first part <NUM>, and a second subcomponent <NUM>'.

For example, the flat plate-shaped housing <NUM> is cut by performing a cutting process, to form at least one hollowed-out portion <NUM> and a fastener <NUM>'.

It should be noted that, in this case, the second subcomponent <NUM>' of the fastener <NUM>' has a different shape from that of the second part <NUM> in the fastening structure <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

S162: As shown in <FIG>, pressure is applied to the fastener <NUM>', so that the fastener <NUM>' is perpendicular to a plane in which the housing <NUM> is located.

For example, the fastener <NUM>' may be disposed on the housing <NUM> by performing a stamping process, and is perpendicular to a plane in which the housing <NUM> is located.

S163: As shown in <FIG>, a support structure <NUM> is disposed on the housing <NUM>, where the fastener <NUM>' passes through a support hole <NUM> of the support structure <NUM>, the support structure <NUM> includes a step portion <NUM> that is adjacent to the support hole <NUM>, and at least a part of the step portion <NUM> is in contact with a surface on one side of the protrusion portion <NUM> that is away from the housing.

For a specific structure of the support structure <NUM>, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiments, and details are not described again. Only one example is used herein for description. S164: As shown in <FIG>, at least a part of the step portion <NUM> is fastened between the protrusion portion <NUM> and the second part <NUM> through riveting, so that the support structure <NUM> is fastened to the housing <NUM>.

At least a part of the step portion <NUM> is fastened between the protrusion portion <NUM> and the second part <NUM> through riveting, so that the support structure <NUM> is fastened to the housing <NUM>. In this case, the formed structure is the fastening structure <NUM> in <FIG>.

For a specific structure and a specific location of the fastening structure <NUM>, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

Claim 1:
A housing assembly, comprising:
a housing (<NUM>), wherein at least one hollowed-out portion (<NUM>) is disposed on the housing (<NUM>), and the hollowed-out portion (<NUM>) penetrates through the housing (<NUM>);
at least one fastening structure (<NUM>), wherein the fastening structure (<NUM>) is fastened to the housing (<NUM>); and a notched portion (<NUM>) is disposed on the fastening structure (<NUM>); and
a support structure (<NUM>), wherein at least one support hole (<NUM>) is disposed on the support structure (<NUM>), and the support hole (<NUM>) penetrates through the support structure (<NUM>), wherein
at least a part of the fastening structure (<NUM>) passes through the support hole (<NUM>), and a portion of the support structure (<NUM>) close to the support hole (<NUM>) is fastened to the notched portion (<NUM>);
the fastening structure (<NUM>) comprises a protrusion portion (<NUM>) and a first part (<NUM>) and a second part (<NUM>) that are located on one side of the protrusion portion (<NUM>) that is away from the housing (<NUM>);
one end of the first part (<NUM>) is connected to the protrusion portion (<NUM>), and the other end of the first part (<NUM>) is connected to the second part (<NUM>);
an extension direction of the second part (<NUM>) is the same as an extension direction of the protrusion portion (<NUM>), and both are parallel to a plane in which the housing (<NUM>) is located;
an extension direction of the first part (<NUM>) is different from the extension direction of the second part (<NUM>);
the protrusion portion (<NUM>), the first part (<NUM>), and the second part (<NUM>) are combined to form the notched portion (<NUM>); and
a material of the housing (<NUM>) comprises a metal material, wherein, along an extension direction of the second part (<NUM>), a distance from a surface on one side of at least a part of the second part (<NUM>) that is close to the housing (<NUM>) to the housing (<NUM>) gradually decreases.