WATERPROOF BUTTON ASSEMBLY

• US 20150221460A1
• Filed: 01/31/2014
• Published: 08/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2014
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Ely, Colin M., Rothkopf, Fletcher R., Shedletsky, Anna-Katrina, Teplitxky, Pierre M., Weiss, Samuel B.
• Granted Patent: US 10,290,440 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/06 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/006 Only mechanical function
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2233/074 Snap coupling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49105 Switch making

Abstract

A waterproof button assembly. The waterproof button assembly may include a housing including an opening and a button. The button may be positioned at least partially within the housing via the opening. The assembly may also include a plurality of engagement components positioned on opposite-distal ends of the button. The plurality of engagement components may be configured to retain the button within the housing. The engagement components may extend distally from the button, such that a portion of the engagement components may be positioned within apertures formed in the sidewall of the housing. The assembly may also include a plurality of supports, a tactile dome in contact with the button and at least one of the plurality of supports. A sensing component of the assembly may be positioned adjacent the housing and in alignment with the button and/or tactile dome for sensing actuation of the button within the assembly.

Claims

1. A waterproof button assembly comprising:

a housing;

an opening extending partially through the housing;

a button positioned at least partially within the housing via the opening;

a plurality of engagement components positioned on opposite-distal ends of the button, the plurality of engagement components for retaining the button within the housing; and

a sensing component for sensing actuation of the button within the housing, at least a portion of the sensing component positioned outside of the housing.

2. The waterproof button assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a plurality of apertures in a portion of a sidewall of the housing, each of the plurality of apertures configured to receive the plurality of engagement components.

3. The waterproof button assembly of claim 2, wherein the button includes a plurality of grooves positioned on the distal ends of the button.

4. The waterproof button assembly of claim 3, wherein the plurality of engagement components includes a plurality of clips, each of the plurality of clips slidingly engage one of the plurality of grooves of the button.

5. The waterproof button assembly of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of clips is positioned within one of the plurality of apertures in the sidewall of the housing for retaining the button within the housing.

6. The waterproof button assembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of engagement components includes a plurality of press-fit protrusions extending distally from the button.

7. The waterproof button assembly of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of press-fit protrusions is positioned within one of the plurality of apertures in the sidewall of the housing for retaining the button within the housing.

8. The waterproof button assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a first support positioned within the housing adjacent the button;

a second support positioned within the housing adjacent the button, the second support substantially surrounded by the first support; and

a tactile dome positioned between the second support and the button, the tactile dome contacting the button.

9. The waterproof button assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensing component is selected from a group consisting of:

a piezoelectric sensor, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor and a TAC switch.

10. The waterproof button assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a base portion positioned adjacent the sensing component, the base portion configured to deflect during the actuation of the button.

11. The waterproof button assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a removable backplate.

12. The waterproof button assembly of claim 1, wherein the button and the plurality of engagement components are a single, integral component.

13. An electronic device comprising:

a casing; and

a waterproof button assembly substantially coupled to the housing, the waterproof button assembly comprising;

a housing;

an opening extending partially through the housing;

a button positioned at least partially within the housing via the opening;

a plurality of engagement components positioned on opposite-distal ends of the button, the plurality of engagement components for retaining the button within the housing; and

a sensing component for sensing actuation of the button within the housing, at least a portion of the sensing component positioned outside of the housing.

14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the sensing component of the waterproof is positioned adjacent to a base portion of the housing, and at least a portion of the sensing component is separated from the opening formed partially through the housing by the base portion.

15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the base portion of the housing is configured to deflect during the actuation of the button.

16. A method for assembling a waterproof button, the method comprising:

coupling a plurality of clips to distal ends of a button;

compressing the plurality of clips into the button;

inserting the button and the plurality of compressed clips into a housing;

extending the plurality of clips of the button within the housing; and

retaining the button within the housing via the plurality of extended clips.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the extending of the plurality of clips includes extending each of the plurality of clips within one of a plurality of apertures within the housing.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the retaining of the button within the housing further includes positioning at least a portion of each of the plurality of clips of the button within one of a plurality of apertures within the housing.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the extending of the plurality of clips includes applying a spring force to each of the plurality of clips to displace the plurality of clips distally from the button.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the coupling of the plurality of the clips includes slidingly engaging each of the plurality of clips to one of a plurality of grooves positioned on the distal ends of the button.