Tactile Crown Switch Assembly for Multi-Input Watch Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional input devices for electronic devices, such as buttons or switches, often limit input types and face challenges in maintaining electrical connections during movement, especially in smaller devices where space is limited and integration of sensors or power transfer is difficult.
Innovation Solution
A tactile switch assembly with a rotatable and translatable input member, a coupling, and an electrical contact that maintains connection during translation and rotation, allowing for multiple input types and integration with electronic components, including sensors, within a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional buttons or switches are used, then the device structure is simple, but the input types are limited and electrical connection is difficult to maintain during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The input member is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be pushed to activate a tactile switch, rotated to generate rotary encoder signals, and tilted to activate directional switches. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate input devices, thereby increasing adaptability while managing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines a tactile switch, rotary encoder, and tilt switches into a single integrated switch assembly. The input member serves as a common interface for all three input types, merging multiple input mechanisms into one unified structure that maintains electrical connections through its design
2Adaptability or versatility
If the button is made movable or rotatable to increase input types, then input versatility improves, but electrical connection becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) to maintain electrical connections with the movable input member. The FPC's flexibility allows it to accommodate the input member's movement (pushing, rotating, tilting) while maintaining continuous electrical contact, thus preserving reliability during dynamic operation
Solution Approach 2:
The FPC acts as an intermediary between the movable input member and the fixed circuit board. It transfers electrical signals while accommodating mechanical movement, serving as a flexible mediator that maintains electrical connection despite the input member's various motions
3Volume of moving object
If electronic devices reduce in size, then device compactness improves, but the number of input buttons must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The input member is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be pushed to activate a tactile switch, rotated to generate rotary encoder signals, and tilted to activate directional switches. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate input devices, thereby increasing adaptability while managing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines a tactile switch, rotary encoder, and tilt switches into a single integrated switch assembly. The input member serves as a common interface for all three input types, merging multiple input mechanisms into one unified structure that maintains electrical connections through its design
4Adaptability or versatility
If sensors or electronic elements are integrated into movable buttons, then functionality increases, but maintaining data and power transfer during movement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) to maintain electrical connections with the movable input member. The FPC's flexibility allows it to accommodate the input member's movement (pushing, rotating, tilting) while maintaining continuous electrical contact, thus preserving reliability during dynamic operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical electrical contacts with a magnetic field-based sensing system. Hall effect sensors detect the position and movement of a magnet attached to the input member, enabling data transfer without physical electrical contact. This substitution eliminates wear and connection reliability issues associated with mechanical contacts during movement
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic watch may include a tactile switch and/or one or more sensors for detecting rotational and translational inputs. The watch may include a display configured to produce graphical outputs that may change in response to rotational inputs, translational inputs, and/or touch inputs received at the display. The watch include a crown positioned along an exterior of the watch enclosure and a shaft coupled to the crown and extending into the enclosure. The tactile switch and/or the one or more sensors may be used to detect rotational and/or translational inputs provided at the crown.