Systems and methods for providing input component assemblies for dome switches are provided. In some embodiments, an input component assembly includes 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, an actuator positioned underneath the button to at least partially enclose at least one switch element, where the actuator is operative to deform when the button is depressed, and a weld plate welded to an underside surface of the button with at least one sonic weld joint to create a seal around the actuator and the at least one switch element, where a portion of the actuator is secured between the underside surface of the button and the weld plate.

A keypad for an electronic device is provided and includes a substrate comprising an array of dome elements, an array of frets, an array of mechanical keys disposed in rows interleaved between the frets, a first deflection web supportively disposed adjacent to the substrate and a second deflection web disposed between the frets and the keys and the first deflection web. The substrate is configured to pre-load the first and second deflection webs toward the keys.

Normally closed (shut) micro-electro-mechanical switches (MEMS), methods of manufacture and design structures are provided. A structure includes a beam structure that includes a first end hinged on a first electrode and in electrical contact with a second electrode, in its natural state when not actuated.

A touch screen and machine-implemented method for providing a touch screen panel are provided. The touch screen is formed on a panel including a display area and a bezel area that at least partially surrounds the display area. The touch screen includes a first pattern of conducting material arranged on the display area of the panel and a second pattern of conducting material arranged on the bezel area of the panel, where the first pattern of conducting material is transparent.

Systems and methods for providing input component assemblies for dome switches are provided. In some embodiments, an input component assembly may include a contact area coupled to a circuit board for a switch, a conductive covering for enclosing the circuit board, and a dome positioned over the conductive covering, where the dome is operative to close at least one circuit of the switch when the dome is depressed towards the conductive covering.

The present disclosure provides a high-temperature thermal pellet composition that maintains structural rigidity up to a transition temperature of about 240° C. The composition comprises at least one organic compound (e.g., triptycene or 1-aminoanthroquinone). The pellet can be disposed in a housing of a thermally-actuated, current cutoff device, such as a high-temperature thermal cutoff device (HTTCO). Also provided are material systems, which include the pellet composition and a high-temperature seal that provides substantial sealing up to at least the transition temperature. Methods of making such high-temperature pellet compositions and incorporating them into a thermally-actuated, current cutoff device are also provided.

A heater-bimetal apparatus is disclosed. The heater-bimetal apparatus has a heating element having a first portion and a second portion, a bimetal element coupled to the heating element at a third portion between the first and second portions, and a support member coupled to the heating element at the third portion, the support member including registration surfaces adapted to be received in pockets formed in spaced portions of circuit breaker housing. Assemblies including the heater-bimetal apparatus and methods of assembly of heater-bimetal assemblies are provided, as are other aspects.

An input device configured to communicate with a computing device includes at least one keycap, a support mechanism operably connected to the keycap and configured to move the keycap from a first position to a second position, a feature plate operably connected to the support mechanism, and a sensing member. The sensing member is configured to detect at least one of a change of position of the at least one keycap, a speed of the at least one keycap, an amount of force applied to the at least one keycap, or a location of a finger. The sensing member may be a capacitive sensor. In some embodiments, the input device may not include the support mechanism and the sensing member may be configured to detect the location of a finger regardless whether or not the keycap moves.

A key supported by a scissor mechanism including interlocking scissor members assembled to mutually pivot along a pivot track. A first scissor member may include a pivot track and an up-stop track and a second scissor member may include at least a first and second extension portion positioned within the pivot track and the up-stop track respectively. When the key is depressed, the first extension portion may slide and at least partially pivot or rotate within the pivot track, and the second extension portion may slide within the up-stop track.

Slide input component assemblies of an electronic device and methods for making the same are provided. In some embodiments, a slide input component assembly may include a slide button subassembly that may have a knob, a base, a retention mechanism that may couple the knob to the base, and a shell part that may be provided about at least a portion of the base. The slide input component assembly may also include a slide switch subassembly that may have a switch that may be configured to move along a switch path when the slide button subassembly moves along a button path.