JP2005108846A - Membrane key - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a membrane key which fits in an opening of a plate-shaped mount component and comprises a sleeve piece having a membrane on a contact side and a pressing piece movable along the sleeve. <P>SOLUTION: To fabricate the membrane key 1 usable in various apparatuses, the membrane 3 is non-detachably attached to the sleeve piece 2, and, in a state where the membrane key 1 is assembled, the sleeve piece 2 extends to the opening 7 and the neighborhood of the opening 7. At least the extending upper portion of the sleeve piece 2 and, where appropriate, the membrane 3 covering the extending portion of the sleeve piece 2 define the outer shape of the membrane key 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a manually operable membrane key used in various technical fields.

  Manually operable push button switches or keys are used in a variety of ways in almost all areas of technology. In many devices, the switch needs to be compatible with the conditions surrounding the switch. Also, particularly in the case of switches that are actuated relatively frequently, the actuating or pressing of the switch causes additional mechanical and chemical loads on the switch. Furthermore, since the switch is mounted so that it protrudes in a housing etc. in most cases, the fault regarding the protective function of a housing arises. Depending on the device, there are indentations or gaps close to the switch, but without such indentations or gaps, for example, moisture and dust accumulation and microbial growth can be prevented. The point is particularly important. The food industry or the medical field may exemplify in this regard.

  Various solutions are known to meet the above requirements, in particular to improve the life or durability of the switch, and also to protect the installation part close to the switch or key from adverse effects from the operating side of the key. Yes. One solution uses a membrane or film-like flat and flexible structure provided near the key. For example, in a well-known membrane keypad, a single membrane covers a part of a user interface where a plurality of touch panels are arranged almost flat. Due to the relatively adhesive and deformable membrane, for example each key or switch can be operated satisfactorily. At the same time, the keys and other components located on the back side of the user interface are protected from external influences, in particular moisture, gases and / or dust. Another aspect of using the membrane is that the user interface is relatively flat and advantageous.

  In the case of a frequently used key, wear of the membrane is inevitable with the above arrangement. The membrane needs to be replaced from time to time, and generally the entire keyboard needs to be replaced. However, exchanging the entire keyboard in this way is complex and costly, especially when only individual parts of the membrane are damaged.

  Therefore, the method of arranging the membrane on each key is the solution. In that case, each key is provided with a protective membrane, and only the keys that need to be exchanged are exchanged as necessary. For example, a switch or key having a membrane part and having a replaceable protective cap attached as a membrane cap to the switch on the operating side is well known. In this method, it is inevitable that the protruding portion of the switch, for example, the protective cap itself or the gap portion can be formed on the mounting plate. However, in many devices, the formation of the protruding portion or the gap portion is inappropriate or disadvantageous because of the relationship with the flat membrane arrangement.

  One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a membrane key which is an improvement over known membrane keys and can be used advantageously over a wider range of equipment.

  The present invention has been made to achieve the above object, and comprises a sleeve piece having a membrane on the contact side and a pressing piece movable along the sleeve, and is provided at the opening of the plate-like mounting element. A suitable membrane key, wherein the membrane is attached to the sleeve piece so that it cannot be removed, and in the attached state, the sleeve piece extends around the opening and the opening, and at least the sleeve piece extends. The upper part, and the membrane covering the upper part of the sleeve piece, if appropriate, are characterized in that they define the outer shape of the membrane key.

  In the present invention, a membrane key adapted to the opening of the plate-shaped mounting element, a sleeve piece having a membrane on the contact side, and a pressing piece movable along the sleeve in the longitudinal direction of the membrane key. A prepared membrane key is proposed.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the membrane piece is attached to the sleeve piece so that it cannot be removed, and in the mounted state, the sleeve piece extends around the opening and the opening, An important aspect is that at least the upper part from which the sleeve piece extends and the membrane covering the sleeve piece, if appropriate, determine the outer shape of the membrane key. When the membrane key is actuated, some switch mechanism, specifically an electrical switch contact, is actuated via a movable pressing piece.

  Such an arrangement advantageously makes the shape of the membrane key relatively flat and compact. Further, it is possible to substantially completely eliminate gap-like portions where dust is accumulated and microorganisms are likely to propagate. At the same time, it is possible to increase the degree of impermeability between the membrane key and the mounting element. Specifically, for this purpose, the sleeve piece is formed as a single piece, and is attached to at least a portion extending from the contact side to the opening in a state where the membrane is in close contact with the sleeve piece. With this configuration, particularly when the membrane is placed flat in the concave portion of the sleeve piece that is recessed by the thickness of the membrane, the gap portion of the disadvantageous membrane key can be largely eliminated. The membrane may be provided so as to continuously extend at least to the opening of the mount element and to be in close contact with the sleeve piece. The mounting element may be, for example, an operating panel or a machine housing part. In some cases, it is advantageous to bury the contact side of the membrane key covered with the membrane in the opening of the mount element, because the flat state is not level with the outside of the mount element.

  In a further embodiment, an important aspect of the present invention is that the membrane is mounted so that it cannot be removed from the sleeve piece, in which case the sleeve piece, where appropriate, the sleeve piece covered by the membrane, With respect to the mounting element visible from the contact side, the outline of the membrane key is determined up to the sealing area. Even with such a method, a good sealing state can be obtained. This is because in this case the lower part, for example the opening or the opposite side of the mounting element's contact surface, can be completely sealed to the working side by a sleeve piece close to the outside of the membrane key. .

  Finally, a third important embodiment of the present invention is that the sleeve piece covered by the membrane is pressed against the sleeve piece and the mounting element in the state that the outer shape of the membrane key, at least the membrane is placed. It is characterized in that it determines the shape of the upper part of the sleeve piece in which the membrane extends to a certain part. In such a configuration, it is always possible to use other sealing members, but the sealing function of the membrane between the sleeve piece and the mounting element is further increased.

  A special form of the subject of the present invention is that the sleeve piece is divided into a first sleeve outer piece comprising a membrane and a second sleeve inner piece, and in the assembled state of the membrane key these two sleeve pieces. Is characterized in that it is detachably connected. The sleeve piece, which is divided in two and is detachably connectable, allows the membrane key to be easily disassembled and assembled without being completely removed from the mounting element when appropriate. Furthermore, for example, it becomes possible to replace damaged parts more easily or to clean dirty parts more effectively.

  In the state where the sleeve piece is not connected, the component of the membrane key is formed such that the inner piece of the sleeve is connected to the outer piece of the sleeve together with the label element and the pressing piece from the opposite side of the contact side. This is a feature of an advantageous embodiment. This variant is particularly advantageous, for example, when it is easy to reach the membrane key from the rear side of the mounting element. Therefore, it is also possible to replace the membrane key once attached to the mounting element, in particular for marking or labeling the inlay visible from the membrane. In addition, the membrane key can be easily disassembled and assembled from the rear side of the mount element because it can be easily reached by components and wiring adjacent to the membrane key located on the rear side of the mount plate. It is.

  In a special case, it is also possible to connect the outer sleeve piece to the inner sleeve piece arranged behind the mounting element from the front side of the mounting element. For example, safety devices required when working in the area of electrical or active components located on the back side of an electrical control panel can be greatly reduced or eliminated.

  It is an advantageous feature of the inventive subject matter that an engagement element is provided for connecting the two sleeve pieces together by engagement. The engaging element reliably determines the position of the two detachable sleeve pieces only by a predetermined operation. As a result, the two sleeve pieces are firmly engaged with each other, and the overall configuration of the membrane key is functionally suitable.

  According to a particular embodiment of the inventive subject matter, the membrane is non-removably attached to the sleeve piece. The membrane can protect the membrane key from improper influence from the outside of the key, in particular impermeable and durable. For example, the membrane can be attached to the sleeve piece by bonding or welding so as to form a continuous sealing surface together with the sleeve piece. Therefore, it is possible to reliably eliminate the gap portion at the end of the membrane where dust, moisture or microorganisms are accumulated, or enter the inside of the key, or enter from the opening of the mount element.

  The fact that the membrane extends into the opening of the mounting element with the membrane key attached to the mounting element is a preferred feature of the subject matter of the present invention. Specifically, the membrane continuously provided up to the opening portion between the mounting element and the sleeve piece on the contact side can cover and protect the entire outside of the membrane key, for example. In special cases, the membrane performs a sealing function between the mounting element and the sleeve piece. In that case, it is possible to omit components for sealing the membrane key, such as a flat seal ring, which is usually provided to advantageously configure the membrane key from the viewpoint of function and cost. .

  The feature of the modification of the present invention is that a fixing portion for fixing the membrane key to the mount element is provided. If appropriate, the membrane key can be secured to the mounting element without a step between the pressing ring, for example by means of a threaded part configured to tighten the clamping ring. It is also possible to provide the membrane key with other fixing portions suitable for the fixing mechanism, such as an engagement mechanism or an insertion mechanism.

  Finally, a membrane key that fits into the opening of the proposed plate-like mounting element, which can be actuated from the contact side by a sleeve piece that is directed to the side that contacts the side. When the pressing piece is pressed, the membrane key having a pressing piece movable in the longitudinal direction along the sleeve piece comes into contact with two switch points provided adjacent to each other. The switch action is characterized in that it is clearly recognized in a sound and / or tactile manner.

  Therefore, when the user of the membrane key presses the membrane key, something like feedback of the switch operation is obtained. As an advantage, for example, two different switching states can be recognized or can be actuated in a completely different way by one actuating action. If necessary, only the first switching state, for example, the first speed range of the drive motor, can be activated, or a key can be pressed further, followed by the first switching state and the second switching state. It is also possible to operate advantageously.

Two embodiments of the inventive subject matter are described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and further features and advantages are shown.
FIG. 1 shows a membrane key 1 having a sleeve piece 2 to which the membrane 3 is connected in a tight and firm state, for example, by bonding or welding. Inside the sleeve piece 2, there is a hollow pressing piece 4, which is movably arranged inside the sleeve piece 2 and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The label inlay 5 is supported and fixed by the upper end of the hollow pressing piece 4. The membrane key 1 is attached to the opening 7 of the mount plate 6 at a substantially right angle to the longitudinal axis (longitudinal axis) S of the mount plate 6.

  The sleeve piece 2 includes a male screw 8 that interacts with a female screw of the fixing ring 9 that presses the fastening ring 10. By tightening the fixing ring 9, the tightening ring 10 is pressed against the lower surface of the mount plate 6 by the pressing surface 19, and the membrane key 1 is tightened to the mount plate 6. At that time, the upper end of the sleeve piece 2 presses the upper side of the mount plate 6 at the outer edge portion 11.

  A flat seal ring 12 seals the sleeve piece 2 and the mount plate 6 together in a known manner. An elastically deformable restoring element (not shown) may be attached to the annular gap 13 between the sleeve piece 2 and the pressing piece 4. The attached restoring element interacts with the annular surface 14 positioned on the outer peripheral side of the pressing piece 4 and the stop surface 15 positioned on the inner peripheral side of the sleeve piece 2. When the membrane key 1 is in the position shown in FIG. 1, the pressing piece 4 is in a position determined by the operation of the restoring element when the membrane key is not activated.

  An upper end portion of the pressing piece 4 is spread in a plate shape, and the label inlay 5 is supported on an upper portion of the end portion 16 of the pressing piece 4. As shown in the cross-sectional view, the label inlay 5 includes a thin end portion 5a and an inner portion 5b that is slightly thicker. In the position shown in the figure, the inner portion 5b is pressed flatly onto the membrane 3 from below. For example, when the membrane 3 is transparent for the purpose of looking at the markings applied to the label inlay 5, this state is the outside. Clearly visible. In general, the membrane 3 is formed of a suitable transparent and flexible synthetic material such as polyester.

  In order to operate the membrane key 1, the membrane 3 is pressed from the outside in the direction P, for example, with a finger or the like, the pressing piece 4 moves downward, and the membrane 3 is recessed downward. In such a relationship, the pressing force must be greater than the restoring force of the restoring element provided in the annular gap 13. After actuating the membrane key by pressing, the restoring element returns the pressing piece 4 to the position illustrated in FIG. When the pressing piece 4 is pushed from the position of FIG. 1, it can move up to a distance between the end 16 of the pressing piece 4 and the upper side of the web element 17 inside the upper part of the sleeve piece 2.

  Instead of the label inlay 5, the pressing piece 4 may be configured so that the pressing piece 4 itself can be marked. The membrane 3 is embedded in the sleeve piece 2. In a special embodiment (not shown) of the membrane key 1, the membrane 3 extends continuously over the outer edge 11 and covers the outer edge of the outer edge 11 up to the side surface 18, or even the side surface 18. And the seal ring 12 may be extended to cover the recess 18a in which the seal ring 12 is at least partially disposed. In that case, the membrane 3 may be provided separately from the seal ring 12 or may be provided instead of the seal ring 12. Further, the membrane 3 may be guided to the lower side of the mount plate 6 through the opening 7, for example.

  FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the membrane key 1 arranged on the mount plate 6 shown in FIG. Unlike the embodiment of FIG. 1, the sleeve piece 2 is divided into an outer piece 2a and an inner piece 2b. In the state where the membrane key 1 is assembled, the two sleeve pieces 2a and 2b are connected to each other.

  In principle, the two sleeve pieces 2a and 2b can be connected by various connection methods such as screwing, engagement, or insertion. In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the two sleeve pieces 2a and 2b are connected by engagement. The outer piece 2a includes an annular portion 20 having a plurality of through holes 21 at the end. In order to engage and connect the two sleeve pieces 2a and 2b, the inner piece 2b includes an engaging portion 22 at the upper end. When the two sleeve pieces 2a and 2b are connected by engagement, the engaging portion 22 is supported by the annular portion 20 of the outer piece 2a. The two sleeve pieces 2 a and 2 b are engaged and connected by fitting a plurality of engaging ends 23 into a plurality of holes 21 formed outside the engaging portion 22. For example, in order to remove or replace the label inlay 5, after removing the fixing ring 9 and the tightening ring 10, the inner piece 2 b is removed from the engaged outer connection piece 2 a and removed together with the pressing piece 4 and the label inlay 5. The assembly of the membrane key 1 is performed in the reverse order.

In principle, the membrane key 1 having the sleeve piece 2 divided into two sleeve pieces 2a and 2b may be configured such that the outer piece 2a has an engagement end that can be engaged with the hole of the inner piece 2b. Good.
In addition to assembling the membrane key 1 from the rear side of the mount plate 6, it is also possible in principle to assemble from the front side of the mount plate 6.

  Other methods may be used instead of the illustrated fastening method. For example, it is possible to perform tightening without using the tightening ring 10. In that case, the fixing ring 9 functions as the tightening ring 10 and directly presses the mount plate 6. This method is particularly advantageous in circular embodiments.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the state which 1st Example of this invention was attached to the mount plate. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a further embodiment of the present invention attached to a mount plate.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Membrane key, 2 ... Sleeve piece, 2a ... Outer piece, 2b ... Inner piece, 3 ... Membrane, 4 ... Pressing piece, 5 ... Label inlay, 5a ... End part, 5b ... Inner part, 6 ... Mount plate , 7 ... opening, 8 ... male screw, 9 ... fixing ring, 10 ... clamping ring, 11 ... outer edge part, 12 ... seal ring, 13 ... annular gap, 14 ... annular face, 15 ... stop face, 16 ... end Part, 17 ... web element, 18 ... side face, 18a ... recess, 19 ... push face, 20 ... annular part, 21 ... hole, 22 ... engagement part, 23 ... engagement end

Claims (11)

A membrane key comprising a sleeve piece having a membrane on a contact side and a pressing piece movable along the sleeve, and adapted to an opening of a plate-like mounting element, wherein the membrane is the sleeve piece In the mounted state, the sleeve piece extends around the opening and the periphery of the opening, and at least the upper part of the sleeve piece, and, where appropriate, on the sleeve piece. The membrane key is characterized in that the membrane covering the part determines the outer shape of the membrane key. The membrane is mounted such that it cannot be removed from the sleeve piece, the sleeve piece together with the membrane covering the sleeve piece, if appropriate, with respect to the mounting element visible from the contact side to the sealing area of the membrane key. The membrane key according to claim 1, wherein an outer shape is determined. The sleeve piece together with the membrane covering the sleeve piece defines an outer shape of a membrane key at least in an upper part of the sleeve piece, and extends to a portion where the membrane is pressed between the sleeve piece and the mounting element. The membrane key according to claim 1, wherein the membrane key is provided. The sleeve piece, when placed, extends to the opening and the periphery of the opening, and at least the upper part of the portion where the sleeve piece extends covers the sleeve piece when appropriate. The membrane key according to claim 3, wherein an outer shape of the membrane key is determined. The sleeve piece is divided into a first sleeve outer piece and a second sleeve inner piece provided with the membrane, and the two sleeve pieces are detachably connected in the assembled state of the membrane key. The membrane key according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The component of the membrane key can be connected to the sleeve outer piece from the opposite side of the contact side together with the label element and the pressing piece when the two sleeve pieces are not connected. The membrane key according to claim 5. The membrane key according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising an engagement element for connecting the two sleeve pieces to each other by engagement. The membrane key according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the membrane is attached to the sleeve piece so as not to be removed. The membrane key according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the membrane extends to an opening of the mount element when the membrane key is attached to the mount element. The membrane key according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a fixing portion for fixing the membrane key to the mount element. When the pressing piece is pressed, it contacts two switch points provided adjacent to each other, and each switch operation for each switch point is clearly recognized by a method defined by sound and / or touch. The membrane key according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: