CN113555241B - Key module and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The application discloses a key module, which comprises a frame, a key cap, a limiting bulge and a bracket, wherein the frame is provided with a groove, the groove is provided with a first notch, the key cap is at least partially slidably arranged in the groove, the bracket is fixed on the frame, the bracket is provided with an elastic wall, the elastic wall faces to the first notch, the limiting bulge is arranged on one side of the key cap facing to the elastic wall, the limiting bulge can be in limiting fit with the elastic wall, the key cap is in a gear under the condition that the limiting bulge is in limiting fit with the elastic wall, the key module can realize functional output along with the gear, the elastic wall can be matched with the frame to restrict the movement path of the key cap, the gear switching of the key cap can be realized through elastic deformation, the total number of parts of the key module is reduced due to the functional multiplexing of the elastic wall, the assembly process is simplified, and the application also discloses an electronic device.

Description

Key module and electronic equipment

Technical Field

The present application relates to the technical field of communication equipment, and in particular to a key module and an electronic device.

Background technique

The key module is an essential functional component in electronic devices. Users can realize related functions of electronic devices by pressing, sliding, etc. As the integration of electronic devices becomes higher and higher, it is often required to use one key module to realize multiple functions of electronic devices, that is, the key module needs to realize the switching of multiple gears, which puts higher requirements on the key module.

In the related art, a button module that can realize multiple gear switching often requires multiple parts to cooperate with each other. Too many parts will lead to complicated button module assembly process and high subsequent maintenance costs. At the same time, too many parts working together will increase the probability of abnormalities such as jamming.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a key module and an electronic device to solve the problem in the related art that the key module has too many parts, resulting in a complex assembly process and high maintenance cost.

On the one hand, the present application discloses a key module, including a frame, a key cap, a limiting protrusion and a bracket, the frame having a groove, the groove having a first notch, the key cap being at least partially slidably arranged in the groove, the bracket being fixed to the frame, the bracket having an elastic wall, the elastic wall facing the first notch, the limiting protrusion being arranged on the side of the key cap facing the elastic wall, the limiting protrusion being able to cooperate with the elastic wall in a limiting position, when the limiting protrusion cooperates with the elastic wall in a limiting position, the key cap is in a gear position, and the key module can realize functional output according to the gear position.

On the other hand, the present application discloses an electronic device, including a key module.

The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

The key module of the present application is provided with a groove in the frame, and a first notch in the groove, and at least a part of the key cap is slidably provided in the groove. The bracket is fixed to the frame, and the elastic wall of the bracket is directed toward the first notch, and the limiting protrusion is provided on the side of the key cap directed toward the elastic wall, so that when the key cap slides, the elastic wall is elastically deformed, and the limiting protrusion is matched with the elastic wall to achieve the gear switching of the key cap.

In summary, in this setting, the elastic wall can not only cooperate with the frame to constrain the movement path of the key cap, but also realize the gear switching of the key cap through elastic deformation. This functional reuse of the elastic wall reduces the overall number of parts of the key module and simplifies the assembly process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present application and constitute a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present application and their descriptions are used to explain the present application and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present application. In the drawings:

FIG1 is an exploded view of a key module disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a key module disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG3 is a structural diagram of a bracket disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG4 is an enlarged view of point I in FIG3 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG5 is a structural diagram of a base disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG6 is a diagram of a key structure disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a structure of a limiting protrusion disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of reference numerals:

100-frame, 110-clip, 120-groove, 121-first slide groove, 122-second slide groove, 200-first detection terminal, 300-button cap, 310-first sliding part, 320-second sliding part, 330-installing groove, 400-second detection terminal, 500-limiting protrusion, 510-connecting section, 520-protruding section, 521-first limiting surface, 522-second limiting surface, 523-bend, 600-sealing ring, 700-bracket, 710-elastic wall, 720-card hole, 730-reinforcement plate, 740-matching protrusion, 750-limiting groove, 751-first groove surface, 752-second groove surface, 760-avoidance groove, X-sliding direction.

Detailed ways

In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solution of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in combination with the specific embodiments of the present application and the corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 . The present application discloses a key module, which can be applied to electronic devices such as mobile phones. Multiple gears can be configured in the key module to achieve different functions of the electronic device by switching the gears.

The key module may include a frame 100, a key cap 300, a limiting protrusion 500 and a bracket 700. The frame 100 is the installation base of the present application. Taking a mobile phone as an example, the frame 100 may be a structure with a middle frame of the mobile phone as a carrier.

The frame 100 may have a groove 120, and the groove 120 may have a first notch. The bracket 700 is fixed to the frame 100, and the bracket 700 has an elastic wall 710, and the elastic wall 710 faces the first notch. The key cap 300 serves as an operating unit of the key module, and the key cap 300 is at least partially slidably arranged in the groove 120, for example, the key cap 300 is completely arranged in the groove 120, or the key cap 300 extends out of the groove 120. In this way, the key cap 300 can achieve the gear switching of the key module by sliding in the groove 120.

In the above arrangement, the cooperation between the bracket 700 and the frame 100 can realize the constraint of the movement path of the key cap 300, and the elastic wall 710 can stop the key cap 300 to prevent the key cap 300 from moving toward the side where the first slot is located, thereby preventing the key cap 300 from deviating from the sliding direction.

At the same time, the elastic wall 710 also has a certain flexibility, and its characteristic is that it can undergo elastic deformation such as bending when subjected to force. The limiting protrusion 500 can be set on the side of the key cap 300 facing the elastic wall 710, and the limiting protrusion 500 can cooperate with the elastic wall 710 to limit the position. This limiting cooperation setting can not only realize the gear switching of the key cap 300, but also fix the key cap 300 to the current gear to ensure that the key cap 300 realizes related functions in the current gear.

For example, a slot can be provided on the elastic wall 710, and the limiting protrusion 500 can be provided as a buckle structure matching the slot. In this way, when the limiting protrusion 500 is sliding to switch the gear position, the limiting protrusion 500 will touch the slot and squeeze the elastic wall 710, so that the elastic wall 710 bends due to elastic deformation and retreats relative to the limiting protrusion 500, and the limiting protrusion 500 immediately enters the slot, and then the elastic wall 710 restores elastic deformation to complete the elastic connection of the limiting protrusion 500 through the slot, and at this time, the limiting protrusion 500 is limited and matched with the elastic wall 710. In the case of such limited cooperation between the limiting protrusion 500 and the elastic wall 710, the key cap 300 is in the gear position, and the key module can realize the function output according to the gear position.

At the same time, the card slot can be set in multiple positions, so that the key cap 300 will have multiple gears, and the key module can achieve different functional outputs with different gears. Taking the key module installed in a mobile phone as an example, this setting method can enable the mobile phone to achieve multiple functions such as vibration, mute, and unmute.

Furthermore, the key module of the present application adopts the structure shown in Figures 2 to 4. Specifically, a plurality of limiting grooves 750 are arranged on the side of the elastic wall 710 facing the key cap 300. The plurality of limiting grooves 750 can be arranged in sequence along the sliding direction X of the key cap 300.

In this way, the elastic wall 710 can cooperate with the limiting protrusion 500 through the limiting groove 750. At this time, the limiting cooperation can make at least part of the limiting protrusion 500 accommodated in the limiting groove 750, so as to realize mutual restraint between the two. Under the action of the restraining force, the limiting groove 750 will stop the key cap 300 from continuing to slide along the sliding direction X. In other words, the key cap 300 is fixed in the groove 120 through the limiting cooperation between the limiting protrusion 500 and the limiting groove 750. The principle of this setting is as follows:

When the key cap 300 needs to switch gears, the key cap 300 can be slid with the help of external force. In this sliding state of the key cap 300, the driving force for the key cap 300 to slide, such as the driving force provided by the user by turning the key cap 300 with his hand, or the driving force provided by the program-controlled mechanical mechanism to drive the key cap 300, will be transmitted to the limiting protrusion 500 through the key cap 300. At this time, the limiting protrusion 500 and the limiting groove 750 are squeezed and stressed against each other. Under the action of this squeezing force, the elastic wall 710 can be elastically deformed. Specifically, this elastic deformation will cause the elastic wall 710 to bend, sink, and other deformations in a direction away from the limiting protrusion 500, so that the limiting protrusion 500 can be separated from the limiting groove 750, and then the limiting protrusion 500 can be released from the limiting groove 750. At this time, the limiting protrusion 500 can be moved out of the current limiting groove 750, and the key cap 300 can slide.

As the key cap 300 continues to slide, the key cap 300 can return to a stationary state. In this stationary state of the key cap 300, the limiting protrusion 500 will enter another limiting groove 750 as the key cap 300 slides. At this time, the elastic wall 710 can restore its elastic deformation, and the limiting protrusion 500 will be accommodated in the limiting groove 750 again. The limiting protrusion 500 and the limiting groove 750 are limitedly matched to fix the key cap 300 at the current position without being subjected to external force.

The above operation completes the gear switching of the key cap 300. Taking the mobile phone as an example, each limit slot 750 can be set to correspond to a different gear, thereby realizing different functions. For example, the key cap 300 switches gears during the sliding process to realize multiple functions such as "mute" and "vibrate" of the mobile phone. Of course, each function should correspond to a limit slot 750, which will not be described in detail here.

In summary, the setting of the elastic wall 710 can not only realize the path constraint of the key cap 300 when it slides, but also realize the gear switching of the key cap 300 through its own elastic deformation and the limit groove 750 set thereon. This design realizes the functional reuse of the bracket 700, thereby reducing the overall number of parts of the key module, simplifying the assembly process of the key module, and reducing the subsequent maintenance cost.

For the specific structure of the bracket 700, an injection molding process can be used for manufacturing. In this way, the elastic wall 710 and the limiting groove 750 can be integrally formed on the bracket 700, further enhancing the functional integration of the bracket 700. The elastic wall 710 can be a thin plate structure formed on the surface of the bracket 700, and the bracket 700 can be made of plastic to ensure that the elastic wall 710 can fully perform elastic deformation. The frame 100 can also be made of plastic material and injection molding process. Of course, the frame 100 should ensure sufficient rigidity to cooperate with the elastic wall 710 to achieve related functions, so the thickness of the frame 100 should be greater than the elastic wall 710.

It should be noted here that, as another alternative solution, the key cap 300 may be provided with a limiting groove 750, and the elastic wall 710 may be provided with a plurality of limiting protrusions 500, wherein the plurality of limiting protrusions 500 are arranged in sequence along the sliding direction X of the key cap 300. In this way, the gear switching of the key cap 300 and the fixing of the current gear can also be realized, which will not be described in detail here.

Furthermore, the elastic wall 710 can be spaced apart from the frame 100 to achieve path restriction of the key cap 300. In the present application, the elastic wall 710 can also be attached to the frame 100 as shown in FIG. 2, so that the elastic wall 710 can be blocked in the first notch to achieve a better sealing effect on the groove 120.

For the specific structure of the groove 120, the opening direction of the groove 120 can intersect with the sliding direction X, for example, the opening direction of the groove 120 is perpendicular to the sliding direction X, and there is a sliding gap between the groove 120 and the key cap 300, and the sliding gap exists between the groove wall of the groove 120 and the periphery of the key cap 300.

In this structure, the groove 120 forms a sliding hole structure. For example, the groove 120 is a strip hole. The key cap 300 can be set as a strip key that matches the strip hole, so that the key cap 300 slides in the groove 120. The groove wall of the groove 120 will constrain the stroke of the key cap 300. Specifically, when the key cap 300 slides, the size of the sliding gap changes. When the sliding gap is reduced to 0, the key cap 300 touches the groove wall of the groove 120, and the limit value is reached. The same is true when the key cap 300 moves in the opposite direction.

In this way, the groove 120 will circumferentially cover the key cap 300 to prevent the key cap 300 from being deflected relative to the sliding direction X when moving, thereby improving the operability of the key cap 300 .

Please refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 again. For the specific structure of the limiting groove 750, the limiting groove 750 may have a first groove surface 751 and a second groove surface 752. The first groove surface 751 and the second groove surface 752 may be arranged in sequence along the sliding direction X.

The first groove surface 751 and the second groove surface 752 can be planes inclined to each other, and the distance between the first groove surface 751 and the second groove surface 752 gradually decreases in the direction away from the limiting protrusion 500. For example, the limiting groove 750 is a "V"-shaped groove, and the whole formed by the plurality of limiting grooves 750 is in the shape of a rack. In this way, when subjected to external force, it is convenient for the limiting protrusion 500 to slide out of the limiting groove 750 along the first groove surface 751 or the second groove surface 752, so as to facilitate the gear switching of the key cap 300.

As an alternative, the first groove surface 751 and the second groove surface 752 may both be arc surfaces. For example, the limiting groove 750 forms an arc groove or an arc-like groove. In this way, the overall shape formed by the multiple limiting grooves 750 is wavy. This structure also facilitates the limiting protrusion 500 to slide out of the limiting groove 750 when subjected to external force, which will not be described in detail here.

Furthermore, the bracket 700 may be provided with a reinforcing plate 730. The reinforcing plate 730 may be provided on the side of the elastic wall 710 facing away from the groove 120. The provision of the reinforcing plate 730 may increase the strength of the elastic wall 710 and prevent excessive deformation thereof without affecting the elastic deformation of the elastic wall 710, and the specific method is as follows:

The first end of the elastic wall 710 and the first end of the reinforcement plate 730 can be spaced apart, so that an elastic opening is formed between the first end of the elastic wall 710 and the first end of the reinforcement plate 730, and the limiting groove 750 is arranged on the side of the first end of the elastic wall 710 away from the elastic opening, and the second end of the elastic wall 710 is in contact with the second end of the reinforcement plate 730.

For example, the whole formed by the elastic wall 710 and the reinforcement plate 730 can be a "U"-shaped elastic plate structure, and the limiting groove 750 is arranged near the end where the elastic opening of the "U"-shaped elastic plate is located. In this structure, the first end of the elastic wall 710, that is, the side where the limiting groove 750 is located, will maintain a certain elasticity, so that the deformation of the elastic wall 710 can be guaranteed during the gear switching process of the key cap 300. The second end of the elastic wall 710 has a certain strength by fitting the reinforcement plate 730, so that the elastic wall 710 does not lose its elasticity while the overall structure is strengthened. At the same time, by controlling the spacing between the first end of the elastic wall 710 and the first end of the reinforcement plate 730, the maximum deformation value of the elastic wall 710 can be controlled to prevent the elastic wall 710 from excessive bending and permanent deformation, thereby ensuring the overall service life of the bracket 700.

Further, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, a plurality of matching protrusions 740 may be provided on the side of the elastic wall 710 away from the limiting groove 750, the plurality of matching protrusions 740 are provided at the first end of the elastic wall 710, and the plurality of matching protrusions 740 may be sequentially arranged along the sliding direction X. The matching protrusions 740 are adapted to the limiting groove 750, specifically, the matching protrusions 740 and the limiting groove 750 have the same contour, and the matching protrusions 740 and the limiting groove 750 correspond one to one.

Meanwhile, a plurality of avoidance grooves 760 may be provided on one side of the reinforcing plate 730 facing the elastic wall 710 , and the plurality of avoidance grooves 760 may be provided at the first end of the reinforcing plate 730 , and the plurality of avoidance grooves 760 are sequentially arranged along the sliding direction X. The matching protrusion 740 is adapted to the avoidance groove 760 , and specifically, the matching protrusion 740 has the same contour as the avoidance groove 760 , and the matching protrusion 740 corresponds to the limiting groove 750 one by one.

Under this setting, multiple mating protrusions 740 can be arranged opposite to multiple avoidance grooves 760 and back to back with multiple limit grooves 750; at the same time, the mating protrusions 740 correspond one-to-one to the avoidance grooves 760 and the limit grooves 750, respectively, and the mating protrusions 740 are respectively adapted to the avoidance grooves 760 and the limit grooves 750, and the mating protrusions 740 are respectively consistent with the contour surfaces of the avoidance grooves 760 and the limit grooves 750.

In this way, the spacing between the protrusion 740 and the limiting groove 750 remains equal at any position, so that the elastic wall 710 forms an elastic plate with a special-shaped surface, and the thickness of the elastic wall 710, at least the thickness of the first end of the elastic wall 710, remains consistent at all positions.

Similarly, due to the arrangement of the matching protrusion 740 and the avoidance groove 760, the elastic opening between the elastic wall 710 and the reinforcing plate 730 has a special-shaped surface, and the opening size of the elastic opening remains consistent at all positions.

This arrangement can not only ensure the thickness of the elastic wall 710 at the position of the limiting groove 750, but also ensure that the size of the elastic opening can better control the deformation range of the elastic wall 710. At the same time, this arrangement can make the elastic opening closer to the elastic wall 710, thereby making the distance between the elastic wall 710 and the reinforcement plate 730 closer, thereby reducing the thickness of the bracket 700.

In some other optional embodiments, in order to better ensure the use performance between the limiting protrusion 500 and the limiting groove 750, the limiting protrusion 500 may include a connecting section 510 and a protruding section 520 connected to each other. The limiting protrusion 500 may be connected to the button cap 300 through the connecting section 510.

A first limiting surface 521 and a second limiting surface 522 are provided on the side of the protruding section 520 facing the elastic wall 710. The first limiting surface 521 and the second limiting surface 522 are arranged in sequence along the sliding direction X. The first limiting surface 521 is adapted to the first groove surface 751, and the second limiting surface 522 is adapted to the second groove surface 752. For example, the first limiting surface 521 is an inclined surface with the same inclination angle as the first groove surface 751, and the second limiting surface 522 is an inclined surface with the same inclination angle as the second groove surface 752. In this way, the protruding section 520 forms a triangular protrusion to adapt to the "V"-shaped groove surface of the limiting groove 750. In other words, the limiting protrusion 500 can be limited and matched with the limiting groove 750 through the protruding section 520.

When the protrusion 520 is in a position-limiting cooperation with the limiting groove 750, that is, when the key cap 300 is in a stationary state, the first position-limiting surface 521 can be in contact with the first groove surface 751, and the second position-limiting surface 522 can be in contact with the second groove surface 752. This arrangement makes the position-limiting cooperation between the limiting protrusion 500 and the limiting groove 750 more secure, and the key cap 300 can also be better fixed in the current gear position.

When the key cap 300 is in the sliding state, the key cap 300 can slide along the first groove surface 751 through the first limiting surface 521, or can slide along the second groove surface 752 through the second limiting surface 522 to achieve the separation of the limiting protrusion 500 and the limiting groove 750, thereby making it easier to achieve the shifting operation of the key cap 300.

Furthermore, the limiting protrusion 500 can be integrally formed on the surface of the button cap 300. The present application adopts a split structure, as shown in Figures 1 and 7, the connecting section 510 can be a straight plate, and the protruding section 520 can be a bent plate, so that the limiting protrusion 500 presents a plate-like structure.

The bending plate has a bend 523, and the first limiting surface 521 and the second limiting surface 522 are respectively arranged on the side of the bending plate away from the key cap 300. The bend 523 is located between the first limiting surface 521 and the second limiting surface 522, and the bend 523 is spaced apart from the key cap 300.

In this way, when the key cap 300 is in a sliding state, the bend 523 can be elastically bent and deformed through the mutual squeezing force between the limiting protrusion 500 and the limiting groove 750. The distance between the bend 523 and the key cap 300 can change with the elastic bending deformation of the bend 523. The angle between the first limiting surface 521 and the second limiting surface 522 will also change with the elastic bending deformation of the bend 523. This flexible structure of the limiting protrusion 500 is more conducive to realizing the limiting protrusion 500 sliding out of the current limiting groove 750, thereby realizing the shifting operation of the key cap 300.

Meanwhile, for the bending structure 523 , a smoothly transitioned chamfered surface is formed between the first limiting surface 521 and the second limiting surface 522 , which makes it easier for the limiting protrusion 500 to slide on the surface of the limiting groove 750 .

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 , the groove 120 may have a second notch. The second notch is arranged opposite to the first notch, and the second notch is located on the side of the frame 100 away from the elastic wall 710. At least part of the key cap 300 may extend out of the groove 120 through the second notch. Taking a mobile phone as an example, the frame 100 of the middle frame structure is usually located at the outer surface of the mobile phone, and the part of the key cap 300 extending from the second notch can contact the user, which makes it easier for the user to hold the mobile phone and manually operate the key cap 300 to shift gears, thereby increasing the operability of the key module.

Of course, the second notch may not be provided, that is, the groove 120 is a blind hole, and the key cap 300 is hidden inside the key module. By operating the virtual keys on the mobile phone interface, etc., the mechanical structure inside the mobile phone is controlled to drive the key cap 300 to achieve gear shifting, which can improve the appearance performance.

More specifically, the groove 120 may include a first slide groove 121 and a second slide groove 122 arranged in sequence to form a stepped hole structure. The first notch may be located in the first slide groove 121 , and the second notch may be located in the second slide groove 122 .

A first step surface is provided between the first slide groove 121 and the second slide groove 122 . The second slide groove 122 has a through opening formed on the first step surface. The first step surface surrounds the through opening.

The key cap 300 may also be a step structure. The key cap 300 may include a first sliding portion 310 and a second sliding portion 320 connected to each other, and the end surface of the first sliding portion 310 for connecting to the second sliding portion 320 is a second step surface.

The first sliding portion 310 is slidably disposed in the first sliding groove 121, and the second sliding portion 320 is slidably disposed in the second sliding groove 122. The second sliding portion 320 extends out of the second sliding groove 122 through the second notch, and the first step surface faces the second step surface, for example, the first step surface and the second step surface are in contact with each other.

The groove 120 and the key cap 300 are adapted to each other in a step structure, and the cooperation between the first step surface and the second step surface can form a stop for the key cap 300 to prevent the key cap 300 from being separated from the groove 120 .

Furthermore, the key module may also include a first detection terminal 200 and a second detection terminal 400. The second detection terminal 400 is disposed on the key cap 300, and the second detection terminal 400 is electrically connected to the first detection terminal 200. When the key cap 300 is in a sliding state, the second detection terminal 400 can move with the key cap 300, and this arrangement can further enhance the control performance of the key module.

Taking the installation of the button module on the mobile phone as an example, the second detection terminal 400 can be a magnetic part, and the first detection terminal 200 can be a sensor. The sensor can be set on the main board of the mobile phone, such as a Hall device. When the button cap 300 moves, the distance between the second detection terminal 400 and the first detection terminal 200 will change, thereby causing the magnetic induction intensity received by the first detection terminal 200 to change. The first detection terminal 200 monitors this change information and feeds it back to the control unit on the mobile phone, and the control unit responds immediately. Specifically, the control unit controls the mobile phone to perform relevant operations according to the current distance value between the second detection terminal 400 and the first detection terminal 200 to achieve the corresponding function.

Furthermore, a mounting groove 330 can be set on the button cap 300, and the second detection terminal 400 can be embedded in the mounting groove 330 to improve the integration of the button module. At the same time, the second detection terminal 400 and the first detection terminal 200 can be arranged in sequence along the sliding direction X to increase the control performance of the button module.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 , one of the frame 100 and the bracket 700 may be provided with a buckle 110, and the other may be provided with a clamping hole 720. The buckle 110 and the clamping hole 720 are connected, so that the connection firmness of the frame 100 and the bracket 700 can be increased. The buckle 110 and the clamping hole 720 can be connected by interference fit, or by elastic clamping, etc., which will not be described in detail here.

Furthermore, the key module may further include a sealing ring 600. The sealing ring 600 is disposed between the elastic wall 710 and the frame 100, and surrounds the first notch. The sealing ring 600 can achieve a sealing effect on the groove 120, preventing water stains, dust, etc. from entering the groove 120, the limiting groove 750, and other positions that require cooperation and relative movement through the gap between the elastic wall 710 and the frame 100, thereby improving the service life of the key module.

The electronic device disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, an e-book reader, a wearable device (such as a smart watch, smart glasses), etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific type of the electronic device.

The above is only an embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application may have various changes and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application should be included in the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims (12)

1. A key module, characterized in that it includes a frame, a key cap, a limiting protrusion and a bracket, The frame has a groove, the groove has a first notch, and the key cap is at least partially slidably disposed in the groove. The bracket is fixed to the frame, and the bracket has an elastic wall, and the elastic wall faces the first notch. The limiting protrusion is arranged on the side of the button cap facing the elastic wall, and the limiting protrusion can cooperate with the elastic wall in limiting position. When the limiting protrusion cooperates with the elastic wall, the button cap is in a gear position, and the button module can realize function output according to the gear position; A plurality of limiting grooves are provided on one side of the elastic wall facing the key cap, and the plurality of limiting grooves are sequentially arranged along the sliding direction of the key cap. The elastic wall can be limitedly matched with the limiting protrusion through the limiting grooves. The bracket is further provided with a reinforcing plate, and the reinforcing plate is arranged on a side of the elastic wall facing away from the groove. The first end of the elastic wall and the first end of the reinforcing plate are spaced apart, an elastic opening is formed between the first end of the elastic wall and the first end of the reinforcing plate, and the limiting groove is provided on a side of the first end of the elastic wall away from the elastic opening. The second end of the elastic wall is in contact with the second end of the reinforcing plate. 2. The key module according to claim 1, characterized in that: when the key cap is in a sliding state, the limiting protrusion can be separated from the limiting groove, the elastic wall can be elastically deformed, and the limiting protrusion can release the limiting cooperation with the limiting groove, When the button cap is in a static state, the limiting protrusion is accommodated in the limiting groove, the elastic wall can restore elastic deformation, and the limiting protrusion can be limitedly matched with the limiting groove. 3. The key module according to claim 2, characterized in that: the limiting groove has a first groove surface and a second groove surface, and the first groove surface and the second groove surface are arranged in sequence along the sliding direction. The first groove surface and the second groove surface are both arc surfaces, or the first groove surface and the second groove surface are planes inclined to each other. The distance between the first groove surface and the second groove surface gradually decreases in a direction away from the limiting protrusion. 4. The key module according to claim 2, characterized in that: a plurality of matching protrusions are provided on a side of the elastic wall away from the limiting groove, the plurality of matching protrusions are provided at the first end of the elastic wall and are arranged in sequence along the sliding direction, A plurality of avoidance grooves are provided on one side of the reinforcing plate facing the elastic wall. The plurality of avoidance grooves are provided at the first end of the reinforcing plate and are arranged in sequence along the sliding direction. The plurality of matching protrusions are arranged opposite to the plurality of avoidance grooves and are arranged opposite to the plurality of limiting grooves. The matching protrusions correspond to the avoidance grooves and the limiting grooves one by one, respectively, and the matching protrusions are adapted to the avoidance grooves and the limiting grooves respectively. 5. The key module according to claim 3, wherein the limiting protrusion comprises a connecting section and a protruding section connected to each other, and the limiting protrusion is connected to the key cap through the connecting section. The side of the protruding section facing the elastic wall is provided with a first limiting surface and a second limiting surface, the first limiting surface and the second limiting surface are sequentially arranged along the sliding direction, the first limiting surface is adapted to the first groove surface, and the second limiting surface is adapted to the second groove surface. The limiting protrusion can be limitedly matched with the limiting groove through the protrusion segment. 6. The key module according to claim 5, characterized in that: the connecting section is a straight plate, the raised section is a bent plate, and the bent plate has a bend. The first limiting surface and the second limiting surface are respectively arranged on a side of the bending plate away from the button cap, The bend is located between the first limiting surface and the second limiting surface, and the bend is spaced apart from the button cap. When the key cap is in a sliding state, the bend can be elastically bent and deformed, and the distance between the bend and the key cap can be changed along with the elastic bending deformation. 7. The key module according to claim 1, characterized in that: the groove has a second notch, the second notch is arranged opposite to the first notch, and the second notch is located on a side of the frame away from the elastic wall. At least a portion of the key cap may extend out of the groove through the second notch. 8. The key module according to claim 7, characterized in that: the groove comprises a first slide groove and a second slide groove arranged in sequence, the first notch is located in the first slide groove, the second notch is located in the second slide groove, A first step surface is provided between the first chute and the second chute, the second chute has a through opening formed on the first step surface, and the first step surface surrounds the through opening. The key cap is a step structure, and includes a first sliding portion and a second sliding portion connected to each other, wherein an end surface of the first sliding portion used for connecting to the second sliding portion is a second step surface, The first sliding portion is slidably disposed in the first sliding groove, the second sliding portion is slidably disposed in the second sliding groove, and the first step surface faces the second step surface. 9. The key module according to claim 1, characterized in that: the key module further comprises a first detection terminal and a second detection terminal, The second detection terminal is provided on the key cap, and the second detection terminal is electrically connected to the first detection terminal. When the key cap is in a sliding state, the second detection terminal can move along with the key cap. 10 . The key module according to claim 1 , wherein one of the frame and the bracket is provided with a buckle, and the other is provided with a clamping hole, and the buckle and the clamping hole are connected. 11 . The key module according to claim 1 , further comprising a sealing ring, wherein the sealing ring is disposed between the elastic wall and the frame, and the sealing ring surrounds the first notch. 12. An electronic device, characterized in that it comprises the key module according to any one of claims 1 to 11.