Patent ID: 8243442
Filing Date: 2012-08-14
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. An integrated dome button assembly, comprising: an actuator; a button feature integrally formed with the actuator, the actuator arranged to receive the mechanical force applied by the button feature; a flexible membrane mechanically coupled to the actuator, the flexible membrane being formed of a resilient, electrically conductive material, wherein the flexible membrane is held at a first electrical potential; and an electrical contact connected to an electrical circuit, the electrical contact being at a second electrical potential, the second electrical potential being different from the first electrical potential, wherein the integrated dome button assembly is engaged when the actuator applies a mechanical force to the flexible membrane causing the flexible membrane to deflect to a point of contact with the electrical contact thereby changing the electrical potential of the electrical contact from the second electrical potential to the first electrical potential, wherein the change in potential of the electrical contact is detected by the electrical circuit as a signal and the electrical contact is connected to the electrical circuit by way of a flexible connector; wherein the flexible membrane is a dome shaped membrane having an apex portion directly aligned with the actuator and a central portion of the electrical contact, and the flexible membrane is mechanically attached to, supported by and electrically coupled to an electrical conductive base support plate, wherein the electrically conductive base support plate is held at the first electrical potential and the base support plate maintains the flexible membrane at the first electrical potential.