Adjustable force tactile switch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10475606-B2
Application number	US-201514864424-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 24, 2015
Priority date	Sep 24, 2015
Publication date	Nov 12, 2019
Grant date	Nov 12, 2019

Abstract

Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for a user input device, such as a game controller, that includes a finger-pressable (“tactile”) switch. The switch is adjustable to change the amount of force used to actuate the switch. In an example implementation, a tactile switch comprises a housing, a button interposer, a dome switch, and an adjustment mechanism. A user or other entity may press the button interposer. The dome switch is contained in the housing, and is actuated by the button interposer being pressed. The adjustment mechanism is contained at least partially in the housing, and is configured to enable an amount of force used to press the button interposer to actuate the dome switch to be adjusted.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tactile switch, comprising:
a housing;
a button interposer;
a dome switch contained in the housing that is configured to be actuated by pressing the button interposer; and
an adjustment mechanism including a slideable lever body and contained at least partially in the housing, the slideable lever body configured to be slid to enable an amount of force used to press the button interposer to actuate the dome switch to be adjusted.

2. The tactile switch of claim 1 , wherein the slideable lever body comprises a pivot end.

3. The tactile switch of claim 2 , wherein the slideable lever body further comprises a lever arm that extends from the pivot end and has opposing first and second surfaces, such that the first surface of the lever arm receives a surface of the button interposer, and the second surface of the lever arm is coupled to the dome switch.

4. The tactile switch of claim 3 , wherein the slideable lever body further comprises a handle that extends from the lever body through an opening in a surface of the housing.

5. The tactile switch of claim 1 , wherein the button interposer is hat shaped.

6. The tactile switch of claim 1 , wherein the button interposer includes flanges movable to interface the button interposer and the housing.

7. The tactile switch of claim 1 , wherein the dome switch is rectangular shaped.

8. A user input device, comprising:
a device housing; and
a tactile switch mounted to the device housing, the tactile switch comprising:
a switch housing;
a button interposer;
a dome switch contained in the switch housing that is configured to be actuated by pressing the button interposer; and
an adjustment mechanism including a slideable lever body and contained at least partially in the switch housing, the slideable lever body configured to be slid to enable an amount of force used to press the button interposer to actuate the dome switch to be adjusted.

9. The user input device of claim 8 , wherein the slideable lever body comprises a pivot end.

10. The user input device of claim 9 , wherein the slideable lever body further comprises a lever arm that extends from the pivot end and has opposing first and second surfaces, such that the first surface of the lever arm receives a surface of the button interposer, and the second surface of the lever arm is coupled to the dome switch.

11. The user input device of claim 10 , wherein the slideable lever body further comprises a handle that extends from the lever body through an opening in a surface of the switch housing.

12. The user input device of claim 8 , wherein the button interposer is hat shaped.

13. The user input device of claim 8 , wherein the button interposer includes flanges movable to interface the button interposer and the switch housing.

14. The user input device of claim 8 , wherein the dome switch is rectangular shaped.

15. A method for a tactile switch, comprising:
configuring a button interposer of the tactile switch to be pres sable to actuate a dome switch in a housing of the tactile switch; and
configuring a slideable lever body of an adjustment mechanism of the tactile switch to be slid to enable an amount of force used to press the button interposer to actuate the dome switch to be adjustable.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the slideable lever body comprises a pivot end.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the slideable lever body further comprises a lever arm that extends from the pivot end and has opposing first and second surfaces, such that the first surface of the lever arm receives a surface of the button interposer, and the second surface of the lever arm is coupled to the dome switch.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the slideable lever body further comprises a handle that extends from the lever body through an opening in a surface of the housing.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the button interposer includes flanges movable to interface the button interposer and the housing.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the button interposer is hat shaped.

Assignees

• Microsoft Technology Licensing Llc

Inventors

• Schmitz Aaron

Classifications

• H01H2215/028

  alterable · CPC title

• H01H2003/323

  the mechanisms being adjustable · CPC title

• H01H13/85

  characterised by tactile feedback features · CPC title

• H01H13/20 Primary

  Driving mechanisms · CPC title

• H01H2227/034

  Regulation of operating force · CPC title