Electrical connector having a domed metal switch

摘要

A connector (100) and connector system are provided. A connector can include a domed metal switch (102) that is partially covered with a liquid impermeable barrier (101) such that a portion of the domed metal switch is exposed and the liquid impermeable barrier is coupled to the domed metal switch with a liquid impermeable junction (221). In a connector system, a complementary connector can include a dome switch actuator (706,707), partially covered with another liquid impermeable barrier. When pressed against the connector, the domed metal switch can deform to contact an electrical conductor (104). A control circuit (1309) can determine whether an electronic device or user is causing the deformation by detecting whether voltage or current is applied to the domed metal switch while deformed.

主权项

1. A method of providing input to an electronic device, comprising:
deforming an actuation protrusion of a domed metal switch, wherein the domed metal switch is partially covered with a liquid impermeable barrier such that a portion of the domed metal switch is exposed wherein the liquid impermeable barrier partially covers the actuation protrusion such that a vertex of the actuation protrusion is exposed, and the liquid impermeable barrier is coupled to the actuation protrusion via another liquid impermeable junction; determining whether one of a voltage or a current is being applied to the domed metal switch while deformed; and where the one of the voltage or the current is being applied to the domed metal switch while deformed, receiving electronic signal from another electronic device through the domed metal switch.