SWITCH SYSTEM HAVING A BUTTON TRAVEL LIMIT FEATURE

• US 20120000760A1
• Filed: 06/30/2010
• Published: 01/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Lutgring, David M., Pescetto, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,404,990 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/520
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/04 Cases; Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/705 characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/022 Part of keyboard not operable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/068 having a not operable condition
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/02 Bases, casings, or covers accommodating more than one switch or a switch and another electrical component H02B1/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/22 for interlocking between casing, cover, or protective shutter and mechanism for operating contacts explosion-proof cases H01H9/045; built-in fuses and interlocking mechanisms H01H9/104; by automatic release of circuit breakers H01H71/126

Abstract

A switch system having a user-activatable button and button travel limit feature is disclosed. The switch system includes a housing comprising an opening, a circuit board assembly positioned in the housing, and an electrical switch assembly connected to the circuit board. The button travel limit feature is adapted to inhibit motion of an activation surface of the user-activatable button towards the electrical switch assembly when the electrical switch assembly is activated.

Claims

1. A switch system comprising:

a) a housing comprising an opening,

b) a circuit board assembly positioned in the housing,

c) an electrical switch assembly connected to the circuit board,

d) a user-activatable button positioned in the opening of the housing and movable between an activating and non-activating position wherein the button comprises an activation surface capable of contacting the electrical switch assembly, and

e) a button travel limit feature, wherein the button travel limit feature is positioned to inhibit motion of the activation surface of the user-activatable button towards the electrical switch assembly after the activation surface contacts the electrical switch assembly.

2. The switch system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises at least first and second portions, wherein the first portion comprises an enclosure and the second portion is adapted to be fastened to the first portion.

3. The switch system of claim 2, wherein the button travel limit feature is fixed to the second portion of the housing.

4. The switch system of claim 1, wherein the button travel limit feature projects from a portion of the housing in a direction generally orthogonal to a plane created by the circuit board assembly.

5. The switch system of claim 1, wherein the button travel limit feature is interposed between the user-activatable button and the electrical switch assembly.

6. The switch system of claim 1, wherein the direction of activation of the electrical switch assembly is along the circuit board assembly.

7. The switch system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the button travel limit feature projects from a portion of the housing in the direction of activation of the electrical switch assembly.

8. The switch system of claim 1, wherein the button over-travel limit feature is fixed to the circuit board assembly.

9. A switch system comprising:

a) a housing comprising an opening,

b) a circuit board assembly positioned in the housing,

c) an electrical switch assembly connected to the circuit board,

d) a user-activatable button positioned in the opening of the housing and movable between an activating and non-activating position wherein the button comprises an activation surface capable of contacting the electrical switch assembly, and

e) a button travel limit feature that does not completely surround either a portion of the electrical switch assembly or a portion of the user-activatable button.

10. The switch system of claim 9, wherein the button travel limit feature comprises one or more curved edges.

11. The switch system of claim 9, wherein the button travel limit feature comprises one or more straight edges.

12. The switch system of claim 9, wherein the button travel limit feature comprises two substantially parallel protrusions extending from a portion of the housing.

13. The switch system of claim 9, wherein the button travel limit feature comprises a support feature fixed to the enclosure.

14. A switch system comprising:

a) a housing comprising an opening,

b) a circuit board assembly positioned in the housing,

c) an electrical switch assembly connected to the circuit board,

d) a user-activatable button positioned in the opening of the housing wherein the user-activatable button comprises an activation surface and is connected to the housing by a flexible membrane such that the user-activatable button is movable between an activating and non-activating position, and

e) a button travel limit feature.

15. The switch system of claim 14, wherein the button travel limit feature is interposed between the user-activatable button and the electrical switch assembly.

16. The switch system of claim 14 wherein the user-activatable button seals the opening of the housing.

17. The switch system of claim 14, wherein the user-activatable button comprises silicone rubber.

18. The switch system of claim 14, wherein the button travel limit feature is fixed to the housing.

19. The switch system of claim 14, wherein the button travel limit feature does not completely surround either a portion of the electrical switch assembly or a portion of the user-activatable button.

20. The switch system of claim 14, wherein the direction of activation of the electrical switch assembly is along the circuit board assembly.