This can relate to systems and methods for providing input component assemblies in electronic devices and, more particularly, to systems and methods for providing input component assemblies with anti-rotational buttons in electronic devices.
Electronic devices often include one or more input component assemblies for allowing a user to interact with the electronic device and manipulate the functions available with the electronic device. In some cases, one or more switches can be provided underneath a physical input element, such as a button or a key, of an input component assembly on a device. The switch may be positioned under a button such that, when the button is pressed, the switch may close an electrical circuit. In particular, a switch can include a dome that is positioned over a contact pad such that, when the dome is deformed with the application of force (e.g., via a button), the dome comes into contact with the contact pad and closes a circuit.
During construction of the electronic device, care is taken to properly position the button over the one or more switches and within an opening through device housing. Specifically, the button may need to be positioned within a housing opening so that an icon or a symbol on the button is properly aligned relative to the other components of the device. For example, the button may need to be placed within the housing opening of the device to ensure that the icon appears straight and is not displayed upside down or slanted off to one side when viewed by a user of the device.
After construction of the device, users interact with the device by applying force to the buttons. The force may not be applied evenly across the button and, as a consequence, the force applied may cause the button to rotate with respect to the housing. Over time, the repeated application of force that rotates the button may cause the button to become dislodged, out of line with the switch underneath, and/or otherwise repositioned so that the icon is no longer correctly aligned.
Accordingly, there is a need to reduce the tendency for electronic device buttons to rotate.
Systems and methods for providing input component assemblies with anti-rotational buttons in electronic devices are provided. In some embodiments, an input component assembly may include a switch, a button positioned over the switch, where the button is operative to close at least one circuit of the switch when the button is depressed towards the switch, and at least one pin positioned underneath the button, where the at least one pin is operative to engage with a surface to assist in preventing rotation of the button when the button is depressed towards the switch.
In other embodiments, an electronic device may include a housing having an opening, a surface fixed with respect to the housing, a button positioned in the opening, and at least one pin configured to engage with the surface and the button, where the at least one pin prevents rotation of the button in the opening when the at least one pin engages with the surface and the button.
In yet other embodiments, a method for forming an input component assembly for an electronic device may include positioning a button over a switch, where the button is operative to close at least one circuit of the switch when the button is depressed towards the switch, and positioning at least one pin underneath the button, where the at least one pin is operative to engage with a surface that defines a hole, and where engaging with a surface that defines a hole for preventing rotation of the button when the button is depressed towards the switch.
In yet other embodiments, an input component assembly may include a switch, and a button positioned over the switch. The button may be operative to close at least one circuit of the switch when the button is depressed towards the switch. The input component assembly may also include a first mechanical feature positioned underneath the button. The first mechanical feature may be operative to engage with a second mechanical feature to assist in preventing rotation of the button when the button is depressed towards the switch.
The above and other aspects of the invention, its nature, and various features will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters may refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
At least one anti-rotational pin may be incorporated into an input component assembly to reduce or eliminate the ability for physical input elements, such as buttons, of electronic devices to be rotated. One or more pins may be positioned within a device between a button and at least one surface below the button in order to reduce or provide more control over the tendency for the button to rotate. When force is applied to the button, one or more pins can engage with one or more surfaces to aid in stabilizing, controlling, preventing, and/or reducing the tendency for the button to rotate.
In some embodiments, each pin may fit within a hole in one or more layers of material and/or in one or more components within the device to engage with a stable surface defining the hole.
In one or more embodiments, electronic device 100 may be any portable, mobile, hand-held, or miniature mobile electronic device. Miniature devices may have a form factor that is smaller than a hand held device, such as an iPod™ Shuffle available by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Illustrative miniature devices may be incorporated into various objects that include, but are not limited to, the following: watches, rings, necklaces, belts, headsets, shoe accessories, virtual reality devices, other wearable electronics, sports or fitness equipment accessories, key chains, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, electronic device 100 may not be portable at all.
Electronic device 100 can include one or more additional components to create a user interface for device 100, some of which may be configurable to be controlled by one or more input assemblies of device 100. For example, electronic device 100 may include input component assembly 102 that can allow a user to manipulate at least one function of electronic device 100, one or more output component assemblies 104 (e.g., a display screen) that can provide the user with device generated information, and at least one protective housing 101 that can at least partially enclose a particular input component of input component assembly 102 and/or output component assembly 104.
As shown in
Input component assembly 102 may be a dome switch assembly or any other type of switch assembly that may have an actuator that may be depressed and/or deformed to close an otherwise open circuit of device 100, or to open an otherwise closed circuit. Input component assembly 102 may be made from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, glass, and/or any combination thereof.
As shown in
Icon 108 can be any type of symbol, letter, numeral, text, shape, and/or any other representation or combination thereof. Icon 108 may be a representation of a functionality offered by device 100 and the functionality can be provided (e.g., instructions can be executed to provide functionality) when the user interacts with button 106. Button 106 may be positioned within device 100 to ensure that icon 108 is properly aligned relative to the other components of device 100. For example, as shown in
Continuing with
In order to prevent or reduce tendency for rotation of button 106 about a potential axis of rotation X (e.g., to prevent rotation in either rotation direction R1 or rotation direction R2) when force is applied to button 106, one or more features of button 106 may interact with one or more features of a fixed component within housing 101 and/or the housing 101 itself. Rotation may be prevented in order to maintain proper alignment of button 106 with respect to housing 101 or any other component of device 100 (e.g., to maintain proper alignment of icon 108 with respect to opening 105 and/or to maintain proper alignment of any other feature of button 106 with respect to any other feature of electronic device 100 (e.g., even if button 106 does not include an icon 108)).
Holes 123 and 125 can be created in any number of components and/or surfaces of components of device 100 positioned below button 106 (e.g., beyond button 106 in the direction of a user input force, such as the direction of arrow A). Each hole may be sized to receive at least a portion of a pin when button 106 is depressed, and such that a surface defining the hole may interact with the pin to prevent motion of the pin when button 106 attempts to rotate (e.g., about axis X). As shown, anti-rotational hole 123 may be formed to allow anti-rotational pin 113 to go completely through a component (e.g., frame 122). Alternatively, hole 125 may be a recess or an indentation in a surface of a component, such as in a top surface of frame 122, and hole 125 may be formed by removing one or more layers of materials of frame 122.
Anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 may be attached to bottom surface 109 of button 106. Although illustrated as attached to button 106, anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 can be attached to any other surface at least partially below button 106, such as frame 122, a support plate for switch 130, a flexible circuit within device 100, or any other component of device 100. When anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 are engaged in one or more holes, anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 can stabilize button 106. Stabilizing can include, but is not limited to, the following: realigning a button, and/or reducing, eliminating, at least partially preventing, and/or providing a degree of control over rotation of button 106.
Anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 can prevent a tendency for an application of force to top surface 107 of button 106 to cause button 106 to rotate around a potential axis of rotation (e.g., potential axis X) or rotate about a pivot, such as using another component of device 100 as a pivot. For example, anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 can limit or control the use of another component or portion of a component of device 100 as a pivot for rotating button 106, such as about potential axis of rotation X in directions R1 or R2. By way of example, anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 may prevent, control, or limit a user's ability to apply a force on the outer edge of top surface 107 of button 106 and rotate button 106 about a pivot created by switch 130, such as a dome of a dome switch underneath button 106.
Anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 can work in conjunction with a gasket 112 to stabilize button 106. Gasket 112 can be designed and/or made from a material that allows gasket 112 to react to the application of force on button 106, similar to a spring, and assist in stabilizing button 106. Gasket 112 can be made from a material that yields and deforms to fill the space under button 106 to limit the ability for button 106 to rotate. Gasket 112 may create a fluid tight seal between housing 101 and button 106 to prevent fluid from entering device 100 through opening 105 in housing 101. Alternatively, anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 may provide the primary source of stability or anti-rotational assistance to button 106. For example, to protect a thinner gasket 112 from tearing when attempting to prevent rotation of button 106 (e.g., within opening 105), anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 may be designed to interact with surfaces defining holes 123 and 125 to prevent such rotation and to protect the integrity of gasket 112.
Anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 may be illustrated in
Anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 may interact with a surface that defines holes 123 and 125, respectively, that can engage anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 and prevent button 106 from rotating. Holes 123 and 125 may be any hole, recess, indentation, and/or cavity in any component of device 100. Any surface that defines one or both of holes 123 and 125 can engage anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 and can stop movement of anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 to prevent rotation of button 106.
Anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 can be made of any material, including, but not limited to, glass, plastic, metal, rubber, or any other material or combination thereof. Each pin may be flexible or rigid, and the rigidity of each pin may vary along its length.
Although anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 are shown positioned on either side of switch 130, any number of anti-rotational pins and any positioning of the pins can be utilized to stabilize button 106. Anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 can be put in locations to offer any degree of stability, control, and/or reduction in rotation of button 106 desired. For example, it may be desirable to use only one anti-rotational pin that is not linear with potential axis of rotation X in order to prevent rotation of button 106 about potential axis of rotation X (e.g., just pin 113, which may extend from button 106 in a direction parallel to axis X but offset from axis X). In another example, two pins on either side of potential axis of rotation X may be used (e.g., just pins 113 and 115 may be used). In another embodiment, four pins may be used that are equally spaced about potential axis of rotation X, such as pins 113 and 115, as well as pins 113′ and pins 115′ that may extend within holes 123′ and 125′, as shown in
Some implementations may desire more allowance for rotation of button 106 and allow a user partially rotate button 106. For example, embodiments may provide larger sized holes 123 and 125 with respect to the size of pins 113 and 115 to delay engagement of a surface of the holes by anti-rotational pins 113 and 115, which may permit more rotation ability for button 106 before the interaction of the pins and holes prevent further rotation. In another example, anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 may fit snugly in holes 123 and 125 to ensure anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 almost always engage a surface of holes 123 and 125 to prevent even the slightest rotation of button 106. Holes 123 and 125 may be sized to prevent rotation when a relatively greater amount of force is applied to button 106 by varying the diameter of holes 123 and 125 (e.g., gradual shrinking of the diameter of hole 123 and 125) or when a relatively greater amount of force is applied to one side or particular location of button 106 (e.g., ensuring an anti-rotational pin is not centered in a hole such that the pin will engage with one surface of the hole when the button is rotated in one direction (e.g., R1) more quickly than the pin will engage with another surface of the hole when the button is rotated in another direction (e.g., R2)).
In some embodiments, anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 may be designed with varying heights and materials to control the amount that button 106 can rotate. Design of anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 and holes 123 and 125, respectively, may allow control over how much force is exerted and/or the speed at which the force is applied before rotation of button 106 is prevented. For example, shorter pin 115 may require more force in the direction of arrow A before anti-rotational pin 115 interacts with a surface defining hole 125 than a longer pin, such as anti-rotational pin 113. Continuing with the example, as a result, shorter anti-rotational pin 115 may provide more ability to rotate button 106 by virtue of anti-rotational pin 115 requiring more force exerted in the direction of arrow A before pin 115 may prevent rotation (e.g., by requiring enough force in the direction of arrow A on button 106 to depress pin 115 into hole 125).
Similarly, the design and size of holes 123 and 125 may allow more control over the amount that button 106 can rotate. For example, if anti-rotational pin 113 is formed from a yielding, deformable material, then deeper hole 123 surrounding a longer portion of pin 113 may require more force be exerted by pin 113 in a direction of rotation (e.g., R1 or R2) before pin 113 before releasing such a deformable pin than might a hole that surrounds a shorter portion of such a pin.
In one or more embodiments, any number of anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 may be used as a visual and/or mechanical guide for construction of device 100. Anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 can be attached to or incorporated into button 106 during formation of button 106. Anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 can be positioned to serve as a visual guide for alignment of icon 108 and/or button 106 with respect to device 100 when button 106 is initially positioned within opening 105 of housing 101. For example, pins 113 and 115 may be visible through holes 123 and 125 in frame 122 and the positioning of the pins may indicate how to position the button to properly align icon 108 with respect to device 100.
An approach to ensuring the proper positioning of button 106 and alignment of icon 108 during construction may be to use anti-rotational pin 113 on the underside of a button 106 as a mechanical and/or visual marker for positioning and alignment during construction. To ensure proper placement of button 106 with icon 108 within housing 101, anti-rotational pin 113 on the underside of button 106 may serve as a mechanical and/or visual guide for placement of button 106 and other parts of input component assembly 102 (e.g., frame 122) within housing 101 relative to button 106. For example, when a frame 122 is being lowered toward the outer housing 101 and button 106 of device 100 during construction, frame 122 can be placed over button 106 so that anti-rotational pin 113 is visible through one or more holes (e.g., hole 123) in frame 122. In this way, the visibility of anti-rotational pin 113 during construction ensures that icon 108 on the button 106 is straight and/or button 106 is properly placed over switch 130. If anti-rotational pin 113 is not visible or does not fit through hole 123 during construction, then button 106 may not be positioned correctly and icon 108 may be misaligned for an end user.
In some embodiments, gasket 112 may be positioned and adhered at least partially about button 106 and opening 105 of housing 101 to hold button 106 and housing 101 in place while frame 122 is being lowered toward housing 101.
Anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 may be attached or coupled to bottom surface 109 of button 106 and/or button 106 may be manufactured to have anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 incorporated into button 106. During manufacture of button 106, icon 108 may be applied to top surface 107. Icon 108 may be positioned on top surface 107 relative to anti-rotational pins 113 and 115, such that anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 may serve as visual and/or mechanical indicators for proper alignment of icon 108 within housing 101. For example, icon 108 may be applied to top surface 107 relative to anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 to ensure that when anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 fit within holes 123 and 125 of frame 122, respectively, that icon 108 is straight and displayed properly to indicate location of button 106 and/or functionality of activated switch 130 for button 106.
As shown in
Anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 may be designed and positioned to handle force applied with any particular strength and/or at any particular location on button 106 to prevent rotation about potential axis of rotation X in directions R1 or R2. Engaged anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 can stabilize button 106 and reduce the tendency for button 106 to rotate. Anti-rotational pins 113 and 115 can limit, control, and/or prevent a tendency for an application of force on button 106 to cause button 106 to rotate when at least one of pin 113 and 115 engages with one or more surfaces that define at least one of holes 123 and 125, respectively.
As shown in
As shown in
At step 1004, at least one pin (e.g., pin 113 and/or pin 115) may be positioned underneath the button such that the at least one pin may be operative to engage with a surface that defines a hole (e.g., hole 123 and/or 125), and wherein engaging with the surface aids in preventing rotation of the button when the button is depressed towards the switch. One or more anti-rotational pins may be positioned underneath the button of the device to provide stability when force is applied to the button (e.g., a force to depress the button for operating the switch below the button). An anti-rotational pin may be physically coupled to the button (e.g., pin 113 and/or pin 115), free-standing within the device (e.g., pin 313), and/or coupled to any other surface of a component in the device (e.g., pin 213 and/or pin 215). In some embodiments, an anti-rotational pin may interact with a surface defining a hole in the button (e.g., hole 223, hole 225, and/or hole 333).
It is to be understood that the steps shown in process 1000 of
Anti-rotational pins can be shaped to fit snugly within holes or have relatively more room to allow a desired amount of rotation before engaging with a surface defining a hole. Anti-rotational pins can be shaped differently than their respective hole. For example, anti-rotational pins can have a square shape and fit within a circular hole. Alternatively, anti-rotational pins can have the same shape as their corresponding hole.
Although
While there have been described systems and methods for providing input component assemblies with anti-rotational buttons in electronic devices, it is to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. It is also to be understood that various directional and orientational terms such as “up and “down,” “front” and “back,” “top” and “bottom” and “side,” “length” and “width” and “thickness,” “X-” and “Y-” and “Z-,” and the like are used herein only for convenience, and that no fixed or absolute directional or orientational limitations are intended by the use of these words. For example, the devices of this invention can have any desired orientation. If reoriented, different directional or orientational terms may need to be used in their description, but that will not alter their fundamental nature as within the scope and spirit of this invention.
Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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4453052 | Semian et al. | Jun 1984 | A |
6910439 | Baba et al. | Jun 2005 | B2 |
7795553 | Weber et al. | Sep 2010 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20140069782 A1 | Mar 2014 | US |