Force-detecting input structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018024683-A1
Application number	US-201615219253-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 25, 2016
Priority date	Jul 25, 2016
Publication date	Jan 25, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

An input mechanism, such as a crown, detects amounts of applied force. In various examples, an assembly including an input mechanism has an enclosure; a stem coupled to the enclosure such that the stem is rotatable, translatable, and transversely moveable with respect to the enclosure; a sensor, coupled between the stem and the housing, to which force is transferred when the stem moves with respect to the housing; and a processing unit coupled to the sensor. The processing unit is operable to determine a measurement of the force, based on a signal from the sensor.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An electronic device, comprising:
a housing; a collar, coupled to the housing, comprising:
a moveable conductor;
a conductive element; and
a separation defined between the moveable conductor and the conductive element; and
an input structure extending from the collar; wherein movement of the input structure changes a capacitance between the moveable conductor and the conductive element.

2 . The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising a processing unit operative to determine an amount of force applied to the input structure based on the change in capacitance.

3 . The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising silicone disposed within the separation.

4 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the conductive element comprises a flex circuit that extends through at least part of the collar into the housing.

5 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the collar comprises:
an inner core to which the conductive element is coupled; and a compliant material disposed in the separation that couples the conductive element and the moveable conductor.

6 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the input structure is operable to move without changing the capacitance between the moveable conductor and the conductive element.

7 . An input mechanism assembly, comprising:
an enclosure; a stem coupled to the enclosure, such that the stem is:
rotatable with respect to the enclosure;
translatable toward and away from the enclosure; and
transversely moveable with respect to the enclosure;
a sensor, coupled between the stem and the enclosure, to which force is transferred when the stem moves transversely with respect to the enclosure; and a processing unit, coupled to the sensor, operable to determine a measurement of the force, based on a signal from the sensor.

8 . The input mechanism assembly of claim 7 , wherein the processing unit is operative to determine a direction in which the stem moves transversely.

9 . The input mechanism assembly of claim 7 , wherein the sensor comprises a strain gauge.

10 . The input mechanism assembly of claim 7 , wherein the sensor comprises:
a first conductor; a second conductor; and a dielectric separating the first and second conductors.

11 . The input mechanism assembly of claim 10 , wherein the dielectric comprises a compliant material.

12 . The input mechanism assembly of claim 7 , further comprising:
a collar coupled to the enclosure; wherein the sensor couples the stem to the collar.

13 . The input mechanism assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a wireless transmission mechanism that wirelessly couples the processing unit and the sensor.

14 . The input mechanism assembly of claim 7 , further comprising:
an additional sensor coupled between the stem and the processing unit; wherein the processing unit is operable to determine a measurement of a force that translates the stem, based on a signal from the additional sensor.

15 . An electronic device, comprising:
a body; a coupler positioned at least partially within the body; an input mechanism, connected to the coupler, operable to move with respect to the body; a capacitive sensor, coupled to the input mechanism, to which force is transferred when the input mechanism moves; and a processing unit operable to ascertain an amount of the force based on a change in a capacitance of the capacitive sensor.

16 . The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein the coupler includes the capacitive sensor.

17 . The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein the capacitive sensor comprises:
a first capacitive element; a second capacitive element; and a compliant material positioned between the first and second capacitive elements; wherein the compliant material:
extends between the coupler and the body; and
seals the coupler to the body.

18 . The electronic device of claim 17 , wherein a change in proximity between the first and second capacitive elements is proportional to the amount of the force.

19 . The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein the input mechanism moves transverse with respect to the body.

20 . The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein a portion of the input mechanism moves closer to the body.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Ely Colin M
• De Jong Erik G
• Rothkopf Fletcher R

Classifications

• G04G21/00

  Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces · CPC title

• G06F3/0346

  with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a three-dimensional [3D] space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors · CPC title

• H03K2217/960755

  Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches · CPC title

• H03K17/975

  using a capacitive movable element · CPC title

• G06F3/0362 Primary

  with detection of one-dimensional [1D] translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts · CPC title