EP1428235A1 - Element de commutation de type film - Google Patents

Element de commutation de type film

Info

Publication number
EP1428235A1
EP1428235A1 EP02772213A EP02772213A EP1428235A1 EP 1428235 A1 EP1428235 A1 EP 1428235A1 EP 02772213 A EP02772213 A EP 02772213A EP 02772213 A EP02772213 A EP 02772213A EP 1428235 A1 EP1428235 A1 EP 1428235A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
switching element
electrodes
contact
element according
film
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP02772213A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Laurent Federspiel
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.)
IEE International Electronics and Engineering SA
Original Assignee
IEE International Electronics and Engineering SA
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 IEE International Electronics and Engineering SA filed Critical IEE International Electronics and Engineering SA
Publication of EP1428235A1 publication Critical patent/EP1428235A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
    • H01H2239/03—Avoiding erroneous switching

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a switching element, in particular a switching element in foil construction.
  • Switching elements in foil construction e.g. Membrane switches, film pressure sensors or the like generally comprise at least two essentially elastic film layers which are arranged at a certain distance from one another. This happens e.g. by means of a spacer which is arranged around the active region of the switching element and on which the two film layers are glued with their respective edges.
  • various contact arrangements are applied to the film layers, between which an electrical contact is made when the two film layers are pressed together, so that the switching element is triggered.
  • the pressure on the film layers is relieved, they again assume their spaced apart position due to their elasticity and the electrical contact between the different contact arrangements is interrupted.
  • Such switching elements have a very good response, which can also be adapted to the particular application by the design of the elastic film layers.
  • Such a switching element also has a very low installation height and is characterized in particular by the diverse options for the design of the button. As a result, such switching elements are particularly suitable for use in those areas in which a small structural size and a flexible design of the buttons are required.
  • Such seat occupancy sensors include a variety of individual switching elements, which are arranged distributed over a seat of a seat in the vehicle seat.
  • the switching elements are arranged, for example, between the seat foam and the seat cover.
  • this location of the switching elements in particular causes problems for some seats.
  • the tension in the seat cover is so high that some of the switching elements are already actuated by the seat cover and are therefore triggered even when the seat is not occupied.
  • Such a triggering caused by the installation position can in principle be avoided by an appropriate configuration of the carrier foils, e.g. less flexible carrier foils with a higher modulus of elasticity can be used.
  • the use of less flexible carrier films in particular in the case of pressure sensors, simultaneously leads to a deterioration in the dynamics of the switching element.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to propose a switching element in a film construction which enables an improved adaptation of the switching characteristic.
  • Such a switching element in film construction comprises a first carrier film and a second carrier film, which are arranged at a certain distance from one another by means of a spacer, the spacer at least in an active region of the switching element has a recess, and wherein in the active area of the switching element a contact arrangement with at least two electrodes is arranged such that when the two film layers are pressed together, an electrical contact is made between the electrodes.
  • a contact arrangement with at least two electrodes is arranged such that when the two film layers are pressed together, an electrical contact is made between the electrodes.
  • the lateral dimensions of the structure should be significantly smaller than the respective corresponding dimensions of the active area of the switching element so that the switching element can be triggered.
  • the use threshold of the switching element can be adjusted over a wide range by a suitable configuration of the shape and extension of the structure. It is therefore possible to optimally adapt the switching characteristic of such a switching element over a wide range to the desired application.
  • the structure made of electrically non-conductive material, ie of dielectric material can have, for example, at least one point-like elevation.
  • the punctiform elevation can, for example, be applied centrally in the active area of the switching element to one of the carrier foils or to the contact arrangement.
  • the structure consists of several punctiform elevations, for example, are arranged in a symmetrical arrangement over the surface of the active area of the switching element.
  • the structure has at least one annular elevation, which is or are preferably arranged concentrically to the active region of the switching element.
  • Another variant relates, for example, to one or more linear elevations, which are preferably arranged in a radial orientation, for example at the edge of the active region.
  • a symmetrical arrangement is preferred in terms of an optimized switching characteristic.
  • the structure of dielectric material can also have any combination of the above-mentioned shapes.
  • the height of the structure is generally chosen to be significantly smaller than the height of the spacer, i.e. than the distance between the two carrier films. This is the only way to ensure that at least one of the carrier foils has already undergone a sufficiently large deflection when the mechanical contacting is inserted in order to cause an electrical contact between the electrodes when the pressure on the switching element increases further. This is the only way to ensure good switching element dynamics above the operating threshold of the switching element.
  • the height of the structure should therefore be less than one third of the height of the spacer, preferably even less than one sixth of the height of the spacer.
  • the switching element can function, for example, in the so-called "through mode".
  • the contact arrangement comprises two electrodes, a first electrode being applied to the first carrier film and a second electrode being applied opposite the first electrode to the second carrier film.
  • the switching element is also to be used as a film pressure sensor, at least one of the two electrodes has a layer made of a pressure-sensitive material such that the electrical resistance between the electrodes when the two film layers are pressed together depends on the pressure exerted on the switching element.
  • semiconductor compounds are often used as the pressure-sensitive material, which either have a pressure-variable specific resistance or whose surface resistance to an electrode changes with the pressure that occurs.
  • the switching element works in the so-called "shunt mode".
  • the contact arrangement comprises two electrodes and a contact element, the two electrodes being applied spaced apart on one of the two carrier films and the contact element being applied opposite the first and second electrodes on the other of the two carrier films.
  • the contact element is pressed onto the two electrodes, so that the two electrodes are electrically contacted across the contact element.
  • Such a switching element can also be designed as a film pressure sensor, at least one of the two electrodes or the contact element having a layer made of a pressure-sensitive material, such that the electrical resistance between the electrodes when the two film layers are pressed together depends on the pressure exerted on the switching element.
  • the structure made of dielectric material can either be applied directly to one of the two carrier films or else to one of the electrodes or the contact element. It should be noted here that in the case of a structure with several elements, these elements are distributed over various of the elements mentioned. For example, one half of the elements of the structure can be applied to each of the two carrier films. It should be noted that the structure of the non-conductive material is preferably applied to the carrier films or the electrodes or the contact element by printing, for example in a screen printing process.
  • FIG. 1 a section through an embodiment of a switching element (a) according to the invention and a plan view of the active area of the switching element (b);
  • Fig.2 different configurations of the structure made of non-conductive material.
  • Fig. 1 shows under a) a section through a switching element in film construction.
  • the switching element 10 comprises a first and a second carrier film 12 and 14, which are laminated together by means of a spacer 16, for example a double-sided adhesive film.
  • the spacer 16 has a recess 20, so that the two carrier foils 12 and 14 are spaced apart in this area.
  • contact arrangements 22 and 24 are arranged on the inside of the carrier films 12 and 14, between which an electrical contact is made when the two carrier films are pressed together.
  • the contact arrangements 22 or 24 can, for example, comprise electrode structures, at least one of the contact arrangements additionally having a layer made of a pressure-sensitive material.
  • the contact arrangements are applied, for example, to the corresponding surfaces of the carrier films in a screen printing process before the carrier films are laminated together.
  • a structure 26 made of a dielectric, ie electrically non-conductive material is applied in the central area of the active area in the switching element 10 shown.
  • the structure 26 has a point-like elevation, which when pressed together of the two carrier foils first makes a mechanical contact between the two foils before the electrodes are electrically contacted.
  • FIG. 2 shows, in a top view of an active area of a switching element, different possible configurations of such a structure made of dielectric material.
  • a point-like elevation is shown in Fig. 1 a) and b).
  • 2 b) shows an embodiment with several point-like elevations.
  • an embodiment with two-ring structures is shown.
  • the partial images d) and e) show different possible configurations of the structure with linear elevations that extend radially from the edge of the active region into the center.
  • a combination of annular and linear elements is shown under f).

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un élément de commutation de type film qui comprend un premier film de support et un second film de support montés à une certaine distance l'un de l'autre au moyen d'un écarteur. Cet écarteur présente un évidement au moins dans une zone active de l'élément de commutation. Un dispositif de contact comprenant au moins deux électrodes est monté dans la zone active de l'élément de commutation de façon qu'un contact électrique s'établit entre les électrodes lorsque les deux couches de film sont comprimées. Selon cette invention, une structure en matériau non électroconducteur est située dans la zone active de l'élément de commutation et empêche la mise en contact des électrodes dans la zone de ladite structure.
EP02772213A 2001-09-19 2002-08-27 Element de commutation de type film Withdrawn EP1428235A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
LU90835 2001-09-19
LU90835 2001-09-19
PCT/EP2002/009536 WO2003025961A1 (fr) 2001-09-19 2002-08-27 Element de commutation de type film

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1428235A1 true EP1428235A1 (fr) 2004-06-16

Family

ID=19732017

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02772213A Withdrawn EP1428235A1 (fr) 2001-09-19 2002-08-27 Element de commutation de type film

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US7161460B2 (fr)
EP (1) EP1428235A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2005503647A (fr)
WO (1) WO2003025961A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1437584A1 (fr) * 2003-01-07 2004-07-14 IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A. Capteur de pression avec une couche sensorique élastique, dont la surface est micro-structurée
US7187264B2 (en) * 2003-02-20 2007-03-06 Iee International Electronics & Engineering S.A. Foil-type switching element with improved spacer design
ES2281000T3 (es) * 2003-06-23 2007-09-16 IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A. Sensor de ocupacion de asiento.
DE102004005952A1 (de) * 2004-02-02 2005-08-25 E.G.O. Elektro-Gerätebau GmbH Bedieneinrichtung für ein Elektrogerät mit einem Bedien-Feld und einem Sensorelement darunter sowie Verfahren zum Betrieb der Bedieneinrichtung
DE102004055469A1 (de) * 2004-11-17 2006-05-24 Siemens Ag Sensor mit verformungsabhängigem Widerstandswert
DE202005000018U1 (de) * 2005-01-03 2005-03-24 Iee Sarl Sensormatte mit zwei Schaltniveaus
EP2006869A1 (fr) 2007-06-22 2008-12-24 IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A. Elément de commutation sous forme de feuille
US8587422B2 (en) 2010-03-31 2013-11-19 Tk Holdings, Inc. Occupant sensing system
DE102011006448A1 (de) 2010-03-31 2011-10-06 Tk Holdings, Inc. Lenkradsensoren
DE102011006649B4 (de) 2010-04-02 2018-05-03 Tk Holdings Inc. Lenkrad mit Handsensoren
WO2013154720A1 (fr) 2012-04-13 2013-10-17 Tk Holdings Inc. Capteur de pression comprenant un matériau sensible à la pression à utiliser avec des systèmes de commande et ses procédés d'utilisation
DE112013004512T5 (de) 2012-09-17 2015-06-03 Tk Holdings Inc. Einzelschicht-Kraftsensor
WO2019182459A1 (fr) * 2018-03-20 2019-09-26 Auckland Uniservices Limited Commutateurs souples, capteurs et circuits
LU101060B1 (en) * 2018-12-17 2020-06-17 Iee Sa Foil-Based Pressure Sensor

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US4314227A (en) * 1979-09-24 1982-02-02 Eventoff Franklin Neal Electronic pressure sensitive transducer apparatus
US4382165A (en) * 1980-09-22 1983-05-03 Rogers Corporation Membrane keyboard and method of formation thereof
JPS5810335U (ja) * 1981-07-15 1983-01-22 信越ポリマ−株式会社 薄型キ−ボ−ド装置
DE3320116A1 (de) * 1983-06-03 1984-12-06 Preh, Elektrofeinmechanische Werke Jakob Preh Nachf. Gmbh & Co, 8740 Bad Neustadt Tastschaltvorrichtung
US4594482A (en) * 1984-01-23 1986-06-10 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Input element with improved appearance and reliability
US4659873A (en) * 1985-07-19 1987-04-21 Elographics, Inc. Fabric touch sensor and method of manufacture
US4677417A (en) * 1985-12-06 1987-06-30 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Tablet type input device
US4940959A (en) * 1987-07-09 1990-07-10 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Reversible resistant device
DE3809770A1 (de) * 1988-03-23 1989-10-05 Preh Elektro Feinmechanik Tastschalter
JPH01282802A (ja) * 1988-05-09 1989-11-14 Toshiba Silicone Co Ltd 感圧抵抗素子
US4914416A (en) * 1988-09-01 1990-04-03 Takahiro Kunikane Pressure sensing electric conductor and its manufacturing method
US5695859A (en) * 1995-04-27 1997-12-09 Burgess; Lester E. Pressure activated switching device
US6114645A (en) * 1995-04-27 2000-09-05 Burgess; Lester E. Pressure activated switching device
DE19530092A1 (de) * 1995-08-16 1997-02-20 Daimler Benz Ag Überprüfbarer Foliendrucksensor
JPH1078357A (ja) * 1996-09-04 1998-03-24 Alps Electric Co Ltd 感圧抵抗素子
LU90286B1 (fr) * 1998-09-11 2000-03-13 Iee Sarl Capteur de force
LU90594B1 (de) * 2000-06-09 2001-12-10 Iee Sarl Beleuchtetes Schaltelement
DE60107427T2 (de) * 2000-06-30 2005-11-24 Vitelec B.V. Druckempfindlicher schalter
LU90783B1 (en) * 2001-05-28 2003-05-09 Ie Internat Electronics & Engi Foil-type switching element
US7187264B2 (en) * 2003-02-20 2007-03-06 Iee International Electronics & Engineering S.A. Foil-type switching element with improved spacer design

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
See references of WO03025961A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2003025961A1 (fr) 2003-03-27
US7161460B2 (en) 2007-01-09
JP2005503647A (ja) 2005-02-03
US20050006216A1 (en) 2005-01-13

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