PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9653228-B2
Application Number: US-19432308-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Cosmetic dome switch

Abstract:
The systems and methods described herein are directed to a switch for use in an electronic device. The switching assembly may include an elastically deformable actuator having a conductive inner surface and a cosmetic outer surface. The actuator may be disposed on an exterior surface of an enclosure that houses an electric circuit board of the electronic device. The enclosure may have one or more openings for providing an electrical connection between the actuator and the enclosed circuit of the electronic device. When the actuator is pressed, an electrical circuit may be closed and electric current may flow through the conductive inner surface of the actuator. The actuator may be combined with a perimeter element for snapping on and off the enclosure.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing for enclosing circuitry, the housing comprising an exterior surface of the electronic device and having an indentation within the exterior surface; 
 a perimeter element disposed along a perimeter of the indentation and encircling a dome; and 
 the dome attached to the housing using the perimeter element, the dome having an inner conducting surface operative to contact at least one electrical contact of the circuitry and an outer surface operative to receive a user actuation. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter element is co-molded around a perimeter of the dome. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter element is mechanically coupled to the housing along the perimeter of the indentation. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein the housing comprises a recess extending around the perimeter of the indentation and shaped to receive the perimeter element such that the perimeter element is operative to engage with the indentation to attach to the housing. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein the perimeter element is snap fit to the housing along the perimeter of the indentation. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein the perimeter element is press fit to the housing along the perimeter of the indentation. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter element comprises an elastomer. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a plurality of retention openings near a perimeter of the indentation, and the perimeter element includes one or more retention legs adapted to be inserted in the retention openings for attaching the dome to the housing. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is adapted to accommodate a board. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the dome is exposed for direct actuation by the user. 
     
     
       11. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing for enclosing circuitry, the housing comprising an external surface and a plurality of indentations formed within the external surface; 
 a plurality of perimeter elements, each perimeter element disposed within a respective indentation; and 
 a plurality of domes, each dome secured within the respective indentation of the housing by a respective perimeter element, the dome having an inner conducting surface operative to contact at least one electrical contact of the circuitry and an outer surface is exposed to receive a direct user actuation. 
 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 11 , further comprising a retaining flange, wherein the retaining flange includes one or more protrusions for restricting the dome between the housing and the retaining flange. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 12 , wherein the flange is formed from at least one of metal, plastic and composite material. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 12 , wherein the flange is attached to the housing using at least one of adhesive, tape, press fit and welding. 
     
     
       15. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing for enclosing circuitry, the housing comprising an external surface and at least one retention opening within the external surface; 
 a dome having multiple posts formed around a perimeter of the dome, wherein: 
 the dome is secured within the at least one retention opening using the multiple posts; and 
 the dome having an inner conducting surface operative to contact at least one electrical contact of the circuitry and an exposed outer surface for receiving a user actuation. 
 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the multiple posts are attached to the dome by at least one of welding, soldering, co-molding and adhesion. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the multiple posts are mechanically coupled to the housing. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein the multiple posts are snap fit to the at least one retention opening. 
     
     
       19. A method of manufacturing an electronic device, comprising:
 providing a housing having electronic circuitry enclosed therein, an exterior surface that forms a top surface of the electronic device, an indentation within the exterior surface, and a plurality of openings in the indentation; 
 connecting one or more conducting elements to the circuitry such that the conducting elements pass through the plurality of openings; 
 providing a dome having an inner conducting surface operative to be electrically connected to the one or more conducting elements and an exposed outer surface operative to receive a user actuation, and a perimeter element formed on a perimeter of the dome; and 
 attaching the dome to the housing by coupling the perimeter element with a perimeter of the indentation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/994,804, filed on Sep. 21, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a switch that has cosmetic attributes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recent technological advances have facilitated the decrease in size of portable electronic devices such as portable music and video players and cellular telephones. Engineers have been able to reduce the size of circuitry and electronic components in electronic hardware such as the storage, memory and power supply units. However, the overall size of these devices is heavily influenced by the size and shape of its external mechanical components such as enclosures, input mechanisms (for example, switch components) and cosmetic components. These mechanical components pose several constraints on the reduction of the size of the devices. For example, switches used for powering or operating electronic devices can be relatively bulky because several mechanical components may be needed to transfer mechanical force applied by a user to switching an electrical circuit. Moreover, additional mechanical components may be required on the switches for cosmetic and informative purposes. 
     Typically, engineers attempt to minimize the size of these mechanical components by rearranging the device&#39;s electronic components to allow for a more compressed layout. Such rearranging can be cumbersome and at times nearly impossible given the constraints imposed by electrical circuit layouts and the size of the electronic components. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for smaller and more compact switching assemblies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The systems and methods described herein are directed to a switch for use in an electronic device. The systems and methods described herein combine the electrical and mechanical components of the switch; the actuator has a conductive inner surface that connects to an electrical circuit and a cosmetic outer surface for providing information and an input interface to a user. The systems and methods described herein provide for thinner switching assemblies thereby allowing for a reduction in the size of the electronic device. For purposes of clarity, and not by way of limitation, the systems and methods may be described herein in the context of switching assemblies that are associated with electronic devices. However, it may be understood that the systems and methods described herein may be applied to any mechanical component associated with an electronic device. 
     The systems and methods provide switching assemblies for electronic devices, for example a dome switch having a cosmetic actuator. The switching assemblies may include an elastically deformable actuator having a conductive inner surface and a cosmetic outer surface. The actuator may be disposed on an exterior surface of an enclosure that houses the electric circuit board of the electronic device. The enclosure may have one or more openings for providing an electrical connection between the actuator and the enclosed circuit of the electronic device. When the actuator is pressed or displaced, an electrical circuit may be closed and electric current may flow through the conductive inner surface of the actuator. The actuator may be combined with a perimeter element for snapping on and off the enclosure. 
     In one aspect, the systems and methods described herein may include switch assemblies for an electronic device. The switch assemblies may include a housing for enclosing circuitry. The housing may include an exterior surface having an indentation, and at least two openings in the indentation for enclosing electrical contacts connected to the circuitry. The switch assemblies may further include a cover disposed over the indentation, overlapping the at least two openings and adapted to attach to the housing. The cover may include an elastically deformable actuator having an inner conducting surface for actuating the circuitry when connected to the electrical contacts. The cover may additionally include a perimeter element formed on the perimeter of the actuator and adapted to attach to the housing along the perimeter of the indentation. In some embodiments, the exterior surface of the housing on the indentation may be adapted to accommodate a circuit board. 
     The perimeter element may be co-molded with the actuator. In some embodiments, the perimeter element may be mechanically coupled to the housing along the perimeter of the indentation. In such embodiments, the housing may include a recess extending along the perimeter of the indentation and shaped to receive the perimeter element such that the perimeter element may mechanically couple with the recess to attach to the housing. The perimeter element may snap fit or press fit to the housing along the perimeter of the indentation. Alternatively, or in addition, the perimeter element may be coupled to the housing using an adhesive tape, a mechanical fastener, or any other suitable coupling mechanism. 
     In some embodiments, the perimeter element may include a portion formed from an elastomeric material. The actuator may be formed from at least one of metal, plastic, composite material and elastomers. 
     In some embodiments, the housing includes a plurality of retention openings near the perimeter of the indentation, and the perimeter element includes one or more retention legs adapted to couple with the retention openings for attaching the cover to the housing. 
     In another aspect, the systems and methods described herein may include a switch assembly for an electronic device. The switch assembly may include a housing for enclosing circuitry, the housing including at least two openings for enclosing electrical contacts connected to the circuitry. The assembly may include a cover disposed on a surface of the housing over the at least two openings. The cover may include an elastically deformable actuator having an inner conducting surface for actuating the circuitry when connected to the electrical contacts. The cover may further include a perimeter element attached to a perimeter of the actuator. In certain embodiments, the assembly may include a retaining flange attached to the housing, disposed along the perimeter of the cover and overlapping a portion of the perimeter element. 
     In some embodiments, the flange may include one or more protrusions for restraining the cover in between the housing and the retaining flange. The flange may be formed from at least one of metal, plastic and composite materials. The flange may be attached to the housing using adhesive, tape, press fit, welding, or any other suitable attachment mechanism. 
     In yet another aspect, the systems and methods described herein may include a switch assembly for an electronic device. The switch assembly may include a housing enclosing circuitry and several retention openings. The assembly may include a cover disposed on a surface of the housing over the several retention openings. The cover may include an elastically deformable actuator having an inner conducting surface for actuating the circuitry. The cover may further include at least one retention leg attached to the actuator and configured to fit through the plurality of retention openings for attaching the cover to the housing. 
     In some embodiments, one or more retention legs may be attached to the actuator by at least one of welding, soldering, co-molding and adhesion. The retention legs may be mechanically coupled to the housing. The retention legs may occupy the retention openings and may be snap fit to the housing. 
     In still another aspect, the systems and methods described herein may include a switch assembly for an electronic device. The switch assembly may include a housing for enclosing circuitry, the housing including several openings for enclosing electrical contacts connected to the circuitry. The assembly may also include a cover disposed on a surface of the housing. The cover may include an elastically deformable actuator having an inner surface with several spaced apart conducting regions for actuating the circuitry when positioned over the several openings and connected to the electrical contacts. In some embodiments, the assembly may include a retaining flange attached to the housing and disposed along the perimeter of the cover to retain the cover in position on the housing. 
     In another aspect, the systems and methods described herein may include methods of manufacturing a switch assembly for an electronic device. The method may include providing a housing and a cover. The housing may enclose electronic circuitry, and have an indentation on an exterior surface, and several openings in the indentation. The cover may include an elastically deformable actuator having an inner conducting surface and a perimeter element formed on the perimeter of the actuator. The method may include connecting one or more conducting elements to the circuitry such that the conducting elements pass through the several openings. The cover may be attached to the housing by coupling the perimeter element with the perimeter of the indentation of the housing. 
     In still another aspect, the systems and methods described herein may include a switch assembly. The switch assembly may include a housing with an exterior surface having an indentation, and at least two openings on the exterior surface and within the indentation. The switch assembly may further include an electrical circuit board disposed within the housing such that a portion of the circuit board is accessible through the openings. The assembly may also include a cover and at least two conducting elements. The cover may be disposed over the indentation, overlapping the at least two openings and adapted to attach to the housing. The cover may include an elastically deformable actuator having an inner conducting surface. The cover may further include a perimeter element formed on the perimeter of the actuator and adapted to attach to the housing along the perimeter of the indentation. In some embodiments, the at least two conducting elements, for example conducting springs, may be disposed within the openings and connected to the electrical circuit board such that at least one of the conducting elements is connected to the inner conducting surface of the cover. The cover may electrically connect the at least two conducting elements when the elastically deformable actuator is depressed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative cosmetic dome switch assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative switch mounted in a housing using a co-molded ring in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of another illustrative switch assembled into a housing using a co-molded ring in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative switch assembled into a housing using a flange in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative switch assembly having at least one post extending from a flange in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative switch having at least one post extending from a dome in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5C  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative switch having posts extending through an aperture of a housing in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 5D and 5E  are a top view and a cross-sectional view of an illustrative switch having several tabs operative to engage a housing in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative switch assembled into a housing using a plate in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of an illustrative sheet of switches in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative switch assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative switch assembly having only one flex in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
     As will be seen from the following description, in some aspects, the systems and methods provide for switching assemblies for electronic devices (e.g., a dome switch having a cosmetic actuator). The switching assemblies may include an elastically deformable actuator having a conductive inner surface and a cosmetic outer surface. The actuator may be disposed on an exterior surface of an enclosure that houses the electric circuit board of the electronic device. The enclosure may have one or more openings for providing an electrical connection between the actuator and the enclosed circuit of the electronic device. When the actuator is pressed or moved, an electrical circuit may be closed and electric current will flow through the conductive inner surface of the actuator. The actuator may be combined with a perimeter element for snapping on and off the enclosure. 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative cosmetic switch assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Switch assembly  100  may include dome switch  110  and housing  120 . Dome switch  110  may include any suitable switch operative to be mounted in housing  120 . Housing  120  may form the outer surface of an electronic device or electronic component, for example the outer surface of a portable media device (e.g., an iPod available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), or a portable media device accessory (e.g., an audio controller for a portable media device or an in-line microphone with an input mechanism). Housing  120  may be manufactured from any suitable material using any suitable manufacturing process. For example, housing  120  may be manufactured from a metal (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel), plastic, a composite material, or any other suitable material. 
     Switch  110  may include any suitable switch. For example, switch  110  may include a dome switch. In some embodiments, switch  110  may be constructed such that it is exposed and directly actuated by the user (e.g., without a cap being placed over the dome switch). Switch  110  may include dome  112  operative to be mounted in indentation  122  of housing  120 . Dome  112  may be constructed from any suitable material, including for example metal (e.g., aluminum or steel), plastic, a composite material, an elastomer, or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, dome  112  may be finished (e.g., polished, etched, or decorated) to provide an aesthetically pleasing and cosmetic surface. Switch  110  may include surface decals, adhesives and/or other suitable markings for providing instructions and guidance to a user. Dome  112  may be constructed such that, in response to a user actuation of switch  110  (e.g., in response to a user pressing dome  112 ), dome  112  may elastically deform (e.g., into free space  114 ) such that a portion of dome  112  contacts board  130  (e.g., a flex) or spring  132  (e.g., a copper or conductive rubber flexible component) to short an electric circuit and provide an electric signal to the electronic device of assembly  100 . 
     Switch  110  may be mounted in housing  120  using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, a switch may be coupled to a housing by placing a film coupled to the housing (e.g., using an adhesive) over the switch. In some embodiments, a switch may be press fit into a housing.  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative switch mounted in a housing using a co-molded ring to form a cover in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Switch assembly  200  may include switch  210  and housing  220 . In some embodiments, dome  212  of switch  210  may be mounted in indentation  222  in the top surface of housing  220  using perimeter element or ring  214  operative to be snapped into recess  224  of housing  220 . Thus, switch  210  may be mounted in housing  220  from the outside of the housing. Ring  214  may be constructed from any suitable material, including for example plastic, metal, or an elastomer. Ring  214  may be coupled to dome  212  using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, ring  214  may be co-molded around the periphery of dome  212  to create an elastically deformable surface operative to snap into recess  224 . Outer surface  216  of ring  214  may be constructed to match recess  224  to provide a secure fit for dome  212  when it is inserted in indentation  222 . In some embodiments, the perimeter element or ring  214  may be finished (e.g., polished, etched, or decorated) to provide an aesthetically pleasing and cosmetic surface. 
     Outer surface  216  of ring  214  may have any suitable shape. In some embodiments, outer surface  216  may be constructed in a shape operative to increase the force required to remove ring  214  from recess  224 , thus preventing accidental removal of switch  210  from housing  220 .  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of another illustrative switch mounted in a housing using a co-molded ring in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Switch assembly  300  may include switch  310  and housing  320 . Dome  312  of switch  310  may include ring  314  operative to be received in recess  324  of indentation  322  of housing  320 . Outer surface  316  of ring  314  (and corresponding recess  324 ) may be constructed such that upper surface  317  of ring  314  is angled towards the outer surface of dome  312 , and extends at least to half the height of ring  314 . The amount of upper surface  317  in contact with recess  324 , the angle at which upper surface  317  extends toward the outer surface of housing  320 , and the elasticity of ring  314  may be modified to change the tightness of the fit of switch  310  in housing  320 . 
     In some embodiments, the switch may be mounted to the housing using a retaining flange placed over the dome.  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative switch mounted in a housing using a flange in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Switch assembly  400  may include switch  410  and housing  420 . Switch  410  may include dome  412  and ring  414 , which may be coupled to dome  412  using any suitable approach (e.g., co-molding). Housing  420  may include indentation  422  operative to receive dome  412  and ring  414 . To ensure that switch  410  remains enclosed in indentation  422 , assembly  400  may include flange  430  operative to be placed over at least a portion of dome  412 , ring  414 , or both. Upper surface  432  of flange  430  may be constructed such that flange  430  is flush with the outer surface of housing  420  (e.g., to provide a low profile and an aesthetically pleasing surface). Lower surface  434  of flange  430  may be constructed to match upper surface  416  of ring  414 . 
     Flange  430  may be constructed from any suitable material. For example, flange  430  may be constructed from a metal, plastic, composite material, or any other suitable material. Flange  430  may be coupled to housing  420  using any suitable approach. For example, flange  430  may be coupled to housing  420  using an adhesive, tape (e.g., clear tape), a press fit, welding (e.g., at contact point  436  between flange  430  and housing  420 ), or any other suitable approach. In some embodiments, flange  430  may include one or more posts or protrusions (e.g., snaps) operative to engage housing  420  to restrict dome  412  and ring  414  to the space between housing  420  and flange  430 . In some embodiments, one or more flanges  430  may be operative to couple several switches  410  to housing  420 . The flange  430  may be finished (e.g., polished, etched, or decorated) to provide an aesthetically pleasing and cosmetic surface. 
     In some embodiments, one or both of the dome and ring may include posts with tabs extending from the surface of the dome and ring, respectively, and operative to engage the housing.  FIGS. 5A-5E  are schematic views of illustrative switch systems having posts extending from at least one of the dome and ring in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative switch having at least one post extending from a ring in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Switch  510  may include dome  512  and ring  514 , where ring  514  may be coupled to dome  512  using any of the approaches discussed above. Switch  510  may include one or more posts  516  extending from ring  514  such that posts  516  extend away from the outer surface of dome  512  and towards the inside of a housing when switch  510  is mounted in the housing. 
       FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative switch having at least one post extending from a dome in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Switch  520  may include dome  522 , which may include one or more posts  526  extending from dome  522  such that posts  526  extend away from the outer surface of dome  522  and towards a housing when switch  520  is mounted in the housing. 
     Posts  516  and  526  may be coupled to ring  514  and dome  522 , respectively, using any suitable approach. For example, posts  516  and  526  may be welded, soldered, molded, formed, coupled using an adhesive or tape, mechanically coupled (e.g., using a press fit or a snap), heat treated (e.g., melted to ring  514  or dome  522 ), or coupled to ring  514  and dome  522 , respectively, using any other suitable approach. Posts  516  and  526  may be coupled to the housing using any suitable approach. For example, posts  516  may be coupled to the housing using one or more of a press fit, an adhesive, tape, a mechanical engagement (e.g., a snap), welding, soldering, or any other suitable approach. In some embodiments, the length of posts  516  and  526  may exceed the length required to be coupled to the housing. The excess length may allow easier placement of switch  510  or  520  in the housing by permitting the posts to be pulled or manipulated to properly place the switch in the housing. The excess length of the posts may be subsequently removed prior to completing the assembly of the electronic device or accessory (e.g., cutting the excess length once the switch is coupled to the housing). 
       FIG. 5C  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative switch having posts extending through an aperture of a housing in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Switch  520   a  may include dome  522   a  having posts  526   a  extending away from the outer surface of dome  522   a  and into an aperture of housing  528   a  when switch  520   a  is mounted in housing  528   a . Posts  526   a  may include snaps  524   a  extending from posts  526   a  in a direction perpendicular to posts  526   a  such that snaps  524   a  may engage housing  528   a  to prevent switch  520   a  from disengaging housing  528   a  (e.g., preventing switch  520   a  from being pulled towards the outer surface of housing  528   a ). In some embodiments, posts  526   a  and the aperture of housing  528   a  may be inclined such that the shape of posts  526   a  prevents switch  520   a  from passing through housing  528   a  (e.g., falling into the housing). In some embodiments, the aperture  528   a  and/or the posts  526   a  may be sized such that the posts  526   a  are prevented from passing through the housing. For example, the posts  526   a  may have a tapered diameter and the aperture  528   a  may have a diameter less than the diameter of the posts  526   a  at the widest point on the post  526   a.    
       FIGS. 5D and 5E  are a top view and a cross-sectional view of an illustrative switch having several tabs operative to engage a housing in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Switch  530  may include dome  532  and several tabs  534  and  536 . Tabs  534  and tabs  536  may extend from the periphery of dome  532  such that tabs  534  are inclined towards the top of dome  532 , and tabs  536  are inclined away from the top of dome  532 . When switch  530  is placed in an aperture of housing  540 , switch  530  may be restrained from passing through the aperture by both tabs  534  and tabs  536 . In some embodiments, a flange or other cover (not shown) may be placed over switch  530  to hide tabs  534  so as to provide an aesthetically pleasing cosmetic switch. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a switch mounted in a housing using a plate in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Switch assembly  600  may include switch  610  and housing  620 . Switch  610  may include dome  612  and ring  614 , which may be coupled to the housing  620  using any of the approaches described above. Switch  610  may be mounted in housing  620  from the bottom (e.g., from the inside of the housing, instead of snapping the switch into the housing from the outside of the housing). Housing  620  may include undercut  622  operative to receive one or both of dome  612  and ring  614 . To prevent switch  610  from disengaging undercut  622 , assembly  600  may include plate  630  operative to be coupled to housing  620  such that switch  610 , may be retained between undercut  622  and plate  630 . Plate  630  may be coupled to housing  620  using any suitable approach, including for example an adhesive, a press fit, a mechanical coupling (e.g., a snap), welding, soldering, or any other suitable approach. In some embodiments, one or more plates  630  may be operative to retain several switches  610  in housing  620 . 
     In some embodiments, a housing may include several switches (e.g., dome switches). The switches may be coupled to the housing using any suitable approach. For example, the switches may be coupled to the housing individually, or as a sheet of switches. In some embodiments, switches may be manufactured by stamping switches in a strip of material (e.g., metal), punching each individual switch, and subsequently mounting each individual switch in the housing. In some embodiments, the housing may instead include a sheet having several switches.  FIG. 7  is a schematic view of an illustrative sheet of switches in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Sheet  700  may include several switches  710  distributed in any suitable pattern. In some embodiments, the pattern used to distribute switches  710  may match the pattern of switch locations in a housing. Sheet  700  may be trimmed to fit the allowable space of a housing. If sheet  700  includes sufficient switches for several housings, a single sheet  700  may be cut and assembled in several housings. The stiffness of sheet  700  and the distance between switches  710  may be selected such that when a user actuates a particular switch  710 , other switches  710  in sheet  700  are not also actuated. 
     Each switch may be operative to provide an electrical signal indicating that the switch has been actuated using any suitable approach.  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative switch assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Switch assembly  800  may include switch  810  coupled to housing  820 . Switch  810  may be coupled to housing  820  using any suitable approach, including for example any of the approaches described above. Switch assembly may include flex  830  positioned between the interior surface of switch  810  and the upper surface of the indentation of housing  820  operative to receive switch  810 . Flex  830  may be electrically conductive such that an electrical contact of switch  810  (the inner surface of which may be conductive) with the upper surface of flex  830  may be transmitted to at least one of springs  840  and  842 . Switch assembly  800  may include flex  850 , which may be coupled to a processor or other control circuitry operative to receive electrical signals from switch  810 . 
     Switch assembly may include any suitable number of springs  840  and  842  (e.g., three springs). Springs  840  and  842  may include any suitable conductive portion operative to provide an electrically conductive path between flex  830  and flex  850  through housing  820  or springs with a conductive element (e.g. constructed from a metal or conductive rubber). For example, springs  840  and  842  may include copper springs placed in apertures of housing  820 . When switch  810  is actuated (e.g., a user presses switch  810 ), at least two points of the inner surface of switch  810  may be brought into contact with flex  830  such that the circuit including flex  830 , springs  840  and  842  and flex  850  may be shorted, thus sending an electrical signal that control circuitry can process. 
     In some embodiments, flex  830  may be eliminated.  FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative switch assembly having only one flex in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Switch assembly  900  may include switch  910 , housing  920 , springs  940  and  942 , and flex  950 , which may include some or all of the features of switch  810 , housing  820 , springs  840  and  842 , and flex  850  of switch assembly  800  ( FIG. 8 ). Because switch assembly  900  may not include a flex between switch  910  and springs  940  and  942 , springs  940  and  942  may be extended such that, when switch  910  is actuated, the inner surface of switch  910  may come directly in contact with springs  940  and  942 . Then, in response to an actuation of switch  910 , the circuit including springs  940  and  942  and flex  950  may be shorted. 
     Variations, modifications, and other implementations of what is described may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. More specifically, any of the method, system and device features described above or incorporated by reference may be combined with any other suitable method, system or device features disclosed herein or incorporated by reference, and is within the scope of the contemplated inventions. The systems and methods may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative, rather than limiting of the invention. The teachings of all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20080819
Publication Date: 20170516
Grant Date: 20170516
Priority Date: 20070921
Inventors: SANFORD EMERY
WEBER DOUGLAS JOSEPH
ZADESKY STEPHEN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01H2205/002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/14", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49105", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2235/004", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2221/044", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2205/002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2221/044", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/14", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49105", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2235/004", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 40470474