1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to electronic devices, and particularly to an electronic device having a key assembly.
2. Description of Related Art
Electronic devices, such as DVD players, include a housing, a circuit board housed in the housing, and a plurality of keys mounted on the housing. Each key abuts a switch electrically connected to the circuit board. However, because the electronic devices are becoming thinner, during the assembling process of the electronic device, only a very limited space is provided for mounting the keys, which is inconvenient.
Therefore, there is room for improvement in the art.
Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the six views.
The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one”.
Referring to
Referring also to
A securing mechanism 130 is mounted on an inner surface of the front case 101. The securing mechanism 130 is used for securing the key assembly 20 to the front case 101. The securing mechanism 130 includes two hook portions 132, three protrusions 135, two clipping members 136 and three fixing posts 138.
The hook portions 132 are arranged at opposite sides of the mounting holes 121. Each hook portions 132 includes a limiting plate 133 and a hook 134. The limiting plate 133 is perpendicularly secured to an inner surface of the front wall 110 and further connects with the first sidewall 120. The hooks 134 protrude from ends of the limiting plates 133 away from the first sidewall 120 and extend toward each other. The hooks 134 are substantially perpendicular to the front wall 110.
The protrusions 135 are secured to an inner surface of the first sidewall 120 and are arranged between the limiting plates 133. The protrusions 135 are aligned parallel to the front wall 110. Distance between the protrusions 135 and the front wall 110 is less than the distance between the front wall and ends of the hook portions 132 away from the front wall 110.
The clipping members 136 are secured to an inner surface of the first sidewall 120 and are arranged between the limiting plates 133. Each clipping member 136 defines an abutting end 137 opposite to the first sidewall 120 and parallel to the hooks 134. The abutting ends 137 cooperate with the hooks 134 and the limiting plates 133 to define a clipping space 140. The fixing posts 138 are perpendicularly secured to the inner surface of the front wall 110. The fixing posts 138 are aligned parallel to the first sidewall 120. Each fixing post 138 defines a fixing hole 139.
Two limiting posts 150 are secured to the inner surface of the front wall 150. The limiting posts 150 are substantially aligned with the fixing posts 138. The height of the limiting posts 150 relative to the front wall 110 is greater than that of the fixing posts 138.
The circuit board 30 is substantially rectangular, and is parallel to the front wall 110. The circuit board 30 defines three round holes 310 corresponding to the fixing holes 139 and two through holes 320 for receiving the limiting posts 150. The circuit board 30 further defines three limiting holes 330. The limiting holes 330 are aligned parallel to a rim of the circuit board 30 adjacent to the first sidewall 120. Four switches 340 are electrically connected to the circuit board 30. The switches 340 correspond to the keys 230 and each one is actuated when pressed by the corresponding key 230.
Referring to
The limiting portion 220 is perpendicularly secured adjacent to ends of the fixing arms 212 connecting with the base 210 and are opposite to the protruding posts 218. The limiting portion 220 defines two openings 221 corresponding to the mounting holes 121.
The keys 230 are secured to the base 210 and are arranged at a side of the limiting portion 220 opposite to the recesses 216. In the embodiment, three keys 230 correspond to one of the through holes 222 and one of the mounting holes 121, and the other key 230 corresponds to the other through hole 222 and the other mounting hole 121. Each key 230 includes an operating portion 232 which can be pressed by a fingertip, an actuating post 234 secured to the operating portion 232 and perpendicular to the limiting portion 220, and two connecting arms 236 for connecting the operating portion 232 with the base 210. The connecting arms 236 are perpendicular to the base 210 and parallel with the limiting portion 220. The connecting arms 236 are made of elastic material for providing an elastic force to restore the operating portion 232 to its original position when the operating portion 232 is released. The distance between the base 210 and an end of the operating portion 232 away from the base 210 is greater than the distance between the base 210 and an edge of the openings 221 away from the base 210, thus, when the operating portion 232 is pressed, the limiting portion 220 abuts the operating portion 232 to protect the key assembly 20 from being damaged by excessive pressure. Ends of the actuating posts 340 away from the operating portions 232 abut the switches 340, to actuate the switches 340 when the operating portions 232 are pressed.
Referring to
After assembly, opposite ends of the base 210 are limited by the hook portions 133, the fixing posts 138 abut the fixing arms 212 and the abutting ends 137 abut a side of the base 210 opposite to the fixing arms 212, and thus, the key assembly 20 is prevented from moving in a direction parallel to the front wall 110. The circuit board 30 and the protrusions 135 abut opposite surfaces of the base 210, thus, the key assembly 20 is prevented from moving in a direction perpendicular to the front wall 110. As a result, the key assembly 20 is held captive and unmoving in the housing 10. Furthermore, the limiting posts 150 are received in the through holes 320 and the protruding posts 218 are received in the limiting holes 330, thus, the circuit board 30 is prevented from rotating after fixed to housing 10.
By virtue of the fixing mechanism 130, the key assembly 20 is easily secured to the housing 10 after the circuit board 30 is fixed, and the small size of the key assembly 20 allows fixing in a very limited space of the electronic device 100.
It is to be understood, even though information as to, and advantages of, the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the present embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only; and that changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present embodiments 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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201210103989.X | Apr 2012 | CN | national |