CN112992580B

CN112992580B - Key structure and electronic equipment

Info

Publication number: CN112992580B
Application number: CN202110469597.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 韩建国; 钱鑫昌; 吕雷
Original assignee: Vivo Mobile Communication Co Ltd
Current assignee: Vivo Mobile Communication Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-04-28
Filing date: 2021-04-28
Publication date: 2023-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2041-04-28
Also published as: CN112992580A

Abstract

The application discloses button structure and electronic equipment relates to the electronic product field. The key structure comprises a pressing piece, wherein the pressing piece comprises a first end and a second end which are arranged in a back-to-back manner, the first end is used for being fixed with an installation main body, and the second end is movable relative to the installation main body; a position detection element located inside the pressing member and disposed opposite to the pressing member; the pressing piece is an electro-deformation piece, and under the condition that the electro-deformation piece is electrified, the electro-deformation piece deforms towards the direction away from the position detection element; in the case of de-energizing the electro-deformable member, the electro-deformable member deforms in a direction toward the position detecting element. An electronic device comprises the key structure. The application can solve the problems of inconvenient operation, heavy electronic equipment and the like.

Description

Key structure and electronic equipment

Technical Field

The application belongs to the technical field of electronic products, and particularly relates to a key structure and electronic equipment.

Background

With the development of electronic devices, users have higher and higher game demands on the electronic devices. However, some electronic devices do not have game shoulder keys, and a user needs to perform multi-finger operation during operation, so that operation is inconvenient, and better game experience cannot be obtained. Other electronic devices adopt a stepping motor-driven game shoulder key, but the size of the game shoulder key is larger due to the mode, so that the whole electronic device becomes thick and heavy, and the lightness, thinness and appearance of the electronic device cannot be realized.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application aims to provide a key structure and electronic equipment, and the problem that some electronic equipment is not provided with a game shoulder key and is not beneficial to user operation or the whole electronic equipment is thick and heavy due to the game shoulder key is arranged can be solved.

In order to solve the technical problem, the present application is implemented as follows:

the embodiment of the application provides a button structure, and the button structure includes:

the pressing piece comprises a first end and a second end which are arranged oppositely, the first end is used for being fixed with the mounting main body, and the second end can move relative to the mounting main body;

a position detecting element located inside the pressing piece and disposed opposite to the pressing piece;

the pressing piece is an electro-deformation piece, and the electro-deformation piece deforms towards a direction away from the position detection element when the electro-deformation piece is electrified; in the case where the electro-deformable member is de-energized, the electro-deformable member deforms in a direction toward the position detecting element.

The embodiment of the application also provides electronic equipment, which comprises an electronic equipment main body and a key structure;

the electronic equipment main body is provided with an installation space, and the key structure is arranged in the installation space.

In the embodiment of the application, when a user has an operation requirement, the electric deformation piece is electrified, so that the electric deformation piece is deformed, and the side face of the electric deformation piece, which is far away from the position detection element, protrudes out of the surface of the installation main body, so that the user can conveniently press the electric deformation piece. When the operation is not needed, the power on of the electro-deformation piece is stopped, the electro-deformation piece is recovered to the initial state, and at least part of the pressing piece is located in the installation main body, so that the appearance performance and the hand feeling of the electronic equipment are improved. The position detection element is used for detecting the position information of the pressing piece, so that the electronic equipment applying the key structure can know the pressing operation behavior of the pressing piece by a user, and the electronic equipment is operated through the key structure. Compared with some electronic equipment without a key structure, the embodiment of the application is convenient to operate by arranging the key structure, so that the game operation experience of a user is improved; compare in the mode that other motor drive shoulder keys stretch out or the return, the button structure in this application embodiment does not have mechanical members such as motor, but adopts the electro-deformation piece as the pressing piece, has reduced the volume of button structure to a certain extent to can not lead to electronic equipment to become the heaviness when the installation, make electronic equipment realize frivolousization and outward appearance extremely ization, promoted user experience greatly.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a first perspective view of a key structure and an electronic device body disclosed in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a second perspective view of the key structure and the electronic device body disclosed in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic view of a key structure disclosed in an embodiment of the present application in a non-operating state;

fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a key structure in a working state disclosed in the embodiment of the present application.

Description of reference numerals:

100-a frame body; 110-mounting hole sites;

200-pressing piece; 210-a first end; 220-a second end;

300-position detection element;

400-a circuit board;

510-a first seal; 520-a second seal; 530-a third seal;

610-spring plate; 620-key hardboard; 630-key soft board; 640-connector.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are some, but not all, embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

The terms first, second and the like in the description and in the claims of the present application are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It will be appreciated that the data so used may be interchanged under appropriate circumstances such that embodiments of the application may be practiced in sequences other than those illustrated or described herein, and that the terms "first," "second," and the like are generally used herein in a generic sense and do not limit the number of terms, e.g., the first term can be one or more than one. In addition, "and/or" in the specification and claims means at least one of connected objects, a character "/" generally means that a preceding and succeeding related objects are in an "or" relationship.

The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings through specific embodiments and application scenarios thereof.

Referring to fig. 1 to 4, an embodiment of the present application discloses a key structure including a pressing piece 200 and a position detecting element 300.

The pressing member 200 has a pressing surface for bearing pressing operation, and a user can press the pressing surface to operate the key structure and the electronic device. Alternatively, the key structure may be applied to an electronic device, wherein the electronic device includes an electronic device main body having an installation space, the pressing member may be disposed in the installation space, and the pressing member 200 is connected to the electronic device main body.

In the embodiment of the present application, the pressing member 200 is an operation member of the electronic apparatus, and the user applies a force to the pressing member 200 to perform a partial operation on the electronic apparatus. For example, the user may operate by pressing or touching the pressing piece 200 while playing a game. When a user does not need to operate the key structure, at least part of the pressing piece 200 can retract into the mounting main body, so that the influence of overlarge convex hull of the pressing piece 200 on the appearance performance and the hand feeling of the electronic equipment is relieved; when a user needs to operate the key structure, the pressing piece 200 may protrude from the mounting body, thereby facilitating the user's operation.

In some embodiments, the pressing element 200 includes a first end 210 and a second end 220 disposed opposite each other, the first end 210 being configured to be fixed to the mounting body, and the second end 220 being movable relative to the mounting body such that during the process of extending or retracting the pressing element 200, the first end 210 is fixed and the second end 220 moves relative to the mounting body to accommodate the extending or retracting of the pressing element 200.

In order to achieve the protrusion or retraction of the pressing member 200, the pressing member 200 in the embodiment of the present application is an electro-deformable member. Alternatively, the electro-deformable member may be electrically connected to a circuit board 400 of the electronic device, and the circuit board 400 controls the power on condition of the electro-deformable member, so as to control the deformation condition of the electro-deformable member. The method specifically comprises the following steps: when the electro-deformable member is powered on, the electro-deformable member deforms and deforms in a direction away from the position detection element, so that the pressing surface of the pressing member 200 protrudes from the outer surface of the mounting body, and a user can press or touch the mounting body conveniently. Under the circumstances of the outage of the electro-deformation piece, the electro-deformation piece recovers to deform, and the electro-deformation piece deforms towards the position detection element, so that at least part of the electro-deformation piece returns to the installation main body, a large convex hull is basically not formed on the outer surface of the installation main body, the appearance performance of the electronic equipment is guaranteed, the hand feeling of the electronic equipment is improved, and the user experience is improved.

When the electro-deformable member is energized, the pressing member 200 is deformed, and the first end 210 of the pressing member 200 is fixed and the second end 220 moves relative to the mounting body, thereby accommodating the outward deformation of the pressing member 200. In case of de-energizing the electro-deformable member, the pressing member 200 is gradually deformed back, with the first end 210 of the pressing member 200 stationary and the second end 220 moving in the opposite direction with respect to the mounting body, thereby accommodating the retraction deformation of the pressing member 200.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, in order to operate an electronic device through a key structure, for example, play a game by operating the key structure, the key structure in the embodiment of the present application further includes a position detecting element 300. Alternatively, the position detecting element 300 may be provided in the mounting body inside the pressing piece 200 and disposed opposite to the pressing piece 200. In this way, when the pressing member 200 moves due to an acting force, the position detection element 300 can sense the position change of the pressing member 200, convert the position change signal into an electrical signal, and transmit the electrical signal to the circuit board 400 of the electronic device, so as to know the movement behavior of the pressing member 200, and further realize the operation control of the electronic device.

It should be noted here that the pressing member 200 is located outside the position detection element 300, and when the key structure needs to be operated, the pressing member 200 protrudes outward in a direction away from the position detection element 300, and when the key structure does not need to be operated, the pressing member 200 retracts in a direction close to the position detection element 300.

In the embodiment of the application, when a user has an operation requirement, the electric deformation piece is powered on, so that the electric deformation piece deforms, and the electric deformation piece protrudes out of the surface of the installation main body, so that the user can conveniently perform pressing operation, as shown in fig. 4. When the operation is not needed, the power supply to the electro-deformation piece is stopped, and the electro-deformation piece is restored to the initial state, so that the pressing piece 200 is at least partially positioned in the installation main body, and the appearance performance and the hand feeling of the electronic device are improved, as shown in fig. 3. Further, the position detection element 300 detects the position information of the pusher 200, thereby realizing the operation of the key structure. Compared with some electronic equipment without a key structure, the embodiment of the application is convenient to operate by arranging the key structure, so that the game operation experience of a user is improved; compare in the mode that other motor drive shoulder keys stretch out or the return, the button structure in this application embodiment does not have mechanical component such as motor, but adopts the electro-deformation piece as pressing piece 200, has reduced the volume of button structure to a certain extent to can not lead to electronic equipment to become the heaviness when the installation, make electronic equipment realize frivolousization and outward appearance extremely, promoted user experience greatly.

Since the second end 220 of the pressing member 200 and the mounting body are movable relative to each other, in order to prevent dust, rain water, and the like from entering the mounting body from the gap due to the gap therebetween, the key structure in the embodiment of the present application further includes a sealing member disposed between the region of the pressing member 200 adjacent to the second end 220 and the mounting body. Based on the above arrangement, the gap between the pressing piece 200 and the installation main body can be blocked by the sealing piece to block the external dust, water and the like, thereby achieving a good sealing effect.

Referring to fig. 2, in some embodiments, the key structure includes a first sealing member 510, a second sealing member 520, and a third sealing member 530, which are sequentially disposed, wherein the first sealing member 510 and the third sealing member 530 are fixed to the mounting body, the second sealing member 520 is fixed to the pressing member 200, and the second sealing member 520 is in interference fit with the mounting body. With the above arrangement, the second seal 520 moves between the first seal 510 and the third seal 530 in the process of the pressing piece 200 deforming to move the second end 220 relative to the mounting body. Thus, external dust, water and the like cannot enter the electronic equipment through the gap between the pressing piece 200 and the installation main body, so that a better waterproof effect is achieved, and the normal use of the electronic equipment is ensured.

Further, under the condition that the electro-deformable member is powered off, the pressing member 200 is in a retraction state, at the time, the pressing member 200 is flatly laid on the installation body, the second sealing member 520 is in interference fit with the first sealing member 510, that is, the second sealing member 520 and the first sealing member 510 are mutually abutted, so that a good sealing effect is achieved. Under the condition that the electro-deformation piece is electrified, the pressing piece 200 deforms, at the moment, the pressing piece 200 is bent and then protrudes outwards, the second sealing piece 520 is in interference fit with the third sealing piece 530, namely, the second sealing piece 520 and the third sealing piece 530 are abutted tightly, and therefore a good sealing effect is achieved, and dust, water and the like are prevented from entering the electronic equipment.

In other embodiments, the key structure may further include a plurality of sealing members, the plurality of sealing members are sequentially fixed to the pressing member 200 at intervals, and each of the plurality of sealing members is in interference fit with the mounting body. Based on above-mentioned setting, can play sealed effect jointly through a plurality of sealing members, promote dustproof and waterproof effect to a certain extent.

The appearance performance of the electronic equipment and the convenience of operation are comprehensively considered, the key structure in the embodiment of the application is in the first state, the first state can be a non-game state, such as a music playing state, the side surface of the pressing piece 200 departing from the position detection element 300 and the outer surface of the installation main body are located on the same plane, so that the consistency of the key structure and the appearance of the installation main body can be ensured, the overall appearance performance of the electronic equipment is improved, uncomfortable touch feeling of a user can not be caused, and the user experience is further improved. The button structure is under the second state, and the second state can be the game state, and the side protrusion in the surface of installation main part that deviates from position detection element 300 of pressing piece 200, and at this moment, convenience of customers operation promotes user's operation and feels to can promote user experience equally.

In some embodiments, the pressing member 200 is at least an ion-exchange polymer metal composite (IPMC) film. The film mainly comprises an ion exchange polymeric metal material and a light shielding layer. Specifically, the cation exchange resin film is compounded into an ion exchange polymeric metal material by a chemical plating method, and then a conductive shading layer is coated on the surface of the ion exchange polymeric metal material. The ion exchange polymer metal material is a novel electro-deformable polymer material, which is a composite material formed by taking a polymer film (e.g. Nation) as a substrate and infiltrating and depositing precious metal (e.g. Pt) particles on the surface of the film by an electroless plating method, and bending deformation can be generated by applying low voltage (generally below 5V) to electrodes on two sides of the composite material. It should be noted that the specific principle of the ion-exchange polymeric metal material can also be referred to the related art, and will not be elaborated herein.

Referring to fig. 2, in order to electrically connect the electro-deformable element and the circuit board 400, the key structure in the embodiment of the present application further includes a resilient sheet 610, a key hard plate 620, a key soft plate 630 and a connector 640, which are connected in sequence, wherein the resilient sheet 610 is connected to the electro-deformable element, and the connector 640 is connected to the circuit board 400. Based on the above arrangement, electrical communication between the electro-deformable member and the circuit board 400 may be achieved, so as to facilitate control and power supply of the electro-deformable member through the circuit board 400.

The embodiment of the application also discloses electronic equipment, and the electronic equipment comprises an electronic equipment main body and a key structure, wherein the electronic equipment main body is provided with an installation space, and the key structure is arranged in the installation space.

Referring to fig. 1, in some embodiments, the electronic apparatus main body includes a frame body 100 as a mounting main body, and the mounting space is a mounting hole site 110 opened on the frame body 100. Optionally, one mounting hole site 110, two mounting hole sites 110, or more mounting hole sites 110 may be formed on the frame body 100, and the specific number may be determined according to the number of the key structures to be mounted. For example, when two sets of key structures on the left and right sides are provided, two mounting holes 110 may be provided, so that a user can operate the electronic device with both hands to improve game experience. In the embodiment of the present application, the pressing member 200 and the position detecting element 300 are both located in the mounting hole 110, the pressing member 200 is located on the outer side, and the position detecting element 300 is located on the inner side, so as to press or touch the pressing member 200 conveniently, and detect the movement behavior of the pressing member 200 through the position detecting element 300, thereby realizing the control of the electronic device.

In some embodiments, the first end 210 of the pressing member 200 is fixed to the frame body 100, and the second end 220 is movable relative to the frame body 100. Based on the above arrangement, when the pressing member 200 deforms, the first end 210 is fixed, and the second end 220 moves relative to the frame body 100, so as to satisfy the requirement that the pressing member 200 protrudes outward relative to the frame body 100.

As described above, in the embodiment of the present application, when the game mode is started (i.e., when there is a need to use the key structure), the electrical signal is received by the electrical deformation element connected to the circuit board 400, so that the electrical deformation element is deformed, for example, curled, and deformed, thereby the pressing element 200 protrudes outward, and when the user presses or touches the pressing element 200 downward, the position detection element 300 located inside the pressing element 200 senses the position change signal of the pressing element 200, converts the position change signal into an electrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to the circuit board 400, thereby implementing the pressing operation. When the key structure does not need to be operated, the circuit board 400 controls the electro-deformable element to be powered off, and at the moment, the pressing element 200 is flatly laid at the mounting hole 110 of the frame 100, so that the appearance performance and the hand feeling of the whole electronic device are not affected. Compared with some electronic equipment without a key structure, the embodiment of the application is convenient to operate by arranging the key structure, so that the game operation experience of a user is improved; compare in the mode that other motor drive shoulder keys stretch out or the return, the button structure in this application embodiment does not have mechanical members such as motor, but adopts the electro-deformation piece as pressing piece 200, has reduced the volume of button structure to a certain extent to can not lead to electronic equipment to become the heaviness when the installation, make electronic equipment realize frivolousization and outward appearance extremely, promoted user experience greatly.

While the present embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments described above, which are meant to be illustrative and not restrictive, and that various changes may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A key structure, comprising:

the pressing piece (200) comprises a first end (210) and a second end (220) which are arranged oppositely, the first end (210) is used for being fixed with the mounting body, and the second end (220) is movable relative to the mounting body;

a position detection element (300), the position detection element (300) being located inside the pressing piece (200) and being disposed opposite to the pressing piece (200);

wherein the pressing member (200) is an electro-deformable member that deforms in a direction away from the position detection element (300) when the electro-deformable member is energized; -in the case of de-energizing of the electro-deformable member, the electro-deformable member deforms towards the direction of the position detecting element (300);

the key structure further comprises a seal disposed between a region of the press piece (200) adjacent to the second end (220) and the mounting body;

the key structure comprises a plurality of sealing pieces, the sealing pieces are a first sealing piece (510), a second sealing piece (520) and a third sealing piece (530) which are sequentially arranged, the first sealing piece (510) and the third sealing piece (530) are fixed on the installation main body, the second sealing piece (520) is fixed on the pressing piece (200), and the second sealing piece (520) is in interference fit with the installation main body.

2. The key structure of claim 1, wherein the second seal (520) is an interference fit with the first seal (510) in the event the electro-deformable member is de-energized;

the second seal (520) is an interference fit with the third seal (530) when the electro-deformable member is energized.

3. A key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that in a first state the side of the pressing piece (200) facing away from the position detection element (300) is in the same plane as the outer surface of the mounting body, and in a second state the side of the pressing piece (200) facing away from the position detection element (300) protrudes beyond the outer surface of the mounting body.

4. A key structure according to claim 1, characterised in that said pressing element (200) is at least a film of ion-exchange polymeric metal material.

5. The key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the key structure further comprises a spring sheet (610), a key hard plate (620), a key soft plate (630) and a connector (640) which are connected in sequence, wherein the spring sheet (610) is connected with the electro-deformable element, and the connector (640) is used for being connected with a circuit board (400).

6. An electronic device, comprising: an electronic device body and the key structure of any one of claims 1-5;

7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the electronic apparatus main body includes a frame body (100) as the mounting body, the mounting space is a mounting hole (110) opened in the frame body (100), and the pressing piece (200) and the position detection element (300) are both disposed in the mounting hole (110).