PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8502099-B2
Application Number: US-57209309-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Liquidproof dome switch

Abstract:
A dome switch that may prevent liquid from coming into contact with circuit elements of the switch is disclosed. A deformable dome may include a conductive inner surface region and may be placed over a conductive contact pad such that the dome may deform and the conductive elements may contact each other. At least one sheath may be positioned between the conductive region of the dome and the contact pad positioned below the dome for preventing liquid external to the one or more sheaths from contacting the conductive portions of the switch. In some embodiments, a first sheath may be coupled to the inner surface of the dome about the conductive inner surface region and a second sheath may be coupled to a mounting surface about the conductive contact pad, such that when a user deforms the dome, one of the sheaths may extend into the other sheath.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A dome switch, comprising:
 a conductive contact pad coupled to a mounting surface; 
 a dome directly coupled to the mounting surface and positioned over the conductive contact pad, the dome comprising:
 an inner surface; and 
 a conductive contact region coupled to the inner surface of the dome above the conductive contact pad; and 
 
 at least one sheath coupled at one end to the inner surface of the dome about the conductive contact region, the at least one sheath extending from the conductive contact region towards the conductive contact pad for preventing liquid external to the at least one sheath from contacting the conductive contact region and the conductive contact pad. 
 
     
     
       2. The dome switch of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sheath comprises:
 a first sheath comprising a first sheath open end and a first sheath second end coupled to the inner surface of the dome about the conductive contact region; and 
 a second sheath comprising a second sheath open end and a second sheath second end coupled to the mounting surface. 
 
     
     
       3. The dome switch of  claim 2 , wherein the conductive contact pad is positioned within the second sheath proximal to the second sheath open end, and wherein the conductive contact pad is coupled to the mounting surface via a wire. 
     
     
       4. The dome switch of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first sheath and the second sheath is rigid. 
     
     
       5. The dome switch of  claim 2 , wherein the conductive contact pad is positioned on the mounting surface, and wherein the second sheath open end is coupled to the mounting surface about the conductive contact pad. 
     
     
       6. The dome switch of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first sheath and the second sheath is compressible. 
     
     
       7. The dome switch of  claim 2 , wherein the second sheath open end extends through the first sheath open end towards the conductive contact region. 
     
     
       8. The dome switch of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the second sheath extends through a portion of the first sheath. 
     
     
       9. The dome switch of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the at least one sheath is one of cylindrical and conical. 
     
     
       10. The dome switch of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sheath comprises at least one of rubber, silicone, and a hydrophobic mesh. 
     
     
       11. The dome switch of  claim 1 , wherein a first end of the at least one sheath is heat sealed to the inner surface of the dome about the conductive contact region. 
     
     
       12. The dome switch of  claim 1 , wherein a first end of the at least one sheath is heat sealed to the mounting surface about the conductive contact pad. 
     
     
       13. The dome switch of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sheath comprises a first sheath and a second sheath extending over the first sheath. 
     
     
       14. The dome switch of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sheath comprises two compressible sheaths. 
     
     
       15. The dome switch of  claim 1 , wherein the dome is operative to deform for bringing the conductive contact region into contact with the conductive contact pad. 
     
     
       16. The dome switch of  claim 1 , wherein the dome is directly coupled to the mounting surface via at least one of an adhesive and tape. 
     
     
       17. A switch for an electronic device, comprising:
 a contact pad coupled to a planar surface; 
 a dome placed over the contact pad and directly coupled to the planar surface, the dome comprising:
 an inner surface; and 
 a conductive contact region coupled to the inner surface of the dome above the contact pad; 
 
 a first sheath comprising a first end that is coupled to the inner surface of the dome about the conductive contact region, the first sheath extending towards the contact pad; and 
 a second sheath comprising a second end that is coupled about the contact pad. 
 
     
     
       18. The switch of  claim 17 , wherein the second sheath extends towards the inner surface of the dome. 
     
     
       19. The switch of  claim 17 , wherein the first and the second sheaths interlock. 
     
     
       20. The switch of  claim 17 , wherein the dome comprises:
 an air hole operative to release air from inside the dome when the dome is actuated. 
 
     
     
       21. The switch of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the first sheath and the second sheath remains in a same shape when the dome is not actuated and when the dome is actuated. 
     
     
       22. The switch of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the first sheath and the second sheath is compressible. 
     
     
       23. The switch of  claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of the second sheath extends into the first sheath when the dome is actuated. 
     
     
       24. An electronic device, comprising:
 a circuit board comprising a contact region; 
 a dome positioned over the contact region and directly coupled to the circuit board, the dome comprising:
 an inner surface; and 
 a conductive contact region coupled to the inner surface above the contact region of the circuit board; 
 
 a first sheath coupled to the inner surface of the dome around the conductive contact region of the dome, the first sheath extending towards the contact region of the circuit board; and 
 a second sheath coupled to the circuit board and extending towards the conductive contact region of the dome, wherein the first sheath and the second sheath interlock at least in part. 
 
     
     
       25. The electronic device of  claim 24 , wherein the second sheath is positioned around the contact region. 
     
     
       26. The electronic device of  claim 24 , wherein at least one of the first sheath and the second sheath comprises at least one of rubber, silicone, and a hydrophobic mesh. 
     
     
       27. The electronic device of  claim 24 , wherein a first end of the first sheath is heat sealed to the inner surface of the dome. 
     
     
       28. The electronic device of  claim 24 , wherein a first end of the second sheath is heat sealed to the circuit board about the contact region.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This can relate to dome switches and, more particularly, to systems and methods for preventing liquids from contacting circuit elements of dome switches. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Dome switches are common to various electronic devices (e.g., portable media players and cellular telephones). A dome switch generally includes a dome having a conductive inner surface operative to close a circuit when the dome is deformed and the conductive inner surface is brought into contact with a conductive contact pad positioned under the dome. The conductive contact pad is usually provided on a circuit board of the electronic device, such that when the dome is physically deformed by a user, the circuit of the switch can provide electrical signals to other components of the electronic device. 
     If a user mistakenly pours liquid on the electronic device, the liquid can sometimes come into contact with the circuit elements of the dome switch (e.g., the conductive inner surface of the dome and/or the conductive contact pad). Water or any other foreign liquid coming into contact with one or more of the circuit elements may short the circuit of the dome switch. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Systems and methods for preventing liquids from contacting circuit elements of a dome switch are provided. 
     In some embodiments, a dome switch may include a conductive contact pad coupled to a mounting surface and a dome coupled to the surface and positioned over the conductive contact pad. The dome may include a conductive dome region on an inner surface of the dome. The dome switch may also include at least one sheath extending between the conductive contact pad and the conductive dome region for preventing liquid external to the at least one sheath from contacting the conductive dome region and the conductive contact pad. The sheath may be deformable or rigid. 
     In some embodiments, a method for preventing liquid from harming a dome switch may include positioning a first sheath around the periphery of a conductive inner surface region of a dome of the switch. The method may also include positioning a second sheath around the periphery of a conductive contact pad of the switch. An open end of the second sheath may extend through an open end of the first towards the conductive inner surface region. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features of the invention, its nature, and various advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a partial cross-sectional view of an illustrative dome switch having two sheaths in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 1A  is a partial cross-sectional view of the illustrative dome switch of  FIG. 1  in a deformed state in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 1B  is a partial cross-sectional view of the illustrative dome switch of  FIG. 1  in a deformed state in accordance with some other embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of an illustrative dome switch having a single sheath in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a partial cross-sectional view of the illustrative dome switch of  FIG. 2  in a deformed state in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of another illustrative dome switch having a single sheath in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a partial cross-sectional view of the illustrative dome switch of  FIG. 3  in a deformed state in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of yet another illustrative dome switch having a single sheath in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 4A  is a partial cross-sectional view of the illustrative dome switch of  FIG. 4  in a deformed state in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Systems and methods for preventing liquids from contacting circuit elements of a dome switch are provided and described with reference to  FIGS. 1-4A . 
     A dome switch may include a deformable dome having a conductive dome region on an inner surface of the dome. The deformable dome may be positioned over a conductive contact pad. The conductive contact pad may be, for example, a contact pad on a mounting surface (e.g., a surface of a circuit board). A first end of a first sheath may be coupled to the inner surface of the dome around at least a portion of the dome&#39;s conductive dome region, and the second end of the sheath may extend away from the dome towards the conductive contact pad. A first end of a second sheath may be coupled to the mounting surface around at least a portion of the periphery of the conductive contact pad, and the second end of the sheath may extend away from the contact pad towards the dome. 
     When a user presses an outer surface of the dome, the dome may deform such that the conductive dome region of the inner surface of the dome may contact the conductive contact pad positioned under the dome, thus, closing a circuit. When the dome deforms, the second end of the second sheath may extend into the first sheath and the two sheaths may interlock and prevent liquid from contacting the conductive dome region or the conductive contact pad. 
       FIG. 1  is a partial cross-sectional view of an illustrative dome switch  10  of an electronic device  1 . Switch  10  may be provided through an opening  3  of an outer housing  4  of electronic device  1  such that dome  10  may be accessible to a user of the device. Electronic device  1  may be a portable media device (e.g., an iPod™ or iPhone™ available from Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.) or a personal media device accessory (e.g., an audio controller for a media device or an in-line microphone with an input mechanism). Dome switch  10  may include a dome  12  coupled to a mounting surface  17 . Surface  17  may be any suitable surface of device  1 , such as the surface of a circuit board  15  or any other suitable portion of electronic device  1 . Dome  12  may include an inner surface  11 , an outer surface  13 , and an air hole  22  provided therebetween for releasing air into the atmosphere when dome  12  is deformed. Switch  10  may also include a conductive contact region  14  coupled to inner surface  11  of dome  12  and at least one conductive contact pad  16  coupled to a mounting surface  17 . For example, as further described with respect to  FIG. 1A , switch  10  may include a raised contact pad  16   a  that may be coupled to a portion of sheath  20  extending from surface  17 . On the other hand, as further described with respect to  FIG. 1B , switch  10  may include a mounted contact pad  16   b  that may be coupled to mounting surface  17 . In some embodiments, switch  10  may include both raised contact pad  16   a  and mounted contact pad  16   b , which may be electrically coupled to one another via a wire  21 , for example. In other embodiments, switch  10  may only include raised contact pad  16   a , which may be coupled to circuit board  15  of device  1  via wire  21 , for example. In yet other embodiments, switch  10  may only include mounted contact pad  16   b  and not raised contact pad  16   a  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1B ). 
     Dome  12  may be made from any suitable deformable material, such that, when a user presses outer surface  13  in substantially the direction of arrow D towards surface  17 , dome  12  may deform in such a way that conductive contact region  14  may contact conductive contact pad  16 . When conductive contact region  14  contacts conductive contact pad  16 , an electrically conductive path may be created therebetween, thereby switching a circuit that can be detected by electronic device  1 . For example, dome  12  may be made from rubber or silicone. In some embodiments, dome  12  or at least inner surface  11  may be made from a conductive material, such as metal (e.g., aluminum or steel). In such embodiments, inner surface  11  itself may be conductive contact region  14 . 
     Dome  12  may have any suitable shape. For example, dome  12  may have a semi-spherical or polygonal shape. In some embodiments, the shape of dome  12  may be determined or selected based on restrictions or limitations of device  1 , circuit board  15 , conductive contact region  14 , and/or conductive contact pad  16 . The shape of outer surface  13  may be determined or selected based on a predetermined force or range of forces that may be applied to dome  12  in direction D by an average user such that dome  12  may deform while remaining within a predetermined foot print on surface  17 . 
     Dome  12  may be coupled to mounting surface  17  (e.g., a surface of circuit board  15 ) using any suitable approach such that, when a user deforms dome  12 , conductive contact region  14  of inner surface  11  may contact conductive contact pad  16 . For example, dome  12  may be coupled to mounting surface  17  using an adhesive or tape (e.g., see adhesive  19  of  FIG. 1A ). When contact region  14  and contact pad  16  contact each other, an electrically conductive path may be created, which may switch a circuit that can be detected by electronic device  1  (e.g., by a processor or other device component coupled to circuit board  15 .) 
     Dome  12  may be sized using any suitable approach. For example, dome  12  may be sized based on the size of electronic device  1  or based on the size of contact pad  16 . Dome  12  may have any suitable mechanical properties such that, for example, the force needed to deform dome  12  for adequately bringing contact region  14  into contact with contact pad  16  is a force able to be easily imparted by a user of device  1 . Dome  12  may be manufactured using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, if dome  12  is metal, it may be stamped or punched from a sheet of metal. In other embodiments, dome  12  may be manufactured using molding, machining, cutting, forming, or through any other suitable manufacturing process. 
     Dome switch  10  may also include a first sheath  18  and a second sheath  20  for preventing liquid from harming the circuit elements of the switch. First sheath  18  may have any suitable shape for surrounding the periphery of contact region  14  on inner surface  11  of dome  10  and for fitting over second sheath  20 . For example, first sheath  18  may have a cylindrical or conical sheath portion  18   c  extending between a first open end  18   a  coupled to inner surface  11  about contact region  14  and a second open end  18   b , and second sheath  20  may have a cylindrical or conical sheath portion  20   c  extending between a first open end  20   a  coupled to surface  17  and a second open end  20   b . When a user applies pressure to external surface  13  of dome  12 , at least a portion of second sheath  20  may extend into first sheath  18  through second end  18   b . Second sheath  20  may have any suitable shape for surrounding the periphery of contact pad  16  and for fitting within first sheath  18 . For example, the shape of first open end  20   a  of second sheath  20  may be determined or selected based on the size of contact pad  16   b , such that open end  20   a  may be coupled to surface  17  around the periphery of contact pad  16   b.    
     First sheath  18  may be constructed from any suitable material such that, when a user applies pressure on outer surface  13  of dome  12  in the direction of arrow D, first sheath  18  may slide down around second sheath  20  such that contact region  14  may contact conductive contact pad  16 . For example, first sheath  18  may be constructed from rubber, silicone, or a hydrophobic mesh. 
     First sheath  18  may be coupled to inner surface  11  of dome  12  using any suitable approach such that open end  18   a  of first sheath  18  may be positioned around conductive region  14  to prevent liquid external to sheath  18  from coming into contact with conductive region  14 . For example, open end  18   a  of first sheath  18  may be coupled to inner surface  11  using any suitable adhesive. In some embodiments, if first sheath  18  is made from rubber or any other suitable material, for example, sheath  18  may be coupled to inner surface  11  of dome  12  by heating open end  18   a  of first sheath  18  such that it may be heat-sealed against inner surface  11  about conductive region  14 . 
     Second sheath  20  may be constructed from any suitable material such that, when a user applies pressure on outer surface  13  of dome  12 , first sheath  18  may slide over second sheath  20  and may allow conductive region  14  of dome  12  to come into contact with contact pad  16  for example, second sheath  20  may be constructed from rubber, silicone, or a hydrophobic mesh. 
     First end  20   a  of second sheath  20  may be coupled to surface  17  using any suitable approach such that a portion of second sheath  20  may be positioned around the periphery of contact pad  16  to prevent liquid external to sheath  20  from coming into contact with contact pad  16 . For example, second sheath  20  may be coupled to surface  17  using an adhesive. In some embodiments, at least open end  20   a  of sheath  20  may be made at least partially from rubber, or any other suitable material, for example, such that open end  20   a  of sheath  20  may be coupled to surface  17  by heating end  20   a  of second sheath  20  such that sheath  20  may be heat-sealed against surface  17  (e.g., about contact pad  16   b ). 
     First sheath and second sheath  20  may be manufactured using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, each sheath may be manufactured using molding, machining, cutting, forming, or any other suitable manufacturing process. 
     Conductive contact pad  16  may be coupled to any suitable portion of surface  17  or sheath  20  such that when conductive region  14  and contact pad  16  of switch  10  contact each other, a circuit of device  1  (e.g., a circuit of circuit board  15 ) may be switched. Contact pad  16  may be constructed from copper or any other suitable material. Conductive contact pad  16  (e.g., conductive contact pad  16   b ) may be coupled to surface  17  using any suitable coupling approach. For example, contact pad  16   b  may be coupled to surface  17  through soldering. Conductive contact pad  16  (e.g., pad  16   a  may be coupled to sheath  20  (e.g., near end  20 )) using any suitable approach, such as with an adhesive. Conductive contact pad  16  may be sized using any suitable approach. For example, contact pad  16  may be sized based on the sizes of first sheath  18  and second sheath  20 . Conductive contact pad  16  may be manufactured using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, contact pad  16  may be manufactured using machining and/or cutting. In some embodiments, contact pad  16  may be manufactured with circuit board  15  of device  1 . In some embodiments, pad  16  may be physically coupled to mounting surface  17  that is not part of circuit board  15 , but pad  16  may be electrically coupled to circuit board  15  using any suitable approach (e.g., using wire  21 ). 
     In some embodiments, first sheath  18  and/or second sheath  20  may be substantially rigid and may not deform when dome  12  deforms in response to a user&#39;s force. In such embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 1A , when a user  5  applies pressure to outer surface  13 , dome  12  may deform such that conductive region  14  of inner surface  11  may come into contact with contact pad  16   a  provided near end  20   b  of second sheath  20 . When conductive region  14  contacts contact pad  16   a , an electrically conductive path may be created between conductive region  14  and contact pad  16   a , which may switch a circuit that can be detected by electronic device  1  (e.g., by circuit board  15  via wire  21  and optional contact pad  16   b ). As dome  12  deforms, at least a portion of second sheath  20  (e.g., second open end  20   b ) may extend into first sheath  18  through second open end  18   b  of first sheath  18 , such that first sheath  18  and second sheath  20  may interlock and form a liquid proof environment for conductive region  14  and conductive pad  16   a . As shown, for example, the height of first sheath  18  may remain height H 1  when dome  12  is in its un-deformed state of  FIG. 1  and its deformed state of  FIG. 1A . Second sheath  20  may also remain in its same shape when dome  12  is deformed and not deformed. 
     However, in other embodiments, switch  10  may not include raised contact pad  16   a  and for example, as shown in  FIG. 1B , sheath  18  and/or sheath  20  may deform when dome  12  is deformed by a user. When a user  5  applies pressure to outer surface  13 , dome  12  may deform such that conductive region  14  contacts conductive contact pad  16   b  on surface  17 . As dome  12  deforms, first sheath  18  and second sheath  20  may interlock and compress such that conductive region  14  may contact conductive contact pad  16 . In such embodiments, at least one of first sheath  18  and second sheath  20  may compress (e.g., as described with respect to  FIGS. 2-4A ) to allow contact region  14  to travel in the D direction to contact conductive contact pad  16 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the height of first sheath  18  may compress from a first height H 1  to a compressed height H 2  when dome  12  is deformed by a user  5 . For example, end  18   b  of sheath  18  may contact surface  17  and deform from height H 1  to height H 2  when user  5  presses dome  12  in direction D. Second sheath  20  may also deform from a first height H 3  to a second height H 4  when user  5  deforms dome  12 . For example, end  20   b  of sheath  20  may contact inner surface  11  of dome  12  and deform from height H 3  to height H 4  when user  5  presses dome  12  in direction D. In some embodiments, sheath  18  and sheath  20  may be sized such that sheath  18  extending from dome  12  may extend into sheath  20  extending from surface  17  when dome  12  is deformed, as opposed to sheath  20  extending into sheath  18 , as shown. 
       FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of an illustrative dome switch  30  of electronic device  1 . Dome switch  30  may include a dome  32  coupled to a mounting surface  37 , which may be any suitable surface of device  1 , such as a surface of circuit board  15 . Dome  32  may include an inner surface  31 , an outer surface  33 , and an air hole  42  provided therebetween for releasing air into the atmosphere when dome  32  is deformed. Switch  30  may include a conductive contact region  34  coupled to inner surface  31  of dome  32  and a conductive contact pad  36  coupled to surface  37 . Switch  30  may also include a sheath  38  that has a sheath portion  38   c  extending between a first open end  38   a  and a second open end  38   b . End  38   a  of sheath  38  may be coupled to inner surface  31  of dome  32  around conductive region  34  of inner surface  31  to prevent liquid external to sheath  38  from contacting conductive region  34 . End  38   b  of sheath  38  may be coupled to surface  37  around contact pad  36  to prevent liquid external to sheath  38  from contacting contact pad  36 . 
     When user  5  pushes down on outer surface  33  in the direction of arrow D, dome  32  may deform such that contact region  34  may contact conductive contact pad  36  as shown in  FIG. 2A . When contact region  34  contacts contact pad  36 , an electrically conductive path may be created between contact region  34  and contact pad  36 , which may switch a circuit that can be detected by electronic device  1 . As dome  32  deforms, sheath  38  may be compressed such that end  38   a  and end  38   b  of sheath  38  may move towards one another. Further, mid-region  38   d  of sheath portion  38   c  of sheath  38  may expand outwardly (e.g., in a direction perpendicular to that of arrow D) as sheath  38  compresses. Sheath  38  may be made of suitable material such as rubber, silicone, or a hydrophobic mesh and may be coupled to switch  30  similar to how sheaths  18  and  20  may be coupled to switch  10 . 
       FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of an illustrative dome switch  50  of electronic device  1 . Dome switch  50  may include a dome  52  coupled to a surface  57 , which may be any suitable surface of device  1 , such as a surface of circuit board  15 . Dome  52  may include an inner surface  51 , an outer surface  53 , and air hole  62  provided therebetween for releasing air into the atmosphere when dome  52  is depressed. Dome switch  50  may also include a conductive contact region  54  coupled to inner surface  51  of dome  52  and a conductive contact pad  56  coupled to surface  57 . Switch  50  may also include a sheath  58  that has a sheath portion  58   c  extending between a first open end  58   a  and a second open end  58   b . End  58   a  of sheath  58  may be coupled to inner surface  51  of dome  52  around conductive contact region  54  of inner surface  51  of dome  52  to prevent liquid external to sheath  58  from contacting contact region  54 . End  58   b  of sheath  58  may be coupled to surface  57  around contact pad  56  to prevent liquid external to sheath  58  from contacting contact pad  56 . 
     In operation, when user  5  pushes down on outer surface  53  in the direction of arrow D, dome  52  may deform such that conductive contact region  54  can contact conductive contact pad  56 , as shown in  FIG. 3A . When contact region  54  contacts contact pad  56 , an electrically conductive path may be created between contact region  54  and contact pad  56 , which may switch a circuit that can be detected by electronic device  1 . As dome  52  deforms, sheath  58  may compress like an accordion or in any suitable fashion, such that one or more fold portions  58   d  may bend and reduce the height of sheath  58  between ends  58   a  and  58   b , and such that open end  58   a  and open end  58   b  of sheath  58  may move towards one another. 
       FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of an illustrative dome switch  70  of electronic device  1 . Dome switch  70  may include a dome  72  coupled to a mounting surface  77 , which may be any suitable surface of dome  1 , such as of circuit board  15 . Dome  72  may include inner surface  71 , outer surface  73 , and an air hole  82  provided therebetween for releasing air into the atmosphere when dome  72  is deformed. Switch  70  may include a conductive contact region  74  coupled to inner surface  71  of dome  72  and a conductive contact pad  76  coupled to surface  77 . Switch  70  may also include a sheath  78  that has a sheath portion  78   c  extending between a first open end  78   a  and a second open end  78   b . Sheath  78  may also include one or more springs  79  embedded between inner sheath  78   d  and outer sheath  78   e  of sheath portion  78   c . Spring  79  may be provided within or about one sheath or may be between two sheaths as shown in  FIG. 4 . End  78   a  of sheath  78  may be coupled to inner surface  71  of dome  72  around contact region  74  of inner surface  71  of dome  72  to prevent liquid external to sheath  78  from contacting contact region  74 . End  78   b  of sheath  78  may be coupled to surface  77  around contact pad  76  to prevent liquid external to sheath  78  from contacting contact pad  76 . 
     Spring  79  may be constructed from any suitable material such that when user  5  applies pressure to outer surface  73  of dome  72  in direction of arrow D, spring  79  along with sheath  78  may compress, allowing contact region  74  of dome  72  to contact conductive contact pad  76 . For example, spring  79  may be constructed from high-carbon alloys, chrome silicone, chrome vanadium, or stainless steel. 
     Spring  79  may be manufactured using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, spring  79  may be manufactured using machining, cold and/or hot winding, cutting, forming, or any other suitable manufacturing process. Inner and outer sheaths  78   d  and  78   e  along with spring  79  embedded therebetween may be operative to compress, bringing the coils of spring  79  closer together when user  5  applies force to outer surface  73  in direction of arrow D and then returning to its original state when the force is removed by having the coils of spring  79  move apart. In some embodiments, dome  72  may not have to return to its undeformed state on its own after user  5  stops applying a force to dome  72  in direction D. Instead, dome  72  may be returned to its undeformed state by coils of spring  79  moving apart and increasing the height of sheath  78 , thereby moving portions of dome  72  upward in the direction of arrow U. 
     In operation, when user  5  pushes down on outer surface  73  in the direction of arrow D, dome  72  may deform such that contact region  74  comes into contact with contact pad  76 , as shown in  FIG. 4A . When contact region  74  contacts contact pad  76 , an electrically conductive path may be created between contact region  74  and contact pad  76 , which may close a circuit that can be detected by electronic device  1 . 
     The above described embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20091001
Publication Date: 20130806
Grant Date: 20130806
Priority Date: 20091001
Inventors: LIN GLORIA
GERMANSDERFER BRUNO
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01H13/10", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2201/01", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2215/012", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/26", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2205/002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2215/004", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/10", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/12", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H1/64", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2205/002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/14", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2215/004", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H11/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/12", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49105", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2215/006", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/52", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2201/01", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H1/64", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/52", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2215/012", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/02", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/02", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H11/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/14", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2215/006", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49105", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/26", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 43822357