US 11,747,227 B2
Electronic device including force key structure
Bowoong Seo, Suwon-si (KR); Minsoo Kim, Suwon-si (KR); Yongho Hwang, Suwon-si (KR); Jinwan An, Suwon-si (KR); Jiwoo Lee, Suwon-si (KR); and Yeunwook Lim, Suwon-si (KR)
Assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed on Jul. 16, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/931,371.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2019-0085978 (KR), filed on Jul. 16, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0018388 A1, Jan. 21, 2021
Int. Cl. G01L 5/00 (2006.01); H05K 1/02 (2006.01); H05K 5/00 (2006.01); H05K 1/11 (2006.01)
CPC G01L 5/0038 (2013.01) [H05K 1/028 (2013.01); H05K 1/118 (2013.01); H05K 5/003 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electronic device comprising:
a sidewall structure configured to form a surface of the electronic device, the sidewall structure including a key area formed on the surface of the electronic device;
an internal frame formed inside the electronic device and configured to face an inner surface of the sidewall structure; and
a sensor assembly disposed between the internal frame and the sidewall structure, at least part of the sensor assembly being aligned with the key area,
wherein the sensor assembly includes:
a sensor configured to sense a force applied to the key area, based on displacement of an inner surface of the key area, and
a support member including one surface that is supported on the sensor and an opposite surface that is supported on the internal frame, and
wherein the sensor includes:
a first rigid portion supported on the inner surface of the key area,
a second rigid portion supported on the inner surface of the key area and spaced apart from the first rigid portion, and
a variable resistor extending from the first rigid portion to the second rigid portion.