TW201419340A - Button structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A button structure is provided and includes a support bracket and a button. The support bracket has two opposite edges, a first concave portion, a second concave portion, and a position limiting protruding point. The first and second concave portions are respectively located at the two opposite edges, and the position limiting protruding point protrudes from the second concave portion. The button is located on the support bracket and includes a body portion, two neck portions, and two stop portions. The two neck portions are located on two opposite ends of the body portion, and the length direction of each of the two neck portions is perpendicular to the length direction of the body portion. The two neck portions are respectively coupled to the first and second concave portions. The neck portion coupled to the second concave portion is positioned by the position limiting protruding point. The two stop portions are respectively connected to a side of the two neck portions facing away from the body portion. The external diameter of each of the two stop portions is larger than the external diameter of the corresponding neck portion, such that the two stop portions can abut against the support bracket.

Description

Button structure

The present invention relates to a button structure.

With the rapid development of consumer electronics technology, the demand for various storage devices is increasing, whether it is a server, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a camera, a camera or a video recorder. The above various electronic products need to be provided with appropriate input devices for the user to operate, such as a mouse, a keyboard, a button and a touch screen, etc., according to the designer's needs.

Although the proportion of electronic products using touch screens as input devices has increased in recent years, physical buttons are more intuitive to the user, and the physical buttons have the advantage of being quick to operate, and can be provided when the user presses. Feel, so there is still a need to exist. For example, the power switch, camera shutter button and volume adjustment button of the electronic product still use physical buttons. The conventional button is connected to the inner side surface of the casing, and the casing has a hollowed out area at the position of the corresponding button, so that the button can be exposed in the hollow area of the casing.

However, if the assembly of the button and the casing is not subjected to a hot melt process, it is easy to fall, so that it is easy to cause a key shift during assembly, and it is difficult to align the hollowed-out area of the casing and the pressure-sensitive element of the circuit board. In addition, if the hot melt process ensures that the button is fixed at a specific position of the casing, the hot melt process is time consuming and laborious, and is prone to breakage after a period of use. That is to say, the conventional button assembly is difficult, and it is difficult to firmly connect with the casing or the circuit board, and it may cause people. The cost of power increases.

One aspect of the present invention is a button structure.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a button structure includes a support frame and a button. The support frame has opposite side edges, a first recess, a second recess and a limit bump. The first and second recesses are respectively located at the two side edges, and the limiting bumps protrude from the second recess. The button is located on the support frame and includes a body portion, two neck portions and two abutting portions. The two neck portions are located at opposite ends of the body portion, and the length direction of each neck portion is perpendicular to the length direction of the body portion. The two necks are respectively coupled to the first and second recesses, wherein the neck coupled to the second recess is positioned by the limiting bump. The two abutting portions are respectively connected to one side of the two neck portions with respect to the body portion, and each of the abutting portions has an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the corresponding neck portion for abutting against the support frame.

In an embodiment of the invention, the button structure further includes a flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board is fixed to the support frame and has at least one pressure sensitive element. The pressure sensitive element is located between the support frame and the body portion of the button. When the body portion of the button is pressed, the body portion contacts the pressure sensitive element to cause the pressure sensitive element to transmit a pressure sensitive signal.

In an embodiment of the invention, each of the necks has a length greater than a thickness of the support frame.

In an embodiment of the invention, the button structure further includes at least one elastic body. The elastomer is located between the support frame and the body portion of the button and is located between the two neck portions.

In an embodiment of the invention, the elastic body comprises a sponge and a rubber Or spring.

In an embodiment of the invention, the second recess has a slope, and the limiting bump is located on the slope.

In an embodiment of the invention, the support frame further includes a fixed arm, and the longitudinal direction of the fixed arm is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the two neck portions, and has a through hole for the fixing member to penetrate.

In an embodiment of the invention, the button structure further includes a circuit board. The circuit board is connected to the fixed arm and has a fixing hole aligned with the through hole of the fixing arm for the fixing component to engage in the fixing hole.

In an embodiment of the invention, the support frame has at least one hollow portion. The hollow portion is located between the first and second recesses, and the body portion of the button has at least one protrusion passing through the hollow portion. The circuit board has at least one pressure sensitive element aligned with the projection. When the body portion of the button is pressed, the protruding portion contacts the pressure sensitive element, so that the pressure sensing element transmits a pressure sensitive signal.

In an embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal direction of the protruding portion is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the two neck portions.

In the above embodiment of the invention, the button is located on the support frame. When the two necks of the button are respectively coupled to the first and second recesses of the support frame, the neck coupled to the second recess may be positioned by the limit bump protruding from the second recess. In addition, the outer diameter of the abutting portion connected to the neck portion is larger than the outer diameter of the neck portion, and when the two neck portions of the button are shaken by the external force in the first and second recess portions, the abutting portion can abut against the support frame to prevent the button from being pressed. Get out of the support frame.

The button and the support frame can be firmly combined without a hot melt process. When the button structure is assembled, the button can be easily coupled to the first and second recesses of the support frame by the two necks, so that the button is aligned with the pressure sensitive element. In addition, due to This button structure can omit the hot melt process and save time and labor costs in assembly. After using for a period of time, since there is no hot melt zone between the button and the support frame, the button structure is not easily broken, and the service life of the button structure can be prolonged.

The embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the following drawings, and the details of However, it should be understood that these practical details are not intended to limit the invention. That is, in some embodiments of the invention, these practical details are not necessary. In addition, some of the conventional structures and elements are shown in the drawings in a simplified schematic manner in order to simplify the drawings.

1 is a perspective view of a button structure 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the button structure 100 of FIG. 1. Referring also to Figures 1 and 2, the button structure 100 includes a support frame 110 and buttons 130, 130'. The shorter button 130 can be, for example, a power button of a mobile phone, and the longer button 130' can be, for example, a volume adjustment button of a mobile phone, but is not intended to limit the present invention. In the following description, the structure in which the button 130 and the support frame 110 are used to be connected to each other will be described.

The support frame 110 has opposite side edges 112, 114, a first recess 116, a second recess 118 and a limit bump 120. The first and second recesses 116, 118 are respectively located at the side edges 112, 114, and the limiting bumps 120 protrude from the second recess 118. The button 130 is located on the support frame 110 and includes a body portion 132, two neck portions 134 and two abutting portions 136. The two necks 134 are located at opposite ends of the body portion 132, and the length direction of each of the neck portions 134 is perpendicular to the body. The length direction of the portion 132. The two necks 134 are coupled to the first and second recesses 116, 118, respectively. The two abutting portions 136 are respectively connected to one side of the two neck portions 134 with respect to the body portion 132 for abutting against the support frame 110. In this embodiment, the side edges 112, 114 are the side edges of the two long sides of the support frame 110.

In addition, the button structure 100 also includes a flexible circuit board 140. The flexible circuit board 140 is fixed to the support frame 110 and has a pressure sensitive element 142. The pressure sensitive element 142 is located between the support frame 110 and the body portion 132 of the button 130. When the body portion 132 of the button 130 is pressed, the body portion 132 contacts the pressure sensing element 142 to cause the pressure sensing element 142 to transmit a pressure sensitive signal. The pressure sensitive signal can be transmitted to the control unit of a circuit board via the flexible circuit board 140.

The button structure 100 can also include an elastomer 138. The elastomer 138 is located between the support frame 110 and the body portion 132 of the button 130 and between the two neck portions 134. The elastomer 138 may comprise a sponge, a rubber or a spring, but is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, the elastic body 138 is a sponge. Since the button 130 is located above the single pressure sensitive element 142, the elastic body 138 can be attached to both ends of the body portion 132. When the user presses the central portion of the body portion 132 of the button 130, the central portion of the body portion 132 can easily contact the pressure sensitive member 142. When the user stops pressing the body portion 132 of the button 130, the elastic body 138 at both ends of the body portion 132 can cause the body portion 132 to be disengaged from the pressure sensing member 142.

In the following description, the operation steps of assembling the button 130 to the support frame 110 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one of the neck portions 134 of the left button 130 of FIG. 1 assembled to the front of the first recess 116 of the support frame 110. The length L of each neck 134 is greater than the thickness W of the support frame 110. The neck above the third picture The portion 134 can first enter the first recess 116 in the direction D1 to couple the neck 134 to the first recess 116, as shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one of the necks 134 of the button 130 of FIG. 3 assembled to the first recess 116 of the support frame 110. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the other neck portion 134 of the button 130 of FIG. 4 assembled to the second recess 118 of the support frame 110. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, after the neck 134 above the fourth figure is coupled to the first recess 116, the first recess 116 can serve as a pivot point for the pivoting of the button 130. At this time, the neck portion 134 at the lower portion of FIG. 4 can enter the second recess portion 118 in the direction D2, and the lower neck portion 134 is coupled to the second recess portion 118.

In the present embodiment, the support frame 110 may further include a fixed arm 111. The longitudinal direction D3 of the fixed arm 111 is parallel to the longitudinal direction D4 of the neck 134, and the fixed arm 111 has a through hole 113 for a fixing member (for example, a screw) to be inserted so that the support frame 110 can be fixed to the circuit board or the housing.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the fifth neck 134 coupled to the first and second recesses 116 and 118, respectively. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , since the limiting bump 120 protrudes from the second recess 118 , the neck 134 coupled to the second recess 118 can be positioned by the limiting bump 120 . In this way, the button 130 can be stably assembled on the support frame 110, and is not easily separated from the support frame 110 by external force or gravity. Further, the outer diameter D of the abutting portion 136 is larger than the outer diameter D' of the corresponding neck portion 134 such that the two neck portions 134 of the button 130 do not disengage from the first and second recess portions 116, 118 in the opposite direction of the direction D4. In the present embodiment, the second recess 118 has a slope 122, and the limiting bump 120 is located on the slope 122, so that the neck 134 can be conveniently slid into the second recess 118 by the slope 122 and positioned by the limiting bump 120.

Specifically, the button 130 is located on the support frame 110. When the two necks 134 of the button 130 are respectively coupled to the first and second recesses 116 , 118 of the support frame 110 , the neck 134 coupled to the second recess 118 may be bounded by the limiting protrusion 120 protruding from the second recess 118 . To locate. In addition, when the two neck portions 134 of the button 130 are shaken by the external force in the first and second recess portions 116, 118, the abutting portion 136 can abut against the support frame 110 to prevent the button 130 from coming off the support frame 110.

Referring to FIG. 2 at the same time, the button 130 and the support frame 110 can be firmly combined without a hot melt process. When the button structure 100 is assembled, the button 130 can be easily coupled to the first and second recesses 116, 118 of the support frame 110 by the two neck portions 134 to align the button 130 with the pressure sensing element 142. In addition, since the button structure 100 can omit the hot melt process, time and labor costs can be saved in assembly. After a period of use, since there is no hot melt zone between the button 130 and the support frame 110, the button structure 100 is not easily broken, and the service life of the button structure 100 can be extended.

It should be understood that the component connection relationships that have been described in the above embodiments will not be described again. In the following description, the structure in which the push button 130' and the support frame 110 are used to be connected to each other will be described.

Referring also to Figures 1 and 2, the support frame 110 has opposing side edges 112, 114, a first recess 116', a second recess 118' and a stop bump 120'. The first and second recesses 116', 118' are located on the side edges 112, 114, respectively, and the limit bumps 120' protrude from the second recess 118'. The button 130' is located on the support frame 110 and includes a body portion 132', two neck portions 134' and two abutting portions 136'. The two neck portions 134' are located at opposite ends of the body portion 132', and the length direction of each of the neck portions 134' is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body portion 132'. Two neck 134' are coupled to the first and second recesses 116', 118', respectively. The two abutting portions 136' are respectively coupled to one side of the two neck portions 134' with respect to the body portion 132' for abutting against the support frame 110.

In addition, the flexible circuit board 140 also has two pressure sensitive elements 142'. The button structure 100 can also include an elastomer 138'. Since the button 130' is located above the two pressure sensing elements 142', and the two pressure sensing elements 142' can have different functions (such as the function of increasing the volume and reducing the volume), a single unit can be attached to the central area of the body portion 132'. Elastomer 138'. When the user presses either end of the body portion 132' of the button 130', the body portion 132' can easily contact the corresponding pressure sensitive member 142'. When the user stops pressing the body portion 132 of the button 130', the elastomer 138' in the central portion of the body portion 132' allows the body portion 132' to be removed from the pressure sensing element 142'.

In the following description, the operational steps of assembling the button 130' to the support frame 110 will be described.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing one of the neck portions 134' of the right side button 130' of Fig. 1 assembled in front of the first recessed portion 116' of the support frame 110. The neck 134' above the seventh figure can first enter the first recess 116' in the direction D5, and the neck 134' can be coupled to the first recess 116' as shown in FIG.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing one of the neck portions 134' of the right side button 130' of Figure 7 assembled to the first recess 116' of the support frame 110. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the other neck portion 134' of the right button 130' of Fig. 8 assembled to the second recess 118' of the support frame 110. Referring also to Figures 8 and 9, after the neck 134' above the eighth figure is coupled to the first recess 116', the first recess 116' can serve as a pivot point for the pivoting of the button 130'. At this time, the neck portion 134' at the bottom of Fig. 8 can enter the second recess portion 118' in the direction D6 to the lower side. The neck 134' is coupled to the second recess 118'.

Fig. 10 is a view showing the ninth and second recessed portions 116', 118' of the ninth and second recessed portions 134', respectively. Referring also to Figures 9 and 10, since the stop bump 120' protrudes from the second recess 118', the neck 134' coupled to the second recess 118' can be positioned by the stop bump 120'. In this way, the button 130' can be stably assembled to the support frame 110.

Figure 11 is an exploded view of a key structure 100' in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The button structure 100' includes a support frame 110 and buttons 130, 130'. The difference from the embodiment of Fig. 2 is that the button structure 100' does not have a flexible circuit board but includes a circuit board 150. Further, the support frame 110 has hollow portions 119, 119'. The body portion 132 of the button 130 has a projection 133, and the body portion 132' of the button 130' has a projection 133'.

The circuit board 150 has a fixing hole 152 aligned with the through hole 113 of the fixed arm 111, and the fixing member 154 (for example, a screw) is engaged in the fixing hole 152 (for example, a screw hole). In this way, the circuit board 150 can be connected to the fixed arm 111. Further, the longitudinal direction of the projections 133, 133' is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the neck portions 134, 134'. The hollow portion 119 is located between the first and second recesses 116, 118, and the hollow portion 119' is located between the first and second recesses 116', 118'. The body portion 132 of the button 130 has a projection 133 extending through the hollow portion 119, and the body portion 132' of the button 130' has a projection 133' passing through the hollow portion 119'. The circuit board 150 has pressure sensitive elements 156, 156' with the pressure sensitive elements 156 aligned with the projections 133 and the pressure sensitive elements 156' aligned with the projections 133'. When the body portion 132 of the button 130 is pressed, the protruding portion 133 contacts the pressure sensing element 156, causing the pressure sensing element 156 to transmit a pressure sensitive signal. When either end of the body portion 132' of the button 130' is pressed, the protrusion 133' can contact the pressure sensitive element 156', making sense The pressure element 156' transmits a pressure sensitive signal.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention have the following advantages over the prior art:

(1) When assembling the button structure, the button can be coupled to the first and second recesses of the support frame by the two necks, and the neck coupled to the second recess can be positioned by the limit bump.

(2) When the two necks of the button are shaken by the external force in the first and second recesses, the abutting portion connected to the neck can abut against the support frame to prevent the button from being detached from the support frame when the button is pressed.

(3) The button and the support frame can be firmly combined without a hot melt process, so that the keys are accurately aligned with the pressure sensitive components. Therefore, time and labor costs can be saved in terms of assembly.

(4) After the button structure is used for a period of time, because there is no hot melt zone between the button and the support frame, the button structure is not easily broken, and the service life of the button structure can be prolonged.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and the present invention can be modified and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application attached.

100‧‧‧Key structure

100’‧‧‧ button structure

110‧‧‧Support frame

111‧‧‧Fixed Arm

112‧‧‧ side edge

113‧‧‧Perforation

114‧‧‧lateral edge

116‧‧‧First recess

116’‧‧‧First recess

118‧‧‧Second recess

118’‧‧‧Second recess

119‧‧‧镂空部

119’‧‧‧镂空部

120‧‧‧limit bumps

120’‧‧‧ Limit Bump

122‧‧‧Bevel

130‧‧‧ button

130’‧‧‧ button

132‧‧‧ Body Department

132’‧‧‧ Body Department

133‧‧‧protrusion

133’‧‧‧Protruding

134‧‧‧ neck

134’‧‧‧ neck

136‧‧‧Abutment

136’‧‧‧Responsible Department

138‧‧‧ Elastomers

138’‧‧‧ Elastomer

140‧‧‧Soft circuit board

142‧‧‧pressure element

142'‧‧‧pressure element

150‧‧‧ boards

152‧‧‧Fixed holes

154‧‧‧Fixed components

156‧‧‧pressure element

156'‧‧‧pressure element

D‧‧‧OD

D’‧‧‧ OD

D1‧‧ Direction

D2‧‧ Direction

D3‧‧ Direction

D4‧‧ Direction

D5‧‧ Direction

D6‧‧ Direction

L‧‧‧ length

W‧‧‧thickness

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a button structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view showing the structure of the button of Fig. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one of the left side buttons of the left side of FIG. 1 assembled in front of the first recess of the support frame.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one of the buttons of the button of FIG. 3 assembled to the first recess of the support frame.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the other neck of the button of FIG. 4 assembled to the second recess of the support frame.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the second neck of FIG. 5 coupled to the first and second recesses, respectively.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing one of the right side buttons of the right side of FIG. 1 assembled in front of the first recess of the support frame.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing one of the right side buttons of the right side of FIG. 7 assembled to the first recess of the support frame.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the other neck of the right button of FIG. 8 assembled to the second recess of the support frame.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the neck of FIG. 9 coupled to the first and second recesses, respectively.

11 is an exploded view of a button structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

100‧‧‧Key structure

110‧‧‧Support frame

111‧‧‧Fixed Arm

112‧‧‧ side edge

113‧‧‧Perforation

114‧‧‧lateral edge

116‧‧‧First recess

116’‧‧‧First recess

118‧‧‧Second recess

118’‧‧‧Second recess

120‧‧‧limit bumps

120’‧‧‧ Limit Bump

130‧‧‧ button

130’‧‧‧ button

132‧‧‧ Body Department

132’‧‧‧ Body Department

134‧‧‧ neck

134’‧‧‧ neck

136‧‧‧Abutment

136’‧‧‧Responsible Department

138‧‧‧ Elastomers

138’‧‧‧ Elastomer

140‧‧‧Soft circuit board

142‧‧‧pressure element

142'‧‧‧pressure element

Claims (10)

A button structure includes: a support frame having opposite side edges, a first recess, a second recess and a limiting bump, wherein the first and second recesses are respectively located on the two sides, and The limiting protrusion protrudes from the second concave portion; and a button is disposed on the support frame, comprising: a body portion; two neck portions at opposite ends of the body portion, and each of the neck portions The direction is perpendicular to the length direction of the body portion, the two neck portions are respectively coupled to the first and second recesses, wherein the neck portion coupled to the second recess portion is positioned by the limiting bump; and the second abutting portion And respectively connected to one side of the two neck portions relative to the body portion, and each of the abutting portions has an outer diameter larger than a corresponding outer diameter of the neck portion for abutting against the support frame. The button structure of claim 1, further comprising: a flexible circuit board fixed to the support frame, and the flexible circuit board has at least one pressure sensitive component located between the support frame and the body portion of the button When the body portion of the button is pressed, the body portion contacts the pressure sensitive component to cause the pressure sensitive component to transmit a pressure sensitive signal. The button structure of claim 1, wherein the length of each of the necks is greater than the thickness of the support frame. The button structure of claim 1, further comprising: at least one elastic body between the support frame and the body portion of the button, and located between the two neck portions. The button structure of claim 4, wherein the elastomer comprises a sponge, a rubber or a spring. The button structure of claim 1, wherein the second recess has a slope, and the limit bump is located on the slope. The button structure of claim 1, wherein the support frame further comprises: a fixed arm whose longitudinal direction is parallel to the length direction of the two neck portions and has a through hole for a fixing member to penetrate. The button structure of claim 7, further comprising: a circuit board coupled to the fixed arm and having a fixing hole aligned with the through hole of the fixing arm for engaging the fixing component in the fixing hole. The button structure of claim 8, wherein the support frame has at least one hollow portion between the first and second recesses, and the body portion of the button has at least one protruding portion passing through the hollow portion. The circuit board has at least one pressure sensitive component aligned with the protruding portion, and when the body portion of the button is pressed, the protruding portion contacts the pressure sensitive component, so that the pressure sensitive component transmits Pressure signal. The button structure of claim 9, wherein a length direction of the protrusion is parallel to a length direction of the two neck portions.