PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7985935-B2
Application Number: US-17857108-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Bottom actuated switch

Abstract:
The systems and methods described herein are directed to a switch for electronic devices. The systems and methods provide for a switch disposed on a bottom surface of a circuit board enclosed in a housing of an electronic device. The circuit board may include an aperture. An actuating pin of the switch may extend through the aperture towards the top surface of the circuit board. An external actuator may be coupled to the actuating pin in the aperture on the circuit board. The external actuator may extend out through an opening in the housing for providing a user with access to the switch.

Claims:
1. A switch assembly for a printed circuit board, comprising:
 a printed circuit board having a top surface, a bottom surface and an aperture extending from the top surface to the bottom surface; 
 a switch mounted on the top surface overlapping the aperture, wherein the switch includes an actuating pin extending through the aperture towards the bottom surface; and 
 an external actuator disposed on the bottom surface over the aperture, wherein the external actuator is removably attached to the actuating pin, and wherein a portion of the external actuator extends past the bottom surface toward the top surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the switch includes a slide-switch and the aperture is adapted to allow the actuating pin to slide between different switch positions. 
     
     
       3. The switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the external actuator extends into the aperture. 
     
     
       4. The switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the actuating pin does not extend past the bottom surface. 
     
     
       5. The switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the switch includes a slide switch, and the aperture is adapted to allow a portion of the external actuator to slide between different switch positions. 
     
     
       6. The switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit board includes a plurality of apertures, and a plurality of switches are mounted on the top surface overlapping each of the plurality of apertures. 
     
     
       7. The switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of external actuators are disposed on the bottom surface. 
     
     
       8. The switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of switches are mounted on the top surface of the printed circuit board, and the respective actuating pins of the plurality of switches extend through the aperture. 
     
     
       9. A switch assembly for an electronic device, comprising:
 a housing having an opening on a surface; 
 a circuit board disposed in the housing and having an aperture near the opening; 
 a switch mounted on a surface of the circuit board that is distal to the opening and overlapping with the aperture, wherein the switch includes an actuating pin extending through the aperture; and 
 an external actuator distinct from the actuating pin and disposed on a surface of the circuit board proximal to the opening and extending through the opening, wherein the external actuator extends through the aperture and couples to the pin for operating the switch. 
 
     
     
       10. The switch assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the electronic device has an overall thickness of about 5 mm. 
     
     
       11. The switch assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the opening is on a surface of the housing substantially parallel to the direction of the thickness of the electronic device. 
     
     
       12. The switch assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the circuit board is disposed in an orientation whereby the surface of the circuit board is substantially parallel to the surface of the housing that include the opening. 
     
     
       13. A method of manufacturing a switch for an electronic device, comprising:
 providing a printed circuit board having top surface, a bottom surface and an aperture extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, wherein the aperture is located near a portion of the top surface having circuitry for switching; 
 providing a switch configured to be mounted on the top surface for connecting to the circuitry, the switch including an actuating pin adapted to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the top surface when the switch is mounted; 
 mounting the switch on the top surface and overlapping the aperture such that the actuating pin extends through the aperture and towards the bottom surface, and does not extend past the bottom surface; and 
 coupling an external actuator to the actuating pin. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing a housing having an opening on a surface. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising enclosing the circuit board and the switch within the housing such that the external actuator extends through the opening on the surface of the housing. 
     
     
       16. A switch assembly for a printed circuit board, comprising:
 a printed circuit board having a top surface, a bottom surface and an aperture extending from the top surface to the bottom surface; and 
 a switch mounted on the top surface overlapping the aperture, wherein the switch includes an actuating pin extending through the aperture towards the bottom surface, wherein: 
 the switch assembly is placed within a housing comprising an opening on a surface, and the printed circuit board and the switch are disposed within the housing such that a portion of the actuating pin is accessible through the opening on the housing; 
 the switch includes a slide-switch; and 
 the aperture is adapted to allow the actuating pin to slide between different switch positions. 
 
     
     
       17. The switch assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the printed circuit board includes a plurality of apertures, and a plurality of switches are mounted on the top surface overlapping the plurality of apertures.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/995,366, filed on Sep. 25, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to switches for electronic devices having reduced thickness. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recent technological advances have facilitated the decrease in size of portable electronic devices such as portable music and video players. Engineers have been able to reduce the size of circuitry and electronic components in electronic hardware such as the storage, memory and power supply units. However, the overall size of these electronic devices is still influenced by the size and shape of its mechanical components such as enclosures, casing and switch components. These mechanical components pose several constraints on the reduction of the size of the devices. For example, switches used for powering or operating these devices can be relatively bulky because several mechanical components may be needed to transfer mechanical force applied by a user to switching an electrical circuit. 
     Moreover, the size, shape and configuration of a switch commonly influence the orientation of a circuit board, thereby impacting the overall size of the electronic device. In one example, a side activated switch is mounted parallel to the plane of the circuit board. Typically, users can access these switches on an exterior surface of the electronic device. However, because the switch is side activated, the circuit board has to be placed perpendicular to the exterior surface through which the user is accessing the switch. In such an arrangement, the circuit board extends away from the surface and into the body of the device, thereby increasing the length of the device. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for smaller and more compact switching assemblies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The systems and methods described herein are directed to low profile switching for assemblies electronic devices. For purposes of clarity, and not by way of limitation, the systems and methods may be described herein in the context of switching assemblies or input mechanisms that are associated with electronic devices. However, it may be understood that the systems and methods described herein may be applied to any mechanical component associated with electronic devices. 
     Switching assemblies for electronic devices (e.g., a bottom actuated switch) are provided. The switching assemblies may include a switch disposed on a bottom surface of a circuit board. The circuit board may include an aperture through which an actuating pin of the switch may extend towards the top surface of the circuit board. An external actuator (e.g., cosmetic button) may be coupled to the actuating pin within the aperture on the circuit board. Such a switching assembly may allow a circuit board to be positioned close to the inside surface of the electronic device. Also, the thickness of the switching assembly may be reduced because a portion of the assembly (i.e. the actuating pin and the external actuator) may be coupled within the aperture in the circuit board. 
     More particularly, in one aspect of the invention, the systems and methods described may include a switch assembly for an electronic device. The switch assembly may include a housing, a circuit board disposed in the housing, a switch mounted on a surface of the circuit board and an external actuator coupled to the switch. The housing may include an opening on a surface. The circuit board may include an aperture near the opening of the housing. In some embodiments, the switch may be mounted on a surface of the circuit that is distal to the opening and overlapping with the aperture. The switch may include an actuating pin extending through the aperture. The external actuator may be disposed on a surface of the circuit board proximal to the opening and extending through the aperture. The external actuator may be coupled to the pin to allow a user to operate the switch. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the housing has a thickness dimension of about 5 mm, and the opening may be on a surface of the housing substantially along the thickness dimension of the device. The circuit board may be disposed in an orientation whereby the surface of the circuit board is substantially parallel to the surface of the housing that includes the opening. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the systems and methods described may include a switch assembly for a printed circuit board. The switch assembly may include a printed circuit board having a top surface, a bottom surface and an aperture extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The switch assembly may further include a switch mounted on the top surface overlapping the aperture. The switch may include an actuating pin extending through the aperture towards the bottom surface. In some embodiments, the assembly may additionally include an external actuator disposed on the bottom surface over the aperture. The external actuator may be removably attached to the actuating pin. The external actuator may extend into the aperture. In some embodiments, the actuating pin may not extend past the bottom surface. 
     In some embodiments, the switch may include a slide-switch and the aperture may be adapted to allow the actuating pin to slide between different switch positions. For example, the aperture may be adapted to allow a portion of the external actuator to slide between different switch positions. In some embodiments, the printed circuit board may include several apertures, and several switches may be mounted on the top surface overlapping the several apertures. Several external actuators may be disposed on the bottom surface such that each actuator may engage an actuating pin of a switch that extends through one of the several apertures. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, the systems and methods may include methods for manufacturing a switch assembly. The methods may include providing a printed circuit board and a switch. The printed circuit board may have a top surface, a bottom surface and an aperture extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The aperture may be located near a portion of the top surface having circuitry for switching. The switch may be configured to be mounted on the top surface for connecting to the circuitry. The switch may include an actuating pin adapted to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the top surface when the switch is mounted. The methods may further include mounting the switch on the top surface and overlapping the aperture such that the actuating pin may extend through the aperture and towards the bottom surface. In some embodiments, an external actuator may be coupled to the actuating pin. 
     In some embodiments, the methods may further include providing a housing having an opening on a surface. The methods may include enclosing the circuit board and the switch within the housing such that the external actuator extends through the opening on the surface of the housing. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the systems and methods described herein may include switch assemblies for printed circuit boards. The switch assemblies may include a printed circuit board having a top surface, a bottom surface and an aperture extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The switch assemblies may include a switch mounted on the top surface overlapping the aperture. The switch may include an actuating pin extending through the aperture towards the bottom surface. In some embodiments, the switch may include a slide-switch and the aperture may be adapted to allow the actuating pin to slide between different switch positions. The switch assembly may include a housing having an opening on a surface. The printed circuit board and the switch may be disposed within the housing such that a portion of the actuating pin may be accessible through the opening on the housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a slide switch vertically mounted in a small enclosure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of an electronic device with a top-actuated switch in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 3A  and B are schematic views of an electronic device with a bottom-actuated switch in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a bottom actuated switch in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a bottom actuated switch in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic front view of a bottom actuated switch in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As will be seen from the following description, the systems and methods provide for a switch disposed on a bottom surface of a circuit board enclosed in a housing of an electronic device. The circuit board may include an aperture and an actuating pin of the switch that extends through the aperture towards the top surface of the circuit board. An external actuator may be coupled to the actuating pin in the aperture on the circuit board. The external actuator may extend out through an opening in the housing for providing a user with access to the switch. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a switch vertically mounted in a small enclosure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Electronic device  100  may include switch  110 , which may be a slide switch mounted to circuit board  112  disposed within the enclosure or housing  114 . An external actuator  116  may be coupled to switch  110  to allow a user to change the state of the switch. Electronic device  100  may have a small overall thickness Z (e.g., 5 mm). To minimize length Y of electronic device  100 , circuit board  112  may be mounted vertically (e.g., the plane of circuit board  112  is perpendicular to Y). In some embodiments, the size of circuit board  112  and switch  100  may be reduced to prevent width X of electronic device from becoming excessively large. 
     Housing  114  may form the outer surface of an electronic device or electronic component, for example the outer surface of a portable media device (e.g., an iPod available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), or a portable media device accessory (e.g., an audio controller for a portable media device or an in-line microphone with an input mechanism). Housing  114  may be manufactured from any suitable material using any suitable manufacturing process. For example, housing  114  may be manufactured from a metal (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel), plastic, a composite material, or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, actuator  116  may be finished (e.g., polished, etched, or decorated) to provide an aesthetically pleasing and cosmetic surface. Actuator  116  may be constructed from any suitable material, including for example metal (e.g., aluminum or steel), plastic, a composite material, an elastomer, or any other suitable material. 
     The switch may be actuated using any suitable approach.  FIG. 2  is a schematic view of an electronic device with a top-actuated switch in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Electronic device  200  may include circuit board  212 , which may be mounted vertically in electronic device  200  (e.g. to reduce the length required for electronic device  200  to accommodate switch  210 ). Switch  210  may be coupled to the surface of circuit board  212  facing opening  202  of electronic device  200  (e.g., placed on the top of circuit board  212 , and thus top-actuated). To actuate switch  210 , an external actuator located adjacent to opening  202  may be coupled (e.g., mechanically or electrically) to switch  210 . Although such an approach may be effective, it may add to the length (e.g., Y dimension,  FIG. 1 ) of electronic device  200  because the height of the actuator may be added to the height of switch  210 . 
     In some embodiments, the switch may instead be placed on the bottom surface of the circuit board.  FIGS. 3A  and B are schematic views of an electronic device with a bottom-actuated switch in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Electronic device  300  may include circuit board  312 , which may be mounted vertically in electronic device  300  to reduce the length required to accommodate switch  310  in electronic device  300 . Circuit board  312  may face opening  302  of electronic device  300 , and switch  310  may be coupled to the side of circuit board  310  facing away from, or distal to opening  302 . To provide access to switch  310  from opening  302 , circuit board  310  may include aperture  314  through which actuating pin  311  may be accessed. Thus switch  310  may be actuated via the bottom surface of switch  310  (e.g., the surface in contact with circuit board  312 ). Using such a bottom-actuated switch  310  may reduce the overall profile of switch  310 , as the external actuator needed to change the state of switch  310  may at least partially extend into aperture  314 . By nesting the external actuator in circuit board  312 , the overall Y length of electronic device  300  may be reduced by the amount by which the external actuator extends into circuit board  312 . In addition, reducing the amount by which the actuator extends above circuit board  312  may allow external circuit board  112  to be mounted closer to opening  302 . 
     Aperture  314  may be any suitable size. In some embodiments, aperture  314  may be defined such that actuating pin  311 , once coupled to an external actuator, can move between defined states of switch  310  without encumbrances. In some embodiments, aperture  314  may be sized such that a portion of the body of the switch  310  may extend into the aperture  314 . In such embodiments, the switch  310  may be positioned in a tilted orientation such that a portion of the body of the switch  310  is in the aperture  314  and a portion of the body of the switch is outside the aperture  314 . In some embodiments, the switch  310  may be disposed such that a perimeter portion of the switch  310  is seated on the perimeter of the aperture  314  and a central portion of the switch  310  extends into the aperture  314 .  FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a bottom actuated switch in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Switch  410  may be mounted to the bottom surface of circuit board  412 . Switch  410  may include actuating pin  411 , which may be actuated by external actuator  420  to change the state of switch  410 . Actuating pin  411  may extend through aperture  414  of circuit board  412 , such that actuator  420  may engage actuating pin  411  within the space defined by aperture  414 . In some embodiments, the length of actuating pin  411  may be selected based at least on the thickness of the printed circuit board  412  and/or other suitable factors such as aesthetics. For example, actuating pin  411  may be extended in length such that actuating pin  411  may function as an external actuator  420 . In such an example, a user may change the state of the switch by directly moving actuating pin  411 . The size (e.g., length) of aperture  414  may be selected such that as actuator  420  moves in directions  422 , actuating pin  411  may move to the different states of switch  410  (e.g., on/off). 
     In some embodiments, several circuit boards  412  may be stacked together. Each circuit board  412  may have an aperture that may be substantially aligned with one another. In such embodiments, one or more switches  410  may be connected to several circuit boards  412 . For example, one switch  410  may be connected to two circuit boards  412  such that actuating pin  411  of the switch  410  extends through the apertures of both circuit boards  412 . 
     In some embodiments, several switches may be connected to a printed circuit board.  FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a bottom actuated switch in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Switches  510   a  and  510   b  may be mounted to the bottom surface of circuit board  512 . Switches  510   a  and  510   b  may include actuating pins  511   a  and  511   b , respectively, which may be actuated by external actuators  520   a  and  520   b  to change the state of each of switches  510   a  and  510   b . Pins  511   a  and  511   b  may extend through apertures  514   a  and  514   b , respectively, of circuit board  512 , such that actuators  520   a  and  520   b  may engage pins  511   a  and  511   b  within the space defined by each of apertures  514   a  and  514   b . The size (e.g., length) of apertures  514   a  and  514   b  may be selected based on the type of switch  510   a  and  510   b  used, the desired available states for each switch, or any other suitable criteria. In some embodiments the sizes of apertures  514   a  and  514   b  may be different (for example because switches  510   a  and  510   b  may be different). 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic front view of a bottom actuated switch in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. Switches  610   a  and  610   b  may be mounted to the bottom surface of circuit board  612 . 
     Switches  610   a  and  610   b  may include actuating pins  611   a  and  611   b , respectively, which may be actuated by external actuators  620   a  and  620   b  to change the state of each of the switches  610   a  and  610   b . Pins  611   a  and  611   b  may extend through the aperture  614  of circuit board  612 , such that actuators  620   a  and  620   b  may engage pins  611   a  and  611   b  within the space defined by the aperture  614 . The size (e.g., length) of the aperture  614  may be selected depending on the type of switch  610   a  and  610   b  used, the desired available states for each switch, or any other suitable criteria. 
     Variations, modifications, and other implementations of what is described may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. More specifically, any of the method, system and device features described above or incorporated by reference may be combined with any other suitable method, system or device features disclosed herein or incorporated by reference, and is within the scope of the contemplated inventions. The systems and methods may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative, rather than limiting of the invention. The teachings of all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20080723
Publication Date: 20110726
Grant Date: 20110726
Priority Date: 20070925
Inventors: SANFORD EMERY
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01H15/005", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H15/005", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 40470476