Dome switch stack and method for making the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9786449-B2
Application number	US-201313788167-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 7, 2013
Priority date	Mar 7, 2013
Publication date	Oct 10, 2017
Grant date	Oct 10, 2017

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing input component assemblies for dome switches are provided. In some embodiments, an input component assembly may include a contact area coupled to a circuit board for a switch, a conductive covering for enclosing the circuit board, and a dome positioned over the conductive covering, where the dome is operative to close at least one circuit of the switch when the dome is depressed towards the conductive covering.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An input component assembly comprising:
a support layer;
a conductive covering having an exterior surface attached along the support layer and defining an enclosed volume;
a circuit board positioned within the enclosed volume and attached along an interior surface of the conductive covering that is opposite to the exterior surface, the circuit board including a contact area; and
a dome positioned above the conductive covering, wherein:
the dome is operative to displace the conductive covering toward the circuit board and cause the conductive covering to contact the contact area.

2. The input component assembly of claim 1 , wherein the conductive covering is made from conductive silicon.

3. The input component assembly of claim 1 , wherein the conductive covering is water resistant.

4. The input component assembly of claim 1 , wherein the contact area is a conductive copper pad.

5. The input component assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a secondary contact area positioned between an inner surface of the conductive covering and a circuit board, wherein the contact area is positioned above the circuit board and the secondary contact area is positioned below the circuit board.

6. The input component assembly of claim 5 , wherein the circuit board is a flexible printed circuit board.

7. The input component assembly of claim 1 , the conductive covering is a conductor of a capacitor, and the input component assembly further comprising:
a terminal positioned opposite the conductive covering and operative to serve as another conductor of the capacitor; and
a controller operative to measure a change in capacitance of the capacitor and close at least one circuit in response to a measured change.

8. A method for forming a switch assembly comprising:
encircling a circuit board including a contact area within a conductive covering such that the circuit board is enclosed within an enclosed volume defined by the conductive covering, wherein the encircling comprises attaching the circuit board along an interior surface of the conductive covering;
attaching an exterior surface of the conductive covering along a support layer; and
fitting an actuator above the conductive covering, wherein:
depression of the actuator causes a portion of the conductive covering to contact the contact area, thereby triggering a switch event.

9. The method of forming a switch assembly of claim 8 , further comprising:
a controller electrically coupled to the contact area, and wherein the controller is operative to measure a change in a capacitance value and close at least one circuit in response to a measured change.

10. An electronic device comprising:
a housing comprising an opening therethrough;
a button positioned in the opening;
a dome positioned below the button;
a conductive covering positioned below the dome and defining an enclosed volume; and
a circuit board positioned within the enclosed volume and attached along an interior surface of the conductive covering, the circuit board including a contact area, wherein
the dome is operative to displace the conductive covering and cause the conductive covering to contact the contact area.

11. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the conductive covering is made from conductive silicon.

12. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the conductive covering is water resistant.

13. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the contact area is a conductive copper pad.

14. The electronic device of claim 10 , further comprising:
a secondary contact area positioned between an inner surface of the conductive covering and the circuit board, wherein the contact area is positioned above the circuit board and the secondary contact area is positioned below the circuit board.

15. The electronic device of claim 14 , wherein the circuit board is a flexible printed circuit board.

16. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the conductive covering is a conductor of a capacitor, and the electronic device further comprising:
a terminal positioned opposite the conductive covering and operative to serve as another conductor of the capacitor; and
a controller operative to measure a change in capacitance of the capacitor and close at least one circuit in response to the measured change.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Dinh Richard Hung Minh
• Hooton Lee E

Classifications

• Y10T29/49105

  Switch making · CPC title

• H01H2239/006

  Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such · CPC title

• H01H2215/006

  Only mechanical function · CPC title

• H03K17/962

  Capacitive touch switches · CPC title

• H01H13/88

  Processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards · CPC title