Two-stage switch assembly
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A switch assembly comprising:
- a lower surface;
a push key supported above the lower surface and moveable with respect thereto, the 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, the lower contact being supported by the lower surface, both being aligned with the first end portion, and a resilient member surrounding the first upper contact and the first lower contact and acting to separate the first upper contact and the first lower contact, the resilient member aligned with the first end portion; and
a second switch comprising a collapsible dome supported by the lower surface and being aligned with the second end portion, the dome comprising a second upper contact and a second lower contact;
wherein upon movement of the push key, the resilient member deforms to close the first switch under a first force, while a second force greater than the first force is required to collapse the dome.
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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.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A switch assembly comprising:
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a lower surface; a push key supported above the lower surface and moveable with respect thereto, the 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, the lower contact being supported by the lower surface, both being aligned with the first end portion, and a resilient member surrounding the first upper contact and the first lower contact and acting to separate the first upper contact and the first lower contact, the resilient member aligned with the first end portion; and a second switch comprising a collapsible dome supported by the lower surface and being aligned with the second end portion, the dome comprising a second upper contact and a second lower contact; wherein upon movement of the push key, the resilient member deforms to close the first switch under a first force, while a second force greater than the first force is required to collapse the dome. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A camera device comprising a lens, a camera shutter, and a switch assembly for focusing an image entering the lens and activating the camera shutter, the switch assembly comprising:
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a lower surface; a push key supported above the lower surface and moveable with respect thereto, the 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, the lower contact being supported by the lower surface, both being aligned with the first end portion, and a resilient member surrounding the first upper contact and the first lower contact and acting to separate the first upper contact and the first lower contact, the resilient member aligned with the first end portion; and a second switch comprising a collapsible dome supported by the lower surface and being aligned with the second end portion, the dome comprising a second upper contact and a second lower contact; wherein upon movement of the push key, the resilient member deforms to close the first switch under a first force thereby focusing the image entering the lens, while a second force greater than the first force is required to collapse the dome thereby activating the camera shutter to capture the image. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification