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US 10,219,381 B2Granted
Circuit board mounted switch with electro static discharge shield
AssigneeCarling Technologies, Inc.
InventorAdam Charles Lydecker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An Electro Static Discharge protection device that is provided to protect sensitive electronics on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) from inadvertent electrical discharge. The protective device is formed as an intervening structure between a contact surface and a PCB and utilizing the same ground as used by the PCB. When an electrical discharge occurs, the discharge is directed toward the PCB and directed to at least one ground point on the PCB so as to avoid damage to sensitive components.
Claims19
An electronic device capable of capturing and directing electro-static discharge comprising:
- a printed circuit board including electronics positioned thereon and including a ground connection;
- a rocker having an actuation surface configured to be contacted to actuate the electronic device;
- an electro static discharge device comprising a frame positioned adjacent to said actuation surface, said electro static discharge device including a pair of legs extending generally perpendicular to the frame and generally parallel to each other, each leg having a proximal end coupled to the frame and a distal end that is positioned adjacent to one of a pair of ground points on said printed circuit board, each leg further including a pair of arms comprising proximal ends coupled to each leg, said arms extending generally parallel to each other and extending generally perpendicular from the legs, said arms extending along a length of said actuation surface, and wherein said electro static discharge device is spaced apart from said printed circuit board by an air gap, whereby relative pivoting movement is allowed therebetween;
- wherein said ground points on said printed circuit board are electrically connected to said ground connection;
- wherein in the event an object contacts said actuation surface and an electro static discharge occurs, the electro static discharge is drawn down at least one of the pair of legs and jumps across the air gap to at least one of the ground points on said printed circuit board.
2 more elements
An electronic rocker switch capable of capturing and directing electro-static discharge comprising:
- a printed circuit board including electronics positioned thereon;
- a base within which said printed circuit board is held;
- a cover including a rocker actuation surface and configured to be contacted to actuate the electronic switch;
- an activation mechanism positioned between said actuation surface and said printed circuit board, said actuation surface comprising a first portion and a second portion such that pressing the first portion will cause a first part of said activation mechanism to pivot toward said printed circuit board and pressing the second portion will cause a second part of said activation mechanism to pivot toward said printed circuit board;
- an electro static discharge device comprising a frame positioned adjacent to said actuation surface, said electro static discharge device including a pair of legs extending generally perpendicular to the frame and generally parallel to each other, each leg having a proximal end coupled to the frame and a distal end that is positioned adjacent to one of a pair of ground points on said printed circuit board, each leg further including a pair of arms comprising proximal ends coupled to each leg, said arms extending generally parallel to each other and extending generally perpendicular from the legs, said arms extending along a length of said actuation surface, and wherein said electro static discharge device is spaced apart from said printed circuit board by an air gap, whereby relative pivoting movement is allowed therebetween;
- wherein said ground points on said printed circuit board are electrically connected to a ground connection;
- wherein in the event an object contacts said cover and an electro static discharge occurs, the electro static discharge is drawn down at least one of the pair of legs and jumps across the air gap to at least one of the ground points on said printed circuit board.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.