Back to results
US 8,552,321 B2Granted
Multiple-pole single-throw dome switch assemblies
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsWing Kong Low, Thai Quoc La
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Multiple-pole single-throw dome switch assemblies for electronic devices and methods for creating the same are provided. For example, a switch assembly may include a deformable dome that may have a conductive inner surface. The switch assembly may also include three conductive pads, at least two of which may be positioned underneath the dome. When the dome is deformed, each one of the three conductive pads may be electrically coupled to the conductive inner surface of the dome. When the dome is not deformed, at least one of the three conductive pads may be electrically isolated from the conductive inner surface of the dome.
Claims24
A multiple-pole single-throw switch assembly comprising:
- three electrical contacts;
- and
- a deformable dome comprising an outer layer and a uniform inner conductive layer configured to:
- electrically couple each one of the three contacts with the conductive layer only when the dome is deformed;
- and
- electrically isolate at least two of the three contacts from the conductive layer when the dome is not deformed.
3 more elements
A switch assembly for an electronic device comprising:
- a first conductive pad;
- a second conductive pad;
- a third conductive pad;
- and
- an actuator comprising an inner conductive dome surface, wherein:
- the actuator is deformable from an undeformed state to a deformed state;
- the inner conductive dome surface is electrically coupled to each one of the first, second, and third conductive pads when the actuator is in the deformed state;
- the inner conductive dome surface is electrically decoupled from at least one of the first, second, and third conductive pads when the actuator is in the undeformed state;
- a first portion of the inner conductive dome surface comprising a first group of at least two dimples extending away from a first position of the inner conductive dome surface is electrically coupled to the first conductive pad only when the actuator is in the deformed state;
- a second portion of the inner conductive dome surface comprising a second group of at least two dimples extending away from a second position of the inner conductive dome surface is electrically coupled to the second conductive pad only when the actuator is in the deformed state;
- the first portion of the inner conductive dome surface defines a first portion of a concavity when the actuator is in the undeformed state;
- and
- the second portion of the inner conductive dome surface defines a second portion of the concavity when the actuator is in the undeformed state.
10 more elements
Electronic device circuitry comprising:
- a first multiple-pole single-throw dome switch assembly, comprising:
- a first, second, and third conductive pads;
- and
- an actuator deformable from an undeformed state to a deformed state comprising an inner conductive dome surface, wherein:
- the inner conductive dome surface is electrically coupled to each one of the first, second, and third conductive pads when the actuator is in the deformed state and electrically decoupled from at least one of the first, second, and third conductive pads when the actuator is in the undeformed state;
- a first portion of the inner conductive dome surface comprising a first group of at least two dimples extending away from a first position of the inner conductive dome surface is electrically coupled to the first conductive pad only when the actuator is in the deformed state;
- and
- a second portion of the inner conductive dome surface comprising a second group of at least two dimples extending away from a second position of the inner conductive dome surface is electrically coupled to the second conductive pad only when the actuator is in the deformed state;
- a second multiple-pole single-throw dome switch assembly;
- a first electronic component coupled to a first pole of the first multiple-pole single-throw dome switch assembly and to a first pole of the second multiple-pole single-throw dome switch assembly;
- and
- a second electronic component coupled to a second pole of the first multiple-pole single-throw dome switch assembly and to a second pole of the second multiple-pole single-throw dome switch assembly.
9 more elements
A switch assembly for an electronic device comprising:
- a first conductive pad;
- a second conductive pad;
- a third conductive pad;
- and
- an actuator comprising an inner conductive dome surface, wherein:
- the actuator is deformable from an undeformed state to a deformed state;
- the inner conductive dome surface is electrically coupled to each one of the first, second, and third conductive pads when the actuator is in the deformed state;
- the inner conductive dome surface is electrically decoupled from at least one of the first, second, and third conductive pads when the actuator is in the undeformed state;
- a first portion of the inner conductive dome surface is electrically coupled to the first conductive pad only when the actuator is in the deformed state;
- a second portion of the inner conductive dome surface is electrically coupled to the second conductive pad only when the actuator is in the deformed state;
- a third portion of the inner conductive dome surface is electrically coupled to the third conductive pad when the actuator is in the deformed state;
- the first portion of the inner conductive dome surface is provided at a first position along the interior surface of the dome;
- the second portion of the inner conductive dome surface is provided at a second position along the interior surface of the dome;
- the first portion comprises a first group of at least two dimples;
- each one of the dimples of the first group extends away from the interior surface of the dome;
- at least one of the dimples of the first group electrically contacts the first conductive pad when the actuator is in the deformed state:
- the second portion comprises a second group of at least two dimples;
- each one of the dimples of the second .group extends away from the interior surface of the dome;
- and
- at least one of the dimples of the second group electrically contacts the second conductive pad when the actuator is in the deformed state.
17 more elements
A method for manufacturing a dome switch assembly comprising:
- providing a deformable actuator comprising a conductive inner dome surface;
- positioning a first conductive pad in a first position underneath the inner dome surface that is electrically isolated from the inner dome surface when the actuator is undeformed and that is electrically coupled to at least one of a first group of at least two dimples extending away from a first portion of the inner dome surface when the actuator is deformed;
- positioning a second conductive pad in a second position underneath the inner dome surface that is electrically isolated from the first conductive pad and the inner dome surface when the actuator is undeformed and that is electrically coupled to at least one of a second group of at least two dimples extending away from a second portion of the inner dome surface when the actuator is deformed;
- and
- positioning a third conductive pad in a third position that is electrically coupled to the inner dome surface when the actuator is deformed, wherein:
- the first portion of the inner dome surface is deformed when the actuator is deformed;
- the first portion of the inner dome surface is undeformed when the actuator is undeformed;
- the second portion of the inner dome surface is deformed when the actuator is deformed;
- and
- the second portion of the inner dome surface is undeformed when the actuator is undeformed.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.