EP2362404B1 - Tastaturanordnung - Google Patents

Tastaturanordnung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2362404B1
EP2362404B1 EP20100154931 EP10154931A EP2362404B1 EP 2362404 B1 EP2362404 B1 EP 2362404B1 EP 20100154931 EP20100154931 EP 20100154931 EP 10154931 A EP10154931 A EP 10154931A EP 2362404 B1 EP2362404 B1 EP 2362404B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
substrate
dome
interlocking component
keypad
keypad assembly
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.)
Active
Application number
EP20100154931
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2362404A1 (de
Inventor
Chao Chen
Chen Charles Xu
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.)
BlackBerry Ltd
Original Assignee
BlackBerry Ltd
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 BlackBerry Ltd filed Critical BlackBerry Ltd
Priority to EP20100154931 priority Critical patent/EP2362404B1/de
Priority to CA2732547A priority patent/CA2732547C/en
Publication of EP2362404A1 publication Critical patent/EP2362404A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2362404B1 publication Critical patent/EP2362404B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—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
    • H01H13/704—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 the layers, e.g. by their material or structure
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/054—Optical elements
    • H01H2219/062—Light conductor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2223/00—Casings
    • H01H2223/002—Casings sealed
    • H01H2223/003—Membrane embracing all keys
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
    • H01H2229/042—Snap coupling; Snap mounting
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
    • H01H2239/018—Ground conductor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
    • H01H2239/034—Environmental protection

Definitions

  • the subject matter herein generally relates to keypad assemblies and in particular, to keypad assemblies with multiple switches or domes.
  • Some QWERTY keypads may contain up to thirty-five keys. Each key typically sits over a dome or popple, which is a switch that is positioned on a circuit board and that typically provides tactile feedback to the operator. When a key is pressed, the key contacts the dome and causes it to collapse. When this event occurs, a circuit underneath the dome is completed, and a corresponding event can be executed on the mobile device. Because each key in a QWERTY keypad has a corresponding dome, a mobile device containing this type of keypad may include up to thirty-five domes, as well.
  • some of the domes in a mobile device that includes a QWERTY keypad may be placed close to the edge of the device's circuit board. By positioning the domes near the edges of the circuit board, however, it may be easier for external contaminants, such as dust or water, to enter the mobile device due to the construction of the keypad. Although it is possible to move the domes that are located on the edges of the circuit board slightly towards the center of the board, such a process can cause the domes to be misaligned with the keys on the edges of the keypad. This misalignment can degrade the tactile feedback performance of the mobile device.
  • EP0444914 discloses a switch assembly comprising a housing, a rigid operating member mounted for movement relative to the housing and accessible to an operator, electrical contact means operable by movement of the operating member from a rest position to an operative position relative to the housing, flexible seal means between the operating member and the electrical contact means and capable of transmitting operative movement of the operating member to said contact means while preventing passage of moisture and other contaminants from the region of the operating member to the contact means, and, limit means preventing movement of the operating member relative to the contact means beyond the position at which the contact means is operated.
  • the switch can include further operating members and associated contacts and limit means carried by the housing and if desired the assembly can incorporate a heater for heating the operating member region of the assembly.
  • Coupled is defined as connected or integrated with, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components and is not necessarily limited to physical connections.
  • mobile device is defined as any electronic device that is capable of at least accepting information entries or commands from a user and includes its own power source.
  • substrate is defined as a supporting material on which circuitry is positioned, formed or fabricated.
  • dome is defined as a mechanism that at least assists in the translation of an action into a corresponding electrical signal.
  • sealed environment means a hermetically or substantially hermetically closed space or component.
  • compress means to make more compact by or as if by the act of pressing.
  • a “beveled surface” is defined as a surface that does not form a right angle with another surface.
  • deformable material is defined as a material whose shape may change when a force is applied to the material and may substantially return to its original form when the force is removed.
  • bend or “bending” means to force a material or component from one form into another form, including (but not limited to) a curved or angular form or direction.
  • some keypads designed for mobile devices may include a relatively large number of keys, some as high as thirty-five of them. There is, however, a limited amount of space available for the keypads. As a result, some of the domes for operating the keypad are positioned near the edge of the substrate on which they are positioned, which makes them more susceptible to contamination from the external environment.
  • a keypad assembly that overcomes these disadvantages is presented herein.
  • the keypad assembly includes a substrate and a plurality of domes positioned on the substrate and configured to translate operator action into a corresponding input for a machine.
  • the keypad assembly also includes a dome overlay positioned over the domes and the substrate in which the dome overlay can create a sealed environment for the substrate and the domes.
  • a light guide that directs light in the keypad assembly and an interlocking component coupled to the light guide can also be part of the keypad assembly.
  • the interlocking component can selectively compress the dome overlay to assist in the creation of the sealed environment. This configuration can permit domes to be placed near the edge of the substrate, as necessary in many mobile devices, and can also help protect the domes from being contaminated by external contaminants, such as dirt or humidity.
  • the mobile device 100 can include a housing 105, a display 110 and a keypad 115.
  • the keypad 115 can include a keyfield having a plurality of keys 120 arranged in a keyboard layout.
  • the keys 120 can be alpha-numeric keys, numeric keys or other function keys. It is understood, however, that the keypad 115 can alternatively be a touch keypad (not shown) that can be shown on the display 110 for touch-screen entry.
  • the mobile device 100 is a handheld wireless communication device
  • the mobile device 100 can be any of the following: a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld electronic device, a non-handheld wireless communication device, a pager, a cellular phone, a cellular smart-phone, a wireless organizer, a wirelessly enabled notebook computer and the like.
  • PDA personal digital assistant
  • a handheld electronic device a non-handheld wireless communication device
  • a pager a cellular phone
  • a cellular smart-phone a wireless organizer
  • a wirelessly enabled notebook computer and the like.
  • a substrate 200 having a plurality of dome pads 205 is shown.
  • Each dome pad 205, along with a dome cover (not shown here), can form part of a dome (also not shown here).
  • the keypad 115 of FIG 1 may be positioned over the substrate 200 and the dome pads 205.
  • the domes can be configured to translate operator action into a corresponding input for a machine, such as the mobile device 100.
  • the domes can be compressible and can translate the operator action when the operator presses the keypad 115 in a predetermined area by completing a circuit.
  • the operator can press a particular key 120, which can cause the dome corresponding to that key 120 to be compressed.
  • the dome can complete a circuit (not shown) defined by the dome pads 205 that can cause a corresponding event to occur in the mobile device 100, such as the selection of an option in a menu or the entry of a character in a message.
  • the substrate 200 can be made of any material that is suitable for supporting circuitry, such as signal traces or paths.
  • the substrate 200 can be a flexible printed circuit that can be positioned in the housing 105 of the mobile device 100.
  • the substrate 200 can include one or more edges 210, which can define a perimeter of the substrate 200.
  • At least some of the dome pads 205 can be outer dome pads 215 that can be located along an edge 210 of the substrate 200.
  • These outer dome pads 215 can help form outer domes (not shown) that also can be located along an edge 210 of the substrate. As noted earlier, these outer domes may be more susceptible to external contaminants than domes that are closer to the center of the substrate 200.
  • the keypad assembly 300 can include the substrate 200 of FIG. 2 , on which a plurality of domes 302 may be positioned.
  • Each dome 302 can include a corresponding dome pad 205 (see also FIG. 2 ) and a corresponding dome cover 304 in which the dome cover 304 is positioned substantially over the dome pad 205.
  • the dome cover 304 can be a compressible structure and can contact the dome pad 205 when the dome cover 304 is forced down, thereby completing a circuit and causing a corresponding action in the mobile device 100 to occur. When the force is removed, the dome cover 304 can return substantially to its original state.
  • the assembly 300 can also include a stiffener 305, which can provide support to the substrate 200, particularly if the substrate is a flexible printed circuit.
  • the stiffener 305 can be made of metal, although other suitable materials may be considered.
  • a conductive adhesive 310 can be applied between these components.
  • the conductive adhesive 310 can also be useful for grounding purposes.
  • the keypad assembly 300 can be assembled into the mobile device 100, and another adhesive 315 can be used to secure the stiffener 305 to the housing 105.
  • the keypad assembly 300 can also include a light guide 320 that directs light in the assembly 300.
  • a cross-section of the keypad 115 is also shown in FIG. 3 , and the keypad 115 can be coupled to the light guide 320.
  • the keypad 115 can be made of a flexible material, such as rubber or plastic. If the keypad 115 is made of rubber, then the keypad 115 can be co-molded to the light guide 320. As another example, if the keypad 115 is made of plastic, the keypad 115 can be insert molded with the light guide 320 or generated through a two-shot injection molding process. In another arrangement, a film 325 can be positioned over at least a portion of the keypad 115 and the light guide 320 to prevent an unintended emission of light from the keypad assembly 300.
  • a dome overlay 330 is positioned over the domes 302 and the substrate 200.
  • the dome overlay 330 can be a film made up of plastic and can include an adhesive (not shown) to help secure the dome overlay 330 to the domes 302 and the substrate 200.
  • the dome overlay 330 can protect these components from external contaminants.
  • the term "dome overlay" is defined as a protective layer that is capable of covering a substrate and components positioned on the substrate and protecting them from contaminants.
  • the dome covers 304 can be part of the dome overlay 330, and when the dome overlay 330 is secured to the substrate 200, the dome covers 304 can be positioned over and in mechanical communication with the dome pads 205.
  • an adhesive (not shown) can secure the tops of the dome covers 304 to the dome overlay 330 prior to the dome overlay 330 being adhered to the substrate 200.
  • the keypad assembly 300 includes one or more interlocking components 335.
  • the interlocking component 335 can be positioned at an edge 210 of the substrate 200 and can compress the dome overlay 330 at a point of contact 340 of the substrate 200.
  • the interlocking component 335 compresses the dome overlay 330 by bending the dome overlay 330 at the edge 210 of the substrate 200.
  • the interlocking component 335 can include a beveled surface 345 that can contact and bend the dome overlay 330 at the point of contact 340. To ensure this engagement, the dome overlay 330 can extend beyond the edge 210 of the substrate 200.
  • interlocking component is defined as a mechanism that engages and at least assists in the securing of a protective layer to a substrate.
  • the interlocking component 335 can be made of a deformable material, such as rubber or a soft plastic, and can be attached or coupled to the light guide 320.
  • the interlocking component 335 can be co-molded to the light guide 320 or produced through a two-shot injection molding step. It is understood, however, that the interlocking component 335 can be made of other suitable materials and may be coupled to the light guide 320 through other measures. Moreover, the interlocking component 335 can even be an integral part of the light guide 320, if so desired.
  • the interlocking component 335 can be positioned at a dome location 350 along the edge 210 of the substrate 200. Specifically, the interlocking component 335 can be substantially aligned in the same plane as a dome 302 located near or adjacent to the edge 210 of the substrate 200. As a more specific example, a center point of the dome 302 can be substantially parallel or horizontal with a center point of the interlocking component 335. This alignment can ensure that the interlocking components 335 are positioned closest to the domes 302, particularly those near the edges 210 of the substrate 200. Being positioned closer to the domes 302 can improve the sealing function of the interlocking component 335.
  • the stiffener 305 can include an engaging structure 355 that can engage the interlocking component 335 for maintaining the interlocking component 335 in position.
  • the engaging structure 355 can be a hook-shaped extension 360 in which one end can be attached to the stiffener 305 and the other end can be positioned over a surface 365 of the interlocking component 335. Focusing on the end positioned over the surface 365, in one implementation, the engaging structure 355 can contact surface 365 of the interlocking component 335, thereby helping the interlocking component 335 compress the dome overlay 330. This engagement can also provide support to help combat the consequences of an accidental drop of the mobile device 100 (see FIG. 1 ).
  • the engaging structure 355 can be positioned just above the surface 365 of the interlocking component 335 so that the engaging structure 355 does not directly contact the interlocking component 335 during normal conditions. When the impact from a drop is experienced, however, the engaging structure 355 could contact the interlocking component 335, thereby minimizing the effect of the drop.
  • the keypad 115 can include one or more compression legs 370.
  • the compression leg 370 can contact the dome overlay 330 and provide a compression force when the keypad 115 is built into the keypad assembly 300.
  • one or more stiffeners (not shown), such as a small rod or plate, can be attached to the compression leg 370 to provide the leg 370 with greater structural stability.
  • the interlocking component 335 is shown from a different angle, in comparison to that of FIG. 3 .
  • This view shows a surface 400 of the substrate 200 that does not include the domes 302.
  • the interlocking component 335 can be attached to the light guide 320, and the dome overlay 330 can extend beyond the substrate 200.
  • the interlocking component 335 can compress the dome overlay 330 at the point of contact 340.
  • a method 500 of assembling a keypad assembly is shown. To describe this method, reference may be made to the components of FIGs. 1-4 , although the method can be applicable to or practiced with other structures. Moreover, the steps of the method 500 are not limited to the order in which they are presented here, and the method 500 may include a greater (or even fewer) number of steps than what is shown.
  • the substrate 200 having a plurality of dome pads 205 is secured to the stiffener 305.
  • the dome overlay 330 - including the dome covers 304 - is placed over the substrate 200 such that a portion of the dome overlay 330 extends beyond the edge 210 of the substrate 200.
  • the dome covers 304 and the dome pads 205 can form the domes 302.
  • the interlocking component 335 is positioned against a portion of the dome overlay 330 extending beyond the edge 210 of the substrate 200 such that the interlocking component 335 compresses the portion of the dome overlay 330. This process can assist in the creation of a sealed environment for the domes 302.
  • the interlocking component 335 can be engaged with the engaging structure 355 of the stiffener 305 to maintain the interlocking component 335 in position to compress the portion of the dome overlay 330.
  • the mobile device 100 can include a processor 610 that can control the operation of the mobile device 100.
  • a communication subsystem 612 can perform all communication transmission and reception with a wireless network 614.
  • the processor 610 can further be coupled to an auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem 616, which can be coupled to the mobile device 100.
  • the processor 610 can be coupled to a serial port (for example, a Universal Serial Bus port) 618, which can allow for communication with other devices or systems.
  • the display 110 can be coupled to the processor 610 to allow for displaying of information to an operator of the mobile device 100.
  • the keypad 115 can also be coupled to the processor 610.
  • the mobile device 100 can include a speaker 620, a microphone 622, random access memory (RAM) 624 and flash memory 626, all of which can be coupled to the processor 610.
  • Other similar components can be provided on the mobile device 100 and optionally coupled to the processor 610.
  • Other communication subsystems 628 and other communication device subsystems 630 are generally indicated as being functionally coupled with the processor 610, as well.
  • An example of a communication subsystem 628 is that of a short range communication system such as BLUETOOTH® communication module or a WI-FI® communication module (a communication module in compliance with IEEE 802.11 set of protocols) and associated circuits and components.
  • the processor 610 is able to perform operating system functions and can enable execution of programs on the mobile device 100.
  • not all of the above components may be included in the mobile device 100.
  • the keypad 115 is not provided as a separate component and is displayed as required on a dynamic touch display (not shown).
  • the keypad 115 can be displayed as a touchscreen keypad (not shown).
  • a touchscreen module can be incorporated in such an embodiment such that it is in communication with the processor 610. When inputs are received on the touchscreen keypad, the touchscreen module can send or relay messages corresponding to those inputs to the processor 610.
  • the auxiliary I/O subsystem 616 can take the form of a navigation tool, such as an optical trackpad, a thumbwheel, a mechanical trackball, a joystick, a touch-sensitive interface, or some other I/O interface.
  • Other auxiliary I/O subsystems can include external display devices and externally connected keyboards (not shown). While the above examples have been provided in relation to the auxiliary I/O subsystem 616, other subsystems capable of providing input or receiving output from the mobile device 100 are considered within the scope of this disclosure.
  • Other keys or buttons can be placed along the side of the mobile device 100 to function as escape keys, volume control keys, scrolling keys, power switches, or user programmable keys, and can likewise be programmed accordingly.
  • the mobile device 100 can be equipped with components to enable operation of various programs, as shown in FIG. 6 .
  • the flash memory 626 can be enabled to provide a storage location for an operating system 632, device programs 634 and data.
  • the operating system 632 can generally be configured to manage other programs 634 that are also stored in flash memory 626 and executable on the processor 610.
  • the operating system 632 can honor requests for services made by programs 634 through predefined program 634 interfaces. More specifically, the operating system 632 can typically determine the order in which multiple programs 634 are executed on the processor 610 and the execution time allotted for each program 634, manage the sharing of flash memory 626 among multiple programs 634, handle input and output to and from other device subsystems 630, and so on.
  • a user interface which can include the display 110 and the keypad 115.
  • the operating system 632 is stored in flash memory 626, the operating system 632 in other embodiments is stored in read-only memory (ROM) or a similar storage element (not shown).
  • ROM read-only memory
  • the operating system 632, the device program 634 or parts thereof can be loaded in RAM 624 or some other volatile memory.
  • the flash memory 626 can contain programs 634 for execution on the mobile device 100 including an address book 636, a personal information manager (PIM) 638 and the device state 640. Furthermore, programs 634 and other information 642 including data can be segregated upon storage in the flash memory 626 of the mobile device 100.
  • programs 634 and other information 642 including data can be segregated upon storage in the flash memory 626 of the mobile device 100.
  • the mobile device 100 When the mobile device 100 is enabled for two-way communication within the wireless communication network 614, it can send and receive messages from a mobile communication service.
  • Examples of communication systems enabled for two-way communication can include, but are not limited to, the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network, the Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service (UMTS) network, the Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) network, the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) networks, Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service Time Division Duplexing (UMTS-TDD), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) networks, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) networks, Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks and other networks that can be used for data and voice, or just data or voice.
  • GPRS General Packet Radio Service
  • UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service
  • EDGE Enhanced Data for Global Evolution
  • CDMA Code Division Multiple Access
  • UMTS-TDD Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service Time Division
  • the mobile device 100 can require a unique identifier to enable the mobile device 100 to transmit and receive messages from the communication network 614. Other systems may not require such identifying information.
  • SIM Subscriber Identity Module
  • RUIM Removable User Identity Module
  • the RUIM and SIM card can be used in multiple different mobile devices 100.
  • the mobile device 100 can be able to operate some features without a SIM/RUIM card.
  • a SIM/RUIM interface 644 located within the mobile device 100 can allow for removal or insertion of a SIM/RUIM card (not shown).
  • the SIM/RUIM card can feature memory and can hold key configurations 646, and other information 648, such as identification and subscriber related information. With a properly enabled mobile device 100, two-way communication between the mobile device 100 and communication network 614 is possible.
  • the two-way communication enabled mobile device 100 can both transmit and receive information from the communication network 614.
  • the transfer of communication can be from the mobile device 100 or to the mobile device 100.
  • the mobile device 100 in the presently described exemplary embodiment is equipped with an integral or internal antenna 650 for transmitting messages to the communication network 614.
  • the mobile device 100 in the presently described exemplary embodiment can be equipped with another antenna 652 for receiving communication from the communication network 614.
  • These antennae (650, 652), in another exemplary embodiment can be combined into a single antenna (not shown).
  • the antenna or antennae (650, 652) in another embodiment can be externally mounted on the mobile device 100.
  • the mobile device 100 can also have a transmitter 654 and a receiver 656, which can be respectively coupled to antennae (650, 652), and can also include one or more local oscillators 658 for processing the incoming or outgoing RF signals.
  • the mobile device 100 can also have a digital signal processor (DSP) 660 to assist in the processing of the incoming and outgoing signals.
  • DSP digital signal processor
  • Portions of the mobile device 100 and supporting components can take the form of hardware elements, software elements or elements containing both hardware and software.
  • the software portions can include, but are not limited to, firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.
  • these software portions can take the form of a computer program product accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable medium providing program code for use by or in connection with a computer or any instruction execution system.
  • a computer-usable or computer readable medium can be any apparatus that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
  • the medium can be an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system (or apparatus or device) or a propagation medium (though propagation mediums in and of themselves as signal carriers are not included in the definition of physical computer-readable medium).
  • Examples of a physical computer-readable medium include a semiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk and an optical disk.
  • Current examples of optical disks include compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD.
  • processors and program code for implementing each as aspect of the system can be centralized or distributed (or a combination thereof) as known to those skilled in the art.
  • a data processing system suitable for storing program code and for executing grogram code can include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus.
  • the memory elements can include local memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories that provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage during execution.
  • I/O devices including but not limited to keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc. can be coupled to the system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers.

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Claims (14)

  1. Eine Tastaturanordnung (300), die aufweist:
    ein Substrat (200);
    eine Vielzahl von Kuppeln (302), die auf dem Substrat (200) positioniert sind und konfiguriert sind zum Übersetzen einer Bediener-Aktion in eine entsprechende Eingabe für eine Maschine;
    eine Kuppel-Überlagerung (330), die über den Kuppeln (302) und dem Substrat (200) positioniert ist, wobei sich die Kuppel-Überlagerung (330) über einen Rand des Substrats hinaus erstreckt und einen Spalt zwischen dem Substrat (200) und den Kuppeln (302) abdichtet; und
    eine Verriegelungskomponente (335), die die Kuppel-Überlagerung (330) durch Biegen der Kuppel-Überlagerung (330) an dem Rand (210) des Substrats (200) komprimiert.
  2. Die Tastaturanordnung (300) gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei das Substrat (200) eine flexible Leiterplatte ist und die Tastaturanordnung (300) weiter eine Versteifung (305) aufweist, die eine Unterstützung für die flexible Leiterplatte vorsieht.
  3. Die Tastaturanordnung (300) gemäß Anspruch 2, wobei die Versteifung (305) eine Eingriffsstruktur (355) umfasst, die in die Verriegelungskomponente (335) eingreift, um die Verriegelungskomponente (335) in Position zu halten.
  4. Die Tastaturanordnung (300) gemäß Anspruch 3, wobei die Eingriffsstruktur (355) eine hakenförmige Erweiterung (360) ist, die über einer Oberfläche (365) der Verriegelungskomponente (335) positioniert ist.
  5. Die Tastaturanordnung (300) gemäß Anspruch 2, die weiter einen leitfähigen Klebstoff (310) aufweist, der die flexible Leiterplatte an der Versteifung (305) sichert.
  6. Die Tastaturanordnung (300) gemäß Anspruch 1, die weiter eine Tastatur (115) aufweist, die über der Kuppel-Überlagerung (330) positioniert ist, wobei die Tastatur (115) einen Komprimierungsabschnitt (370) umfasst, der in die Kuppel-Überlagerung (330) eingreift.
  7. Die Tastaturanordnung (300) gemäß Anspruch 6, wobei die Kuppeln (302) komprimierbare Kuppeln sind, die die Bediener-Aktion übersetzen, wenn der Bediener die Tastatur (115) in einem vorgegebenen Bereich drückt.
  8. Die Tastaturanordnung (300) gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Verriegelungskomponente (335) eine abgeschrägte Oberfläche (345) aufweist, die die Kuppel-Überlagerung (330) kontaktiert, um der Verriegelungskomponente (335) zu ermöglichen, die Kuppel-Überlagerung (330) zu komprimieren.
  9. Die Tastaturanordnung (300) gemäß Anspruch 1, die weiter einen Lichtleiter (320) aufweist, der Licht in die Tastaturanordnung (300) leitet, und wobei die Verriegelungskomponente (335) mit dem Lichtleiter (320) gekoppelt ist.
  10. Die Tastaturanordnung (300) gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Verriegelungskomponente (335) aus einem verformbaren Material besteht.
  11. Die Tastaturanordnung (300) gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Verriegelungskomponente (335) an einer Kuppelstelle (350) entlang eines Rands (210) des Substrats (200) positioniert ist.
  12. Ein Verfahren (500) zum Zusammensetzen einer Tastaturanordnung (300), das aufweist:
    Sichern (505) eines Substrats (200) mit einer Vielzahl von Kuppel-Pads (205) an einer Versteifung (305);
    Anordnen (510) einer Kuppel-Überlagerung (330) über dem Substrat (200) derart, dass sich ein Teil der Kuppel-Überlagerung (330) über einen Rand (210) des Substrats (200) hinaus erstreckt; und
    Positionieren (515) einer Verriegelungskomponente (335) gegen einen Teil der Kuppel-Überlagerung (330), der sich über den Rand (210) des Substrats (200) hinaus erstreckt, derart, dass die
    Verriegelungskomponente (335) den Teil der Kuppel-Überlagerung (330) komprimiert durch Biegen der Kuppel-Überlagerung (330) an dem Rand (210) des Substrats (200) zum Abdichten einer Vielzahl von Kuppeln (302).
  13. Das Verfahren (500) gemäß Anspruch 12, das weiter ein Eingreifen (520) in die Verriegelungskomponente (335) mit einer Eingriffsstruktur (355) der Versteifung (305) aufweist, um die Verriegelungskomponente (335) in Position zu halten, um den Teil der Kuppel-Überlagerung (330) zu komprimieren.
  14. Das Verfahren (500) gemäß Anspruch 12, wobei die Verriegelungskomponente (335) Teil eines Lichtleiters (320) ist.
EP20100154931 2010-02-26 2010-02-26 Tastaturanordnung Active EP2362404B1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20100154931 EP2362404B1 (de) 2010-02-26 2010-02-26 Tastaturanordnung
CA2732547A CA2732547C (en) 2010-02-26 2011-02-24 Keypad assembly

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20100154931 EP2362404B1 (de) 2010-02-26 2010-02-26 Tastaturanordnung

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2362404A1 EP2362404A1 (de) 2011-08-31
EP2362404B1 true EP2362404B1 (de) 2014-12-31

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ID=42289304

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20100154931 Active EP2362404B1 (de) 2010-02-26 2010-02-26 Tastaturanordnung

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EP (1) EP2362404B1 (de)
CA (1) CA2732547C (de)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4056701A (en) * 1976-07-08 1977-11-01 Bowmar Instrument Corporation Low profile lighted push button switch
GB9004532D0 (en) * 1990-02-28 1990-04-25 Lucas Ind Plc Switch assembly
JP3419388B2 (ja) * 2000-07-17 2003-06-23 日本電気株式会社 操作キーを備えた電子機器およびその製造方法
JP4417588B2 (ja) * 2001-06-07 2010-02-17 株式会社フジクラ メタルドームシート
JPWO2005124805A1 (ja) * 2004-06-15 2008-04-17 日本航空電子工業株式会社 ドーム接点およびそれを用いた多段動作電気スイッチ

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CA2732547C (en) 2015-07-14
CA2732547A1 (en) 2011-08-26
EP2362404A1 (de) 2011-08-31

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