EP1418602B1 - Layered keyboard - Google Patents
Layered keyboard Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1418602B1 EP1418602B1 EP03019959A EP03019959A EP1418602B1 EP 1418602 B1 EP1418602 B1 EP 1418602B1 EP 03019959 A EP03019959 A EP 03019959A EP 03019959 A EP03019959 A EP 03019959A EP 1418602 B1 EP1418602 B1 EP 1418602B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- iii
- key caps
- accordance
- key
- keyboard
- 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
- H01H13/702—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
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2219/00—Legends
- H01H2219/028—Printed information
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2221/00—Actuators
- H01H2221/07—Actuators transparent
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2221/00—Actuators
- H01H2221/074—One molded piece
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
- H01H2229/044—Injection moulding
Definitions
- the invention relates to a membrane keyboard for actuating one or more switching elements according to the preamble of claim 1.
- GM DE 297 03 194 U1 discloses a membrane keyboard on which individual caps of liquid polyurethane are poured.
- the outer contours of the caps are created by a print, for example by a stop ink, such that the polyurethane is filled in the liquid state in the interior of the imprint. After curing of the polyurethane, the cap is both connected to the film and solid in its outer contour.
- the imprint on the film is printed by means of a screen printing process on the surface of the membrane keyboard.
- the contour of the imprint can be designed in various ways.
- the surface of the cap can thus not be designed freely because the liquid polyurethane flows evenly over the film and is prevented only by the stop-ink limitation on further flow. Consequently, the surface of the cap thus produced has a dome-shaped shape, since usually liquid material runs in this manner and hardens.
- the key caps By making the key caps from a thermoplastic elastomeric material melted in the processing state so that this material can be injection molded, it is ensured that the outer contour, the surface and the overall three-dimensional dimension of the key caps are adapted to the application and intended use can be.
- braille letters, numbers or symbols may be molded into the surfaces of the keycaps, which are also attached as elevations on the surfaces of the keycaps.
- the height, the spatial dimensions and the outer edges of the key caps are therefore no longer dependent on the flow behavior of the material, but rather on the mold, which is used during the injection molding process.
- the keycaps can be both transparent, translucent and / or even opaque, so that light shines through, for example, by an arranged behind the film light indicator by a molded on the key cap letter and the rest of the key cap is opaque. Thus, the area having a letter, a number, or the like is illuminated, and the remaining area of the keycap is not illuminated.
- the material used is so elastic even in the cured state that this allows a deflection of the film without cracking, so that a reliable and durable operation and connection between the individual keycap and the film is ensured.
- the key cap is firmly connected by means of an adhesive layer to the surface of the film, so that a release of the key cap from the surface of the film is not possible.
- the adhesive layer is preferably made of a UV or thermosetting material, so that after the keycap has been placed on the surface of the membrane keyboard by a placement machine, curing of the adhesive layer is accomplished by a UV light source or heat source in a very short period of time , This saves assembly time, so that overall the production of the populated membrane keyboard in comparison to the known embodiment is short.
- a membrane keyboard 1 can be seen, which consists of a housing 3 formed on one side open; in the open side of the housing 3, a film 2 is clamped, which is formed elastically. Furthermore, 3 different switching elements 4 are arranged between the film 2 and the housing, which are activated by bending the film 2.
- the key caps 11, 11 ', 11 ", 11'', 11 IV have different surfaces 15 which are trough-shaped, wave-shaped, formed with elevations or as a curved roof.
- the outer contours of the keycaps 11, 11 ', 11 ", 11"', 11 IV can be designed individually and can therefore be round, elliptical, star-shaped, polygonal or the like.
- the key cap 11, 11 ', 11 ", 11"', 11 IV is made of a thermoplastic elastomeric material.
- the adhesive layer 12 can be dried within a very short time by means of a UV or a heat source.
- an injection mold 13 is provided which, for example, has a number 16, t. Any other letter or number or character can be incorporated into the injection mold 13.
- the injection mold 13 has an inlet channel 14, through which the liquid material in the free space 17 of the injection mold 13 can be filled.
- the spatial shape of that shown in FIG Button cap 11 is cuboid; on the surface 15 of the key cap 11, the number one is formed. Any other spatial extent of the key cap 11 is at the same time and exclusively dependent on the injection mold 13 used, so that both the spatial dimension, the height and the surface 15 of the key cap 11 can be produced individually.
- a plurality of keycaps 11, 11 ', 11 ", 11"', 11 IV can be manufactured within a very short time and individually, so that a low-cost mass-produced article can be produced.
- the thus produced key caps 11, 11 ', 11 ", 11”', 11 IV are held by means of the adhesive layer 12 on the surface 5 of the film 2.
- the adhesive layer 12 is first applied in regions on the surface 5 of the film 2.
- the respectively desired key caps 11, 11 ', 11 ", 11'", 11 IV are placed on the respective adhesive layer 12 by means of an automatic placement machine 12.
- the adhesive layer 12 is dried out within a very short time by a UV or heat source , so that the keycaps 11, 11 ', 11 ", 11''', 11 IV is firmly connected to the film 2.
- the key caps 11, 11 ', 11 ", 11'”, 11 IV are made of a transparent, translucent and / or opaque material, for example, during the manufacturing process of the key caps 11, 11 ', 11 ", 11"', 11 IV a colored insert are added, so that the color of the keycaps 11, 11 ', 11 ", 11''', 11 IV is given by this. It is also possible to form the key caps 11, 11 ', 11 ", 11''', 11 IV in two parts, so that the insert is inserted between the two parts of the key caps 11, 11 ', 11", 11 "', 11 IV Both parts of the key caps 11, 11 ', 11 ", 11'', 11 IV are then latched and are therefore firmly connected to each other.
- portions of the keycaps 11, 11 ', 11 ", 11''', 11 IV are made with an opaque material and, for example, those colored into the surface 15 of the keycaps 11, 11 ', 11", 11''', 11 IV
- Number 16 in the underlying part of the key cap 11 consists of a transparent or translucent material and in the housing 3 is a light indicator is provided, which is in the key caps 11, 11 ', 11 ", 11"', 11 IV formed number 16, letters or characters illuminated.
- the surfaces 15 of the key caps 11, 11 ', 11 ", 11''', 11 IV may be adapted to a different use and purpose, so that they are formed for example as a trough to prevent slipping from the surface 15. Des further elevations or indentations may be provided in the surface 15, so that are formed by this example, letters of Braille.
- the outer contours of the keycaps 11, 11 ', 11 ", 11''', 11 IV have an arbitrary shape, which is selected in dependence on the desired function of the key caps 11, 11 ', 11", 11''', 11 IV becomes.
- the material used ensures that the keycaps 11, 11 ', 11 ", 11''', 11 IV are elastic even in the cured state, so that the deflection of the film 2 is completed by the key cap 11 without that in the adhesive layer 12 shearing forces, which would destroy them, arise.
- the key caps 11, 11 ', 11", 11 "', 11 IV are namely made of an elastically deformable thermoplastic material.
Landscapes
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf eine Folientastatur zur Betätigung eines oder mehrerer Schaltelemente nach dem Oberbegriff des Patentanspruches 1.The invention relates to a membrane keyboard for actuating one or more switching elements according to the preamble of
Dem GM DE 297 03 194 U1 ist eine Folientastatur zu entnehmen, auf der einzelne Kappen aus flüssigem Polyurethan aufgegossen sind. Die Außenkonturen der Kappen werden dabei durch einen Aufdruck, beispielsweise durch einen Stop-Ink, derart geschaffen, dass das Polyurethan in flüssigem Zustand in den Innenraum des Aufdruckes eingefüllt wird. Nach dem Aushärten des Polyurethans ist die Kappe sowohl mit der Folie verbunden als auch in ihrer Außenkontur fest. Der Aufdruck auf der Folie wird mittels eines Siebdruckverfahrens auf die Oberfläche der Folientastatur aufgedruckt. Die Kontur des Aufdrucks kann verschiedenartig ausgebildet sein.GM DE 297 03 194 U1 discloses a membrane keyboard on which individual caps of liquid polyurethane are poured. The outer contours of the caps are created by a print, for example by a stop ink, such that the polyurethane is filled in the liquid state in the interior of the imprint. After curing of the polyurethane, the cap is both connected to the film and solid in its outer contour. The imprint on the film is printed by means of a screen printing process on the surface of the membrane keyboard. The contour of the imprint can be designed in various ways.
Als nachteilig hat sich hierbei herausgestellt, dass die Oberflächenkontur und teilweise auch die Außenkontur der Kappe durch diesen Einfüllvorgang sich nicht beliebig gestalten lassen, da sich die Höhe als auch die Oberfläche der Kappe aufgrund des Fließverhaltens der Polyurethanmasse sowie der Abstossungskräfte des Aufdrucks nicht beeinflussen lassen. Vielmehr ist die Höhe der Kappe begrenzt, da die physikalischen Eigenschaften der verwendeten Materialien ein unbegrenztes Aufbringen der Polyurethanmasse nicht erlauben.A disadvantage has been found that the surface contour and sometimes the outer contour of the cap can not be arbitrarily designed by this filling, since the height and the surface of the cap can not be influenced due to the flow behavior of the polyurethane composition and the repulsive forces of the imprint. Rather, the height of the cap is limited, because the physical properties of the materials used do not allow unlimited application of the polyurethane composition.
Die Oberfläche der Kappe kann somit nicht frei gestaltet werden, da das flüssige Polyurethan gleichmäßig über die Folie fließt und ausschließlich durch die Stop-Ink Begrenzung am Weiterfließen gehindert wird. Folglich weist die Oberfläche der derart hergestellten Kappe eine kuppenförmige Gestalt auf, da üblicherweise flüssiges Material in dieser Art und Weise verläuft und aushärtet.The surface of the cap can thus not be designed freely because the liquid polyurethane flows evenly over the film and is prevented only by the stop-ink limitation on further flow. Consequently, the surface of the cap thus produced has a dome-shaped shape, since usually liquid material runs in this manner and hardens.
Es ist daher Aufgabe der Erfindung, die eingangs genannte Folientastatur derart weiterzubilden, dass auf dieser Tastenkappen aufgebracht sind, deren Oberfläche, deren räumlichen Abmessungen und deren Außenkonturen in Abhängigkeit von dem jeweiligen Einsatz- und Verwendungszweck individuell gestaltet werden können. Des weiteren sollen die Tastenkappen als Massenware auf einfache und kostengünstige Weise herstellbar sein und nachträglich fest mit der Folie verbindbar sein, so dass eine zuverlässige und dauerhafte Funktionsweise der Folientastatur gewährleistet ist.It is therefore an object of the invention to improve the above-mentioned membrane keyboard such that are applied to this keycaps whose surface, their spatial dimensions and their outer contours can be designed individually depending on the particular application and use. Furthermore, the keycaps should be mass-produced in a simple and cost-effective manner and subsequently be firmly connected to the film, so that a reliable and durable operation of the membrane keyboard is guaranteed.
Diese Aufgaben werden erfindungsgemäß durch die Merkmale der kennzeichnenden Teile des Anspruches 1 gelöst.These objects are achieved by the features of the characterizing parts of
Weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung ergeben sich aus den Unteransprüchen.Further advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.
Dadurch, dass die Tastenkappen aus einem im Verarbeitungszustand aufgeschmolzenen thermoplastischen elastomeren Werkstoff hergestellt sind, so dass dieses Material im Spritzgussverfahren verarbeitet werden kann, ist gewährleistet, dass die Außenkontur, die Oberfläche und die gesamte dreidimensionale Abmessung der Tastenkappen angepasst an den Einsatz- und Verwendungszweck gestaltet werden können.By making the key caps from a thermoplastic elastomeric material melted in the processing state so that this material can be injection molded, it is ensured that the outer contour, the surface and the overall three-dimensional dimension of the key caps are adapted to the application and intended use can be.
Folglich können beispielsweise Buchstaben, Zahlen oder Symbole der Blindenschrift in die Oberflächen der Tastenkappen eingeformt werden, die auch als Erhöhungen auf der Oberflächen der Tastenkappen angebracht sind. Die Höhe, die räumliche Abmessungen sowie die Außenkanten der Tastenkappen sind demnach nicht mehr abhängig von dem Fließverhalten des Werkstoffes, sondern vielmehr von der Gießform, die während des Spritzgussverfahrens eingesetzt wird.Thus, for example, braille letters, numbers or symbols may be molded into the surfaces of the keycaps, which are also attached as elevations on the surfaces of the keycaps. The height, the spatial dimensions and the outer edges of the key caps are therefore no longer dependent on the flow behavior of the material, but rather on the mold, which is used during the injection molding process.
Darüber hinaus können die Tastenkappen sowohl transparent, transluszent und/oder sogar lichtundurchlässig ausgebildet sein, so dass beispielsweise durch eine hinter der Folie angeordnete Leuchtanzeige durch einen auf der Tastenkappe eingeformten Buchstabe Licht hindurchscheint und die restliche Tastenkappe lichtundurchlässig ist. Demnach wird der Bereich, der einen Buchstaben, eine Zahl oder dergleichen aufweist, beleuchtet und der restliche Bereich der Tastenkappe ist nicht ausgeleuchtet.In addition, the keycaps can be both transparent, translucent and / or even opaque, so that light shines through, for example, by an arranged behind the film light indicator by a molded on the key cap letter and the rest of the key cap is opaque. Thus, the area having a letter, a number, or the like is illuminated, and the remaining area of the keycap is not illuminated.
Das verwendete Material ist auch im ausgehärteten Zustand derart elastisch, dass dieses eine Durchbiegung der Folie ohne Rissbildung ermöglicht, so dass eine zuverlässige und dauerhafte Betriebsweise und Verbindung zwischen der einzelnen Tastenkappe und der Folie gewährleistet ist.The material used is so elastic even in the cured state that this allows a deflection of the film without cracking, so that a reliable and durable operation and connection between the individual keycap and the film is ensured.
Die Tastenkappe ist mittels einer Klebeschicht fest mit der Oberfläche der Folie verbunden, so dass ein Lösen der Tastenkappe von der Oberfläche der Folie nicht möglich ist. Die Klebeschicht besteht vorzugsweise aus einem UV- oder thermisch aushärtendem Material, so dass, nach dem die Tastenkappe durch eine Bestückungsmaschine auf die Oberfläche der Folientastatur aufgesetzt wurde, ein Aushärten der Klebeschicht mittels einer UV-Lichtquelle oder einer Wärmequelle in einem sehr kurzem Zeitraum bewerkstelligt wird. Dies erspart Montagezeit, so dass insgesamt die Herstellung der bestückten Folientastatur im Vergleich zu der bekannten Ausgestaltung kurz ist.The key cap is firmly connected by means of an adhesive layer to the surface of the film, so that a release of the key cap from the surface of the film is not possible. The adhesive layer is preferably made of a UV or thermosetting material, so that after the keycap has been placed on the surface of the membrane keyboard by a placement machine, curing of the adhesive layer is accomplished by a UV light source or heat source in a very short period of time , This saves assembly time, so that overall the production of the populated membrane keyboard in comparison to the known embodiment is short.
In der Zeichnung wird ein erfindungsgemäßes Ausführungsbeispiel dargestellt, das nachfolgend näher erläutert wird. Im einzelnen zeigt:
- Fig. 1
- eine Folientastatur mit einer in einem Gehäuse eingespannten Folie, auf deren Oberfläche verschiedenartig ausgebildete Tastenkappen angebracht sind, im Schnitt, und
- Fig. 2
- eine Tastenkappe zur Anbringung auf der Folientastatur gemäß
Figur 1 in einer Spritzgussform, in dreidimensionaler Ansicht.
- Fig. 1
- a membrane keyboard with a clamped in a housing film, on the surface of variously designed keycaps are mounted, in section, and
- Fig. 2
- a key cap for attachment to the membrane keyboard according to Figure 1 in an injection mold, in three-dimensional view.
Aus Figur 1 ist eine Folientastatur 1 zu entnehmen, die aus einem auf einer Seite offen ausgebildeten Gehäuse 3 besteht; in die offene Seite des Gehäuses 3 ist eine Folie 2 eingespannt, die elastisch ausgebildet ist. Des weiteren sind zwischen der Folie 2 und dem Gehäuse 3 verschiedene Schaltelemente 4 angeordnet, die durch Durchbiegen der Folie 2 aktiviert werden.From Figure 1, a
Auf der äußeren Oberfläche 5 der Folie 2 sind verschiedenartige Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11 ", 11''', 11IV, die mittels einer Klebeschicht 12 auf der Oberfläche 5 befestigt sind, fluchtend zu den Schaltelementen 4 angeordnet. Durch Drücken der Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11", 11''', 11IV biegt sich demnach die Folie 2 in diesem Bereich in Richtung der Schaltelemente 4 durch, so dass diese von der auf der Unterseite der Folie 2 elektrisch leitend ausgebildeten Folie 2 aktiviert werden.On the
Die Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11 ", 11''', 11IV weisen unterschiedliche Oberflächen 15 auf, die muldenförmig, wellenförmig, mit Erhebungen oder als bogenförmiges Dach ausgebildet sind.
Die Außenkonturen der Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11", 11"', 11IV sind einzeln gestaltbar und können daher rund, elliptisch, sternförmig, vieleckig oder dgl. ausgebildet sein. Die Tastenkappe 11, 11', 11", 11"', 11IV ist aus einem thermoplastischen elastomeren Werkstoff hergestellt. Die Klebeschicht 12 kann mittels einer UV- oder einer Wärmequelle innerhalb kürzester Zeit getrocknet werden.The
The outer contours of the
Aus Figur 2 ist ersichtlich, wie die einzelne Tastenkappe 11 hergestellt wird. Zu diesem Zweck wird eine Spritzgussform 13 geschaffen, die beispielsweise eine Zahl 16 aufweis, t. Jeder andere Buchstabe oder jede beliebige Zahl oder jedes Schriftzeichen sind in die Spritzgussform 13 einarbeitbar. Die Spritzgussform 13 weist einen Einlasskanal 14 auf, durch den der flüssige Werkstoff in den Freiraum 17 der Spritzgussform 13 einfüllbar ist. Die räumliche Gestalt des in Figur 2 gezeigten Tastenkappe 11 ist quaderförmig; auf der Oberfläche 15 der Tastenkappe 11 ist die Zahl eins eingeformt. Jede andere räumliche Ausdehnung der Tastenkappe 11 ist zugleich und ausschließlich abhängig von der eingesetzten Spritzgussform 13, so dass sowohl die räumliche Abmessung, die Höhe als auch die Oberfläche 15 der Tastenkappe 11 individuell herstellbar sind.From Figure 2 it can be seen how the
Mittels des Spritzgussverfahrens können eine Vielzahl von Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11", 11"', 11IV innerhalb kürzester Zeit und individuell gefertigt werden, so dass ein kostengünstiger Massenartikel herstellbar ist.By means of the injection molding process, a plurality of
Die derart gefertigten Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11 ", 11 "', 11IV werden mittels der Klebeschicht 12 auf der Oberfläche 5 der Folie 2 gehalten. Im Herstellungsverfahren der Folientastatur 1 wird zunächst bereichsweise die Klebeschicht 12 auf der Oberfläche 5 der Folie 2 aufgetragen. Mittels eines Bestückungsautomaten werden die jeweils gewünschten Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11", 11''', 11IV auf die jeweilige Klebeschicht 12 aufgesetzt. Um den Herstellungsprozess zu beschleunigen, wird die Klebeschicht 12 durch eine UV- oder Wärmequelle innerhalb kürzester Zeit ausgetrocknet, so dass die Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11", 11''', 11IV fest mit der Folie 2 verbunden ist.The thus produced
Die Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11 ", 11''', 11IV sind aus einem transparenten, transluszenten und/oder einem lichtundurchlässigen Material hergestellt. Beispielsweise kann während des Herstellungsprozesses der Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11 ", 11 "', 11IV eine farbliche Einlage zugefügt werden, so dass durch diese die Farbe der Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11", 11''', 11IV vorgegeben ist. Es ist auch möglich, die Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11 ", 11''', 11IV zweiteilig auszubilden, so dass zwischen beiden Teilen der Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11 ", 11 "', 11IV die Einlage eingesetzt werden kann. Beide Teile der Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11 ", 11''', 11IV werden anschließend verrastet und sind daher fest miteinander verbunden.The
Wenn Bereiche der Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11 ", 11''', 11IV mit einem lichtundurchlässigen Material hergestellt sind und beispielsweise die in die Oberfläche 15 der Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11 ", 11''', 11IV eingefärbte Zahl 16 in den darrunterliegenden Teil der Tastenkappe 11 aus einem transparenten bzw. transluszenten Material besteht und in dem Gehäuse 3 eine Leuchtanzeige vorgesehen ist, wird die in die Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11 ", 11 "', 11IV eingeformten Zahl 16, Buchstaben oder Schriftzeichen ausgeleuchtet.When portions of the
Die Oberflächen 15 der Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11 ", 11''', 11IV können an einen unterschiedlichen Einsatz und Verwendungszweck angepasst sein, so dass diese beispielsweise als Mulde ausgebildet sind, um ein Abrutschen von der Oberfläche 15 zu verhindern. Des weiteren können Erhebungen oder Einkerbungen in die Oberfläche 15 vorgesehen sein, so dass durch diese beispielsweise Buchstaben der Blindenschrift gebildet sind.The
Die Außenkonturen der Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11", 11''', 11IV weisen eine beliebige Form auf, die in Abhängigkeit von der gewünschten Funktion der Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11", 11''', 11IV gewählt wird.The outer contours of the
Der verwendete Werkstoff gewährleistet, dass die Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11", 11''', 11IV auch im ausgehärteten Zustand elastisch sind, so dass die Durchbiegung der Folie 2 von der Tastenkappe 11 mit vollzogen wird, ohne dass in der Klebeschicht 12 Scheerkräfte, die diese zerstören würden, entstehen. Die Tastenkappen 11, 11', 11", 11 "', 11IV sind nämlich aus einem elastisch verformbaren thermoplastischen Werkstoff hergestellt.The material used ensures that the
Claims (7)
- A layered keyboard (1) for actuating one or more switch elements (4), comprising a foil (2) that can be deformed in the direction of the switch elements (4), with one or more key caps (11, 11I, 11II, 11III, 11IV) attached on the surface (3) of the foil (2), aligned with the switch elements (4) and individually manufactured by the injection moulding process, being directly glued onto the foil (2) and formed in whole or in part from a transparent or translucent material or a material that is impermeable to light,
characterised in that,
the switch elements (4) can be activated by the underside of the electrically conductive foil (2). - The layered keyboard in accordance with Claim 1,
characterised in that,
the key caps (11, 11I, 11II, 11III, 11IV) are manufactured from a thermoplastic elastomer material. - The layered keyboard in accordance with Claim 1 or 2,
characterised in that,
the adhesive layer (12) provided between the foil (2) and the key caps (11, 11', 11II, 11III, 11IV) consists of a material that is cured by exposure to UV radiation or heat. - The layered keyboard in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned claims,
characterised in that,
a coloured insert tab is inserted into each of the key caps (11, 11I 11II, 11III, 11IV) and is held within the key cap (11, 11I, 11II, 11III, 11IV). - The layered keyboard in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned claims,
characterised in that,
the exterior contours, the height and/or the surfaces (15) of the key caps (11, 11I, 11II, 11III, 11IV) can be configured in a variable manner. - The layered keyboard in accordance with Claim 5,
characterised in that,
one or more notches, projections, text characters and/or letters are formed into or worked onto the surfaces (15) of the key caps (11, 11I, 11II, 11III, 11IV). - The layered keyboard in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned claims,
characterised in that,
the key caps (11, 11I, 11II, 11III, 11IV) are wholly or partially coloured and/or the key caps (11, 11I 11II, 11III, 11IV) are configured as wholly or partially transparent and/or impermeable to light.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE10252238A DE10252238A1 (en) | 2002-11-07 | 2002-11-07 | keypad |
| DE10252238 | 2002-11-07 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP1418602A1 EP1418602A1 (en) | 2004-05-12 |
| EP1418602B1 true EP1418602B1 (en) | 2006-10-04 |
Family
ID=32103420
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP03019959A Expired - Lifetime EP1418602B1 (en) | 2002-11-07 | 2003-09-03 | Layered keyboard |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1418602B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE341827T1 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE10252238A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102006051350A1 (en) * | 2006-10-31 | 2008-05-08 | Raumedic Ag | Plastic body e.g. cap container, for use during packing of e.g. food, has injection molding-elevations forming Braille-characters and formed as one-piece at base body by injection molding process e.g. sandwich- injection molding |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB705382A (en) * | 1950-01-24 | 1954-03-10 | Rooy | Method of manufacturing plastic typewriter keys |
| JPH0611507B2 (en) * | 1986-10-08 | 1994-02-16 | 末広産業株式会社 | Molding method for resin molded product having a plurality of movable protrusions |
| US5510782A (en) * | 1992-08-03 | 1996-04-23 | Itt Corporation | Back lit keypad |
| US6677545B2 (en) * | 1997-02-18 | 2004-01-13 | Sunarrow Co., Ltd. | Illumination key and method of manufacture |
| DE19740478A1 (en) * | 1997-09-15 | 1999-03-18 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Thermoplastic elastomer component, especially a switching mat, for electrical equipment in vehicles |
| US5993019A (en) * | 1997-10-03 | 1999-11-30 | Delco Electronics Corporation | Molded two part button with illuminated graphic |
| MY123008A (en) * | 1998-07-31 | 2006-05-31 | Shinetsu Polymer Co | Key top element, push button switch element and method for manufacturing same |
| CN1248254C (en) * | 1999-08-27 | 2006-03-29 | 三菱电机株式会社 | Push-button switch and method for mfg. the same |
-
2002
- 2002-11-07 DE DE10252238A patent/DE10252238A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2003
- 2003-09-03 AT AT03019959T patent/ATE341827T1/en active
- 2003-09-03 EP EP03019959A patent/EP1418602B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-09-03 DE DE50305242T patent/DE50305242D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP1418602A1 (en) | 2004-05-12 |
| DE50305242D1 (en) | 2006-11-16 |
| DE10252238A1 (en) | 2004-05-27 |
| ATE341827T1 (en) | 2006-10-15 |
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