EP2577700B1 - Electrical switch, of the normally-closed type, especially for a portable communication device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electric switch with pushbutton, of normally closed type, in particular intended to equip a portable communication device keyboard. The invention also relates to the manufacture of a soft keyboard normally closed electrical contact, the contact blade, the key and the corresponding soft keyboard.

It is recalled that a switch is likely to switch between a closed position, in which it allows the passage of an electric current, and an open position, in which it interrupts the passage of this electric current. A push-button switch is said to be of normally closed type when it is returned to its closed position in the absence of external stress, and when it passes into its open position when it is actuated by a user, in particular via the push-button .

Today's extremely thin and inexpensive diaphragm keypads are manufactured by printing conductive silver-based ink tracks onto plastic substrates for the purpose of creating extra-fine circuits.

The keys of the keyboard thus formed are all executed according to the same principle: at least two tracks are arranged vis-à-vis and are put in contact when the key is pressed. These keys thus constitute normally open electric contact type keys.

The electrically conductive element which makes it possible to put in contact is, as the case may be, a metal cup forming a cup contact, or a silver pellet printed on the back of the upper circuit or on the back of the decorative face placed on the circuit. . This type of contact is then called comb contact with flat or thermoformed front face.

The abovementioned techniques make it possible to manufacture soft membrane keyboards, which have reduced thicknesses, of the order of 1 to 1.5 mm, or even in the most elaborate cases of 0.6 to 0.7 mm.

The development of the abovementioned techniques has made it possible, more recently, to integrate extra-thin components into membrane keyboards, components such as LEDs or small resistors, the thickness of which is of the order of 0.5 mm. integration into these fabrications.

However, when the use of more complex components appears necessary, it is imperative to change technology. The larger circuits are then most often glued on machined metal plates, which serve as a support for the integration of buttons, switches, emergency stop buttons or other.

When integrators of such circuits or keyboards wish to benefit in this type of circuit or keyboard one or more normally closed electrical contact keys, in which two or more conductive tracks are in permanent contact, the action of an operator on the one of these keys to open this contact, it is currently necessary either to integrate voluminous and binding buttons in terms of implementation costs, or to introduce an electronic management of this type of contact, which many Integrators do not want or can not run.

For example, it is already known in the state of the art, in particular according to EP 0 793 246 or BE 658,280 , an electric switch with a pushbutton, of normally closed type. Such a switch conventionally comprises a printed circuit, comprising first and second contact pads, and an electrical conductor for electrically connecting the first and second contact pads.

Such a normally closed type switch has many elements, and therefore is particularly expensive and complex to achieve. Moreover, because of its complexity and its size, this switch is generally not suitable for a portable communication device keyboard.

The present invention proposes to remedy these drawbacks by providing a push-button electric switch, normally closed type, having a simple structure, economical and compact.

• conservation d'une épaisseur de clavier très faible, n'excédant pas 1 à 1,5 mm, selon la construction ;
• conservation du principe de fonctionnement des touches thermo-formées ou à coupelle utilisées dans les claviers à membrane actuels,
• maintien d'un prix de fabrication compétitif et compatible avec le cahier des charges des marchés actuels de recherche de produits de qualité à coût réduit ;
• obtention d'un type de touche pouvant fonctionner plusieurs centaines de milliers de fois, voire plus, sans problème raisonnablement prévisible ;
• disposer d'un semi-produit facile à mettre en oeuvre pour les intégrateurs, sans contrainte supplémentaire d'adaptation de leurs méthodes de travail ;
• réaliser un produit final, clavier à membrane souple, résistant dans des conditions d'utilisation parfois difficiles de vibrations, de chocs ou autres.

In particular, the invention particularly relates to the implementation of a method of manufacturing a soft keyboard normally closed electrical contact, a normally closed contact key and a keyboard comprising at least one such key , while retaining the inherent advantages of soft keyboard technology, namely:

• preservation of a very small keyboard thickness, not exceeding 1 to 1.5 mm, depending on the construction;
• preservation of the operating principle of the thermoformed or cup keys used in current membrane keyboards,
• maintaining a competitive manufacturing price compatible with the specifications of the current markets for the search for quality products at reduced cost;
• obtaining a type of key that can operate several hundreds of thousands of times or more, without a reasonably foreseeable problem;
• have a semi-product easy to implement for integrators, without additional constraint of adaptation of their working methods;
• to produce a final product, membrane keyboard flexible, resistant in conditions of use sometimes difficult vibrations, shocks or others.

An object of the present invention is in particular the implementation of a method of manufacturing a flexible membrane keyboard comprising at least one normally closed contact key.

This method is remarkable in that it consists at least in equipping the keyboard with at least one duplex printed circuit comprising at least one front contact pad and a back contact pad to be arranged in the circuit. printed, between the front contact pad and the back contact pad, an insertion slot, to insert in the slot a flexible conductive blade forming a normally closed electrical contact between the front contact pad and the back contact pad, this flexible blade having a fulcrum for exerting a breaking force of the normally closed electrical contact.

Advantageously, the flexible blade comprising a central flexible tongue comprising the fulcrum, electrically and mechanically integral and adjacent to a first and a second lateral tongue by a common point, the first and the second lateral tongue being placed in the same plane and the central tongue being offset in position in a direction orthogonal to said plane to form a first and a second insertion space of the flexible blade at the slot, the inserting operation includes at least one step of inserting said flexible blade in the slot by clipping the first and second insertion space on the opposite edges of the slot, so as to bring to rest the central flexible tongue and respectively at least one of the first or the second lateral tongue in electrical contact with the contact pad verso and respectively recto or vice versa.

Preferably, the fulcrum formed on the central tongue is placed in remote offset on the central tongue vis-à-vis the common point to form an inter-force lever between the point of contact of the central tongue on the stud of contact back or front and the common point.

Another object of the present invention is the implementation of a normally closed flexible contact blade for a duplex printed circuit.

Such a flexible blade is remarkable in that it comprises at least one central flexible tongue, and a first and a second lateral tongue, electrically and mechanically integral with the same common point. The first and the second lateral tongue electrically and mechanically integral are placed substantially in the same plane, laterally adjacent to the central flexible tongue. The central tongue is shifted in position in a direction orthogonal to the plane to form a first and a second insertion space of the printed circuit provided with a slot and at least a front contact pad and a back contact pad each disposed in the vicinity of one of the two opposite edges of this slot.

Advantageously, the contact pad of the central flexible tongue is formed by a boss; and, optionally, the contact pads of the first lateral tongue and the second lateral tongue are also formed by a boss.

Preferably, the central flexible tongue is offset at rest in an oblique plane relative to the plane containing the first and the second lateral flexible tongue to form, by opposite stress rotation of the central flexible tongue, the first and the second insertion space. of the printed circuit between this central flexible tongue and the first and second lateral tongues respectively.

Advantageously, the blade has come cutting / stamping a sheet of a conductive material.

Another object of the present invention is the implementation of a contact key for a flexible membrane keyboard, such a contact key being remarkable in that it comprises at least one printed circuit provided with at least one contact pin. front contact and a back contact pad, each placed in the vicinity of one of the opposite edges of a slot in said printed circuit, and a flexible contact blade according to the invention inserted into the slot and forming an electrical contact normally closed between the front contact pad and the back contact pad. The flexible blade has a fulcrum for exerting a breaking force of the normally closed electrical contact.

Advantageously, the fulcrum may be actuated by pressure on a cup or on a touch plate disposed above it.

The invention also relates to a flexible membrane keyboard comprising at least one key and / or a corresponding normally closed soft contact blade.

The manufacturing method, the normally closed electrical contact key and the corresponding keyboard, which are the subject of the invention, find application in the manufacture of keyboards of all sizes, in particular small-sized keyboards for portable mobile telephony devices, the assistants larger PDAs and keyboards such as laptop or desktop keyboards, musical instruments, and others.

• un circuit imprimé, comprenant des première et seconde plages de contact, et
• un conducteur électrique, destiné à relier électriquement les première et seconde plages de contact,

caractérisé en ce que :

• le circuit imprimé présente au moins localement une forme générale plane, et comporte une première face portant la première plage de contact, une seconde face opposée à la première, portant la seconde plage de contact, et un orifice traversant, autorisant un accès entre la première face et la seconde face,
• le conducteur comporte une première partie, coopérant avec la première plage de contact, et
• le conducteur comporte une seconde partie, s'étendant entre une première extrémité, fixée à la première partie, et une seconde extrémité libre, en passant à travers l'orifice, la seconde partie étant déformable élastiquement entre une position de repos, dans laquelle sa seconde extrémité coopère avec la seconde plage de contact, et une position de sollicitation, dans laquelle sa seconde extrémité est sollicitée à l'écart de la seconde plage de contact.

The subject of the invention is also an electric switch with pushbutton, of normally closed type, in particular for a portable communication device keyboard, comprising:

• a printed circuit, comprising first and second contact pads, and
• an electrical conductor for electrically connecting the first and second contact pads,

characterized in that

• the printed circuit has at least locally a generally planar shape, and has a first face carrying the first contact pad, a second face opposite the first, carrying the second contact pad, and a through hole, allowing access between the first pad face and the second face,
• the conductor comprises a first part, cooperating with the first contact pad, and
• the conductor has a second portion, extending between a first end, attached to the first portion, and a second free end, passing through the orifice, the second portion being elastically deformable between a rest position, wherein its second end cooperates with the second contact pad, and a biasing position, wherein its second end is biased away from the second pad.

Such a switch has a particularly simple structure, in which the conductor cooperates with the two contact pads without intermediary and for which it suffices to apply a force on the second part of the conductor to separate this second part of the second range, and thus open the switch.

Such simplicity of structure is possible thanks to the contact pads arranged on the opposite faces of the printed circuit.

• l'interrupteur comporte une coupelle métallique formant poussoir, accessible du côté de la première face du circuit imprimé, déplaçable entre une position de repos, dans laquelle la seconde partie du conducteur est dans sa position de repos, et une position engagée, dans laquelle la coupelle métallique coopère avec la seconde partie du conducteur pour la maintenir dans sa position de sollicitation ;
• la seconde partie du conducteur présente un bossage ménagé entre ses première et seconde extrémités, destiné à coopérer avec la coupelle métallique lorsque cette coupelle métallique est dans sa position engagée ;
• la première partie du conducteur comporte deux branches et une base, de façon à présenter une forme en U, les deux branches étant agencées de part et d'autre de l'orifice du circuit imprimé ;
• la seconde partie du conducteur forme une lamelle prolongeant la base de la première partie, et s'étendant longitudinalement entre les deux branches de cette première partie ;
• les première et seconde parties sont venues de matière, le conducteur étant par exemple en tôle ; et
• l'interrupteur comporte des moyens de rétro-éclairage, agencés du côté de la seconde face du circuit imprimé ; et
• l'interrupteur, comporte des moyens d'étanchéité recouvrant au moins la coupelle métallique et le conducteur.

Optionally, an electric switch according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in any technically possible combination:

• the switch comprises a metal pusher cup, accessible on the side of the first face of the printed circuit, movable between a rest position, in which the second part of the conductor is in its rest position, and an engaged position, in which the metallic cup cooperates with the second part of the conductor to maintain it in its biasing position;
• the second portion of the conductor has a boss formed between its first and second ends, intended to cooperate with the metal cup when the metal cup is in its engaged position;
• the first part of the conductor comprises two branches and a base, so as to have a U-shape, the two branches being arranged on either side of the orifice of the printed circuit;
• the second part of the conductor forms a lamella extending the base of the first part, and extending longitudinally between the two branches of this first part;
• the first and second parts are made of material, the conductor being for example sheet metal; and
• the switch comprises backlighting means arranged on the side of the second face of the printed circuit; and
• the switch comprises sealing means covering at least the metal cup and the conductor.

• les figures 1a à 1d représentent les étapes essentielles de mise en oeuvre d'un procédé de fabrication d'un clavier souple selon un exemple de mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue de dessus d'une lame souple de contact normalement fermé pour circuit imprimé recto-verso conforme à l'objet de la présente invention ;
• la figure 3 représente une vue en coupe selon le plan de coupe BB de la lame souple de contact normalement fermé représentée à la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 représente une vue en coupe selon le plan de la figure 1d d'une touche de contact électrique normalement fermé conforme à l'objet de la présente invention.
• les figures 5 et 6 représentent respectivement des vues de dessus et de dessous d'un interrupteur électrique selon un deuxième exemple de mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 7 et 8 sont des vues en coupe de l'interrupteur des figures 5 et 6, respectivement en position fermée et en position ouverte.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended figures in which:

• the Figures 1a to 1d represent the essential steps of implementing a method of manufacturing a flexible keyboard according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 2 represents a top view of a normally closed contact flexible plate for a duplex printed circuit according to the subject of the present invention;
• the figure 3 represents a sectional view along the sectional plane BB of the normally closed flexible contact blade shown in FIG. figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 represents a sectional view along the plane of the figure 1d a normally closed electrical contact button according to the subject of the present invention.
• the Figures 5 and 6 respectively represent top and bottom views of an electrical switch according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention;
• the Figures 7 and 8 are sectional views of the switch of the Figures 5 and 6 , respectively in the closed position and in the open position.

In the aforementioned figures the relative proportions of the elements have not necessarily been respected, so as not to affect the overall clarity.

The method of manufacturing a flexible membrane keyboard according to the subject of the present invention is now described in detail in connection with the Figures 1a to 1d .

In step 1, shown on the figure 1a , the method according to the invention consists in supplying and equipping the keyboard with at least one duplex printed circuit board CI comprising at least one front contact pad PR and a rear contact pad PV.

The double-sided printed circuit CI may consist of a printed circuit of any type, a double-sided circuit or other.

Step 1 is followed by a step 2, represented at figure 1b , consisting in arranging in the printed circuit Cl, between the recto contact pad PR and the contact pad verso PV, an insertion slot. Preferably, but in a nonlimiting manner, the insertion slot F is formed by a slot with parallel edges, traversing the entire thickness of the printed circuit CI.

Step 2 is followed by a step 3 comprising a substep 3 (1), shown in FIG. figure 1c , comprising inserting into the insertion slot F a flexible conductive strip LS forming a normally closed electrical contact between the front contact pad PR and the contact pad verso PV.

As further shown in the drawings, the flexible blade LS comprises a bearing point PA for exerting a breaking force of the normally closed electrical contact.

In addition, sub-step 3 (2), shown in FIG. figure 1d , in a sectional view in the sectional plane AA of the printed circuit CI of the figure 1c , the normally closed electrical contact contact button obtained following the insertion of the flexible blade LS. It is understood, in particular, that the insertion operation is to introduce the flexible blade LS by clipping, or in any other way, on each of the parallel edges of the slot F, as will be described below.

For this purpose, Lord of Step 3 (1) shown in figure 1c , the flexible blade LS may advantageously comprise a central flexible tongue LC comprising the fulcrum PA, of which it is electrically and mechanically secured by a common point PC, and a first LL1 and a second LL2 lateral tongue. The central flexible tongue LC is adjacent and parallel to the first and second lateral tongue LL1 and LL2 and joined to the latter by the common point PC. Preferably, the first and the second lateral tongue LL1 and LL2 are placed substantially in the same plane P but the central tongue LC is offset in position in a direction orthogonal to the plane P, to form a first EI1 and a second EI2 space of insertion, each between the second flexible tongue LC and the opposite ends of the two lateral tongues LL1 and LL2.

It is thus understood that in step 3 (1) shown in FIG. figure 1c , the operation of insertion of the flexible blade LS into the slot F is performed by insertion and clipping of the first respectively of the second insertion space EI1, EI2 on one of the opposite edges of the slot F, so as to bring to rest the central tongue LC respectively the two lateral tongues LLI and LL2 in electrical contact of the contact pad verso PV and respectively of the front contact pad PR or vice versa.

Finally, we can also observe it on the figure 1 , the support point PA formed on the central tongue LC is placed in remote offset on the central tongue vis-à-vis the common point PC to form an inter-force lever between the point of contact of the first central tongue on the back or front contact pad and the common point PC.

A more detailed description of a normally closed flexible contact blade specially designed for the implementation of the method, a contact button and a flexible membrane keyboard according to the subject of the present invention will now be given. in liaison with Figures 2 and 3 .

On the figure 2 , there is shown the normally closed contact flexible blade according to the subject of the invention comprising at least the central flexible tongue LC, which it is electrically and mechanically secured to the common point PC.

The flexible blade LS further comprises the first LL1 and second LL2 side tab electrically and mechanically integral each of the common point PC.

The first and second lateral tabs are adjacent and parallel to the central flexible tongue LC, but are offset in position in a direction orthogonal to the plane P to form the first EI1 and the second EI2 insertion space of the printed circuit CI provided with the slot F, the front contact pad and the back contact pad disposed in the vicinity of two opposite edges of this slot. With reference to the figure 2 , it is understood that the plane P substantially including the lateral tongues is none other than the plane of the sheet supporting the figure 2 mentioned above and that the insertion spaces EI1 and EI2 represent between the parallel tabs on the figure 2 extend in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the same sheet, as will be explained below in connection with the figure 3 .

Referring to the aforementioned figure, it is understood that the central flexible tongue LC is offset at rest in an oblique plane PO relative to the plane P containing the first LL1 and the second LL2 lateral flexible tongue to form, by opposite stress rotation of this tongue LC flexible center, the first insertion space EI1u printed circuit CI between the central flexible tongue LC and the first and second lateral flexible tongue LL1, LL2. The angle of inclination of the oblique plane PO vis-à-vis the aforementioned plane P may be between 10 ° and 20 °, depending on the elastic characteristics of the constituent metal material of the flexible blade LS.

On the figure 3 Dotted is the displacement of the center tab LC on opposite stress rotation f to form the first insertion space EI1 supra.

The flexible blade LS can thus be clipped at its insertion spaces EI1, EI2 by exerting the opposite stress rotation on the central flexible tongue LC to allow the latter to pass under the printed circuit Cl, the latter entering, by the corresponding edge of the slot F, in the first insertion space EI1, and to make electrical contact with the contact pad verso PV, then, by translation of the blade flexible LS, towards the opposite edge of the slot F, to bring the latter into the second insertion space EI2 and make the electrical contact between the front contact pad PR and the or the lateral flexible tabs LL1, LL2.

Thus, it will be understood that the central tongue LC makes it possible to ensure the breaking function of the normally closed electrical contact by applying a stress on the fulcrum PA in cooperation with the lateral flexible tongues LLI1 LL2.

The flexible blade as shown in Figures 2 and 3 above, is advantageously come cutting / stamping a sheet of a conductive material such as a flexible metal such as a copper-beryllium alloy, stainless steel or other.

In particular the support point PA formed on the central tongue LC is advantageously formed by a boss, for example. Similarly, the contact pad PcC of the central flexible tongue LC is formed, for example, by a boss. In addition, optionally, the contact pads PcL1, PcL2 respectively side tongues LL1 are also formed by a boss, according to the present embodiment.

A contact key for flexible membrane keyboard, according to the subject of the invention, is now described in connection with the figure 4 .

With reference to the aforementioned figure, the contact key comprises the printed circuit C1 provided with the front contact pad PR and the contact pad verso PV each placed in the vicinity of one of the opposite edges of the slot F formed in the printed circuit. A flexible contact blade LS, as described previously in connection with the Figures 2 and 3 , is inserted into the slot F to form the normally closed electrical contact between the front contact pad PR and the contact pad verso PV. The flexible blade has the fulcrum PA for exerting the breaking force of the normally closed electrical contact. As has also been shown in figure 4 , the abovementioned fulcrum may be activated by exerting pressure on either a cup C of rounded shape, or on a touch plate PT, disposed above it. The connection between the fulcrum PA and the cup C or the touch pad PT is performed in a conventional manner.

Finally, the invention relates to the flexible membrane keyboard equipped with a contact button forming a normally closed electrical contact as described in connection with the figure 4 . It is understood in particular that the key shown in the above figure can be integrated to form a flexible keyboard compatible with all types of front face material FA, such as PET, elastomer, PU, PC or other.

We have shown on Figures 5 to 8 an example of electric switch 10 pusher, normally closed type. Such a switch is for example intended to equip a keyboard portable communication device, including a mobile phone or a portable radio.

The switch 10 comprises a printed circuit 12 of generally flat shape, having a first face 12A and a second face 12B opposite the first face 12A.

The first face 12A is generally an upper face, intended to be turned towards the outside of the portable communication device. This first face 12A is represented in particular on the figure 5 .

The second face 12B is generally a lower face, intended to be turned towards the inside of the portable communication device. This second face 12B is represented in particular on the figure 6 .

The printed circuit 12 has a through hole 14, allowing access between the first face 12A and the second face 12B. In the example shown, the orifice 14 has a generally rectangular shape in the plane of the printed circuit 12.

As shown on the figure 5 , the printed circuit comprises, on its first face 12A, a first contact pad 16, also called contact pad. This first contact pad 16 has for example a U-shape, and it is arranged around the orifice 14 so that this orifice 14 is partially framed by this first paddle 16, along the long sides and a first small side of this rectangular orifice 14.

As shown on the figure 6 , the printed circuit 12 comprises, on its second face 12B, a second contact pad 18, also called contact pad, for example of generally rectangular shape. Preferably, this second contact pad 18 is arranged near a second small side of the rectangular orifice 14.

The switch 10 also comprises a conductor 20, in the form of a flexible conductive blade for electrically connecting the first 16 and second 18 contact pads.

The conductor 20 comprises a first part 22, in particular represented on the figure 5 cooperating with the first contact pad 16. Preferably, this first portion 22 comprises two branches 22A, forming lateral tongues, and a base 22B, forming a point of common between these lateral tongues, so as to also have a shape of U. The branches 22A are arranged on either side of the orifice 14 of the printed circuit 12, along its long sides, so that this orifice 14 is partially framed by this first part 22 in the plane of this orifice 14.

The conductor 20 further includes a second portion 24 extending between a first end 24A connected to the first portion 22 and a second free end 24B for cooperating with the second contact pad 18.

Preferably, the conductor 20 is sheet metal, the first 22 and second 24 parts being made of materials.

In the example shown, the second portion 24 of the conductor forms a lamella (or central flexible tongue) extending the base 22B of the first portion 22, and extending longitudinally between the two branches 22A of the first portion 22. This lamella 24 passes through the orifice 14 so as to electrically connect the first portion 22 with the second contact pad 18.

The second part 24 is elastically deformable between a rest position, represented on the figure 7 , in which its second end 24B cooperates with the second contact pad 18, and a biasing position, shown in FIG. figure 8 in which its second end 24B is away from the second contact pad 18. Thus, the switch 10 is in the closed position when the second part 24 is in its rest position, and in its open position when this second part 24 is in its biasing position.

Advantageously, the second portion 24 comprises, at its second end 24B, a boss 25, also called contact pad, promoting contact with the second pad 18.

Note that, due to the elastically deformable structure of the conductor 20, this conductor 20 can be assembled on the printed circuit 12 by clamping this printed circuit 12 between the first 22 and second 24 parts of the conductor 20. This assembly is particularly stable , thanks to the U-shape of the first part 22. This structure thus facilitates the mounting of the switch 10.

The switch 10 also comprises a metal cup 26 of conventional type, forming a pusher, accessible on the side of the first face 12A of the printed circuit 12. This metal cup 26 is arranged above the conductor 20, so that it is susceptible to cooperate with the second portion 24 of this conductor 20. For this purpose, as shown on the figure 5 , the metal cup 26 is for example arranged in abutment on the first part of the conductor 20.

Such a metal cup 26 is likely to be pushed by a user, so as to be elastically deformed between a rest position as shown in FIG. figure 7 , and an engaged position as shown on the figure 8 .

In its rest position, the metal cup 26 is kept away from the second portion 24 of the driver, which is also in its rest position. The switch 10 is then closed. Note that the height of the metal cup 26 in its rest position is generally about 1 millimeter. So the switch 10 is compact, and can be easily integrated into a compact portable communication device.

In its engaged position, the metal cup 26 cooperates with the second portion 24 of the driver to maintain it in its biasing position. The switch 10 is then open.

Advantageously, the second portion 24 of the conductor 20 comprises a boss 28 forming a fulcrum, provided between its first 24A and second 24B ends, intended to cooperate with the metal cup 26 when the metal cup 26 is in its engaged position. This boss 28 makes it possible to ensure contact between the metal cup 26 and the second portion 24. Alternatively, the metal cup 26 could carry a similar boss intended to cooperate with the second part 24.

Note that when the user releases the metal cup 26, the metal cup 26 and the second portion 24 of the conductor 20 return elastically in their respective rest position.

Preferably, the metal cup 26 is designed to form a hard point, to provide a tactile sensation to the user when operating the switch 10, by pressing the metal cup 26 with a finger.

The switch 10 preferably comprises sealing means (not shown), for example plastic, covering at least the metal cup 26 and the conductor 20. These sealing means may also include, on the user side, an inscription concerning the function of the switch 10.

These sealing means preferably cover the entire keyboard of the communication apparatus, so that this apparatus can be used in aggressive and humid environments.

Optionally, the switch 10 may also comprise backlighting means, arranged on the side of the second face 12B of the printed circuit 12. Indeed, thanks to the orifice 14, it is possible to backlight the switch 10 in a simple and effective way.

The previously described switch 10 has few elements, and therefore has a low weight, as well as a low cost.

Note that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but could have various variants without departing from the scope of the claims. In particular, the characteristics of each embodiment previously described could be equivalently transposed to the other embodiment described.

Claims (10)

1. A method for manufacturing a flexible membrane keypad comprising at least one normally closed contact key, said method including at least:

   - equipping said keypad with at least one double-sided printed circuit (CI, 12) comprising at least one front contact stud (PR; 16) and one back contact stud (PV; 18);

   - arranging an insertion slot (F; 14) in said printed circuit between said front contact stud (PR; 16) and said back contact stud (PV; 18);

   - inserting a flexible conducting strip (LS; 20) into said slot (F; 14) forming a normally closed electrical contact between said front contact stud and said back contact stud, said flexible strip comprising a support point (PA; 28) allowing a force to be exerted for breaking the normally closed electrical contact,

   characterised in that said flexible strip (LS; 20) comprises a flexible central tab (LC; 24) comprising said support point (PA; 28), electrically and mechanically rigidly connected and adjacent to a first and a second lateral tab (LL1, LL2; 22A) by a common point (PC; 22B), with said first and second lateral tab being placed in the same plane and the position of said central tab being offset along a direction orthogonal to said plane (P) so as to form a first (EI1) and a second (EI2) insertion space for said flexible strip (LS; 20) at said slot (F; 14), with the insertion operation comprising at least a step involving inserting said flexible strip (LS; 20) into said slot (F; 14) by clipping said first (EI1) and said second (EI2) insertion spaces, respectively, onto the opposite edges of said slot (F; 14) so as to bring said flexible central tab (LS; 24) to rest and at least one of said first or said second lateral tabs (LL1, LL2; 22A), respectively, into electrical contact with said back contact stud (PV; 18) and front contact stud (PR; 16), respectively, or vice versa.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that said support point (PA; 28) arranged on said central tab (LC; 24) is placed at a remote offset position on said central tab in relation to said common point (PC; 22B) so as to form an inter-force lever between said contact point of said central tab (LC; 24) on said back or front contact stud and said common point.
3. A normally closed flexible contact strip for a double-sided printed circuit, characterised in that it comprises at least:

   - a flexible central tab (LC; 24);

   - a first and a second lateral tab (LL1, LL2; 22A) each electrically and mechanically rigidly connected to said central flexible tab (LC; 24) at a common point (PC; 22B), substantially placed in the same plane, laterally adjacent to said central flexible tab (LC; 24), with the position of said first and said second lateral tab (LL1, LL2; 22A) being offset along a direction orthogonal to said plane so as to form a first (EI1) and a second (EI2) insertion space of said printed circuit provided with a slot (F; 14) and at least one front contact stud (PR; 16) and one back contact stud (PV; 18) disposed in the vicinity of two opposite edges of said slot (F; 14).
4. The normally closed flexible contact strip according to claim 3, characterised in that said support point (PA; 28) on said central tab (LC; 24) is formed by a boss.
5. The normally closed flexible contact strip according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that:

   - said central flexible tab (LC; 24) comprises a contact stud (PcC; 25) formed by a boss, and/or

   - said first lateral tab (LL 1) and said second lateral tab (LL2) each comprise a respective contact stud (PcL1, PcL2) formed by a boss.
6. The normally closed flexible contact strip according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that said central flexible tab (LC; 24) is offset at rest in an oblique plane relative to the plane containing said first and said second lateral flexible tab (LL1, LL2; 22A) so as to form, by opposite constrained rotation of said central flexible tab (LC; 24), said first (EI1) and second (EI2) insertion spaces of said printed circuit (CI; 12) between said central flexible tab (LC; 24) and said first and second lateral flexible tabs (LL1, LL2; 22A), respectively.
7. The normally closed flexible contact strip according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that said strip (LS; 20) is provided by cutting/stamping a sheet made from a conducting material.
8. A contact key for a flexible membrane keypad, characterised in that it comprises at least:

   - a printed circuit (CI; 12) provided with at least one front contact stud (PR; 16) and one back contact stud (PV; 18) each placed in the vicinity of one of the opposite edges of a slot (F; 14) arranged in said printed circuit;

   - a flexible contact strip (LS; 20) according to any one of claims 3 to 7 inserted into said slot (F; 14) and forming a normally closed electrical contact between said front contact stud (PR; 16) and said back contact stud (PV; 18), said flexible strip (LS; 20) comprising a support point (PA; 28) allowing a force to be exerted for breaking the normally closed electrical contact.
9. The contact key for a flexible membrane keypad according to claim 8, comprising a cover (C; 26) or a touch pad (PT), disposed above said support point (PA; 28), capable of cooperating with said support point (PA; 28) so that it can be activated by applying pressure to said cover (C; 26) or to said touch plate (PT).
10. A flexible membrane keypad, characterised in that it comprises at least one key according to claim 8 or 9.

Images