Stack assembly for implementing keypads on mobile computing devices

• US 20060204303A1
• Filed: 03/14/2005
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Skillman, Peter, Yurochko, Michael, Zarnowitz, Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 9,142,369 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 400/49
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/85 characterised by tactile feedback features
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/22 Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials

Abstract

A stack assembly for use with a mobile computing device. In one embodiment, the stack assembly includes an electrical contact layer, and actuation member layer, and an illumination layer. The electrical contact layer includes a plurality of contact elements. The actuation member layer includes a plurality of actuation members are, wherein each actuation member is aligned so that an axial movement of that member causes a corresponding one of the plurality of contact elements to actuate. The illumination layer is configured to emit light to the keypad.

Claims

1. A stack assembly for use with a keypad on a mobile computing device, the stack assembly comprising:

an electrical contact layer on which a plurality of contact elements are provided;

an actuation member layer on which a plurality of actuation members are provided, wherein each actuation member in the plurality of actuation members is aligned so that an axial movement of that member causes a corresponding one of the plurality of contact elements to actuate; and

an illumination layer configured to emit light to the keypad.

2. The stack assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical contact layer, the actuation member layer, and the illumination layer are integrally combined.

3. The stack assembly of claim 1, wherein the mobile computing device includes a plurality of key structures, and wherein the illumination layer is provided underneath and proximate to the plurality of key structures.

4. The stack assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first adhesive layer joining the electrical contact layer and the actuation member layer.

5. The stack assembly of claim 4, further comprising a second adhesive layer joining the actuation member layer and the third layer.

7. The stack assembly of claim 5, further comprising a mask layer that overlays the illumination layer so as to extend between the plurality of key structures and the third layer.

10. The stack assembly of claim 1, wherein the illumination layer is affixed between the electrical contact layer and the actuation member layer.

11. The stack assembly of claim 10, wherein the illumination layer is fixed to the electrical contact layer, so that the illuminative material directly overlays at least some of the plurality of contact elements.

12. The stack assembly of claim 11, further comprising an adhesive layer that joins the illumination layer with the actuation member layer over the electrical contact layer.

13. The stack assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of contact elements include a plurality of snap domes.

14. The stack assembly of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of snap domes comprise an outer contact surface and an interior surface, and each snap dome is aligned to actuate with axial movement of a corresponding actuation member in the plurality of actuation members by having the outer contact surface collapse into the interior surface, and wherein the electrical contact layer further comprises a sheath that overlays a portion of at least some of the contact domes, wherein each of the at least some of the contact domes includes an opening in the sheath to receive the corresponding actuation member.

15. The stack assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuation member layer comprises a carrier and a plurality of actuation members that extend from at least a side of the carrier facing the electrical contact layer.

16. The stack assembly of claim 15, wherein the carrier of the actuation member layer includes a slit pattern.

6. The stack assembly of 1, wherein the stack assembly is modularly designed to operatively engage a keyboard of the mobile computing device during an assembly process.

8. The stack assembly of 1, wherein the illumination layer comprises electroluminescent material.

9. The stack assembly of 1, wherein the illumination layer comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

17. A mobile computing device comprising:

a housing;

one or more processors contained within the housing;

a keyboard comprising a plurality of key structures provided on a surface of the housing;

a modular stack assembly contained within the housing and operatively engaged with the keyboard to enable each of the plurality of key structures to be operated to register input with the one or more processors.

18. The mobile computing device of claim 17, wherein the modular stack assembly is integrally formed during a separate assembly process.

19. The mobile computing device of claim 17, wherein the keyboard floats over the modular stack assembly.

20. A stack assembly for use with a keypad on a mobile computing device, the stack assembly comprising:

an electrical contact layer on which a plurality of contact elements are provided;

means for individually actuating the plurality of contact elements with axial movement of a key structure in the keypad; and

means for illuminating the keypad;

wherein

the electrical contact layer, the means for individually actuation the plurality of contact elements, and the means for illuminating the keypad are integrally combined.