PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8872053-B2
Application Number: US-78938710-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Sliding button with rotating shaft

Abstract:
An electronic device may have a housing with an opening. A button may be formed within the electronic device. The button may have a button member that is actuated by a user. The button member may translate within an opening in the electronic device housing when actuated by a user. The button may have a shaft that is coupled to the button member by a coupling mechanism. When the button member is laterally translated within the opening, the coupling mechanism may rotate the shaft about its longitudinal axis. The button may be provided with detents using a detent biasing mechanism. The detent biasing mechanism may be based on a spring having grooves that interact with a protrusion on the shaft or a spring-loaded pin that engages recesses in the shaft. A switch mechanism for the button may be formed using traces on the shaft, spring-type switch contacts, and other structures.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device button in an electronic device having a housing that defines an opening, the electronic device button comprising:
 a sliding button member that is actuatable by a user along an actuation axis, the sliding button member comprising:
 a movable portion positioned at least partially within the opening and operative to move along the actuation axis; and 
 a coupling portion extending into the housing and connected to the movable portion: 
 
 a shaft within the housing comprising a conductive trace and defining a groove, the groove accepting and retaining the coupling portion of the button member, the shaft extending along a pivot axis perpendicular to the actuation axis and being rotatable about the pivot axis by translation of the movable portion at the button member along the actuation axis; and 
 a switch comprising a plurality of switch contacts and at least a part of the switch contacts comprising the conductive trace, the switch having at least a first state and a second state and changeable from the first state to the second state by rotation of the shaft to a first angle; 
 wherein:
 the conductive trace is angled with respect to the pivot axis; and 
 the plurality of switch contacts are arranged to respectively contact the conductive trace as the shaft is rotated into different orientations about the pivot axis by translation of the movable portion of the button member along the actuation axis. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device button defined in  claim 1  wherein the shaft is formed exclusively of conductive material. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device button defined in  claim 1  further comprising a detent mechanism that provides the button with a plurality of detents. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device button defined in  claim 3  wherein the detent mechanism comprises a spring with grooves and wherein the shaft has a protrusion that interacts with the spring. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device button defined in  claim 3  wherein the detent mechanism comprises a spring-loaded pin and a plurality of recesses in the shaft that respectively engage the spring-loaded pin. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device button defined in  claim 1  further comprising at least one shaft mounting structure having a pin that engages a recess in the shaft. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device button defined in  claim 6  further comprising a patterned conductive trace on the shaft that is electrically shorted to the pin when the pin engages the recess. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device button defined in  claim 1  further comprising a coupling mechanism that couples the sliding button member to the shaft. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device button defined in  claim 8  wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a structure in the button member that protrudes into a corresponding groove in the shaft. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device button defined in  claim 8  wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a first engagement feature on an end of the shaft that engages a second engagement feature on the button member. 
     
     
       11. The electronic device button defined in  claim 10  wherein the first engagement feature comprises a protrusion on the end of the shaft and wherein the second engagement feature comprises a hole with an oval cross section in the button member. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device button defined in  claim 1  wherein the shaft engages the button member at a first radius from the pivot axis, wherein the shaft engages a detent biasing structure at a second radius from the pivot axis, and wherein the first radius is larger than the second radius. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device button defined in  claim 9  wherein the structure has a rounded surface and the corresponding groove has rounded sidewalls to facilitate lateral movement.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This relates generally to sliding buttons, and more particularly, to sliding buttons with rotating shafts. 
     Electronic devices such as handheld electronic devices often include buttons. For example, a cellular telephone may have a button that slides between different positions. Conventional sliding buttons have button members that interact with a sliding switch. A user can slide a button member between different positions to actuate the sliding switch. 
     Conventional sliding button arrangements such as these may be difficult to manufacture with desired properties. In some arrangements, the proximity of the sliding button and the sliding switch mechanism make it difficult to mount a conventional sliding button within a device. Problems can also arise in switch placement and performance. 
     It would therefore be desirable to provide improved sliding buttons for use in equipment such as handheld devices and other electronic devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     An electronic device such as a cellular telephone, media player, portable computer, or other device may have a housing with an opening. A button may be formed within the electronic device. The button may have a button member. The button member may translate within the opening in the electronic device housing when actuated by a user. The button may have an open position and a closed position or may have three or more different positions. A switch mechanism within the button may have switch terminals. Different respective sets of the terminals may be electrically connected to each other in each of the button positions. Detents may be provided for each button position using a detent biasing mechanism. 
     The button may have a shaft that is coupled to the button member by a coupling mechanism. When the button member is laterally translated within the opening, the coupling mechanism may rotate the shaft about its longitudinal axis. The coupling mechanism may be formed by an engagement feature on the shaft that engages with an engagement feature on the button member. With one arrangement, a protrusion on the end of the shaft fits within an oval-shaped recess in the button member. With another arrangement, a portion of the button member is received within a groove in the shaft. 
     The button may be provided with detents using a detent biasing mechanism. The detent biasing mechanism may be based on a spring having grooves that interact with a protrusion on the shaft or a spring-loaded pin that engages recesses in the shaft. 
     The switch mechanism for the button may be formed using patterned conductive traces on the shaft. If desired, the shaft can be formed from metal or other conductive material and can be used as part of the switch. Switch contacts may be mounted to the housing of the electronic device or to a shaft support member. Spring-type switch contacts, switch contacts formed from spring-loaded pins, and other switch terminals may be used in the switch. Switch terminals may be formed as an integral portion of the detent biasing mechanism or as separate structures. 
     The button may use a coupling mechanism that converts lateral button member movement into longitudinal movement of the shaft. The shaft may have a groove that interacts with a protrusion on the button member. When the button member is translated, the protrusion on the button member may move within the groove and push the shaft along its longitudinal axis. A dome switch or other switch mechanism may be formed at one end of the shaft. When the shaft moves along its longitudinal axis, the switch may be actuated. 
     Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device that includes a sliding button in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a portion of an illustrative electronic device showing how a sliding button may have a rotating shaft in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a sliding button having a rotating shaft in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of the sliding button of  FIG. 3  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of showing how a longitudinally protruding feature such as a coupling post may be used in coupling a rotating shaft to a sliding button member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an illustrative button member having a coupling recess that is located on a vertical portion of the button member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an illustrative button member having a coupling recess that is located on a horizontal portion of the button member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an illustrative button member having a rounded structure that mates with a corresponding recess in a rotating shaft in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an illustrative button with a rotating shaft and an electrical contact formed on a housing structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a portion of a sliding button showing how springs that bear against a rotating shaft may be used to form button terminals in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional end view of the sliding button of  FIG. 10  showing how springs may be used to form button terminals in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a rotating shaft in a sliding button showing how patterned traces on the rotating shaft may interact with springs that serve as button terminals in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional end view of a button shaft showing how a spring may contact a conductor on the shaft when the shaft is rotated into a given position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional end view of a button shaft showing how a pair of springs may selectively contact a conductor on the shaft depending on how the shaft is positioned in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a rotating shaft in a sliding button showing how the shaft may be provided with a conductive structure that can be used to selectively short two button terminals together when the shaft is rotated into a given position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional end view of a rotating shaft of the type shown in  FIG. 15  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of a rotating shaft with multiple button terminals in a sliding button in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a side view of a rotating shaft in a sliding button showing how a spring-loaded pin that serves as a detent biasing structure may mate with features in a rotating shaft such as recesses to provide the button with detents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is an end view of a rotating shaft in a sliding button showing how a spring may interact with a protrusion on a rotating shaft to provide the button with detents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a graph showing how biasing structures such as the spring-loaded pin of  FIG. 18  and the spring of  FIG. 19  may impart different amounts of force on a button as a rotating shaft in the button rotates between different angular positions in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  is an exploded perspective view of a rotating shaft in a sliding button and a mounting structure that has structures that serve as button terminals and detent biasing structures in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a rotating shaft in a sliding button showing how the shaft may be configured to produce a mechanical advantage in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional end view of a portion of a rotating shaft of the type shown in  FIG. 22  showing how a button member may be coupled to a recess in the shaft to impart rotational motion to the shaft in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional end view of a portion of the shaft of  FIG. 23  that has a reduced radius showing how the shaft may interact with a spring to provide a detent using mechanical advantage in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 25  is a side view of a sliding button showing how a rotating shaft in the button may be provided with a slot that converts sliding motion of a button member perpendicular to the shaft into lateral movement of the shaft along its longitudinal axis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Sliding buttons may be used to control the operation of electronic devices. Examples of device functions that may be controlled using sliding buttons include power functions, media playback functions, functions associated with turning on and off a ringer (e.g., in a cellular telephone), and functions associated with controlling other components and device operations. A sliding button may be implemented using a momentary mechanism in which the button is automatically returned to a home position following movement to an actuated position. A sliding button may also be provided with detents that allow the button to be more permanently slid into a number of different positions. For example, a sliding button may be moved between a closed position and an open position each of which has a respective detent. A sliding button may also be provided with three or more detents each of which is associated with closing a circuit between a different respective pair of button terminals. 
     The devices in which sliding buttons are used may, for example, be desktop computers, televisions, or other consumer electronics equipment. The electronic devices may also be portable electronic devices such as laptop computers and tablet computers. If desired, portable electronic devices may be somewhat smaller devices. Examples of smaller portable electronic devices include wrist-watch devices, pendant devices, headphone and earpiece devices, and other wearable and miniature devices. With one suitable arrangement, the portable electronic devices may be handheld electronic devices such as cellular telephones and media players. 
     An illustrative electronic device of the type that may have a sliding button is shown in  FIG. 1 . Device  10  of  FIG. 1  may be, for example, a handheld electronic device such as a cellular telephone with circuitry that runs email and other communications applications, web browsing applications, media playback applications, games, etc. 
     Device  10  may have housing  12 . Housing  12  may be formed of materials such as plastic, glass, ceramics, metal, carbon fiber composites and other composite materials, other suitable materials, or a combination of these materials. Housing  12  may be formed using a unibody construction in which most or all of the exterior of housing  12  and at least some of its interior structures are formed from a single piece of material (e.g., molded plastic, machined metal, cast or stamped metal with machined surfaces, etc.). Housing  12  may also be formed using a multi-piece construction in which portions of the housing are formed from separate parts (e.g., housing side walls, a rear housing surface, internal supports and frame structures, etc.). 
     Display  16  may be mounted on the front surface of device  10  and may, if desired, be surrounded by peripheral structures such as a bezel. Speaker port  14  may be used to form an ear speaker for a user of device  10 . Speaker and microphone ports  22  and  24  may be provided adjacent to data input-output port  20 . Port  20  may receive a connector (e.g., a 30-pin connector). 
     Button  18  may serve as a menu button. Device  10  may be provided with additional buttons such as rocker button  26 . One or more sliding buttons such as sliding button  36  may be used to control the operation of device  10 . In the example of  FIG. 1 , sliding button  36  is provided along the left edge of device housing  12 . This is merely illustrative. Sliding buttons such as sliding button  36  may be mounted on any suitable portion of an electronic device. 
     Sliding button  36  may have a sliding button member such as sliding button member  28 . A user may control button  36  by sliding member  28  in directions  32  and  34 . Housing  12  may have an opening such as opening  30  that allows button member  28  to travel in directions  32  and  34 . When pressed upwards in direction  32 , button member  28  will slide upwards within opening  30  into a first position such as the position shown in  FIG. 1 . When pressed downwards in direction  34 , button member  28  will move downwards into a second position. Arrangements that support three or more positions may also be used for sliding button  36  if desired. Two-position arrangements are sometimes described as examples, but this is merely illustrative. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of a portion of device  10  and device housing  12  of  FIG. 1  in the vicinity of sliding button  36 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , button  36  may have a rotating shaft such as shaft  40 . Button member  28  may be coupled to shaft  40  using coupling mechanism  38 . Coupling mechanism  38  may be located at end  44  of shaft  40  (as an example). At other portions of shaft  40  such as at the other end of shaft  40  (i.e., at end  46 ), shaft  40  may be coupled to switch  42 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , housing  12  may have a planar exterior housing surface and shaft  40  may be parallel to the planar exterior housing surface. 
     When a user slides button member  28  up and down in directions  32  and  34  (i.e., along an axis that runs parallel to directions  32  and  34 ), coupling mechanism  38  imparts rotational motion to shaft  40  about longitudinal axis  48  (which is orthogonal to the lateral translation axis of button member  28 ). The rotation of shaft  40  causes switch  42  to selectively open and close electrical circuits between two or more switch terminals. For example, in a two-position button arrangement, movement of button member  28  in a first direction (e.g., upwards in direction  32 ) will cause shaft  40  to rotate in a first direction until switch  42  has a first state (e.g., until switch  42  is closed) and movement of button member  28  in a second direction (e.g., downwards in direction  34 ) will cause shaft  40  to rotate in a second direction (opposite to the first direction) until switch  42  has a second state that is different than the first state (e.g., until switch  42  is open). 
     In this example, switch  42  and therefore button  36  has two positions (open and closed). This is merely illustrative. Switch  42  and button  36  may have any suitable number of positions. In arrangements with additional button positions, button member  28  may be placed in one or more intermediate locations and switch  42  can exhibit a correspondingly increased number of discrete states. The status of switch  42  can be conveyed using an appropriate number of switch terminals. For example, a three position switch may convey its state by shorting a connection between first and second terminals (in a first position), first and third terminals (in a second position), and first and fourth terminals (in a third position). Switches and buttons with different numbers of terminals and different terminal patterns may be used if desired. 
     To provide a user with tactile feedback, it may be desirable to provide button  36  with detents. These detents may be associated with respective states of switch  42 . For example, if switch  42  is a two position switch, button  36  may be provided with two detents each of which corresponds to one of the two positions of switch  42  and one of the two corresponding positions of button member  28 . If switch  42  is a three position switch, three detents may be provided, etc. 
     Detents may be provided using detent biasing mechanisms such as spring-loaded pins that bear against recesses in shaft  40  or that bear against other engagement features that move with shaft  40 . Springs and other detent biasing structures may also be used in implementing detents. If desired, multiple detent mechanisms may be used (e.g., springs and spring-loaded pins). 
     The switch functionality of switch  42  may be provided using dome switches or other suitable switch mechanisms. Dome switches may have flexible dome members (e.g., plastic members with interior metal layers) that can be compressed to close a circuit between two substrate-mounted switch terminals. A dome switch may be mounted on a substrate such as a plastic member or a printed circuit board (e.g., a rigid printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board, or rigid flex). Dome switches may also be encased in switch housings to form tactile (“tact”) switches. 
     Arrangements of the type shown in  FIG. 2  in which button  36  includes a rotating shaft may help make it possible to optimize the placement of button  36 . For example, button  36  may be mounted in a location with little housing depth. Shaft  40  may be compact relative to a switch, so the use of shaft  40  in the vicinity of button member  28  may help to make this portion of button  36  compact. Switch  42  and other potentially bulky portions of button  36  (e.g., a detent mechanism, switch terminals, mounting features, etc.) may be mounted in portions of a device with more available space (i.e., portions of a housing away from the immediate vicinity of button members  38 ). The use of shaft  40  may also make it possible to modify the mechanical advantage and tactile feel associated with actuating switch  42  and overcoming any associated detent resistance. 
     Shaft  40  may allow button member  28  and switch  42  to be located in a variety of different orientations, depending on packaging needs. The detent mechanism for button  36  and the switch mechanism for button  36  can be separated from the location at which button  36  is actuated by a user (i.e., button member  28 ). This flexibility in the placement of the components of button  36  may help overcome difficult packaging challenges and may simplify wire routing. By using mechanical advantage (e.g., by using smaller-radius and larger-radius structures on a common shaft  40 ), a long-travel can be constructed using a relatively small switch mechanism. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of button  36 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , button  36  may have a button member  28  that slides up in direction  32  and down in direction  34  relative to housing  12 . Button member  28  may reciprocate within opening  30  in housing  12 . Button member  28  and the other structures associated with device  10 , housing  12 , and button  36  may be formed from materials such as plastic, ceramic, glass, metal, composites, and combinations of such materials. For example, button member  28  and shaft  40  may (for example) be formed from metal. 
     Button member  28  may be mounted on a button member support such as support  52 . Support  52  may have a first portion such as portion  54  that lies in the same plane as button member  28 . Portion  54  may reciprocate (translate laterally) within gap  12 C between outer planar housing portion  12 A and inner planar housing portion  12 B. Portion  56  of button member support  52  may have a tip portion that engages a mating groove in coupling portion  58  of shaft  40 . In this embodiment of button  36 , button support member  56  and the mating groove in shaft  40  serve as a coupling mechanism such as mechanism  38  of  FIG. 2 . 
     Button shaft support structures such as structure  60  may be used to mount shaft  40  within device  10 . A spring such a spring  64  may have one or more grooves and one or more raised portions between the grooves. Each groove in spring  64  may correspond to a detent for button  36 . As shaft  40  rotates about axis  48  in response to movement of button member  28 , protrusion  62  deforms spring  64  and, while spring  64  is deformed, passes from one groove to the next. 
     Springs in button shaft support structures such as structure  60  and mating protrusions on shaft  40  are merely one illustrative type of biasing arrangement that may be used in forming button detent mechanisms. Other types of biasing structures that may be used include spring-loaded pins, friction bearings, etc. These biasing mechanisms may be formed as part of the support structures that hold shaft  40  in place, as part of switch  42 , or as separate structures (as examples). 
       FIG. 4  is an end view of button  36  of  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , spring  64  has two grooves (groove  66  and groove  68 ), each of which corresponds to a respective detent for button  36 . In the position shown in  FIG. 4 , shaft  40  is midway between grooves  66  and  68  and is therefore in the act of compressing central portion  70  of spring  64  in direction  72 . 
     Coupling mechanisms such as coupling mechanism  38  may be implemented using a button structure such as structure  56  of  FIG. 4  that is inserted into groove  82  in shaft  40 . Another illustrative coupling mechanism arrangement is shown in  FIG. 5 . With an arrangement of the type shown in  FIG. 5 , shaft  40  has protrusion  74 . The drawing of  FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view. When assembled to form a completed version of button  36 , protrusion  74  on the end of shaft  40  mates with recess  76  in button member  28  (as indicated by dashed line  78 ). If button member  28  is moved in direction  32 , shaft  40  will rotate clockwise about axis  48 . Movement of button member  28  in direction  34  will cause shaft  40  to rotate in a counterclockwise direction about axis  48 . If desired, other types of engagement features may be used to couple shaft  40  to button member  36 . For example, protrusion  74  may be formed on button member  28  and mating opening  76  may be formed in shaft  40  (or a structure associated with shaft  40 ). The use of a mating protrusion and mating recess in coupling mechanism  38  of  FIG. 5  is merely illustrative. 
       FIG. 6  shows how recess  76  may have an oval cross-sectional shape to accommodate movement of protrusion  74  parallel to axis  80  (e.g., a vertical axis) as button member  28  moves along orthogonal directions  32  and  34  (e.g., along a horizontal axis). In the example of  FIG. 6 , oval recess  76  is located on vertical member  56 . If desired, recess  76  may be located on horizontal button member portion  54 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 8  shows how the exposed tip of portion  56  of button member  28  may be provided with a rounded surface and how groove  82  in shaft  40  may be provided with rounded sidewalls. Smoothed features such as these may help lateral movements of button member  28  in directions  32  and  34  to be smoothly translated into rotational movement of shaft  40  about axis  48 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , spring  64  may be mounted on the inner surface of housing wall  12 B (e.g., using adhesive, welds, fasteners, etc.). Shaft  40  may have a protrusion such as protrusion  62 A that engages with mating grooves in spring  64 . If desired, switch terminals for button  36  can be formed within separate dome switches. Switch terminals can also be formed from contacts that mate directly with conductive portions of shaft  40  or other rotating conductive members. For example, shaft  40  may have one or more protrusions such as protrusion  62 B that are used to form electrical connection with switch terminals such as switch terminal  84 . Switch terminals such as switch terminal  84  may be mounted on housing  12 B or other suitable support structures. If desired, switch terminals may be formed from portions of detent springs such as spring  64 . 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing how switch  42  may have three switch terminals. Switch terminal  84 C may be formed from a conductive member that is in continuous contact with the outer conductive surface of shaft  40 . Shaft  40  may, for example, be formed from a solid metal rod, a rod that is coated with a blanket layer of metal or patterned metal traces, etc. No matter which rotational orientation is given to shaft  40  about axis  48 , switch contact  84 C will remain electrically shorted to shaft  40 . Switch contacts  84 A and  84 B may be mounted in device  10  so that either one or the other comes into contact with conductive protrusion  62 B on shaft  40 . 
     In the rotational orientation shown in  FIG. 10 , protrusion  62 B and therefore shaft  40  is electrically shorted to switch terminal  84 A. When rotated, protrusion  62 B will no longer be in contact with switch terminal  84 A, but will be shorted instead to switch contact  84 B. This is shown in more detail in the end view of  FIG. 11 , which shows protrusion portion  64 B of shaft  40  in contact with switch terminal  84 A. Switch terminal  84 B and (in dashed lines) the position of protrusion  64 B when shaft  40  is rotated are also shown. 
     In switch arrangements of the type shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , current may pass through shaft  40  (as an example). In general, current may pass along the longitudinal axis of shaft  40  (e.g., current may pass through shaft  40 , through a conductive trace on the surface of shaft  40 , through a conductive within shaft  40 , etc.). Any suitable number of switch terminals can be associated with the switch. The example of  FIGS. 10 and 11  uses three terminals, but more than three terminals may be used if desired. Each switch position may have an associated detent (e.g., a detent provided by spring  64  ( FIG. 9 ). 
     In the example of  FIG. 12 , conductive trace  86  has been formed on the surface of shaft  40 . Shaft  40  may be formed from a dielectric or a conductive material. Trace  86  may be formed from metal (e.g., gold or copper plated with gold) or other suitable conductive materials. The shape of trace  86  may be adjusted to accommodate different types of locations for switch terminals  84 A,  84 B, and  84 C. The end view of  FIG. 13  shows how switch terminal  84 C of  FIG. 12  may be wide enough to remain in contact with trace  86  as shaft  40  is rotated between various switch positions. The end view of  FIG. 14  shows how trace  86  of  FIG. 12  may be rotated to be in contact with switch terminal  84 B (as shown in  FIG. 14 ) or switch terminal  84 A (as illustrated by the dashed lines of  FIG. 14 ). 
     With an arrangement of the type shown in  FIG. 15 , switch  42  may have a closed position when shaft  40  is rotated so that trace  86  connects switch terminals  84 B and  84 A (as shown in  FIG. 15 ) and may have an open position when shaft  40  is rotated so that trace  86  does not electrically short terminals  84 B and  84 A.  FIG. 16  is an end view of switch  42  of  FIG. 15  showing how switch contacts  84 B and  84 A may be electrically connected through trace  86  and showing (by dashed lines) a position for trace  86  that will disconnect contacts  84 B and  84 A from each other to open switch  42 . Contacts such as contacts  84 A,  84 B, and  84 C may be formed from springs (e.g., using a spring metal). 
       FIG. 17  shows how trace  86  may be angled relative to the terminals of switch  42  to implement a multi-position switch. Terminal  84 D may stay in continuous contact with trace  86  on shaft  40 . Shaft  40  may be rotated about axis  48  into three respective positions thereby shorting terminal  84 D through trace  86  to contact  84 G,  84 F, or  84 E, respectively. 
     If desired, one or more spring-loaded pins such as pin  90  of  FIG. 18  may be used to provide button  36  with detents. Pin  90  may be mounted to support  88  (e.g., a housing structure or other support member). A coil spring in pin  90  may bias spring tip  92  towards the surface of shaft  40 . Shaft  40  may have holes  94  that mate with tip  92 . Tip  92  and holes  94  may be rounded to facilitate movement of tip  92  into and out of each hole. For example, tip  92  may have a convex hemispherical shape and holes  94  may each have a concave hemispherical shape. Each hole  94  may correspond to a respective detent position for the rotation of shaft  40 . If desired, traces (e.g., trace  86 ) may be extended into the holes and pins such as pin  90  may serve as switch contacts. 
     If desired, spring biasing structures such as spring  64  of  FIG. 9  and spring  64  of  FIG. 3  may be provided with three or more grooves so that button  36  will have three or more corresponding detents.  FIG. 19  is an end view of an illustrative configuration in which spring  64  has four grooves that can receive protrusion  62 B on shaft  40 .  FIG. 20  is a corresponding plot of spring force as a function of angular rotation of shaft  40 . Each time protrusion  62 B is received within one of the grooves of spring  64  of  FIG. 19 , the force F of spring  64  on protrusion  62 B is at a minimum (i.e., the button is in one of its detents). When protrusion  62 B is in between the grooves of spring  64 , force F is at a maximum. The graph of  FIG. 20  also applies to the force exerted by other detent biasing mechanisms (e.g., the force exerted by pins such as spring-loaded pin  90 ). 
     Shaft  40  may be supported by shaft support members such as shaft support member  96 , shown in the exploded perspective view of  FIG. 21 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , shaft support member  96  may have an opening such as a cylindrical bore that receives shaft  40 . Support members such as support member  96  may, for example, be formed from a dielectric such as plastic that is slippery enough to allow shaft  40  to rotate freely. 
     Switch  42  may be integrated into support  96 . For example, conductive members  84 B and  84 A (e.g., spring-loaded pins or spring-shaped contacts) may form switch contacts and may mate with recesses  94  in shaft  40 . Trace  86  may form an electrical path between recesses  94 . When shaft  40  is rotated into place, switch contacts  84 A and  84 B will be shorted to each other and the switch will be closed. When shaft  40  is rotated further, switch contacts  84 A and  84 B will no longer both contact traces  86  and the switch will be opened. Spring-shaped switch contacts of the type shown in  FIG. 12  may also be mounted to support structures such as structure  96  and may be used as switch terminals. 
     If desired, different sections of shaft  40  may be provided with different diameters to provide button  36  with mechanical advantage. As shown in  FIG. 22 , for example, portion  40 A of shaft  40  may have diameter D 1  and portion  40 B of shaft  40  may have diameter D 2 . Button member  28  may mate with a groove in the portion of shaft  40  that has diameter D 1  (i.e., to form coupling mechanism  38 ). Protrusion  62 , which is used with spring  64  in forming a detent mechanism for button  36 , may be formed on the portion of shaft  40  that has diameter D 2 . Because diameter D 1  is larger than diameter D 2 , there is leverage (mechanical advantage) when using movement of button member  28  to move protrusion  62 . This type of arrangement lessens the impact of variations in the biasing force provided by spring  64  on the forces experienced at button member  28 . Accordingly, the use of mechanical advantage in the linking between button member  28  and detent biasing member  64  may help ensure that button  36  is manufactured within design tolerances and is provided with a desired amount of detent action. If desired, mechanical advantage may be provided with other configurations (e.g., using coupling mechanisms and protrusions of different sizes and shapes, etc.). The arrangement of  FIG. 22  is merely illustrative. 
       FIG. 23  is an end view of an illustrative shaft that has mechanical advantage. As shown in  FIG. 23 , protrusion  62  may have a radius R 1  from axis  48 , whereas the location at which portion  56  of button member  28  bears against shaft  40  may have a radius R 2  from axis  48 . R 2  is larger than R 1 , providing the button with mechanical advantage when converting translational motion of button member  28  into rotational motion of shaft  40  so that protrusion  62  interacts with spring  64  ( FIG. 24 ). 
     If desired, shaft  40  may be provided with a groove or other feature that converts lateral button member motion into longitudinal shaft motion. This type of arrangement is shown in  FIG. 25 . As shown in  FIG. 25 , button member  28 , which is shown by dashed lines, may have an inwardly protruding portion such as portion  108 . Portion  108  may protrude into angled groove  98  in shaft  40 . As button member  28  is translated laterally in direction  32  (i.e., transverse to longitudinal axis  48 ), portion  108  presses against the side walls of groove  98  and forces shaft  40  to move along longitudinal axis  48  in direction  100 . This causes end surface  102  of shaft  40  to bear against tip  104  of dome switch  106 , compressing and closing dome switch  106  (and thereby actuating switch  42 ). If desired, shaft  40  may be provided with protruding rings that engage grooves in springs or may be provided with ring-shaped recesses that engage inwardly protruding spring-loaded pins to implement detents. Switch contacts of the type shown in  FIG. 12  may be formed by using a pattern of traces  86  on shaft  40  that open and close the switch in response to reciprocation of shaft  40  along longitudinal axis  48 . Dome switch  106  of  FIG. 25  may be mounted on a support member, may be implemented as a tact switch, etc. 
     The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20100527
Publication Date: 20141028
Grant Date: 20141028
Priority Date: 20100527
Inventors: WITTENBERG MICHAEL B.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01H3/50", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H15/06", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H1/5805", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H1/40", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H15/102", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H15/06", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H1/40", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H1/5805", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H15/102", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H3/50", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 45021173