EP3078046A1 - Keyboard comprising multiple stabilized tile-shaped keys - Google Patents

Keyboard comprising multiple stabilized tile-shaped keys

Info

Publication number
EP3078046A1
EP3078046A1 EP14806673.1A EP14806673A EP3078046A1 EP 3078046 A1 EP3078046 A1 EP 3078046A1 EP 14806673 A EP14806673 A EP 14806673A EP 3078046 A1 EP3078046 A1 EP 3078046A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
keys
film
keyboard
switch
switching
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP14806673.1A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3078046B1 (en
Inventor
Ferdinand Maier
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.)
FM Marketing GmbH
Original Assignee
FM Marketing GmbH
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 FM Marketing GmbH filed Critical FM Marketing GmbH
Publication of EP3078046A1 publication Critical patent/EP3078046A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3078046B1 publication Critical patent/EP3078046B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
    • 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
    • H01H2205/00—Movable contacts
    • H01H2205/016—Separate bridge contact
    • H01H2205/024—Means to facilitate positioning
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2205/00—Movable contacts
    • H01H2205/016—Separate bridge contact
    • H01H2205/024—Means to facilitate positioning
    • H01H2205/026—Adhesive sheet
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2205/00—Movable contacts
    • H01H2205/032—Several contacts formed in one plate or layer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2209/00—Layers
    • H01H2209/006—Force isolators
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2215/00—Tactile feedback
    • H01H2215/004—Collapsible dome or bubble
    • H01H2215/012—Positioning of individual dome
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2217/00—Facilitation of operation; Human engineering
    • H01H2217/016—Pressure reduction membrane; Spreader layer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
    • H01H2229/024—Packing between substrate and membrane
    • H01H2229/028—Adhesive

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a keyboard according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • a keyboard is known from EP 1876620 A1.
  • This keyboard has a keypad with a plurality of plate-shaped, rigid keys which are slidably guided in recesses of a cover plate.
  • Each of these buttons is connected to an associated switch plunger of a flexible switch film, wherein the switch film for each button has an electrically capable layer, which is associated with each of a pair of switch contacts on a printed circuit board.
  • the individual keys are glued to the associated switch plunger.
  • the switch plunger and the switching foil are made of rubber-elastic material and therefore flexible in all directions, which has the consequence that the plate-shaped largely rigid keys perform tilting or wobbling movements when they not exactly centrally applied with a force. Also, the keys can be moved in a plane (X, Y) that is parallel to their surface. They can tilt and pinch in the cover plate.
  • US 4, 520, 248 A shows a keyboard having a plurality of keys, each separated by a gap, attached to an elastic foam layer.
  • a switching film is arranged with electrically conductive areas , which are held by a distance to a conductor plate.
  • the keys can also perform tilting or wobbling when pressed, which has the disadvantages described above.
  • DE 10 2004 021 542 A1 shows a keyboard with rubber-elastic switching tappets, which are each covered by a rigid cap, wherein the caps are guided displaceably in a cover layer.
  • the object of the invention is to improve the keyboard of the type mentioned in that with a simple design a secure key operation is possible.
  • tilting or tumbling movements of the keys are at least sc far suppressed that always a safe switching of the corresponding contact is achieved when depressing the key.
  • the basic idea of the invention is to connect the plate-shaped, substantially rigid keys to the switch tappets with the interposition of a band-like foil.
  • the ribbon-like film is bending elastic, but substantially tensile strength- Through this band-like foil, the keys and the rubber-elastic switch plungers are stabilized so that even off-center pressing a key has no appreciable tilting of the keys result and thus a perfect switching function is given. Also, a displacement of the keys is prevented parallel to its rest position plane (X, Y), because the ribbon-like film is largely tensile strength.
  • the attachment of the buttons on the tape-like film is preferably carried out by gluing and in particular preferably by double-sided with an adhesive coating provided adhesive strip. In the same way, the connection between the switch tappets and the tape-like film is carried out.
  • the surface of said double-sided provided with an adhesive coating tape is smaller than the surface of the associated key and also smaller than that with the Adhesive strips in contact, coming surface of the switch plunger.
  • the film of PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • a thickness of preferably 0.05 mm to 0, 15 mm the film of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) in a thickness of preferably 0.05 mm to 0, 15 mm. Since this film is flexurally elastic, the actuation force of the individual keys that are connected by these films does not change and continues to be determined by the mechanical properties of the rubber-elastic switch plunger. However, a wobbling or tilting of the largely rigid keys is prevented,
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic exploded view of a keyboard according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a plan view of the keyboard of the figure
  • Fig. 3 is a section along the line A-A of the figure
  • FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of a region B of FIG. 3.
  • the keyboard of FIG. 1 has a housing 1, in which a printed circuit board 2 is arranged, which, among other things, has the usual electrical switch contacts 3 for a keyboard. Above the conductor track plate 2, a spacer foil 4 is arranged, which has the switching contacts 3 associated openings 5, through which Metal dome 6 protrude, which are attached to a switching film 7. The metal domes 6 have a convex curvature, are glued to the switch film 7 and held by the spacer foil 4 in the resting state of the keyboard so that the switching contacts 3 assigned to the respective metal domes 6 are not connected to one another.
  • the switching film 7 with the metal domes attached to it is connected via an adhesive film 8 with a silicone plate 9, of which several, the metal domes 6 associated switch plunger 9.1, 9.2 and. Protrude 9.3, which are integrally formed in the silicone plate 9.
  • the switching tappets 9.1-9.3 have switching pins which project through openings in the adhesive film 8 and touch the switching foil 7 at the points of the metal domes 6. If a switch plunger is depressed vertically in the direction of the Z-axis, the associated metal dome 6 is deformed and touches the associated switch contacts 3, thus closing an electrical switch.
  • the switching plunger 9.1-9.3 are connected at their facing away from the conductor plate 2 top with a strip-like film 10, which is done by adhesive strips 11.1 - 11.3, which are coated on both sides with adhesive.
  • the tape-like film 10 can also be glued directly onto the switch plunger 9.1-9.3. It is important that the band-like film 10 connects all Schaitst Congressel together, is flexible and tensile. In other words, the film 10 can thus be bent in the Z-direction, but in the XY plane is substantially not deformable or stretchable.
  • the band-like film 10 is connected on its other side via adhesive strips 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3 with plate-shaped keys 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3, these keys are preferably made of hard plastic and therefore only to a very limited extent bendable.
  • the two outer keys 13.1 and 13.3 shown in FIG. 1 may be integrally transferred into a housing cover 14, which is fastened to the housing 1, for example with pins 15 which engage in bores 16 of housing side walls 17.
  • the keys 13.1 and 13.3 are so far elastic in connection with the adjacent parts of the housing cover 14 and the attachment via the pins 15 that the switching plunger 9.1 and 9.3 can be compressed so far that the desired switching operation takes place.
  • the keys 13 and the switch plunger 9 are fixed in the X / Y plane and can be moved in the Z direction due to the bending elasticity of the film 10.
  • tilting by the film 10 is also largely prevented, so that even with a lopsided pressing the button this is essentially only moved in the Z direction.
  • FIG. 2 shows a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a keyboard according to the invention, with only three keys 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 being provided here, the two keys 13.1 and 13.3 also simultaneously being components of a housing cover 14 can.
  • the principle of the invention can also be applied to other key arrangements, for example in those keyboards in which the keys are arranged in rows and columns in the form of a matrix, in which case the ribbon-like sheet extends over the surface of all the keys.
  • FIG. 3 shows a section along the line A - A of FIG. 2.
  • the band-like foil 10 arranged between the keys 13. 1, 13. 2 and 13. 3 and the switch tappets 9. 1, 9. 2 and 9. 3 can be seen, the adhesive strips 11 and 12 being shown in FIG. 3 1, since the band-like film 10 can also be glued directly to the switch tappets 9 and the keys 13.
  • the switching tappet 9 have on their facing the printed circuit board plate 2 underside a cylindrical or conical projecting pin 16 which is formed here by a pin 16 surrounding the recess 17. This pin 16 protrudes in the direction of the switching film 7 and the convex toward the pin 16 arched metal domes 6.
  • the metal dome 6 can bulge so far under mechanical stress through the pin 16, that they the associated switching contacts 3 on the printed circuit board. 2 and also causes a haptic perceptible effect, commonly referred to as a "click" effect.
  • all switching tappets 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3 are connected to each other via webs 18, which are partially supported on the adhesive film 8.
  • Fig. 4 shows an enlarged detail view of the detail B of Fig.
  • the term "key” is not necessarily an insulated component.
  • a closed ring connected to elastically deformable switch tappets may form four or more keys. It would also be conceivable to separate one or more segments of such a ring from the rest of the ring and to define it as a button.

Abstract

The invention relates to a keyboard comprising multiple tile-shaped keys (13) connected to actuating plungers (9). The keyboard stabilizes the keys (13) by means of a strip-type film (10) which is flexible but can nevertheless withstand high-tensile stress and which connects all keys (13) and all actuating plungers (9).

Description

TASTATUR MIT MEHREREN STABILISIERTEN PLATTENFORMIGEN TASTEN KEYBOARD WITH SEVERAL STABILIZED PLATE-SHAPED BUTTONS
Beschreibung description
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Tastatur gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Patentanspruches 1. Eine solche Tastatur ist aus der EP 1876620 A1 bekannt. Diese Tastatur hat ein Tastenfeld mit einer Vielzahl von plattenförmigen, starren Tasten, die in Ausnehmungen einer Abdeckplatte verschiebbar geführt sind. Jede dieser Tasten ist mit einem zugeordneten Schaltstößel einer flexiblen Schaltfolie verbunden, wobei die Schaltfolie für jede Taste eine elektrisch ieitfähige Schicht aufweist, die jeweils einem Paar von Schaltkontakten auf einer Leiterbahnplatte zugeordnet ist. Die einzelnen Tasten sind an dem zugeord- neten Schaltstößel angeklebt. The invention relates to a keyboard according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a keyboard is known from EP 1876620 A1. This keyboard has a keypad with a plurality of plate-shaped, rigid keys which are slidably guided in recesses of a cover plate. Each of these buttons is connected to an associated switch plunger of a flexible switch film, wherein the switch film for each button has an electrically capable layer, which is associated with each of a pair of switch contacts on a printed circuit board. The individual keys are glued to the associated switch plunger.
Beim Niederdrücken einer Taste drückt diese den zugeordneten Schaltstößel nieder, dessen elektrisch leitfähige Koiitaktflache dann das Kontaktpaar auf der Lei- terbahnplatte berührt und damit einen elektrischen Kontakt schließt. Beim Loslassen der Taste federn der Schaltstößel und die Schaltfolie in ihre Ausgangsstellung zurück und öffnen dann den zugeordneten elektrischen Kontakt. Die Schaltstößel und die Schaltfolie sind aus gummielastischem Material und daher in allen Raumrichtungen flexibel, was zur Folge hat, dass die plattenförmigen weitestgehend starren Tasten auch Kipp- oder Taumelbewegungen durchführen, wenn sie nicht exakt zentrisch mit einer Kraft beaufschlagt werden. Auch können die Tasten in einer Ebene (X, Y) verschoben werden, die parallel zu deren Oberfläche liegt. Dabei können sie sich verkanten und in der Ab- deckplatte klemmen. Auch ist nicht sichergestellt, dass der gewünschte elektrische Kontakt geschlossen wird, da ein "schiefes" Drücken der Taste dem Benutzer den Eindruck vermitteln kann, die Taste sei vollständig niedergedrückt, während tatsächlich der zugeordne- te Schaltstößel nicht ausreichend niedergedrückt und verformt wird, um das zugeordnete Kontaktpaar auf der Leiterbahnplatte elektrisch zu verbinden. When a key is pressed down, it presses down the associated switch plunger, the electrically conductive contact surface of which then contacts the contact pair on the conductor plate and thus closes an electrical contact. When you release the key of the switch plunger and the switching foil spring back into their original position and then open the associated electrical contact. The switch plunger and the switching foil are made of rubber-elastic material and therefore flexible in all directions, which has the consequence that the plate-shaped largely rigid keys perform tilting or wobbling movements when they not exactly centrally applied with a force. Also, the keys can be moved in a plane (X, Y) that is parallel to their surface. They can tilt and pinch in the cover plate. Also, there is no assurance that the desired electrical contact will be closed, as a "skew" press of the button may give the user the impression that the button is fully depressed while in fact the associated switch plunger is not depressed sufficiently and deformed associated contact pair on the conductor plate electrically connect.
Die US 4, 520, 248 A zeigt eine Tastatur mit mehreren, jeweils durch einen Spalt voneinander getrennten Tasten, die an einer elastischen Schaumschicht befestigt sind. Auf der den Tasten gegenüberliegenden Seite der Schaumschicht ist eine Schaltfolie mit elektrisch leitfähigen Bereichen angeordnet,,, die durch Abstand- halber gegenüber einer Leiterbahnplatte gehalten werden. Durch die Schaumschicht können die Tasten beim Niederdrücken auch Kipp- oder Taumelbewegungen ausführen, was die oben beschriebenen Nachteile hat. Die DE 10 2004 021 542 A1 zeigt eine Tastatur mit gum- rcielastischen Schaltstößeln, die jeweils durch eine starre Kappe abgedeckt sind, wobei die Kappen in einer Deckschicht verschiebbar geführt sind. Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es, die Tastatur der eingangs genannten Art dahingehend zu verbessern, dass bei einfachem Aufbau eine sichere Tastenbetätigung möglich ist. Insbesondere sollen Kipp- oder Taumelbe- wegungen der Tasten zumindest sc weit unterbunden werden, dass stets ein sicheres Schalten des entsprechenden Kontaktes beim Niederdrücken der Taste erreicht wird. US 4, 520, 248 A shows a keyboard having a plurality of keys, each separated by a gap, attached to an elastic foam layer. On the opposite side of the foam layer, a switching film is arranged with electrically conductive areas ,, which are held by a distance to a conductor plate. Through the foam layer, the keys can also perform tilting or wobbling when pressed, which has the disadvantages described above. DE 10 2004 021 542 A1 shows a keyboard with rubber-elastic switching tappets, which are each covered by a rigid cap, wherein the caps are guided displaceably in a cover layer. The object of the invention is to improve the keyboard of the type mentioned in that with a simple design a secure key operation is possible. In particular, tilting or tumbling movements of the keys are at least sc far suppressed that always a safe switching of the corresponding contact is achieved when depressing the key.
Diese Aufgabe wird durch die im Patentanspruch 1 angegebenen Merkmale gelöst. Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen und Weiterbildungen der Erfindung sind den Unteransprüchen zu entnehmen, This object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are to be taken from the subclaims,
Die Grundidee der Erfindung besteht darin, die plat- tenförmigen, im wesentlichen starren Tasten unter Zwischenschaltung einer bandartigen Folie mit den Schaltstößeln zu verbinden. Die bandartige Folie ist dabei biegeelastisch, jedoch im wesentlichen zugfest- Durch diese bandartige Folie werden die Tasten und die gummielastischen Schaltstößeln so stabilisiert, dass auch ein außermittiges Drücken einer Taste kein nennenswertes Verkanten der Tasten zur Folge hat und damit eine einwandfreie Schaltfunktion gegeben ist. Auch ist ein Verschieben der Tasten parallel zu ihrer Ruhelageebene (X, Y) unterbunden, weil die bandartige Folie weitestgehend zugfest ist. Die Befestigung der Tasten an der bandartigen Folie erfolgt vorzugsweise durch Ankleben und insbesondere vorzugsweise durch doppelseitig mit einer Klebebeschichtung versehene Klebestreifen. In gleicher Weise erfolgt auch die Verbindung zwischen den Schaltstößeln und der bandartigen Folie. The basic idea of the invention is to connect the plate-shaped, substantially rigid keys to the switch tappets with the interposition of a band-like foil. The ribbon-like film is bending elastic, but substantially tensile strength- Through this band-like foil, the keys and the rubber-elastic switch plungers are stabilized so that even off-center pressing a key has no appreciable tilting of the keys result and thus a perfect switching function is given. Also, a displacement of the keys is prevented parallel to its rest position plane (X, Y), because the ribbon-like film is largely tensile strength. The attachment of the buttons on the tape-like film is preferably carried out by gluing and in particular preferably by double-sided with an adhesive coating provided adhesive strip. In the same way, the connection between the switch tappets and the tape-like film is carried out.
Nach einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung ist die Fläche der genannten doppelseitig mit einer Klebebeschichtung versehenen Klebestreifen kleiner als die Fläche der zugeordneten Taste und auch kleiner als die mit den Klebestreifen in Kontakt, kommende Fläche der Schaltstößel . According to a development of the invention, the surface of said double-sided provided with an adhesive coating tape is smaller than the surface of the associated key and also smaller than that with the Adhesive strips in contact, coming surface of the switch plunger.
Vorzugsweise besteht die Folie aus PET (Polyethylente- rephthalat) in einer Stärke von vorzugsweise 0,05 mm bis 0, 15 mm. Da diese Folie biegeelastisch ist, ändert sich die Betätigungskraft der einzelnen Tasten, die durch diese Folien verbunden sind nicht und bleibt weiterhin durch die mechanischen Eigenschaften der gummielastischen Schaltstößel bestimmt. Jedoch ist ein Wackeln oder Verkanten der weitestgehend starren Tasten unterbunden, Preferably, the film of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) in a thickness of preferably 0.05 mm to 0, 15 mm. Since this film is flexurally elastic, the actuation force of the individual keys that are connected by these films does not change and continues to be determined by the mechanical properties of the rubber-elastic switch plunger. However, a wobbling or tilting of the largely rigid keys is prevented,
Im Folgenden wird die Erfindung anhand eines Ausfüh rungsbeispieles im Zusammenhang rnit der Zeichnung aus führlicher erläutert. Es zeigt: In the following the invention with reference to an example Ausfüh approximately in connection with the drawing is explained in detail. It shows:
Fig. 1 eine schematische Explosionsdarstellung einer Tastatur nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung; Fig. 1 is a schematic exploded view of a keyboard according to an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 eine Draufsicht auf die Tastatur der Figur  Fig. 2 is a plan view of the keyboard of the figure
1;  1;
Fig. 3 einen Schnitt längs der Linie A-A der Figur  Fig. 3 is a section along the line A-A of the figure
2 ; und  2; and
Fig. 4 eine vergrößerte Ansicht eines Bereiches B der Fig. 3. 4 shows an enlarged view of a region B of FIG. 3.
Die Tastatur der Fig. 1 hat ein Gehäuse 1, in dem eine Leiterbahnplatte 2 angeordnet ist, die unter anderem die für eine Tastatur üblichen elektrischen Schaltkontakte 3 aufweist. Über der Leiterbahnplatte 2 ist eine Abstandhalterfoiie 4 angeordnet, die den Schaltkontakten 3 zugeordnete Öffnungen 5 aufweist, durch welche Metalldome 6 hindurchragen, die an einer Schaltfolie 7 befestigt sind. Die Metalldome 6 sind konvex gewölbt, an der Schaltfolie 7 angeklebt und durch die Abstand- haiterfolie 4 im Ruhezustand der Tastatur so gehalten, dass die den jeweiligen Metalldomen 6 zugeordneten Schaltkontakte 3 nicht miteinander verbunden sind. The keyboard of FIG. 1 has a housing 1, in which a printed circuit board 2 is arranged, which, among other things, has the usual electrical switch contacts 3 for a keyboard. Above the conductor track plate 2, a spacer foil 4 is arranged, which has the switching contacts 3 associated openings 5, through which Metal dome 6 protrude, which are attached to a switching film 7. The metal domes 6 have a convex curvature, are glued to the switch film 7 and held by the spacer foil 4 in the resting state of the keyboard so that the switching contacts 3 assigned to the respective metal domes 6 are not connected to one another.
Die Schaltfolie 7 mit den an ihr befestigten Metalldomen ist über eine Klebefolie 8 mit einer Silikonplatte 9 verbunden, von der mehrere, den Metalldomen 6 zugeordnete Schaltstößel 9.1, 9.2 und. 9.3 abstehen, die einstückig in der Silikonplatte 9 ausgebildet sind. Die Schaltstößel 9.1-9,3 haben, wie im Zusammenhang mit Fig.3 erläutert wird, Schaltzapfen, die durch Öff- nungen der Klebefolie 8 hindurch ragen und die Schaltfolie 7 an den Stellen der Metalldome 6 berühren. Wird ein Schaltstößel vertikal in Richtung der Z-Achse niedergedrückt, so wird der zugeordnete Metalldom 6 verformt und berührt die zugeordneten Schaltkontakte 3, womit ein elektrischer Schalter geschlossen, wird. The switching film 7 with the metal domes attached to it is connected via an adhesive film 8 with a silicone plate 9, of which several, the metal domes 6 associated switch plunger 9.1, 9.2 and. Protrude 9.3, which are integrally formed in the silicone plate 9. As has been explained in connection with FIG. 3, the switching tappets 9.1-9.3 have switching pins which project through openings in the adhesive film 8 and touch the switching foil 7 at the points of the metal domes 6. If a switch plunger is depressed vertically in the direction of the Z-axis, the associated metal dome 6 is deformed and touches the associated switch contacts 3, thus closing an electrical switch.
Die Schaltstößel 9.1-9.3 sind an ihrer von der Leiterbahnplatte 2 fortweisenden Oberseite mit einer bandartigen Folie 10 verbunden, was durch Klebestreifen 11.1 - 11.3 erfolgt, die beidseitig mit Klebstoff beschichtet sind. Alternativ kann die bandartige Folie 10 auch direkt auf die Schaltstößel 9.1-9.3 aufgeklebt werden. Wichtig ist, dass die bandartige Folie 10 alle Schaitstößel miteinander verbindet, biegeelastisch ist und zugfest. Mit anderen Worten kann die Folie 10 also in Z-Richtung durchgebogen werden, ist jedoch in der XY Ebene im wesentlichen nicht verform- oder dehnbar. Die bandartige Folie 10 ist auf ihrer anderen Seite über Klebestreifen 12.1, 12.2 und 12,3 mit plattenför- migen Tasten 13.1, 13.2 und 13.3 verbunden, wobei diese Tasten vorzugsweise aus hartem Kunststoff sind und daher auch nur in sehr geringem Umfang biegbar. Die in Figur 1 dargestellten beiden äußeren Tasten 13.1 und 13.3 können einstückig in einen Gehäusedeckel 14 übergehen, der beispielsweise mit Zapfen 15, die in Bohrungen 16 von Gehäuseseitenwänden 17 eingreifen, an dem Gehäuse 1 befestigt ist. Die Tasten 13.1 und 13.3 sind dabei in Verbindung mit den angrenzenden Teilen des Gehäusedeckels 14 und der Befestigung über die Zapfen 15 so weit elastisch, dass die Schaltstößel 9.1 und 9.3 so weit zusammengedrückt werden können, dass der gewünschte Schaltvorgang stattfindet. The switching plunger 9.1-9.3 are connected at their facing away from the conductor plate 2 top with a strip-like film 10, which is done by adhesive strips 11.1 - 11.3, which are coated on both sides with adhesive. Alternatively, the tape-like film 10 can also be glued directly onto the switch plunger 9.1-9.3. It is important that the band-like film 10 connects all Schaitstößel together, is flexible and tensile. In other words, the film 10 can thus be bent in the Z-direction, but in the XY plane is substantially not deformable or stretchable. The band-like film 10 is connected on its other side via adhesive strips 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3 with plate-shaped keys 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3, these keys are preferably made of hard plastic and therefore only to a very limited extent bendable. The two outer keys 13.1 and 13.3 shown in FIG. 1 may be integrally transferred into a housing cover 14, which is fastened to the housing 1, for example with pins 15 which engage in bores 16 of housing side walls 17. The keys 13.1 and 13.3 are so far elastic in connection with the adjacent parts of the housing cover 14 and the attachment via the pins 15 that the switching plunger 9.1 and 9.3 can be compressed so far that the desired switching operation takes place.
Durch die bandartige Folie 10, die auch mit Teilen des Gehäusedeckels 14 verbunden sein kann, sind die Tasten 13 und die Schaltstößel 9 in der X/Y-Ebene fixiert und können aufgrund der Biegeelastizität der Folie 10 jedoch in Z-Richtung verschoben werden. Bei einem "schiefen", d.h. außermittigen Drücken einer der Tasten, z.B. der Taste 13.2, wird ein Verkanten durch die Folie 10 ebenfalls weitestgehend verhindert, so dass auch bei einem schiefen Drücken der Taste diese im wesentlichen doch nur in Z-Richtung bewegt wird. By the band-like film 10, which may also be connected to parts of the housing cover 14, the keys 13 and the switch plunger 9 are fixed in the X / Y plane and can be moved in the Z direction due to the bending elasticity of the film 10. In a "leaning", i. off-center pressing of one of the keys, e.g. the key 13.2, tilting by the film 10 is also largely prevented, so that even with a lopsided pressing the button this is essentially only moved in the Z direction.
Fig. 2 zeigt eine Draufsicht auf ein Ausführungsbei- spiel einer Tastatur nach der Erfindung, wobei hier nur drei Tasten 13.1, 13.2 und 13.3 vorgesehen sind, wobei die beiden Tasten 13.1 und 13.3 auch gleichzeitig noch Bestandteile eines Gehäusedeckels 14 sein können. Selbstverständlich kann das Prinzip der Erfindung auch bei anderen Tastenanordnungen angewandt werden, beispielsweise bei solchen Tastaturen, bei denen die Tasten in Form einer Matrix in Zeilen und Spalten angeordnet sind, wobei dann die bandartige Folie sich über die Fläche aller Tasten erstreckt. 2 shows a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a keyboard according to the invention, with only three keys 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 being provided here, the two keys 13.1 and 13.3 also simultaneously being components of a housing cover 14 can. Of course, the principle of the invention can also be applied to other key arrangements, for example in those keyboards in which the keys are arranged in rows and columns in the form of a matrix, in which case the ribbon-like sheet extends over the surface of all the keys.
Fig. 3 zeigt einen Schnitt längs der Linie A-A der Fig. 2. Man sieht hier die zwischen den Tasten 13.1, 13.2 und 13.3 und den Schaltstößeln 9.1, 9.2 und 9.3 angeordnete bandartige Folie 10, wobei in Fig. 3 die Klebestreifen 11 und 12 der Fig. 1 fortgelassen sind, da die bandartige Folie 10 auch direkt mit den Schaltstößeln 9 und den Tasten 13 verklebt werden kann. FIG. 3 shows a section along the line A - A of FIG. 2. The band-like foil 10 arranged between the keys 13. 1, 13. 2 and 13. 3 and the switch tappets 9. 1, 9. 2 and 9. 3 can be seen, the adhesive strips 11 and 12 being shown in FIG. 3 1, since the band-like film 10 can also be glued directly to the switch tappets 9 and the keys 13.
Die SchaltStößel 9 haben an ihrer zur Leiterbahnplatte 2 weisenden Unterseite einen zylindrischen oder konischen vorspringenden Zapfen 16, der hier durch eine den Zapfen 16 umgebende Aussparung 17 gebildet ist. Dieser Zapfen 16 ragt in Richtung zu der Schaltfolie 7 und zu den konvex in Richtung zu den Zapfen 16 gewölbten Metalldomen 6. Die Metalldome 6 können sich bei mechanischer Belastung durch den Zapfen 16 so weit durchwölben, dass sie die zugeordneten Schaltkontakte 3 auf der Leiterbahnplatte 2 kontaktieren und dabei auch einen haptisch wahrnehmbaren Effekt auslöst, der üblicherweise als "Klick"-Effekt bezeichnet wird. Im Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 3 sind alle Schaltstößel 9.1, 9.2 und 9.3 miteinander verbunden und zwar über Stege 18, die teilweise auf der Klebefolie 8 abgestützt sind. Fig. 4 zeigt eine vergrößerte Detailansicht des Details B der Fig. 3 und insbesondere den Übergangsbereich zwischen den Tasten 13.1 und 13.2, der von der bandartigen Folie 10 überbrückt wird, wobei diese F'o- lie 10 durch Klebestreifen 11 und 12 mit den Schaltstößeln 9 bzw. den Tasten 13 verbunden ist, wobei die Klebestreifen 12 und 13 eine kleinere Oberfläche haben als die Schaltstößel 9 und die Tasten 13. Abschließend sei noch darauf hingewiesen, dass der Begriff "Taste" nicht notwendigerweise ein isoliertes Bauteil bezeichnet. So kann beispielsweise ein mit elastisch verformbaren Schaltstößeln verbundener geschlossener Ring vier oder mehr Tasten bilden. Auch wäre denkbar, ein oder mehrere Segmente eines solchen Ringes gegenüber dem Rest des Ringes abzutrennen und als Taste zu definieren. The switching tappet 9 have on their facing the printed circuit board plate 2 underside a cylindrical or conical projecting pin 16 which is formed here by a pin 16 surrounding the recess 17. This pin 16 protrudes in the direction of the switching film 7 and the convex toward the pin 16 arched metal domes 6. The metal dome 6 can bulge so far under mechanical stress through the pin 16, that they the associated switching contacts 3 on the printed circuit board. 2 and also causes a haptic perceptible effect, commonly referred to as a "click" effect. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, all switching tappets 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3 are connected to each other via webs 18, which are partially supported on the adhesive film 8. Fig. 4 shows an enlarged detail view of the detail B of Fig. 3 and in particular the transition region between the keys 13.1 and 13.2, which is bridged by the ribbon-like film 10, said F'o- lie 10 by adhesive strips 11 and 12 with the switch tappets 9 and the buttons 13 is connected, wherein the adhesive strips 12 and 13 have a smaller surface than the switch plunger 9 and the keys 13. Finally, it should be noted that the term "key" is not necessarily an insulated component. For example, a closed ring connected to elastically deformable switch tappets may form four or more keys. It would also be conceivable to separate one or more segments of such a ring from the rest of the ring and to define it as a button.

Claims

Patentansprüche 1. Tastatur mit mehreren plattenförmigen Tasten , die über Schaltstößel mit einer elastisch verformbaren Schaltfolie verbunden sind, wobei die Schaltfolie elektrisch leitfähige Metalldome aufweist, die Schaltkontakten einer Leiterbahnplatte zugeordnet sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass alle Tasten1. Keyboard with a plurality of plate-shaped keys, which are connected via switch plunger with an elastically deformable switching foil, wherein the switching foil comprises electrically conductive metal dome, the switch contacts of a printed circuit board are associated, characterized in that all the keys
(13.1, 13.2, 13.3) und alle diesen Tasten zugeordneten SchaltStößel (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) mit einer biegeelastischen, jedoch zugfesten bandartigen Folie(13.1, 13.2, 13.3) and all of these buttons associated switch plunger (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) with a flexurally elastic, but tensile tape-like film
(10) verbunden sind . 2. Tastatur nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Folie (10) durch jeweils beidseitig mit Klebstoff beschichtete Klebestreifen (11,12) mit den Tasten (13) und den Schaltstößeln (13) verbunden ist. 3. Tastatur nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Klebestreifen (11,12) jeweils eine kleinere Fläche haben als die Fläche der zu befestigenden Taste (13) und als die Fläche des jeweils zu befestigenden Schaltstößels (9) . 4. Tastatur nach einem der Ansprüche 1-3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Folie (10) aus Polyethylen- terephthalat besteht . 5. Tastatur nach einem der Ansprüche 1-4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Folie (10) eine Dicke zwischen 0,05 mm und 0,15 mm hat. (10) are connected. 2. Keyboard according to claim 1, characterized in that the film (10) by adhesive coated on both sides with adhesive strips (11,12) with the buttons (13) and the switch tappets (13) is connected. 3. Keyboard according to claim 2, characterized in that the adhesive strips (11,12) each have a smaller area than the surface of the button to be fastened (13) and as the surface of each to be fastened switching plunger (9). 4. Keyboard according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the film (10) consists of polyethylene terephthalate. 5. Keyboard according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the film (10) has a thickness between 0.05 mm and 0.15 mm.
EP14806673.1A 2013-12-05 2014-12-05 Keyboard comprising multiple stabilized tile-shaped keys Not-in-force EP3078046B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE201310018156 DE102013018156B3 (en) 2013-12-05 2013-12-05 keyboard
PCT/EP2014/076746 WO2015082693A1 (en) 2013-12-05 2014-12-05 Keyboard comprising multiple stabilized tile-shaped keys

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EP3078046A1 true EP3078046A1 (en) 2016-10-12
EP3078046B1 EP3078046B1 (en) 2018-09-12

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US (1) US9831051B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3078046B1 (en)
CN (1) CN105917432B (en)
CA (1) CA2932794A1 (en)
DE (1) DE102013018156B3 (en)
HK (1) HK1225855B (en)
WO (1) WO2015082693A1 (en)

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DE102015120174B4 (en) 2015-11-20 2018-03-29 Fm Marketing Gmbh Stabilizing foil designed as a capacitive sensor
TWI672714B (en) * 2018-10-05 2019-09-21 致伸科技股份有限公司 Keyboard and key structure thereof
US11367581B1 (en) * 2021-04-13 2022-06-21 Xerox Corporation Membrane switches configured to sense pressure applied from compliant and rigid objects

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JPS59127328A (en) * 1982-12-30 1984-07-23 日本メクトロン株式会社 Keyboard switch
JPS59135536A (en) * 1983-01-24 1984-08-03 Sharp Corp Key input device
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WO2015082693A1 (en) 2015-06-11
HK1225855B (en) 2017-09-15
EP3078046B1 (en) 2018-09-12
CA2932794A1 (en) 2015-06-11
CN105917432B (en) 2018-09-25
CN105917432A (en) 2016-08-31
US9831051B2 (en) 2017-11-28
US20160379772A1 (en) 2016-12-29
DE102013018156B3 (en) 2015-04-16

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