ES2360676T3 - KEY PROVISION FOR AN ELECTRICAL OR ELECTRONIC DEVICE IN A CAR. - Google Patents

Abstract

Key arrangement for an electrical or electronic device in a car, with at least one key (1) having a key cap (2) that floats on a movable part of key (3), and with a key bezel ( 4) wrapping the key cap (2), in which the separations between the side surfaces of the key cap (2) and the marginal areas of the key bezel (4), oriented towards the side surfaces of the key cap ( 2) they are, at least in zones, smaller when the key is not operated than when the key is operated, characterized in that the key cap (2) forms a circumferential marginal zone and because the entire marginal zone lies on a surface of the movable part of key (3).

Description

The present invention relates to a key arrangement for an electrical or electronic device in a car, with at least one key having a key cap that lies floating on a movable part of the key, and with a key embellishment that wraps the key cap, in which the separations between the side surfaces of the key cap and the marginal areas of the key bezel, oriented towards the side surfaces of the key cap are, at least by areas, smaller when the key that when the key is activated.

In the key arrangements it is desirable to arrange and guide the key cap in the opening of a bezel with the smallest possible gap. To compensate for the tolerances between the position of the key and the position of the opening of the corresponding bezel, which can cause a clogging of the key cap in the opening of the bezel, it is known how to arrange the key cap floatingly in a moving part of the key.

Document DE10316934A1 discloses a key block with key caps made as hollow bodies that are wrapped by a frame. The key caps respectively extend over a crossbeam of a mobile T-shaped drive element, floating internally on the crossbar the inner side of the key cap, opposite the drive surface.

From EP008365 a keyboard is known in which the keys have rounded lateral surfaces, so that the separations between the lateral surfaces of the key and the marginal areas of a support plate, oriented towards the lateral surfaces of the key, are , at least by areas, smaller when the key is not activated than when the key is activated. In this way it is intended to improve the centering of the key in its starting position.

In that case, the key does not form a circumferential marginal zone that lies entirely on the surface of a movable part of the key. Instead, the key is in a cavity resting on a button with a central contact stop point of your foot.

A disadvantage of the known embodiments is that in case of exerting an off-center pressure on the key cap, the key cap overturns with respect to a drive element or the frame. In a floating-housed key, the user can experience the feeling of inaccurate guidance of the key.

The objective was to provide a key arrangement with a guided key cap with an especially small set. In addition, the key layout must be of a particularly simple and economical construction and be characterized by a reduced assembly work.

According to the invention, this objective is achieved in such a way that the key cap forms a circumferential marginal zone and in such a way that the entire marginal zone lies on a surface of the movable part of the key.

In this way, the key cap is optimally supported in the direction of actuation and is largely tilt-proof, without the need to fix the key cap to the movable part of the key.

or a special guidance in the key frame.

In addition, some particularly advantageous configurations and variants of the key arrangement according to the invention are described in the dependent claims.

An embodiment of the invention is represented in the drawing and is described in detail below with the help of the drawing.

Show

Figure 1, a top plan view of a key cap disposed within a key bezel;

Figure 2, a sectional drawing through a key bezel (representation without key cap);

Figure 3, a side elevation of the key cap;

Figure 4, a sectional drawing of the key arrangement with the key not being operated;

Figure 5, a sectional drawing of the key arrangement with the key being operated.

Figure 1 shows a top plan view of a key arrangement according to the invention. A key cap (2) can be seen wrapped by a key bezel (4). The surface of the button cap (2) is designed partially translucently in its central area, resulting in a light-transparent symbol representation (9). On the side walls of the key cap (2) and in the marginal areas of the key bezel (4), a total of six pairs of guiding means (11) are formed, which act respectively together, allowing exact centering of the key cap ( 2) inside the cavity of the key bezel (4), as described in more detail with the aid of the following figures. The key arrangement represented with a single key can obviously also constitute a part of a larger key arrangement having several keys and, if necessary, several key beautifiers.

In Figure 2 a section is shown through the key bezel (4), but without the key cap drawn in Figure 1. The marginal area of the key bezel (4), parallel to the drawing plane, has two means of substantially rectangular guiding, configured as guiding ribs (5) molded in relief.

To center the key cap inside the cavity (12) of the key bezel (4), the guiding ribs (5) of the key bezel (4) act in conjunction with other guiding ribs (6) molded on the surface corresponding side of the button cap (2). This is illustrated in Figure 3 which represents in side elevation a key cap (2) as an individual piece.

The elevated length of the guide ribs (6) on the lateral surface of the key cap (2) is continuously reduced in the direction towards the operating surface of the key cap (2). Therefore, the separation between the guide ribs (5, 6) in the key cap (2) and the key bezel (4) is minimal when the key is not activated. Thus, by the freely floating arrangement of the key cap (2) on a movable part of the key, which is represented in Figures 4 and 5, the key cap is optimally centered within the opening of the bezel when The key is not activated.

During a key actuation, the separation between the guiding ribs (5, 6) increases in such a way that no friction occurs and, therefore, the guiding ribs (5, 6) are prevented from influencing the haptic drive. When the key is released, the key cap (2) is again centered by the decreasing separation of the guiding ribs (5, 6) in the key cap (2) and the key bezel (4).

The structure of a fully assembled key arrangement can be seen in the sectional representations of Figures 4 and 5, Figure 4 showing a key arrangement with a non-operated key, and Figure 5, a key arrangement with a key powered. For clarity, the representation of other components belonging to the key arrangement, especially electrical switching elements that contribute nothing to the configuration according to the invention, has been omitted.

The key cap (2) lies floating, that is, without positive union, on a marginal section (10) in the form of a reflector collar (3), which is guided in a housing piece (8) linearly in the direction of key operation (1). When lying flat on the reflector (3), a vertical positioning, without tipping, of the key cap (2) is guaranteed; but even in the mounted state, the key cap (2) can still move freely horizontally with respect to the reflector (3). In the non-operated position of the key, which is represented in Figure 4, the force of a spring which, for example, can be an integral part of a switching element (micro switch, switching mat or the like) not shown, maintains the reflector (3) and the key cap

(2) in the resting position represented. For this, the marginal section (10) of the reflector (3) presses the key cap upwards (2), until end stops (7a) molded in the key cap (2), on the lower side of the key bezel ( 4). In this position, the key cap (2) is optimally centered within the cavity of the key bezel (4), by the guiding ribs described above. In this way, the key cap (2) can no longer be moved and the groove measurement is constant throughout the circumference.

When the key is operated, which is shown in Figure 5, the key cap (2) and the reflector (3) are moved in the direction of the housing part (8). The reflector (3) has at least one molded end stop (7b), which in case of a pressure on the key cap (2) comes into contact with the housing part (8) thus limiting the movement of the reflector ( 3) in the direction of operation of the key (1).

By the end stops (7a, 7b) which, on the one hand, are molded to the key cap (2) and, on the other hand, to the reflector (3), it is guaranteed that both in the activated state and in the non-activated state the button cap (2) is pressed against the reflector (3). Thus, a clacking is effectively avoided.

Thanks to the floating arrangement of the key cap (2) on the reflector (3) and the separation of the guide ribs from each other, which is larger in the key operated position, a horizontal displacement of the key cap is possible (2) with respect to the reflector (3); but because the key cap (2) is pressed towards the marginal section (10) of the reflector (3) by the actuating force acting vertically, the horizontal displacement of the key cap (2), which actually occurs, It is generally reduced. In addition, each time the key (1) is released, the key cap (2) is re-centered within the cavity of the key bezel (4).

As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, in principle it is also possible to achieve a centering of the key cap (2) inside the cavity of the key bezel (4) by the mere fact that the side surfaces of the key cap (2) and the marginal areas of the key bezel (4) form surfaces arranged not parallel to each other, whose separation is smaller when the key is not operated than when the key is actuated, which is achieved, for example, by a key cap (2) with a variable cross-sectional surface in the direction of operation.

However, centering through guided ribs or molded guiding surfaces is advantageous, because in this way the frictional forces that occur when the key is operated are significantly reduced.

REFERENCE SIGNS

1 Key 2 Key cap 3 Key movable part (reflector) 4 Key bezel 5, 6 Guide ribs 7a, 7b End stops 8 Housing part 9 Symbol representation 10 Marginal section 11 Guide means 12 Cavity

Claims (8)

one.

 Key arrangement for an electrical or electronic device in a car, with at least one key (1) having a key cap (2) that floats on a movable part of key (3), and with a key bezel ( 4) wrapping the key cap (2), in which the separations between the side surfaces of the key cap (2) and the marginal areas of the key bezel (4), oriented towards the side surfaces of the key cap ( 2) they are, at least in zones, smaller when the key is not operated than when the key is operated, characterized in that the key cap (2) forms a circumferential marginal zone and because the entire marginal zone lies on a surface of the movable part of key (3).

2.

 Key arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that guiding ribs (5, 6) or guiding surfaces are molded into the side walls of the key cap (2) and / or in the marginal areas of the key bezel (4). They extend non-parallel with respect to the direction of operation.

3.

 Key arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the side surfaces of the key cap (2) and the marginal areas of the key bezel (4), oriented towards the side surfaces of the key cap (2), form non-parallel surfaces, At least by areas.

Four.

 Key arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable key part (3) is a reflector.

5.

 Key arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable part of the key constitutes a pusher.

6.

 Key arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable key part (3) is linearly guided in the direction of operation of the key (1).

7.

 Key arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that end stops (7a) are molded in the key cap (2) which come into contact with the key trim (4) in the non-actuated position of the key (4).

8.

 Key arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that end stops (7b) are molded in the movable part of key (3) which come into contact with a housing part (8) in the key operated position (1).