EP0446088B1 - Tactical feed back switch and keyboard using this switch - Google Patents
Tactical feed back switch and keyboard using this switch Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0446088B1 EP0446088B1 EP91400377A EP91400377A EP0446088B1 EP 0446088 B1 EP0446088 B1 EP 0446088B1 EP 91400377 A EP91400377 A EP 91400377A EP 91400377 A EP91400377 A EP 91400377A EP 0446088 B1 EP0446088 B1 EP 0446088B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- switch
- key
- stud
- membrane
- resiliently deformable
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
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- 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
- H01H13/7006—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 comprising a separate movable contact element for each switch site, all other elements being integrated in layers
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- 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
- H01H13/703—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 spacers between contact carrying layers
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2211/00—Spacers
- H01H2211/026—Spacers without separate element
- H01H2211/028—Contacts in depressions of layers
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2215/00—Tactile feedback
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2215/00—Tactile feedback
- H01H2215/004—Collapsible dome or bubble
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2217/00—Facilitation of operation; Human engineering
- H01H2217/02—After travel
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2221/00—Actuators
- H01H2221/002—Actuators integral with membrane
Definitions
- a keyboard with keys of this type is known, the above deformable means of which consist of a flexible membrane common to all the keys and placed above the support plate to protect the cells and ensure the elastic return of the keys to which said membrane is connected by pinching with an element of the switch.
- the object of the invention is more particularly to remedy these drawbacks and to provide the user with a perfectly waterproof keyboard with tactile effect controlled throughout the duration of the maneuver.
- the aforesaid membrane, the aforesaid pin as well as possibly the aforesaid key can form a single piece made of an elastically deformable material such as, for example, an elastomer.
- the pin may have a cylindrical and / or frustoconical shape whose large base, which merges with the membrane, comes to bear on an elastically deformable member of the switch.
- the desired tactile effect can be obtained by an appropriate choice of the elastic modulus of the elastomer, the shape and the height of the pin, as well as the dimensions and the conformation of the key.
- the elastically deformable member of the switch may consist of a blade or a snap-action cup which deforms elastically only from a predetermined force threshold.
- the invention also relates to a keyboard produced using the previously defined key.
- the aforesaid support may be in the form of a plate, for example a printed circuit plate, provided with a plurality of cells capable of each receiving a switch element.
- This plate is then covered by the aforementioned membrane which comprises, at each of the cells, an elastically deformable pin actuable by a key.
- the keyboard portion 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a support plate 2 constituted by a printed circuit allowing in particular the electrical connection of said keyboard 1 to an apparatus (not shown).
- the support plate 2 is provided with a plurality of cells 3 arranged in rows and / or columns. Each of these cells 3 constitutes the housing a switch 4 formed of conductive elements or studs 5, 6, 7 disposed at the bottom of the cell 3 and capable of cooperating by electrical contact with a conductive blade 18 elastically deformable and acting by snapping effect, this in order to establish the connection of pad 6 with pads 5 and 7.
- the cells 3 are recessed under the upper plane of the support plate 2 or printed circuit on which is arranged a membrane 8 constituting deformable means which, associated with a set 9 push-button-switch, provide the user with a tactile sensation.
- the membrane 8 is full, that is to say having no opening to allow the passage of one of the elements of the assembly 9. It is made of an elastomeric material and is bristled as much pins 10 that there are switches 4 to control.
- the pins 10 are axially deformable in compression. They came integrally with said membrane 8 and are capable of interposing, during the mounting of the latter, between a button 11 and the switch 4 to constitute a pusher.
- each of the pins is fixed to the support plate 2 so that each of the pins is in the axis of a corresponding cell 3.
- this fixing is ensured by means of an openwork structure 12 having the form of a grid, comprising a plurality of cavities 16 separated by partitions 14, 15, this structure 12 being disposed on the membrane 8 and fixed on the support plate 2 thanks to fixing means such as hot crimping elements 13 or even screws (not shown).
- each of the cavities 16 is intended to receive a corresponding pin 10 and to ensure the axial guidance of the button 11 associated with this pin 10.
- the pin 10 or pusher thus consists of a mass of elastomer with a variable frustoconical section, the large base of which merges with the membrane 8.
- the elastic modulus of this elastomer is chosen to be relatively low.
- these means for limiting the expansion of the pin 10 are constituted by a lower cavity 19 of the key 11 in which the pin 10 is housed and centered.
- the dimensions and the shape of the cavity 19 are such that they allow its free expansion in the precourse phase OF corresponding to the crushing ⁇ (measured relative to the reference plane PP ′ of the apex of the pin 10 in the rest position) and to contain said expansion during the overtravel F ′, F ⁇ corresponding to the crushing ⁇ ′ for a predetermined volume of the pin 10 corresponding to that of the cavity 19 whose edges 19 a are in this case chamfered.
- the button 11 is completely pressed into the cavity 16 of the structure 12.
- an important advantage of the solution proposed by the present invention consists in that it makes it possible to avoid all the risks of rupture, of seizure of moving parts known in mechanical controls called “pumps” comprising several parts, springs, axes, moving parts, etc., and that, while maintaining the ergonomic contact characteristics throughout the duration of the race.
Landscapes
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
Description
La présente invention concerne une touche unitaire étanche, à effet tactile, notamment pour clavier du type comportant :
- une plaque de support munie d'alvéoles aptes à recevoir chacune des éléments d'interrupteur,
- un circuit imprimé de raccordement électrique dudit interrupteur, ce circuit imprimé pouvant constituer la susdite plaque de support,
- une entretoise moulée solidaire de la plaque support et comprenant entre des cloisons un logement présentant au moins une ouverture supérieure dans laquelle se loge un ensemble touche-poussoir monté coulissant dans ledit logement et en liaison mécanique avec l'interrupteur,
- des moyens déformables associés audit ensemble touche-poussoir-interrupteur pour procurer à l'utilisateur une sensation tactile.
- a support plate provided with cells capable of receiving each of the switch elements,
- a printed circuit for electrical connection of said switch, this printed circuit possibly constituting the aforesaid support plate,
- a molded spacer integral with the support plate and comprising, between partitions, a housing having at least one upper opening in which is housed a push-button assembly mounted sliding in said housing and in mechanical connection with the switch,
- deformable means associated with said push-button-switch assembly to provide the user with a tactile sensation.
Il est connu un clavier à touches de ce type dont les moyens déformables précités sont constitués par une membrane souple commune à toutes les touches et placée au-dessus de la plaque de support pour protéger les alvéoles et assurer le rappel élastique des touches auxquelles est reliée ladite membrane par pincement avec un élément de l'interrupteur.A keyboard with keys of this type is known, the above deformable means of which consist of a flexible membrane common to all the keys and placed above the support plate to protect the cells and ensure the elastic return of the keys to which said membrane is connected by pinching with an element of the switch.
L'inconvénient majeur de ce type de claviers à touches réside dans le fait que la membrane souple ainsi que la plaque de support sont perforées d'une multiplicité d'ouvertures en nombre égal au nombre d'interrupteurs équipant le clavier. De ce fait, après un certain nombre de manoeuvres, il se produit une distension du matériau qui, associé à un vieillissement dans le temps de ce dernier, ne permet plus à la membrane d'assurer l'étanchéité de l'ensemble. De plus, l'effet tactile obtenu dans ce type de clavier connu n'est pas contrôlé et maîtrisé. En effet, il est dû à la seule résistance de la membrane, se déformant latéralement sous l'effet d'une poussée axiale sur la touche, à laquelle s'ajoute celle d'un organe ressort de l'interrupteur jusqu'à un point de basculement de ce dernier.The major drawback of this type of keyboards resides in the fact that the flexible membrane as well as the support plate are perforated with a multiplicity of openings in number equal to the number of switches fitted to the keyboard. Therefore, after a certain number of operations, there is a distension of the material which, associated with aging over time of the latter, no longer allows the membrane to seal the assembly. In addition, the tactile effect obtained in this type of known keyboard is not controlled and controlled. Indeed, it is due to the sole resistance of the membrane, deforming laterally under the effect of an axial thrust on the key, to which is added that of a spring member of the switch to a point tilting of the latter.
Si ledit basculement permet à l'opérateur de sentir par effet tactile que son opération a été prise en compte, en revanche, au-delà de ce basculement, une surcourse procurant un certain confort d'utilisation n'est obtenue que par le seul écrasement de la membrane de façon limitée et incontrôlée.If said tilting allows the operator to feel by tactile effect that his operation has been taken into account, on the other hand, beyond this tilting, an overtravel providing a certain comfort of use is only obtained by crushing of the membrane in a limited and uncontrolled manner.
Par le brevet DE-A-28 28 435, on a également proposé d'intercaler entre la touche et l'élément d'actionnement de l'interrupteur, un élément amortisseur. Toutefois, cette solution, quine fait que décaler la courbe réponse de l'élément d'actionnement de l'interrupteur, ne permet pas d'aboutir au résultat recherché.By patent DE-A-28 28 435, it has also been proposed to interpose between the key and the actuating element of the switch, a damping element. However, this solution, which means that shifting the response curve of the actuating element of the switch, does not lead to the desired result.
L'invention a plus particulièrement pour but de remédier à ces inconvénients et de fournir à l'utilisateur un clavier à touches parfaitement étanche et à effet tactile contrôlé pendant toute la durée de la manoeuvre.The object of the invention is more particularly to remedy these drawbacks and to provide the user with a perfectly waterproof keyboard with tactile effect controlled throughout the duration of the maneuver.
A cet effet, elle propose un interrupteur, à effet tactile, comportant :
- un support muni d'une alvéole apte à recevoir un élément d'interrupteur actionnable sous l'effet d'une pression excédant un seuil d'effort déterminé,
- une membrane élastique solidaire du support qui forme un opercule obturant l'alvéole, cette membrane portant, du côté opposé à l'alvéole et sensiblement coaxialement à celle-ci, un picot déformable élastiquement qui fait office de poussoir,
- une touche associée au poussoir, sur laquelle peut être exercé un effort en vue d'actionner l'élément d'interrupteur.
- a support provided with a cell capable of receiving a switch element that can be actuated under the effect of a pressure exceeding a determined force threshold,
- an elastic membrane secured to the support which forms a cover closing the cell, this membrane carrying, on the side opposite to the cell and substantially coaxial with it, an elastically deformable pin which acts as a pusher,
- a key associated with the pusher, on which an effort can be exerted in order to actuate the switch element.
Selon l'invention, cet interrupteur est caractérisé en ce que le picot est réalisé en une matière déformable élastiquement avec un bas module d'élasticité, tandis que la face inférieure de la touche comprend une cavité dans laquelle s'engage le picot, de sorte que, lorsque la touche est soumise à une pression de commande, on obtient successivement :
- une phase de précourse au cours de laquelle l'effort résistant exercé par la touche s'accroît progressivement jusqu'à ce que l'effort appliqué à cette touche atteigne le seuil d'effort de l'élément d'interrupteur,
- une phase active au cours de laquelle la course de la touche est pratiquement nulle et l'actionnement de l'interrupteur est dû à une détente partielle de la matière du picot, l'effort résistant diminuant brutalement en produisant une sensation de relâchement,
- une phase de surcourse au début de laquelle l'effort résistant s'accroît à nouveau progressivement puis s'élève brutalement lorsque l'expansion du picot se trouve contenue dans la cavité de la touche.
- a precourse phase during which the resistant force exerted by the key increases progressively until the force applied to this key reaches the force threshold of the switch element,
- an active phase during which the stroke of the button is practically zero and the actuation of the switch is due to a partial relaxation of the material of the spike, the resistant force abruptly decreasing by producing a feeling of relaxation,
- an overtravel phase at the start of which the resistant force increases again gradually and then rises suddenly when the expansion of the pin is contained in the cavity of the key.
Avantageusement, la susdite membrane, le susdit picot ainsi qu'éventuellement la susdite touche, pourront former une seule et même pièce réalisée en une matière élastiquement déformable telle que, par exemple, un élastomère.Advantageously, the aforesaid membrane, the aforesaid pin as well as possibly the aforesaid key, can form a single piece made of an elastically deformable material such as, for example, an elastomer.
Le picot pourra présenter une forme cylindrique et/ou tronconique dont la grande base, qui se confond avec la membrane, vient porter sur un organe élastiquement déformable de l'interrupteur.The pin may have a cylindrical and / or frustoconical shape whose large base, which merges with the membrane, comes to bear on an elastically deformable member of the switch.
Bien entendu, l'effet tactile recherché pourra être obtenu par un choix approprié du module d'élasticité de l'élastomère, de la forme et de la hauteur du picot, ainsi que des dimensions et de la conformation de la touche.Of course, the desired tactile effect can be obtained by an appropriate choice of the elastic modulus of the elastomer, the shape and the height of the pin, as well as the dimensions and the conformation of the key.
L'organe élastiquement déformable de l'interrupteur pourra consister en une lame ou une coupelle à effet de claquage qui ne se déforme élastiquement qu'à partir d'un seuil d'effort prédéterminé.The elastically deformable member of the switch may consist of a blade or a snap-action cup which deforms elastically only from a predetermined force threshold.
Comme précédemment mentionné, l'invention concerne également un clavier réalisé à l'aide de la touche précédemment définie.As previously mentioned, the invention also relates to a keyboard produced using the previously defined key.
Dans ce cas, le susdit support pourra se présenter sous la forme d'une plaque, par exemple une plaque de circuit imprimé, munie d'une pluralité d'alvéoles aptes à recevoir chacune un élément d'interrupteur. Cette plaque est alors recouverte par la susdite membrane laquelle comprend, au niveau de chacune des alvéoles, un picot élastiquement déformable actionnable par une touche.In this case, the aforesaid support may be in the form of a plate, for example a printed circuit plate, provided with a plurality of cells capable of each receiving a switch element. This plate is then covered by the aforementioned membrane which comprises, at each of the cells, an elastically deformable pin actuable by a key.
Un mode d'exécution de l'invention sera décrit ci-après, à titre d'exemple non limitatif, avec référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :
- La figure 1 est une coupe schématique d'une portion de clavier incluant une touche à effet tactile selon l'invention, en position de repos ;
- Les figures 2 à 4 sont des vues d'une touche selon la figure 1 en cours de manipulation, en particulier, en fin de précourse (figure 2), en fin de course effective (figure 3) et en fin de surcourse (figure 4) ;
- La figure 5 est une courbe de compression (force résistance fonction de la course) d'une touche selon l'invention.
- Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a keyboard portion including a touch-sensitive button according to the invention, in the rest position;
- Figures 2 to 4 are views of a key according to Figure 1 during manipulation, in particular, at the end of pre-stroke (Figure 2), at the end of effective stroke (Figure 3) and at the end of overtravel (Figure 4 );
- Figure 5 is a compression curve (strength resistance function of the stroke) of a key according to the invention.
La portion de clavier 1 représentée figure 1, comprend une plaque de support 2 constituée par un circuit imprimé permettant notamment le raccordement électrique dudit clavier 1 à un appareillage (non représenté).The keyboard portion 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a
La plaque de support 2 est munie d'une pluralité d'alvéoles 3 disposées suivant des lignes et/ou des colonnes. Chacune de ces alvéoles 3 constitue le logement d'un interrupteur 4 formé d'éléments conducteurs ou plots 5, 6, 7 disposés au fond de l'alvéole 3 et susceptible de coopérer par contact électrique avec une lame conductrice 18 déformable élastiquement et agissant par effet de claquage, ceci afin d'établir la liaison du plot 6 avec les plots 5 et 7.The
Les alvéoles 3 sont ménagées en creux sous le plan supérieur de la plaque de support 2 ou circuit imprimé sur lequel est disposée une membrane 8 constituant des moyens déformables qui, associés à un ensemble 9 touche-poussoir-interrupteur, procurent à l'utilisateur une sensation tactile.The
Selon l'invention, la membrane 8 est pleine, c'est-à-dire ne comportant aucune ouverture pour permettre le passage d'un des éléments de l'ensemble 9. Elle est réalisée dans un matériau élastomère et est hérissée d'autant de picots 10 qu'il y a d'interrupteurs 4 à commander. Les picots 10 sont déformables axialement en compression. Ils sont venus de matière avec ladite membrane 8 et sont aptes à s'interposer, au montage de cette dernière, entre une touche 11 et l'interrupteur 4 pour constituer un poussoir.According to the invention, the
La membrane 8, ainsi réalisée, est fixée sur la plaque support 2 de manière à ce que chacun des picots se trouve dans l'axe d'une alvéole 3 correspondante. Dans cet exemple, cette fixation est assurée au moyen d'une structure ajourée 12 présentant la forme d'une grille, comportant une pluralité de cavités 16 séparées par des cloisons 14, 15, cette structure 12 étant disposée sur la membrane 8 et fixée sur la plaque support 2 grâce à des moyens de fixation tels que des éléments de sertissage à chaud 13 ou même des vis (non représentées). Bien entendu, chacune des cavités 16 est destinée à recevoir un picot 10 correspondant et à assurer le guidage axial de la touche 11 associée à ce picot 10.The
Comme on peut le voir sur la figure 1, au repos, la touche 11 solidaire de l'extrémité du picot 10 dépasse légèrement au-delà de l'orifice supérieur 17 de la cavité 16. La liaison mécanique poussoir 11/interrupteur 4 est alors assurée grâce au fait que la lame 18 vient légèrement en appui sur la zone de la membrane 8 formant la base du picot 10.As can be seen in Figure 1, at rest, the
Le picot 10 ou poussoir est constitué ainsi d'une masse d'élastomère à section variable sensiblement tronconique dont la grande base se confond avec la membrane 8. De préférence, le module d'élasticité de cet élastomère est choisi relativement bas.The
A partir de la position de repos représentée sur la figure 1, l'application sur la touche 11 d'une force axiale F d'amplitude suffisante provoque un déplacement en trois temps de cette touche, à savoir :
- un premier temps dans lequel la
touche 11 effectue un premier déplacement OF (précourse indiquée figure 5) provoquant la compression (avec expansion libre) dupicot 10 sans entraîner une déformation notable de la lame élastique 18 ; lors de ce premier déplacement, la force résistance est sensiblement proportionnelle à la course de latouche 11 jusqu'à une première valeur de seuil ; - un deuxième temps (course active) dans lequel la course F, F′ de la touche est pratiquement nulle, la déformation élastique de la lame élastique 18 qui provoque l'actionnement de l'interrupteur 4 étant compensée par une détente de l'élastomère du picot ; au cours de ce deuxième temps, l'effort résistant décroît brutalement et est ressenti comme un relâchement ;
- un troisième temps (surcourse) dans lequel la course F′, F˝ de la touche est à nouveau essentiellement due à l'écrasement du
picot 10 avec accroissement progressif de l'effort résistant en début de surcourse (expansion libre de la matière dupicot 10 puis avec croissance brutale de cet effort résistant en fin de surcourse) expansion contenue de la matière dupicot 10.
- a first step in which the key 11 performs a first movement OF (precourse indicated in FIG. 5) causing the compression (with free expansion) of the
pin 10 without causing a noticeable deformation of theelastic blade 18; during this first movement, the resistance force is substantially proportional to the travel of thebutton 11 up to a first threshold value; - a second step (active stroke) in which the stroke F, F ′ of the key is practically zero, the elastic deformation of the
elastic blade 18 which causes the actuation of theswitch 4 being compensated by a relaxation of the elastomer of the picot; during this second time, the resisting force decreases suddenly and is felt as a relaxation; - a third time (overtravel) in which the stroke F ′, F˝ of the key is again essentially due to the crushing of the
pin 10 with progressive increase in the resistant force at the start of overtravel (free expansion of the material of thepin 10 then with abrupt growth of this resistant force at the end of overtravel) contained expansion of the material of thepin 10.
En effet, lors de cette phase de surcourse, la lame élastique 18 est maintenue appliquée contre les plots de contact 5, 6, 7 et ne subit plus de déformation. La croissance rapide de l'effort résistant étant alors due à l'entrée en action de moyens de limitation de l'expansion du picot 10 équipant le poussoir.Indeed, during this overtravel phase, the
Dans cet exemple, ces moyens de limitation de l'expansion du picot 10 sont constitués par une cavité inférieure 19 de la touche 11 dans laquelle se loge et se centre le picot 10. Les dimensions et la forme de la cavité 19 sont telles qu'elles permettent son expansion libre dans la phase de précourse OF correspondant à l'écrasement Δ (mesuré par rapport au plan de référence PP′ du sommet du picot 10 en position de repos) et à contenir ladite expansion au cours de la surcourse F′, F˝ correspondant à l'écrasement Δ′ pour un volume prédéterminé du picot 10 correspondant à celui de la cavité 19 dont les rebords 19a sont en l'occurrence chanfreinés. A ce stade de fin de course, la touche 11 est complètement enfoncée dans la cavité 16 de la structure 12.In this example, these means for limiting the expansion of the
Bien entendu, l'invention ne se limite pas au mode d'exécution précédemment décrit. Ainsi, par exemple, la structure 12 pourrait être supprimée.Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. Thus, for example, the
Il importe d'insister qu'un avantage important de la solution proposée par la présente invention consiste en ce qu'elle permet d'éviter tous les risques de rupture, de grippage de pièces en mouvement connus dans les commandes mécaniques dites "pompes" comportant plusieurs pièces, ressorts, axes, pièces mobiles, etc..., et cela, tout en en conservant les caractéristiques ergonomiques de contact pendant toute la durée de la course.It is important to emphasize that an important advantage of the solution proposed by the present invention consists in that it makes it possible to avoid all the risks of rupture, of seizure of moving parts known in mechanical controls called "pumps" comprising several parts, springs, axes, moving parts, etc., and that, while maintaining the ergonomic contact characteristics throughout the duration of the race.
Claims (6)
- A tactile effect switch comprising :- a support having a recess adapted for receiving a switch element (18) which can be actuated under the effect of a pressure exceeding a given force threshold,- a resilient membrane (8) integral with the support (2) which forms a cap closing the recess (3), this membrane (8) having, on the side opposite the recess (3) and substantially coaxially therewith, a resiliently deformable stud (10) which serves as pusher,- a key (11) associated with the pusher, on which a force may be exerted for actuating the switch element (18),
characterized in that said stud (10) is made from a resiliently deformable material with a low modulus of elasticity,whereas the lower side of the key (11) comprises a cavity (19) into which engages the stud (10) so that, when key (11) is subjected to a control pressure, one obtains successively :- a pre-travel phase during which the resistant force exerted by the key (11) increases progressively until the force applied to said key (11) reaches the force threshold of the switch element,- an active phase during which the travel of the key (11) is practically zero and actuation of the switch is due to partial expansion of the material of the stud, the resistant force decreasing suddenly while producing a feeling of release,- an over-travel phase at the beginning of which the resistant force increases again progressively then rises suddenly when the expansion of the stud (10) is contained in the cavity (19) of the key. - The switch as claimed in claim 1,
characterized in that said membrane (8), said stud (10) as well as possibly said key (11) formm one and the same piece made from a resiliently deformable material. - The switch as claimed in one of claims 1 and 2,
characterized in that said stud (10) has a cylindrical and/or truncated cone shape whose large base, which merges with the membrane (8) bears on a resiliently deformable element (18) of the switch (4). - The switch as claimed in claim 3,
characterized in that the resiliently deformable element (18) of the switch (4) consists of a blade or cup with detent effect which is only deformed resiliently from a given force threshold. - A keyboard using switches such as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that said support (2) is in the form of a plate having a plurality of recesses (3) each adapted for receiving a switch element (4), this plate being then covered by a membrane which comprises, at the level of each of the recesses, a resiliently deformable stud which can be actuated by a key formed so as to limit the expansion of the material of the stud. - The keyboard as claimed in claim 5,
characterized in that said plate is a printed circuit board.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR9002925A FR2659459B1 (en) | 1990-03-08 | 1990-03-08 | TOUCH EFFECT KEY AND KEYBOARD USING THE SAME. |
| FR9002925 | 1990-03-08 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP0446088A1 EP0446088A1 (en) | 1991-09-11 |
| EP0446088B1 true EP0446088B1 (en) | 1995-01-18 |
Family
ID=9394505
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP91400377A Expired - Lifetime EP0446088B1 (en) | 1990-03-08 | 1991-02-14 | Tactical feed back switch and keyboard using this switch |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5172114A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0446088B1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69106745T2 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2659459B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (35)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5231386A (en) * | 1990-07-24 | 1993-07-27 | Home Row, Inc. | Keyswitch-integrated pointing assembly |
| US5541622A (en) * | 1990-07-24 | 1996-07-30 | Incontrol Solutions, Inc. | Miniature isometric joystick |
| US5431064A (en) * | 1992-09-18 | 1995-07-11 | Home Row, Inc. | Transducer array |
| JP3103833B2 (en) * | 1994-08-10 | 2000-10-30 | 信越ポリマー株式会社 | Illuminated pushbutton switch device |
| JP2699936B2 (en) * | 1995-06-06 | 1998-01-19 | 日本電気株式会社 | Method for producing composite molded body |
| JP3391172B2 (en) * | 1995-11-28 | 2003-03-31 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Push-on switch |
| FR2755534B1 (en) * | 1996-11-06 | 1998-12-11 | Apem | ELECTRIC PUSH BUTTON FORMING ELEMENT |
| JPH1173839A (en) * | 1997-09-01 | 1999-03-16 | Alps Electric Co Ltd | Push button switch |
| JP2000112626A (en) * | 1998-09-30 | 2000-04-21 | Alps Electric Co Ltd | Keyboard device |
| FR2803084B1 (en) * | 1999-12-27 | 2002-04-19 | Itt Mfg Entpr S Inc | ELECTRIC SWITCH WITH TACTILE EFFECT FIXED BY ELASTIC SOCKET ON A CIRCUIT PLATE |
| US6271487B1 (en) | 2000-03-21 | 2001-08-07 | Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. | Normally open extended travel dual tact switch assembly with sequential actuation of individual switches |
| FR2819111B1 (en) * | 2000-12-28 | 2003-03-07 | Thomson Csf | INTERCONNECTION MODULE FOR ELECTRICAL DEVICE HOUSING BACKGROUND |
| US6967643B2 (en) * | 2001-01-31 | 2005-11-22 | Cts Corporation | Tactile feedback for cursor control device |
| US6873316B2 (en) | 2001-02-01 | 2005-03-29 | Cts Corporation | Suppression of cursor control during tactile feedback operation |
| US20030066739A1 (en) * | 2001-07-02 | 2003-04-10 | Rickenbach Roger D. | Controller with tactile feedback |
| DE10145769A1 (en) * | 2001-09-17 | 2003-04-24 | Siemens Ag | Keyboard for communication terminals |
| JP4039030B2 (en) * | 2001-10-29 | 2008-01-30 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Push-on switch |
| JP4359812B2 (en) * | 2002-07-08 | 2009-11-11 | 日本電気株式会社 | Switch-integrated casing and electronic device having the same |
| JP2004071225A (en) * | 2002-08-02 | 2004-03-04 | Alps Electric Co Ltd | Push-button switch structure |
| US6770824B1 (en) * | 2003-10-22 | 2004-08-03 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Buckling key caps and method |
| US7012208B2 (en) * | 2003-12-10 | 2006-03-14 | Zippy Technology Corp. | Thin switch |
| TWM256272U (en) * | 2004-01-12 | 2005-02-01 | Ta Ta Office Products Inc | Structure for hole punching machine with tooling exchange seat |
| US7619176B2 (en) * | 2006-02-13 | 2009-11-17 | Nec Corporation | Switch and electronic equipment having the same |
| US7825899B2 (en) * | 2006-07-18 | 2010-11-02 | Research In Motion Limited | Piano-style keypad employing a light guide |
| US20090033521A1 (en) * | 2007-08-01 | 2009-02-05 | Ladouceur Norman M | Key designs for compact keypad of handheld communication device |
| US8704648B2 (en) * | 2008-02-29 | 2014-04-22 | Blackberry Limited | Reconfigurable keyfield on a communication device |
| FR2937789B1 (en) | 2008-10-28 | 2010-12-31 | Thales Sa | KEYBOARD WITH LONG TOUCH STROKE AND IMPROVED TOUCH SENSATION |
| JP4850888B2 (en) * | 2008-11-12 | 2012-01-11 | 株式会社沖データ | Button key structure and electronic device |
| FR2939215A1 (en) * | 2008-11-28 | 2010-06-04 | Thales Sa | RETROECLATIVE WATERPROOF KEYBOARD |
| JP5225179B2 (en) * | 2009-04-06 | 2013-07-03 | 東京パーツ工業株式会社 | Push switch |
| IT1398690B1 (en) * | 2009-07-07 | 2013-03-08 | Eltek Spa | SWITCH FOR VEHICLES |
| DE102014219316A1 (en) * | 2014-09-24 | 2016-03-24 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Switch control and switch |
| DE102014019248B4 (en) | 2014-12-19 | 2017-05-11 | Audi Ag | Operating device for a vehicle, in particular a passenger car |
| CN112189246A (en) * | 2018-05-24 | 2021-01-05 | 松下知识产权经营株式会社 | Push switch |
| US11685469B2 (en) * | 2020-09-11 | 2023-06-27 | Shimano Inc. | Bicycle derailleur |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3860771A (en) * | 1973-10-29 | 1975-01-14 | Chomerics Inc | Keyboard switch assembly with dome shaped actuator having associated underlying contactor means |
| US4194105A (en) * | 1977-01-13 | 1980-03-18 | Itt Industries, Inc. | Switches |
| JPS5411480A (en) * | 1977-06-29 | 1979-01-27 | Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd | Pushbutton switch |
| JPS5577331U (en) * | 1978-11-24 | 1980-05-28 | ||
| JPS5987720A (en) * | 1982-11-11 | 1984-05-21 | シャープ株式会社 | Pushbutton switch |
| US4677268A (en) * | 1983-03-28 | 1987-06-30 | The Gates Corporation | Elastomeric switch control device |
| US4764770A (en) * | 1986-06-11 | 1988-08-16 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Stabilized molded rubber keyboards |
| DE8619781U1 (en) * | 1986-07-23 | 1987-04-02 | Picker International Gmbh, 8000 Muenchen, De |
-
1990
- 1990-03-08 FR FR9002925A patent/FR2659459B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1991
- 1991-02-14 DE DE69106745T patent/DE69106745T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-02-14 EP EP91400377A patent/EP0446088B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-03-06 US US07/665,045 patent/US5172114A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2659459A1 (en) | 1991-09-13 |
| US5172114A (en) | 1992-12-15 |
| EP0446088A1 (en) | 1991-09-11 |
| FR2659459B1 (en) | 1993-11-26 |
| DE69106745D1 (en) | 1995-03-02 |
| DE69106745T2 (en) | 1995-06-01 |
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