Key pad assembly and electronic device having the same

• US 20070221041A1
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Oh, Seoung-Myun
• Granted Patent: US 7,696,425 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 84/433
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/86 characterised by the casing, e.g. sealed casings or casings reducible in size
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/05 Force concentrator; Actuating dimple
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/062 Damping vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/026 Hook and loop
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/028 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/022 Telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/236 including keys on side or rear faces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/16 including more than one display unit

Abstract

A keypad assembly, which includes at least one key configured to be provided at an outer surface of a body of an electronic device, a substrate including at least one switch that closes when the at least one key is depressed, and a supporting plate configured to detachably attach to an inner surface of the body of the electronic device, the supporting plate fixing the at least one key and the substrate to the body of the electronic device.

Claims

1. A keypad assembly, comprising:

at least one key configured to be provided at an outer surface of a body of an electronic device;

a substrate comprising at least one switch that closes when the at least one key is depressed; and

a supporting plate configured to detachably attach to an inner surface of the body of the electronic device, the supporting plate fixing the at least one key and the substrate to the body of the electronic device.

2. The keypad assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing pad disposed between the at least one key and the substrate and comprising a pressing protrusion, the pressing protrusion pressing the at least one switch when the at least one key is depressed.

3. The keypad assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a connector which attaches the supporting plate to the inner surface of the body of the electronic device.

4. The keypad assembly according to claim 3, wherein the connector comprises at least one hook portion formed on the supporting plate which connects to at least one coupling groove formed on the inner surface of the body of the electronic device.

5. The key pad assembly of claim 3, wherein the connector comprises at least one coupling groove formed on the supporting plate, to which at least one hook portion formed on the inner surface of the body of the electronic device connects.

7. The keypad assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises a mobile communication terminal.

8. An electronic device, comprising:

a housing comprising a first body and a second body which is attached to the first body; and

a keypad assembly attached to the first body, the keypad assembly comprising;

at least one key provided at an outer surface of the first body;

a substrate comprising at least one switch that closes when the at least one key is depressed; and

a supporting plate detachably attached to an inner surface of the first body, the supporting plate fixing the at least one key and the substrate to the first body.

9. The electronic device according to claim 8, further comprising a pressing pad disposed between the at least one key and the substrate and comprising a pressing protrusion, the pressing protrusion pressing the at least one switch when the at least one key is depressed.

10. The electronic device according to claim 8, further comprising a connector which attaches the supporting plate to the inner surface of the first body.

12. The electronic device according to claim 8, further comprising at least one insulating portion formed between the supporting plate and the first body that reduces transfer of vibration between the supporting plate and the first body.

13. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the insulating portion comprises:

an insulating protrusion provided on one of the supporting plate and the first body and formed of an elastic material; and

an insulating groove formed on the other of the supporting plate and the first body, the insulating protrusion engaging with the insulating groove.

14. The electronic device according to claim 8, further comprising a supporting portion formed on the second body and provided underneath the supporting plate which holds the keypad assembly to the first body.

15. The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the supporting portion comprises a guide rib which holds a component of the electronic device, other than the keypad assembly, in place.

16. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the electronic device comprises a mobile communication terminal.

11. The electronic device according to claim 101 wherein the connector comprises:

at least one hook portion formed on one of the first body and the supporting plate; and

at least one coupling groove formed on the other of the first body and the supporting plate, the at least one hook portion connecting to the at least one coupling groove.

17. A method of assembling an electronic device, comprising:

positioning at least one key at an inner surface of a first body of the electronic device;

positioning a substrate comprising at least one switch underneath the at least one key;

positioning a supporting plate underneath the substrate; and

attaching the supporting plate to the inner surface of the first body to fix the at least one key and the substrate to the first body.

6. The keypad assembly according to claim 17 further comprising at least one insulating groove formed in the supporting plate which engages with at least one insulating protrusion provided on the inner surface of the body of the electronic device, the insulating protrusion comprising an elastic material which absorbs vibration.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein attaching the supporting plate comprises engaging at least one hook portion formed on one of the supporting plate and the first body with at least one coupling groove formed on the other of the supporting plate and the first body.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein attaching the supporting plate further comprises pressing the supporting plate to the first body with a snap-fit type of action.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the supporting plate is detachable from the first body.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the supporting plate is configured to detach from the first body by being elastically deformed.

22. The method according to claim 17, further comprising connecting the first body to a second body of the electronic device

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein a supporting portion formed on the second body is provided underneath the supporting plate when the first body is connected to the second body,

24. The method according to claim 17, wherein the electronic device comprises a mobile communication terminal.