Cover member for an input mechanism of an electronic device

• US 10,018,966 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2016
• Issued: 07/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Ely, Colin M., Rothkopf, Fletcher R., Spencer, Maegan K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W
• Application Number:
  US15/092,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20160313703A1
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 368308, 368319-321
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 3/041 Construction of crowns for rotating movement; connection with the winding stem; winding stems
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 3/046 Operation by rotation and axial movement with extra function of axial shift of operating element, e.g. crown combined with push button winding up by push button G04B3/001
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 3/002 Position, e.g. inclination dependent switches
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/00 Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces

Abstract

A watch crown assembly is disclosed. The watch crown assembly comprises a body configured to receive rotary input. The body defines a recess and a retention feature. The watch crown assembly further comprises a ceramic member positioned at least partially in the recess and a mounting arm attached to the ceramic member. The mounting arm is engaged with the retention feature of the body, thereby retaining the ceramic member to the body.

Claims

1. A watch crown assembly comprising:

a body configured to receive rotary input and defining a recess and a retention feature;

a ceramic member positioned at least partially in the recess and fixed relative to the body; and

a mounting arm attached to the ceramic member and engaged with the retention feature of the body, thereby retaining the ceramic member to the body.

2. The watch crown assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the retention feature is an opening in the body; and

the mounting arm extends at least partially into the opening.

3. The watch crown assembly of claim 2, wherein the mounting arm is welded to the body.

4. The watch crown assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the ceramic member defines a hole; and

the mounting arm is secured in the hole using an interference fit.

5. The watch crown assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting arm is formed from a metal material and is fused to the ceramic member.

6. The watch crown assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the mounting arm comprises a catch member;

the retention feature comprises an undercut; and

the catch member engages the undercut to retain the ceramic member to the body.

7. The watch crown assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the ceramic member comprises zirconia; and

the mounting arm comprises tungsten.

8. The watch crown assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the body is further configured to receive a translational input; and

the input assembly is incorporated in a wearable electronic device comprising;

a housing;

a display positioned within the housing; and

a processor configured to;

present a user interface on the display;

perform a first user-interface action in response to the rotary input; and

perform a second user-interface action different from the first user-interface action in response to the translational input.

9. The watch crown assembly of claim 8, wherein:

the first user-interface action comprises moving a cursor on the display; and

the second user-interface action comprises displaying selected content on the display.

10. A watch crown assembly comprising:

a body defining an undercut; and

a zirconia member coupled to the body via a retention clip;

wherein

the retention clip is attached to the zirconia member and comprises a catch member that is engaged with the undercut to retain the zirconia member to the body.

11. The watch crown assembly of claim 10, wherein:

the zirconia member comprises;

a first surface defining an exterior surface of the watch crown assembly; and

a second surface opposite the first surface and having a hole formed therein;

a first end of the retention clip is fixed in the hole;

the catch member is positioned at a second end of the retention clip opposite the first end.

12. The watch crown assembly of claim 10, wherein:

the retention clip comprises;

a mounting plate; and

an arm extending from the mounting plate;

the catch member extends from the arm; and

the mounting plate is coupled to the zirconia member.

13. The watch crown assembly of claim 12, wherein the arm and the mounting plate are a unitary structure.

14. The watch crown assembly of claim 10, wherein:

the retention clip is a first retention clip;

the catch member is a first catch member;

the undercut is a first undercut;

the body further defines a second undercut; and

the watch crown assembly further comprises a second retention clip having a catch member that is engaged with the second undercut.

15. The watch crown assembly of claim 10, wherein:

a retention ring is integrally formed with the retention clip; and

an inner surface of the retention ring engages a peripheral edge of the zirconia member, thereby attaching the retention clip to the zirconia member.

16. The watch crown assembly of claim 10, further comprising a biasing member positioned between the zirconia member and the body and forcing the clip catch member into engagement with the undercut.

17. A wearable electronic device, comprising:

a housing; and

an input assembly coupled to the housing and configured to rotate relative to the housing, the input assembly comprising;

an actuation member having a portion extending into an interior volume of the housing;

a cover member, formed of a first material, coupled to the actuation member and forming a portion of an exterior surface of the input assembly; and

a protruding member, formed of a second material different from the first material, attached to the cover member and engaged with a retention feature of the actuation member to rotationally and axially fix the cover member with respect to the actuation member.

18. The wearable electronic device of claim 17, wherein:

the input assembly is configured to receive a rotary input and a translational input; and

the wearable electronic device further comprises;

a display positioned within the housing; and

a processor configured to;

present a user interface on the display;

perform a first user-interface action in response to the rotary input; and

perform a second user-interface action different from the first user-interface action in response to the translational input.

19. The wearable electronic device of claim 18, wherein:

the first user-interface action comprises moving a cursor on the display; and

the second user-interface action comprises displaying selected content on the display.

20. The wearable electronic device of claim 17, wherein:

the actuation member defines a recess and a hole formed into the recess;

a first end of the protruding member is attached to the cover member; and

the protruding member extends into the hole and is welded to the actuation member at a second end of the protruding member opposite the first end.

21. The wearable electronic device of claim 17, wherein:

the actuation member comprises;

a sidewall; and

a channel formed into the sidewall; and

the protruding member comprises a catch member that extends into and engages the channel to retain the cover member to the actuation member.

22. The wearable electronic device of claim 17, wherein the cover member is formed from zirconia and has a thickness less than or equal to about 500 microns.

23. The wearable electronic device of claim 17, wherein the exterior surface of the cover member is substantially flush with a portion of the actuation member that surrounds the cover member.