US3584162A - Electrical keyboard switch mechanism with improved resilient diaphragm contact actuator - Google Patents

Electrical keyboard switch mechanism with improved resilient diaphragm contact actuator Download PDF

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Publication number
US3584162A
US3584162A US11494A US3584162DA US3584162A US 3584162 A US3584162 A US 3584162A US 11494 A US11494 A US 11494A US 3584162D A US3584162D A US 3584162DA US 3584162 A US3584162 A US 3584162A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
contact means
guide plate
apertures
keying
plungers
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US11494A
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English (en)
Inventor
Morris Krakinowski
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.)
International Business Machines Corp
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International Business Machines Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by International Business Machines Corp filed Critical International Business Machines Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3584162A publication Critical patent/US3584162A/en
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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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J5/00—Devices or arrangements for controlling character selection
    • B41J5/08—Character or syllable selected by means of keys or keyboards of the typewriter type
    • 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
    • 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
    • H01H2217/00—Facilitation of operation; Human engineering
    • H01H2217/026—Pencil operated
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/028—Printed information
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2223/00—Casings
    • H01H2223/034—Bezel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2225/00—Switch site location
    • H01H2225/006—Switch site location more then one pole
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2237/00—Mechanism between key and laykey
    • H01H2237/006—Guided plunger or ball
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
    • H01H2239/026—Internal encoding, e.g. validity bit

Definitions

  • a keying mechanism is described which can be advantageously employed in a high density or highly miniaturized keyboard.
  • the mechanism employs the principles of an elastic diaphragm switch but, instead of including a continuous elastomeric sheet, such switch comprises a discrete elastomeric plunger for each key operating position, the plungers being freely guided through an apertured guide plate.
  • An elastomeric nomenclature sheet is provided on the guide plate to provide key indicia and to seal the mechanism against dust and dirt.
  • a metallic grid having apertures at the key positions is provided on the nomenclature sheet and functions to prevent accidental triggering of the keyboard.
  • This invention relates to switch mechanisms. More particularly, it relates to a switch mechanism advantageously suitable for useas a keying structure for a high density or a miniaturized'keyboard.
  • a keying mechanism for a high density keyboard comprising a base assembly having an array of first conductive contact means thereon, each of the contact means being disposed to be in'registration'with a diaphragm assembly is provided which overlays the insulating.
  • thediaphragm assembly. having second conductive contact means thereon and being disposed whereby the first and second conductive contact means are in opposed relationship and normally separated by gaps respectively formed by the aforementioned apertures in the insulating layer.
  • an apertured guide plate above and spaced from" the diaphragm, the apertures in the guide plate being. substantially in registration with the apertures in the insulating layer.
  • a plurality of plungers are provided for respectively being received in the apertures of the guide plates, each of the plungers com-- prising a larger and wider upper portion which is freely receivable within a guide plate aperture and a second narrower and lower portion which is substantially in registration with the first and second conductive contact means.
  • At least the aforesaid lower portion of a plunger comprises an elastomeric material.
  • an elastomeric nomenclature sheet on the upper surface of the guide plate to seal the mechanism against dust and dirt.
  • the nomenclature sheet is adapted to receive force from a stylus thereagainst at a key position to cause a corresponding plunger to force the-first and second Contact means at a keying position into electrical contact.
  • the nomenclature sheet also has marked thereon, respective key indicia at each discrete key position.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown therein a plan view of a portion of a miniaturized keyboard whose dimensions are chosen to be suitable for use for a language such as Japanese or Chinese, for example. These languages may require a keyboard having from 2500 to 6000 character keys. Practicable dimensions for the keys and the spacing therebetween in such keyboard may be a key side of 12 points (0.166 inch) and a distance between the corresponding sides of adjacent keys of l7'points (0.235 inch), whereby the space between adjacent keys is about 5 points (0.069 inch).
  • FIG. 2 wherein there is shown an illustrative embodiment constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention, the portion at the base of the figure is essentially the elastic diaphragm switch disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,308,253 without the elastomeric layer of the latter switch.
  • Such switch includes a substrate 10 having a plurality of segments of conductive material 12 and 12A provided on its upper surface, the latter plurality of segments being employed to illustrate multiple contact complexes at respective single key operating positions.
  • These contacts may comprise a grid such as described in Patent application of Hans Y. Juliusberger, Morris Krakinowski and George R. Stilwell, Jr. entitled, Multiple Switch Encoding Device, Ser. No. 791,406, filed Jan. 15, 1969 and assigned to the IBM Corporation.
  • the contacts are always interconnected in some fashion.
  • the interconnections (signal lines), as shown in FIG. 3, form a pattern, i.e., coding scheme.
  • a pattern i.e., coding scheme.
  • Overlying substrate is a layer of insulating material 14, the insulating material being chosen to be incompressible and being constructed to have openings in the areas of the conducting segments I2 and 12A.
  • a diaphragm 16 Disposed on insulating material layer 14 is a diaphragm 16 having conductive segments 20 and 20A on its underside, conducting segments 20 and 20A having configurations respectively to adapt them to be brought into electrical contact with segments 12 and 12A.
  • the comments relative to keyboard encoding obtain.
  • substrate 10 may be copperclad glass or paper-filled epoxy laminate and may be about 0.06 inch thick with one oz. copper per square foot.
  • Insulating layer 14 may be of Mylar with a thickness of about 0.001 to 0.005 inch.
  • Diaphragm 18 may be of a Mylar-copper laminate with a thickness of 0.002 to 0.006 inch with A to 1 oz. copper per square foot.
  • Contacts 12, 12A and 20 and 20A are suitably chosen to be of gold and are 50 to 150 X 10 inch thick.
  • the elastomeric plungers 22 for each key position respectively may be right circular cylinders comprising a first and upper portion 22A suitably having diameter D and a height about equal to or a little less than D and a second and lower portion 228 which may suitable have a diameter of one-half D.
  • L the sum of the heights of first portion 22A and second portion 22B
  • portions 22A and 223 may suitably be integral with each other and may consist of an elastomer such as neoprene and be relatively hard (60--80 Durometer Shore A-scale).
  • upper portion 22A need not be of an elastomeric material.
  • the plungers are freely guided in a guide plate 24 which permits free vertical movement of the plungers therein, guide plate 24 suitably comprising a rigid plastic molding having good dimensional stability such as polycarbonate molding resins.
  • Guide plate 24 has attached to it a thin (0.005 to 0.010 inch thick) retainer 26 which may comprise Mylar. Retainer 26 is affixed to plate 24 by a suitable adhesive and functions as a tray in the assembling and disassembling of a keyboard.
  • guide plate 24 has to have a number of openings therethrough sufficient to freely receive all of the plunger portions 22A and that retainer plate 26 has to be perforated with a like number of apertures to freely accommodate all of the plunger portions 228.
  • diaphragm 18 is chosen to have a stiffness such as to fully mechanically support plungers 22.
  • the weight of a plunger 22 is chosen to be about 0.1 gram while the force required to operate a keying position is 20 to 30 grams.
  • Nomenclature sheet 28 Disposed on guide plate 24 is a nomenclature sheet 28 on whose upper surface there are printed the key designations at the corresponding key positions.
  • Nomenclature sheet 28 is chosen to be a thin sheet (0.015-0.020 inch) of an elastomeric material such as a polyurethane elastomer. Sheet 28 functions, in addition to providing key indicia, to seal the plunger-switch combination against dust and dirt and to provide a further elastomeric element in the operation of the keyboard.
  • a protective plate 30 Disposed on nomenclature sheet 28 is a protective plate 30 which is perforated to expose the key indicia on nomenclaturesheet 28.
  • Plate 30 is preferably chosen to be a thin metallic sheet (about 0.015 inch thick) and functions to maintain nomenclature sheet '28 in position and prevents the accidental triggering of the keyboard in the event that an operator inadvertently leans his arms thereon or in the event that the mechanism is jarred for some other reason. It is noted that a normal gap (about 0.005 to 0.010 inch) exists between the under surface of nomenclature sheet 28 and the upper surface of plunger 22.
  • FIG. 3 is included to provide a view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.
  • the width spanning the breadth of contacts 20 and 20A is chosen to be equal to or greater than the diameter of portion 228 of a plunger 22.
  • the apertures are chosen to have a size such that insulating sheet 14 rests on the conductive segments 12 and 12A.
  • the aperture openings can also be circular.
  • FIG. 4 there are seen the conditions which obtain when a key position is operated.
  • a rigid stylus 32 is passed through an aperture in plate 30 to press down on elastomeric nomenclature sheet 28 which deforms in response to the pressure to force down plunger 22.
  • Plunger 22 rides freely in its opening in guide plate 24 and plunger portion 22B presses down on diaphragm 18 to cause opposing contacts 20 and 12, and 20A and 12A to make electrical contact.
  • plunger portion 228 is forced down on against diaphragm 18, its elastomeric character causes it to be deformed and to spread outwardly at its base portion. In this situation, therefore, the ratio of the diameter of portion 228 when it is under stress conditions to its diameter when it is underformed (at rest) is about equal to or more than one.
  • the respective plungers 22 perform the same force-spreading function as the elastomeric sheet performs in the switch disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,308,253.
  • Nomenclature sheet 28 in combination with the plunger 22 functions as a protective bumper against overload.
  • a plunger 22 distributes the load over a relatively large area of the contacts 12, 12A and 20, 20A. As the external load increases, the area of contact between diaphragm 18 and substrate 10 further increases thereby decreasing contact resistance.
  • the relatively thick elastomeric plunger 22 which is approximately three-sixteenth inch in height does not readily conform to the shape of rigid stylus 32 whereby no localized stress is generated which can damage diaphragm 18.
  • plunger 22 or at least portion 228 thereof can comprise neoprene filled with a nonshedding lubricant such as a silicone, or the like can be employed.
  • the elastomer constituting plunger 22 is preferably of the nonwater absorbing, nonswelling type.
  • the keyboard can generate a unique code for each operating key position.
  • the active elastic diaphragm switch area is relatively large compared with switch separation.
  • the elastic diaphragm switch separator for the high density, light touch keyboard may have an aperture 0.172 inch while the switch separation is only 0.235 inch.
  • the known elastic diaphragm switch shown in Pat. No. 3,308,253 employs a continuous elastomer sheet for the whole switch array. Using such a switch, the stress wave in the elastomer due to deformation in operation would trigger closely located, i.e., large area switches.
  • the motion of a freely guided plunger is completely isolated from adjacent key positions.
  • the plunger concentrates the keying force on the contacts of the diaphragm whereby there results a highly localized deformation of the diaphragm in the specific contact area, as is seen in FIG. 3. With this arrangement, the problem of crosstalk" between adjacent key positions is prevented.
  • a keying mechanism for a high density keyboard comprising:
  • a base assembly having an array of first conductive contact means thereon, each of said contact means being disposed to be in registration with a key position of said keyboard;
  • insulating layer overlaying said base assembly, said insulating layer having spaced apertures therethrough which are respectively aligned with said first contact means
  • diaphragm assembly overlaying said insulating layer, said diaphragm assembly having an array of second conductive contact means, said diaphragm being disposed whereby respective first and second conductive contact means are in opposed relationship and normally separated by gaps respectively formed by said openings,
  • each of said plungers comprising a larger and wider upper portion which is freely receivable within a guide plate aperture and a second narrower and lower portion extending from the base of said upper portion, said second and lower. portion being substantially in registration with said first and second contact means, at least said lower portion of said plunger comprising an elastomeric material;
  • a keying mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein there is further provided an apertured retaining sheet to which said guide plate is affixed, the apertures of said retaining sheet being in registration with the apertures of said guide plate and having respective diameters of sufficient magnitude to permit the free passage therethrough of the lower and narrower portions of said plungers.
  • a keying mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein the thickness of said guide plate is so chosen whereby there is a gap between said plungers and said nomenclature sheet.
  • a keying mechanism for a keyboard comprising:
  • a base assembly having an array of first conductive contact means thereon, each of said contact means being disposed to be in registration with a key position of said ke board; t a su stantially incompressible insulating layer overlaying said base assembly, said insulating layer having spaced apertures therethrough which are respectively aligned with said first contact means,
  • diaphragm assembly overlaying said insulating layer, said diaphragm assembly having an array of second conductive contact means, said diaphragm being disposed whereby respective first and second conductive contact means are in opposed relationship and normally separated by gaps respectively formed by said openings,
  • a plurality of plungers for respectively being received in the apertures of said guide plate and disposed in registration with said first and second contact means, at least the lower portion of a plunger comprising an elastomeric material;

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  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
  • Switches Operated By Changes In Physical Conditions (AREA)
US11494A 1970-02-16 1970-02-16 Electrical keyboard switch mechanism with improved resilient diaphragm contact actuator Expired - Lifetime US3584162A (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US1149470A 1970-02-16 1970-02-16

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US (1) US3584162A (en])
JP (1) JPS5220675B1 (en])
CA (1) CA921083A (en])
DE (1) DE2106732C3 (en])
FR (1) FR2078163A5 (en])
GB (1) GB1274162A (en])

Cited By (49)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3668337A (en) * 1971-01-18 1972-06-06 Thomas & Betts Corp Matrix switch with improved flexible insulative spacer arrangement
US3693775A (en) * 1970-06-30 1972-09-26 Ibm Actuator for elastic diaphragm switch keyboard
US3696908A (en) * 1970-11-09 1972-10-10 Sperry Rand Corp Capacitive key
US3723673A (en) * 1971-10-13 1973-03-27 Addmaster Corp Keyboard switch assembly with wire conductor matrix contact array
US3731015A (en) * 1971-05-18 1973-05-01 Universal Technology Control keyboard switch with cantilevered contact and diode matrix array
US3743797A (en) * 1971-08-30 1973-07-03 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Stroke coded keyboard switch assembly
US3746816A (en) * 1971-05-18 1973-07-17 Universal Technology Pushbutton cantilevered leaf spring contact switch assembly for keyboard type switch arrays
US3797630A (en) * 1971-07-12 1974-03-19 Alphanumeric Holdings Ltd Keyboard for electronic circuit
US3808384A (en) * 1971-06-01 1974-04-30 Texas Instruments Inc Pushbutton keyboard system
US3839785A (en) * 1971-06-01 1974-10-08 Texas Instruments Inc Pushbutton keyboard system
US3850279A (en) * 1972-12-26 1974-11-26 Ibm Print point positioning control for a character-by-character printer
US3854018A (en) * 1973-06-14 1974-12-10 Amp Inc Multiple circuit selector switch assembly having movable contact means adapted to retain itself in closed circuit position
US3886335A (en) * 1973-01-26 1975-05-27 Ind Electronics Engineers Inc Collated cable matrix switch
US3917917A (en) * 1973-08-23 1975-11-04 Alps Electric Co Ltd Keyboard pushbutton switch assembly having multilayer contact and circuit structure
US3944766A (en) * 1974-07-03 1976-03-16 Essex International, Inc. Seat belt buckle having pushbutton type switch with elastomeric conductor bridging contact
US3955498A (en) * 1975-03-27 1976-05-11 Scott Thaddeus Leroy Electromagnetically actuated printer
US3978297A (en) * 1975-03-31 1976-08-31 Chomerics, Inc. Keyboard switch assembly with improved pushbutton and associated double snap acting actuator/contactor structure
US3987259A (en) * 1975-06-12 1976-10-19 Globe-Union Inc. Membrane switch apparatus having sequential bridging contact arrangement
US3996430A (en) * 1974-05-07 1976-12-07 Preh Elektrofeinmechanische Werke Keyboard switch assembly having multilayer printed circuit structure
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US4086451A (en) * 1976-12-06 1978-04-25 Texas Instruments Incorporated Keyboard apparatus
US4087663A (en) * 1975-10-28 1978-05-02 Girling Limited Liquid level contents indicators for vehicle hydraulic systems
US4092820A (en) * 1975-03-25 1978-06-06 Citizen Watch Company Limited Electronic timepiece
US4201043A (en) * 1976-07-16 1980-05-06 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Wristwatch calculator imput key positioning assembly
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US4229633A (en) * 1978-03-27 1980-10-21 Gillilan Edward L Programmable switch
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US4517421A (en) * 1980-01-28 1985-05-14 Margolin George D Resilient deformable keyboard
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EP0240710A3 (en) * 1986-04-03 1990-02-07 Hewlett Packard Company Near-line spring connect structure for flexible interconnect circuits
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US6652123B2 (en) * 2001-05-07 2003-11-25 Jiahn-Chang Wu Light emitting diode display having heat sinking circuit rails
US20040152979A1 (en) * 2003-02-04 2004-08-05 Nemoto Kyorindo Co., Ltd. Liquid injection system for detecting when piston pusher of liquid injector grips piston flange of liquid syringe
EP1431996A3 (de) * 2002-12-20 2006-08-09 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Eingabevorrichtung für ein elektrisches Gerät
US20060206837A1 (en) * 2005-03-10 2006-09-14 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Presentation of hierarchical software structures
US20110132735A1 (en) * 2009-12-03 2011-06-09 Lucian Iordache Electrical switch assembly comprising a 5-way toggle mechanism and illuminated flexible layer
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US12009159B2 (en) 2021-04-13 2024-06-11 Xerox Corporation Membrane switches configured to sense pressure applied from compliant and rigid objects
US12056994B2 (en) 2020-07-15 2024-08-06 Xerox Corporation Systems and methods for improved object placement sensing for point-of-purchase sales
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JPS58189918A (ja) * 1982-04-30 1983-11-05 日本メクトロン株式会社 キ−ボ−ドスイツチ
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US3290439A (en) * 1963-04-29 1966-12-06 Willcox Data encoding keyboard
US3382338A (en) * 1966-04-26 1968-05-07 Ibm Pushbutton actuator for elastomeric switch

Cited By (52)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3693775A (en) * 1970-06-30 1972-09-26 Ibm Actuator for elastic diaphragm switch keyboard
US3696908A (en) * 1970-11-09 1972-10-10 Sperry Rand Corp Capacitive key
US3668337A (en) * 1971-01-18 1972-06-06 Thomas & Betts Corp Matrix switch with improved flexible insulative spacer arrangement
US3731015A (en) * 1971-05-18 1973-05-01 Universal Technology Control keyboard switch with cantilevered contact and diode matrix array
US3746816A (en) * 1971-05-18 1973-07-17 Universal Technology Pushbutton cantilevered leaf spring contact switch assembly for keyboard type switch arrays
US3808384A (en) * 1971-06-01 1974-04-30 Texas Instruments Inc Pushbutton keyboard system
US3839785A (en) * 1971-06-01 1974-10-08 Texas Instruments Inc Pushbutton keyboard system
US3797630A (en) * 1971-07-12 1974-03-19 Alphanumeric Holdings Ltd Keyboard for electronic circuit
US3743797A (en) * 1971-08-30 1973-07-03 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Stroke coded keyboard switch assembly
US3723673A (en) * 1971-10-13 1973-03-27 Addmaster Corp Keyboard switch assembly with wire conductor matrix contact array
US3850279A (en) * 1972-12-26 1974-11-26 Ibm Print point positioning control for a character-by-character printer
US3886335A (en) * 1973-01-26 1975-05-27 Ind Electronics Engineers Inc Collated cable matrix switch
US3854018A (en) * 1973-06-14 1974-12-10 Amp Inc Multiple circuit selector switch assembly having movable contact means adapted to retain itself in closed circuit position
US3917917A (en) * 1973-08-23 1975-11-04 Alps Electric Co Ltd Keyboard pushbutton switch assembly having multilayer contact and circuit structure
US3996430A (en) * 1974-05-07 1976-12-07 Preh Elektrofeinmechanische Werke Keyboard switch assembly having multilayer printed circuit structure
US3944766A (en) * 1974-07-03 1976-03-16 Essex International, Inc. Seat belt buckle having pushbutton type switch with elastomeric conductor bridging contact
US4092820A (en) * 1975-03-25 1978-06-06 Citizen Watch Company Limited Electronic timepiece
US3955498A (en) * 1975-03-27 1976-05-11 Scott Thaddeus Leroy Electromagnetically actuated printer
US3978297A (en) * 1975-03-31 1976-08-31 Chomerics, Inc. Keyboard switch assembly with improved pushbutton and associated double snap acting actuator/contactor structure
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2106732C3 (de) 1978-11-09
CA921083A (en) 1973-02-13
JPS46761A (en]) 1971-09-03
DE2106732B2 (de) 1978-02-23
GB1274162A (en) 1972-05-17
FR2078163A5 (en]) 1971-11-05
DE2106732A1 (de) 1971-09-02
JPS5220675B1 (en]) 1977-06-04

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