# US 2014/0192459 A1 · Ceramic insert control mechanism > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0192459 A1 - Document ID: US20140192459A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/738,107 - Filed: 2013-01-10 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-10 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: Kelvin Kwong; Benjamin J. Pope; Nicholas G. Merz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140192459A1 ## CPC - H05K 5/03: Covers - G06F 1/1626: {with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]} - G06F 3/02: Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials - G06F 3/0202: {Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device} - H01H 13/04: Cases; Covers - H01H 13/52: the contact returning to its original state immediately upon removal of operating force, e.g. bell-push switch - H04M 1/23: Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof (by improving visibility H04M1/22) - H01H 2013/525: {using a return spring acting perpendicular to the actuating direction} - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) ## Abstract A control mechanism for an electronic device comprises a cover glass having an aperture defined therein. The aperture extends from an interior to an exterior of the device. A control member is positioned within the aperture, coupled to an actuator. The control member comprises a ceramic insert having a contact surface exposed to the exterior of the housing, operable to actuate the actuator in response to a force on the contact surface. A bearing member is molded about the insert. The bearing member has a hardness less than that of the ceramic insert, and less than that of the cover glass. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A control mechanism for an electronic device, the control mechanism comprising: a cover glass having an aperture defined therein, the aperture extending from an interior of the electronic device to an exterior of the electronic device; an actuator positioned within the electronic device, proximate the aperture; and a control member positioned within the aperture and coupled to the actuator, the control member comprising: a ceramic insert having a contact surface exposed to the exterior of the cover glass, wherein the control member is operable to actuate the actuator in response to a force on the contact surface; and a bearing member molded about the ceramic insert and positioned within the aperture between the insert and the cover glass, the bearing member having a hardness less than that of the ceramic insert and less than that of the cover glass. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The control mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a bias member configured to retain the control member within the aperture during operation of the control mechanism. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The control mechanism of claim 1, wherein the ceramic insert is formed of a substantially single crystal aluminum oxide material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The control mechanism of claim 3, wherein the cover glass is formed of a transparent ceramic. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The control mechanism of claim 4, wherein the transparent ceramic comprises sapphire. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The control mechanism of claim 5, wherein the bearing member is formed of a plastic material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The control mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a light source disposed proximate the aperture, the light source configured to illuminate the ceramic insert. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The control mechanism of claim 7, wherein the ceramic insert has an index of refraction substantially matching that of the cover glass. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The control mechanism of claim 8, wherein the bearing member has an index of refraction substantially matching that of the ceramic insert and that of the cover glass. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The control mechanism of claim 9, wherein the ceramic insert and bearing member are configured to present a substantially optically matching contact surface for actuation of the control mechanism. ### Claim 11 An apparatus comprising: a ceramic cover glass having an aperture extending from an interior to an exterior of the device; an actuator positioned within the electronic device, proximate the aperture; and a control member positioned within the aperture and coupled to the actuator, the control member comprising: a substantially single crystal ceramic insert exposed to the exterior of the housing, wherein the control member is operable to actuate the actuator; and a bearing member disposed about the ceramic insert and positioned within the aperture between the insert and the cover glass, the bearing member having a hardness substantially less than that of the ceramic insert and substantially less than that of the cover glass. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the ceramic cover glass comprises a substantially single crystal sapphire material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the ceramic insert is formed of a substantially single crystal aluminum oxide material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the substantially single crystal aluminum oxide material of the ceramic insert comprises sapphire. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the bearing member is formed of a plastic material insert molded about the ceramic insert. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the bearing member is formed of a metal. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the control member is configured as one of a rocker type switch or a sliding switch operable for actuating the actuator in response to a force on the ceramic insert. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) A digital electronic device comprising the apparatus of claim 11 in combination with a display, wherein the control member is configured as a pushbutton provided in the ceramic cover glass. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The digital electronic device of claim 18, wherein the ceramic insert has an index of refraction substantially matching that of the cover glass. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The digital electronic device of claim 19, wherein the bearing member has an index of refraction substantially matching that of the cover glass and ceramic insert.