PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9741509-B2
Application Number: US-201213656368-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Slide input component assemblies of an electronic device and methods for making the same

Abstract:
Slide input component assemblies of an electronic device and methods for making the same are provided. In some embodiments, a slide input component assembly may include a slide button subassembly that may have a knob, a base, a retention mechanism that may couple the knob to the base, and a shell part that may be provided about at least a portion of the base. The slide input component assembly may also include a slide switch subassembly that may have a switch that may be configured to move along a switch path when the slide button subassembly moves along a button path.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An input component assembly comprising:
 a slide button subassembly comprising:
 a knob configured to protrude along an axial direction; 
 a shell part; 
 a base between the knob and the shell part; and 
 a retention mechanism that couples the knob to the base; wherein 
 the shell part comprises a portion extending above a surface of the base and configured to slidably engage an interior surface of a housing of an electronic device; and 
 
 a slide switch subassembly comprising a switch that is configured to be moved along a switch path when the slide button subassembly slides, relative to the housing of the electronic device, along a button path perpendicular to the axial direction. 
 
     
     
       2. The input component assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the retention mechanism engages the knob; and 
 the retention mechanism retains a portion of the base between the knob and the retention mechanism. 
 
     
     
       3. The input component assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the retention mechanism comprises a screw. 
     
     
       4. The input component assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the retention mechanism comprises glue. 
     
     
       5. The input component assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shell part receives at least a portion of the retention mechanism. 
     
     
       6. The input component assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the retention mechanism comprises a screw; and 
 the shell part is provided within a drive design feature of the screw. 
 
     
     
       7. The input component assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the shell part provided within the drive design feature of the screw prevents the screw from disengaging from the knob. 
     
     
       8. The input component assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing mechanism that biases the slide button subassembly away from the slide switch subassembly in at least one direction. 
     
     
       9. The input component assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the biasing mechanism is coupled to the shell part. 
     
     
       10. The input component assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the shell part comprises a recess that receives a free end of the biasing mechanism. 
     
     
       11. The input component assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a spring. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the base is metal; and 
 the shell part is plastic. 
 
     
     
       13. The input component assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the knob extends at least partially through an aperture of the housing of the electronic device. 
     
     
       14. The input component assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the knob, the base, the retention mechanism, and the shell part are fixed relative to one another at least in a direction parallel to the button path. 
     
     
       15. The input component assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the shell part extending above the surface of the base protrudes above the surface of the base along the axial direction. 
     
     
       16. The input component assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the shell part extending above the surface of the base prevents the base from contacting the interior surface of the housing of the electronic device. 
     
     
       17. An electronic device comprising:
 a housing comprising an opening therethrough; 
 a recess formed into an internal portion of the housing; 
 an input component assembly comprising:
 a slide button subassembly comprising:
 a base comprising a tab; 
 a knob coupled to the base; and 
 a shell part provided about at least a portion of the base; and 
 
 
 a slide switch subassembly comprising a switch that is configured to move along a switch path when the knob moves along the opening, wherein:
 the tab moves along the recess when the knob moves along the opening; and 
 the tab interacts with the recess to limit the movement of the knob along the opening. 
 
 
     
     
       18. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing comprising a first opening therethrough; 
 a knob having a main body portion that includes a first surface that extends through the first opening and an opposing second surface that includes a retention feature; 
 a base having a second opening therethrough; 
 a retention mechanism that couples the knob to the base, wherein the retention mechanism includes a main body portion that partially extends through the second opening in the base and couples to the retention feature on the second surface of the knob; and 
 a shell part comprising:
 a first overhang and a second overhang that extend from a first surface of the shell part, wherein the first and second overhangs are configured to retain the base between the first and second overhangs; and 
 a first switch grip and a second switch grip that extend from a second surface of the shell part, wherein the first and second switch grips are configured to slide a switch along a switch path when the knob slides along the first opening in the housing. 
 
 
     
     
       19. The electronic device as in  claim 18 , wherein the retention mechanism comprises a head body portion having a first surface that is coupled to the main body portion and a second opposing surface that includes a drive design feature, wherein the first surface of the head body portion is adjacent a bottom surface of the base when the retention mechanism couples the knob to the base. 
     
     
       20. The electronic device as in  claim 19 , wherein the shell part comprises at least one feature on the first surface of the shell part that is configured to engage with the drive design feature in the second surface of the head body portion of the retention mechanism. 
     
     
       21. The electronic device as in  claim 18 , further comprising a biasing mechanism coupled to the second surface of the shell part, wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to bias the shell part towards the housing and the first opening. 
     
     
       22. The electronic device as in  claim 18 , wherein
 the base comprises an indicator opening therethrough; and 
 the shell part comprises an indicator portion that extends from the first surface of the shell part and is configured to extend through the indicator opening to be exposed through the first opening when the knob slides along the first opening from a first functional position to a second functional position. 
 
     
     
       23. An input component assembly, comprising:
 a knob having a main body portion that includes a first surface that is configured to extend through an opening of a housing of an electronic device; and 
 a shell part mechanically engaged with the knob, the shell part comprising:
 a first overhang and a second overhang that extend from a first surface of the shell part, wherein the first and second overhangs are configured to retain the knob between the first and second overhangs, and to slideably engage with an interior surface of the housing of the electronic device; and 
 a first switch grip and a second switch grip that extend from a second surface of the shell part, wherein the first and second switch grips are configured to slide a switch along a switch path when the knob slides along the first opening in the housing. 
 
 
     
     
       24. The input component assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the shell part provided within the drive design feature of the screw inhibits the screw from rotating with respect to the shell part. 
     
     
       25. The input component assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the shell part provided within the drive design feature of the screw inhibits the screw from unthreading from the knob. 
     
     
       26. The input component assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the base includes a feature that inhibits rotation of the knob with respect to the base. 
     
     
       27. The input component assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the knob includes a noncircular body portion, the base includes a non-circular opening therethrough configured to receive the non-circular body portion, and the non-circular opening is configured to inhibit rotation of the knob with respect to the base.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This can relate to slide input component assemblies of an electronic device and methods for making the same. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Some electronic devices include an input component assembly that may slide along an opening in a housing. Conventional sliding input component assemblies are often manufactured in such a manner that connections between distinct components of the assembly may become loose or even disengage completely after a certain amount of use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Slide input component assemblies of an electronic device and methods for making the same are provided. 
     In some embodiments, there may be provided an input component assembly that may include a slide button subassembly. The slide button subassembly may include a knob, a base, a retention mechanism that may couple the knob to the base, and a shell part that may be provided about at least a portion of the base. The input component assembly may also include a slide switch subassembly. The slide switch subassembly may include a switch that may be configured to move along a switch path when the slide button subassembly moves along a button path. 
     In other embodiments, there may be provided an electronic device that may include a recess, a housing having an opening therethrough, and an input component assembly. The input component assembly may include a slide button subassembly having a base with a tab, a knob coupled to the base, and a shell part provided about at least a portion of the base. The input component assembly may also include a slide switch subassembly that may include a switch that may be configured to move along a switch path when the knob moves along the opening, where the tab may interact with the recess to limit the movement of the knob along the opening. 
     In yet other embodiments, there may be provided a method of assembling an input component assembly. The method may include coupling a knob to a base using a retention mechanism. After the coupling, the method may also include molding a shell part about at least a portion of the base. After the molding, the method may also include engaging the shell part with a switch such that the shell part moves the switch along a switch path when the knob moves along a button path. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects of the invention, its nature, and various features will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters may refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a slide input component assembly of the electronic device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , taken from line III-III of  FIG. 2 , with the slide input component assembly in a first stage of actuation, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the slide input component assembly of  FIGS. 1-3 , taken from line IV-IV of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the slide input component assembly of  FIGS. 1-4 , similar to  FIG. 3 , but with the slide input component assembly in a second stage of actuation, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a first perspective exploded view of a slide button subassembly of the slide input component assembly of  FIGS. 1-5 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a second perspective exploded view of the slide button subassembly of the slide input component assembly of  FIGS. 1-6 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a third perspective view of the slide button subassembly of the slide input component assembly of  FIGS. 1-7 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a fourth perspective view of the slide button subassembly of the slide input component assembly of  FIGS. 1-8 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a first side elevational view of the slide button subassembly of the slide input component assembly of  FIGS. 1-9 , taken from line X-X of  FIG. 8 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a second side elevational view of the slide button subassembly of the slide input component assembly of  FIGS. 1-10 , taken from line XI-XI of  FIG. 9 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the slide button subassembly of the slide input component assembly of  FIGS. 1-11 , taken from line XII-XII of  FIG. 10 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a third side elevational view of the slide button subassembly of the slide input component assembly of  FIGS. 1-12 , taken from line XIII-XIII of  FIG. 10 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the slide button subassembly of the slide input component assembly of  FIGS. 1-13 , similar to  FIG. 9 , but positioned within the electronic device of  FIGS. 1-5 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the slide button subassembly of the slide input component assembly of  FIGS. 1-14 , similar to  FIG. 14 , but now with a slide switch subassembly of the slide input component assembly, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view, similar to  FIG. 4 , of a portion of an alternative slide button subassembly, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 17  is a flowchart of an illustrative process for assembling a slide input component assembly of an electronic device, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Slide input component assemblies of an electronic device and methods for making the same are provided and described with reference to  FIGS. 1-17 . 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device  100  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Electronic device  100  may be any portable, mobile, or hand-held electronic device. Alternatively, electronic device  100  may not be portable, but may instead be generally stationary. Electronic device  100  can include, but is not limited to, a music player (e.g., an iPod™ available by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), video player, still image player, game player, other media player, music recorder, movie or video camera or recorder, still camera, other media recorder, radio, medical equipment, domestic appliance, transportation vehicle instrument, musical instrument, calculator, cellular telephone (e.g., an iPhone™ available by Apple Inc.), other wireless communication device, personal digital assistant, remote control, pager, computer (e.g., a desktop, laptop, server, etc.), tablet (e.g., an iPad™ available by Apple Inc.), monitor, television, stereo equipment, set up box, set-top box, boom box, modem, router, printer, and combinations thereof. In some cases, electronic device  100  may perform a single function (e.g., an electronic device dedicated to conducting telephone calls) and in other cases, electronic device  100  may perform several functions (e.g., an electronic device that captures images, plays music, displays video, stores pictures, and conducts telephone calls). In some embodiments, electronic device  100  may be considered a miniature electronic device that may have a form factor that is smaller than that of hand-held electronic devices, such as an iPod™. Illustrative miniature electronic devices can be integrated into various objects that include, but are not limited to, watches, rings, necklaces, belts, accessories for belts, headsets, accessories for shoes, virtual reality devices, other wearable electronics, accessories for sporting equipment, accessories for fitness equipment, key chains, or any combination thereof. 
     Electronic device  100  may include a processor or control circuitry  102 , memory  104 , communications circuitry  106 , a power supply  108 , an input component  110 , and an output component  112 . Electronic device  100  may also include a bus  114  that may provide one or more wired or wireless communication links or paths for transferring data and/or power to, from, or between various other components of device  100 . In some embodiments, one or more components of electronic device  100  may be combined or omitted. Moreover, electronic device  100  may include other components not combined or included in  FIG. 1 . For example, electronic device  100  may include motion-sensing circuitry, a compass, positioning circuitry, or several instances of the components shown in  FIG. 1 . For the sake of simplicity, only one of each of the components is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Memory  104  may include one or more storage mediums, including for example, a hard-drive, flash memory, permanent memory such as read-only memory (“ROM”), semi-permanent memory such as random access memory (“RAM”), any other suitable type of storage component, or any combination thereof. Memory  104  may include cache memory, which may be one or more different types of memory used for temporarily storing data for electronic device applications. Memory  104  may store media data (e.g., music and image files), software (e.g., for implementing functions on device  100 ), firmware, preference information (e.g., media playback preferences), lifestyle information (e.g., food preferences), exercise information (e.g., information obtained by exercise monitoring equipment), transaction information (e.g., information such as credit card information), wireless connection information (e.g., information that may enable device  100  to establish a wireless connection), subscription information (e.g., information that keeps track of podcasts or television shows or other media a user subscribes to), contact information (e.g., telephone numbers and e-mail addresses), calendar information, any other suitable data, or any combination thereof. 
     Communications circuitry  106  may be provided to allow device  100  to communicate with one or more other electronic devices using any suitable communications protocol. For example, communications circuitry  106  may support Wi-Fi (e.g., an 802.11 protocol), Ethernet, Bluetooth™, high frequency systems (e.g., 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHz communication systems), infrared, transmission control protocol/internet protocol (“TCP/IP”) (e.g., any of the protocols used in each of the TCP/IP layers), hypertext transfer protocol (“HTTP”), BitTorrent™, file transfer protocol (“FTP”), real-time transport protocol (“RTP”), real-time streaming protocol (“RTSP”), secure shell protocol (“SSH”), any other communications protocol, or any combination thereof. Communications circuitry  106  may also include circuitry that can enable device  100  to be electrically coupled to another device (e.g., a host computer or an accessory device) and communicate with that other device, either wirelessly or via a wired connection. 
     Power supply  108  may provide power to one or more of the components of device  100 . In some embodiments, power supply  108  can be coupled to a power grid (e.g., when device  100  is not a portable device, such as a desktop computer). In some embodiments, power supply  108  can include one or more batteries for providing power (e.g., when device  100  is a portable device, such as a cellular telephone). As another example, power supply  108  can be configured to generate power from a natural source (e.g., solar power using solar cells). 
     One or more input components  110  may be provided to permit a user to interact or interface with device  100 . For example, input component  110  can take a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, a touch pad, dial, switch, click wheel, scroll wheel, touch screen, one or more buttons (e.g., a keyboard), mouse, joy stick, track ball, microphone, camera, proximity sensor, light detector, motion sensor, and combinations thereof. Each input component  110  can be configured to provide one or more dedicated control functions for making selections or issuing commands associated with operating device  100 . 
     Electronic device  100  may also include one or more output components  112  that may present information (e.g., graphical, audible, and/or tactile information) to a user of device  100 . Output component  112  of electronic device  100  may take various forms, including, but not limited to, an audio speaker, headphone, audio line-out, video line-out, visual display, antenna, infrared port, rumbler, vibrator, and combinations thereof. Each output component  112  can be configured to provide information from one or more other components of device  100  (e.g., processor  102 ) to a user of device  100 . 
     It should be noted that one or more input components  110  and one or more output components  112  may sometimes be referred to collectively herein as an input/output (“I/O”) component or I/O interface. For example, input component  110  and output component  112  may sometimes be a single I/O component  103 , such as a touch screen, that may receive input information through a user&#39;s touch of a display screen and that may also provide visual information to a user via that same display screen. 
     Processor  102  of device  100  may include any processing circuitry operative to control the operations and performance of one or more components of electronic device  100 . For example, processor  102  may be used to run operating system applications, firmware applications, graphics editing applications, media playback applications, media editing applications, or any other application. In some embodiments, processor  102  may receive input signals from input component  110  and/or drive output signals through output component  112 . Processor  102  may load a user interface program (e.g., a program stored in memory  104  or in another device or server accessible by device  100 ) to determine how instructions or data received via an input component  110  may manipulate the way in which information is stored and/or provided to the user via an output component  112 . 
     Electronic device  100  may also be provided with a housing  101  that may at least partially enclose one or more of the components of device  100  for protection from debris and other degrading forces external to device  100 . In some embodiments, one or more of the components may be provided within its own housing (e.g., input component  110  may be an independent keyboard or mouse within its own housing that may wirelessly or through a wire communicate with processor  102 , which may be provided within its own housing). 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a fully assembled electronic device  100  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. As shown, electronic device  100  can include at least a first input component  110  and a first output component  112 . Moreover, as shown, electronic device  100  may also include a second input component  210  and a second output component  212 . In some embodiments, second input component  210  and second output component  212  may be an I/O component  203 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , housing  101  may at least partially enclose input component  110 , output component  112 , and I/O component  203  of device  100 . Housing  101  may be any suitable shape and may include any suitable number of walls. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2 , for example, housing  101  may be of a generally hexahedral shape and may include a bottom wall  101 B, a top wall  101 T that may be opposite bottom wall  101 B, a left wall  101 L, a right wall  101 R that may be opposite left wall  101 L, a front wall  101 F, and a back wall  101 K that may be opposite front wall  101 F. As shown in  FIG. 2 , for example, the size of device  100  may be defined along the X-axis by an overall housing width W of housing  101  that may extend between left surface  101 L and right surface  101 R, along the Y-axis by an overall housing length L of housing  101  that may extend between top surface  101 T and bottom surface  101 B, and along the Z-axis by an overall housing height H of housing  101  that may extend between front surface  101 F and back surface  101 K. Although, in other embodiments, it is to be understood that housing  101  may be any other suitable shape and may include any other suitable number of walls of any other suitable geometries. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , for example, first input component  110  may be a slide input component assembly, and first output component  112  may be an audio output assembly (e.g., a speaker for outputting sound waves). Although, it is to be understood that in other embodiments, first input component  110  may be any other suitable type of input component and first output component  112  may be any other suitable type of output component. As shown, first input component  110  may be positioned at least partially under or through an opening  109 , which may be provided through right surface  101 R of housing  101 , while first output component  112  may be positioned at least partially under or through an opening  111 , which may be provided through bottom surface  101 B of housing  101 . Although, in other embodiments, it is to be understood that each one of first input component  110  and first output component  112  may be provided through any other surface or surfaces of housing  101 . 
     As also shown in  FIG. 2 , for example, second input component  210  and second output component  212  of I/O component  203  may be a touch screen (e.g., a multi-touch screen), that may receive input information through a user&#39;s touch of a display screen and that may also provide visual information to a user via that same display screen. For example, second input component  210  of I/O component  203  may be a touch assembly and second output component  212  of I/O component  203  may be a display assembly, where the display assembly and touch assembly may be integrated with one another and or provided in a stacked configuration (e.g., along the Z-axis). Although, it is to be understood that in other embodiments, second input component  210  may be any other suitable type of input component and second output component  212  may be any other suitable type of output component. As shown, I/O component  203  may be positioned at least partially under or through an opening  209 , which may be provided through front surface  101 F of housing  101 . Although, in other embodiments, it is to be understood that each one of second input component  210  and second output component  212  of I/O component  203  may be provided through any other surface or surfaces of housing  101 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-15 , for example, slide input component assembly  110  may include a slide button subassembly  170  that may be at least partially exposed through opening  109  and that may be slid along opening  109  by a user of device  100  (e.g., in the direction of arrow A and/or the direction of arrow B). Slide input component assembly  110  may also include a slide switch subassembly  180  that may be moved from a first functional state to a second functional state when slide button subassembly  170  is slid along opening  109 . As shown in  FIGS. 3-5, 14, and 15 , for example, slide switch subassembly  180  may include a switch path or track  182  and a switch  184  that may be configured to slide within and/or along track  182  between a first functional position (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 3, 4, 14 , and  15 ) at a first point along the length of track  182  and at least a second functional position (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 5 ) at a second point along the length of track  182 . As a user of device  100  moves slide button subassembly  170  along opening  109  (e.g., moves a knob  120  either in the direction of arrow A or arrow B along opening  109  (e.g., along a button path or knob path defined by opening  109  along the Y-axis)), slide button subassembly  170  may correspondingly move switch  184  between its first and second functional positions along track  182 , which may change a functional state of device  100  (e.g., to lock the orientation of content displayed by I/O component  203  with respect to housing  101 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 and 15 , for example, slide switch subassembly  180  can also include one or more contact points (e.g., contact points  183  and  187 ) that may be provided at least partially through track  182  under at least one of the functional positions of switch  184 . Each of the one or more contact points  183  and  187  of slide input component assembly  110  can be coupled to a processor (e.g., processor  102 ) of device  100 , for example, via a connector  116 . Connector  116  may be a flexible connector (e.g., a “flex cable”) or any other suitable path for communicating power and/or electrical information between processor  102  and slide input component assembly  110  (e.g., a connector of bus  114 ). For example, when switch  184  is at a functional position along track  182 , switch  184  may create an electrical connection or circuit with one of the one or more contact points  183  and  187 , which may change the function or logic of processor  102  of device  100 . Slide switch subassembly  180  can be any type of switch assembly with a track (e.g., track  182 ) and at least one contact point (e.g., contact point  183  and/or contact point  187 ), including, but not limited to, a single pole single throw (“SPST”) switch, a single pole double throw (“SPDT”) switch, a single pole center off (“SPCO”) switch, a double pole single throw (“DPST”) switch, a double pole double throw (“DPDT”) switch, a double pole center off (“DPCO”) switch, a maintained contact switch, a momentary contact switch, a fader or limitless contact switch, or combinations thereof. 
     Slide switch subassembly  180  of slide input component assembly  110  may be held in place within housing  101  (e.g., with respect to opening  109 ) in various ways such that switch  184  may be accessible to a user external to housing  101  via slide button subassembly  170 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3-5 and 15 , track  182  (e.g., contact points  183  and  187 ) may be soldered or otherwise coupled to connector  116 , connector  116  may be adhered (e.g., by a pressure sensitive adhesive (“PSA”)) or otherwise coupled to a stiffener  190 , and stiffener  190  may be fixed (e.g., via one or more screws through housing hole  115  and stiffener hole  195 ) or otherwise coupled to housing  101 . In other embodiments, slide switch subassembly  180  may be directly coupled to a portion of housing  101  or to any other component or components of device  100  such that track  182  may be retained in a certain position with respect to opening  109  for interacting with slide button subassembly  170 . In some embodiments, stiffener  190  may be integrated with the structure of slide switch subassembly  180 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-15 , for example, slide button subassembly  170  of slide input component assembly  110  may include a knob  120  that may be coupled to a base  130  by a retention mechanism  140 , at least one shell or molded part  150  that may be molded or otherwise formed or provided about at least a portion of base  130 , and a biasing mechanism  160  that may be coupled to part  150 . At least a portion of slide button subassembly  170  may be the portion of slide input component assembly  110  that a user may see (e.g., via opening  109 ) and interact with. Therefore, various features of slide button subassembly  170  may be configured to match or aesthetically accentuate housing  101 . 
     Knob  120  may include a main body portion  124  and an alignment body portion  126 . Main body portion  124  may extend between a top surface  121  and a mid-surface  127  of knob  120 , and alignment body portion  126  may extend between mid-surface  127  and a bottom surface  129  of knob  120 . At least a portion of knob  120  may be configured to extend through opening  109  of housing  101  such that a user may interact with knob  120  (e.g., with top surface  121  of knob  120 ) for sliding slide button subassembly  170  along opening  109 . Therefore, in some embodiments, knob  120  may be provided by one or more materials that may match the material forming housing  101 , such as anodized aluminum. Furthermore, knob  120  may include a retention feature  122  that may interact with retention mechanism  140  for coupling knob  120  to base  130 . For example, in some embodiments, as shown, retention feature  122  may include an opening or passageway extending from bottom surface  129  and through at least a portion of knob  120  (e.g., through at least a portion of alignment body portion  126  and, in some embodiments, through a portion of main body portion  124 ). Such a passageway may be provided with internal threading for mating with and retaining complimentary threading of retention mechanism  140  (e.g., if retention mechanism is a screw). 
     Base  130  may include a main body portion  133  and a tab  138  that may extend away from main body portion  133 . Main body portion  133  may extend between a top surface  131  and a bottom surface  139  of base  130 . Base  130  may also include at least one feature for securing knob  120  to base  130  with retention mechanism  140  and/or aligning knob  120  with base  130 . For example, as shown, base  130  may include a first opening  132  that may extend through main body portion  133  from top surface  131  to a mid-surface  135  of main body portion  133 , and a second opening  134  that may extend through main body portion  133  from mid-surface  135  to bottom surface  139  of main body portion  133 . Moreover, as shown, first opening  132  and second opening  134  may at least partially overlap at mid-surface  135 . In some embodiments, first opening  132  may be configured to receive and/or surround at least a portion of knob main body portion  124 , while second opening  134  may be configured to receive and/or surround at least a portion of knob alignment body portion  126 . While knob main body portion  124  and/or first opening  132  may have a circular cross-section, knob alignment body portion  126  and second opening  134  may have a non-circular (e.g., oval) cross-section, such that knob alignment body portion  126  may be prevented from rotating within second opening  134  (e.g., about the X-axis). By preventing rotation of knob alignment body portion  126  within second opening  134 , knob  120  may be properly oriented with respect to base  130  when knob alignment body portion  126  is positioned within second opening  134  of base  130 . Proper orientation of knob  120  with respect to base  130  (e.g., about the X-axis) may ensure that certain features of knob  120  are properly oriented with respect to housing  101  when base  130  is properly oriented with respect to housing  101 . For example, when slide input component assembly  110  is fully assembled within housing  101 , an arched or bowed or concave portion of top surface  121  of knob  120  may be oriented in an X-Y plane (see, e.g.,  FIG. 3 ), while a flat portion of top surface  121  of knob  120  may be oriented in an X-Z plane (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ). Base  130  may be any suitable material, such as metal. In some embodiments, base  130  may be provided by one or more materials that may match the material forming housing  101 , such as anodized aluminum. 
     Retention mechanism  140  may include a main body portion  142  and a head body portion  148 . Main body portion  142  may extend from a free end  141  to a second end  143  that may be coupled to a top surface  147  of head body portion  148 , and head body portion  148  may extend from top surface  147  to a bottom surface  149 . For example, as shown, retention mechanism  140  may be a screw, whereby main body portion  142  may include threading along its exterior surface (e.g., for mating with and retaining complimentary threading of knob retention feature  122 ), and whereby head body portion  148  may include a drive design  144  in bottom surface  149  that may be engaged by a tool (e.g., a screwdriver (not shown)) for driving at least a portion of main body portion  142  to interact with and engage knob retention feature  122 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , for example, drive design  144  may be a Phillips drive design, although any other suitable geometrical design may be used that can engage with a tool for driving retention mechanism  140 . When knob  120  is positioned adjacent to top surface  131  of base  130  and/or within base  130  (e.g., within first opening  132  and/or second opening  134  from top surface  131 ), retention mechanism  140  may be configured to engage with knob retention feature  122  through bottom surface  139  of base  130  (e.g., through first opening  132  and/or second opening  134  from bottom surface  139 ). For example, as shown, when assembled, main body portion  142  may pass through at least a portion of base opening  132  and/or base opening  134  and into knob retention feature  122  for mating with and retaining complimentary threading of knob retention feature  122 ), and thereby retaining at least a portion of base  130  between knob  120  and retention mechanism  140 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , mid-surface  135  of main body portion  133  may be retained between main body portion  124  of knob  120  and head body portion  148  of retention mechanism  140 . It is to be understood that, although retention mechanism  140  and knob  120  may be shown and described as configured to couple base  130  to knob  120  via a screw and thread engagement technique, knob  120  and retention mechanism  140  may be configured to couple base  130  to knob  120  in various other suitable ways. For example, in other embodiments, knob  120  may include a screw and retention mechanism  140  may include internal threading. In yet other embodiments, retention mechanism  140  may be solder, glue, laser welding, or any other suitable mechanism for coupling base  130  to knob  120 . By coupling a distinct knob  120  to base  130  may allow for knob  120  and base  130  to be formed via different processes. For example, base  130  may be stamped, while knob  120  and/or retention mechanism  140  may be machined. In some embodiments, base body  133  and/or tab  138  may be stamped and base openings (e.g., openings  132 ,  134 , and/or  136 ) may be machined (e.g., via computer numerical control (“CNC”)). 
     Shell or molded part  150  may be molded or otherwise formed or provided about at least a portion of base  130 . For example, in some embodiments, part  150  may be molded about at least a portion of base  130  once base  130  has been coupled to knob  120  by retention mechanism  140 . Alternatively, at least a portion of part  150  may be molded about at least a portion of base  130  before knob  120  is coupled to base  130 . Part  150  may be formed by insert and/or injection molding plastic or any other suitable material about at least a portion of base  130 . As shown, part  150  may include a body  150   b , a first overhang  151  extending from body  150   b  and over base  130  that may retain a first portion of base  130  between a first end of body  150   b  and first overhang  151  (e.g., for retaining base  130  along the X-axis), and a second overhang  159  extending from body  150   b  and over base  130  that may retain a second portion of base  130  between a second end of body  150   b  and second overhang  159  (e.g., for retaining base  130  along the X-axis). A portion of base  130  may be retained between first overhang  151  and second overhang  159  (e.g., for retaining base  130  along the Y-axis and/or along the Z-axis). In some embodiments, as shown, each one of overhangs  151  and  159  may also be proximate housing  101  about opening  109 . For example, overhangs  151  and  159  of molded part  150  may be an interface between slide button subassembly  170  and housing  101  when assembly  110  is fully assembled. Therefore, molded overhangs  151  and  159  may prevent top surface  131  of base  130  from contacting housing  101  about opening  109 . This may prevent galling between base  130  and housing  101 , each of which may be metal. 
     Moreover, in some embodiments, as shown, part  150  may include an indicator portion  156  that may extend from a top surface of body  150   b  and through an indicator opening  136 , which may be provided through main body portion  133  of base  130  between top surface  131  and bottom surface  139 . Indicator portion  156  of part  150  may be exposed through opening  109  to a user when slide button subassembly  170  (e.g., knob  120 ) is moved along opening  109  in the direction of arrow A from a first functional position of  FIG. 3  to a second functional position of  FIG. 5 . When indicator portion  156  is visible to a user through opening  109 , the user may understand that slide button subassembly  170  is in its second functional position. On the other hand, when indicator portion  156  is not exposed to a user through opening  109 , the user may understand that slide button subassembly  170  is in its first functional position of  FIG. 3  (e.g., when indicator portion  156  is hidden underneath right wall  101 R of housing  101 ). The material (e.g., plastic) used to form part  150  or at least indicator portion  156  of part  150  may be of a particular color that may be easily noticeable by a user (e.g., orange). 
     Moreover, in some embodiments, part  150  may include an indent  153  within body  150   b  that may receive and/or be molded at least partially about head body portion  148  of retention mechanism  140 . Additionally or alternatively, part  150  may include one or more features  154  that may be provided and/or molded within each drive design feature  144  of retention mechanism  140 . Such formation (e.g., molding or otherwise) of part features  154  within retention features  144  of retention mechanism  140  may prevent any rotation of retention mechanism  140  that may allow retention mechanism  140  to disengage from retention features  122  of knob  120  (e.g., any rotation within the Y-Z plane that may allow a screw  140  to rotate out from within a threaded hollow of knob  120 ). 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 3-15 , for example, when knob  120  is coupled to base  130  via retention mechanism  140  of slide button subassembly  170 , top surface  147  of head body portion  148  of retention mechanism  140  may be held against bottom surface  129  of knob  120  and/or against bottom surface  139  of base  130 . This may allow for indent  153  within body  150   b  of part  150  to at least partially receive head body portion  148 . However, in other embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 16 , for example, when a knob  120 ′ is coupled to a base  130 ′ via a retention mechanism  140 ′ of an alternative slide button subassembly  170 ′, a portion of main body portion  142  of retention mechanism  140 ′ may be held within another opening  132   a  in base  130 ′ and head body portion  148 ′ of retention mechanism  140 ′ may be held within another opening  134   a  in base  130 ′, such that bottom surface  149  of retention mechanism  140 ′ may be held against the top surface of body  150   b  of part  150 , and such that no indent of part  150  (e.g., no indent  153  within body  150   b ) at least partially receives head body portion  148  of retention mechanism  140 ′. 
     Moreover, in some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 3-15 , for example, part  150  may include one or more switch grips that may extend away from a bottom surface of body  150   b  and about at least a portion of switch  184  of slide switch subassembly  180 . For example, as shown, part  150  may include a first switch grip  152  and a second switch grip  158  that may engage switch  184 . The relationship between the geometry of switch  184  and the geometry of grips  152  and  158  thereabout may allow for slide button subassembly  170  to maintain contact with at least a portion of switch  184  at all times when knob  120  may slide along opening  109  between its first functional position of  FIG. 3  and its second functional position of  FIG. 5 , and, thus, grips  152  and  158  may correspondingly slide switch  184  along track  182  between its first functional position of  FIG. 3  (e.g., at contact  183 ) and its second functional position of  FIG. 5  (e.g., at contact  187 ). 
     Biasing mechanism  160  may include a body  162  that may extend between a top surface  161  and a bottom surface  169 . Moreover, biasing mechanism  160  may include one or more biasing features (e.g., biasing features  165  and  167 ) that may extend from body  162 . Biasing mechanism  160  may be positioned between part  150  and stiffener  190  and/or slide switch subassembly  180  in order to account for any tolerances of a distance D (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ) between stiffener  190  and housing  101  within which part  150  and biasing mechanism  160  may reside (e.g., along the X-axis). For example, as shown, biasing mechanism  160  may be positioned between part  150  and a top surface  192  of stiffener  190 , such that biasing mechanism  160  may bias part  150  upwards in the +X-direction away from top surface  192  of stiffener  190  towards housing  101  about opening  109  (e.g., towards the internal surfaces of right wall  101 R about opening  109 , such that overhangs  151  and  159  may contact housing  101  about opening  109 ). In some embodiments, as shown, top surface  161  of biasing mechanism  160  may be coupled to part  150  (e.g., via PSA or any other suitable coupling feature  164 ), such that each one of biasing features  165  and  167  may extend downwardly (e.g., in the −X-direction) and contact top surface  192  of stiffener  190  (e.g., on opposite sides of switch  184 ). 
     Each one of biasing features  165  and  167  may be any suitable biasing feature for providing a biased downward force onto stiffener  190  and/or slide switch subassembly  180  for biasing molded part  150  upwards away from stiffener  190  and/or slide switch subassembly  180  and towards opening  109 . For example, each one of biasing features  165  and  167  may be a spring mechanism (e.g., a metal spring) with a free end portion. Each free end portion may be deflected back upwards towards part  150  due to the biasing force generated between biasing mechanism  160  and stiffener  190  and the tolerance between biasing mechanism  160  and stiffener  190  (e.g., by distance D). Therefore, part  150  may include one or more indents in the bottom surface of body  150   b  for receiving the free end portion of a respective biasing feature when deflected therein. For example, as shown, part  150  may include a first indent  155  in the bottom surface of body  150   b  for receiving the free end portion of biasing feature  165  when necessary, and part  150  may include a second indent  157  in the bottom surface of body  150   b  for receiving the free end portion of biasing feature  167  when necessary. 
     In some embodiments, as shown, a lubricant  166 , such as a dry film lubricant, may be provided between biasing mechanism  160  and stiffener  190  and/or slide switch subassembly  180 . Lubricant  166  may prevent galling or other degradation between biasing mechanism  160  and stiffener  190  and/or slide switch subassembly  180 . For example, top surface  192  of stiffener  190  and biasing features  165  and  167  may each be made of metal (e.g., aluminum or magnesium or zinc), such that lubricant  166  may promote movement of biasing mechanism  160  along stiffener  190  (e.g., along the Y-axis) as slide button subassembly  170  may move along opening  109 . By biasing part  150  upwards with respect to stiffener  190  and/or slide switch subassembly  180  in the +X-direction, biasing mechanism  160  may also allow for the engagement between switch  184  and molded part  150  to be primarily, if not entirely, along the Y-axis. For example, biasing mechanism  160  may bias part  150  upwards in the +X-direction such that no portion of part  150  may engage with a top surface  181  of switch  184  along the X-axis (see, e.g., spacing S of  FIG. 5 ), and such that grips  152  and  158  may provide the sole engagement between part  150  and switch  184  (e.g., along the sides of switch  184 ) so as to move switch  184  along the Y-axis. 
     In some embodiments, one or more features of device  100  (e.g., one or more features of housing  101 ) may interact with tab  138  of base  130  for limiting the movement of slide button subassembly  170  along the Y-axis. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3, 5, and 15 , a recess  105  extending between a first end  107  and a second end  113  may be provided within device  100 , such as within a portion of housing  101  (e.g., within an interior surface of right wall  101 R). When slide button subassembly  170  is properly positioned within device  100  such that knob  120  may be exposed through opening  109 , tab  138  of base  130  may at least partially extend within recess  105 . In some embodiments, tab  138  may be configured to engage (e.g., physically abut or interact with) first end  107  of recess  105  when knob  120  and the remainder of slide button subassembly  170  is in its first functional position of  FIGS. 3, 4, 14, and 15 , such that the engagement of tab  138  with first end  107  of recess  105  may prevent movement of tab  138  and the remainder of slide button subassembly  170  in the direction of arrow B from its first functional position of  FIGS. 3, 4, 14, and 15 . Similarly, tab  138  may be configured to engage (e.g., physically abut or interact with) second end  113  of recess  105  when knob  120  and the remainder of slide button subassembly  170  is in its second functional position of  FIG. 5 , such that the engagement of tab  138  with second end  113  of recess  105  may prevent movement of tab  138  and the remainder of slide button subassembly  170  in the direction of arrow A from its second functional position of  FIG. 5 . In some embodiments, recess  105  may be formed by a similar process as the formation of opening  109  and/or recess  105  may be formed during the formation of opening  109 . For example, opening  109  and recess  105  may each be formed by CNC machining. Therefore, recess  105  and opening  109  may be accurately spaced and shaped with respect to each other, such that recess  105  may be well suited to limit the movement of slide button subassembly  170  with respect to opening  109 . In some embodiments, only the engagement between tab  138  and recess  105  may terminate movement of subassembly  170  along the Y-axis of opening  109 . That is, no other interaction between any other portion of assembly  170  and/or  110  with any other portion of device  100  may be the limiting interaction of the movement of assembly  170  along opening  109 . 
       FIG. 17  is a flowchart of an illustrative process  1700  for assembling a slide input component assembly of an electronic device (e.g., slide input component assembly  110  of electronic device  100 ). Step  1702  of process  1700  may include coupling a knob to a base using a retention mechanism (e.g., coupling knob  120  to base  130  using retention mechanism  140 ). Next, step  1704  of process  1700  may include molding a shell part about at least a portion of the base (e.g., molding part  150  about at least a portion of base  130 ). Next, step  1706  of process  1700  may include engaging the shell part with a switch such that the shell part moves the switch along a switch path when the knob moves along a button path (e.g., engaging part  150  with switch  184  such that part  150  moves switch  184  along switch path  182  when knob  120  moves along opening  109 ). In some embodiments, the coupling of step  1702  may include engaging the knob with the retention mechanism (e.g., engaging knob retention feature  122  with retention mechanism  140 ) and retaining a portion of the base between the knob and the retention mechanism (e.g., retaining mid-surface  135  of main body portion  133  of base  130  between main body portion  124  of knob  120  and head body portion  148  of retention mechanism  140 ). In some other embodiments, the coupling of step  1702  may include gluing the knob to the base (e.g., gluing knob  120  to base  130  with retention mechanism  140 ). In some embodiments, the molding of step  1704  may prevent the retention mechanism from disengaging or rotating with respect to the knob (e.g., molded part features  154  of part  150  within retention features  144  of retention mechanism  140  may prevent any rotation of retention mechanism  140  that may allow retention mechanism  140  to disengage from retention features  122  of knob  120 ). In some embodiments, process  1700  may also include biasing the shell part away from the switch in at least one direction using a spring (e.g., biasing part  150  away from switch  184  with biasing mechanism  160 ). 
     It is to be understood that the steps shown in process  1700  of  FIG. 17  are merely illustrative and that existing steps may be modified or omitted, additional steps may be added, and the order of certain steps may be altered. 
     While there have been described slide input component assemblies of an electronic device and methods for making the same, it is to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. It is also to be understood that various directional and orientational terms such as “up and “down,” “front” and “back,” “top” and “bottom” and “side,” “length” and “width” and “thickness,” “X-” and “Y-” and “Z-,” and the like are used herein only for convenience, and that no fixed or absolute directional or orientational limitations are intended by the use of these words. For example, the devices of this invention can have any desired orientation. If reoriented, different directional or orientational terms may need to be used in their description, but that will not alter their fundamental nature as within the scope and spirit of this invention. Moreover, an electronic device constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention may be of any suitable three-dimensional shape, including, but not limited to, a sphere, cone, octahedron, or combination thereof, rather than a hexahedron, as illustrated by  FIGS. 1-16 . 
     Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20121019
Publication Date: 20170822
Grant Date: 20170822
Priority Date: 20121019
Inventors: KIBITI ELVIS M.
LIN LUEN-CHIOU
CORBIN SEAN S.
KAO SHIH-NING
MCCLURE STEPHEN R.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01H11/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H15/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49105", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H9/16", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H9/16", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H15/24", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49105", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H15/10", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H15/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H15/24", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49105", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H15/24", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H15/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H11/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H9/16", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H15/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 50484333