EP0322514A2 - Interrupteur pour clavier - Google Patents

Interrupteur pour clavier Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0322514A2
EP0322514A2 EP88115127A EP88115127A EP0322514A2 EP 0322514 A2 EP0322514 A2 EP 0322514A2 EP 88115127 A EP88115127 A EP 88115127A EP 88115127 A EP88115127 A EP 88115127A EP 0322514 A2 EP0322514 A2 EP 0322514A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
keyboard
dome
circuitry
accordance
switch
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP88115127A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0322514A3 (fr
Inventor
Brian G. Spreadbury
Ralph W. Kinser, Jr.
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
HP Inc
Original Assignee
Hewlett Packard Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hewlett Packard Co filed Critical Hewlett Packard Co
Publication of EP0322514A2 publication Critical patent/EP0322514A2/fr
Publication of EP0322514A3 publication Critical patent/EP0322514A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/78—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
    • H01H13/80—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites characterised by the manner of cooperation of the contacts, e.g. with both contacts movable or with bounceless contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2201/00—Contacts
    • H01H2201/008—Both contacts movable

Definitions

  • This invention relates to keyboard systems. More particularly, this invention relates to keyboard systems for electronic devices such as calculators.
  • keyboard systems in use in various types of electronic devices such as calculators. Some of these keyboard systems, such as are found in some portable calculators, involve the use of a dome sheet over a printed circuit which is in turn supported or carried on a relatively rigid substrate.
  • the dome sheet includes a plurality of domes in a prede­termined pattern which is in registry with a pattern of switch locations on the printed circuitry.
  • a dome When a dome is depressed or collapsed by finger pressure it causes a corresponding con­nection to be made in the underlying switch in the printed circuitry.
  • the dome may be collapsed directly by finger pres­sure or indirectly when finger pressure is applied to a key button positioned directly over the dome.
  • the present invention provides a system which represents an improvement in switching reliability in a keyboard such as is used in a calculator, for example.
  • an improved keyboard comprising:
  • the depression in the base member located below each switch site on the circuitry allows the substrate on which the printed circuitry is carried to be deflected downwardly and conform more closely to the bottom conductive surface of the collapsed dome. This ensures a successful connection between the conductive surface of the dome and the switch area of the printed circuitry. The result is a more reliable keyboard system.
  • the domes may be individually carried on the circuitry over the switch sites or they may be an integral part of a continuous sheet overlying the circuitry. If desired, key buttons may be positioned over the domes in a manner such that depressing a key button causes the underlying dome to be collapsed, whereby an electrical connection is made at the corresponding switch site.
  • keyboard embodi­ment 10 of the type which is useful, for example, in a port­able calculator or any other electronic device including switches and a keyboard.
  • the keyboard includes a rigid base member 12 which may be, for example, metal, plastic, etc. It is dimensionally stable and may vary in thickness so long as it retains its shape and provides a firm support.
  • the upper surface of the base member 12 includes a pat­tern of depressions or cavities 14 which are in registry with the switch sites of the printed circuitry which is carried by the upper surface of base 12.
  • the printed circuitry comprises a thin dielectric layer 16 on which the required conductive paths are located.
  • the thickness of the layer 16 may vary, but it preferably is thin and flexible.
  • At each switch site there are, for example, a plurality of interdigitated, spaced conductive fingers 17 and 17A, as illustrated in Figure 3.
  • each such conductive finger or conductive path may vary, a width of about 0.005 to 0.020 inch is common.
  • the spacing between adjacent fingers may vary, although a spacing of about 0.005 to 0.020 inch is also common.
  • This spacer is preferably in the form of a sheet having a uniform thickness and having openings or cut-outs in a pattern which corresponds with the locations of the switch sites.
  • the spacer member is preferably a dielectric material, and it preferably has a thickness in the range of about 0.005 inch.
  • a typical spacer member is polyester film (which may be rigid or flexible).
  • the spacer member prefferably be conductive (e.g., metal) so long as it is insulated from the printed circuitry.
  • each dome includes a pattern of raised domes 24 which are in registry with the switch sites on the printed circuitry.
  • the bottom surface of each dome includes a thin conductive layer or coating 22.
  • layer 22 may comprise a silver or carbon ink or conductive particles in a polymerized coating.
  • the dome sheet may be a dielectric material or a conductive material.
  • a suitable dielectric material which may be, for example, a plastic film.
  • a conductive material which may be used as the dome sheet is a thin metal sheet such as cold rolled stainless steel (e.g., having a thickness of about 0.003 to 0.008 inch).
  • Each dome may be formed in a plastic dome sheet by means of heat and pressure, for example.
  • Each dome may be formed in a metal dome sheet by stamping.
  • each dome can be depressed or collapsed by means of finger pressure and will then return to its original shape and position when the finger pressure is released.
  • a key button may be positioned over each dome.
  • each dome may be an individual component which is positioned over a respective switch site on the printed circuitry.
  • each dome is normally the same.
  • each dome is circular and has a diameter of about 0.25 inch. Other sizes may, of course, be used in this invention.
  • each depression or cavity 14 in the upper surface of the base member may vary. Preferably it is the same size and cross-sectional shape as the dome.
  • the depres­sion may have a flat base (as illustrated in the drawings) or it may be curved. For example, it may be concave, if desired.
  • the depth of the depression may also vary. Typically the depth is about 0.003 to 0.005 inch for most purposes.
  • the spacer sheet 18 is optional, It's presence is pre­ferred, however, because it increases the distance which the dome can travel as it is being depressed or collapsed. This provides a better "feel" to the key being operated.
  • the switches on the printed cir­cuitry may be 3 pole switches in which three conductors must be electrically connected to actuate the switch.
EP19880115127 1987-12-30 1988-09-15 Interrupteur pour clavier Withdrawn EP0322514A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13967987A 1987-12-30 1987-12-30
US139679 1987-12-30

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0322514A2 true EP0322514A2 (fr) 1989-07-05
EP0322514A3 EP0322514A3 (fr) 1990-09-12

Family

ID=22487809

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19880115127 Withdrawn EP0322514A3 (fr) 1987-12-30 1988-09-15 Interrupteur pour clavier

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0322514A3 (fr)
JP (1) JPH01209617A (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2649825A1 (fr) * 1989-07-12 1991-01-18 Asahi Optical Co Ltd Dispositif de commutation
EP0531973A2 (fr) * 1991-09-10 1993-03-17 Fujikura Ltd. Interrupteur à membrane à rupture brusque
EP0766276A2 (fr) * 1995-09-26 1997-04-02 Psion plc Assemblage de touches
US6727445B2 (en) * 2001-06-14 2004-04-27 Secure Care Products, Inc. Sensor pads for patient monitoring devices
DE102011116331A1 (de) * 2011-10-19 2013-04-25 Leopold Kostal Gmbh & Co. Kg Elektrischer Drucktaster

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS509098A (fr) * 1973-05-31 1975-01-30
GB2039417A (en) * 1978-12-01 1980-08-06 Maag Gummi Contact pad switch
EP0210973A1 (fr) * 1985-06-14 1987-02-04 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Österreich Clavier à touches
EP0233296A1 (fr) * 1985-08-16 1987-08-26 Fuji Rubber Co. Ltd. Caoutchouc de contact
EP0241906A2 (fr) * 1986-04-17 1987-10-21 Wilhelm Ruf KG Clavier à membrane

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS509098A (fr) * 1973-05-31 1975-01-30
GB2039417A (en) * 1978-12-01 1980-08-06 Maag Gummi Contact pad switch
EP0210973A1 (fr) * 1985-06-14 1987-02-04 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Österreich Clavier à touches
EP0233296A1 (fr) * 1985-08-16 1987-08-26 Fuji Rubber Co. Ltd. Caoutchouc de contact
EP0241906A2 (fr) * 1986-04-17 1987-10-21 Wilhelm Ruf KG Clavier à membrane

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
DATABASE WPI Week 7535, Derwent Publications Ltd, London, GB; Class L03, AN-75-57743W & JP-A-50 009 098 (KOJUNDO KAGAKU KEN) 30 January 1975 *

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2649825A1 (fr) * 1989-07-12 1991-01-18 Asahi Optical Co Ltd Dispositif de commutation
US5118912A (en) * 1989-07-12 1992-06-02 Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Switching device
EP0531973A2 (fr) * 1991-09-10 1993-03-17 Fujikura Ltd. Interrupteur à membrane à rupture brusque
EP0531973A3 (en) * 1991-09-10 1993-06-16 Fujikura Ltd. Click-action membrane switch
US5294762A (en) * 1991-09-10 1994-03-15 Fujikura Ltd. Click-action membrane switch unit
EP0766276A2 (fr) * 1995-09-26 1997-04-02 Psion plc Assemblage de touches
EP0766276A3 (fr) * 1995-09-26 1998-04-29 Psion plc Assemblage de touches
US6727445B2 (en) * 2001-06-14 2004-04-27 Secure Care Products, Inc. Sensor pads for patient monitoring devices
DE102011116331A1 (de) * 2011-10-19 2013-04-25 Leopold Kostal Gmbh & Co. Kg Elektrischer Drucktaster
DE102011116331B4 (de) 2011-10-19 2022-04-21 Kostal Automobil Elektrik Gmbh & Co. Kg Elektrischer Drucktaster

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0322514A3 (fr) 1990-09-12
JPH01209617A (ja) 1989-08-23

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