Re-centering mechanism for an input device

• US 20070247423A1
• Filed: 04/19/2006
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kim, Sung, Harley, Jonah, Wilson, Robert, Jensen, Joel, Brigham, Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 7,733,327 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03548 Sliders, in which the moving part moves in a plane

Abstract

An input device includes a positioning element and a spring member. The positioning element comprises a generally disc shaped member. The spring member is a generally annular shaped spring member that is generally planar and that defines a generally serpentine pattern. The spring member is positioned laterally outward relative to the positioning element and is configured to exert a biasing force radially inwardly toward the positioning element.

Claims

1. An input device for capturing user control inputs for an electronic device, the input device comprising:

a positioning element comprising a generally disc shaped member; and

a generally annular shaped spring member, the spring member being generally planar and defining a generally serpentine pattern, the spring member positioned laterally outward relative to the positioning element to generally surround the positioning element and configured to exert a biasing force radially inwardly toward the positioning element.

2. The input device of claim 1 and further comprising:

a movable puck; and

a housing including a contact surface defining a puck field of motion and supporting slidable motion of the puck, the contact surface including an opening and the housing at least partially containing the positioning element and the spring member, wherein the positioning element is connected to the puck via the opening of the contact surface of the housing.

3. The input device of claim 1 wherein the spring member extends in generally the same plane as the positioning element, and the input device further comprises:

a stop mechanism extending in generally the same plane as the positioning element and as the spring member, the stop mechanism positioned laterally outward from the positioning element and configured to releasably engage the spring member to limit radial inward movement of the spring member against the positioning element.

4. The input device of claim 3 wherein the spring member comprises an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion and the outer portion extending in generally the same plane as each other and the outer portion being spaced laterally outward from the inner portion, wherein the inner portion is configured for releasable contact against the positioning element and wherein the outer portion is configured for releasable contact against the stop mechanism to permit radially outward movement of the spring member relative to the stop mechanism and to prevent radially inward movement of the spring member relative to the stop mechanism.

5. The input device of claim 4 wherein the serpentine pattern of the spring member defines a generally continuous series of elongate folds arranged in a generally undulating pattern.

6. The input device of claim 5 wherein stop mechanism comprises a generally annular shaped frame including a plurality of posts arranged in a generally circular pattern, the plurality of posts generally surrounding the positioning element and spaced laterally outward from the positioning element wherein at least one respective fold adjacent the outer portion of the spring member releasably engages one of the respective posts.

7. The input device of claim 6 wherein the spring member comprises an array of generally circular shaped outer loops with each generally circular shaped outer loop interposed between an adjacent pair of the elongate folds, wherein each respective generally circular shaped outer loop corresponds to one of the respective posts, wherein each respective generally circular shaped loop is sized and shaped to slide in at least one of:

a radially outward direction away from the respective posts; and

a lateral direction relative to the respective posts.

8. The input device of claim 5 wherein the outer portion of the spring member comprises at least one tab protruding generally perpendicular to the plane through which the spring member and the positioning element generally extend.

9. The input device of claim 5 wherein the stop mechanism comprises at least one slot oriented in a direction generally parallel to the radial outward movement of the spring member and the at least one tab of the spring member is slidably received within the slot, wherein the at least one slot is formed in at least one of:

the housing; and

a generally annular frame disposed on a side opposite the housing relative to the spring member.

10. The input device of claim 5 wherein the respective folds of the spring member comprise:

a first plurality of folds having a first length; and

a second plurality of folds having a second length, the second length substantially greater than the first length,

wherein at least one respective fold of the second plurality of folds is interposed between at least one pair of the respective folds of the first plurality of folds to cause the outer portion of the spring member adjacent the at least one respective fold of the second plurality of folds to have a greater diameter than the outer portion of the spring member adjacent the respective folds of the first plurality of folds.

11. The input device of claim 10 wherein the stop mechanism comprises a generally rectangular shaped frame including a plurality of posts, each respective post arranged adjacent each corner of the frame, the plurality of posts generally surrounding the positioning element and spaced laterally outward from the positioning element, wherein each respective post of the frame supports releasable engagement of the at least one respective fold of the second plurality of folds about the respective posts.

12. The input device of claim 5 wherein the spring member comprises a generally flat, sheet-like member.

13. The input device of claim 12 wherein the spring member has a thickness no greater than a thickness of the positioning element.

14. The input device of claim 12 wherein the outer portion of the spring member comprises at least raised member on a plurality of outer loops of the respective folds with the at least raised member of the respective outer loops extending generally perpendicular to a body of each respective fold of the spring member.

15. The input device of claim 14 wherein the stop mechanism comprises a generally annular shaped frame defining an opening via an inner rim and wherein the inner rim is configured to releasably receive the at least one raised member of the spring member to prevent further radially inward movement of the spring member and to permit radially outward movement of the spring member relative to inner rim of the frame of the stop mechanism.

16. The input device of claim 5 wherein a cross-sectional area of the respective folds of the spring member comprise at least one of a generally vertically oriented rectangular cross-section, a generally horizontally oriented rectangular cross-section, and a generally circular cross-section.

17. A method of re-centering a puck for an input device of an electronic device, the method comprising:

slidably moving a puck over a contact surface of a housing;

constraining lateral movement of the puck via a positioning element within the housing, the positioning element connected to the puck via an opening in the contact surface of the housing;

exerting substantially continuously, via a spring member, a biasing force radially inward toward the positioning element, the spring member being a generally planar element and extending in generally the same plane as the positioning element, the biasing force acting against the positioning element upon slidable movement of the positioning element relative to the spring member; and

limiting, via a stop mechanism, movement of the spring member radially inward against the positioning element, the stop mechanism positioned laterally outward from the positioning element and extending in generally the same plane as the positioning element and the spring member.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein exerting substantially continuously a biasing force radially inward comprises:

arranging the spring member with an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion in releasable contact against the positioning element and the outer portion extending radially outward relative to the inner portion, the spring member having a thickness no greater than the thickness of the positioning element.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein limiting movement of the spring member comprises:

arranging a generally annular shaped frame to support slidable movement of the spring member relative to a body of the frame; and

arranging the stop mechanism as at least one raised member extending in a generally circular pattern on the body of the frame to engage the outer portion of the spring element to limit radially inward movement of the spring element and to permit radially outward movement of the spring element relative to the at least one raised member.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the at least one raised member comprises at least one of:

a plurality of posts, wherein the outer portion of the spring member comprises a plurality of loops sized and shaped so that each respective loop extends about one of the respective posts of the frame; and

an inner rim extending substantially about an inner opening of the frame, wherein the spring comprises a body extending between the inner portion and the outer portion of the spring member, the outer portion comprising a flange extending generally perpendicular to the inner portion and the body of the spring member.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein exerting a biasing force comprises:

providing a generally disc shaped frame and the positioning element comprising at least one slider arm slidably movable along the frame;

arranging the at least one spring element as at least one torsion spring anchored to the frame to orient an arm of the torsion spring to extend generally perpendicular to the slider arm and in releasable contact against an end of the at least one slider arm;

wherein limiting radially inward movement of the at least one spring member comprises;

arranging a stop member on the frame to enable releasable contact of the arm of the torsion spring against the stop member adjacent to the end of the slider arm, the stop member configured to permit radially outward movement of the arm of the torsion spring and of the finger of the resilient arm in response to laterally outward slidable movement of the slider arm.

22. An input device for a portable electronic device comprising:

a movable disc comprising at least one of conductive element and a non-conductive element;

a housing frame configured to support slidable motion of the movable disc; and

a re-centering mechanism exerting a non-zero biasing force toward the movable disc in substantially the same plane through which the movable disc slidably moves, the biasing force being exerted substantially continuously and radially inward toward the movable disc and acting on the movable disc upon slidable movement of the movable disc relative to the re-centering mechanism, wherein the biasing force exceeds a frictional force between the movable disc and the contact surface of the housing frame,

wherein the re-centering mechanism comprises;

at least one spring element slidably movable relative to the housing frame and including an inner portion in releasable contact with the movable disc and a outer portion spaced laterally outward from the inner portion, the at least one spring element extending in generally the same plane as the movable disc; and

a limiting mechanism positioned laterally outward from the movable disc and extending in generally the same plane as the movable disc, the limiting mechanism being generally positioned laterally outward from the inner portion of at least one spring element and positioned to permit releasable contact of the outer portion of the at least one spring element.

23. The input device of claim 22 wherein the at least one spring element comprises a generally annular shaped resilient member having a thickness no greater than a thickness of the positioning element and defining a series of elongate folds extending about a circumference of the resilient member.

24. The input device of claim 23 wherein the limiting mechanism comprises a frame for at least partially supporting the at least one spring element, the limiting mechanism including at least one raised member arranged generally concentrically about and spaced from the movable disc for releasably engaging the outer portion of the at least one spring element, thereby permitting radially outward movement of the spring element and preventing radially inward movement of the spring element.

25. The input device of claim 22 and further comprising:

a housing including a contact surface and an opening; and

a puck slidably supported on a contact surface of the housing and connected to the movable disc via the opening in the housing, the puck linked to the movable disc to cause a direct one-to-one correspondence between the lateral movement of the puck and the movable disc.