US 11,721,498 B2
Electronic device including key assembly and operation method thereof
Youjin Kang, Gyeonggi-do (KR); and Changwon Son, Gyeonggi-do (KR)
Assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon-si (KR)
Appl. No. 17/287,649
Filed by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Gyeonggi-do (KR)
PCT Filed Oct. 22, 2019, PCT No. PCT/KR2019/013890
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 22, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/085762, PCT Pub. Date Apr. 30, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2018-0126470 (KR), filed on Oct. 23, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0358698 A1, Nov. 18, 2021
Int. Cl. H01H 13/14 (2006.01); H01H 13/04 (2006.01); H01H 13/20 (2006.01); H01H 13/26 (2006.01); H02N 2/04 (2006.01)
CPC H01H 13/14 (2013.01) [H01H 13/04 (2013.01); H01H 13/20 (2013.01); H01H 13/26 (2013.01); H02N 2/04 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electronic device comprising:
a housing comprising a first plate facing in a first direction and a second plate facing in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and
a key assembly disposed on at least part of the first plate and comprising a plurality of keys for inputting data by a pressing operation, wherein the key assembly comprises:
a keycap;
a printed circuit board;
a support structure disposed on the printed circuit board to support the keycap and supporting a pressing operation of the keycap;
a contact point portion disposed between a portion of the support structure and the printed circuit board;
a movable portion coupled to the support structure in the second direction; and
an actuator coupled to the movable portion and providing a force for moving the keycap in the first direction or the second direction depending on whether the actuator is activated,
wherein the actuator comprises an elastic material, and is elastically deformed depending on the activation.