CN1708734B - Button control device and portable electronic instrument including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a push-button control device, comprising a support; an electronic assembly disposed in or on the support; a button mounted so as to be movable on the support so as to be able to translate along an actuation axis; a first contact element comprising a movable portion disposed on the actuation axis so as to be actuated by the button; and a second contact element with which the movable part of the first contact element can be brought into contact in order to establish an electrical connection between said two elements, the first and second contact elements being formed by a first metal contact strip and a second metal contact strip, respectively, both of said contact strips being mounted directly on said support. The first and second contact strips and the push button can thus be mounted on a common reference element, i.e. the support, so that the arrangement and the stroke of the push button can be controlled and fixed with great precision. The invention also relates to a portable electronic instrument, such as a wristwatch, comprising such a push-button control device.

Description

Push button control device and portable electronic instrument containing the same

technical field

The present invention relates generally to a push-button control device of the type commonly found especially in electronic or mechanical electronic timepieces. The invention also relates to a portable electronic instrument, such as a timepiece, incorporating such a push button control.

Background technique

Such push button controls are very common, especially in the field of electronic or mechatronic timepieces. EP Patent No. 1089144 gives a typical example of such a control device. This document discloses in particular a multifunction button contact strip mainly formed by a base fixed to a housing bottom near the button and an elastic blade forming a movable contact element actuatable by the button . The contact strip forms a first contact element of the control device, the elastic blade of the contact strip cooperating with a second contact element provided on an electronic component for establishing an electrical connection when the button is actuated.

From an electronic and mechanical point of view, said contact is formed by two contact elements, one of which is movable (ie the above-mentioned elastic blade actuatable by a button) and connected to the housing by its base, while the other is fixed, which sets On a component on an electronic component (usually a contact pad provided on the printed circuit board of the electronic component). In the aforementioned EP Patent No. 1089144, the second contact element is formed, for example, by a curved conductive tab of the printed circuit. It will thus be understood that the two contact elements are arranged on different frames, namely the housing for the first contact element (to which the button is usually attached) and the printed circuit board for the second contact element.

A disadvantage of the typical construction described above is that the printed circuit board actually constitutes a component whose size and position within the housing cannot be guaranteed with high precision. This lack of precision results in reduced precision in button placement and movement, thereby affecting actuation quality and use of the buttons. To improve accuracy, it is necessary to find another scheme or at least improve the existing one.

Another disadvantage of the above-mentioned typical structure is that the contact portion is prone to wear. In practice, the fixed contact element with which the movable contact element makes contact is usually a printed circuit board or a metallization on a component connected to the printed circuit. With repeated mechanical contact between the contact elements, this metallization may be subject to considerable wear, thereby degrading the quality of the electrical contact. Accordingly, there is also a need to reduce the likelihood of wear on push button controls.

Contents of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a solution that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose a solution that facilitates construction and assembly, in particular a solution suitable for the automated assembly of components.

Therefore, the present invention proposes such a button control device. The button control device includes: a support; an electronic assembly disposed in or on said support; a button mounted to move on the support so as to translate along an actuation axis; a a first contact element of a movable part, the movable part being placed on said actuation axis so as to be actuated by said button; and a second contact element, said movable part of the first contact element being able to communicate with Two contact elements contact to establish electrical connection between the first and second contact elements, characterized in that the first and second contact elements are respectively composed of a first contact strip of metal and a second contact strip of metal Formed, both contact strips are carried directly by the support.

According to an aspect of the button control device of the present invention, the first contact strip is in electrical contact with a first contact pad of the electronic component, and the second contact strip is in electrical contact with a second contact pad of the electronic component electrical contact.

According to another aspect of the button control device of the present invention, the first contact strip is in electrical contact with a first contact pad of the electronic component, and the second contact strip is in electrical contact with an electrode of a power source.

According to still another aspect of the push button control device of the present invention, the second contact strip includes at least one protruding portion with a “V” profile, and the protruding portion includes an electrical contact with the second contact pad of the electronic component. and a free end in electrical contact with an electrode of a power source.

According to yet another aspect of the button control device of the present invention, the first and second contact strips are respectively arranged in a middle plane substantially perpendicular to and parallel to the plane of the electronic component, and the first contact strip includes a A first elastic blade of the movable part of the contact element is capable of coming into contact with an edge of said second contact strip.

According to another aspect of the button control device of the present invention, the first contact bar is in electrical contact with a first contact pad provided on the electronic component. The first contact strip has a general "E" shape and includes: a base through which the first contact strip is connected to the support; a first elastic blade through which one an end connected to said base and forming a movable part of said first contact element; and two circumferential blades disposed substantially symmetrically with respect to the first elastic blade, each connected via one end thereof to the base, the other end of which is in electrical contact with the first contact pad.

The main advantage of this control device is that the two elements making contact and the button itself are arranged on the same support or frame (eg the housing of a portable electronic device). Thus, the arrangement of the constituent elements of the control device and the movement of the button can be adjusted very precisely. Unlike prior art solutions, the precision is not dependent on the precision and tolerances of the electronic components used. Still ensure the electrical contact of button and this electronic assembly like this: each contact strip that forms part fixed contact element all is with corresponding contact pad-that is, the contact pad of electronic assembly (for example a control input of button) or with a definite Contact pads of potentials (such as electrodes or terminals connected to a power source) are in electrical contact. The electrical contact is thus ensured by the movement of a movable part of one contact strip over the other contact strip. The "strip-to-strip" contact also ensures better wear resistance of the push button controls.

The main advantage of this control device is that the two elements making contact and the button itself are arranged on the same support or frame (eg the housing of a portable electronic device). Thus, the arrangement of the constituent elements of the control device and the movement of the button can be adjusted very precisely. Unlike prior art solutions, the precision is not dependent on the precision and tolerances of the electronic components used. Still ensure the electrical contact of button and this electronic assembly like this: each contact strip that forms part fixed contact element all is with corresponding contact pad-that is, the contact pad of electronic assembly (for example a control input of button) or with a definite Contact pads of potentials (such as electrodes or terminals connected to a power source) are in electrical contact. The electrical contact is thus ensured by the movement of a movable part of one contact strip over the other contact strip. The "strip-to-strip" contact also ensures better wear resistance of the push button controls.

The invention also relates to a portable electronic appliance comprising a control device of the above-mentioned type and having the following characteristics. The portable electronic instrument comprises: a housing forming a support and enclosing an electronic assembly and at least one first button mounted to be movable on said housing so as to be able to translate along an actuation axis, characterized in that The at least one first button cooperates with the above-mentioned button control device, and the first and second contact strips respectively forming the first and second contact elements of the button control device are directly carried by the housing.

According to an aspect of the portable electronic instrument of the present invention, the button is installed in a side wall of the housing, and the first and second contact strips are respectively arranged on a plane substantially perpendicular to and parallel to the plane of the electronic assembly. In the median plane, said first contact strip comprises a first elastic blade forming the movable part of the first contact element of the push-button control device, which first elastic blade is contactable with an edge of said second contact strip.

According to another aspect of the portable electronic instrument of the present invention, the first contact strip is in electrical contact with a first contact pad provided on the electronic component. The first contact strip has a general "E" shape and includes: a base fitted into the side wall of the housing; a first elastic blade connected via one end thereof to the said base and forming the movable part of said first contact element; and two circumferential blades disposed substantially symmetrically with respect to the first elastic blade, each circumferential blade connected to said base via one end thereof, Its other end is in electrical contact with the first contact pad.

According to still another aspect of the portable electronic instrument of the present invention, the first contact bar is in electrical contact with a first contact pad provided on the electronic component, and the first contact pad is provided in the circumferential direction of the electronic component , and located on one side or one front side of the electronic assembly.

According to yet another aspect of the portable electronic device of the present invention, said first contact strip is held within said housing by a retaining element formed by the electronic component itself or a spacer connected to said electronic component.

According to another aspect of the portable electronic instrument of the present invention, the second contact strip is in electrical contact with a second contact pad provided on the electronic component, and the electronic instrument includes a second contact pad provided on a front surface of the electronic component. A spacer on the top, the spacer keeps the second contact strip in the housing and ensures that the second contact strip is in electrical contact with the second contact pad.

According to yet another aspect of the portable electronic instrument of the present invention, the spacer also retains the first contact strip within the housing.

According to yet another aspect of the portable electronic instrument of the present invention, the first contact strip is in electrical contact with the first contact pad provided on the electronic component, and the spacer also ensures that the first contact strip is in contact with the The first contact pad makes electrical contact.

According to another aspect of the portable electronic instrument of the present invention, the spacer is located between the electronic component and a power source.

According to yet another aspect of the portable electronic instrument of the present invention, the electronic instrument comprises a plurality of buttons each interacting with the first contact strip, and a plurality of the buttons share the same second contact strip.

Description of drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, given as a non-limiting example only and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top view of a portable electronic instrument in the form of a watch incorporating a push button control device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in particular equipped with five buttons placed on the side of the housing of the instrument;

Fig. 2 is the sectional view that instrument shown in Fig. 1 is cut along 9 o'clock-3 o'clock axis (line A-A in Fig. 1);

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the instrument shown in Figure 1 taken along an axis parallel to the 6 o'clock-12 o'clock axis (line B-B in Figure 1, also showing this axis in Figure 6a);

4 is a perspective view of a part (the top of the housing) that forms the support of the button control device according to the present invention on the housing of the instrument shown in FIG. 1;

5a to 5c are respectively a front view, a side view and a perspective view of a first contact strip of a button control device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

6a to 6c are respectively a front view, a side view and a perspective view of a second contact strip of a button control device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 7a to 7c are front, side and perspective views, respectively, of a retaining element for the contact strip shown in Figures 5a to 5c and 6a to 6c and also forming a spacer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

The perspective views of Figures 8a to 8c show three intermediate assembly stages for assembling the elements shown in the above figures in the housing, respectively the installation of the electronic assembly, the installation of the first button contact strip and the installation of the second contact strip.

Detailed ways

FIG. 1 shows a general plan view of a portable electronic instrument in the form of a wristwatch, generally designated 1 . The instrument 1 comprises a housing 4 and an electronic assembly (not shown in the figure), the housing 4 particularly encapsulates a display device 5 arranged below a glass 3, here a liquid crystal display device, the Case 4 is here the middle part of a case back on which an outer ring 11 is mounted. Five pushbuttons labeled 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 are respectively arranged on the side of the casing 4 at 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock and 10 o'clock.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the instrument shown in Figure 1 taken along the 9 o'clock-3 o'clock axis (line A-A in Figure 1). In this cross-sectional view, some elements are shown which lie outside the plane of the cross-section. Figure 2 shows again the housing 4 formed as shown by two parts 4.1 and 4.2, said two parts respectively forming a middle part and a back cover connected to each other by connecting means (such as screws) not shown, a A sealing gasket 45 is arranged in particular between said two parts in a groove 41 provided in the middle part 4.1. As a non-limiting example, the housing 4 is made of a synthetic material such as plastic, the glass part 3 is then welded to the middle part 4.1 by a suitable means, for example by ultrasonic welding. The bezel 11 is here mounted to the dial 4.1 by two-material injection moulding.

As shown in Fig. 2, the liquid crystal display device 5 and the electronic components marked 6 are arranged in the recess in the middle part 4.1. The rear cover 4.2 is also provided with a recess for accommodating a power source 9, here in the form of a button cell.

As shown, the electronic assembly 6 includes a printed circuit board 60 (hereinafter referred to as "printed circuit"), each side (or at least one side) of the printed circuit board carries a set of electrical and/or electronic components. Assuming that both sides of the printed circuit 60 are provided with components in the example shown, spacers 7, 8 are arranged on each side of the printed circuit 60 to ensure spacing and proper support of adjacent components. A first spacer 7 is therefore provided on the glass side to ensure support for the electronic components 6 in the middle part 4 . 1 and on the display device 5 . A second spacer 8 is provided on the back cover side to ensure support of the assembly 6 with respect to the back cover 4 . 2 and the battery 9 . It should be noted that the second spacer 8 also serves to hold the push button control according to the invention. It will be described below.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, the middle part 4.1 includes a stub numbered 400 (in this example, the axonometric view of Fig. 4 specifically shows a plurality of stubs), which passes through a penetrating electronic assembly 6 set of orifices. The post 400 (and other posts) include a shoulder 410 at its end, the function of which will be described below.

Focusing now on the subject of this application, the push button control. Figure 2 shows a part of the present control device incorporating push button 2.2 at 3 o'clock. As shown, the button 2.2 comprises a head 21 connected to a stem 22 which is inserted into an aperture 42 provided in the middle part 4.1. It should be noted that the button 2 . 2 (like the other buttons) is held within the housing by the end of the rod 22 . The rod 22 has a wider end cooperating with a material projection 42a provided at the outlet of the orifice 42 . Upon installation the button is inserted into its aperture 42, the material protrusion deforming slightly as the rod 22 passes to retract in position and hold the button by the end of the button's rod. An O-ring fitting 23 provided in a groove in the stem 22 ensures that the button is waterproof. It should also be noted that the push button is combined with a snap-on control device 25 arranged between the base of the head 21 of the push button and the middle part 4.1, which is the applicant's EP patent No. 1 162 Types disclosed in 251.

As shown in part in cross-sectional view in Figure 2, the push button control comprises a first metallic contact strip, generally designated 210, comprising a first contact strip placed on the actuation axis X-X of the push button for actuation by the push button. An elastic blade 211. As shown in FIG. 2, the contact strip 210 is preferably fixed in the housing by its base 214 (in this example in a groove provided in the middle part 4.1, the groove is numbered 43.2), so that the contact strip is arranged in a In a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the printed circuit 60 of the electronic assembly 6 . It should be understood that the metal strip 210 need not be arranged in this manner. However, as described below, the contact strip 210 is specifically arranged in this manner to cooperate with an edge of the printed circuit 60 and with an edge of a second contact strip of the control device.

It can also be seen in FIG. 2 that the first contact strip 210 includes at least one second elastic blade, referenced 212, which is slightly bent out of the plane of the contact strip so as to engage with one edge of the printed circuit 60 of the electronic assembly - or Rather, it is in contact with a corresponding contact pad, referenced 610 , which is provided on the edge of the printed circuit 60 . Figures 8a to 8c show more clearly five contact pads 610 arranged on the edge of the printed circuit 60 and associated with the buttons 2.1 to 2.5. These contact pads 610 are typically a suitable metallization layer (such as copper or gold) on a localized area of the edge of the printed circuit 60 . In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the first contact strip actually comprises, in addition to the elastic blade 211 placed on the push button actuation axis X-X, two other elastic, preferably permanent, contacts with the edge of the printed circuit 60 . The blades 212, 213, said elastic blades 212, 213 are placed symmetrically on both sides of the elastic blade 211, this arrangement ensures better support and better stress distribution when the button is actuated.

The first contact strip 210 is shown in detail in FIGS. 5a to 5c. It can be seen that the contact strip 210 preferably has a generally "E" shape comprising a base 214, a resilient vane 211 in the middle and two circumferential vanes 212, 213 via which the contact strip is mounted to the housing Overall, the elastic blade 211 is connected to the base 214 and is actuated by a push button, the two circumferential blades are also connected to the base 214 and are bent about ten degrees out of the plane of the contact strip as shown in Figures 5b and 5c. The base 214 of the contact strip 210 also has a curved profile to ensure proper positioning of the contact strip within its mounting slot. The base 214 can also be provided with a notch that cooperates with the corresponding protrusion of the mounting groove, so as to further prevent it from moving laterally in the mounting groove. The control device for each button all comprises a first contact strip of the type shown in Figures 5a to 5c, and the same number of mounting grooves formed corresponding to the lateral parts of the middle part 4.1 shown in Figure 4 (only the button The mounting slots 43.1, 43.2 and 43.3 of 2.1 to 2.3 are visible).

The push button control device according to the present invention also includes a second metal contact strip, generally designated 220 . For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the second contact strip 220 is here preferably arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the printed circuit 60 . In this embodiment, the second contact strip 220 is arranged such that the elastic blade 211 of the first contact strip 210 is in contact with an edge of the second contact strip 220 (see FIG. 2 for details). As can be seen below, the second contact strip 220 is in electrical contact, preferably permanently, with a contact pad designated 620 (see in particular FIGS. 8 a to 8 c ) arranged on the back side of the printed circuit 60 . Preferably, the second contact strip 220 is also in electrical contact, preferably permanently, with an electrode 91 (here the positive electrode) of the battery 9 . Thus, the second contact strip 220 and the contact pad 620 associated therewith form together a contact element whose potential is fixed to the potential of the electrode 91 of the power source 9 in contact with the contact strip. The second contact strip 220 thus forms both a contact element for the button and an electrical connection element for bringing the first potential into the electronic component 6 .

A detailed example of the second contact strip 220 is shown in FIGS. 6 a to 6 c. The illustrated instrument pushbutton control comprises two contact strips of this type placed at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock for cooperation with buttons 2.1 to 2.3 and with buttons 2.4 to 2.5 respectively. In more detail, the second contact strip 220 comprises a base 223 via which the contact strip 220 is mounted to the housing 4 , and first and second elastic blades or protrusions 221 , 222 fixed to the base 233 . The protruding parts 221, 222 preferably protrude out of the plane of the base part 223 and each have a "V"-shaped profile including a bent part 221a, 222a and a free end part 221b, 222b. The bent parts 221a, 222a of the protruding parts 221, 222 of the second contact strip 220 are used to make electrical contact with the contact pad 620 arranged on the back side of the printed circuit; touch. FIGS. 8 a to 8 c show that a total of four contact pads 620 are arranged on the backside of the printed circuit 60 to be in contact with the bent portions 221 a , 222 a of the two contact strips 220 .

As shown in FIGS. 6 a to 6 c , the second contact strip 220 is provided with a set of aperture-recess combinations referenced 224 a and 224 b , by which it is mounted in the housing 4 . The aperture-notch combination 224a, 224b is arranged to allow the contact strip 220 to abut via its base 223 to the shoulder 410 of the stud 400 forming an integral part of the middle part 4.1 of the housing 4 . In fact, as shown in the isometric view of FIG. 4 , the central part is provided with six studs 400 each having a shoulder 400 on which the contact strip 220 abuts. In this embodiment, each contact strip 220 is carried by three stubs 400, as shown for example in FIG. 3, which is a section of the instrument along the line B-B in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.3 Cutaway view of nearby instruments.

Two mounting apertures 224a are provided in the base 223 of the second contact strip 220, however only one of them is used to carry the contact strip complementary to the recess 224b. The contact strip 220 placed at 9 o'clock is carried by two notches 224b and the centrally located mounting hole 224a, while the contact strip 220 placed at 3 o'clock, as shown in FIG. The strip 220 is carried by two notches 224b and a mounting hole 224a located off-centre.

As mentioned above, the button control device is preferably designed so that the elastic blade of the first contact strip 210 can contact with an edge of the second contact strip 220 . Since the second contact strip 220 is designed to cooperate with a plurality of - up to three in the preferred embodiment exemplarily shown in the drawings - buttons, the second contact strip 220 contains up to three contact areas 223a at its edge , 223b and 223c are used to accommodate the first elastic blade 211 of each first contact strip 210 . Thus, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 2 , the first elastic blade 211 of the first contact strip 210 associated with the button 2 . The contact area 223b provided on the contact bar 220 placed at 9 o'clock is not used.

As can be seen from the foregoing, the first contact strip 210 and the second contact strip 220 are arranged on the same support or frame as the button - in this case on the middle part 4.1 of the housing 4, each first contact strip 210 are installed in a corresponding mounting groove provided in the middle part 4.1, and each second contact strip 220 is carried by the shoulder 410 of the stub integrated into the middle part 4.1. Thus, the arrangement of the constituent elements of the control device and the movement of the buttons can be adjusted very precisely, the accuracy of which is no longer dependent on the accuracy and dimensional tolerances of the electronic components used. Moreover, the electrical contact between the button and the electronic component is ensured by making the movable part of the first contact strip contact the edge of the second contact strip, thereby ensuring better wear resistance of the button control device.

As previously mentioned, a (second) spacer 8 is arranged on the backside of the printed circuit 60 of the electronic assembly 6 . Apart from the usual insulating and supporting functions, this spacer 8 holds in place the two contact strips 220 on the one hand and the five contact strips 210 on the other hand. Figures 7a to 7c show the configuration of the spacer 8 in more detail. As shown, the spacer 8 is substantially annular and has a support frame 80 provided with five arms 81.1 to 81.5. These arms 81.1 to 81.5 are arranged in positions corresponding to the positions of the five buttons 2.1 to 2.5, each serving to hold the first contact strip 210 in the corresponding recess via the two circumferential blades 212, 213 of the contact strip and In order to press the second contact strip 220 against the shoulder 410 of the stub 400, this can be seen from the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 2 and 3 (for example, FIG. 2.2 near). Also, each arm 81.1 to 81.5 is preferably fitted with a pair of studs 82. These studs 82 are directed towards the glass side after the spacer 8 has been installed and are used to create a permanent contact of the circumferential blade 212 , 213 of each first contact strip 210 with the corresponding contact pad 610 provided at the edge of the printed circuit 60 . In addition to the arms 81 . Finally, two studs, referenced 85, properly position the spacer 8 in the middle part 4.1.

A brief description will now be given of Figures 8a to 8c, which show three intermediate stages of installing a push button control device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. After mounting the glass 3, buttons 2.1 to 2.5 and bezel 11 on the middle part 4.1, the assembly including the electronic assembly 6, spacer 7 and display 5 is put into the middle part 4.1 as shown in Fig. 8a. After the assembly has been installed, as shown in Figure 8b, the five contact strips 210 are inserted into the corresponding mounting slots so that the two circumferential blades 212, 213 of each first contact strip 210 abut against the five printed Corresponding contact pads 610 at the edge of circuit 60 . Then as shown in Figure 8c, the two contact strips 220 placed on the back are arranged on the column shoulder 410 of the stub 400 of the middle part 4.1, so that the curved parts of the protruding parts 221, 222 on each second contact strip 220 221 a and 222 a abut against the four contact pads 620 arranged on the still exposed side of printed circuit 60 . After the contact strips 220 are installed, the spacers 8 shown in Figures 7a to 7c are arranged to hold the contact strips 210, 220 in place. Fixing a watch strap not shown, placing a sealing gasket 45 in the groove 41 and fixing the back cover 4.2 containing the battery 9 completes the assembly of the instrument.

In the foregoing embodiments, the first contact strip 210 of the button control device is held by means of the second spacer 8, and the circumferential elastic blades 212, 213 of each contact strip 210 are in contact with the edge of the printed circuit 60 arranged on the electronic assembly 6. The corresponding contact pads 610 make electrical contact. It should be understood, however, that the first contact strip 210 could alternatively be held by the printed circuit 60 itself. To do this, it is only necessary to bend the ends of the circumferential elastic blades 212, 213 of the contact strip 210 by approximately 90° relative to the configuration shown in the figure so that the ends can be aligned with the printed circuit 60 on the glass side. The surfaces are in contact, and the contact pads 610 will not be provided on the edge of the printed circuit 60 but on the side of the glass of the printed circuit 60 in the circumferential direction of the circuit. In this alternative configuration, the contact strip 210 should therefore be arranged in the intermediate part 4 . It will also be appreciated that in this configuration the second spacer 8 no longer needs to be provided with arms 81.1 to 81.5 and the specific geometry of stud 82.

Also alternatively, it is entirely conceivable to bend the ends of the circumferential elastic blades 212, 213 of the aforementioned first contact strip 210, but at this time make them contact with the back side of the printed circuit 60, thereby disposing the contact pad 610 Circumferential direction on the back of the printed circuit 60 . In this second alternative configuration, the spacer again performs its additional function of holding the contact strip 210 , however the stub 82 in the illustrated embodiment need not be provided.

The above two alternatives have the particular advantage that no metallization is required at the edge of the printed circuit 60 as in the embodiment shown in the figure, which reduces the production costs of the electronic assembly 6 .

It will be appreciated that various modifications and/or improvements may be made to the embodiments described in this specification which will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. In the above description, for example the circumferential blades of the first metal contact strip are preferably in permanent contact with the corresponding contact pads of the electronic component. Alternatively, these circumferential vanes may only be in contact with the corresponding contact pads when the button is actuated. This may for example advantageously reduce the risk of electrostatic discharge via the button.

Claims (16)

1. push-button control device comprises:

One housing (4,4.1);

One is arranged on the electronic package (6) in the described housing (4,4.1);

One button (2.1 to 2.5), this button (2.1 to 2.5) are mounted to and can move on this housing so that can be along an activation axis (X-X) translation;

One comprises first contact element of a moving part (211), and this moving part (211) is placed on described activation axis (X-X) and goes up so that by described press-button actuated; And

One second contact element, the described moving part (211) of first contact element can be electrically connected to set up between this first and second contact element with this second contact element contacts,

It is characterized in that described first and second contact elements are formed by first bow strip (210) of a metal and second bow strip (220) of a metal respectively, described two bow strips are all directly carried by described housing (4,4.1).

2. control device according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, described first bow strip (210) and described electronic package (6,60) one first contact pins (610) electrically contacts, and described second bow strip (220) electrically contacts with one second contact pins (620) of this electronic package (6,60).

3. control device according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, described first bow strip (210) electrically contacts with first contact pins (610) of described electronic package (6,60), and described second bow strip (220) electrically contacts with an electrode (91) of a power supply (9).

4. control device according to claim 2, it is characterized in that, described second bow strip (220) comprises the extension (221 of at least one " V " shape profile, 222), this extension (221,222) comprises a bend (221a who electrically contacts with described second contact pins (620) of electronic package (6,60), 222a) and the free end that electrically contacts of the electrode (91) of one and one power supply (9) (221b, 222b).

5. control device according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, described first and second bow strips (210,220) be separately positioned on and described electronic package (6,60) in vertical with the parallel substantially mid-plane in plane, described first bow strip (210) comprises that one forms first spring leaf of the moving part (211) of first contact element, this first spring leaf can with an edge (223a of described second bow strip (220), 223b 223c) contacts.

6. according to the described control device of aforementioned arbitrary claim, it is characterized in that described first bow strip (210) electrically contacts with first contact pins (610) that is arranged on the described electronic package (6,60), described first bow strip (210) has the shape that is roughly " E ", comprising:

One base portion (214), described first bow strip is connected to described housing by this base portion;

One first spring leaf, this first spring leaf are connected to described base portion (214) via one end thereof and form the moving part (211) of described first contact element; And

Two circumferential blades (212,213) that are provided with substantially symmetrically about this first spring leaf, each circumferential blade all is connected to described base portion (214) via one end thereof, and its another end and described first contact pins (610) electrically contact.

7. portable electronic instrument (1) comprising:

One forms a supporting member and encapsulates the housing (4,4.1,4.2) of an electronic package (6,60); And

At least one first button (2.1 to 2.5), described button are mounted to and can move on described housing so that can be along an activation axis (X-X) translation,

It is characterized in that, described at least one first button (2.1 to 2.5) with match according to any one described push-button control device in the claim 1 to 6,

Described first and second bow strips (210,220) that form first and second contact elements of push-button control device are respectively all directly carried by described housing (4,4.1).

8. electronic device according to claim 7, it is characterized in that, described button (2.1 to 2.5) is installed in described housing (4,4.1) a sidewall in, and described first and second bow strips (210,220) be separately positioned on and described electronic package (6,60) in vertical with the parallel substantially mid-plane in plane, described first bow strip (210) comprises that one forms first spring leaf of moving part (211) of first contact element of push-button control device, this first spring leaf can with an edge (223a of described second bow strip (220), 223b 223c) contacts.

9. electronic device according to claim 8, it is characterized in that described first bow strip (210) electrically contacts with one first contact pins (610) that is arranged on the described electronic package (6,60), described first bow strip (210) has the shape that is roughly " E ", comprising:

One is installed to the interior base portion (214) of described sidewall of housing (4,4.1);

One first spring leaf, this first spring leaf are connected to described base portion (214) via one end thereof and form the moving part (211) of described first contact element; And

Two circumferential blades (212 that are provided with substantially symmetrically about this first spring leaf, 213), each circumferential blade (212,213) all is connected to described base portion (214) via one end thereof, and its another end and described first contact pins (610) electrically contact.

10. electronic device according to claim 7, it is characterized in that, described first bow strip (210) be arranged on described electronic package (6,60) first contact pins (610) on electrically contacts, described first contact pins (610) is arranged on the circumferential of this electronic package, and be positioned on the side of described electronic package (6,60) or front on.

11. electronic device according to claim 7, it is characterized in that described first bow strip (210) is connected to described electronic package (6 by one by electronic package (6,60) itself or, 60) holding element that the separator on (8) forms remains in the described housing (4,4.1).

12. according to the described electronic device of one of claim 7 to 11, it is characterized in that, described second bow strip (220) and one is arranged on described electronic package (6,60) second contact pins (620) on electrically contacts, this electronic device comprises that one is arranged on described electronic package (6,60) separator (8) on the front, this separator (8) remains on described second bow strip (220) in the described housing, and guarantees that described second bow strip (220) and described second contact pins (620) electrically contact.

13. electronic device according to claim 12 is characterized in that, described separator (8) also remains on described first bow strip (210) in the described housing.

14. electronic device according to claim 13, it is characterized in that, described first bow strip (210) be arranged on described electronic package (6,60) first contact pins (610) on electrically contacts, and described separator (8) guarantees that also described first bow strip (210) and described first contact pins (610) electrically contact.

15. electronic device according to claim 12 is characterized in that, described separator (8) is positioned between a described electronic package (6,60) and the power supply (9).

16. electronic device according to claim 7 is characterized in that, this electronic device comprise a plurality of all with the interactional button of first bow strip (210) (2.1 to 2.5), and described button (2.1,2.2,2.3; 2.4,2.5) in a plurality of shared same second bow strip (220).

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