1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a button device, and more particularly to a power button device for a power supply which is for supplying electric power to an electronic device.
2. General Background
A push button is often disposed on a control panel of an electronic device to control a switch behind the control panel.
For example, one conventional button device for an electronic device, includes a panel defining an opening, a button module, a switch, and an indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED). The button module has two opposite ends attached to the panel. A transparent button is suspended at a middle of the button module and aligned with the opening of the panel. The indicator LED is attached behind the button. A triggering member is movable together with the button. The switch remains a pre-determined distance from the panel, and out of alignment with the opening of the panel. The triggering member is laterally inserted between the switch and the panel for triggering the switch when the button is pressed. In use, the button is pressed and urges the triggering member to press a head of the switch to power on or off the electronic device. When the electronic device is powered on or off, the LED becomes luminous or dark consequently. However, in this conventional button device, the structure of the button module and the assembly process are complicated.
Accordingly, a button device having a simplified configuration which overcomes the above-mentioned problems is desired.
A button device for an electronic device includes a transparent active button; a switch module located behind the active button and a holder for holding the switch module therein fixed in the electronic device. The switch module includes a switch base, and an actuatable switch head incorporated with the switch base, the switch head includes a luminous component with electric connection to a power supply of the electronic device, the luminous component is configured to be pressed by the active button and indicate an on or off state of the power supply. When the active button is pressed for turning on or off the power supply, the luminous component is pressed by the active button to urge the switch module to switch on or off the power supply and becomes luminous or dark consequently.
Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the attached drawings, in which:
Referring to
The switch module 20 includes a switch base 22 and an actuatable switch head 21 movably attached to the switch base 22. The switch head 21 includes an LED and a cuboid-shaped rear end incorporated together with the LED. The switch base 22 includes a head housing 23 for mounting the rear end of the switch head 21 therein. The switch module 20 is configured for selectively switching the power supply on or off. The LED of the switch head 21 has positive and negative terminals connecting to the power supply of the electronic device (not shown) for indicating an on or off state of the power supply of the electronic device. When the power supply is switched off by the switch module 20, the LED is switched off accordingly. Thus, the button cap is not illuminated, indicating a power-off state of the power supply. When the power supply is switched on by the switch module 20, the LED is accordingly switched on. The transparent button cap is illuminated by the LED, thus indicating a power-on state of the power supply. In the exemplary embodiment, the LED functions as a switch trigger for triggering switching functions of the switch module 20.
The holder 30 includes a cuboid-shaped switch housing 31 for receiving the switch base 22 of the switch module 20 therein and a resilient hook 32 at one side of the switch housing 31 for catching the switch base 22 of the switch module 20.
Referring also to
In use, when the active button 10 is pressed for turning on the power supply of the electronic device, the switch head 21 is pressed inwardly by the active button 10 for urging the switch module 20 to switch on the power supply, and the LED of the switch head 21 is consequently powered on and emits light, which passes through the transparent active button 10 to indicate that the power supply is on; when the active button 10 is pressed again for powering off the power supply, the switch head 21 is actuated again by the active button 10 for urging the switch module 20 to switch off the power supply, and the LED of the switch head 21 is consequently turned off and become dark to indicate that the power supply is powered off.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of preferred embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the preferred embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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200720200225.7 | Apr 2007 | CN | national |