EP1211704B1 - Actuating element with three active positions - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an actuator member of the multifunction key type, in particular of the navigation key type, consisting of a rigid button mounted with limited mobility and a separate detector component having a plurality of active sites. The button has underside formations each intended to come into contact with one of the active sites. Three active sites are disposed at the corners of a triangle, wherein a non-active bearing site is disposed between two of the active sites, alone or in conjunction with the third active site, so as to allow tilting of the button by pivoting on the non-active site toward one of the first two active sites situated on respective sides thereof until the corresponding formation comes into contact with one of the active sites to activate it, for example by compressing it or depressing it.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of organs of control for electronic devices or instruments, especially keys and keyboards for computer devices or telecommunications, and has for its object a control member of the type navigator and keyboard apparatus comprising at least one such member.

These devices belong in particular to the group {telephone fixed or mobile; smart phone called "smartphone" in Anglo-Saxon language ; personal digital assistant; desktop, laptop or of pocket ; remote control}.

Currently, most control devices of the type multifunction key or navigation key is in the form of a pre-assembled and pre-assembled sub-assembly on the electronic board extending under the keyboard keys of the devices, so as to secure the interconnection and cooperation between the button and the active component detector (see Figures 1 and 2).

This results in two major drawbacks, namely, all keyboards have visible parts of organs of the same color, if applicable mismatched with the other keys and / or the keyboard body, and the button is not optimally and reliably aligned or centered with the corresponding opening in the case or the keyboard envelope, and not achieve a sealed closure of this opening.

To try to overcome these drawbacks, it has been proposed to mount the button / active component sub-assembly in the locker box and to connect said active component by springs to the electronic card located under the keys (Figures 3 and 4).

In this case, it is possible to select the button color to match that (s) of the case and other keys, assembling said sub-assembly and the other keys with the housing of the keyboard being performed during the same manufacturing phase. In addition, the possible misalignment can only exist between the sub-assembly and the card and is therefore invisible to the user.

However, the choice of a button having the same color as the other keys is difficult to operate, even impossible to perform, the buttons and the keys are generally not produced by the same manufacturer.

In addition, this solution leads to a pre-assembly operation specific and tedious of said subset and requires the installation of specific physical links between the keyboard housing and the electronic card.

It is also known from document US 5,086,313 a button multifunction control according to the preamble of claim 1 comprising three active sites arranged in a triangle on a substrate and able to be activated by a button pivoting on several three points of supports arranged on a tray above the substrate. This button requires however a complex assembly.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks in proposing a control member of the aforementioned type including the button and the component active can be manufactured separately and require no posterior physical assembly, nor are they connected by any physical link, all guaranteeing high operating reliability and total discrimination between the various commands likely to be supplied by said body.

To this end, the present invention relates to a control member of the multi-function key type, in particular the navigation key, consisting by a rigid button mounted with limited mobility in translation and rotation and by a separate detection component comprising three active sites, for example sensitive to pressure, said sites being arranged at the vertices of a triangle, said button comprising on the underside formations intended to come into contact each with one of the active sites of said component depending on the location, the intensity and / or direction of the pressures exerted by the user on the button, characterized in that between two first of said sites is disposed a support site not active authorizing, alone or in cooperation with the third site, an inclination of said button by pivoting pressing on said non-active site towards one of said two first active sites located on either side of the latter until the corresponding training contacts one of said two active sites with a view to of its activation, for example by compression or depression.

les figures 5A et 5B sont des vues en élévation latérale et partiellement en coupe, selon deux directions perpendiculaires, d'une partie d'un clavier comprenant un organe de commande selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention,

les figures 6A et 6B sont respectivement des vues de dessus et en perspective du composant de détection faisant partie de l'organe de commande représenté sur les figures 5, et,

les figures 7A, 7B et 7C sont des vues en élévation latérale similaires à celles des figures 5 montrant, sur la base d'une variante de réalisation de l'invention, la réaction de l'organe de commande selon l'invention en fonction de l'application de différentes pressions par un utilisateur.

The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of nonlimiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

FIGS. 5A and 5B are views in side elevation and partially in section, in two perpendicular directions, of a part of a keyboard comprising a control member according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

FIGS. 6A and 6B are respectively top and perspective views of the detection component forming part of the control member shown in FIGS. 5, and,

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are views in side elevation similar to those of FIGS. 5 showing, on the basis of an alternative embodiment of the invention, the reaction of the control member according to the invention as a function of the application of different pressures by a user.

As shown in Figures 5 and 7 of the accompanying drawings, the control member 1 of the multi-function key type, in particular navigation key, consists of a rigid button 2 mounted with a limited mobility in translation and rotation and by a component of separate detection 3 comprising several active sites 4, 4 ′ and 5 sensitive to pressure, said button 2 having formations 6, 6 'and 6 "on the underside intended to come into contact each with one of the active sites 4, 4 'and 5 of said component depending on location, intensity and / or direction user pressures on button 2.

According to the invention, the detection component 3 of said organ 1 comprises three active sites 4, 4 ′, 5 which are arranged according to the vertices of a triangle and in that between two first of said sites 4, 4 'is arranged a non-active support site 7 authorizing, alone or in cooperation with the third site 5, an inclination of said button 2 by pivoting pressing on said non-active site 7 to one of said first two active sites 4, 4 ′ located on either side of the latter until the formation 6 or 6 ' correspondent comes into contact with one of said two active sites 4, 4 'in view of its activation, preferably by compression or by depression, other activation modes can possibly be provided.

Thanks to the aforementioned provisions, it is therefore possible to carry out organ 1 by association of two elements manufactured so independent and cooperating only because of a relative provision given during assembly of the device receiving them, without using a physical link between these two elements.

In addition, the forecast of a non-active or inactive support site 7 allows, by a physical constraint, to avoid any simultaneous activation of first two sites 4 and 4 '.

According to a characteristic of the invention, facilitating the manipulation of organ 1, the non-active site 7 defines with the third site active 5 a pivot edge or a fictitious axis of rotation for button 2. Thus, no precise application of the pressure on button 2 is necessary to activate the 4 or 4 'site, only the support side having a importance.

Preferably, as shown in Figures 6 of the drawings annexed, the three sites 4, 4 ', 5 are arranged according to the vertices of a triangle isosceles and the non-active support site 7 is located centered on the base of said triangle extending between the first two active sites 4 and 4 '.

In addition, according to an alternative embodiment advantageous of the invention based on active sites 4, 4 ′ and 4 ″ sensitive to pressure, the values of the activation threshold pressures of the first two sites active 4 and 4 'are substantially identical and the value of the threshold pressure activation of the third site 5 is advantageously significantly greater than that of said first two sites 4 and 4 ', preferably approximately at minus twice as large.

This last arrangement makes it possible to establish a second discrimination between the first two active sites 4 and 4 'on the one hand, and the third active site 4 "on the other hand. We end up with discrimination physical support provided by the aforementioned non-active or inactive support site 7, to a impossibility of simultaneous activation by the user of two active sites, among the three aforementioned active sites, whatever the direction, the point and the intensity of the pressure exerted on the button 2.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in particular in FIGS. 5A and 5B of the attached drawings, the inactive support site 7 consists of a prominent formation compared to the first two active sites 4 and 4 ', authorizing an inclination of the button 2 in the direction of the third active site 5 until the corresponding 6 "formation on the underside button 2 comes into contact with the latter for activation, preferably by compression or depression, this by pivoting in support, by adapted training 8 on the underside, on the contact area of said site 7.

Alternatively, the inactive support site 7 could also consist of a non-prominent support zone of the cooperating component 3 with a formation 8 having a height greater than that of the others formations 6, 6 'and 6 "from the underside of button 2 and thereby constituting a privileged fulcrum of button 2 on component 3, preventing, as the first aforementioned variant, simultaneous support of formations 6 and 6 'on the first two sites 4 and 4 'facing each other and securing the latter in the event support centered at high pressure intended to activate the third site 5.

As shown in Figures 5 to 7 of the accompanying drawings, the 6, 6 ', 6 "formation contact zones and / or site contact zones active 4, 4 ', 4 "and inactive site 7 consist of contact zones surface.

The presence of surface contact areas at the level of active sites 4, 4 'and 5, and / or formations 6, 6' and 6 "opposite, allows ensure reliable operation of the control member 1 by a possibility of compensation for any lateral misalignments and longitudinal between button 2 and component 3 (Figures 5A and 5B, 7A, 7B and 7C)

In FIGS. 5A and 5B, the button 2 and the component 3 have been voluntarily shifted relative to each other, as in the case of a improper assembly, to illustrate the above-mentioned compensation option.

Although the contact zones between formations 6, 6 ', 6 "and 8 and sites 4, 4 ', 5 and 7 can have various forms, for example planes (Fig. 7), it can advantageously be provided, in order to facilitate the manipulation of button 2 by the user, that at least the contact between the inactive support site 7 and the corresponding training 8 opposite located in under the face of button 2, either punctual or quasi-punctual, the area of contact of said site 7 or of said formation 8 being a contact zone surface.

To further increase handling comfort of button 2, in particular in the case of activation of sites 4 and 4 'by pivoting of said button pressing on sites 7 and 5, the contact between the third active site 5 and the corresponding formation 6 "on the underside of the button 2 is also of a punctual or quasi-punctual nature, the contacts between the first two active sites 4 and 4 'and the corresponding formations 6 and 6 'of button 2 possibly also being of a point nature or virtually a point.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 5A and 5B of the accompanying drawings, the formations 6, 6 ', 6 "and 8 consist of protruding hemispherical or shaped formations domes, the active sites 4, 4 ′, 4 "possibly also consisting of protruding formations, the cumulative heights of formations 6, 6 ', 6 "and active sites 4, 4 ', 5 respectively opposite being substantially identical and equal to the cumulative height of the inactive support site 7 and the corresponding formation 8 located on the underside of button 2.

Of course, it can also be provided, as a variant, that the sites 4, 4 ', 5 and 7 consist of domed structures and that the areas of contact of formations 6, 6 ', 6 "and 8 are surface in nature, or that the two aforementioned types of structures are variegated between said sites and said training.

In accordance with a characteristic of the invention, the two first active sites 4 and 4 'correspond to ordering instructions or to opposite functions, such as for example parades or moving in opposite directions in a menu or table, and in that the third active site 5 corresponds to an instruction of command or to a validation or confirmation type function.

Preferably, the pressure detection component 3 has a one-piece structure and has an open cavity direction of the button or a 3 'through opening for housing a lighting component by transmission of button 2 made of a material translucent and mounted by insertion molding (Figures 6A and 6B)

Figures 7 show different cases of activation or non-activation sites 4, 4 'and 5 depending on the intensity and direction of the pressures from the user.

In FIGS. 7A and 7C, the direction, the impact zone and the intensity of the applied forces are adapted to activate the 4 'site, respectively 5.

In FIG. 7B, the intensity of the applied force is insufficient to activate the site 5.

The present invention also relates to an apparatus comprising a keyboard 9 comprising a plurality of keys 2 'and at least a multi-function key, for example a navigation key and for selecting several functions displayed on a display means of said device, characterized in that the multifunction key is formed by a control member 1 as described above.

Advantageously, the button 2 is made in one piece with the other 2 'keys by insertion molding during the manufacture of the keyboard 9 and the detection component 3 is pre-assembled on a card electronics arranged, after assembly of the corresponding keyboard 9 under the keys 2 'of the latter.

The option of limited movement of button 2 will be provided by the resilience of the material of the tablecloth or plate 2 "connecting the different keys 2 'and button 2.

As a variant, the button 2 can also be separated from the keyboard 9 while retaining the advantage of receiving a front panel delivered with the tablecloth and a navigation button 2 of the appropriate color.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the mode of embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, especially from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without leaving for as much of the protection field of the invention.

Claims (13)

1. An actuator member of the multifunction key type, in particular of the navigation key type, consisting of a rigid button (2), mounted with limited mobility in translation and in rotation, and a separate detector component (3) having three active sites (4, 4', 5), for example pressure-sensitive sites, said active sites being disposed at the corners of a triangle, said button having on its underside formations (6, 6', 6", 8) each intended to come into contact with a respective one of said active sites of said component as a function of the location, magnitude and/or direction of pressure exerted by a user on the button, characterized in that a non-active bearing site (7) disposed between a first two of said active sites (4, 4'), alone or in conjunction with the third site (5), authorizes tilting of said button (2) by pivoting on said non-active site (7) toward one of said first two active sites (4, 4') situated on respective sides thereof until the corresponding formation (6 or 6') comes into contact with one of said active sites (4, 4') to activate it, for example by compressing it or depressing it.
2. An actuator member according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-active site (7) defines with the third active site (5) a pivot edge or an imaginary rotation axis for the button (2), the three sites (4, 4', 5) being disposed at the corners of an isosceles triangle and the non-active bearing site (7) being centered on the base of said triangle extending between the first two active sites (4 and 4').
3. An actuator member according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that activation threshold pressure values for the first two active sites (4 and 4') are substantially identical and in that an activation threshold pressure value for the third site (5) is significantly greater than, preferably at least approximately twice, that of said first two sites (4 and 4').
4. An actuator member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inactive bearing site (7) consists in a formation protruding relative to the first two active sites (4 and 4'), also authorizing tilting of the button (2) in the direction of the third active site (5) until the corresponding formation (6") on the underside of the button (2) comes into contact therewith to activate it, preferably by compressing it or depressing it, by pivoting with an appropriate formation (8) on its underside bearing on the contact area of said site (7).
5. An actuator member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the contact areas of the formations (6, 6', 6") and/or the contact areas of the active sites (4, 4', 4") and the inactive site (7) are surface contact areas.
6. A actuator member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the contact between the inactive bearing site (7) and the corresponding facing formation (8) situated on the underside of the button (2) is a point contact or virtually a point contact, the contact area of said site (7) or said formation (8) being a surface contact area.
7. An actuator member according to claim 6, characterized in that the contact between the third active site (5) and the corresponding formation (6") on the underside of the button (2) is a point contact or virtually a point contact and the contacts between the first two active sites (4 and 4') and the corresponding formations (6 and 6') of the button (2) are possibly also a point contact or virtually a point contact.
8. An actuator member according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that the formations (6, 6', 6" and 8) are hemispherical or dome-shape protruding formations, the active sites (4, 4', 4") possibly also being protruding formations, the cumulative heights of the formations (6, 6', 6") and the respective facing active sites (4, 4', 5) being substantially identical and equal to the cumulative height of the inactive bearing site (7) and the corresponding formation (8) on the underside of the button (2).
9. An actuator member according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first two active sites (4 and 4') correspond to opposed commands or functions, such as, for example, scrolling or moving in opposite directions in a menu or a table, and in that the third active site (5) corresponds to a validation or confirmation command or function.
10. An actuator member according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the pressure detector component (3) is of one-piece construction and includes a cavity open in the direction of the button or a through-opening (3') to house a component for illuminating the button (2) by transmission, the button being made from a translucent material.
11. An actuator member according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the button (2) is mounted by insertion molding.
12. A device including a keypad including a plurality of keys and at least one multifunction key, for example a navigation key, for selecting a plurality of functions displayed on display means of said device, characterized in that the multifunction key consists of an actuator member (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
13. A device according to claim 12, characterized in that the button (2) is made in one piece with the other keys (2') by insertion molding during fabrication of the keypad (9).

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