EP0353900A1 - Tastaturschalter - Google Patents

Tastaturschalter Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0353900A1
EP0353900A1 EP89307240A EP89307240A EP0353900A1 EP 0353900 A1 EP0353900 A1 EP 0353900A1 EP 89307240 A EP89307240 A EP 89307240A EP 89307240 A EP89307240 A EP 89307240A EP 0353900 A1 EP0353900 A1 EP 0353900A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
plunger
housing
leaf spring
actuating arm
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP89307240A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0353900B1 (de
Inventor
Win Wu
Ben Liao
Keh-Houng Lee
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.)
BenQ Corp
Original Assignee
Acer Inc
Acer Peripherals Inc
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 Acer Inc, Acer Peripherals Inc filed Critical Acer Inc
Publication of EP0353900A1 publication Critical patent/EP0353900A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0353900B1 publication Critical patent/EP0353900B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime 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
    • H01H13/50—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a single operating member
    • 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
    • H01H13/705—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 characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2215/00—Tactile feedback
    • H01H2215/03—Sound
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2221/00—Actuators
    • H01H2221/062—Damping vibrations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2233/00—Key modules
    • H01H2233/03—Key modules mounted on support plate or frame
    • H01H2233/034—Snap coupling
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2237/00—Mechanism between key and laykey
    • H01H2237/002—Bell crank

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a keyboard switch, and particularly to a keyboard switch which can be used together with a membrane switch array.
  • US-A-4,553,009 discloses a switch which can be used together with a membrane switch array and wherein two embodiments are disclosed.
  • the structure of the two embodiments disclosed is very complicated and not only increases the cost of manufacture but results in manufacturing difficulties. Above all, both embodiments disclosed cannot provide the tactile feeling required by key operators and the generally preferred click sound. This is why these constructions have still not achieved commercial success.
  • the patent describes a keyboard switch in which the lever causing a switch closure is held away from a switch closing position until the operating plunger or key has moved inwardly a given distance, after which the switch closing lever will suddenly move to a switch closure position. This provides a tactile feel to indicate when a switch closure has in fact taken place.
  • This sudden application of a switch closing force is achieved by an arm cooperating with a threshold ramp.
  • the actuator lever is utilised with a spring to produce a constant switch closing force on the underlying membrane switch array for actuating the membrane switch no matter how much force is applied to the key cap.
  • the actuator lever is provided to prolong the life of the membrane switch.
  • the combination of the tactile feeling mechanism together with the actuator lever thus provides inferior quality of tactile feeling and shorter life of usage.
  • the second type of mechanism which provides the tactile feeling and the click sound belongs to IBM. That structure is simpler and uses a single coil spring to generate the tactile feeling and click sound. But it cannot be used together with a membrane switch array, because it is also designed for use with mechanical switches.
  • a keyboard switch for use with a membrane switch array to provide a tactile feeling, comprises a housing positioned in use on the membrane switch array; a plunger reciprocally mounted within the housing and projecting outwardly from the housing, the plunger having a cam portion; an actuating arm pivoted to the housing and having a first portion extending beneath the plunger and a second, cam follower portion which engages the cam portion of the plunger, the first portion having a boss on its surface facing away from the plunger for engaging the switch array; resilient means extending between the plunger and the first portion of the actuating arm to urge the plunger outwardly from the housing; and a leaf spring mounted to the housing and having a portion which normally engages the plunger the arrangement being such that when the plunger is depressed into the housing to cause the boss on the actuating arm to actuate the membrane switch the plunger flexes the leaf spring to a point at which the spring snaps back to a rest position thereby providing a tactile feeling.
  • the switch may be adapted to operate silently since some typists prefer the tactile feeling without the click sound. In most cases, however, the snap action of the leaf spring is adapted to cause a click sound so that the keyboard switch provides tactile feeling and click sound.
  • the leaf spring preferably has an upstanding portion engaging the housing, and a generally depending portion which engages the plunger, the depending portion having a first section which extends alongside the upstanding portion, and a second section which extends away from the upstanding portion into engagement with the plunger.
  • the housing further comprises a flexible stop means for retaining the plunger in the housing against the bias of the resilient means.
  • a flexible stop means for retaining the plunger in the housing against the bias of the resilient means.
  • the resilient means may comprise a block of resilient material but preferably the resilient means comprises a compression spring extending between facing seats on the plunger and the first portion of the actuating arm respectively.
  • FIGS 1 and 9 illustrate a first example of the switch which comprises a housing 10 having a rectangular first opening 101 on its top and a second opening 102 on the bottom.
  • a flexible stop 103 is integrally formed with the housing 10 and extends inwardly of the first opening 101.
  • a plunger 13 is mounted for movement upwardly and downwardly in the housing 10.
  • the lower portion 132 of the plunger 13 has a cam 133 on its side wall.
  • the size of the upper portion 131 of the plunger 13 is a little smaller than the first opening 101 which allows the upper portion 131 to project outwardly of the housing 10.
  • the plunger 13 has a tapered plane 135 provided on a neck 134 defined at the junction between the upper and lower portions 131, 132.
  • the tapered plane 135 will be stopped by the flexible stop 103 as the plunger 13 moves upwardly. This will decrease the noise which occurs as the neck 134 strikes the ceiling of the housing 10 during the return stroke of the plunger 13.
  • the plunger 13 has an inside ceiling 136 with a downwardly facing first truncated seat 137.
  • An actuating arm 14 is pivoted to a C-shaped support section 1021 of the second opening 102 of the housing 10 ( Figure 5B) by means of two shafts 1401 and 1402 ( Figure 6A).
  • the actuating arm has a normally horizontal, bifurcated first portion 141 extending inwardly and beneath the plunger 13 and a vertical or upright, bifurcated second portion 142 extending upwardly and generally parallel to the plunger 13.
  • the vertical portion 142 of the actuating arm 14 has a laterally extending projection 1421 on its upper end forming a cam follower which engages the cam 133 of the plunger 13.
  • the horizontal portion 141 of the arm 14 has an upwardly facing truncated seat 1411 and a downwardly extending boss 1412 on its bottom surface.
  • the bifurcation of the arm 14 leads to increased stability over that shown for example in US-A-4553009.
  • a coil spring 15 is mounted between the first seat 137 and the second seat 1411 to urge the plunger 13 to move outwardly from the housing 10.
  • a plurality of hooks 104 are mounted on the outside wall of the housing 10 to enable the housing 10 to be positioned firmly on a metal support frame 1 ( Figures 1 and 3B).
  • a leaf spring 16 (Figure 6B) is mounted on the other side of the plunger 13 to provide the tactile feeling and the click sound.
  • Figures 2A and 2B illustrate the relationship between the leaf spring 16 and the plunger 13.
  • the tip 161 of the leaf spring 16 will be lowered by the end 132 of the plunger 13 and the upper portion 162 of the leaf spring 16 will be moved or flexed away from the side wall of the housing 10 ( Figure 2A).
  • the tip 161 of the leaf spring 16 will slide over the end 132 of the plunger 13 and allow the leaf spring 16 to bounce or snap back to its original position, shown in the ghost line in Figure 2A, striking the side wall of the housing 10 and producing a click sound.
  • tactile feeling is provided, and as it bounces back to its original position, the click sound is generated.
  • Figure 2B illustrates the arrangement of the plunger 13, the coil spring 15, the actuating arm 14 and the leaf spring 16.
  • Figure 2B shows the horizontal portion 141 of the actuating arm 14 is right beneath the plunger 13 and the coil spring 15 is mounted between the first truncated seat 137 and the second truncated seat 1411.
  • the leaf spring 16 is spaced to one side of the plunger 13.
  • the spring 16 has an upwardly extending portion 163 and a generally downwardly extending portion 164 the upper section 162 of which lies alongside the portion 163.
  • the spring is anchored to the housing by virtue of the outward force exerted by the portions 163, 164 on the housing 10 and plunger 13 respectively.
  • the portion 164 has a tip 161 which extends downwardly and beneath the lower portion 132 of the plunger 13. As the plunger 13 is pressed down by the finger, the horizontal portion 141 and the leaf spring 16 will be moved concurrently.
  • Figure 3A shows that the flexible stop 103 contacts the tapered plane 135 when the plunger 13 is released. This will decrease the noise which occurs as the neck 134 of the plunger 13 ( Figure 6C) strikes the ceiling of the housing 10 and therefore provides a more quiet environment to the office.
  • FIG 3B shows a hook 104 of the housing 10.
  • the hook 104 is connected to the bottom of the housing 10.
  • the hook 104 has a tapered surface 1041 and this allows the housing 10 to be easily installed into the metal frame 1.
  • Each hook 104 has an engaging plane 1042 on the end of the tapered surface 1041 and a flat surface 1043 adjacent to the engaging surface 1042.
  • the flat surface 1042 will be forced to contact firmly with the bottom surface of the metal frame 1.
  • the housing 10 will be firmly installed on the metal frame 1 unless the upper portion 1044 of each hook 104 is moved to the right (in Figure 3B).
  • curve A relates to the downward movement and curve B relates to the upward movement of the plunger 13 separately.
  • curve B relates to the upward movement of the plunger 13 separately.
  • That sudden drop will provide a sound feedback of tactile feeling to the finger.
  • the resilient force will drop from 60 grams to 45 and 25 grams separately, therefore the sudden drop is between 35 grams and 15 grams. The more difference the switch provides, the more sound tactile feeling we get.
  • Figure 5B illustrates the manner in which the shafts of the actuating arm 14 are mounted to the housing 10.
  • the shafts reside in the support 1021 of the second opening 102.
  • the shafts 1041, 1042 are not completely surrounded by the support 1021, but reside on the support 1021. This is entirely different from the prior art, shown in the Figure 5A. This design provides a more flexible movement of the shaft 1041, 1042, to enable ease of assembly and maintenance.
  • Figures 7A and 7B illustrate a second example in which a leaf spring 16′ provides tactile feeling but a quieter click sound as compared with the first example.
  • the leaf spring 16′ has a projection 161′ in its middle portion and the projection 161′ will limit the force by which the upper portion 162′ strikes the side wall of the housing as the leaf spring 16′ snaps back from its flexed position ( Figure 7A) to its original position ( Figure 7B) so as to produce a quiet click sound.
  • Figures 8A and 8B illustrate a third example of a switch with tactile feeling but entirely silent.
  • the end 163 ⁇ of the leaf spring 16 ⁇ is fixed by the housing 10 so that the side wall of the housing 10 will not be stuck by the upper portion 162 ⁇ of the leaf spring 16 ⁇ as it returns from its flexed position ( Figure 8A) to its rest position ( Figure 8B). Therefore no click sound happens as the leaf spring 16 ⁇ bounce back from its distortion.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
EP19890307240 1988-08-02 1989-07-17 Tastaturschalter Expired - Lifetime EP0353900B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8818351 1988-08-02
GB888818351A GB8818351D0 (en) 1988-08-02 1988-08-02 Keyboard switch

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0353900A1 true EP0353900A1 (de) 1990-02-07
EP0353900B1 EP0353900B1 (de) 1994-08-31

Family

ID=10641488

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19890307240 Expired - Lifetime EP0353900B1 (de) 1988-08-02 1989-07-17 Tastaturschalter

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0353900B1 (de)
DE (1) DE68917827T2 (de)
GB (1) GB8818351D0 (de)
HK (1) HK1007831A1 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2017026946A1 (en) * 2015-08-13 2017-02-16 Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd. Key assemblies, keyboards and methods for providing a key assembly
US11380496B2 (en) 2018-05-16 2022-07-05 Cherry Gmbh Key module

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106992088A (zh) * 2016-01-21 2017-07-28 致伸科技股份有限公司 按键结构

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1187468A (en) * 1967-11-15 1970-04-08 Ericsson Telephones Ltd Push-Button Assembly
DE2346392A1 (de) * 1972-09-15 1974-03-28 Victor Comptometer Corp Tastatur, insbesondere fuer elektronische rechengeraete
EP0118131A2 (de) * 1983-03-07 1984-09-12 Oak Industries Inc. Schalter mit fühlbarer Rückmeldung und mit positiver Betätigung
EP0142593A1 (de) * 1983-11-21 1985-05-29 Oak Industries Inc. Tastaturschalter mit drehbar gelagertem Betätigungshebel
DE3520848A1 (de) * 1984-07-11 1985-10-31 Alps Electric Co., Ltd., Tokio/Tokyo Tastschalter

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1187468A (en) * 1967-11-15 1970-04-08 Ericsson Telephones Ltd Push-Button Assembly
DE2346392A1 (de) * 1972-09-15 1974-03-28 Victor Comptometer Corp Tastatur, insbesondere fuer elektronische rechengeraete
EP0118131A2 (de) * 1983-03-07 1984-09-12 Oak Industries Inc. Schalter mit fühlbarer Rückmeldung und mit positiver Betätigung
EP0142593A1 (de) * 1983-11-21 1985-05-29 Oak Industries Inc. Tastaturschalter mit drehbar gelagertem Betätigungshebel
DE3520848A1 (de) * 1984-07-11 1985-10-31 Alps Electric Co., Ltd., Tokio/Tokyo Tastschalter

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
I.B.M. TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN vol. 24, no. 8, January 1982, New York page 4320 J.D. BERSOT: "KEYBOARD SPRING DECELERATOR" *

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2017026946A1 (en) * 2015-08-13 2017-02-16 Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd. Key assemblies, keyboards and methods for providing a key assembly
EP3335234A4 (de) * 2015-08-13 2018-08-08 Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte Ltd. Tastenanordnungen, tastaturen und verfahren zur bereitstellung einer tastenanordnung
US20180240622A1 (en) * 2015-08-13 2018-08-23 Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd. Key assemblies, keyboards and methods for providing a key assembly
CN108475598A (zh) * 2015-08-13 2018-08-31 雷蛇(亚太)私人有限公司 按键组件、键盘及提供按键组件的方法
US10410808B2 (en) 2015-08-13 2019-09-10 Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd. Key assemblies, keyboards and methods for providing a key assembly
AU2016306000B2 (en) * 2015-08-13 2021-05-06 Huizhou Greetech Electronics Co., Ltd. Key assemblies, keyboards and methods for providing a key assembly
US11380496B2 (en) 2018-05-16 2022-07-05 Cherry Gmbh Key module

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE68917827D1 (de) 1994-10-06
HK1007831A1 (en) 1999-04-23
EP0353900B1 (de) 1994-08-31
GB8818351D0 (en) 1988-09-07
DE68917827T2 (de) 1995-03-02

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