Patent ID: 8427345

Claim:
A side keypad assembly for a portable electronic device, comprising: a keypad panel and a base panel assembled with the keypad panel; the keypad panel comprising: a pressing surface comprising a plurality of keypads protruding therefrom; and a mating surface opposite to the pressing surface and assembled with the base panel, the mating surface comprising a plurality of stepped protruding columns corresponding to the plurality of keypads, and a plurality of separating protrusions located between each two adjacent keypads, the separating protrusions protruding from the mating surface along a direction toward the base panel; wherein the base panel comprises a first surface, an opposite second surface; the first surface comprises a plurality of blind holes, and a plurality of grooves corresponding to the stepped columns and separating protrusions respectively, thereby forming a plurality of column projections and a plurality of protruding ribs on the second surface of the base panel; the stepped columns and the separating protrusions respectively latch with the blind holes and grooves of the base panel; the mating surface further comprises an assembling groove, a first side wall, and an opposite second side wall; the base panel is assembled within the assembling groove.