CN114496623A

CN114496623A - Side button structure and mobile terminal

Info

Publication number: CN114496623A
Application number: CN202011166524.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 周凯
Original assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd
Current assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-10-27
Filing date: 2020-10-27
Publication date: 2022-05-13

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a side key structure and a mobile terminal, wherein the side key structure is arranged on a middle frame of the mobile terminal and comprises a key assembly and a key circuit board, and the key circuit board comprises a plurality of contacts which are arranged at intervals along a first direction; the key assembly comprises a rotating wheel and an adjusting part connected with the rotating wheel, a triggering part is arranged on the adjusting part, and part of a wheel body of the rotating wheel protrudes out of the side edge of the middle frame; under the action of external torque, the rotating wheel rotates and is used for driving the adjusting part to move along a first direction so as to drive the triggering part to move to a position corresponding to the contact point; under the action of external force along the second direction, the rotating wheel is used for driving the adjusting part to move along the second direction so as to drive the triggering part to press the contact. The side key structure can obviously reduce the size of the side key opening of the middle frame, can increase the strength of the middle frame, is beneficial to the whole sealing of the mobile terminal, and simultaneously provides various choices for the whole machine stacking design of the mobile terminal.

Description

Side button structure and mobile terminal

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of mobile terminal technologies, and in particular, to a side key structure and a mobile terminal.

Background

With the continuous progress of science and technology, mobile terminals such as mobile phones are not only communication tools but also entertainment tools and office tools, so that people have stronger dependence on the mobile phones, and more scenes of using the mobile terminals such as the mobile phones in life are provided.

Generally, a side key structure of a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone generally includes a power key, a volume + key, and a volume-key, where the power key is used to implement functions such as turning on, turning off, and turning off a screen, and the volume + key and the volume-key are used to adjust volume. The side key structure of mainstream all adopts the entity button, specifically, the side key structure equipment is on the cell-phone, and power key, volume + key, volume-key vertical arrangement are in one side of cell-phone, and the center needs to carry out the trompil at corresponding side, guarantees that the partial structure of side key structure is outstanding the center so that press.

A plurality of openings are formed in the side edge of the middle frame, so that the strength of the side key position of the middle frame is weakened, and the sealing effect of the whole mobile terminal is influenced.

Disclosure of Invention

To overcome the problems in the related art, the present disclosure provides a side key structure and a mobile terminal.

According to a first aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a side key structure is provided, which is disposed in a middle frame of a mobile terminal, and includes a key assembly and a key circuit board, where the key circuit board includes a plurality of contacts arranged at intervals along a first direction;

the key assembly comprises a rotating wheel and an adjusting part connected with the rotating wheel, a triggering part is arranged on the adjusting part, and part of a wheel body of the rotating wheel protrudes out of the side edge of the middle frame;

under the action of external torque, the rotating wheel rotates and is used for driving the adjusting part to move along the first direction so as to drive the triggering part to move to the position corresponding to the contact point;

under the action of external force along the second direction, the rotating wheel is used for driving the adjusting portion to move along the second direction so as to drive the triggering portion to press the contact.

Optionally, the key assembly further includes a transmission assembly, the rotating wheel is engaged with the adjusting portion through the transmission assembly, and the transmission assembly is configured to convert an external torque acting on the rotating wheel into a driving force acting on the adjusting portion in the first direction.

Optionally, the transmission assembly comprises a transmission gear and a rack structure formed on the adjusting part, and the transmission gear is meshed with the rack structure;

the transmission assembly further comprises a transmission shaft, the rotating wheel and the transmission gear are respectively sleeved outside the transmission shaft, the rotating wheel and the transmission gear are arranged in a stacked mode, and the rotating wheel and the transmission gear are respectively fixedly connected with the transmission shaft.

Optionally, the button assembly further comprises a button support, the button support is provided with an installation space penetrating through the button support, the rotating wheel, the transmission shaft and the transmission gear are installed in the installation space, and the transmission shaft is rotatably connected with the button support.

Optionally, the key support is provided with a first guide limiting part, a second guide limiting part is arranged on the adjusting part, and the first guide limiting part is matched with the second guide limiting part when the adjusting part moves along the first direction to guide and limit the adjusting part.

Optionally, the first guide limiting part comprises a limiting rib, the second guide limiting part comprises a limiting groove, and the limiting rib extends into the limiting groove.

Optionally, the side key structure further includes a fixing support, the fixing support is fixedly connected with a middle frame of the mobile terminal, and the fixing support and the key support form a sliding connection along the second direction.

Optionally, the fixed bracket is provided with a guide post, and the key bracket is provided with a guide hole; or,

the fixed support is provided with a guide hole, and the key support is provided with a guide post;

the guide post extends into the guide hole, the key support moves towards the fixed support under the action of external force along a second direction, and the guide post slides in the guide hole.

Optionally, the fixing support is provided with a reset auxiliary column, and the key support is provided with a reset auxiliary hole; or,

the fixed support is provided with a reset auxiliary hole, and the key support is provided with a reset auxiliary column;

the reset auxiliary column extends into the reset auxiliary hole, an elastic reset piece is sleeved on the reset auxiliary column, the key support moves towards the fixed support under the action of external force along a second direction, and the elastic reset piece is extruded by the key support;

after the external force in the second reverse direction disappears, the key support moves towards the direction far away from the fixed support under the action of the restoring force of the elastic resetting piece.

Optionally, the elastic reset piece is a spring, and an outer diameter of the spring is larger than an inner diameter of the reset auxiliary hole.

Optionally, the fixing bracket further includes a limiting structure, the fixing bracket extends along a first direction, and the limiting structure includes limiting blocks disposed at two ends of the fixing bracket;

when the adjusting part moves to the limit position along the first direction, two end faces of the adjusting part along the first direction are respectively abutted to the corresponding limiting blocks.

Optionally, the triggering portion is fixedly disposed on one side of the adjusting portion close to the key circuit board in a dispensing manner.

Optionally, an alignment mark is disposed on the rotating wheel, and the alignment mark corresponds to at least one of the plurality of contacts.

Optionally, the key circuit board is a flexible circuit board, and the key circuit board is fixed on a side wall of a middle frame of the mobile terminal in a pasting manner.

According to a second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a mobile terminal is provided, which includes a middle frame, wherein an accommodating space is formed in the middle frame, and the side key structure is disposed in the accommodating space.

Optionally, a side key installation groove is formed in a side edge of the middle frame, and at least a part of the structure of the rotating wheel of the side key structure extends out of the mobile terminal through the side key installation groove.

The technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the disclosure can have the following beneficial effects: in the side key structure, the triggering of the contact on the key circuit board is completed through the matching of the rotating wheel, the adjusting part and the triggering part so as to realize the function corresponding to the contact. Because only partial wheel body of the rotating wheel protrudes out of the side edge of the middle frame, the size of the side edge key opening of the middle frame can be obviously reduced, the strength of the middle frame can be increased, the integral sealing of the mobile terminal is facilitated, and meanwhile, various choices are provided for the stacking design of the mobile terminal.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a partial schematic diagram illustrating a side key structure of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is another partial schematic diagram illustrating a side key structure of a mobile terminal according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram illustrating a side key structure of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment (a key circuit board is not included in the diagram).

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of a key assembly of a side key structure of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram illustrating a key holder of a side key structure of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram illustrating a fixing bracket of a side key structure of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment (including an elastic reset member).

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following description refers to the accompanying drawings in which the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present invention. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with certain aspects of the invention, as detailed in the appended claims.

In the related art, contacts such as a power key, a volume + key, a volume-key and the like on the key circuit board are vertically arranged on one side of the mobile phone, and a key opening needs to be arranged on the corresponding side of the middle frame, so that part of the structure of the side key structure protrudes out of the middle frame to be pressed. This conventional design results in a large size of the side key openings in the middle frame, with major adverse effects: 1) the strength of the middle frame at the side key structure is weakened, for example, when the mobile terminal falls, the position is easily damaged; 2) the sealing effect of the mobile terminal is affected, and the larger the size of the key opening is, the more challenge is caused to the sealing of the mobile terminal. In addition, the form of the side key structure also affects the stacking of the mobile terminal, and the complete machine stacking may not have a new breakthrough because the scheme of the side key structure is solidified and single.

The utility model provides a mobile terminal's side button structure, among this side button structure, through the cooperation of rotating wheel, regulating part and trigger part, accomplish the trigger to the contact on the key circuit board to realize the function that the contact corresponds. Because only partial wheel body of the rotating wheel protrudes out of the side edge of the middle frame, the size of the side edge key opening of the middle frame can be obviously reduced, the strength of the middle frame can be increased, the integral sealing of the mobile terminal is facilitated, and meanwhile, various choices are provided for the stacking design of the mobile terminal.

In an exemplary embodiment, a side key structure is provided, which is shown in fig. 1 to 4 and is disposed on a middle frame 6 of a mobile terminal, and the key structure includes a key assembly 1 and a key circuit board 2, and the key circuit board 2 is, for example, a flexible circuit board, and is fixed on a sidewall of the middle frame 6 of the mobile terminal by means of a pasting method. Simultaneously, for simple to operate, can set up the constant head tank on the lateral wall of center 6, set up the positioning card on key circuit board 2, when the installation, go into the positioning card to the constant head tank, when improving the installation accuracy, still promoted the installation effectiveness.

The key circuit board 2 comprises a plurality of contacts 21 arranged at intervals along a first direction, each contact 21 corresponds to a corresponding function, and the corresponding functions are realized through the matching of the key assembly 1 and the key circuit board 2. For example, the plurality of contacts 21 include: a power key for implementing functions such as turning on, turning off the screen, etc., a volume + key for implementing turning up the volume, a volume-key for implementing turning down the volume, a mode change key for implementing changing a notification mode (a silent mode, a vibration mode, a ring mode, etc.) of the mobile terminal, etc.

Referring to fig. 1, 2 and 4, the key assembly 1 includes a rotating wheel 11 and an adjusting portion 12 connected to the rotating wheel 11, the adjusting portion 12 is provided with a triggering portion 13, and a part of a wheel body of the rotating wheel 11 protrudes from a side edge of the middle frame 6. Under the action of external torque, the rotating wheel 11 rotates to drive the adjusting part 12 to move along the first direction, so as to drive the triggering part 13 to move to a position corresponding to the contact 21. Under the action of an external force in the second direction, the rotating wheel 11 is used for driving the adjusting portion 12 to move in the second direction, so as to drive the triggering portion 13 to press the contact 21.

The triggering portion 13 and the adjusting portion 12 may be an integrally formed structure, or may be a split type fixed connection structure, for example, the triggering portion 13 is fixedly disposed on one side of the adjusting portion 12 close to the key circuit board 2 by a dispensing manner.

Based on the above structure, the size of the key opening 62 of the corresponding side of the middle frame 6 does not need to correspond to the plurality of contacts 21, as long as it can satisfy that the part of the rotating wheel 11 protrudes from the side, and then the size of the key opening 62 on the side of the middle frame 6 is reduced, the structural strength of the middle frame 6 at the side key structure is improved, and the whole sealing of the mobile terminal is facilitated, and various choices are provided for the stacking design of the mobile terminal.

The rotating wheel 11 is provided with an alignment mark 111, and the alignment mark 111 corresponds to at least one contact point of the plurality of contact points 21, so that the position corresponding relation between the trigger part 13 and the contact point 21 can be conveniently determined. The number of the alignment marks 111 may be one or more.

For example, referring to fig. 1 and 2, when there is one alignment mark 111, it corresponds to one of the contacts 21, for example, when the alignment mark 111 is exposed outside the middle frame 6, the triggering portion 13 is described to correspond to the position of the contact corresponding to the alignment mark 111.

For example, when a plurality of alignment marks are provided, and the corresponding alignment mark is at the set position, it is described that the trigger corresponds to the position of the contact corresponding to the alignment mark. The set position refers to a position aligned with a corresponding identification line provided on the mobile terminal housing, for example. In addition, when there are a plurality of alignment marks, the number of alignment marks is preferably the same as the number of contacts. For example, a square power key corresponding to the power key, a "+" volume + key corresponding to the power key, and a "-" volume-key corresponding to the power key may be provided, so as to be conveniently used for quickly determining a corresponding key function through a touch manner, and improve the operation efficiency of a user.

In an exemplary embodiment, a side key structure is provided, and as shown in fig. 1 to 4, the side key structure further includes a transmission assembly 14, the rotating wheel 11 is engaged with the adjusting portion 12 through the transmission assembly 14, the transmission assembly 14 is configured to convert an external torque acting on the rotating wheel 11 into a driving force acting on the adjusting portion 12 along a first direction, so that under the action of the external torque, the rotating wheel 11 drives the adjusting portion 12 to move along the first direction, so as to drive the triggering portion 13 to move to a position corresponding to the contact 21.

It should be noted that the first direction and the second direction may be perpendicular to each other, or may form other angles. The angle between the first and second directions is related to the particular configuration of the drive assembly 14. The cooperation of the different angles of first direction and second direction provides multiple forms for the side button structure, further provides multiple choices for mobile terminal's the design of piling up.

In one example, referring to fig. 1-4, the second direction is a transverse direction (e.g., X direction in fig. 1), and the transmission assembly 14 is configured to convert an external torque acting on the rotating wheel 11 into a driving force acting on the adjusting portion 12 in a vertical direction, i.e., a first direction is a vertical direction (e.g., Y direction in fig. 1), and the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other. At this time, the plurality of contacts 21 are arranged in the vertical direction.

Specifically, the transmission assembly 14 includes a transmission gear 142 and a rack structure 121 formed on the adjustment part 12, and the transmission gear 142 is engaged with the rack structure 121. The transmission assembly 14 further includes a transmission shaft 141, the rotating wheel 11 and the transmission gear 142 are respectively sleeved outside the transmission shaft 141, the rotating wheel 11 and the transmission gear 142 are stacked, and the rotating wheel 11 and the transmission gear 142 are respectively fixedly connected to the transmission shaft 141. Under the action of external torque, the rotating wheel 11 rotates to drive the transmission shaft 141 to rotate, the transmission shaft 141 rotates to drive the transmission gear 142 to rotate, the transmission gear 142 rotates to drive the rack structure 121 to move vertically, and then the adjusting portion 12 moves vertically to drive the triggering portion 13 to move vertically to a position corresponding to the contact 21.

In one example (the example is not shown in the figures), the second direction is a transverse direction, and the transmission assembly is configured to convert an external torque acting on the rotatable wheel into a driving force acting on the adjustment portion in a direction at 45 degrees to the second direction, i.e. the first direction is at 45 degrees to the second direction. At this time, the plurality of contacts are arranged in a direction at 45 degrees to the second direction.

Specifically, the transmission assembly includes a transmission gear set in which an output gear is engaged with a rack structure, and the rack structure is formed on the adjustment portion. The transmission gear set further comprises an input gear, the input gears of the rotating wheel and the transmission gear set are respectively sleeved outside the transmission shaft, the rotating wheel and the input gear are arranged in a stacked mode, and the rotating wheel and the input gear are respectively fixedly connected with the transmission shaft. The transmission gear set further comprises one or more intermediate transmission gears for transmitting the torque of the input gear to the output gear, and the input gear and the output gear are arranged at an angle of 45 degrees. Under the effect of external torque, the rotating wheel rotates to drive the transmission shaft to rotate, the transmission shaft rotates to drive the input gear to rotate, the input gear drives the output gear to rotate through the intermediate transmission gear, the output gear rotates to drive the rack structure to move along the first direction, and then the adjusting portion moves along the first direction to drive the triggering portion to move along the first direction to a position corresponding to the contact.

In an exemplary embodiment, a side button structure is provided, as shown in fig. 1 to 5, which includes a transmission gear 142 and a button support 3, the button support 3 is provided with an installation space penetrating the button support 3, a rotating wheel 11, a transmission shaft 141 and the transmission gear 142 are installed in the installation space, and the transmission shaft 141 is rotatably connected to the button support 3. The key holder 3 ensures reliable installation of the rotating wheel 11, the transmission shaft 141 and the transmission gear 142, and ensures the overall structural stability of the side key structure.

The key support 3 is provided with a first guide limiting part, a second guide limiting part is arranged on the adjusting part 12, and when the adjusting part 12 moves along a first direction, the first guide limiting part is matched with the second guide limiting part to guide and limit the adjusting part 12 so as to ensure that the adjusting part 12 moves along the first direction strictly and improve the accuracy of realizing corresponding functions through the side key structure.

Wherein, the spacing portion of first direction and the spacing portion of second direction, one of the two includes spacing rib, and the two another includes spacing groove 1, and spacing rib card is gone into in spacing groove 1 to the realization is to the direction and spacing of regulating part.

In one example, referring to fig. 1 to 5, the first guiding and limiting part includes a limiting rib 31, the second guiding and limiting part includes a limiting groove 122, the limiting groove 122 is a dovetail groove, the limiting rib 31 is adapted to the dovetail groove, and the limiting rib 31 extends into the dovetail groove. Through the cooperation of spacing rib 31 and dovetail, can ensure that regulating part 12 strictly follows the motion of first direction, can avoid regulating part 12 to drop from key support 3 again better, guarantee the use of this side button structure better.

In one example (this example is not shown in the figure), the first guiding and limiting part comprises a limiting groove, the limiting groove is a dovetail groove, and the second guiding and limiting part comprises a limiting rib, the limiting rib is matched with the dovetail groove, and the limiting rib extends into the dovetail groove. The structure can ensure that the adjusting part moves along the first direction strictly, and can better avoid the adjusting part from falling off from the key support, thereby better ensuring the use of the side key structure.

In an exemplary embodiment, a side key structure is provided, which is shown in fig. 1 to 6, and further includes a fixed bracket 4, the fixed bracket 4 is fixedly connected with a middle frame 6 of the mobile terminal, and the fixed bracket 4 and the key bracket 3 form a sliding connection along a second direction to implement: under the action of an external force in the second direction, the rotating wheel 11 drives the adjusting portion 12 to move in the second direction, so as to drive the triggering portion 13 to press the contact 21. Wherein, the fixing bracket 4 can be fixedly connected with the middle frame 6 by adopting a threaded fastener such as a screw, a bolt and the like so as to improve the connection reliability.

The sliding connection has various implementations, for example, by the cooperation of the sliding groove and the sliding block, the cooperation of the guide hole 32 and the guide post 41, or the cooperation of the sliding groove and the sliding bar.

In one example, referring to fig. 1 to 6, the fixing support 4 is provided with a guiding post 41, the key support 3 is provided with a guiding hole 32, the guiding post 41 extends into the guiding hole 32, the guiding post 41 slides in the guiding hole 32 under the action of an external force along the second direction, and the key support 3 moves towards the fixing support 4 to drive the trigger 13 to press the contact 21.

In one example (the example is not shown in the figure), the guide posts are arranged on the key support, and the guide holes are arranged on the fixed support, so that the technical effects similar to those in the above example can be achieved.

In an exemplary embodiment, a side key structure is provided, in which one of a fixing support and a key support is provided with a reset auxiliary post, the other of the fixing support and the key support is provided with a reset auxiliary hole, the reset auxiliary post extends into the reset auxiliary hole, and an elastic reset member is sleeved on the reset auxiliary post, and the elastic reset member is, for example, a spring, an elastic rubber member, or the like. Under the action of external force along the second direction, the key support moves towards the fixed support, and the elastic resetting piece is extruded by the key support; after the external force in the second reverse direction disappears, the key support moves towards the direction far away from the fixed support under the action of the restoring force of the elastic resetting piece and restores to the original position.

In one example, referring to fig. 1-6, the fixing support 4 is provided with a reset auxiliary post 42, the key support 3 is provided with a reset auxiliary hole 33, the reset auxiliary post 42 is sleeved with a spring, the outer diameter of the spring is larger than the inner diameter of the reset auxiliary hole 33, and the reset auxiliary post 42 partially extends into the reset auxiliary hole 33.

When the function corresponding to the contact 21 needs to be realized through the side key (for example, when the volume needs to be increased), an external force along the second direction (i.e., the X direction in fig. 1) is applied to the rotating wheel 11, the rotating wheel 11 drives the key support 3 and the trigger part 13 to move towards the fixed support 4, and the trigger part 13 presses the corresponding contact 21, so that the corresponding function is realized. Meanwhile, the key holder 3 presses the spring, the spring generates elastic deformation, and after the external force is cancelled, the key holder 3 moves towards the direction far away from the fixed holder 4 under the action of the restoring force of the spring and restores to the original position, so that the operation of the corresponding function (for example, volume adjustment) is finished.

It should be noted that the guide post 41 and the auxiliary reset post 42 in the above embodiments may share the same cylindrical structure, and correspondingly, the guide hole 32 and the auxiliary reset hole 33 also share the same hole structure.

In an exemplary embodiment, a side key structure is provided, as shown in fig. 1 to 6, in which the fixing support 4 further includes a limiting structure, the fixing support 4 extends along a first direction, and the limiting structure includes limiting blocks 43 disposed at both ends of the fixing support 4; when the adjusting portion 12 moves to the limit position along the first direction, the two end faces of the adjusting portion 12 along the first direction are respectively abutted to the corresponding limiting blocks 43, so that the adjusting portion 12 is limited along the movement of the first direction, and the displacement is prevented from being too large.

In one example, referring to fig. 1 to 6, the fixing bracket 4 extends along a first direction and is of an integrally molded structure, and the two ends of the fixing bracket 4 are formed with stoppers 43, and when the adjusting portion 12 moves along the first direction to a limit position, the limit position is, for example, a position where the triggering portion 13 corresponds to a position of the outermost contact 21 in the first direction. At this time, both end surfaces of the adjusting portion 12 in the first direction abut against the corresponding stoppers 43, respectively, so as to limit the movement of the adjusting portion 12 in the first direction and avoid an excessive displacement thereof.

The disclosure also provides a mobile terminal, for example, a mobile phone, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a POS machine or a vehicle-mounted computer. Referring to fig. 1-6, the mobile terminal includes a middle frame 6, where the middle frame 6 forms an accommodating space, and the accommodating space is provided with the side key structure as described above.

Side key mounting groove 61 has been seted up to the side of center 6, and the side key mounting groove 61 is passed through to at least partial structure of the rotatory wheel 11 of side key structure and is stretched out to the mobile terminal outside to in the realization press the operation.

In the mobile terminal, the contact 21 on the key circuit board 2 is triggered through the cooperation of the rotating wheel 11, the adjusting part 12 and the triggering part 13, so as to realize the corresponding function of the contact 21. Because only part of the wheel body of the rotating wheel 11 protrudes out of the side edge of the middle frame 6, the size of the side edge key opening 62 of the middle frame 6 can be obviously reduced, the strength of the middle frame 6 can be increased, the whole sealing of the mobile terminal is facilitated, and various choices are provided for the stacking design of the mobile terminal.

In one example, a mobile terminal is provided, as shown in fig. 1 to 6, in which a side key structure is assembled in a side key installation groove 61 of a middle frame 6, and a key opening 62 is provided at one side of the middle frame 6 for a pressed portion of a rotary wheel 11 to leak out, so that a user can press it conveniently to implement a corresponding function. The key circuit board 2 of the side key structure is a flexible circuit board (FPC) which is attached to the inner side wall of the side key mounting groove 61, three switch contacts 21, which are a volume + key, a power key, and a volume-key, are welded on the flexible circuit board, and corresponding functions are realized by pressing the contacts 21. To facilitate the user's recognition of the location of the contact, the power key may be disposed between the volume + key and the volume-key.

The side key structure comprises a stator part and a rotor part, and the stator part and the rotor part are respectively assembled by a plurality of parts. When the stator and the mover are mounted, the stator and the mover are assembled together, and then fixed to the center frame 6 by a fastener. For example, mounted on the middle frame 6 by two fastening screws. It should be noted that, in order to prevent the switch contacts 21 on the flexible circuit board from being scraped off at the time of assembly, the flexible circuit board should be first mounted in the side key mounting groove 61, and then the above-described stator part and mover part should be mounted in the side key mounting groove 61.

The stator part mainly comprises a fixed support 4 and a pair of springs, and the springs are sleeved on a reset auxiliary column 42 of the fixed support 4. The mover portion mainly includes a key holder 3, a rotating wheel 11, a transmission gear 142, a sliding rack (provided with an adjusting portion 12 of the rack structure 121), a trigger portion 13 formed of a rubber member, and a transmission shaft 141. The trigger part 13 is mounted on one side of the sliding rack close to the contact 21 by means of dispensing, and is used for contacting with a power key, a volume + key or a volume-key. The rotating wheel 11 and the transmission gear 142 are mounted on the key holder 3 through the transmission shaft 141 and perform synchronous rotating motion, the sliding rack is mounted on the key holder 3 through the dovetail groove and the limiting rib 31 matched with the dovetail groove, the rack structure 121 is meshed with the transmission gear 142, and the sliding rack can perform linear motion along the extending direction of the dovetail groove under the driving of the transmission gear 142.

The transmission process of the movement is as follows: the rotation of the rotating wheel 11 drives the transmission gear 142 to rotate synchronously, and the sliding rack moves linearly under the engagement of the transmission gear 142 and the rack structure 121, so that the trigger 13 moves to a position corresponding to the position of the contact 21.

As can be seen from the above description, the volume + key, the power key, and the volume-key are vertically arranged (refer to the orientation shown in fig. 1), the movement of the rotating wheel 11 and the sliding rack is continuous, in order to identify the corresponding relationship between the position of the rotating wheel 11 and the relevant contact 21, a linear groove (alignment mark 111) is carved on the rotating wheel 11, and when the linear groove is exposed outside the middle frame 6, the triggering portion 13 is indicated to correspond to the power key. In addition, when the roller is rotated left and right by taking the position of the linear groove as the center, the side wall of the fixed bracket 4 has a limiting effect on the sliding rack, and when the roller is rotated to a position where the roller cannot rotate continuously, the roller is already rotated to a +/-position of a volume key.

When the side key structure is in the initial state, the line groove is exposed out of the middle frame 6, and at this time, the trigger part 13 corresponds to the position of the power key and the two are in the separated state. When a radial force in a second direction is applied to the rotating wheel 11, the mover part linearly moves in the second direction to a direction close to the fixed bracket 4 under the cooperation of the guide posts 41 and the guide holes 32, so that the triggering part 13 contacts with the power key, and the corresponding function of the power key is triggered under the pressure of the triggering part 13. After the external force is removed, the mover part is restored to the position of the initial state under the restoring force of the spring. In the mobile terminal, the functions of repeatedly turning off/on the screen, turning on/off the mobile terminal and the like can be realized by continuously pressing along the second direction.

When the volume needs to be increased, the rotating wheel 11 is rotated anticlockwise, the transmission gear 142 is driven by the rotating wheel 11 to rotate synchronously, the sliding rack is driven by the transmission gear 142 to move linearly along the first direction, when the end face of the sliding rack is contacted with the fixed support 4, the side wall of the fixed support 4 has a limiting effect on the sliding rack, at the moment, the rotating wheel 11 cannot rotate continuously, and the triggering part 13 connected with the sliding rack moves to the position corresponding to the volume plus key. In this state, when a radial force in a second direction is applied, the mover moves, the trigger 13 contacts with the volume + key, and the volume + key is triggered, so that the effect of turning up the volume is achieved. The rotating wheel 11 is continuously pressed along the second direction, so that the effect of continuously turning up the volume can be realized.

The operation of turning down the volume is similar to the operation of turning up the volume. When the volume needs to be reduced, the rotating wheel 11 is rotated clockwise, the sliding rack is driven by the rotating wheel 11 to do linear motion along the first direction, when the sliding rack moves to a specified position under the limit of the fixed support 4, a radial force along the second direction is applied to the rotating wheel 11, and at the moment, the triggering part 13 triggers the volume-key function, so that the effect of reducing the volume is achieved. And the volume can be continuously reduced by continuously pressing along the second direction.

The mobile terminal at least comprises the following effects:

first, the plurality of contacts 21 of the flexible circuit board are arranged compactly in the vertical direction, so that the length of the side key installation groove 61 is effectively reduced, and only one key opening 62 for protruding part of the structure of the rotating wheel 11 is provided on the middle frame 6, thereby effectively enhancing the strength of the middle frame 6 and the sealing effect of the whole mobile terminal, especially the sealing effect at the battery cover of the mobile terminal.

Secondly, in the mobile terminal, when the rotating wheel 11 is at a certain position, only one function corresponding to the contact 21 can be realized, that is, the power key, the volume + key and the volume-key of the side key structure respectively work, and no error touch occurs.

Thirdly, the pressing directions (second directions) of the power key, the volume + key and the volume-key are consistent, so that the operation habit consistent with the structure of the traditional side key is kept, and the user can easily get on the hands.

Fourthly, in the side key structure, a plurality of contacts 21 on the flexible circuit board are compactly arranged, and the size of the side key structure is greatly reduced compared with the traditional scheme in the first direction; and the first direction and the second direction have multiple matching forms, so that more new choices are provided for the whole stacking of the mobile terminal.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements described above and shown in the drawings and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A side key structure is arranged on a middle frame of a mobile terminal and is characterized by comprising a key assembly and a key circuit board, wherein the key circuit board comprises a plurality of contacts which are arranged at intervals along a first direction;

2. The edge key structure of claim 1, wherein the key assembly further comprises a transmission assembly, the rotary wheel is engaged with the adjustment portion through the transmission assembly, and the transmission assembly is configured to convert an external torque acting on the rotary wheel into a driving force acting on the adjustment portion in the first direction.

3. The side button structure of claim 2, wherein the transmission assembly comprises a transmission gear and a rack structure formed on the adjustment portion, the transmission gear being engaged with the rack structure;

4. The side button structure of claim 3, wherein the button assembly further comprises a button support, the button support is provided with an installation space penetrating through the button support, the rotating wheel, the transmission shaft and the transmission gear are installed in the installation space, and the transmission shaft is rotatably connected with the button support.

5. The side key structure of claim 3, wherein the key frame is provided with a first guiding and limiting portion, the adjusting portion is provided with a second guiding and limiting portion, and when the adjusting portion moves along the first direction, the first guiding and limiting portion is matched with the second guiding and limiting portion to guide and limit the adjusting portion.

6. The side key structure of claim 5, wherein the first guiding and limiting portion comprises a limiting rib, and the second guiding and limiting portion comprises a limiting groove, and the limiting rib extends into the limiting groove.

7. The side key structure of claim 4, further comprising a fixing bracket, wherein the fixing bracket is fixedly connected to a middle frame of a mobile terminal, and the fixing bracket and the key bracket form a sliding connection along the second direction.

8. The side key structure of claim 7, wherein the fixing bracket is provided with a guide post, and the key bracket is provided with a guide hole; or,

9. The side key structure of claim 7, wherein the fixing bracket is provided with a reset auxiliary post, and the key bracket is provided with a reset auxiliary hole; or,

10. The side key structure of claim 9, wherein said resilient return member is a spring having an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of said return assist aperture.

11. The side key structure of claim 7, wherein the fixing bracket further comprises a limiting structure, the fixing bracket extends along a first direction, and the limiting structure comprises limiting blocks arranged at two ends of the fixing bracket;

12. The side key structure of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the triggering portion is fixedly disposed on a side of the adjusting portion close to the key circuit board by dispensing.

13. A side key structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein an alignment mark is provided on said rotary wheel, said alignment mark corresponding to at least one of said plurality of contacts.

14. The side key structure of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the key circuit board is a flexible circuit board, and the key circuit board is fixed on a side wall of a middle frame of the mobile terminal by means of pasting.

15. A mobile terminal, comprising a middle frame, wherein the middle frame is formed with a receiving space, and the receiving space is provided with the side key structure according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The mobile terminal of claim 15, wherein a side key installation groove is formed in a side edge of the middle frame, and at least a part of the rotating wheel of the side key structure extends out of the mobile terminal through the side key installation groove.