Ceramic insert control mechanism

• US 9,232,672 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2013
• Issued: 01/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Kwong, Kelvin, Pope, Benjamin J., Merz, Nicholas G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leon, Edwin A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jimenez, Anthony R.
• Application Number:
  US13/738,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20140192459A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,090 Days
• Field of Search: 200/314, 200/402, 200/468, 200/502, 200511-514, 200/238, 200/329, 200/341, 200/293, 345/173
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/04 Cases; Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/52 the contact returning to its original state immediately upon removal of operating force, e.g. bell-push switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2013/525 using a return spring acting perpendicular to the actuating direction
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 Covers

Abstract

A control mechanism for an electronic device comprises a cover glass having an aperture defined therein. The aperture extends from an interior to an exterior of the device. A control member is positioned within the aperture, coupled to an actuator. The control member comprises a ceramic insert having a contact surface exposed to the exterior of the housing, operable to actuate the actuator in response to a force on the contact surface. A bearing member is molded about the insert. The bearing member has a hardness less than that of the ceramic insert, and less than that of the cover glass.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a cover having an aperture defined therein;

an actuator positioned within a housing of the electronic device, proximate the aperture; and

a control member positioned within the aperture and coupled to the actuator, the control member comprising;

a ceramic insert having a contact surface exposed to an exterior of the cover, wherein the control member is operable to actuate the actuator in response to a force on the contact surface; and

a bearing member molded about and at least partially encapsulating the ceramic insert, the bearing member comprising;

a bearing portion exposed to an exterior of the electronic device and positioned within the aperture between the insert and the cover; and

a lower portion positioned between and separating the ceramic insert and the actuator;

wherein

the bearing member is formed from a material having a hardness less than that of the ceramic insert and less than that of the cover.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a bias member configured to retain the control member within the aperture during operation.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the ceramic insert is formed of a substantially single crystal aluminum oxide material.

4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the cover is formed of a transparent ceramic.

5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the transparent ceramic comprises sapphire.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the bearing member is formed of a plastic material.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a light source disposed proximate the aperture, the light source configured to illuminate the ceramic insert.

8. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the ceramic insert has an index of refraction substantially matching that of the cover.

9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the bearing member has an index of refraction substantially matching that of the ceramic insert and that of the cover.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the ceramic insert and bearing member are configured to present a substantially optically matching contact surface for actuation of the control member.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a ceramic cover having an aperture extending from an interior to an exterior of an electronic device;

an actuator positioned within a housing of the electronic device, proximate the aperture; and

a control member positioned within the aperture and coupled to the actuator, the control member comprising;

a substantially single crystal ceramic insert exposed to an exterior of the housing, wherein the control member is operable to actuate the actuator; and

a bearing member disposed about and at least partially encapsulating the ceramic insert, the bearing member comprising;

a bearing portion positioned within the aperture between the insert and the cover; and

a lower portion formed integral with the bearing portion and positioned between and separating the insert and the actuator;

wherein

the bearing member is formed from a material having a hardness substantially less than that of the insert and substantially less than that of the cover.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the ceramic cover comprises a substantially single crystal sapphire material.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the ceramic insert is formed of a substantially single crystal aluminum oxide material.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the substantially single crystal aluminum oxide material of the ceramic insert comprises sapphire.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the bearing member is formed of a plastic material insert molded about the ceramic insert.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the bearing member is formed of a metal.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the control member is configured as one of a rocker type switch or a sliding switch operable for actuating the actuator in response to a force on the ceramic insert.

18. A digital electronic device comprising the apparatus of claim 11 in combination with a display, wherein the control member is configured as a pushbutton provided in the ceramic cover.

19. The digital electronic device of claim 18, wherein the ceramic insert has an index of refraction substantially matching that of the cover.

20. The digital electronic device of claim 19, wherein the bearing member has an index of refraction substantially matching that of the cover and ceramic insert.