Stack assembly for implementing keypads on mobile computing devices

摘要

A stack assembly for use with a mobile computing device. In one embodiment, the stack assembly includes an electrical contact layer, and actuation member layer, and an illumination layer. The electrical contact layer includes a plurality of contact elements. The actuation member layer includes a plurality of actuation members are, wherein each actuation member is aligned so that an axial movement of that member causes a corresponding one of the plurality of contact elements to actuate. The illumination layer is configured to emit light to the keypad.

主权项

1. A modular stack assembly for use as at least a part of a keypad for a mobile computing device, the stack assembly comprising:
an electrical contact layer on which a plurality of contact elements are provided; an actuation member layer on which a plurality of actuation members are provided, wherein each actuation member in the plurality of actuation members extends inward from a corresponding key structure of a key structure layer and is aligned so that an axial movement of that actuation member causes a corresponding one of the plurality of contact elements to actuate; and an illumination layer configured to emit light to the keypad, the illumination layer comprising a plurality of discrete light sources that are positioned underneath the actuation member layer and the key structure layer; wherein the electrical contact layer, the actuation member layer and the illumination layer are integrally combined to form at least a portion of the modular stack assembly; wherein the modular stack assembly is structured to be capable of being combined, as a single unit, with a housing of the mobile computing device during an assembly process for manufacturing the mobile computing device.