US3796843A - Calculator keyboard switch with disc spring contact and printed circuit board - Google Patents

Calculator keyboard switch with disc spring contact and printed circuit board Download PDF

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Publication number
US3796843A
US3796843A US00320147A US3796843DA US3796843A US 3796843 A US3796843 A US 3796843A US 00320147 A US00320147 A US 00320147A US 3796843D A US3796843D A US 3796843DA US 3796843 A US3796843 A US 3796843A
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United States
Prior art keywords
dome
conductor
assembly
switch
board
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
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US00320147A
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English (en)
Inventor
G Durkee
P Wareberg
A Yoder
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Mercury Systems Inc
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Bowmar Instrument Corp
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    • 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
    • H01H13/78—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 characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
    • H01H13/785—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 characterised by the contacts or the contact sites characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
    • 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
    • H01H13/7006—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 comprising a separate movable contact element for each switch site, all other elements being integrated in layers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2201/00—Contacts
    • H01H2201/022—Material
    • H01H2201/026—Material non precious
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2203/00—Form of contacts
    • H01H2203/036—Form of contacts to solve particular problems
    • H01H2203/04—Form of contacts to solve particular problems to facilitate connections
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2203/00—Form of contacts
    • H01H2203/036—Form of contacts to solve particular problems
    • H01H2203/042—Form of contacts to solve particular problems to avoid cross-overs
    • 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
    • H01H2209/00—Layers
    • H01H2209/024—Properties of the substrate
    • H01H2209/032—Properties of the substrate non elastomeric
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2227/00—Dimensions; Characteristics
    • H01H2227/026—Separate dome contact
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
    • H01H2229/014—Electro deposition
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
    • H01H2229/016—Selective etching
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
    • H01H2229/024—Packing between substrate and membrane
    • H01H2229/026—Riveting
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2231/00—Applications
    • H01H2231/002—Calculator, computer

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A keyboard switch assembly including a printed circuit board having four switch terminals on one side of the board, three of the terminals being arranged in a triangle and the fourth disposed within the triangle. Conductors on the one side of the board are respectively joined to the interior terminal and at least one of the three terminals.
  • Another sheet of insulating material covers the first sheet and the switch member.
  • a plate covers the second insulating sheet and has an opening therein which receives a push button in registry with the switch element, depression of the push button actuating the dome of the switch member to a nonovercenter, deflected position in which the interior projection on the dome engages the interior switch terminal.
  • FIGJZ FIGH PATENTED AR 1 2 I874 sum u BF 4 FIGJO CALCULATOR KEYBOARD SWITCH WITH DISC SPRING CONTACT AND PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.
  • Field of the Invention A This invention relates generally to a keyboard switch assembly of the type used in electronic calculator apparatus.
  • keyboard switch manufactured by Colorodo Instruments Corp. incorporates a printed circuit board having conductors on both surfaces thereof, the board having plated openings extending therethrough connected to certainv conductors, and snap-acting domes cooperating with the plated openings to perform the switching function.
  • the keyboard switch assemblies of the type described above known to the present applicants employ some combination of double sided printed circuit boards, soldered connections, and/or a conductive ground plate in addition to a printed circuit board, these features complicating assembly thus adding appreciably to the cost. It is therefore desirable to provide a keyboard switch assembly of the general type described above which utilizes a single sided printed circuit board and which does not require soldered connections or an additional conductive ground plate.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide an improved keyboard'switch assembly of the type employing a snap-acting dome member as the switch element in which a single sided printed circuit board is utilized and soldered connections and/or conductive ground plates are eliminated.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a simplified
  • FIG. 2 is a top view showing an insulative board with XY conductors and switch terminals thereon arranged in a pattern in accordance with the invention to provide the keyboard switch matrix of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 22 of FIG. 2 and showing the basic switching element employed in the invention
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 4; 7
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 6;
  • FIG. 8 is a top view showing the snap-acting dome switch member employed in the preferred embodiment
  • FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view showing the configuration of one of the openings in the switch element retaining member
  • FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective view further showing .the preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 13 is a top view of a modified form of the switch element shown in FIGS. 11 and 12;
  • FIG. 14 is a top view of a modified form of the switch element shown in FIGS. 410.
  • the Texas Instruments keyboard switch assembly referred to above employs a single sided printed circuit board with the requisite insulation at the XY crossovers being provided by conducting U-shaped staples extending through the board with their legs soldered to the conductors on one side and their bight portions engaging the other side of the board.
  • the Colorado Instruments keyboard switch assembly referred to employs a two-sided printed circuit board with the X conductors on one side thereof and the Y conductors on the other, plated through-holes being used to provide X contacts on the same side of the board as the Y contacts. In both of those assemblies, the printed circuit board serves as an insulator between the X and Y conductors with staples or plated through-holes being used to bring the X and Y contact points to the switching side of the board.
  • the thickness of the printed circuit board is not used as an insulator between the X and Y conductors, there being no conductors extending through the board to provide electrical contact from one sideto the other.
  • an insulative board'l is provided having X and Y conductors secured to the switching side thereof, the conductors being arranged in a pattern and having terminal portions 2, 3 arranged to cooperate with the respective switching elements S so as to make contact between selected X and Y conductors without touching other conductors.
  • Switching elements S are formed of conductive, resilient material, each switching element S having edge or peripheral contact areas 5 engaging one or more Y terminal portions 2 and having a normal position, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 3, with it center contact area 6 spaced from a respective X terminal portion 3, switching element 4 also being spaced from other X and/or Y conductors, as shown.
  • switching element 4 Upon application of a downward force on switching element 4, as shown by arrow 7, such as that applied by manual actuation of a push button, switching element 4 is deflected to a position as shown in dashed lines at 4a with its center contact area 6 making contact with a respective X terminal portion 3 thus electrically connecting the respective X'and Y conductors.
  • switching switching element 4 in its deflected position, switching switching element 4 does not contact the other conductors, such as conductors Y therebeneath. Upon release of the downward force 7, switching element 4 resiliently returns to its normal position thus breaking the electrical connection between the respective X and Y conductors.
  • switching element S1 may be of the type shown in FIG. 13
  • switching element S2 may be of the type shown in FIGS. 4-10
  • switching element S3 may be the type shown in FIG. 14,
  • switching element S4 may be the type shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, it being understood that all switching elements in a given keyboard switch assembly will generally have the sa'me configuration.
  • the preferred embodiment of the improved keyboard switch assembly of the invention comprises single sided printed circuit board 12,
  • keyboard switch assembly 10 is intended for use in an electronic calculator.
  • terminal 30-3 of switching sub-assembly 28-1 does not have a conductor connected thereto however, in other of the switching sub-assemblies 29, all three of the switching terminals 30 may be connected by one conductor.
  • outer terminal 30-3 of switching sub-assembly 28-2 is also connected to conductor 34.
  • Conductor 48 on upper surface 26 of board 12 partially surrounds central terminal 32 of switching subassembly 28-1 being spaced therefrom and from conductor 38.
  • conductor 48 is connected in conductor 50 on upper surface 26 of board 12 which connects external terminal 52 to a terminal of another switching subassembly 28.
  • conductor 48' completely surrounds central terminal 32' and is connected to conductor 38' on upper surface 26 which connects central terminal 32' to external terminal 54.
  • terminals 30, 32 are masked during application of insulative coating 56 so that the terminals are not so-coated.
  • Terminals 30, 32 are preferably plated, such as by plating with gold over nickel, as at 58.
  • snap-acting dome switch member has a generally triangular configuration with apices 60 whicn are arcuately curved about center 62, apices defining flat sides 62 therebetween.
  • Switch member 14 may also be said to be generally circular with portions removed to form chords 62 between arcuate portions 60.
  • Projections or dimples 64 are formed downwardly from apices 60 and a center projection or dimple 66 is formed projecting into the interior of the dome.
  • Snap-acting dome switch member 14 of switching sub-assembly 28-1 is disposed over and facing upper surface 26 of board 12, conductors 34-48, and center terminal 32, outer projections 64 respectively engaging outer terminals 30 and thus spacing the periphery of switch member 14 above the conductors and terminals, as best seen in FIG. 7.
  • Center projection 66 is in registry with and spaced from center terminal 32 in the normal position of snap-acting dome switch member 14, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 7.
  • Conductor 48 partially surrounding center terminal 32 (or 48' completely surrounding center terminal 32' and its insulative coating 56, forms a pad preventing damage to center projection 66 on snap-acting dome switch member 14, i.e., application of excessive force in direction 68 on switch member 14 will cause the area surrounding projection 66 to move into engagement with the insulation covering conductor 48 thus preventing further downward movement of the dome and damage to projection 66.
  • Cover sheet 18 is formed of an imperforate sheet of relatively thin, flexible insulating material and covers retaining sheet 16 and switch members 14. Cover member covers sheet 18 and has openings 76 therein which receive push buttons 22.
  • Each push button 22 has an X-shaped projection 78 formed on its bottom surface 80, projection 78 being in registry with center projection 66 of the respective switch member 14. Projection 78 engages the area of cover sheet 18 over center projection 66 but normally applies no force thereto I manual finger pressure on push button 22, the respec-' tive switch member 14 resiliently returns to its normal position thus opening the circuit previously established and returning the respective push button 22 to its normal, inactive position.
  • snap-acting dome switch member 14 has a generally rectangular configuration with flat portion integrally joined to the periphery of domed portion 92.
  • Projection 64 is formed from flat portion 90 and projection 66 is formed from the center area of dome 92.
  • Flat portion 90 of switch member 14 is supported on the upper surface of insulator 82 with projection 64' extending through opening 86 and engaging terminal 30', and with projection 66 in registry with opening 88 and terminal 32.
  • insulative retaining member 16 covers insulator 82 and has openings 72 therein which receive and locate switch members 14, openings 72 conforming to the rectangular configuration of switch members 14.
  • Cover sheet 18 covers retaining member 16 and cover member 20 (not shown in FIG. 11) in turn covers cover sheet 18 and has openings 76 therein which receive and locate push buttons 22.
  • FIGS. 1 1 and 12 The switching action of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 1 and 12 is virtually identical to that of FIGS. 4-10, i.e., applicationof manual finger pressure on a push button 22 causes X-shaped projection 78 to apply downward force on the center area of a respective dome 92 through cover sheet 18 thereby actuating doem 92 from its normal position, as shown in FIG. 11, to its non-overcenter, deflected position in which projection 66 extends through opening 88 in insulator 82 and engages center contact 32 thereby to provide the switching function.
  • FIG. 13 in which like elements are indicated by like reference numbers and similar elements by primed reference numerals, a modification of the switch element of FIGS. 11 and 12 is shown having an additional contact projection 65 formed in flat portion 90 on the opposite side of domed portion 92 from projection 64.
  • switching element 14 has a generally rectangular configuration with arcuate corners 60" joined by straight sides 62", contact projections or dimples 64 being formed in corners 60'. It will be observed that switching element 14 may be formed by cutting straight edges 62" from a circular snap-acting dome.
  • dome switching elements While snap-acting dome switching elements have been shown in the preferred embodiment, it will be understood that the audible and tactile feedback provided by the oil canning action of a dome is not required for the switching function and that other types of switching elements can be employed; the basic requirement of the switching element is that it be capable of being depressed to complete a circuit between respective X and Y lines, have the required memory or resilience to return to its initial position upon removal of the actuating force, and have a configuration which will make the required electrical connection between a selected XY conductor pair when depressed without touching other conductors interconnecting contact points for other switches on the same board. While an insulating coating or layer is disclosed covering the circuitry other than the terminal portions, such an insulative coating'or layer is not a requirement since with proper arrangement of the conductive pattern and proper switch element deflection characteristics, the insulating coating can be eliminated.
  • the switching element configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 14 is preferred since the provision of three or four apices or corners with contact projections or dimples therein provides resting points for the dome around the periphery thereof, the intermediate flat sides cut from the dome insuring proper alignment of the contact projections by the dome retaining sheet 16.
  • a keyboardswitch assembly including a push button manually actuable from an inactive-to a switchactuating position, and a conductive switch member including a resilient element actuated by said push button from a normal to a deflected position and resiliently returning to its normal position upon removal of force from said bush button, the improvement comprising an insulative board having opposite surfaces, one only of said surfaces having first and second elongated conductors thereon, said first conductor including a first switch terminal portion and said second conductor including a second switch terminal portion, said conductors and terminal portions being generally coplanar, said switch element being positioned in facing relationship with said'one surface and said conductors, said switch element having first and second spaced contact areas thereon, said first contact area engaging said first terminal portion, said second contact area being in registry with said second terminal portion and engaging the same when said element is in said deflected position thereby electrically connecting said first and second terminal portions, and mean for holding said push button, switch member and board in operative relationship.
  • said element is a snap-acting dome, said second contact area being at the center of said dome, said one surface of said board having a third conductor thereon at least partially surrounding said second terminal portion, closely spaced therefrom and generally coplanar therewith, the area of said dome surrounding said second contact 'area engaging the insulation covering said third conductor upon further deflection of said dome following engagement of said second contact area with said second terminal portion thereby to protect said second contact area.
  • said one surface of said board has at least a third conductor thereon intermediate and spaced from said first and second conductors and generally coplanar therewith, said third conductor extending under said element from a location on said one surface remote therefrom, said element in its deflected position being spaced from said third conductor, there being no electrical connection between said third conductor and said element in either position thereof.
  • the assembly of claim contact area comprises a projection said dome.
  • the assembly of claim 8 further comprising third, fourth and fifth switch terminals on said one surface of said board, said third through fifth terminals and said first terminal portion being arranged in a rectangle with said second terminal portion in the interior therof, said first contact area comprising a first projection formed from said dome adjacent the periphery thereof, said dome having second, third, and fourth. projections formed therefrom adjacent the periphery thereof and respectively engaging said third, fourth and fifth switch terminals, said projections spacing the periphery of said 8 wherein said second on the interior of dome from said one surface of said board and said conductor, said second contact area comprising a fifth projection formed from the interior of said dome.
  • said first contact area comprises a projection on said switch element spacing the periphery of said dome from said one surface of said board and said conductors.
  • said switch member includes a flat portion joined to the periphery of said dome, said projection being formed from said flat portion.
  • the assembly of claim 8 further comprising third and fourth switch terminals on said one surface of said board, said third and fourth terminals and said first terminal portion being arranged in a triangle with said second terminal portion in the interior thereof, said first contact area comprising a first projection formed from said dome adjacent the periphery thereof, said dome having second and third projections formed therefrom adjacent the periphery thereof and respectively engaging said third and fourth switch terminals, said projections spacing the periphery of said dome from said one surface of said board and said conductors, said second contact area comprising a fourth projection formed from the interior of said dome.
  • said holding means comprises a layer of insulating material covering said conductors excluding said terminal portions and terminals, a first sheet of insulating material covering said layer and having an opening therein receiving said switch element and conforming thereto for locating the same, a second sheet of insulating material covering said first sheet and switch element, and a plate member covering said second sheet and having an opening therein receiving said push button, said push button acting on said dome through said second sheet.

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  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
US00320147A 1973-01-02 1973-01-02 Calculator keyboard switch with disc spring contact and printed circuit board Expired - Lifetime US3796843A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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US32014773A 1973-01-02 1973-01-02

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US3796843A true US3796843A (en) 1974-03-12

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US (1) US3796843A (es)
JP (1) JPS557643B2 (es)
AR (1) AR199821A1 (es)
AU (1) AU6390273A (es)
BR (1) BR7310277D0 (es)
CA (1) CA992124A (es)
DE (1) DE2365083C3 (es)
FR (1) FR2212950A5 (es)
GB (1) GB1430399A (es)
HK (1) HK24077A (es)
HU (1) HU170381B (es)
IT (1) IT1005548B (es)
SE (1) SE393695B (es)
SU (1) SU597352A3 (es)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
HU170381B (es) 1977-06-28
BR7310277D0 (pt) 1974-08-29
FR2212950A5 (es) 1974-07-26
DE2365083B2 (de) 1977-02-17
JPS557643B2 (es) 1980-02-27
SE393695B (sv) 1977-05-16
AR199821A1 (es) 1974-09-30
SU597352A3 (ru) 1978-03-05
GB1430399A (en) 1976-03-31
CA992124A (en) 1976-06-29
IT1005548B (it) 1976-09-30
HK24077A (en) 1977-05-27
JPS49102245A (es) 1974-09-27
DE2365083A1 (de) 1974-07-18
DE2365083C3 (de) 1980-02-07
AU6390273A (en) 1975-06-26

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