Key mechanism with waterproofing function and related electronic device

• US 8,263,886 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2010
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wistron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Wistron Corporation
• Inventors: Lin, Yung-Feng, Chen, Mei-Hui
• Primary Examiner(s): Leon, Edwin A.
• Application Number:
  US12/761,402
• Publication Number:
  US 20110005908A1
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 200/302.2, 200/302.1, 200/302.3, 200512-520, 200310-315
• US Class Current: 200/302.2
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/063 Casings hermetically closed by a diaphragm through which passes an actuating member vacuum switches H01H33/66
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/86 characterised by the casing, e.g. sealed casings or casings reducible in size
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/004 Evacuation of penetrating liquid

Abstract

A key mechanism for actuating a circuit board includes a housing whereon an opening is formed, a key button installed inside the opening of the housing, and a waterproof structure installed between the key button and the circuit board for preventing fluid from leaking into the circuit board via an interface of the housing and the key button. A space is formed between the waterproof structure and the key button for containing the fluid leaking from the interface of the housing and the key button. The space is lower than the interface of the housing and the key button.

Claims

1. A key mechanism comprising:

a housing whereon an opening is formed;

a key button installed inside the opening of the housing; and

a waterproof structure installed between the key button and a circuit board for preventing fluid from leaking into the circuit board via an interface of the housing and the key button, the waterproof structure comprising a waterproof wall disposed around the key button, a space being formed between the waterproof wall and the key button for containing the fluid leaking from the interface of the housing and the key button, the space being lower than the interface of the housing and the key button, at least one first slot or at least one first waterproof rib being formed on a side of the housing facing to the circuit board, and the corresponding at least one first waterproof rib or the corresponding at least one first slot being formed on the waterproof wall and disposed on a position corresponding to the at least one first slot or the at least one first waterproof rib for engaging with the at least one first slot or the at least one first waterproof rib so as to prevent the fluid from leaking.

2. The key mechanism of claim 1, wherein the opening of the housing is a circular opening, and the key button is a circular key button.

3. The key mechanism of claim 1, wherein at least one second slot is formed on a side of the housing facing to the circuit board, and at least one second waterproof rib is formed on the waterproof structure and disposed on a position corresponding to the at least one second slot for embedding inside the at least one second slot so as to prevent the fluid from leaking.

4. The key mechanism of claim 3, wherein the at least one second waterproof rib is embedded inside the at least one second slot in a tight fit manner.

5. The key mechanism of claim 3, wherein the at least one second waterproof rib is a V-shaped protruding rib, and the at least one second slot is a V-shaped slot.

6. The key mechanism of claim 3, wherein the at least one second waterproof rib is an arc protruding rib, and the at least one second slot is an arc slot.

7. The key mechanism of claim 1, wherein at least one second waterproof rib is formed on a side of the housing facing to the circuit board, at least one second slot is formed on the at least one second waterproof structure and disposed on a position corresponding to the at least one second waterproof rib, and the at least one second waterproof rib is for embedding inside the at least one second slot so as to prevent the fluid from leaking.

8. The key mechanism of claim 7, wherein the at least one second waterproof rib is embedded inside the slot in a tight fit manner.

9. The key mechanism of claim 1, wherein the key button is embedded between the housing and the waterproof structure.

10. The key mechanism of claim 9, wherein the waterproof structure comprises a pillar, and the key button comprises a protrusion embedded inside the pillar.

11. The key mechanism of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a sheath disposed around the waterproof wall of the waterproof structure.

12. The key mechanism of claim 11, wherein the at least one first slot or the at least one first waterproof rib is formed on the sheath of the housing.

13. The key mechanism of claim 1, wherein the waterproof structure is an elastic structure.

14. The key mechanism of claim 1 further comprising:

an actuator installed on a side of the waterproof structure for actuating the circuit board.

15. The key mechanism of claim 14, wherein the actuator is made of conductive material.

16. An electronic device comprising:

a circuit board; and

a key mechanism for actuating the circuit board, the key mechanism comprising;

a housing whereon an opening is formed;

a key button installed inside the opening of the housing; and

a waterproof structure installed between the key button and the circuit board for preventing fluid from leaking into the circuit board via an interface of the housing and the key button, the waterproof structure comprising a waterproof wall disposed around the key button, a space being formed between the waterproof wall and the key button for containing the fluid leaking from the interface of the housing and the key button, the space being lower than the interface of the housing and the key button, at least one first slot or at least one first waterproof rib being formed on a side of the housing facing to the circuit board, and the corresponding at least one first waterproof rib or the corresponding at least one first slot being formed on the waterproof wall and disposed on a position corresponding to the at least one first slot or the at least one first waterproof rib for engaging with the at least one first slot or the at least one first waterproof rib so as to prevent the fluid from leaking.