KR20050021364A - Electrical switch - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a switch, the switch comprising: a flexible upper member that is substantially electrically non-conductive and has an inner surface having an upper contact area that is electrically conductive and connected to a circuit; And a bottom member, the bottom member having an inner surface having a bottom contact area that is substantially non-conductive and electrically conductive and connected to the circuit, wherein the top member and the bottom member are hermetically connected to form a chamber therebetween. And the upper contact area and the lower contact area are separated by at least a portion of the chamber, and the force applied to the upper member causes the switch of the circuit to close by bringing the upper contact area and the lower contact area into contact.

Description

Electric switch {ELECTRICAL SWITCH}

The present invention relates to an electrical switch. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible air-cushioned electrical switch.

The use of electrical switches to complete the circuit is known. Such a switch includes a generally rigid mechanical device that selectively connects electrically conductive regions to complete the circuit. Also known are conductive fibers in the form of various sewn or woven fabrics used as conductive traces, bio-sensors, electrodes, and other wearable electronic devices. have. These wearable electronic devices generally require a switch to operate. A disadvantage of current switches is the rigidity of this device that is connected to a flexible wearable electronic device. Such rigidity limits the comfort for the wearer of the wearing electronic device and also increases the likelihood of damaging the device by being worn. Thus, there is a need for a flexible electrical switch without the drawbacks noted above. Preferred embodiments of the present invention fulfill this need.

1 is a plan view of a switch according to the present invention;

2 is a cross-sectional view of the switch taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

3 is a cross-sectional view of the pressed switch taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

4 is a plan view of another embodiment of a switch according to the invention;

5 is a cross-sectional view of the switch taken along line 5-5 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the pressed switch taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4; FIG.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved electrical switch.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a switch with flexibility.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a switch adapted for use with various wearable electronic devices and / or sensors.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a switch with improved comfort.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a switch which reduces the possibility of damage.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a switch, which is: a flexible upper member which is substantially electrically non-conductive and has an inner side with an upper contact area which is electrically conductive and connected to a circuit. ; And a lower member that is substantially electrically non-conductive and has an inner side having a lower contact area that is electrically conductive and connected to the circuit. The upper member and the lower member are sealingly connected to form a chamber therebetween, wherein the upper contact region and the lower contact region are separated by at least a portion of the chamber, and the force applied to the upper member is such that the upper contact region and the lower contact region Contact makes the switch in the circuit close. The chamber of the switch may comprise a fluid separating between the upper member and the lower member, which fluid may be air. Preferably, the lower member is flexible and the upper member has a dome-shaped shape. The upper contact area and the lower contact area may be aligned on both sides of the chamber. Preferably, the upper contact area is located substantially centrally along the inner side of the upper member and the lower contact area is located substantially centrally along the inner side of the lower member. The upper contact region may be partially embedded in the inner side of the upper member, and the lower contact region may be partially embedded in the inner side of the lower member. The upper member and the lower member may be integrally formed. The upper contact region may be a plurality of upper contact regions, the lower contact region may be a plurality of lower contact regions, and each of the plurality of upper contact regions may be aligned with each of the plurality of lower contact regions.

The invention may also be an array of electrical switches, wherein the array is: two or more portions that are substantially electrically non-conductive, each portion having an inner side having an upper contact area that is electrically conductive and connected to a circuit. A flexible upper member, separated into teeth; And a lower member that is substantially electrically non-conductive and has, for each of the upper contact regions, an inner side having a corresponding lower contact region that is electrically conductive and connected to the circuit. Each of the two or more portions and the lower member is hermetically connected to form chambers therebetween. Each chamber is in fluid communication with at least one other of the chambers, each chamber comprising a fluid separating two or more portions from the lower member. The upper contact area and the lower contact area are separated by at least a portion of the chamber and the force applied to one of the chambers causes the fluid to flow from one of the chambers to at least another of the chambers so that the upper contact area of one of the chambers This makes contact with the corresponding lower contact area and causes the switch of the circuit to close. Each of the chambers may be in fluid communication with at least one of the chambers by a channel. Preferably the fluid is air. More preferably, the lower member is flexible. Each of the two or more portions may have a dome-shaped shape. Preferably, the upper contact region and the corresponding lower contact region can be aligned on both sides of the chamber. More preferably, the upper contact area is located centrally along the inner side of the at least two portions, and the corresponding lower contact area is located centrally along the inner side of the lower member. Each of the upper contact regions may be partially embedded in the inner surface of the two or more portions and the lower contact region may be partially embedded in the inner surface of the lower member. Two or more portions and the lower member may be integrally formed.

The invention is more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment in connection with the drawings briefly described below.

Referring to the drawings, in particular in FIG. 1, there is shown an improved switch according to the invention, which is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The switch 10 is a single switch having a generally rectangular shape. However, for the switch 10, other shapes may be used as well, including round or square.

1 and 2, the switch 10 has an upper layer 100 and a lower layer 200. The upper layer 100 and the lower layer 200 are made of a soft and flexible material such as silicon. The flexibility of these layers 100 and 200 prevents damage when the switch 10 is used with wearable electronics. Furthermore, the flexibility of layers 100 and 200 provides comfort to the wearer when switch 10 is used with wearable electronics. Preferably, the upper layer 100 and the lower layer 200 are made of a material through which air does not pass. More preferably, the upper layer 100 and the lower layer 200 are made of an elastic material. Top layer 100 and bottom layer 200 are substantially electrically non-conductive. Preferably, the top layer 100 has a convex dome-shaped shape. The upper layer 100 has an outer side 125 and an inner side 130. The lower layer 200 has an inner side 220 and an outer side 225.

Referring to FIG. 2, the upper layer 100 is hermetically connected to the lower layer 200. Alternatively, the upper layer 100 and the lower layer 200 may be integrally formed. In addition, although the present embodiment has two layers 100 and 200 sealedly connected, the switch 10 may have two or more layers that are hermetically connected. In this embodiment, the top layer 100 and the bottom layer 200 are sealingly connected directly to each other, but alternative embodiments may include an indirect sealing engagement structure such as a material disposed between the layers.

The sealing connection to the lower layer 200 of the upper layer 100 forms the first chamber 320. In this embodiment, the chamber 320 is filled with air. The air separates the upper layer 100 and the lower layer 200 when the switch 10 is not pressed. Alternatively, other non-conductive fluids or combinations of fluids may fill the chamber 320. The chamber 320 has an upper contact 420 connected to the upper layer 100 and a lower contact 430 connected to the lower layer 200. The upper contact 420 and the lower contact 430 are electrically conductive regions that, when in contact with each other, allow electricity to flow through. The upper contact 420 and the lower contact 430 are each part of a circuit (not shown) that needs to selectively open and close the switch, ie the contact areas, and are connected to the circuit. The outer side 225 of the bottom layer 200 may be secured to the wearable electronic device by various means, including adhesive and sewn.

Preferably, the upper contact 420 is positioned in contact with the inner surface 130 at the center along the upper layer 100. Similarly, the bottom contact 430 is preferably located along the bottom layer 200 in the center and in contact with the inner side 220. Preferably, top contact 420 and bottom contact 430 are aligned on opposite sides of chamber 320. The upper contact 420 and the lower contact 430 may be partially buried in the layers to leave exposed areas for the adhesive or electricity to flow through, so that the upper layer 100 and the lower layer ( 200).

Referring to FIG. 3, the switch 10 after being pressed by the finger 50 is shown. As the upper layer 100 is pressed, the upper contact 420 is in contact with the lower contact 430. The contact between the upper contact 420 and the lower contact 430 closes the switch 10. The flexibility of the top layer 100 allows air that has been entirely disposed in the space or volume between the top contact 420 and the bottom contact 430 to move radially outward and out of the space. The outer side 125 and the inner side 130 of the upper layer 100 extend outwardly by air moved from the space between the upper contact 420 and the lower contact 430. Dotted lines 125 'and 130' show the inner and outer surfaces 130 and 130 when they are not extended outward by the air moved from the space between the upper and lower contacts 420 and 430. do.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown an improved switch according to another embodiment of the present invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 20. The switch 20 is an array of switches and has a generally rectangular shape, as discussed in detail later. However, other shapes for the switch 20 can also be used, including round or square. Features common to both embodiments of switch 10 and switch 20 are indicated by the same reference numerals.

4 and 5, the switch 20 has an upper layer 100 and a lower layer 200. The upper layer 100 and the lower layer 200 are made of a soft and flexible material such as silicon. In addition, the top layer 100 and the bottom layer 200 are non-air permeable materials and are substantially electrically non-conductive. Preferably, the upper layer 100 and the lower layer 200 are made of an elastic material. Preferably, top layer 100 has convex dome-shaped portions 120, 140, 160. The portions 120, 140, 160 have an outer surface 125, 145, 165 and an inner surface 130, 150, 170, respectively. In this embodiment, three portions 120, 140, 160 are shown. Preferably the number of parts corresponds to the number of switches included in the switch 20. The dome-shaped shape of portions 120, 140, 160 helps the user to distinguish between different switches of the array. However, other shapes for portions 120, 140, 160 may also be used, including flat or concave shapes. Also, although the present embodiment provides a plurality of portions each having one switch disposed therein, alternatively, the switch 20 may have a single portion in which a plurality of switches are disposed therein, or portions It can have any combination of and switches.

Referring to FIG. 5, portions 120, 140, 160 of the top layer 100 are hermetically connected to the bottom layer 200. Alternatively, the upper layer 100 and the lower layer 200 may be integrally formed. In addition, although the present embodiment has two layers 100 and 200 which are hermetically connected, the switch 20 can have two or more layers which are hermetically connected and an indirect sealing connection structure of the layers 100 and 200. It can have

The sealing connection to the lower layer 200 of the portions 120, 140, 160 of the upper layer 100 forms the first chamber 320, the second chamber 340, and the third chamber 360. In this embodiment, the chambers 320, 340, 360 are filled with air. The air separates the upper layer 100 and the lower layer 200 when the switch 20 is not pressed. Alternatively, other non-conductive fluids or combinations of fluids may fill the chambers 320, 340, 360. This embodiment shows three chambers 320, 340, 360 forming a linear array of three switches. However, any number of switches and any number of chambers can be used, including a single chamber having a plurality of switches, ie electrical contact regions. Although the switch 20 shows a linear array of switches, the chambers 320, 340, 360 can be arranged in any form. Thus, as described above, the switch 20 is not limited to any particular form, but is shown in rectangular form for example. The lower layer 200 of the chambers 320, 340, 360 has an inner side 220, 240, 260 and an outer side 225, 245, 265, respectively.

The chambers 320, 340, 360 have upper contacts 420, 440, 460 connected to the upper layer 100 and lower contacts 430, 450, 470 connected to the lower layer 200. The upper contacts 420, 440, 460 and the lower contacts 430, 450, 470 are electrically conductive regions that, when in contact with each other, allow electricity to flow through. The upper contacts 420, 440, 460 and the lower contacts 430, 450, 470 are each part of a circuit (not shown) that requires the selective opening and closing of switches, i. It is connected.

Preferably, the top contacts 420, 440, 460 are centrally located along the inner surfaces 130, 150, 170, respectively. Similarly, the bottom contacts 430, 450, 470 are preferably centrally located along the inner faces 220, 240, 260, respectively. Preferably, the top contacts 420, 440, 460 and the bottom contacts 430, 450, 470 are aligned on opposite sides of the chambers 320, 340, 360, respectively. The top contacts 420, 440, 460 and the bottom contacts 430, 450, 470 may be formed in a variety of ways, including partially embedding the contacts in the layers to leave exposed areas for the adhesive or electricity to flow through. It can be fixed to the upper layer 100 and the lower layer 200 by means.

The switch 20 further includes channels 500, 550. Channel 500 is formed in top layer 100 and is provided to allow fluid to flow between chamber 320 and chamber 340. Preferably, the channel 500 is formed adjacent to the lower layer 200. More preferably, channel 500 is centrally located adjacent to lower layer 200 between chamber 320 and chamber 340. Channel 550 is formed in top layer 100 and is provided to allow fluid to flow between chamber 340 and chamber 360. Preferably, channel 550 is formed adjacent to lower layer 200. More preferably, channel 550 is centrally located adjacent to lower layer 200 between chamber 340 and chamber 360. In this embodiment, each channel 500, 550 allows fluid to flow between the chambers 320, 340 and the chambers 340, 360, respectively. Alternatively, a plurality of channels may be formed to allow fluid to flow between the chambers 320, 340 and the chambers 340, 360, respectively. Also, although fluids between parts 120, 140, 160 are communicated by channels 500, 550 in this embodiment, the switches are alternative, such as a single part, with a plurality of switches disposed therein. It may have a means for letting the fluid through. In addition, although the channels 500, 550 are centrally located adjacent to the bottom layer 200, the channels may also be located far from the bottom layer and may not require placement in the central position.

Referring to FIG. 6, the switch 20 after being pressed by the finger 50 is shown. As the upper layer 100 is pressed, the upper contact 420 is in contact with the lower contact 430. The contact between the upper contact 420 and the lower contact 430 closes the switch 20. In the space between the upper contact 420 and the lower contact 430, the air, which is disposed in the first chamber 320 as a whole, passes through the channels 500 and 550 to pass through the second chamber 340 and the third chamber 360. Go to). These chambers are expanded by the moved air moving into the second chamber 340 and the third chamber 360. The top layer 100 of the portions 140, 160 stretches up due to the moved air from the first chamber 320. Dotted lines 150 ′, 170 ′ show the inner surfaces 150, 170 of the upper layer 100 when it does not stretch upward due to the moved air from the first chamber 320. Because of the impermeable seal and the elasticity of the top layer 100, the moved air flows into the first chamber 320 after the finger 50 disappears from the portion 120, and the outer surface 125 and the inner surface ( 130 returns to the unpressed position, indicated by dashed lines 125 "and 130", respectively. This causes the upper contact 420 and the lower contact 430 to be separated and the switch 20 is opened.

Although the present invention has been described with specific reference to its preferred form, it will be apparent that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

As described above, the present invention relates to an electric switch, and more particularly, the present invention can be used for a flexible air-cushion type electric switch or the like.

Claims (19)

As electrical switch 10: A flexible upper member 100 that is substantially electrically non-conductive and has an inner surface 130 having an upper contact region 420 that is electrically conductive and connected to a circuit; And The lower member 200, which is substantially electrically non-conductive and has an inner surface 220 having a lower contact area 430 that is electrically conductive and connected to the circuit, is provided with a lower member 200. Including, Here, the upper member 100 and the lower member 200 is sealedly connected to form a chamber 320 therebetween, and the upper contact region 420 and the lower contact region 430 are the chamber 320. And the force applied to the upper member 100 causes the switch 10 of the circuit to close by bringing the upper contact region 420 and the lower contact region 430 into contact. , Electrical switch. 2. The electrical switch of claim 1, wherein the chamber (320) comprises a fluid separating the upper member (100) and the lower member (200). The electrical switch of claim 2, wherein the fluid is air. The electrical switch of claim 1, wherein the lower member is flexible. 3. The electrical switch of claim 2, wherein the upper member (100) has a dome-shaped shape. 3. The electrical switch of claim 2, wherein the upper contact region (420) and the lower contact region (430) are aligned on both sides of the chamber (320). 7. The upper contact region 420 of claim 6, wherein the upper contact region 420 is generally centered along the inner surface 130 of the upper member 100, and the lower contact region 430 is formed of the lower member 200. An electrical switch, generally centered along the inner surface (220). 3. The upper contact region 420 is partially embedded in the inner side surface 130 of the upper member 100, and the lower contact region 430 is in the upper portion of the lower member 200. An electrical switch, partially embedded in side 220. The electrical switch of claim 2, wherein the upper member (100) and the lower member (200) are integrally formed. The method of claim 1, wherein the upper contact region 420 is a plurality of upper contact regions 420, and the lower contact region 430 is a plurality of lower contact regions 430. Each of the holes 420 is aligned with each of the plurality of lower contact regions 430. As array 20 of electrical switches: Flexible upper member 100 that is substantially electrically non-conductive, separated into two or more portions 120, 140, 160, each portion 120, 140, 160 being electrically conductive and connected to a circuit. A flexible upper member 100 having an inner side surface 130, 150, 170 having an upper contact region 420, 440, 460; And Substantially electrically non-conductive lower member 200, for each of the upper contact regions 420, 440, 460, corresponding lower contact regions 430, 450, 470 that are electrically conductive and connected to the circuit. The lower member 200 having an inner surface 220, 240, 260 having a Include, Here, each of the two or more portions 120, 140, 160 and the lower member 200 are sealingly connected to form chambers 320, 340, 360 therebetween, and the chambers 320, 340, 360. ) Each is in fluid communication with at least one other of the chambers 320, 340, 360, each of the chambers 320, 340, 360 being each of the two or more portions 120 from the lower member 200. , 140, 160, the fluid separating the upper contact regions 420, 440, 460 and the lower contact regions 430, 450, 470 from the chambers 320, 340, 360. The force applied to one of the chambers 320, 340, 360, separated by at least a portion, causes the fluid to flow out of the one of the chambers 320, 340, 360. The upper contact region 420, 440, 460 of the one of the chambers 320, 340, 360 so that the corresponding lower The array of points can be in contact with the area (430, 450, 470) and to be closed while the switch 20 of the circuit, an electrical switch. 12. The array of electrical switches according to claim 11, wherein each of the chambers (320, 340, 360) is in fluid communication with at least one of the chambers (320, 340, 360) by a channel (500, 550). 12. The array of electrical switches of claim 11 wherein the fluid is air. 12. The array of electrical switches according to claim 11, wherein said lower member (200) is flexible. 13. The array of electrical switches according to claim 12, wherein each of the two or more portions (120, 140, 160) has a dome-shaped shape. The electrical system of claim 12, wherein the upper contact regions 420, 440, 460 and the corresponding lower contact regions 430, 450, 470 are aligned on both sides of the chambers 320, 340, 360. Array of switches. The method of claim 16, wherein the upper contact regions 420, 440, 460 are centrally located along the inner side surfaces 130, 150, 170 of the two or more portions 120, 140, 160. Corresponding lower contact regions (430, 450, 470) are centrally located along the inner side (220, 240, 260) of the lower member (200). The method of claim 12, wherein each of the upper contact regions 420, 440, 460 is partially embedded in the inner surface 130, 150, 170 of the two or more portions 120, 140, 160. Lower contact regions (430, 450, 470) are partially embedded in the inner surface (220, 240, 260) of the lower member (200). 13. The array of electrical switches according to claim 12, wherein the two or more portions (120, 140, 160) and the lower member (200) are integrally formed.