Patent Grant
7276671
1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a press key structure and an electronic device utilizing such a press key structure, and in particular to a modularized press key having a common structure and an electronic device having such a modularized press key.
2. Related Art
In general, all kinds of electronic devices are provided with press keys to be utilized for data input purpose. However, their designs can be varied depending on the actual requirements. As such, different types of press keys must be designed and manufactured to be used in different products/devices. However, currently such kinds of press keys are made by the injection molding method. Therefore, a unique mold of press keys is required for each of the different products. For the structures of the press keys to be assembled on two different electronic products, refer to
In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks and shortcomings of the prior art, the object of the invention is to provide an electronic device having a modularized press key, which can be produced to reduce the production cost and mounted on the electronic devices of different assembly requirements by making use of a common structure and color differentiation. In addition, it can be used to reduce the assembly errors through the unique type of assembly to ensure correct and accurate assembly. Moreover, color distinction/differentiation are used to facilitate the inspection and detection of error.
Therefore, to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the invention discloses an electronic device having a modularized press key, which is mounted on the electronic device with a switch. The modularized press key is composed of a key cap, an identification part, and an extension part. In the key cap, a connection hole is provided, thus the key cap is disposed in the electronic device and opposite to the switch. The identification part is disposed in the connection hole, and the extension part of specific color is engaged to the identification part in a specific direction, hereby making the extension part pressed against the switch. Thus, the extension parts with different lengths and colors and the different matched identification parts can be utilized for the key cap and the switch of different spacing.
In order to provide a unique assembly feature for the identification part and the extension part, a recess slot is provided on the side of the identification part engaging the extension part, and a protrusion block is provided on the side of the extension part facing the identification part. The protrusion block is designed to match the recess slot, so that the extension part may engage the identification part in a specific direction.
In the press key structure, the identification part and the extension part are of the same color. Thus, if they are replaced by different types of identification parts and extension parts, their respective colors are also changed, so as to provide color distinction/differentiation between them.
Therefore, through the application of the modularized press key having the common structure, the color distinction between the elements may be utilized to provide the fool-proof and fault detection in facilitating the assembly and inspection of the press key depending on the actual requirements of the electronic product.
Further scope of applicability of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow for illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
The purpose, construction, features, and functions of the invention can be appreciated and understood more thoroughly through the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings.
Firstly, refer to
Next, refer to
For the various electronic devices, the press key 300 utilized therein is provided with a fool-proof mechanism during assembly. Thus, the identification part 330 and the extension part 350 are required to have a unique combination, as such a recess slot 331 is provided on the side of the identification part 330 engaging the extension part 350, and also, the side of the extension part 350 corresponding to the identification part 330 is provided with a protrusion block 351. The protrusion block 351 is used to match the recess slot 331, so that the extension part 350 may engage the identification part 330 in a specific direction.
In the above-mentioned structure, the combination of the protrusion block 351 and the recess slot 331 may be a combination of a square block and a square slot, or a combination of a triangle block and a triangle slot, so that the extension part 350 having square protrusion block may only be connected to the identification part 330 having the square recess slot, hereby preventing mis-assembly. Besides, the identification of matching colors are utilized, so that different colors may be used to indicate the different combinations of extension part 350 and identification part 330, thus it may further reduce the occurrences of mis-assembly and hereby facilitate inspection and fault detection.
Subsequently, refer to
Moreover, a second recess slot 451 is provided on the side of the second identification part 450 engaging the second extension part 470, and a second protrusion block 471 is provided on the side of the second extension part 470 corresponding to the second identification part 450. The second protrusion block 471 is used to match the second recess slot 451, so that the second extension part 470 may engage the second identification part 450 in a specific direction. As such, the second protrusion block 471 could be a triangle block, and the second recess slot 451 could be a triangle slot, thus ensuring the second extension part 470 may correctly and accurately engage the second identification part 450.
In addition, the color matching identification may be used to ensure further the correct assembly of the press keys. For example, in the correct assembly the first extension part 430 and the first identification part 410 may be both of yellow color, while the second extension part 470 and the second identification part 450 may be both of red color. As such, during the assembly of the press key 300, it is easy to distinguish if the assembly of the press key 300 is correct just by the colors of the components utilized. Similarly, when the assembled press key 300 is put into the electronic device 700 on the production assembly line, it may likewise to know if the two devices are match and correct in a swift manner.
Therefore, through the application of the modularized press key having the commonly used structure, the color distinctions between the elements may be utilized to provide the fool-proof and fault detection in facilitating the assembly and inspection of the press key depending on the actual requirements of the electronic product.
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5145058 | Lee | Sep 1992 | A |
| 5597067 | Yoneyama | Jan 1997 | A |
| 5697493 | Sach et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
| 5990435 | Chao | Nov 1999 | A |
| 6498311 | Stewart et al. | Dec 2002 | B1 |
