Key assembly, rotary input device using the key assembly, and electronic device using the rotary input device

A rotary input device comprising:

• a substrate on which a switch for generating a signal in response to external manipulation is disposed;
• a base disposed on the substrate to be rotatable with respect to the substrate;
• a central button portion disposed to move between a remote position and an adjacent position with respect to the base, for pressing the switch to generate the signal, and comprising:
• a protrusion that protrudes from an area of the central button portion outward along an edge of the central button portion;
• and
• a caved flange groove that protrudes from the central button portion outward having a caved portion;
• and
• a rotary button portion combined with the base, and comprising a hole for externally exposing at least a portion of a side of the central button portion, wherein the rotary button portion is rotatably disposed on an outer side of the central button portion, and comprises:
• a suppressing portion that is formed on an inner side of the hole to correspond to the protrusion to suppress movement of the central button portion in a direction away from the base, wherein the suppressing portion is configured to protrude toward the central button portion to contact a surface of the protrusion when the central button portion moves in a direction away from the base;
• and
• a pointed flange portion that corresponds to the caved flange groove.

An electronic device, comprising:

• a rotary input device comprising:
• a substrate on which a switch for generating a signal in response to external manipulation is disposed;
• a base disposed on the substrate to be rotatable with respect to the substrate;
• a central button portion disposed to move between a remote position and an adjacent position with respect to the base, for pressing the switch to generate the signal, and comprising a protrusion that protrudes from an area of the central button portion outward along an edge of the central button portion;
• and a caved flange groove that protrudes from the central button portion outward having a caved portion;
• and
• a rotary button portion combined with the base, and comprising a hole for externally exposing at least a portion of a side of the central button portion, wherein the rotary button portion is rotatably disposed on an outer side of the central button portion, and comprises a suppressing portion that is formed on an inner side of the hole to correspond to the protrusion to suppress movement of the central button portion in a direction away from the base, wherein the suppressing portion is configured to protrude toward the central button portion to contact a surface of the protrusion when the central button portion moves in a direction away from the base;
• and a pointed flange portion that corresponds to the caved flange groove.