AU2018274879B2

AU2018274879B2 - Button assembly for push-button switch, push-button switch, and electronic device

Info

Publication number: AU2018274879B2
Application number: AU2018274879A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dahai Zhang
Original assignee: Schneider Electric Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Schneider Electric Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2017-12-29
Filing date: 2018-12-04
Publication date: 2024-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-04
Also published as: CN109994333A; AU2018274879A1; CN109994333B

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a button assembly for a push-button switch, a push-button switch, and an electronic device. The button assembly includes: a button body; a driving member configured to drive operation of the push-button switch; and an elastic return member configured to return the driving member, wherein at least one of the elastic return member and the driving member is integrally formed with the button body and formed from an elastic material. With such an arrangement, the number of parts in the push-button switch may be reduced. In this way, the manufacturing cost of the push-button switch may be reduced, and the assembling time may be reduced. 500 200 600 800 800 10 10 40140 700 FIG. 4 4/5

Description

200 600 800

800

10 40140

700

FIG. 4

4/5

BUTTON ASSEMBLY FOR PUSH-BUTTON SWITCH, PUSH-BUTTON SWITCH, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of push-button switches and, more particularly, to a button assembly for a push-button switch, a push-button switch, and an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A push-button switch is a typical type of switch that alternately turns a circuit on and off or alternately turns on two circuits by a repeated pressing operation on a button.

[0003] Conventional push-button switches generally include a button, a slidable or rotatable driving member, an elastic member for returning the driving member, and a connector for mounting the driving member to the button. When the button is pressed, the driving member can drive a swing lever of the push-button switch to deflect between the two positions, thereby turning the circuit on or off or alternately turning on the two circuits. When the button is released, the elastic member can return the driving member to an initial position. The elastic member is for example a spring or an elastic line. In such a push-button switch, the button, the driving member, the elastic member, and the connector are separate components. Due to the large number of components and very small size, this increases the manufacturing cost of the push-button switch and complicates the assembling process. In addition, because a dimension chain of the push-button switch is long, the push-button switch is not easy to control. In addition, the provision of the separate elastic member causes occupation of the limited internal space of the switch, and makes the volume of the switch (especially the height dimension) large.

SUMMARY

[0004] In view of the above reasons, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a button assembly for a push-button switch, a push-button switch, and an electronic device to address at least a portion of the problems present in the conventional push-button switch described above.

[0005] In an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a button assembly for a push-button switch, the button assembly comprising: a button body; a driving member configured to drive operation of the push-button switch; and an elastic return member configured to return the driving member, wherein at least one of the elastic return member and the driving member is integrally formed with the button body from an elastic material.

[0006] In an embodiment, the button body is provided with an opening portion; the driving member is arranged in the opening portion; and the elastic return member comprises a pair of elastic return members each configured to connect the driving member to the button body, and, the pair of elastic return members, the button body and the driving member are integrally formed from the elastic material.

[0007] In an embodiment, the driving member comprises: a first portion and a second portion spaced apart and extending in parallel with each other; a connecting portion connecting the first portion and the second portion.

[0008] In an embodiment, the first portion comprises a first main surface and a second main surface arranged opposite to each other in a pressing direction of the push-button switch, and the first main surface is provided with afirst driving portion comprising a first driving surface; the second portion comprises a third main surface and a fourth main surface arranged opposite to each other in the pressing direction, the third main surface is provided with a second driving portion comprising a second driving surface, and the first driving surface and the second driving surface face to each other.

[0009] In an embodiment, the second main surface and the fourth main surface are substantially coplanar with the pressing surface of the button body.

[0010] In an embodiment, the pair of elastic return members comprise a first elastic return member and a second elastic return member; the first elastic return member is arranged between and connected to a first side of the connecting portion and a first wall of the opening portion; and the second elastic return member is arranged between and connected to a second side of the connecting portion and a second wall of the opening portion, the first side and the second side of the connecting portion are opposite to each other, and the first wall and the second wall of the opening portion are opposite to each other.

[0011] In an embodiment, the first elastic return member and the second elastic return member each comprise at least one bent portion.

[0012] In an embodiment, the elastic material comprises polycarbonate or polyacetal resin.

[0013] In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a push-button switch comprising any of the above-mentioned button assemblies.

[0014] In an embodiment, the push-button switch further comprises: an actuation mechanism configured to be deflectable under driving of the driving member; a conductive bridge coupled to the actuation mechanism and adapted to switch a state of the push-button switch under driving of the actuation mechanism.

[0015] In a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic device, comprising any of the above-mentioned push-button switches.

[0015A] According to a yet further aspect, there is provided an electronic device comprising: a housing provided with an opening; a push button switch mounted to the housing and comprising a button assembly comprising: a button body mounted into the opening and comprising an opening portion through the button body; a driving member accommodated in the opening portion and comprising a first driving surface and a second driving surface arranged opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other, the first driving surface and the second driving surface configured to drive the defection of a swing lever of an actuation mechanism of the push-button switch to switch the on-off state of the push button switch; a pair of elastic return members arranged on opposite sides of the driving member and each connected between the driving member and the button body to return the driving member; and a button cover mounted to the button body to provide an operating surface for a user, wherein the pair of elastic return members, the button body and the driving member are integrally formed from elastic material.

[0016] In embodiments according to the present disclosure, at least one of the elastic return member and the driving member is integrally formed with the button body from an elastic material. With such an arrangement, the number of parts in the push-button switch may be reduced. In addition, since the total number of parts of the push-button switch is reduced, the manufacturing cost of the push-button switch is reduced, and the assembling time is reduced. Further, since at least one of the elastic returning member and the driving member is integrally formed with the button body, the height space occupied by the driving member and the elastic return member in the push-button switch is reduced. Thus, the push-button switch using the button assembly according to the present disclosure can be designed to have a smaller height in order to easily mount the push-button switch to more positions. Additionally, integrally forming at least one of the elastic return member and the driving member with the button body provides a shorter dimension chain, thereby making the push-button switch easier to control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The above and other objectives, features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be made clear through the following detailed depictions with reference to figures. In the figures, several embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in an exemplary and non-restrictive manner, wherein:

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a structural schematic view of a button assembly according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic view of the button assembly shown in FIG. 1 as viewed in another direction;

3a

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a partially enlarged schematic view of the button assembly shown in FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a structural schematic diagram of an electronic device including a push-button switch according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0022] FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic device shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, several example embodiments shown in the drawings will be referred to describe the principle of the present disclosure. It should be understood that these embodiments are described only for enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and then further implement the present disclosure, not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any manner. It is noted that wherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used in the figures, and may indicates similar or like functionality. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the present disclosure described therein.

[0024] The structure of a button assembly for a push-button switch according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 1 shows a structural schematic view of a button assembly 100 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a structural schematic view of the button assembly shown in FIG. 1 as viewed in another direction, and FIG. 3 shows a partially enlarged schematic view of the button assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, in general, the button assembly 100 described herein includes a button body 1, a driving member 2, a first elastic return member 3, and a second elastic return member 3'. The button body 1 is provided with an opening portion 101. The opening portion 101 is adapted to accommodate other components, for example, the driving member 2 may be arranged in the opening portion 101. The driving member 2 can be used to drive the operation of the push-button switch. For example, when the driving member 2 drives a swing lever of the push-button switch, the push-button switch can be caused to switch between an ON state and an OFF state, which will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The first elastic return member 3 and the second elastic return member 3' can connect opposite sides of the driving member 2 to the button body 1, respectively. The elastic return members 3, 3', the button body 1 and the driving member 2 may be integrally formed from an elastic material.

[0026] In one embodiment, the elastic material may be, for example, a plastic material such as polycarbonate or polyacetal resin or the like. Plastic materials such as polycarbonate and polyacetal resin can provide good elastic deformation ability. This can, on one hand, improve the amplitude of movement of the driving member 2 relative to the button body 1 when the button body 1 is pressed, and on the other hand, enable the driving member 2 to accurately return to the initial position when the button body 1 is released. In other embodiments, the elastic material may be of other types as long as it can provide good elastic deformability, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0027] In one embodiment, the elastic return members 3, 3', the button body 1 and the driving member 2 may be integrally formed by an injection molding process. In other embodiments, the button assembly 100 can also be fabricated by other processes, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0028] With the above arrangement, it is possible to realize a function that needs to be implemented by a plurality of parts in the conventional push-button switch by using only one part, i.e., the integrally formed button assembly 100. In addition, since the total number of parts is reduced, the manufacturing cost of the push-button switch can be reduced, and the assembling time can be reduced. Further, since the elastic return members 3, 3', the button body 1 and the driving member 2 are integrated into a single part, the height occupied by the driving member 2 and the elastic return members 3, 3' in the push-button switch is reduced. As such, the push-button switch using the button assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be designed to have a smaller height so as to easily mount the push-button switch at more positions. In addition, integration of the elastic return members 3, 3', the button body 1 and the driving member 2 into a single part provides a shorter dimension chain, making the push-button switch easier to be controlled.

[0029] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the driving member 2 may include a first portion 201, a second portion 202, and a connecting portion 203. The first portion 201 and the second portion 202 are spaced apart by a distance and extend in parallel with each other. The first connecting portion 203 is arranged between and connected to the first portion

201 and the second portion 202.

[0030] The first portion 201 may include a first main surface 211 and a second main surface 212 arranged opposite to each other in a pressing direction P of the push-button switch. A first driving portion 214 including a first driving surface 213 may be arranged on the first main surface 211. Similarly, the second portion 202 may include a third main surface 221 and a fourth main surface 222 arranged opposite to each other in the pressing direction P. A second driving portion 224 including a second driving surface 223 may be arranged on the third main surface 221. The first driving surface 213 and the second driving surface 223 face to each other to drive the swing lever of the push-button switch, which will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0031] In one embodiment, the first driving portion 214 and the second driving portion 224 may be formed in a wedge shape. In other embodiments, the first driving portion 214 and the second driving portion 224 may have other shapes so long as they can provide the first driving surface 213 and the second driving surface 223 facing each other. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this aspect.

[0032] In one embodiment, the first drive surface 213 and the second drive surface 223 are adapted to cooperate with the swing lever in the push-button switch to drive the swing lever to deflect, thereby switching the on/off state of the push-button switch. The first driving surface 213 and the second driving surface 223 are also used to convert a reaction force received from the swing lever into a component force in a direction of a connection line between the first driving portion 214 and the second driving portion 224, so that the driving member 2 is moved in the direction of the connection line between the first driving portion 214 and the second driving portion 224. In order to facilitate the swing of the swing lever of the push-button switch to a sufficient angle to complete the operation of switching the on/off state of the push-button switch and to facilitate the conversion of the force from the swing lever into the component force in the direction of the connection line between the first driving portion 214 and the second driving portion 224, the first driving surface 213 and the second driving surface 223 may be inclined or curved with respect to the first main surface 211 and the third main surface 221, respectively.

[0033] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the second main surface 212 and the fourth main surface 222 may be substantially coplanar with the pressing surface 102 of the button body 1. In other embodiments, the second main surface 212 and the fourth main surface 222 may be higher or lower than the pressing surface 102. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0034] In one embodiment, the first elastic return member 3 may be coupled between a first side 231 of the connecting portion 203 and a first wall 111 of the opening portion 101. Similarly, the second elastic returning member 3' may be coupled between a second side 232 of the connecting portion 203 and a second wall 112 of the opening portion 101. The first side 231 and the second side 232 of the connecting portion 203 are opposite to each other, and a direction of a connection line between the first side 231 and the second side 232 of the connecting portion 203 is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the connection line between the first driving portion 214 and the second driving portion 224. The first wall 111 and the second wall 112 of the opening 101 are opposite to each other. In another embodiment, the first elastic return member 3 and the second elastic return member 3' may be each coupled between a bottom surface 103 of the button body 1 and the driving member 2. In other embodiments, the first elastic return member 3 and the second elastic return member 3' may also be coupled between the button body 1 and the driving member 2 at other positions. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0035] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the first elastic return member 3 and the second elastic return member 3' may each include at least one bent portion 301. With the bent portion 301 being provided, the length of the first elastic return member 3 and the second elastic return member 3' may be increased. The increased length of the elastic return members 3, 3' can increase their elastic deformability, thereby further increasing the linear movement range of the driving member 2 relative to the button body 1. It should be understood that the elastic return members 3, 3' can be bent for one or more times in various possible directions and sequences. In some embodiments, the elastic return members 3, 3' may also have no bent portions. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0036] The button assembly 100 shown in FIGS. 1-3 includes a pair of elastic return members 3, 3' for illustrative purposes only to illustrate the principles of the present disclosure. In other embodiments, the button assembly 100 may include a plurality of pairs of elastic return members, wherein each pair of elastic return members may connect opposite sides of the driving member 2 to the button body 1, respectively.

[0037] In the button assembly 100 shown in FIGS. 1-3, the elastic return members 3, 3', the button body 1 and the driving member 2 are integrally formed for the purpose of illustration only to illustrate the principles of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the button body 1 and the driving member 2 may be integrally formed, and the elastic return members are separately provided. In other embodiments, the button body 1 and the elastic return members may be integrally formed, and the driving member 2 may be separately provided. Further, instead of the elastic reset members 3, 3' provided in pairs, a single elastic return member may be employed. The above approaches can also achieve the purpose of reducing the total number of parts in the push-button switch, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the push-button switch and reducing the assembling time.

[0038] The button assembly 100 described as above can be applied to various types of push-button switches. Reference is made below to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 to describe operation principles of the push-button switch 200 including the above-described button assembly 100 and an electronic device 500 including such a push-button switch 200 in detail. FIG. 4 shows a schematic structural view of an electronic device 500 including the push-button switch 200 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic device 500 illustrated in FIG. 4. The electronic device 500 may be of various types, such as a power strip (also known as a patch panel), a wall switch, and the like. In the following, the principles of the present disclosure will be described in connection with a power strip. However, this is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the push-button switch 200 may include any of the button assemblies 100 as described above. In addition to the button assembly 100, the push-button switch 200 may also include an actuation mechanism 4 and a conductive bridge 5. The actuation mechanism 4 is deflectable under the driving of the driving member 2. The conductive bridge 5 may be coupled to the actuation mechanism 4 and can switch the state of the push-button switch 200 under the driving of the actuation mechanism 4. Further, the push-button switch 200 may further include a button cover 600. The button cover 600 is adapted to be mounted to the pressing surface 102 of the button body 1 to provide a smooth operating surface for the user.

[0040] In one embodiment, the actuation mechanism 4 may include a transition piece 401 and a swing lever 402. When the user presses the button cover 600, the first driving surface 213 and the second driving surface 223 of the driving member 2 may drive the transition piece 401 to deflect, thereby further driving the swing lever 402 to swing. In turn, the swinging of the swing lever 402 enables the conductive bridge 5 to switch between positions in contact with and out of contact with a fixed contact 700. In this way, the push-button switch 200 may be caused to switch between an ON state and an OFF state. Therefore, plug holes 800 of the patch panel may be turned on or off by pressing the button cover 600. One or more sets of plug holes 800 may be provided on the patch panel, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0041] In some embodiments, the actuation mechanism 4 may also include only the swing lever 402 without including the transition piece 401. In this case, when the user presses the button cover 600, the first driving surface 213 and the second driving surface 223 of the driving member 2 may directly drive the swing lever 402 to deflect, thereby implementing the switching of push-button switch 200 between the ON state and the OFF state.

[0042] It will be understood that the term "comprise" and any of its derivatives (eg comprises, comprising) as used in this specification is to be taken to be inclusive of features to which it refers, and is not meant to exclude the presence of any additional features unless otherwise stated or implied.

[0043] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0044] Although specific embodiments are already illustrated and described, those skilled in the art can recognize that any arrangements intended to achieve the same purpose may be used to replace the illustrated specific embodiments, and the present invention has other applications under other environments. The present application is intended to cover any modifications or variations of the present invention. The following claims should not be understood in a way that the scope of the present invention is limited to the specific embodiments described here.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising: a housing provided with an opening; a push button switch mounted to the housing and comprising a button assembly comprising: a button body mounted into the opening and comprising an opening portion through the button body; a driving member accommodated in the opening portion and comprising a first driving surface and a second driving surface arranged opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other, the first driving surface and the second driving surface configured to drive the defection of a swing lever of an actuation mechanism of the push-button switch to switch the on-off state of the push button switch; a pair of elastic return members arranged on opposite sides of the driving member and each connected between the driving member and the button body to return the driving member; and a button cover mounted to the button body to provide an operating surface for a user, wherein the pair of elastic return members, the button body and the driving member are integrally formed from elastic material.

2. The electronic device according to Claim 1, wherein the driving member comprises: a first portion and a second portion spaced apart and extending in parallel with each other; a connecting portion connecting the first portion and the second portion.

3. The electronic device according to Claim 2, wherein the first portion comprises a first main surface and a second main surface arranged opposite to each other in a pressing direction of the push-button switch, and the first main surface is provided with a first driving portion comprising the first driving surface; the second portion comprises a third main surface and a fourth main surface arranged opposite to each other in the pressing direction, the third main surface is provided with a second driving portion comprising the second driving surface.

4. The electronic device according to Claim 3, wherein the second main surface and the fourth main surface are substantially coplanar with the pressing surface of the button body; and wherein the first driving surface and the second driving surface are inclined or curved with respect to the first main surface and the third main surface, respectively.

5. The electronic device according to Claim 2, wherein the pair of elastic return members comprise a first elastic return member and a second elastic return member; the first elastic return member is arranged between and connected to a first side of the connecting portion and a first wall of the opening portion; and the second elastic return member is arranged between and connected to a second side of the connecting portion and a second wall of the opening portion, the first side and the second side of the connecting portion are opposite to each other, and the first wall and the second wall of the opening portion are opposite to each other.

6. The electronic device according to Claim 5, wherein the first elastic return member and the second elastic return member each comprise at least one bent portion.

7. The electronic device according to Claim 1, wherein the elastic material comprises polycarbonate or polyacetal resin.

8. The electronic device according to Claim 1, further comprising: the actuation mechanism configured to be deflectable under driving of the driving member; a conductive bridge coupled to the actuation mechanism and adapted to switch a state of the push-button switch under driving of the actuation mechanism.