EP2478542A1

EP2478542A1 - Touch-sensitive switch

Info

Publication number: EP2478542A1
Application number: EP10754478A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David Zieder
Original assignee: Nicomatic SA
Current assignee: Nicomatic SA
Priority date: 2009-09-15
Filing date: 2010-09-14
Publication date: 2012-07-25
Also published as: FR2950193A1; WO2011032923A1; US20120186965A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a touch-sensitive switch, characterized in that it includes at least one dome (7, 107, 207a, 207b), at least one disk (11), and at least one insulator (13, 213a, 213b) arranged between said dome (7, 107, 207a, 207b) and said disk (11), such that the peripheral portions of said dome (7, 107, 207a, 207b) and said disk (11) are each in contact with a surface of said insulator (13, 213a, 213b), said insulator (13, 213a, 213b) having a central opening (27) so as to enable contact between said dome (7, 107, 207a, 207b) and said disk (11) when subjected to a force bringing the same closer to one another.

Description

Touch switch

The invention relates to a touch-sensitive switch.

In a known manner, a touch-sensitive switch comprises two conductive members between which electrical continuity is established when the switch is subjected to mechanical activation, for example by one or more fingers of a user, and the switch transmits a tactile feedback. to this user.

Currently, the touch-sensitive switches must meet certain dimensional constraints and be smaller and smaller to have a small footprint.

For example, for various security applications, electronic banking, or other, it is desired to incorporate such touch-sensitive switches to thin media, similar to bank cards.

Given the dimensions of such cards, the touch-sensitive switches must have a small thickness of the order of 0.4 mm.

However, the known touch-sensitive switches do not generally meet this dimension criterion.

The invention therefore aims to overcome this disadvantage of the prior art by providing a touch-sensitive switch of small thickness while ensuring a sufficient tactile feedback to the user.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a touch-sensitive switch characterized in that it comprises at least one dome, at least one disc and at least one insulator disposed between said dome and said disc, so that the peripheral parts said dome and said disk are each in contact with a face of said insulator and are thus facing either side of said insulator, said insulator having a central orifice so as to allow contact between said dome and said disk when are subject to a mutual rapprochement force.

Thus formed, said switch ensures a tactile feedback and has a small thickness to integrate easily in or on thin media without increasing the size. Said switch may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken separately or in combination:

said switch comprises a spacer configured to be arranged between said switch and a support of said switch, to improve the operation of said switch,

the spacer is an insulating spacer,

said switch has two connecting members respectively configured to cooperate with an associated connection pad of the support of said switch,

the spacer is a conductive spacer, which simplifies the connection between said switch and the support of said switch,

said switch has a single connection element configured to cooperate with an associated connection pad of the support of said switch,

the spacer is formed by an adhesive so as to be able to set up said switch simply and rapidly on the support of said switch,

the spacer has an annular shape making it possible to increase the compression volume, which improves the haptic feedback,

said switch has at least one communication orifice between a first compression chamber defined inside said dome and said disc, and the outside of the first compression chamber,

the spacer defines with said disk a second compression chamber and said communication orifice is formed on said disk, so that the first compression chamber communicates with the second compression chamber,

said communication orifice is formed on said insulator,

said communication orifice is formed on said dome,

said switch comprises an actuation surface formed on said dome which guarantees a good activation of said switch,

said switch comprises a cover provided with an actuating surface and disposed on said dome to protect said switch and guarantee a good activation of said switch,

the actuating surface is in the form of a protuberance, the actuating surface is made in the form of a depression,

said dome and said disk are metallic so as to ensure electrical contact when said dome and said disk are brought into contact by the activation of said switch,

said dome and said disk are made of plastics material and respectively have a conductive covering on the faces of said dome and said disk vis-à-vis to allow electrical contact between said dome and said disk when said switch is activated.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example, and the appended drawings among which:

FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a thin printed circuit portion provided with a touch-effect switch,

FIG. 1b is a perspective view of a thin printed circuit portion and a touch-sensitive switch mounted on the surface of the printed circuit,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the touch-effect switch according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the touch-effect switch,

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the dome and the disk of the touch-sensitive switch made of plastic prior to assembly,

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the touch-sensitive switch,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a touch-sensitive switch having a communication port on the disc,

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a touch-sensitive switch having a communication orifice on the insulator,

FIG. 8a is a sectional view of a touch-sensitive switch having an actuating surface in the form of a protuberance on the dome,

FIG. 8b is a sectional view of a touch-sensitive switch having an actuating surface in the form of a depression on the dome,

FIG. 8c is a sectional view of a touch-sensitive switch presenting a covering provided with an actuating surface and arranged on the dome,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a thin printed circuit portion and a touch-sensitive switch according to a second embodiment mounted on the surface of the printed circuit, and

- Figure 10 is a sectional view of a touch effect switch according to a third embodiment.

In these figures, identical elements bear the same references.

The elements of FIG. 9, respectively of FIG. 10, corresponding to the elements of FIGS. 1a-8c, bear the same references preceded by the one hundred 1, respectively of the one hundred two. As a result, these elements will not be described again.

In addition, in some figures the dimensions of the touch effect switch have been shown for clarity schematically and exaggerated, and do not represent the actual dimensions.

FIGS. 1a to 2 represent a touch-sensitive switch 1 according to the invention, mounted on a thin printed circuit 3, that is to say of small thickness (of the order of a tenth of a millimeter), for example of a smart card . This printed circuit 3 may be a relatively flexible circuit. By flexible means, the property of partially or totally lose and resume its volume or shape following compression.

In FIG. 1a, there is shown such a switch 1 mounted in a housing 5, having for example a circular orifice, of the printed circuit 3. This switch 1 is intended to be activated by pressing each side of the switch 1, so as to "Pinch" switch 1, we speak of "pinching" in English.

This switch 1 may be surrounded by protective walls arranged facing the dome 7 and the disk 11. These protective layers are flexible so as to allow the activation of the switch 1 by pinching for example between two fingers.

Figure lb shows an alternative in which the switch 1 is mounted on the surface of the circuit 3, it is referred to surface mounted component CMS or SMT in English for "Surface Mounted Technology". In this example, the circuit 3 can also be relatively flexible.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the switch 1 comprises: a dome 7 having a slight bulge and a continuous circular peripheral portion 9,

a flat disc 11 without a bulge, and

an annular insulation 13 placed between the dome 7 and the disk 11.

The diameter of the dome 7 and the disk 11 is for example 8 mm. Diameters of 4 to 20 mm may alternatively be used for the dome 7 and the disk 11.

The dome 7 and the disk 11 may have a thickness of a few tens of micrometers.

Such a switch 1 of small thickness can easily be surrounded for example by a sealing gel to seal in a simple manner without increasing the size.

In addition, the interior space between the dome 7 and the disk 1 1 defines a first compression chamber C1 allowing haptic feedback when the switch 1 is activated.

According to a first embodiment, the dome 7 has a connection member 15, here a connecting lug 15 which radially protrudes from its periphery 9 to be in contact with an associated connection pad 17 of the printed circuit 3 (FIGS. 3).

Similarly, the disc January 1 has a connection member 19, here a connecting tab 19 which protrudes radially from the disc 11 to be in contact with an associated connection pad 21 of the printed circuit board 3.

For this purpose, the printed circuit 3 has tracks which respectively form the connection pads 17 and 21 arranged on either side of the switch 1.

According to this first illustrated embodiment, the connecting members 15 and 19 are substantially aligned. Alternatively, the connecting members 15 and 19 may form a predetermined angle.

In the example of FIG. 1a, these connection pads 17 and 21 are formed on tongues 23, 24 arranged around the circular orifice of the housing 5.

The connecting members 15 and 19 may respectively be brought into contact with the connection pads 17 and 21 by welding. In this case, the organs of connection 15 and 19 have for example a hole (not shown) for welding housing.

Alternatively, the connecting members 15 and 19 can be crimped onto the connection pads 17 and 21. For this purpose, it can be provided that the connecting members 15 and 19 respectively have pins for piercing the connection pads 17 and 21 and crimped on these connection pads 17 and 21 for example with the aid of a specific clamp.

According to another alternative, conductive glue may be provided on the connection members 15 and 19 for faster positioning and connection, in particular when the switch 1 is put in place by a "pick and place" type machine. in English to take and place.

Provision could also be made for the connection members 15 and 19 to have terminations of generally tubular shape complementary to a connection cable connected to the printed circuit board 3.

Furthermore, to ensure electrical contact between the dome 7 and the disc 11, the latter are conductive members of the switch 1. To this end, the dome 7 and the disk 11 are metallic.

Alternatively, the dome 7 and the disc 11 are made of plastic and have a conductive coating.

An alternative embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 4. According to this variant, tracks 25 and 26 are screen printed on a polycarbonate film or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, for example using a conductive ink. Of course, it is possible to deposit inkjet tracks 25,26 on the film or to roll tracks 25,26 on the film.

An eight-shaped cutout is then made, the first loop of which forms the dome 7 of the switch and whose second loop of the eight forms the flat disk 11 of the switch.

On the one hand, by thermoforming, a dome shape is used to form the dome 7 of the switch 1 by means of a mold heated for example at 150 ° C., with a connection member 15 connected to the track 25, and on the other hand a flat disc shape for forming the disc 11 of the switch 1 with a connecting member 17 connected to the track 26.

The tracks 25 and 26 then form a conductive covering of the faces of the dome 7 and the disk 11 vis-à-vis. When the switch is activated and these faces are brought into contact, an electrical contact is then established between the dome 7 and the disk 11.

The dome 7 and the disk 11 are then folded and assembled with the interposition of the insulation 13 between them for example by gluing.

On the other hand, referring again to FIG. 3, the insulator 13 has a sufficiently large central orifice 27 that when pressure is exerted by pinching the switch 1 or by pressing the switch 1, the top of the dome 7 and the disc 11 are brought together through this orifice 27 and brought into electrical contact. When the switch 1 is released, it returns to the rest position in which the dome 7 and the disk 11 are distant so that there is no more electrical contact between the dome 7 and the disk 11.

The stroke between this rest position and the active position obtained by contact of the dome 7 and the disk 11 is of the order of 0.17 mm.

The insulator 13 may be formed of an insulating adhesive ring placed between the dome 7 and the disk 11, with a sufficient thickness to ensure the isolation, so that the total thickness of the switch is of the order of 0 , 4 mm.

In addition, there can be provided a non-conductive spacer 29 disposed between the disk 1 1 and the printed circuit 3 (Figure 2). The spacer 29 then defines a second compression chamber C2 with the disk 11.

This spacer 29 may be a flexible spacer.

This spacer 29 is for example formed by glue for faster implementation of the switch 1 on the printed circuit 3 and which also provides a sealing function.

In the example illustrated in Figures 2, 5, 6 and 8a to 8c, the spacer 29 has an annular shape. This annular shape of the spacer 29 makes it possible to increase the compression volume of the switch 1, and thus to improve the haptic feedback. Other forms for the spacer 29 may be envisaged. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, there is no communication between the space delimited inside the switch 1, between the dome 7 and the disk 11, and the space outside the switch 1. The inner space and the outer space being at the same pressure, to allow the operation of the switch 1, the latter can be made under vacuum. For this, one can mount the switch 1 in the active position in which the dome 7 and the disc 11 are brought into contact.

As before, once the switch 1 is mounted and released, the latter returns to the rest position in which the dome 7 and the disk 11 are distant.

It is also possible to perform a vacuum switch 1 by assembling the dome 7 and the disc 11 in a vacuum chamber.

According to an alternative shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the interior space of the switch 1 is connected to the space outside the switch 1, by a communication orifice formed for example by a hole 31 on the disc 1 1 so that that the first compression chamber C 1 communicates with the second compression chamber C2 or formed on the dome 7 according to a variant not shown.

According to another alternative illustrated in FIG. 7, the communication orifice is formed by a channel 32 on the insulator 13, preferably in an inclined direction with respect to a radial direction.

It could be further provided that the interior space contains air or a gas at atmospheric pressure or at a higher pressure, and is not connected to the outside. Thus, when closing the switch, compression of the gas placed inside increases the required pressure force.

The switch 1 may furthermore have an actuating surface 33 for improving the haptic feedback (see FIGS. 8a to 8c).

This actuating surface 33 can be formed directly on the dome 7

(Figures 8a, 8b) or alternatively on a cover 35 of the switch 1 for example silicone disposed on the dome 7 (Figure 8c). This covering 35 also provides a sealing function.

In addition, the actuating surface 33 may form a protuberance or pin (FIGS. 8a, 8c) or alternatively a recess (FIG. 8b). Several switches 1 thus formed can be packaged in strips to further improve the speed of placement of the switches 1 on the printed circuits 3. By way of example, the switches 1 are held on a silicone film by an adhesive, and the film silicone has guide holes.

A second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 differs from the first embodiment in that the spacer 129 is conductive.

According to this second embodiment, only the dome 107 has a connection member 115, here a connection lug 115 which protrudes radially from its periphery 109 so as to be in contact with an associated connection pad 117 of the printed circuit 103.

Indeed, it is no longer necessary for the disk to have a connection member to be in contact with an associated connection pad 121 of the printed circuit board 103.

In contrast, the spacer 129 connects the disk to the connection pad 121 without the need for soldering or other connection means.

A third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10 differs from the first and second embodiments in that the switch 201 has several layers. Indeed, the switch 201 comprises:

a first 207a and a second 207b domes each having a slight bulge, a flat disc 211 without a bulge,

a first insulator 213a interposed between the disk 211 and the first dome 207a, and - a second insulator 213b interposed between the disk 211 and the second dome 207b.

Similarly to the first embodiment described above, the switch 201 may have an actuating surface on one of the domes 207a or 207b or on the two domes 207a and 207b.

In addition, the switch 201 may have a spacer 229 facing the second dome 207b to be disposed on the printed circuit.

This spacer 229 may be non-conductive according to the first embodiment or conductor according to the second embodiment.

In the latter case where the spacer 229 is conductive, only the first dome 207a and the disk 211 have connecting members to associated connection pads of the printed circuit, the second dome 207b being connected to the printed circuit board via the conductive spacer 229.

The use of such a switch 201 with several layers, here two layers using two domes 207a, 207b, makes it possible to increase the pressure force necessary to activate the switch 201 or to carry out a succession of activation .

By way of example, it can be provided that when the switch 201 is subjected to a first pressure, the first dome 207a is brought into contact with the disk 211 and when the switch 201 is subjected to a second pressure greater than the first one. pressure it is the second dome 207b which is brought into contact with the flat disk 211.

It is thus possible to define several states for the switch 201, here three states: a first state in which the switch 201 is in the rest position with the domes 207a and 207b remote from the disk 211,

a second state in which the first dome 207a is brought into contact with the disk 211 to control a first function, and

a third state in which the second dome 207b is brought into contact with the disk 211 to control a second function.

Of course, a switch 201 with more than two layers can be provided using several domes 207a, 207b and several disks 211.

It is therefore understood that such a thin switch can be easily integrated into a printed circuit, for example a thin card, such as a bank card while ensuring a tactile feedback to the user when the switch is activated. .

Another example of an application is intelligent clothing, that is to say a clothing incorporating such a switch for example for the control of a portable player.

Such a switch with a small thickness also applies very well for the realization of a discrete touch, that is to say practically invisible.

In addition, such a switch can replace a traditional touch switch called "tact switch" in English.

Claims

Switch with tactile effect characterized in that it comprises at least one dome (7,107,207a, 207b), at least one disc (11) and at least one insulator (13,213a, 213b) disposed between said dome (7, 107, 207a, 207b) and said disk (1 1), so that the peripheral portions of said dome (7, 107, 207a, 207b) and said disk (11) are each in contact with a face of said insulator (13, 23a, 213b) and are thus in contact with each other. view on either side of said insulator (13,213a, 213b), said insulator (13,213a, 213b) having a central orifice (27) so as to allow contact between said dome (7,107,207a, 207b) and said disk ( 11) when subjected to a mutual rapprochement force.

Switch according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a spacer (29,129,229) configured to be disposed between said switch and a support (3,103) of said switch.

Switch according to claim 2, characterized in that the spacer (29,229) is an insulating spacer.

Switch according to claim 3, characterized in that said switch (1,201) has two connecting members (15,19; 215a, 215b) respectively configured to cooperate with an associated connection pad (17,21) of the support (3) of said switch.

Switch according to claim 2, characterized in that the spacer (129) is a conductive spacer.

Switch according to claim 5, characterized in that said switch (101) has a single connecting member (115) configured to cooperate with an associated connection pad (117) of the holder (103) said switch.

Switch according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the spacer (29,129,229) is formed by an adhesive.

Switch according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the spacer (29,129,229) has an annular shape.

Switch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said switch has at least one communication port (31,32) between a first compression chamber (C1) defined inside said dome (7,107,207a, 207b) and said disk (11), and the outside of the first compression chamber (Cl). 10. Switch according to any one of claims 2 to 8, taken in combination with claim 9, characterized in that the spacer (29,129,229) defines with said disc (11) a second compression chamber (C2) and in that said communication port (31) is formed on said disk (11) so that the first compression chamber (C1) communicates with the second compression chamber (C2).

11. Switch according to claim 9, characterized in that said communication port (32) is formed on said insulator (13,213a, 213b). 12. Switch according to claim 9, characterized in that said communication port is formed on said dome (7,107,207a, 207b).

13. Switch according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises an actuating surface (33) formed on said dome (7,107,207a, 207b).

14. Switch according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a cover (35) provided with an actuating surface (33) and disposed on said dome (7,107,207a, 207b).

15. Switch according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the actuating surface (33) is formed as a protuberance.

16. Switch according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the actuating surface (33) is formed as a recess.

17. Switch according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that said dome (7,107,207a, 207b) and said disk (11) are metallic.

18. Switch according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that said dome (7, 107, 207a, 207b) and said disk (1 1) are made of plastic and respectively have a conductive coating on the faces of said dome and said disc vis-à-vis.