CN216624061U

CN216624061U - Key device and intelligent switch

Info

Publication number: CN216624061U
Application number: CN202122495318.XU
Authority: CN
Inventors: 单福华; 伍芳芳; 邓卓敏
Original assignee: Schneider Electric Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Schneider Electric Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-10-15
Filing date: 2021-10-15
Publication date: 2022-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2031-10-15
Also published as: GB2613438A; GB202214372D0

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a key device and an intelligent switch. The key device includes: a first key panel (10), the first key panel (10) including a first key region (12) extending in a planar direction and a first pivot region (14) protrudingly extending from the first key region (12) in the planar direction, the first pivot region (14) being recessed in a thickness direction with respect to the first key panel (10); and a mounting frame (30), the first pivoted region (14) of the first key panel (10) being pivotably mounted to the mounting frame (30) by shaft hole fitting so that the first key panel (10) pivots relative to the mounting frame (30) in response to depression of the first key panel (10). The key device according to the present disclosure eliminates the pressing dead zone of the key area, thereby enhancing the pressing sensitivity.

Description

Key device and intelligent switch

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a smart switch, and more particularly, to a key device for a smart switch.

Background

With the rapid development of smart home technologies, smart switches are increasingly used in daily home life. The intelligent switch generally comprises a printed circuit board, a button and a key panel, and the button is driven by pressing the key panel to send an enabling signal to a controller of the printed circuit board so as to implement corresponding intelligent switch action.

However, the press sensitive area of the conventional key panel is limited to only a specific area of the key panel, such as a central area of the key panel; in particular, when the area outside the sensitive area of the key panel pressed by the user is, for example, a corner area of the key panel, the pressing action of the user pressing the key panel is ineffective or not pressed, thereby affecting the user's experience. It is desirable to improve the key panel of the conventional smart switch.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a key device and a smart switch, which are intended to solve one or more of the above problems and other potential problems.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a key device is provided. The key device comprises a thickness direction and a plane direction. The key device may include: a first key panel including a first key region extending in the plane direction and a first pivot region protrudingly extending from the first key region in the plane direction, the first pivot region being recessed in the thickness direction with respect to the first key panel; and the first pivoting area of the first key panel is pivotally mounted to the mounting frame in a shaft hole matching manner, so that the first key panel pivots relative to the mounting frame in response to the pressing of the first key panel.

According to the key device disclosed by the embodiment of the disclosure, the first key area and the first pivot area are arranged separately from each other, so that the first pivot area is located outside the whole key area of the first key area, and therefore when a user presses the first key area, the surface area of the whole key area can pivot relative to the first pivot area. Therefore, the pressing dead zone of the key device is eliminated, and the pressing sensitivity is enhanced.

In some embodiments, the key device may further include a second key panel including a second key area extending in the planar direction and a second hinge area protrudingly extending from the second key area in the planar direction, the second hinge area being recessed with respect to the second key panel in the thickness direction; the second pivot area of the second key panel is pivotally mounted to the mounting frame in a shaft hole matching manner, wherein the first pivot area and the second pivot area are arranged to intersect with each other, so that the first key area is stacked above the second pivot area, and the second key area is stacked above the first pivot area.

In some embodiments, a stacking height of the first key region and the second pivot region may be the same as a stacking height of the second key region and the first pivot region.

In some embodiments, each of the first and second pivot regions may include a pair of protrusions disposed to protrude at a lower surface of the respective pivot region, the protrusions including openings adapted to mate with a shaft to form a shaft bore.

In some embodiments, the first hinge region may include an opening extending from an intersection with the first key panel, the opening having a width adapted to allow the second hinge region to pass therethrough.

In some embodiments, the first pivot region may be a substantially solid region except for the open region.

In some embodiments, the first pivot region may include one or more ribs at least at a region adjacent to the opening. In some embodiments, the first key region may include one or more reinforcing ribs at least one of at a portion adjacent to the first pivot region and at a peripheral portion of the first key region.

In some embodiments, the second key panel may include one or more reinforcing ribs at least one of at a portion adjacent to the second pivot area and at a peripheral portion of the second key area. In some embodiments, the second pivot region may include one or more strengthening ribs.

In some embodiments, the mounting frame may include, for each of the first and second key regions, a pair of elastic fingers protrudingly provided from a face on which the mounting frame is located toward the corresponding key region to be deformable in response to pressing of the corresponding key panel and to reset the corresponding key panel in response to releasing of the corresponding key panel.

In some embodiments, the resilient fingers may comprise cantilevered beams formed by removing material of the mounting frame.

In some embodiments, the free end of the cantilever beam may be configured to extend from a peripheral region of the mounting frame towards a central region of the mounting frame.

In some embodiments, the pair of resilient fingers may be configured to be disposed adjacent respective outer peripheral sides of the mounting frame, respectively.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a smart switch is provided. The intelligence switch includes: at least one group of the key devices; a button adapted to be enabled in response to a press of the key region; and a printed circuit board including a driver that acts in response to the enabling of the button.

Drawings

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become readily apparent from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, several embodiments of the present disclosure are shown by way of example and not limitation.

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective schematic view of a smart switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of a smart switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a first key panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which (a) shows a bottom perspective view of the first key panel and (b) shows a top perspective view of the first key panel.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a first key panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a second key panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which (a) shows a bottom perspective view of the second key panel and (b) shows a top perspective view of the second key panel.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a second key panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 illustrates a top perspective view of a mounting frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Like or corresponding reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. While the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

The term "include" and variations thereof as used herein is meant to be inclusive in an open-ended manner, i.e., "including but not limited to". Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "or" means "and/or". The term "based on" means "based at least in part on". The terms "one example embodiment" and "one embodiment" mean "at least one example embodiment". The term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment". The terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," and the like, refer to placement or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, merely for convenience in describing the principles of the disclosure, and do not indicate or imply that the referenced elements must be in a particular orientation, constructed or operated in a particular orientation, and therefore should not be taken as limiting the disclosure.

As described above, the press sensitive area of the conventional smart switch is limited to only a specific area of the key panel; when the user presses an area outside the sensitive area of the keypad, for example a corner area of the keypad, the pressing action is deactivated or not pressed. In view of this, according to the key device of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the pressing sensitive area of the key panel can be extended to the whole key area of the key panel, and the problem of a key dead zone or poor pressing hand feeling is eliminated. The structure of the intelligent switch according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a smart switch 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of a smart switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the smart switch 100 may include multiple sets of

key devices

12, 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the smart switch 100 includes four sets of key devices. It is worth noting that this is merely exemplary, and the smart switch may include one, two, four, six, or other number of key devices. In some embodiments, the smart switch 100 may also include a button and a printed circuit board. The button may issue an enable signal in response to a depression of the key device. The printed circuit board may include a driver that acts in response to the enabling of the button. In some embodiments, the key device may further include a pointing device 40. The indication means 40 may for example be formed as a light guide which may be adapted to conduct light from light emitting means on a printed circuit board, by means of which indication means 40 an indication of the status of the switch may be provided. It should be noted that the push button is merely an exemplary enabling actuator, and other suitable devices that can be triggered by depression of a key device may be used. Further, the indication device 40 may also be merely exemplary and may be implemented in other suitable forms. It is considered that these components are not related to the inventive concept of the present disclosure, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Fig. 3 and 4 illustrate a structural schematic diagram of the first key panel 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 3-4, the key device may include a thickness direction and a plane direction, the plane direction being a direction in which the key surface is located. Although in the illustrated embodiment the key top is generally planar, it should be noted that this is merely exemplary; the key surface may also include other shaped surfaces such as curved, concave-convex, or arcuate surfaces. The thickness direction may be a mounting direction of the components of the key device.

As shown in fig. 3 to 4, the key device includes a first key panel 10 and a mounting frame 30. The first key panel 10 includes a first key region 12 extending in a planar direction and a first pivot region 14 protrudingly extending from the first key region 12 in the planar direction, and the first pivot region 14 is recessed in a thickness direction with respect to the first key panel 10. The first pivot area 14 of the first key panel 10 is pivotally mounted to the mounting frame 30 by way of shaft hole fitting. Thereby, the first key panel 10 pivots with respect to the mounting frame 30 in response to the pressing of the first key panel 10.

According to the key device of the embodiment of the disclosure, the first key area 12 and the first pivot area 14 are separately disposed from each other, so that the first pivot area 14 is located outside the entire key area of the first key area 12, and thus when a user presses the first key area 12, the surface area of the entire key area can pivot relative to the first pivot area 14. Therefore, the pressing dead zone of the traditional key device is eliminated, and the pressing sensitivity is enhanced.

In some embodiments, the key device may include a key panel. For example, it can be implemented by a key panel cooperating with other functional devices of the intelligent switch. In some embodiments, the key device may include two or more key panels arranged side-by-side.

As shown in fig. 5-6, the key device may further include a second key panel 20. Similar to the first key panel 10, the second key panel 20 may include a second key region 22 extending in a planar direction and a second pivot region 24 protrudingly extending from the second key region 22 in the planar direction, the second pivot region 24 being recessed in a thickness direction with respect to the second key panel 20. The second pivot area 24 of the second key panel 20 is pivotally mounted to the mounting frame 30 by way of shaft hole fitting, wherein the first pivot area 14 and the second pivot area 24 are arranged to intersect with each other, so that the first key area 12 is stacked above the second pivot area 24, and the second key area 22 is stacked above the first pivot area 14. Thus, two key panels may be arranged side by side in the smart switch.

In some embodiments, the stacking height of the first key region 12 and the second pivot region 24 is the same as the stacking height of the second key region 22 and the first pivot region 14.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 3 (a), the first pivot area 14 may include a pair of protrusions 15 protrudingly provided at a lower surface of the corresponding pivot area. The projection 15 includes an opening 19 adapted to mate with a shaft to form a shaft bore fit. Similarly, as shown in fig. 5 (a) and (b), the second pivot area 24 may include a pair of protrusions 25 protrudingly provided at a lower surface of the respective pivot areas. The projection 25 includes an opening 29 adapted to mate with the shaft to form a shaft bore fit. It should be noted that the above-mentioned shaft hole matching is only an exemplary embodiment, and the first pivot area 14 and the second pivot area 24 may adopt any other suitable pivot structure as long as the pivot of the

key areas

12 and 22 relative to the

corresponding pivot areas

14 and 24 is realized.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 3 (a) and (b), the first pivot area 14 includes an opening 16 extending from an intersection with the first key panel 10. The width of the opening 16 is adapted to allow the second pivot area 24 to pass through the opening 16. Thereby, the first and second

key panels

10 and 20 may be allowed to be fittingly mounted to each other.

Considering that the first hinge area 14 is of a concave structure relative to the first key area 12 and the first key panel 10 is of a substantially sheet-like structure, the overall rigidity of the first key panel 10 may be damaged to some extent, and particularly the torque transmission performance of the first key area 12 to the first hinge area 14 may be affected. It is desirable to further improve the torque transmission performance of the first key region 12 to the first pivot region 14 through the structural design.

In some embodiments, the first pivot area 14 is substantially a solid area except for the area of the opening 16. That is, the first pivot area 14 is not provided with openings and/or holes other than in the area of the opening 16. In this case, the rigidity of the entire structure of the first pivot area 14 and the first key area 12 can be enhanced.

In some embodiments, the first pivot region 14 includes one or more reinforcing ribs (not shown), at least at a region adjacent to the opening 16, such as may be provided around the opening 16. By providing the rib, a decrease in rigidity due to the provision of the opening 16 can be reduced. In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 3 (a), the first key region 12 includes one or more reinforcing ribs 18 at least one of at a portion adjacent to the first pivot area 14 and at a peripheral portion of the first key region 12. By providing the rib 18, a decrease in rigidity caused by the first pivot area 14 being recessed with respect to the first key area 12 can be reduced.

Similarly, the concave structure of the second pivot area 24 relative to the second key area 22 and the substantially sheet-shaped structure of the second key panel 20 may damage the overall rigidity of the second key panel 20 to some extent, particularly, may affect the torque transmission performance of the second key area 22 to the second pivot area 24. It is desirable to further improve the torque transmission performance of the second key region 22 to the second pivot region 24 through the structural design.

In some embodiments, the second key panel 20 includes one or more strengthening ribs 28 at a location adjacent to the second pivot area 24. By providing the rib 18, a decrease in rigidity due to the second pivot area 24 being recessed with respect to the second key area 22 can be reduced. In some embodiments, a plurality of ribs 28 may be included at a peripheral portion of the second key region 22. The rigidity of the second key region 22 can thereby be further increased. In some embodiments, the second pivot region 24 includes one or more strengthening ribs. Whereby the rigidity of the second hinge area 24 can be further increased.

In some embodiments, the smart switch may further include a resilient device. The elastic means is capable of deforming in response to depression of the respective key panel and resetting the respective key panel in response to release of the respective key panel.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 7, the mounting frame 30 may include a pair of

resilient fingers

32a, 32b for each of the first key region 12 and the second key region 22. The elastic fingers 32 are protrudingly provided from the face on which the mounting frame is located toward the respective key areas to be able to deform in response to pressing of the respective key panels and to reset the respective key panels in response to releasing of the respective key panels.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, the

spring fingers

32a, 32b may comprise cantilevered beams formed by removing material from the mounting frame 30. Thereby, the elastic means can be formed in a simple manner, reducing the number of components.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, considering the recessed structure of the

hinge areas

14, 24 with respect to the

key areas

12, 22 and the substantially plate-shaped structure of the

key panels

10, 20, the overall rigidity of the first key panel 10 may be damaged to some extent, particularly, the torque transmission performance of the

key areas

12, 22 to the

hinge areas

14, 24 may be affected. It is also desirable to be able to further improve the torque transmission performance of the

key areas

12, 22 to the

pivot areas

14, 24 by optimizing the structural design of the resilient means. In some embodiments, the rigidity provided by the elastic means is reduced to improve the torque transmission performance of the

key areas

12, 22 to the

pivot areas

14, 24.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 7, the free ends of the cantilevered beams are configured to extend from a peripheral region of the mounting frame 30 toward a central region of the mounting frame 30. This makes it possible to bring the lowest rigidity place of the cantilever beam as close as possible to the center region of the mounting frame 30, thereby improving the pressing sensitivity of the outer peripheral regions of the

key regions

12 and 22.

In some embodiments, the pairs of

resilient fingers

32a, 32b are configured to be disposed adjacent respective outer peripheral sides of the mounting frame 30. This makes it possible to bring the lowest rigidity place of the cantilever beam as close as possible to the center region of the mounting frame 30, thereby improving the pressing sensitivity of the outer peripheral regions of the

key regions

12 and 22.

Further, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Under certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Having described embodiments of the present disclosure, the foregoing description is intended to be exemplary, not exhaustive, and not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein is chosen in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application, or improvements made to the technology in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A key device including a thickness direction and a plane direction, comprising:

a first key panel (10), the first key panel (10) including a first key area (12) extending in the plane direction and a first pivot area (14) protrudingly extending from the first key area (12) in the plane direction, the first pivot area (14) being recessed with respect to the first key panel (10) in the thickness direction; and

a mounting frame (30), the first pivoted region (14) of the first key panel (10) being pivotally mounted to the mounting frame (30) by shaft hole fitting such that the first key panel (10) pivots relative to the mounting frame (30) in response to depression of the first key panel (10).

2. The key device according to claim 1, further comprising a second key panel (20), the second key panel (20) including a second key area (22) extending in the planar direction and a second pivot area (24) protrudingly extending from the second key area (22) in the planar direction, the second pivot area (24) being recessed in the thickness direction with respect to the second key panel (20);

the second pivoting area (24) of the second key panel (20) is pivotally mounted to the mounting frame (30) by means of shaft hole fitting,

wherein the first pivot region (14) and the second pivot region (24) are arranged crosswise to each other such that the first key region (12) is stacked above the second pivot region (24) and the second key region (22) is stacked above the first pivot region (14).

3. A key arrangement as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the stacking height of the first key area (12) and the second pivot area (24) is the same as the stacking height of the second key area (22) and the first pivot area (14).

4. A key device according to claim 2, characterized in that each of said first (14) and second (24) pivoting areas comprises a pair of protrusions (15, 25) arranged protruding at the lower surface of the respective pivoting area, said protrusions comprising openings (19, 29) adapted to cooperate with a shaft to form a shaft hole.

5. A key device according to claim 2, characterized in that said first pivoted area (14) comprises an opening (16) extending from the intersection with said first key panel (10), said opening (16) having a width adapted to allow said second pivoted area (24) to pass through said opening (16).

6. A key device according to claim 5, characterised in that said first pivoted area (14) is a substantially solid area, except in the area of said opening (16).

7. A key arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the first pivoted region (14) comprises one or more stiffening ribs at least at the region adjacent to the opening (16); and/or

The first key area (12) comprises one or more reinforcing ribs at least one of adjacent to the first pivot area (14) and at a peripheral portion of the first key area (12).

8. A key arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that said second key panel (20) comprises one or more stiffening ribs at least one of at a location adjacent to said second pivoted area (24) and at a peripheral location of said second key area (22); and/or

The second pivot region (24) includes one or more strengthening ribs.

9. A key device according to any one of claims 2-6, characterised in that the mounting frame (30) comprises, for each of the first (12) and second (22) key areas, a pair of resilient fingers (32a, 32b), said resilient fingers (32a, 32b) being arranged protruding from the face of the mounting frame where they are located towards the respective key area, so as to be able to deform in response to depression of the respective key panel and to reset the respective key panel in response to release of the respective key panel.

10. A key arrangement according to claim 9, characterised in that said resilient fingers (32a, 32b) comprise cantilever beams formed by removing material of said mounting frame (30).

11. A key arrangement according to claim 10, characterised in that the free ends of the cantilever beams are configured to extend from a peripheral region of the mounting frame (30) towards a central region of the mounting frame (30).

12. A key device according to claim 9, wherein said pairs of resilient fingers (32a, 32b) are arranged to be disposed adjacent respective outer peripheral sides of said mounting frame (30), respectively.

13. An intelligent switch, comprising:

at least one set of key devices according to any one of claims 1-12;

a button adapted to be enabled in response to a press of the key region; and

a printed circuit board including a driver that acts in response to the enabling of the button.