Patent ID: 12216435

100. key structure;10. housing;11. mounting hole;12. accommodation groove;20. mounting seat;21. stopper portion;211. avoiding hole;212. step;213. central hole;214, annular groove;22. sleeve body;221. first sealing groove;222. first slot;30. key component;31. keycap;311. clamping hook;32. drive rod;321. second sealing groove;322. second slot;40. clamping holder;41. U-shaped structure;411. bottom plate;412. side plate;413. U-shaped groove;42. first insertion block;43. abutting plate;44. second insertion block;45. connecting plate;50. switch device;60. flexible printed circuit;70. first sealing element;80. second sealing element;90. front housing;91. rear housing;92. stiffening plate;93. double-sided adhesive tape;94. elastic component.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

To make the technical problems to be resolved, technical solutions, and beneficial effects in this application clearer, the following further describes this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely used to explain this application, but are not intended to limit this application.

It should be noted that, when an element is referred to as being “fixed” or “set” to another element, the element may be directly or indirectly on the another element. When an element is referred to as being “connected to” another element, the element may be directly or indirectly connected to the another element.

It should be understood that a direction or a position relationship indicated by a term such as “length”, “width”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “inner”, or “outer” is a direction or a position relationship shown based on the accompanying drawings, is merely used to describe this application and simplify the descriptions, but is not intended to indicate or imply that an indicated apparatus or element needs to have a particular direction or needs to be constructed and operated in a particular direction, and therefore cannot be construed as a limitation on this application.

In addition, the terms “first” and “second” are merely intended for a purpose of description, and shall not be understood as an indication or implication of relative importance or implicit indication of a quantity of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature limited by “first” or “second” may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the descriptions of this application, “a plurality of” means two or more, unless otherwise specifically limited.

The embodiments of this application relate to a key structure. The key structure may be applied to an electronic device, to control the electronic device, for example, power on/off, adjust volume, and select a channel. The electronic device may be any product having the foregoing key structure, such as a smartwatch, a wristband, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a television, a neck-worn Bluetooth headphone, a headphone, or a true wireless stereo (True Wireless Stereo, TWS) headphone.

The following describes concepts used in the foregoing embodiments:

Flexible printed circuit: flexible printed circuit, FPC. The flexible printed circuit is a printed circuit with high reliability and excellent flexibility that is made by using polyimide or a polyester film as a base material.

A switch device is an electronic element that can open a circuit, interrupt a current, or cause a current to flow to another circuit.

As shown inFIG.1toFIG.5, a key structure100provided in embodiments of this application is described.

The key structure100includes a mounting seat20, a key component30, a clamping holder40, and a switch device50. The electronic device includes a housing10, a mounting hole11is provided on the housing10, the mounting seat20is mounted in the mounting hole11and axially penetrates through the mounting hole11, the key component30is mounted on the mounting seat20, and one end of the key component30axially penetrates into the housing10from the mounting seat20. The clamping holder40is connected to the mounting seat20, the switch device50is mounted on the clamping holder40, the switch device50is disposed opposite to one end that extends into the housing10and that is of the key component30, and the switch device50is connected to a main board by using a flexible printed circuit60. When the key component30is subjected to pressure toward the switch device50, the key component30is capable of abutting against the switch device50to trigger the switch device50.

Specifically, the key component30is mounted on the mounting seat20, one end of the key component30extends into the housing10to trigger the switch device50, the other end of the key component30is located on an outer side of the housing10for pressing, and the clamping holder40is also mounted on the mounting seat20. The switch device50is mounted on the clamping holder40, that is, an assembly dimension chain between the switch device50and the key component30is the switch device50, the mounting seat20, the clamping holder40, and the key component30.

The electronic device in this embodiment of this application is a device that includes electronic parts and components such as a flexible printed circuit, a transistor, and an electron tube and that uses an electronic technology to play a role, including a mobile phone, an MP3, an MP4, a tablet computer, a wristband, a watch, and the like. Preferably, the key structure in this embodiment of this application may be applied to an electronic device on which a side key (for example, a side edge of the housing of the electronic device) may be mounted, such as a key structure on which a volume key may be mounted and that is on a side edge of a housing of a mobile phone, a tablet computer, or the like, or a key structure of an on/off key. For example, the key structure100may be used as a key of a watch.

For example, the key component30may be a button.

In the key structure100provided in this embodiment of this application, the clamping holder40is mounted on the mounting seat20, and the switch device50is mounted on the clamping holder40, and is electrically connected to the main board by using the flexible printed circuit60. In addition, the key component30is also mounted on the mounting seat20. In other words, the key component30and the clamping holder40are both mounted on the mounting seat20. The switch device50is mounted on the clamping holder40. In this way, only the mounting seat20and the clamping holder40are added to an assembly dimension chain between the switch device50and the key component30, so that an accumulated part error between the switch device50and the key component30can be reduced, a comfort level of a hand feeling of the key component30can be improved, management difficulty during production of the electronic device can be reduced, and costs can be reduced. In addition, the clamping holder40further provides a reliable fastening structure to the switch device50.

In a specific embodiment, referring toFIG.5andFIG.6, an outer peripheral wall of the mounting seat20is adaptable to a side wall of the mounting hole11, and the clamping holder40is capable of axially limiting the mounting seat20. Specifically, the outer peripheral wall of the mounting seat20is a circumferential outer side wall of the mounting seat20. When the outer peripheral wall of the mounting seat20is adaptable to the side wall of the mounting hole11, the mounting hole11is capable of circumferentially limiting the mounting seat20, and the clamping holder40axially limits the mounting seat20, so that the mounting seat20can be completely limited.

In a specific embodiment, referring toFIG.5, a first sealing element70abuts between the outer peripheral wall of the mounting seat20and the side wall of the mounting hole11. In this way, the first sealing element70is disposed, so that water can be prevented from entering the housing10from a gap between the mounting seat20and the housing10, thereby improving sealing property of the electronic device.

Specifically, the first sealing element70is an O-shaped sealing ring, and an annular first sealing groove221is formed on the outer peripheral wall of the mounting seat20. The O-shaped sealing ring is accommodated in the first sealing groove221, and at least partially protrudes out of the first sealing groove221to abut against the side wall of the mounting hole11, thereby forming a sealing connection between the mounting seat20and the housing10. It may be understood that, in another embodiment of this application, the first sealing groove221may also be formed on the side wall of the mounting hole11. In addition, there may be one or a plurality of first sealing elements70.

In a specific embodiment, referring toFIG.5,FIG.7, andFIG.8, a first insertion block42is disposed on the clamping holder40, a first slot222is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the mounting seat20, and the first insertion block42is inserted into the first slot222to axially limit the mounting seat20. Specifically, the clamping holder40is disposed in the housing10, and the first slot222is formed on the outer peripheral wall of one end that extends into the housing10and that is of the mounting seat20. In this way, through insertion and fitting between the first insertion block42and the first slot222, the mounting seat20can be axially limited, to prevent the mounting seat20from axially moving, and the clamping holder40can be mounted. In addition, a problem in the conventional technology that a clamping spring is easy to fall off is also resolved.

Referring toFIG.5andFIG.7, a plurality of oppositely disposed first insertion blocks42are disposed on the clamping holder40, a plurality of oppositely disposed first slots222are provided on the outer peripheral wall of the mounting seat20, the first insertion blocks42are in a one-to-one correspondence with the first slots222, and the first insertion blocks42are capable of being respectively inserted into the first slots222in a straight line along one direction. During actual mounting, after the mounting seat20is mounted in the mounting hole11, the clamping holder40is directly pushed in a straight line along one direction toward the mounting seat20, until the first insertion blocks42are respectively inserted into the first slots222correspondingly. Assembly of the first insertion blocks42and the first slots222is simple, insertion is performed in a straight line, the structure is simple, and limiting is stably performed.

For example, the plurality of first insertion blocks42disposed on the clamping holder40include a first insertion block a and a first insertion block b. The first insertion block a and the first insertion block b are oppositely disposed, and the plurality of oppositely disposed first slots222provided on the outer peripheral wall of the mounting seat20include a first slot a and a first slot b. The first slot a and the first slot b are oppositely disposed. The first slot a can be inserted into the first slot a in a straight line along one direction, and the first slot b can be inserted into the first slot b in a straight line along one direction.

In a specific embodiment, referring toFIG.5andFIG.7, an abutting plate43is further disposed on the clamping holder40, and the abutting plate43is capable of abutting against an inner side of the housing10when the first insertion block42is inserted into the first slot222. In other words, the abutting plate43abuts against the inner side of the housing10, so that the clamping holder40can be further limited, thereby improving connection strength between the clamping holder40and the mounting seat20.

Specifically, two abutting plates43are disposed on the clamping holder40, the two abutting plates43are oppositely disposed, and the two abutting plates43respectively abut at different locations on the inner side of the housing10, so that the clamping holder40reliably abuts against the housing10.

In a specific embodiment, referring toFIG.5, the clamping holder40includes a U-shaped structure41, the switch device50is located in the U-shaped structure41, a plurality of first insertion blocks42are separately disposed on two sides of the U-shaped structure41, and a plurality of abutting plates43are separately disposed on the two sides of the U-shaped structure41. In other words, the entire clamping holder40is formed by the U-shaped structure41, the first insertion blocks42, and the abutting plates43. The clamping holder40is of a simple structure, and is convenient to manufacture.

Specifically, the U-shaped structure41, the two first insertion blocks42, and the two abutting plates43are of an integrated structure. In this embodiment, in the clamping holder40, metal sheets are bent to form the U-shaped structure41, the two first insertion blocks42, and the two abutting plates43. The clamping holder40has a simple manufacturing process.

Referring toFIG.5andFIG.7, the U-shaped structure41includes a bottom plate411and two side plates412, the two side plates412are respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the bottom plate411, the bottom plate411and the two side plates412are enclosed to form a U-shaped groove413, and the two first insertion blocks42are respectively disposed on the two side plates412and extend into the U-shaped groove413. The two abutting plates43are respectively disposed on the two side plates412and extend in an opposite direction of the first insertion blocks42, and the two first insertion blocks42are respectively spaced from the two abutting plates43. During mounting, the switch device50and one end of the flexible printed circuit60are both mounted on the bottom plate411and accommodated in the U-shaped groove413, then the two first insertion blocks42are respectively inserted into the two first slots222of the mounting seat20along one direction, and the two abutting plates43are enabled to separately abut against the inner side of the housing10, so that the switch device50and the clamping holder40are mounted.

In addition, referring toFIG.1,FIG.2, andFIG.6, the housing10is a middle frame structure of the electronic device, a front housing90and a rear housing91are further disposed on the entire electronic device, and the front housing90and the rear housing91are respectively mounted on a front side and a rear side of the housing10. In addition, the front housing90and the rear housing91respectively abut against front and rear sides of the U-shaped structure41, thereby completely mounting and locating the clamping holder40. Specifically, the front housing90and the rear housing91respectively abut against front and rear sides of the side plate412.

In a specific embodiment, one end of the flexible printed circuit60is attached to the clamping holder40, and the switch device50is soldered to one end of the flexible printed circuit60. Specifically, a stiffening plate92is disposed at one end of the flexible printed circuit60, the stiffening plate92is attached to the bottom plate411by using a double-sided adhesive tape93, and then the switch device50is soldered to the one end of the flexible printed circuit60. The structure is simple and an assembly process is simple.

In a specific embodiment, referring toFIG.4, the key component30includes a keycap31and a drive rod32. The keycap31and the drive rod32are connected to each other, and are specifically integrally connected. The drive rod32axially penetrates through the mounting seat20, and the keycap31is disposed on one end that is of the mounting seat20and that is exposed on the housing10, for pressing.

In a specific embodiment, referring toFIG.5, an accommodation groove12is provided on an outer side of the housing10, the accommodation groove12communicates with the mounting hole11, the accommodation groove12is enclosed outside the mounting hole11, and a size of the accommodation groove12is greater than a size of the mounting hole11. The mounting seat20includes a sleeve body22and a stopper portion21, the sleeve body22is cylindrical and axially penetrates through the mounting hole11, the stopper portion21is connected to the sleeve body22, and the stopper portion21performs stopping at one end of the mounting hole11and is accommodated in the accommodation groove12. The keycap31is sleeved on the stopper portion21and is at least partially accommodated in the accommodation groove12, and the drive rod32penetrates through the sleeve body22. Herein, because the keycap31is movable, and in order to make the keycap31easy to be pressed by hand, the keycap31generally partially extends out of the accommodation groove12.

Specifically, the sleeve body22and the stopper portion21are of an integral connection structure, that is, the mounting seat20may be made by using a same material and a same process. The manufacturing process of the mounting seat20is simple.

In a specific embodiment, referring toFIG.5, a second sealing element80abuts between the drive rod32and the sleeve body22. The second sealing element80is disposed to lead to good sealing property between the key component30and the mounting seat20. The first sealing element70is disposed to lead to good sealing property of the entire key structure100. A waterproof standard of the key structure can reach 5 ATM or even higher in real time. 5 ATM waterproofing means that waterproofing of the key structure100is required to meet an atmospheric pressure waterproofing degree of 5 ATM.

Specifically, two second sealing elements80abut between the drive rod32and the sleeve body22, and the two second sealing elements80are disposed at an axial interval along the sleeve body22. The two second sealing elements80are disposed, so that sealing property between the key component30and the mounting seat20is better. It may be understood that, in another embodiment of this application, a quantity of second sealing elements80may alternatively be one, three, or more than three. This is not uniquely limited herein.

Referring toFIG.5andFIG.9, the second sealing element80is also an O-shaped sealing ring, and a second sealing groove321is formed on an outer peripheral wall of the sleeve body22. The second sealing element80is accommodated in the second sealing groove321, and at least partially protrudes out of the second sealing groove321to abut against an inner peripheral wall of the drive rod32.

In a specific embodiment, referring toFIG.5toFIG.9, the keycap31is of a non-rotator structure, an outer peripheral wall of the keycap31is adaptable to an inner peripheral wall of the accommodation groove12, and an inner peripheral wall of the keycap31is adaptable to an outer peripheral wall of the stopper portion21. Both the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall herein are a circumferential outer side wall and a circumferential inner side wall. In this application, the accommodation groove12and the stopper portion21are limited, so that the keycap31can be circumferentially limited, to prevent the keycap31from circumferentially rotating.

In a specific embodiment, referring toFIG.5, at least one elastic component94abuts between the keycap31and a bottom portion of the accommodation groove12, and an avoiding hole211is provided at a location that is on the stopper portion21and that corresponds to the at least one elastic component94. The elastic component94abuts between the keycap31and the bottom portion of the accommodation groove12, for ease of pressing the keycap31, so that the drive rod32is driven to drive the switch device50or release the switch device50.

Specifically, the keycap31is of a runway type, two elastic components94abut between the keycap31and the bottom portion of the accommodation groove12, the elastic component94is a spring, and the two springs respectively abut between two ends of the keycap31along a length direction and the bottom portion of the accommodation groove12. The stopper portion21is also of a runway type, avoiding holes211are provided at locations that are of the stopper portion21and that correspond to the two springs, and the two springs respectively penetrate through the two avoiding holes211, and respectively abut between the keycap31and the bottom portion of the accommodation groove12.

In a specific embodiment, referring toFIG.8andFIG.9, a clamping hook311is disposed on the keycap31, a step212is disposed on the stopper portion21, and the clamping hook311is capable of being hooked to the step212after rotation, to define a reset stroke of the keycap31. It should be noted herein that the reset stroke of the keycap31is a rebounding stroke of the keycap31under a push of the elastic component94after the keycap31is pressed, that is, when the keycap31is pressed, the drive rod32drives the switch device50. At the same time, the elastic component94is compressed and accumulates elastic energy. When the keycap31is released, the keycap31rebounds under elastic pressure of the elastic component94. At this time, the keycap31is hooked to the step212of the stopper portion21by the hook311on the keycap31, thereby preventing the keycap31from rebounding too much due to the elastic pressure of the elastic component94, to fall out of the housing10.

Specifically, each of edges of the two ends of the keycap31in the length direction extends to the housing10to form the hook311, and two steps212are formed on the outer peripheral wall of the stopper portion21. During mounting, the keycap31and the stopper portion21are circumferentially staggered by an angle, and then the keycap31is rotated back relative to the stopper portion21, so that the two hooks311can be correspondingly screwed under the two steps212. In this way, the two hooks311can be stopped under the two steps212under the action of the elastic component94, to limit the rebounding stroke of the keycap31.

In another embodiment of this application, referring toFIG.10toFIG.14, both the keycap31and the stopper portion21are of a rotator structure, and correspondingly, the accommodation groove12is also of a circular shape. In addition, to circumferentially limit the entire key component30, a second insertion block44is disposed on the clamping holder40, a second slot322is provided on the drive rod32, and the second insertion block44is inserted into the second slot322, thereby circumferentially limiting the key component30, to prevent the key component30from rotating. Certainly, in an embodiment in which the keycap31is of a non-rotator structure, the key component30may also be limited by using the second insertion block and the second slot. This is not uniquely limited herein.

In addition, a connecting plate45extends on the bottom plate411, the connecting plate45extends to the middle of the U-shaped structure41to form a plurality of second insertion blocks44disposed at intervals, a plurality of second slots322are separately provided on two opposite sides of the drive rod32, and the second insertion blocks44are in a one-to-one correspondence with the second slots322. The second insertion blocks44are respectively disposed in the second slots322, and the second insertion blocks44can axially slide in the second slots322. That is, the second insertion blocks44have movable space in the second slots322, and the movable space is exactly used to define movable space of the key component30.

For example, the plurality of second insertion blocks44disposed on the connecting plate45include a second insertion block a and a second insertion block b. The second insertion block a and the second insertion block b are disposed at intervals, and the plurality of oppositely disposed second slots322provided on an outer peripheral wall of the drive rod32include a second slot a and a second slot b. The second slot a and the second slot b are oppositely disposed. The second slot a can be inserted into the second slot a in a straight line along one direction, and the second slot b can be inserted into the second slot b in a straight line along one direction.

In addition, because the movable space of the key component30is limited, it is unnecessary to dispose the clamping hook311on the keycap31and also the step212on the mounting seat20.

In addition, because the keycap31is of a rotator shape, to make the keycap31be pressed stably, the elastic component94abuts between a central position of the keycap31and a central position of the stopper portion21. Specifically, a central hole213is provided in the center of the stopper portion21, the drive rod32penetrates through the central hole213, and an annular groove214communicating with the central hole213is provided in the center of the stopper portion21. The elastic component94is a cylindrical spring, the cylindrical spring is sleeved on the drive rod32, one end of the cylindrical spring abuts against an inner side of a top portion of the keycap31, and the other end of the cylindrical spring abuts against a bottom portion of the annular groove214.

Based on a same concept, an embodiment of this application further provides an electronic device, including a housing10and the foregoing key structure100. In addition to the foregoing key structure100, the electronic device further includes a main board and another related structure. The main board and the another related structure are all disposed in the housing10.

As described above, the key structure100in each embodiment is applied to an electronic device such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a television, a neck-worn Bluetooth headphone, a headphone, and a true wireless stereo (True Wireless Stereo, TWS) headphone, so that the key component30of the electronic device has a comfortable hand feeling, and user experience is good.

The foregoing descriptions are merely example embodiments of this application, but are not intended to limit this application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, or improvement made without departing from the spirit and principle of this application should fall within the protection scope of this application.