AU2018274878A1 - Button and button switch - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a button switch and a button thereof. The button comprises a first surface, a positioning member and a guiding member. The first surface is adapted to cause the button to move along a direction perpendicular to the first surface in response to being pressed. The positioning member is arranged on a second surface opposite to the first surface and is mechanically coupled to a driving member of the button switch, wherein the positioning member allows the driving member to translate along the second surface when the button moves along the direction. The guiding member is arranged on the second surface and includes a guiding surface inclined relative to the second surface. The guiding surface faces towards the driving member to guide the driving member to displace in the above direction when the driving member translates along the second surface. The button according to embodiments of the present disclosure can reduce the switch stroke of the button switch, so as to improve the hand feel of the user when pressing the switch.

Description

BUTTON AND BUTTON SWITCH

Field [0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of button switches, and more specifically, to a button switch and a button thereof.

Background [0002] Button switch is a typical type of switch. By repetitively pressing a button of a button switch, a user can alternately connect or disconnect one circuit or alternately connect two circuits. In addition to the button, the button switch usually includes a driving member, an actuating member, a swing rod and a conductive bridge among other components. When the user presses the button switch, the driving member can drive the actuating member of the button switch to act, and the actuating member in turn causes the swing rod and the conductive bridge to act, so as to perform a switching operation of the button switch.

[0003] Usually, during the switching operation of the button switch, the driving member moves horizontally relative to the button. However, when the user operates a conventional button switch, it is required to press the button down to the end to perform the switching operation of the button switch. In other words, the conventional button switch has a long switch stroke, which results in a poor hand feel of the user when pressing the switch and unsatisfactory user experience.

Summary [0004] In view of the above, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a button and a button switch to solve the above and other technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a button of a button switch. The button comprises a first surface, a positioning member and a guiding member. The first surface is adapted to cause the button to move along a direction perpendicular to the first surface in response to being pressed. The positioning member is arranged on a second surface opposite to the first surface and is mechanically coupled to a driving member of the button switch, wherein the positioning member allows the driving member to translate along the second surface when the button moves along the direction. The guiding member arranged on the second surface and includes a guiding surface inclined relative to the second surface, and the guiding surface faces towards the driving member to guide the driving i

2018274878 04 Dec 2018 member to displace in the direction when the driving member translates along the second surface.

[0006] In some embodiments, the guiding member may comprise a plurality of guiding protrusions symmetrically arranged at two sides of the positioning member, and the guiding surface may be provided on at least one of the plurality of guiding protrusions.

[0007] In some embodiments, at least one guiding protrusion may further comprise a flat surface in parallel with the second surface and joining the guiding surface.

[0008] In some embodiments, the number of the plurality of guiding protrusions may be four.

[0009] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a button switch. The button switch comprises the button according to the first aspect.

[0010] The button and the button switch in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure can reduce the switch stroke, so as to improve the hand feel of the user when pressing the switch and the user experience.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0011] Through the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above and other objectives, features, and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become easy to understand. Several embodiments of the present disclosure will be illustrated by way of example but not limitation in the drawings in which:

[0012] Fig. 1 illustrates a conventional button switch in a first state;

[0013] Fig. 2 illustrates the conventional button switch in a second state;

[0014] Fig. 3 illustrates the conventional button switch in a third state;

[0015] Fig. 4 illustrates a button for a button switch in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] Fig. 5 illustrates an assembly of the button and a driving member in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0017] Fig. 6 illustrates a button switch in a first state in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] Fig. 7 illustrates the button switch in a second state in accordance with embodiments

2018274878 04 Dec 2018 of the present disclosure;

[0019] Fig. 8 illustrates the button switch in a third state in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] Throughout the drawings, same or similar reference signs are used to represent same or similar components.

Detailed Description of Embodiments [0021] Principles and spirits of the present disclosure will be described with reference to various example embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It should be appreciated that description of those specific embodiments is merely to cause those skilled in the art to better understand and implement the present disclosure and is not intended for limiting the scope of the present disclosure in any manner.

[0022] The main structure and operational process of a conventional button switch will be described first below with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Fig. 1 illustrates a conventional button switch 101 in a first state 100. As shown in Fig. 1, when the button switch 101 is in the first state 100, a button 110 is in an initial position where the button is not pressed down by a user. In this case, a driving member 120 is at an intermediate position of the button 110 and not in contact with an actuating member 130. In the example depicted in Fig. 1, both the actuating member 130 and a swing rod 140 are tilting towards a direction opposite to an X direction at this moment while a conductive bridge 150 is inclined towards the X direction, such that the button switch 101 is in an ON state or an OFF state.

[0023] Fig. 2 illustrates the conventional button switch 101 in a second state 200. As shown in Fig. 2, when the button 110 is pressed down by the user, the driving member 120 moves, along with the button 110, towards a Y direction depicted in Figs. 1 to 3 and starts to be in contact with the actuating member 130 which is positioned in the Y direction of the driving member 120. As the button 200 is further pressed down, the driving member 120 can cause the actuating member 130 to swing or rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, which in turn causes the swing rod 140 to swing or rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, thereby driving the skew direction of the swing rod 140 and the conductive bridge 150 to change. In this way, the switching state of the button switch 101 is switched.

[0024] The driving member 120 usually can be made of elastic materials. Therefore, when the button 110 is being pressed, the driving member 120 can translate relative to the button

2018274878 04 Dec 2018

110, e.g., translating towards the X direction in the example depicted in Fig. 2, under the action of the actuating member 130. It should be understood that as the interaction between the driving member 120 and the actuating member 130 is reciprocating when the button switch 101 is being pressed, the driving member 120 will translate towards a direction opposite to the X direction at a next switching action of the button switch 101.

[0025] Fig. 3 illustrates the conventional button switch 101 in a third state 300. As shown in Fig. 3, when the button 110 is released by the user, the button 110 brings the driving member 120 to rebound under the action of a button rebound spring (not shown in Fig. 3) and to move away from the actuating member 130. At this point, the driving member 120 is disengaged from the actuating member 130, such that the actuating member 130 no longer applies a force on the driving member 120. Hence, the driving member 120 can restore, under the action of its own elastic restoring force, to the intermediate position of the button 110. As such, the button switch 101 completes one switching action.

[0026] The inventor notices that the driving member 120 can translate relative to the button 110 only in the conventional button switch 101. In other words, with reference to the orientations in Figs. 1 to 3, the driving member 120 can merely move in the X direction perpendicular to the Y direction. As discussed in detail below, this will unfavorably result in a long switch stroke of the button switch 101, which further disadvantageously affects the hand feel of the user during operation and degrades user experience.

[0027] Specifically, referring back to Fig. 1, which illustrates various distances associated with the switch stroke of the button switch 101. From the switching process of the button switch 101 described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 3, it is seen that the switch stroke of the button switch 101 is primarily determined by a swing or rotation angle of the actuating member 130 and a distance between two force-bearing parts, which respectively protrude at left and right sides of the actuating member 130.

[0028] As depicted in Fig. 1, distance A represents a gap between the driving member 120 and the actuating member 130, distance B represents a recessed distance of the driving member 120, and distance C represents a distance moved by the actuating member 130 while swinging or rotating in the Y direction, i.e., the distance between the two force-bearing parts. In accordance with the operational process described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 3, the switch stroke of the button switch 101 equals to a total distance of distance A, distance B and distance C. Typically, the total distance can be up to approximately several millimeters, such

2018274878 04 Dec 2018 as 2 millimeters.

[0029] In general, the rotation angle of the actuating member 130 cannot be changed. In addition, reducing the distance between the two force-bearing parts of the actuating member 130 will increase an operating force, which in turn affects the hand feel of the user during operation and degrades user experience. Therefore, it would be particularly advantageous to reduce the switch stroke of the button switch 101 without altering the structures of the driving member 120 and the actuating member 130. As discussed in detail below, embodiments of the present disclosure advantageously propose a button and a button switch for reducing the switch stroke, thereby improving the hand feel of the user upon pressing the switch and the user experience. The button and the driving member of the embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to Figs. 4 and 5.

[0030] Fig. 4 illustrates a button 410 for a button switch in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, and Fig. 5 illustrates an assembly 500 of the button 410 and a driving member 420 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 4, the button 410 may include a first surface 401, which is adapted to cause the button 410 to move along the direction Y perpendicular to the first surface 401 in response to the user’s pressing, which can further cause a driving member, an actuating member, a swing rod and a conductive bridge of the button switch among other members to act, so as to perform state switching of the button switch.

[0031] Additionally, as shown in Fig. 4, the button 410 includes a positioning member 402 on a second surface 403 opposite to the first surface 401. As further depicted in Fig. 5, the positioning member 402 is provided for mechanically coupling to the driving member 420 of the button switch. As such, when the button 410 moves along the Y direction, the positioning member 402 allows the driving member 420 to translate along the second surface 403. For example, the translation can be caused by the actuating member of the button switch, and can be achieved by means of the elasticity of the driving member 420 per se under the constraint of the positioning member 402.

[0032] As further illustrated in Fig. 4, in some embodiments, the positioning member 402 may include positioning protrusions 402-1, 402-2 and 402-3. As shown in Fig. 5, the positioning protrusions 402-1, 402-2 and 402-3 having a particular structure can be mechanically coupled to the driving member 420 of a particular structure, and the driving member 420 is allowed to translate along the second surface 403 to perform the actions

2018274878 04 Dec 2018 required for switching the state of the switch.

[0033] It should be appreciated that Fig. 4 illustrates the positioning member 402 having a particular structure by way of examples only. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not restricted to this. In other embodiments, those skilled in the art can employ a positioning member having any suitable structure based on the specific technical environment and requirements, as long as the positioning member 402 can cooperate with the driving member 420 to realize the action manners required for switching the button switch. For example, the positioning member 402 may include more or less components than the illustrated positioning protrusions 402-1, 402-2 and 402-3 in Fig. 4. For another example, the positioning member 402 may have a structure different from that of the positioning protrusions 402-1, 402-2 and 402-3 in Fig. 4.

[0034] In addition, it should be appreciated that Fig. 5 illustrates the driving member 420 of a particular structure by way of examples only. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not restricted to this. In other embodiments, those skilled in the art can employ a driving member 420 having any suitable structure based on the specific technical environment and requirements as long as the driving member 420 can cooperate with the button 410 to realize the action manners required for switching the button switch. For example, the driving member 420 may include more or less bending structures than those illustrated in Fig. 5. For another example, the driving member 420 may have a structure different from that of Fig. 5.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the button 410 also includes a guiding member 404, which is arranged on the second surface 403 and includes a guiding surface 405 inclined relative to the second surface 403. As further depicted in Fig. 5, the guiding surface 405 faces towards the driving member 420. In this way, the guiding surface 405 guides the driving member 420 to displace in the Y direction when the driving member 420 translates along the second surface 403.

[0036] In some embodiments, the guiding member 404 can include a plurality (four in the depicted example) of guiding protrusions 404-1 to 404-4 symmetrically arranged at both sides of the positioning member 402. In this case, the guiding surface 405 can be arranged on at least one of the plurality of guiding protrusions 404-1 to 404-4. For example, in the examples depicted in Figs. 4 and 5, the guiding surface 405 is disposed on the guiding protrusion 404-3 and other guiding protrusions 404-1, 404-2 and 404-4 also include similar

2018274878 04 Dec 2018 guiding surfaces. By implementing the positioning member 402 as a plurality of guiding protrusions 404-1 to 404-4, displacement of the driving member 402 in the Y direction can be well realized, while saving the space of the button 410 and saving materials for fabricating the guiding protrusions 404-1 to 404-4.

[0037] It should be noted that although Figs. 4 and 5 describe a specific number (four) of the guiding protrusions 404-1 to 404-4, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited in this regard. In other embodiments, those skilled in the art can employ more or less guiding protrusions based on the specific technical environment and requirements. For example, the guiding member 404 can include two guiding protrusions symmetrically arranged at an intermediate position of the positioning member 402.

[0038] Continuing with Figs. 4 and 5, the guiding protrusion 404-3 may also include a flat surface 406, which is in parallel with the second surface 403 and joins the guiding surface 405. Therefore, after the driving member 420 is elevated onto the flat surface 406 along the guiding surface 405 in the Y direction, the driving member 420 can move horizontally, so as to maintain switching stability and reliability of the button switch.

[0039] It should be appreciated that although Figs. 4 and 5 depict the guiding protrusions 404-1 to 404-4 in a specific shape, embodiments of the present disclosure are not restricted to this. In other embodiments, those skilled in the art can employ guiding protrusions in other shapes based on the specific technical environment and requirements, as long as the guiding protrusions can guide the driving member 420 to displace along the Y direction.

[0040] Operational processes and advantageous technical effects of the button switch in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Figs. 6 to 8. Fig. 6 illustrates a button switch 601 in a first state 600 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 6, when the button switch 601 is in the first state 600, the button 410 is in an initial position where the button is not pressed down by a user. In this case, the driving member 420 is at an intermediate position of the button 410 and not in contact with the actuating member 430. In the example depicted in Fig. 6, both the actuating member 430 and a swing rod 440 are tilting towards a direction opposite to an X direction at this moment while a conductive bridge 450 is inclined towards the X direction, such that the button switch 601 is in an ON state or an OFF state.

[0041] Fig. 7 illustrates the button switch 601 in a second state 700 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, when the button 410 is pressed down by

2018274878 04 Dec 2018 the user, the driving member 420 moves, along with the button 410, towards the Y direction and starts to be in contact with the actuating member 430 which is positioned in the Y direction of the driving member 420. As the button 410 is further pressed down, the driving member 420 can cause the actuating member 430 to swing or rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, which in turn causes the swing rod 440 to swing or rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, thereby driving skew direction of the swing rod 440 and the conductive bridge 450 to change. In this way, the switching state of the button switch 601 is switched.

[0042] During the procedure, the driving member 420 can translate relative to the button 410, e.g., translating towards the X direction in the example depicted in Fig. 7, under the action of the actuating member 430. Moreover, since the second surface 403 of the button 410 is provided thereon with the guiding member 404 (not shown in Fig. 7), e.g., the guiding protrusions 404-1 to 404-4, the driving member 420 is guided by the guiding member 404 to displace in the Y direction while translating relative to the button 410. Finally, the driving member 420 can move onto the flat surface 406 of the guiding protrusions 404-1 to 404-4, so as to realize displacement D in the Y direction.

[0043] Advantageously, in the case that the driving member 420 realizes displacement D in the Y direction, the above-mentioned total distance of distance A, distance B and distance C for the switch stroke of the button switch 601 now changes to subtracting displace D from the total distance of distance A, distance B and distance C. Therefore, the button 410 and the button switch 601 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure realize a shorten switch stroke. In other words, the user can perform state switching of the button switch 601 through a shorter pressing distance, and thus the hand feel of the user for pressing the switch is improved and the user experience is enhanced.

[0044] Fig. 8 illustrates the button switch 601 in a third state 800 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 8, when the button 410 is released by the user, the button 410 brings the driving member 420 to rebound under the action of a button rebound spring (not shown in Fig. 8) and to move away from the actuating member 430. At this time, the driving member 420 is disengaged from the actuating member 430, such that the actuating member 430 no longer applies a force on the driving member 420. Hence, the driving member 420 can restore, under the action of its own elastic restoring force, to the intermediate position of the button 410. As such, the button switch 601 completes one switching action.

[0045] It should be appreciated that the text illustrates based on the orientations of the

2018274878 04 Dec 2018 button switch as shown in the drawings for the purpose of facilitating description. The directions, such as “up, down, left, right,” herein are described based on the positioning.

Apparently, the button switch can be arranged in various orientations as required. The directional description including “up, down, left, right” between various features depicted herein will alter as the orientation of the button switch changes.

[0046] As used herein, the term “includes” and its variants are to be read as open-ended terms that mean “includes, but is not limited to.” The term “based on” is to be read as “based at least in part on.” The term “one embodiment” and “the embodiment” are to be read as “at least one embodiment.” The terms “first,” “second” and the like can refer to different or same objects. The text also may include other explicit and implicit meanings.

[0047] It will be understood that the term “comprise” and any of its derivatives (eg comprises, comprising) as used in this specification is to be taken to be inclusive of features to which it refers, and is not meant to exclude the presence of any additional features unless otherwise stated or implied.

[0048] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0049] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to several detailed embodiments, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The present disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included in the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the appended claims meets the broadest explanations and covers all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims (5)

1. I/We Claim:

   1. A button (410) of a button switch (601), comprising:

   a first surface (401) adapted to cause the button (410) to move along a direction (Y) perpendicular to the first surface (401) in response to being pressed;

   a positioning member (402) arranged on a second surface (403) opposite to the first surface (401) and mechanically coupled to a driving member (420) of the button switch (601), wherein the positioning member (402) allows the driving member (420) to translate along the second surface (403) when the button (410) moves along the direction (Y); and a guiding member (404) arranged on the second surface (403) and including a guiding surface (405) inclined relative to the second surface (403), the guiding surface (405) facing towards the driving member (420) to guide the driving member (420) to displace in the direction (Y) when the driving member (420) translates along the second surface (403).
2. 2. The button (410) of claim 1, wherein the guiding member (404) comprises a plurality of guiding protrusions (404-1, 404-2, 404-3, 404-4) symmetrically arranged at two sides of the positioning member (402), and the guiding surface (405) is provided on at least one of the plurality of guiding protrusions (404-1, 404-2, 404-3, 404-4).
3. 3. The button (410) of claim 2, wherein the at least one guiding protrusion further comprises a flat surface (406) in parallel with the second surface (403) and adjoining the guiding surface (405).
4. 4. The button (410) of claim 2, wherein the number of the plurality of guiding protrusions (404-1, 404-2, 404-3, 404-4) is four.
5. 5. A button switch (601) comprising the button (410) of any of claims 1-4.