Apple Inc.

Richard D Shuma

Yuta Kuboyama

Vikram Garg

Kristen Carnohan

Brad G Boozer

Steven James Martisauskas

William C Lukens

An electronic device is disclosed. In some examples, the device includes one or more force sensors at its perimeter. The force sensors can be included in a gasket further comprising a rubber-like gasket cover and a compressible dielectric such as air or silicone, for example. A plurality of conductive plates can be embedded in the gasket cover with routing traces coupled thereto to sense a capacitance between the conductive plates. The gasket, including the one or more capacitive sensors, can be disposed between a cover glass and a lower housing of the electronic device. The capacitance of the one or more sensors can change in response to an applied force at the cover glass of the device. The change in capacitance can be sensed via the routing traces to measure the magnitude and, in some examples, location of the applied force.

Gasket with embedded capacitive sensor

In various implementations, a sensor operates in a force sensing mode by determining an applied force based on a first change in capacitance between first and second electrodes related to compression of a compressible material positioned between while the third electrode functions as a shield and in a proximity sensing mode by sensing proximity of an object based on a second change in capacitance of the third electrode while the first and/or second electrodes function as a shield. In some implementations, a device has a cover glass including a surface having a display area, an edge surface, and a cavity; a touch sensing electrode oriented toward the surface; an electrode positioned in the cavity oriented toward the edge surface; and a processing unit operable to detect touch or proximity of an object to the edge surface based on a change in capacitance between the electrode and the object.

Proximity edge sensing

A sensor is disposed between a first component and a second component of an electronic device. The sensor includes a first surface having a first dimension and a second surface having a second dimension that is less than the first dimension such that the sensor has a tapered profile.

Self-sealing sensor in an electronic device

An electronic device includes a seal compressed between a moveable structure and a support. A retainer maintains seal compression in a first direction absent force exerted on the moveable structure. However, the retainer allows increased seal compression by moving in a second, opposing direction when force is exerted on the moveable structure. A force sensor (positioned internal to the seal) is influenced by movement of the moveable structure in response to the force and a signal received from the force sensor indicates an amount of the force. By maintaining the seal in compression but allowing further compression, the seal can hermetically seal the electronic device against contaminant entry without adversely impacting detection of the amount of force.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Richard D Shuma