Sealed button for an electronic device

• US 9,916,942 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2013
• Issued: 03/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Shedletsky, Anna-Katrina
• Primary Examiner(s): Leon, Edwin A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Malakooti, Iman
• Application Number:
  US14/917,552
• Publication Number:
  US 20160225551A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,645 Days
• Field of Search: 200 5 A, 2003022
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/06 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/004 Collapsible dome or bubble
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9625 using a force resistance transducer
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/965 Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch

Abstract

One embodiment of the disclosure includes an electronic device including an enclosure (214), a button (106), and a processing element (not shown). The button is connected to the enclosure and includes a button cap (234) defining a user input surface, a flexible member (238) having an interior surface (270) and exterior surface. The flexible member is aligned with the button cap and is connected thereto. The button further includes a strain sensor (244) connected to the interior surface of the flexible member, the strain sensor is in communication with the processing element. When a force is exerted on the button cap, the flexible member bends and the strain sensor detects a user input corresponding to the force and provides a signal to the processing element corresponding to the user input. In some embodiments, the button may be substantially or completely waterproof.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

an enclosure defining an interior;

a button connected to the enclosure, the button comprising;

a button cap defining a user input surface;

a flexible member separating the interior of the enclosure from an external environment and having an interior surface facing the interior of the enclosure and exterior surface facing the external environment, the flexible member being aligned with the button cap and connected thereto; and

a strain sensor connected to the interior surface of the flexible member; and

a processing element in communication with the strain sensor;

wherein when a force is exerted on the button cap, the flexible member bends; and

the strain sensor detects a user input corresponding to the force and provides a signal to the processing element corresponding to the user input.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the button cap further comprises a force collector extending from a bottom surface, wherein the force collector aggregates the force and transmits the force to the flexible member.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the button cap and the force collector are integrally formed.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the flexible member and the button cap are integrally formed.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the button is waterproof.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the flexible member is integrally formed with the enclosure.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the strain sensor comprises a strain gauge defining a strain sensitive pattern and at least one communication terminal.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the flexible member is metal or plastic.

9. A waterproof button comprising:

a button cap configured to move between a first position and a second position;

an at least partially flexible metal plate aligned with the button cap; and

a strain sensor directly connected to a first surface of the flexible metal plate, the strain sensor comprising;

a flexible circuit; and

a strain gauge connected to the flexible circuit;

wherein

the flexible metal plate bends in response to a user input force applied to the button cap in a direction that the user input force is applied, deforming the flexible circuit and the strain gauge.

10. The waterproof button of claim 9, further comprising a force collector connected to the button cap and positioned between the button cap and the flexible metal plate.

11. The waterproof button of claim 10, wherein the force collector is integrally formed with the button cap and aggregates the user input force applied to the button cap.

12. The waterproof button of claim 9, further comprising an enclosure at least partially surrounding the button cap, wherein the flexible metal plate is welded to the enclosure.

13. The waterproof button of claim 9, further comprising a housing defining a button aperture, wherein the button cap is received through button aperture, wherein the housing is integrally formed with the flexible metal plate.

14. The waterproof button of claim 9, further comprising a feedback element connected to the button cap and configured to provide feedback to a user.

15. The waterproof button of claim 14, wherein the feedback element is a collapsible dome received within a recess defined by the button cap.

16. A wearable electronic device including the waterproof button of claim 9.

17. A waterproof button for an electronic device comprising:

a user input element;

a flexible member aligned with the user input element; and

a strain sensor defined on the flexible member, the strain sensor comprising a strain gauge;

wherein

the strain sensor is deposited directly onto a first surface of the flexible member; and

the user input element is coupled to a second surface of the flexible member opposite the first surface.

18. The waterproof button of claim 17, wherein the strain sensor is deposited on the flexible member through laser direct structuring or plating.

19. The waterproof button of claim 17, where the flexible member is plastic.

20. The waterproof button of claim 17, wherein the user input element is a button.