Domed contact element for a keypad assembly
AssigneeNokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
InventorBrian James Davidson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A domed contact element 50 for a keypad assembly comprising a substrate (52) having the dome (54) formed therein, the dome being depressible towards the substrate so as to move from a first natural-bias position to a second position; a soldering site (62) on the substrate by which the contact element can be soldered to a circuit board; and a port (56) positioned between the dome (54) and the soldering site (62) to inhibit ingress of solder into the dome (54) during soldering.
Claims9
A contact element for a keypad assembly comprising:
- a substrate having a dome formed therein, the dome being depressible towards the substrate so as to move from a first natural-bias position to a second position;
- a soldering site on the substrate by which the contact element can be soldered to a circuit board;
- and
- means for collecting solder flowing from the soldering site, during soldering occurring between the substrate and a circuit board, so as to inhibit ingress of solder into the dome.
A method of manufacturing a keypad assembly on a circuit board by providing a plurality of contact elements and placing individually said plurality of contact elements in position on the circuit board using a pick-and-place machine;
- providing each of said contact elements with a substrate having a dome formed therein;
- providing a soldering site on the substrate by which the contact element can be soldered to a circuit board;
- providing means for collecting solder flowing from the soldering site during soldering, so as to inhibit ingress of solder into the dome;
- heating said soldering site so as to cause the substrate and said contact element to become soldered to one another;
- and
- using said means for collecting solder to inhibit the ingress of solder into the dome once the solder is melted.
A domed contact element for a keypad assembly comprising:
- a substrate having a dome formed therein, the dome being depressible towards the substrate so as to move from a first natural-bias position to a second position;
- a soldering site on the substrate by which the contact element can be soldered to a circuit board;
- and
- means for inhibiting ingress of solder into the dome during soldering occurring between the substrate and a circuit board, said means includes a port positioned to collect solder flowing from the soldering site, and wherein the port comprises a hole passing completely through the substrate.
A contact element for a keypad assembly comprising:
- a substrate having a dome formed therein, the dome being depressible towards the substrate so as to move from a first natural-bias position to a second position;
- a soldering site on the substrate by which the contact element can be soldered to a circuit board;
- and
- guarding means for diverting solder flowing from the soldering site, during soldering occurring between the substrate and a circuit board, so as to inhibit ingress of solder into the dome.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.