Keypad assembly

• US 8,274,005 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2010
• Issued: 09/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Chen, Chao, Xu, Chen
• Primary Examiner(s): FRIEDHOFER, MICHAEL A
• Application Number:
  US12/713,884
• Publication Number:
  US 20110209975A1
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5.A, 200/406, 200/516, 200/517, 200/296, 2003021-3023, 200310-317, 200/341, 200/345
• US Class Current: 200/302.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/86 characterised by the casing, e.g. sealed casings or casings reducible in size
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/01 Increasing rigidity; Anti-creep
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/002 sealed
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/046 Multi-colour or double shot injection moulding
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2233/04 captured between assembled parts of support

Abstract

A keypad assembly is described herein in which the keypad assembly includes a substrate and a plurality of domes positioned on the substrate and configured to translate operator action into a corresponding input for a machine. The keypad assembly also includes a dome overlay positioned over the domes and the substrate in which the dome overlay can create a sealed environment for the substrate and the domes. A light guide that directs light in the keypad assembly and an interlocking component coupled to the light guide can also be part of the keypad assembly. In one arrangement, the interlocking component can selectively compress the dome overlay to assist in the creation of the sealed environment. In another arrangement, the interlocking component can compress the dome overlay by bending the dome overlay at an edge of the substrate.

Claims

1. A keypad assembly, comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of domes positioned on the substrate and configured to translate operator action into a corresponding input for a machine;

a dome overlay positioned over the domes and the substrate, wherein the dome overlay creates a sealed environment for the substrate and the domes; and

an interlocking component that compresses the dome overlay by bending the dome overlay at an edge of the substrate to assist in the creation of the sealed environment.

2. The keypad assembly according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a flexible printed circuit and the keypad assembly further comprises a stiffener providing support for the flexible printed circuit.

3. The keypad assembly according to claim 2, wherein the stiffener includes an engaging structure that engages the interlocking component for maintaining the interlocking component in position.

4. The keypad assembly according to claim 3, wherein the engaging structure is a hook-shaped extension positioned over a surface of the interlocking component.

5. The keypad assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a conductive adhesive that secures the flexible printed circuit to the stiffener.

6. The keypad assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a keypad positioned over the dome overlay, wherein the keypad includes a compression leg that engages the dome overlay.

7. The keypad assembly according to claim 1, wherein the interlocking component includes a beveled surface that contacts the dome overlay to enable the interlocking component to compress the dome overlay.

8. The keypad assembly according to claim 6, further comprising a light guide that directs light in the keypad assembly and wherein the interlocking component is coupled to the light guide.

9. The keypad assembly according to claim 1, wherein the interlocking component is made of a deformable material.

10. The keypad assembly according to claim 1, wherein the interlocking component is positioned at a dome location along an edge of the substrate.

11. A keypad assembly, comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of domes positioned on the substrate and configured to translate operator action into a corresponding input for a mobile device, wherein at least some of the domes are outer domes that are located along an edge of the substrate;

a dome overlay positioned over the domes and the substrate to prevent external contaminants from affecting the domes; and

an interlocking component positioned at the edge of the substrate for selectively compressing the dome overlay by bending the dome overlay at an edge of the substrate.

12. The keypad assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a light guide, wherein the interlocking component is attached to the light guide.

13. The keypad assembly according to claim 11, wherein the interlocking component includes a beveled surface with respect to the substrate and the beveled surface compresses the dome overlay by bending the dome overlay at a point of contact of the substrate.

14. The keypad assembly according to claim 11, wherein the substrate is a flexible printed circuit and the keypad assembly further comprises a stiffener providing support for the flexible printed circuit.

15. The keypad assembly according to claim 14, wherein the stiffener includes an engaging structure that engages a surface of the interlocking component to maintain the interlocking component in position.

16. The keypad assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a keypad having a plurality of keys positioned over the domes, wherein the domes collapse when an operator presses down on the keys.

17. The keypad assembly according to claim 11, wherein the interlocking component is positioned at a dome location along the edge of the substrate.

18. A method of assembling a keypad assembly, comprising:

securing a substrate having a plurality of dome pads to a stiffener;

placing a dome overlay over the substrate such that a portion of the dome overlay extends beyond an edge of the substrate; and

positioning an interlocking component against a portion of the dome overlay extending beyond the edge of the substrate such that the interlocking component compresses the portion of the dome overlay to assist in the creation of a sealed environment for a plurality of domes.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising engaging the interlocking component with an engaging structure of the stiffener to maintain the interlocking component in position to compress the portion of the dome overlay.