PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9934915-B2
Application Number: US-201514736151-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Reduced layer keyboard stack-up

Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a stack-up for an input device. The stack-up may include a flexible substrate having a switch and a light source. The switch has at least two contacts that are bridged in response to actuation of a dome that is positioned above the switch. The flexible substrate includes a signal trace for detecting the actuation of the dome and a power trace for providing power to the light source.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A keyboard assembly comprising:
 a top case defining a keyhole within which a ledge extends partially across the keyhole and defines an opening; 
 a stack-up positioned on a top surface of the ledge and comprising:
 a keycap; 
 a dome positioned below the keycap; and 
 a switch positioned below the dome; and 
 
 a flexible substrate operably coupled to the switch and extending through the opening. 
 
     
     
       2. The keyboard assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a signal trace formed on the flexible substrate for detecting actuation of the switch. 
     
     
       3. The keyboard assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the ledge has a secondary thickness less than a primary thickness of the top case. 
     
     
       4. The keyboard assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a deflection layer positioned between the dome and the switch. 
     
     
       5. The keyboard assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the top case is at least partially flexible. 
     
     
       6. The keyboard assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a light source coupled to the flexible substrate. 
     
     
       7. The keyboard assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a power trace formed on the flexible substrate for providing power to the light source. 
     
     
       8. The keyboard assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the light source is a light-emitting diode. 
     
     
       9. An input assembly comprising:
 a top case defining a keyhole within which a ledge extends partially across the keyhole and defines an opening; 
 a keycap positioned at least partially in the keyhole; 
 a hinge mechanism positioned below and coupled to the keycap; 
 a switch positioned between the keycap and above the ledge; 
 a substrate extending from within the keyhole through the opening. 
 
     
     
       10. The input assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the hinge mechanism is coupled to the substrate on a first side. 
     
     
       11. The input assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the substrate is coupled to the ledge on a second side opposite to the first side. 
     
     
       12. The input assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the switch includes a signal trace and a power trace, wherein a signal is sent along the signal trace in response to the movement of the keycap. 
     
     
       13. The input assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a light source coupled to the substrate and the power trace. 
 
     
     
       14. An electronic device comprising:
 a casing defining a keyhole; 
 a support structure extending partially across the keyhole and defining an opening within the keyhole; 
 an input stackup disposed in the keyhole and comprising:
 a keycap; 
 a switch positioned below the keycap; and 
 
 a flexible substrate operably coupled to the switch and extending through the opening. 
 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 14 , further comprising a deflection layer positioned between the keycap and the switch. 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein switch comprises concentric contacts. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the casing has a first thickness and the support structure has a second thickness that is less than the thickness of the casing. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 14 , further comprising an actuation mechanism configured to bridge contacts of the switch, the actuation mechanism disposed between the keycap and the switch. 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the actuation mechanism comprises conductive material disposed on a surface of the actuation mechanism; and 
 the conductive material is configured to bridge the contacts of the switch.

Description:
FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to an assembly for an input device. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to a keyboard stack-up for a keyboard assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices typically include one or more input devices such as keyboards, touchpads, mice, or touchscreens to enable a user to interact with the device. These input devices can be integrated into an electronic device or can stand alone as discrete devices that transmit signals to the electronic device via a wired or wireless connection. 
     A conventional keyboard typically includes a dome switch, two layers (typically plastic) separated by a spacer and a contact switch coupled to a printed circuit board. Upon actuation of the dome, the first layer deflects and comes into contact with the second layer. As the layers contact one another, the switch closes and ultimately provides a detectable input. However, as more layers are included in the keyboard assembly, the overall thickness of the keyboard assembly increases. When a keyboard or other input device is integrated with an electronic device, particularly small or thin form factor electronic devices, the increased thickness of the keyboard assembly or input device may be undesirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     Generally, embodiments disclosed herein are directed to an input assembly. The input assembly includes a top case defining a keyhole. The keyhole has a support structure that extends from a base of the opening to form a ledge or platform. The input assembly also includes a stack-up positioned on the support structure. The stack-up includes a substrate, an in-plane switch coupled to the substrate, and a dome positioned above the in-plane switch. The dome is adapted to cause the in-plane switch to conduct a signal in response to actuation of the dome. 
     Also disclosed is a stack-up for an input device. The stack-up includes a substrate. In some embodiments, the substrate may be flexible. A switch having at least two contacts is coupled to the substrate. An optional light source may also be coupled to the substrate. The stack-up also includes a dome positioned above the switch. Actuation of the dome causes a conductive material positioned above the switch to bridge the at least two contacts of the switch. The substrate contains a signal trace for detecting the actuation of the dome. When the light source is present, the substrate also includes a power trace for providing power to the light source. 
     In yet another embodiment, a stack-up for an input device may include a flexible substrate having a signal trace formed thereon. The stack-up also includes a switch having at least two contacts and a dome positioned above the switch. A conductive material may be integrated with a bottom surface of the dome. The conductive material of the dome bridges the at least two contacts of the switch in response to actuation of the dome. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example electronic device that may use the keyboard assembly and keyboard stack-up described herein according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example keyboard assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates an example reduced layer keyboard stack-up including a keycap and a hinge mechanism according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrate a top-down view of an example in-plane switch according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example reduced layer keyboard stack-up including a keycap and a hinge mechanism according to one or more alternate embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-section view of an example keyboard assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     The following disclosure relates generally to various layers of components that form a keyboard assembly or an input assembly for an input device. The layers of the components are referred to herein as a “stack-up.” More specifically, the disclosure is directed to a reduced layer keyboard stack-up for a keyboard assembly or other input assembly of an electronic device. The stack-up may be reduced in size and some components or layers of the stack-up may be removed to reduce the overall size, dimension and/or thickness of the keyboard or input device. 
     Conventional keyboard stack-ups often include at least three discrete layers with each layer having a different thickness. More specifically, conventional keyboard stack-ups include a switch mounted on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membrane, a backlight layer that includes one or more light sources and one or more light guides, and a structural layer typically made of a stainless steel sheet metal. As the PET membrane deflects, electrical traces associated with the switch contact each other for an electrical make. 
     In contrast, the keyboard stack-up of the present disclosure uses a flexible substrate (such as a flex circuit) as the bottom layer for the switch. As such, one or more light sources may be coupled to the flexible substrate such that they are on the same layer as the switch. More specifically, the keyboard stack-up of the present disclosure utilizes an in-plane switch that enables the keyboard stack-up to have fewer layers, thereby reducing the overall thickness of the keyboard stack-up and any associated keyboard. Because the keyboard stack-up utilizes a flexible substrate, the keyboard stack-up, or an associated keyboard, may be manipulated, bent, or otherwise deflected, at least at particular points or portions. The reduced profile and the ability of the keyboard stack-up to be manipulated in such a manner may enable a keyboard assembly, and more particularly a top case of a keyboard assembly, to have additional support structures and/or increased thickness without increasing or unduly increasing the overall thickness of the keyboard and/or the electronic device. As such, the keyboard assembly may be used with electronic devices having a small form factor and/or a thin profile. 
     The reduced layer keyboard stack-up includes a flexible substrate, a dome, an in-plane switch and an optional light source. The in-plane switch and the light source are coupled to the flexible substrate. In some embodiments, the flexible substrate may also be laminated or coupled to a printed circuit board or other stiffener. 
     The in-plane switch includes two or more contacts that are bridged in response to contact from a conductive material. More specifically, as the dome is actuated, collapses or is otherwise compressed, a conductive material, either on a deflection layer of the stack-up or on the dome is brought into contact with the two or more contacts of the in-plane switch to conduct a signal. The signal may be transmitted along a signal trace that is embedded in or otherwise provided on the flexible substrate. In addition, a power trace may also be provided in or on the flexible substrate to provide power to the light source. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example electronic device  100  that may use the keyboard assembly and keyboard stack-up described above and herein. In a non-limiting example, the electronic device  100  may be a laptop computer having an integrated keyboard  110 . The keyboard  110  may include various keys  120 . The keys  120  may each be associated with a respective keyboard stack-up such as described herein. Further, each key  120  may be supported by a support structure of a top case such as described below. 
     While a laptop computer is specifically shown and described, the electronic device  100  may be configured as any electronic device that may utilize the keyboard assembly and/or the keyboard stack-up described herein. For example, the electronic device  100  may be a desktop computer, a tablet computing device, a smartphone, a gaming device, a display, a digital music player, a wearable computing device or display, a health monitoring device, and so on. In addition, while a keyboard is specifically mentioned, the embodiments described herein may be used in a variety of input devices such as, buttons, switches and so on. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of an example keyboard assembly  200  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The keyboard assembly  200  may be used with an electronic device, such as, for example, a laptop computer shown in  FIG. 1  or other such electronic device. 
     The keyboard assembly  200  includes a top case  210 . The top case  210  may take the form of an exterior protective casing or shell for the electronic device. The top case  210  may also protect the various internal components of the electronic device including a keyboard stack-up array  250 . 
     Top case  210  may be formed as a single, integral component. The top case  210  may be coupled to a bottom case which is not shown for clarity. The top case  210  may have a group of distinct components that may be configured to be coupled to one another. In non-limiting examples, top case  210  may be made from metal, a ceramic, a rigid plastic or another polymer, a fiber-matrix composite, and so on. 
     The top case  210  may define or otherwise include one or more openings or keyholes  220 . The keyholes  220  may be configured to receive keycaps  240  that are associated with each key of a keyboard. The keycaps  240  may partially protrude or otherwise extend from the top case  210  through the keyholes  220 . In addition, each keycap  240  may be at least partially surrounded by a portion of the top case  210 . Stated another way, the keyholes  220  that are formed in the top case  210  cause ribs  230  to be formed in the top case  210 . The ribs  230  are positioned between the keycaps  240  to divide and separate each key of the keyboard. The ribs  230  may provide structural support for the top case  210 . 
     The keyboard assembly  200  also includes a keyboard stack-up array  250 . The keyboard stack-up array  250  includes multiple keyboard stack-ups  260  (shown in detail in B-B) secured within or otherwise coupled to a frame  270 . In some implementations, the frame  270 , or portions of the frame  270  may be flexible or bendable. For example, different portions of the frame  270  may be coupled to individual keyboard stack-ups  260 . As such, the frame  270  may enable each individual keyboard stack-up  260  to move independently of one another. Thus, each keyboard stack-up  260  may be inserted into respective keyholes  220  and supported by a support structure of the top case  210 . 
     Each keyboard stack-up  260  in the keyboard stack-up array  250  may be similar to the keyboard stack-up described below. That is, each keyboard stack-up  260  may include a substrate, an in-plane switch (not shown) a dome  280  positioned over the in-plane switch, a light source  290 , a signal trace and a power trace. 
     The frame  270  may have similar pattern or structure as the ribs  230  of the top case  210 . Accordingly, the frame  270  may provide added structural support for the top case  210 . The frame  270  may have various signal traces and/or power traces formed thereon for each light source  290  and in-plane switch coupled to respective keyboard stack-ups  260 . 
     In alternative embodiments, the keyboard assembly  200  may be used to create a flexible keyboard. In such embodiments, the top case  210  may be omitted or may be formed from a flexible material. The flexible material, and more specifically the flexible keyboard, may have a maximum bend radius such that components (e.g., traces, switches and so on) of the keyboard assembly are not damaged. In other implementations, each component of the keyboard stack-up  260  may be placed or otherwise coupled to a flex. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates an example reduced layer keyboard stack-up  300  including a keycap  310  and a hinge mechanism  320  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The keycap  310  may be coupled to the hinge mechanism  320  using one or more retaining features  325 . The hinge mechanism  320  enables the keycap  310  to move from an uncompressed state to a compressed state and vice versa. Example hinge mechanisms  320  include, but are not limited to, a butterfly hinge mechanism, a scissor hinge mechanism, a telescoping hinge mechanism, a sliding hinge mechanism and so on. The hinge mechanism  320  may also be coupled to a substrate  330  of the keyboard stack-up  300 . 
     The substrate  330  of the keyboard stack-up  300  may be flexible. In other implementations, the substrate  330  may be a printed circuit board. The various layers (including additional plastic or deflection layers not shown in the figures) of the keyboard stack-up  300  may be laminated or otherwise coupled to a printed circuit board or a flex. Further, some of the connections or traces may be provided on or otherwise formed on the printed circuit board and/or the flex and provided to the components of the keyboard stack-up  300 . 
     Multiple keyboard stack-ups  300  may be coupled together to form a keyboard stack-up array, such as, for example, keyboard stack-up array  250  ( FIG. 2 ). Accordingly, each key of a keyboard may have a discrete keyboard stack-up  300 . As such, each key of a keyboard may have its own keycap  310 , hinge mechanism  320 , light source  340  and so on. Accordingly, each key of the keyboard may be illuminated by its own light source  340  and the illumination of each key may be separately tuned or otherwise adjusted. 
     Each keyboard stack-up  300  in the array may be inserted into or otherwise coupled to a top case of a keyboard assembly such as described herein. More specifically, a top case of the keyboard assembly may include a ledge or other support structure that is adapted to receive and support an individual keyboard stack-up  300  or multiple keyboard stack-ups  300 . 
     The keyboard stack-up  300  may also include a stiffener. The stiffener may provide additional structural support for the keyboard stack-up  300 . The stiffener may be aluminum, stainless steel, plastic or other such material. Stiffeners of varying thicknesses may be used depending on the stiffness of the substrate  330  and/or the desired stiffness of the keyboard stack-up  300 . In other implementations, the stiffener may be omitted. 
     In embodiments where the substrate  330  is a printed circuit board, a stiffener may not be required. Optionally, where the substrate  330  is a flexible substrate (such as a flex circuit), a stiffener may be coupled to the flexible substrate to provide additional structural support for the keyboard stack-up  300  and/or a top case of the electronic device in which the keyboard stack-up  300  is placed. In some embodiments, the flexible substrate or other such flexible material may be coupled to a printed circuit board. 
     The keyboard stack-up  300  may also include a light source  340 . The light source  340  may be coupled to an optional light guide to illuminate the keycap  310 . The keycap  310  may also include a glyph on an exposed surface. The glyph may be transparent or substantially transparent to enable light from the light source  340  to pass through the glyph and illuminate the keycap  310 . In some implementations, the keycap  310  may be substantially opaque while the glyph is transparent or substantially transparent. In some implementations, the perimeter of the keycap  310  may also be illuminated. The light source  340  is coupled to the substrate  330  and receives power from a power trace that is printed, formed or otherwise disposed in or on the substrate  330 . In some embodiments, the light source  340  is a light-emitting diode although other light sources may be used. 
     The keyboard stack-up  300  also includes an in-plane switch  350 . Although an in-plane switch  350  is specifically mentioned, various switches may be used. The in-plane switch  350  may be coupled to the substrate  330 . In some implementations, the base of the in-plane switch  350  may be the substrate  330 . For example, and as previously explained, the substrate  330  may be a flexible substrate or a flex and the flexible substrate or the flex is the base of the in-plane switch  350 . 
     The contacts (e.g., outer contact  353  and inner contact  355 ) of the in-plane switch  350  may be planar or substantially planar with respect to a surface of the substrate  330 . In other implementations, the contacts of the in-plane switch  350  may protrude or extend from the substrate  330 . In yet other implementations, the contacts may be recessed with respect to the substrate  330 . 
     The in-plane switch  350  may include two (or more) contacts. Specifically, the in-plane switch  350  may have an outer contact  353  and an inner contact  355 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , which is a top-down view of the in-plane switch  350 , the outer contact  353  and the inner contact  355  may be concentric. That is, the inner contact  355  may be surrounded by the outer contact  353 . 
     In some implementations a trace may connect the inner contact  355  with the outer contact  353 . Thus, contact by a conductive material on either the inner contact  355  or the outer contact  353  may cause the in-plane switch  350  to conduct a signal. In other implementations, each of the inner contact  355  and outer contact  353  may have separate traces. In such an implementation, a signal is conducted when a conductive material contacts both the inner contact  355  and the outer contact  353 . Because the traces are in-plane with the contacts or may otherwise be formed in or on the substrate  330 , the outer contact  353  may have a gap that allows the trace of the inner contact  355  to connect with the inner contact  355  but not the outer contact  353 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3A , when a conductive material  360 , such as, for example a silver pad, contacts the inner contact  355  and/or the outer contact  353  (depending on the implementations described above) of the in-plane switch  350  though actuation of the keycap  310  and/or collapse of the dome  380 , the conductive material  360  bridges the contacts to create an electrical connection. The electrical connection generates a signal indicative of the received input. In other implementations, the conductive material  360  may short a connection or otherwise draw power down between the inner contact  355  and the outer contact  353  thereby generating a signal indicative of received input. 
     Although a silver pad is specifically mentioned in the example above, other conductive materials may be used. In addition, once the signal is generated, it may be transmitted on a signal trace formed on, integrated with or otherwise printed on the substrate  330 . 
     The keyboard stack-up  300  also includes a dome  380  coupled to a deflection layer  370  and positioned over the in-plane switch  350 . The dome  380  and the deflection layer  370  may also be placed over the light source  340 . As such, one or both of the dome  380  and the deflection layer  370  may be transparent or at least partially transparent and may act as a light guide such that light may pass though and illuminate the keycap  310 . 
     The deflection layer  370  may include a conductive material positioned in and/or on a bottom surface. The deflection layer  370  may be thermoplastic polymer such as, for example, polyethylene terephthalate. Although a specific example has been given, the deflection layer  370  may be made from various materials. 
     In some embodiments, the dome  380  is a rubber dome. In other embodiments, the dome may be a plastic dome, a metal dome or may be made from various other materials. The dome  380  is configured to collapse, be deformed or otherwise compress in response to actuation of the dome  380  and/or the keycap  310 . While a dome  380  is specifically shown and described, the dome  380  may be optional or may be replaced by a spring, a plunger on a keycap  310  and other such mechanisms that may be used to deflect or actuate the deflection layer  370  or bridge the contacts of the in-plane switch  350 . 
     As the dome  380  is compressed, a nub  385  or other portion of the dome  380  causes the deflection layer  370 , and more specifically, the conductive material  360  on the bottom surface of the deflection layer  370 , to deflect toward the contacts of the in-plane switch  350 . Once the conductive material  360  comes into contact with the contacts of the in-plane switch  350 , a signal indicative of which key or button of the electronic device has been actuated is generated and transmitted along the signal trace of the substrate  330  to an associated electronic device or a dedicated processing element in the keyboard. When the dome  380  returns to its nominal state, the deflection layer  370  also returns to its nominal state and the conductive material  360  is removed from the contacts of the in-plane switch  350 . 
     The keyboard stack-up  300  may also have one or more spacers  390  positioned between the substrate  330  and the deflection layer  370 . The spacers  390  may be used to provide separation between the conductive material  360  and the contacts of the in-plane switch  350 . In addition, the spacers  390  may assist the deflection layer  370  in returning to its nominal state. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example reduced layer keyboard stack-up  400  according to one or more alternate embodiments of the present disclosure. The reduced layer keyboard stack-up  400  is generally the same as the reduced layer keyboard stack-up  300  shown and described with respect to  FIG. 3A  but without the deflection layer  370 . 
     As such, the reduced layer keyboard stack-up  400  includes a keycap  410 , a hinge mechanism  420 , a substrate  430 , an optional light source  440 , and an in-plane switch  450 . The light source  440  is configured to illuminate the keycap  410  while the in-plane switch  450  is configured to detect actuation of keycap  410  and/or dome  470  of the keyboard stack-up  400 . The contacts of the in-plane switch  450  may be concentric. For example, the in-plane switch  450  may have an outer contact  453  and an inner contact  455 . The substrate  430  may also include a power trace for providing power to the light source  440  and may include a signal trace for transmitting a signal generated by the in-plane switch  450 . 
     The substrate  430  of the keyboard stack-up  400  may be flexible. In other implementations, the substrate  430  is a printed circuit board. One or more stiffening layers (not shown) may also be applied to various parts of the keyboard stack-up  400  such as described above. The keyboard stack-up  400  also includes a dome  470 . The dome  470  may be similar to the dome  380  described above. The dome  470  may be directly coupled, laminated or adhered to the flex or substrate  430 . 
     The keyboard stack-up  400  does not include a deflection layer as the keyboard stack-up  300  of  FIG. 3A . However, in lieu of a deflection layer, the dome  470  may include a conductive material  460  disposed on a nub  475  or other surface of the dome  470 . In some implementations, the conductive material  460  may be co-molded or otherwise integrated with the dome  470 . In other implementations, the conductive material  460  is surface mounted to the dome  470 . In yet other implementations, the conductive material  460  may be painted, etched or printed on the nub  475  or other surface of the dome  470 . As with the conductive material disclosed above, the conductive material  460  in the present embodiment may be configured to bridge a connection between the contacts of the in-plane switch  450  when the keycap  410  and/or the dome  470  is actuated or collapsed. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-section view of an example keyboard assembly  500  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The cross-section view shown in  FIG. 5  may be taken along A-A of  FIG. 2  when the keyboard assembly  200  is assembled. 
     The keyboard assembly  500  may include a top case  510 . The top case  510  may have a first thickness and may further include a keyhole  520  and a support structure  530 . The support structure  530  may have a thickness that is less than the thickness of the top case  510 . 
     In some embodiments, the support structure  530  may extend from the top case  510  and may also provide structural support for the top case  510 . More specifically, the support structure  530  may extend from the top case  510  and may also extend at least partially into the keyhole  520  to form a ledge. The support structure  530  also defines an opening  540  on a bottom surface of the top case  510 . The support structure  530  also supports the substrate  550  (or flex) and the dome of the keyboard stack-up  560 . 
     The opening  540  receives a keyboard stack-up  560  which may be placed on or coupled to the ledge of the support structure  530  such that the support structure is underneath substrate of the keyboard stack-up  560 . For example, a respective keyboard stack-up  560  of a keyboard stack-up array (such as the keyboard stack-up array  250  shown in  FIG. 2 ) may be inserted or otherwise threaded through the opening  540  on a bottom of the top case  510 . Once inserted, a keycap  570  may be coupled to the keyboard stack-up  560  via the keyhole  520  disposed on a top surface of the top case  510 . As such, the support structure  530  provides structural support for the keyboard stack-up  560  and also provides structural support for the keyboard assembly  500 . 
     For example, the support structure  530  may prevent undesired deflection of the keyboard stack-up  560  during use and/or during manufacture and may also prevent a keycap  570  from plunging under the top case  510  or under the ribs (e.g., ribs  230  of  FIG. 2 ) of the top case  510 . 
     As with the other keyboard stack-ups described herein, the keyboard stack-up  560  operates as previously described. 
     The keyboard stack-up  560 , and more specifically the components of the keyboard stack-up  560  may be sealed (e.g., liquid sealed) to the substrate  550  of the keyboard stack-up  560 . In some embodiments, the keyboard stack-up  560  may also include one or more air pockets or vents on a bottom surface that permit the structure to cool and to evacuate air under the dome when the dome collapses. 
     Although discussed herein as a keyboard assembly, it is understood that the disclosed embodiments can be used as an input assembly for any depressible input mechanism such as, for example, a button, and may be used in a variety of input devices and/or electronic devices. That is, the keyboard stack-up, and the components of the keyboard stack-up disclosed herein may be utilized or implemented in a variety of input devices for an electronic device including, but not limited to buttons, switches, toggles, wheels, touch screens and so on. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20150610
Publication Date: 20180403
Grant Date: 20180403
Priority Date: 20150610
Inventors: CAO ROBERT Y.
MATHEW DINESH C.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01H2209/03", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H3/125", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2223/034", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2215/006", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2219/036", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2231/042", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/023", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/705", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/702", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/704", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/704", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2231/042", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2223/034", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2219/036", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2215/006", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2209/03", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/705", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/704", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H3/125", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2231/042", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2223/034", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2219/036", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2215/006", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2209/03", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/705", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H3/125", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/023", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/702", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 57055668