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US 9,412,533 B2Granted
Low travel switch assembly
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsKeith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., John M. Brock, Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, Satoshi Okuma, Shinsuke Watanabe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A low travel switch assembly and systems and methods for using the same are disclosed. The low travel dome may include a domed surface having upper and lower portions, and a set of tuning members integrated within the domed surface between the upper and lower portions. The tuning members may be operative to control a force-displacement curve characteristic of the low travel dome.
Claims25
A low travel dome comprising:
- a domed surface having upper and lower portions;
- an array of tuning members integrated within the domed surface between the upper and lower portions, the array of tuning members operative to control a force-displacement curve characteristic of the low travel dome;
- and
- wherein the domed surface defines the tuning members and an array of radially-distributed arms separating each of the array of tuning members.
1 more element
A method for manufacturing a low travel dome, the method comprising:
- providing a dome-shaped surface having an upper portion and a lower portion;
- selectively removing an array of predefined portions of the dome-shaped surface between the upper portion and the lower portion, thereby defining an array of arms connecting the upper portion to the lower portion;
- and
- wherein:
- a shape of each of the array of the predefined portions defines a force-displacement curve characteristic of the low travel dome;
- and
- the array of arms defines a cross-shaped portion of the dome-shaped surface.
4 more elements
A switch assembly comprising:
- a key cap;
- a support structure residing under the key cap;
- a domed surface disposed beneath the key cap and having an array of openings formed therein defining an array of arms connecting a central portion of the domed surface to an outer edge of the domed surface, wherein one of the array of arms is disposed transverse to another of the array of arms;
- and
- an electrical membrane situated below the domed surface and operative to trigger a switch event, wherein the array of openings are operative to:
- maintain the switch assembly in position when the electrical membrane is not triggering the switch event;
- and
- control the domed surface to behave according to a predefined force-displacement curve.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.