TWO-STAGE SWITCH ASSEMBLY

• US 20100084252A1
• Filed: 02/26/2009
• Published: 04/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Infanti, James, Rajagopal, Vijai, Kyowski, Timothy, Sulem, Firmansyah
• Granted Patent: US 7,977,587 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/5.E
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/48 using buckling of disc springs
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/64 wherein the switch has more than two electrically distinguishable positions, e.g. multi-position push-button switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/01 Different switch sites under one actuator in same plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/018 Consecutive operations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/03 Different type of switches

Abstract

A switch assembly is provided to actuate a pair of switches using a single push key, e.g. for a camera that utilizes a first switch to activate an image focusing function and a second switch to activate a camera shutter. The switch assembly comprises a contact pad switch and a dome switch that are located laterally to one another. When the push key receives a first downward force, only the contact pad switch becomes activated and a first electric circuit is completed. When the push key receives a second downward force that is greater than the first force, the dome switch collapses and a second electric circuit is completed.

Claims

1. A switch assembly comprising:

a lower surface;

a push key supported above said lower surface and moveable with respect thereto, said push key comprising an elongate member having a first end portion and a second end portion;

a first switch comprising a first upper contact supported above a first lower contact, said lower contact being supported by said lower surface, both being aligned with said end portion, and a resilient member interposed between said first upper contact and said first lower contact; and

a second switch comprising a collapsible dome supported by said lower surface and being aligned with said second end portion, said dome comprising a second upper contact and a second lower contact;

wherein upon movement of said push key, said resilient member deforms to close said first switch under a first force, while a second force greater than said first force is required to collapse said dome.

2. A switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein said push key comprises a resilient material to permit movement of said second end portion with respect to said first end portion.

3. A switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first end portion comprises a first protrusion for supporting said first upper contact and said second end portion comprises a second protrusion for collapsing said dome.

4. The switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein said push key further comprises a locking ring for securing said push key to a device.

5. The switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein said push key further comprises a hole to receive a heat staking structure.

6. The switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein said resilient member is formed as a portion of said push key.

7. The switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein said resilient member at least partially surrounds said first upper contact and said first lower contact.

8. The switch assembly according to claim 7 wherein said resilient member provides a seal around the periphery of said first upper contact and said first lower contact.

9. The switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein a rigid key cap is attached to said first surface of said push key.

10. The switch assembly according to claim 9 wherein a hard-stop protrusion is spaced below said key cap and is positioned in the vicinity of said first protrusion.

11. The switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein the top of said dome switch comprises a puck.

12. A camera device comprising a lens, a camera shutter, and a switch assembly for focusing an image entering said lens and activating said camera shutter, said switch assembly comprising:

a lower surface;

a push key supported above said lower surface and moveable with respect thereto, said push key comprising an elongate member having a first end portion and a second end portion;

a first switch comprising a first upper contact supported above a first lower contact, said lower contact being supported by said lower surface, both being aligned with said end portion, and a resilient member interposed between said first upper contact and said first lower contact; and

a second switch comprising a collapsible dome supported by said lower surface and being aligned with said second end portion, said dome comprising a second upper contact and a second lower contact;

wherein upon movement of said push key, said resilient member deforms to close said first switch under a first force thereby focusing said image entering said lens, while a second force greater than said first force is required to collapse said dome thereby activating said camera shutter to capture said image.

13. A mobile device comprising the camera device according to claim 12.