WO2008002269A1 - Module de clavier - Google Patents

Module de clavier Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008002269A1
WO2008002269A1 PCT/SG2006/000184 SG2006000184W WO2008002269A1 WO 2008002269 A1 WO2008002269 A1 WO 2008002269A1 SG 2006000184 W SG2006000184 W SG 2006000184W WO 2008002269 A1 WO2008002269 A1 WO 2008002269A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
layer
keypad
switch
switches
key top
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SG2006/000184
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jit Ming Bryan Lim
Original Assignee
Sinco Technologies Pte. Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sinco Technologies Pte. Ltd filed Critical Sinco Technologies Pte. Ltd
Priority to TW095123778A priority Critical patent/TW200802452A/zh
Priority to PCT/SG2006/000184 priority patent/WO2008002269A1/fr
Publication of WO2008002269A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008002269A1/fr

Links

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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2207/00—Connections
    • H01H2207/004—Printed circuit tail
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2207/00—Connections
    • H01H2207/008—Adhesive means; Conductive adhesive
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2209/00—Layers
    • H01H2209/002—Materials
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2209/00—Layers
    • H01H2209/002—Materials
    • H01H2209/0021—Materials with metallic appearance, e.g. polymers with dispersed particles to produce a metallic appearance
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2209/00—Layers
    • H01H2209/01—Increasing rigidity; Anti-creep
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2215/00—Tactile feedback
    • H01H2215/004—Collapsible dome or bubble
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/002—Legends replaceable; adaptable
    • H01H2219/018—Electroluminescent panel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2227/00—Dimensions; Characteristics
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2227/00—Dimensions; Characteristics
    • H01H2227/002—Layer thickness
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2227/00—Dimensions; Characteristics
    • H01H2227/016—Switch site protrusions; Force concentrators
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
    • H01H2229/056—Laminating
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2231/00—Applications
    • H01H2231/022—Telephone handset
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
    • H01H2239/008—Static electricity considerations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
    • H01H2239/018—Ground conductor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a keypad module and a method of constructing a keypad module, and in particular a keypad module for a mobile or cellular telephone.
  • Mobile telephones are an extremely widespread wireless communication appliance allowing portable use.
  • Mobile telephone design may comprise a single piece or bar-type phone with exposed key buttons, a flip-type phone, a folding phone or a swinging type compact mobile phone having improved portability.
  • folding telephones have been developed to provide a mobile telephone of shorter length when in the folded position than single-piece mobile telephones, while maintaining sufficient separation between speaker and microphone when unfolded and in use.
  • Such folding mobile telephones may have a length (or height) of around 80-90mm.
  • the thickness (or depth) of folding telephones may be somewhat greater than single piece mobile telephones, for example a folding telephone may have a thickness of around 25-30 mm.
  • single piece mobile telephones may have a length of the order of 100-120 mm, the thickness or depth of single piece mobile telephones may be around 20 mm. Depending on user or application, such distinctions in device size and proportion can be of much importance.
  • Mobile telephones include a keypad to allow user input and user control of device functions.
  • the keypad is usually an assembly of a number of individual parts stacked up together, and has numeric and alphabetical characters and / or symbols that can be actuated by being depressed or touched by the user.
  • Individual keys of the telephone keypad should have electrical and mechanical switch contact closure points which ensure electrical contact and which are resistant to fatigue.
  • the required press force for actuation of each key should be low for ease of use, while being sufficiently high to avoid the key being actuated in error by small or accidental contact.
  • the mobile telephone as a whole, and the mobile telephone keypad in particular, should withstand typical forces experienced in normal usage, such as compression forces, bending forces or delamination forces, such as may be experienced in a user's pocket or bag or during other use.
  • the mobile telephone keypad should have a construction which permits a broad range of colours to be printed upon the key-top layer, and permits selection from a wide variety of key-top designs.
  • the telephone construction should also provide a key-top layer which is resistant to discolouration, print delamination, and the abrasion to which it is subjected during use.
  • FIGs 5 a and 5b illustrate such a two-part keypad assembly 500, with Figure 5a being a perspective view of the key top element 510, comprising a web adapted to provide a desirable tactile feel.
  • the switch layer element 520 of the two- part keypad assembly is shown in Figure 5b.
  • a further or alternative element may be provided in such assemblies in the form of a layer of metal domes to provide a desired tactile response to depression of each key.
  • Such two-part or multiple-part keypad assemblies generally have a thickness of no less than 1.8 mm.
  • the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a keypad, the method comprising: providing a key top layer; providing a strengthening layer formed of a substantially rigid electrically conductive material; providing a switch layer comprising a plurality of switches; providing a plunger sheet comprising a plurality of plungers for transferring applied force from the key top layer to the switch layer to switch said switches; and laminating the key top layer, the strengthening layer, the switch layer and the plunger sheet together to form a single module.
  • the present invention provides a keypad, the keypad comprising: a key top layer; a strengthening layer formed of a substantially rigid electrically conductive material; a switch layer comprising a plurality of switches; and a plunger sheet comprising a plurality of plungers for transferring applied force from the key top layer to the switch layer to switch said switches; wherein the key top layer, the strengthening layer, the switch layer and the plunger sheet are laminated together to form a single module.
  • the keypad comprises a single module.
  • Such embodiments of the invention may thus eliminate the need for a multiple-module keypad in a mobile telephone, and may permit a keypad of reduced thickness to be provided.
  • the present invention provides for an electrical grounding function to be served by the strengthening layer.
  • the strengthening layer is a mesh.
  • the strengthening layer is preferably formed of metal.
  • a back lighting layer may be provided beneath the key top layer in order to provide back lighting of the key top layer.
  • the back lighting layer is preferably laminated to and electrically connected to the strengthening layer by a conductive adhesive.
  • Still further embodiments preferably comprise a flexible printed circuit layer, adapted to pass signals from the switches to a mobile telephone processor, and adapted to pass power from a mobile telephone power supply to the back lighting layer.
  • the switches of the switch layer comprise dome switches.
  • the switches When force is applied to and released from the switches, the switches preferably provide a tactile response for user perception of switch action.
  • the keypad has a thickness of less than 1.65 mm.
  • the keypad may be for a mobile phone.
  • the keypad may be adapted for another type of device, such as a personal digital assistant or the like.
  • the present invention provides an electrical device having a keypad in accordance with an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention.
  • Figs. Ia and Ib are a front left perspective view and a front right perspective view, respectively, illustrating a single module keypad assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figures 2a and 2b are partial exploded side views of the keypad assembly module stack
  • Figures 3a, 3b and 3c are photographs of an actual keypad assembly comprising the combination of layers illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b;
  • Figures 4a and 4b are a side view and a partial side view, respectively, of a formed keypad assembly in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figures 5a and 5b illustrate a prior art two part keypad assembly.
  • Figs. Ia and Ib are a front left perspective view and a front right perspective view, respectively, illustrating a single-module keypad assembly 10 for a mobile telephone, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the assembly 10 comprises a key top layer 11 having a second surface printing for aesthetic and abrasion resistance purposes.
  • the key top Layer 1 can have a metallic appearance (as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 3c) and/or can be provided with any of a wide range of colors.
  • the key top layer 11 can have different types of surface textures such as spin line, brush hair line and/or a three dimensional surface finish.
  • the assembly 10 further comprises a lamp layer 12 to provide back lighting of the key top layer 11.
  • Conductive adhesive layer 13 provides electrical energy to the lamp layer 12, and can act to ground electro-static discharge from the layer 15.
  • a double sided adhesive layer 14 bonds the lamp layer 12 and metal mesh strengthening layer 15 together.
  • a metal mesh acts as the strengthening layer 15.
  • This layer 15 is the main structure to provide flatness or desire shape to the entire stack 10, and can provide an ergonomic and tactile feel to the user by defining shape and/or configuration of the key top layer 11.
  • the metal mesh strengthening layer 15 is a most important layer in the module 10, as it acts as a stiffener in providing the basic support to the entire stack, as well as controlling the flatness and the shape of the entire module, for example in order to suit hand phone design.
  • the metal mesh may be formed by a plurality of holes etched into the metal sheet, and the etched holes may be patterned to influence the form of the key top layer 11, so as to provide a particular tactile feel of the keypad to the user.
  • the strengthening layer 15 is formed of a conductive metal, and thus provides an electro static discharge (ESD) path by being grounded.
  • the strengthening layer 15 is grounded by the conductive adhesive layer 16, which electrically connects the metal mesh 15 to a flexible printed circuit board 20, to thus ground electro-static discharge from the metal mesh layer 15.
  • Assembly 10 further comprises a plunger sheet layer 17.
  • plunger sheet layer 17 has a plurality of bosses 171 protruding from the plunger sheet layer 17, each boss 171 positioned against a contact of the printed circuit board layer 20.
  • the position of each boss 171 also corresponds to a key position of the key top layer 11. Depression of a key of the key top layer 11 causes a boss 171 of the plunger sheet layer 17 to bear upon a dome of dome layer 19, as shown in Fig. 4b.
  • the dome of layer 19 provides a desired tactile response when a key is pressed, and also acts as a contact to provide an electrical input to the printed circuit of layer 20.
  • the plunger layer 17 without bosses 171 is, in the present embodiment, 0.025 mm.
  • the plunger layer 17 is formed by a PET film of 0.025 mm thickness.
  • This extremely thin layer is made possible by the keypad module structure provided by the present embodiment of the invention, and it is noted that previous to the present invention the thinnest dimension of prior plunger layers which could be achieved was of the order of 0.2 mm.
  • the structure of the present invention thus provides for a significant module thickness reduction by reducing the thickness of the plunger layer 17.
  • Height d2 of the bosses 171 can be user defined, and in the present embodiment is 0.4 mm.
  • the printed circuit board layer 20 has a plurality of such stationary contacts with corresponding movable contacts of the dome switch layer 19.
  • Each of the key tops of the key top layer 11 are printed with numeral and/or character display to indicate where a user should apply pressure for given commands, that pressure being transmitted through the assembly 10 to the printed circuit of layer 20.
  • Printed circuit layer 20 further comprises a flexible connector 201 shown in Figure 3 a, which enables electrical signals and power to be passed between the keypad assembly 10 and a mobile telephone upon which it is to be mounted.
  • Figure 2 is a partial exploded side view of the keypad assembly module stack 10.
  • Key top layer 11 is formed of molded liquid UV urethane with PC or PET Film, to provide an aesthetic look.
  • Back lighting lamp layer 12 is an industry available part supplied by Rogers Corp., and provides back lighting for some or all keys of the key top layer 11.
  • Layer 13 is also provided by industry available substance supplied by Adhesive Research, and bridges the power supply from the flexible printed circuit board 20 and 201 to the lighting lamp layer 12.
  • Layer 14 is also provided by industry available substance supplied by 3M, and serves to bond the backlighting lamp layer 12 to the metal mesh layer 15.
  • Metal mesh strengthening layer 15 is formed of a SUS 304FH steel sheet with chemically etched holes through the sheet. Layer 15 serves to maintain the planar form or other desired shape of the key-top configuration, and acts as a physical support for the entire assembly 10. Layer 15 further provides for electro static grounding (ESD) of the electrically conductive layers to which it is connected. Notably, the layer 15 enables provision for various types of tactile feel by varying hole diameter, hole distribution, and/or hole shape.
  • Conductive adhesive layer 16 is also provided by industry available substance supplied by Adhesive Research, and has the purpose of providing an electrostatic discharge grounding connection between the flexible printed circuit board layer 20 and the metal mesh layer 15.
  • Plunger sheet 17 is formed of molded liquid UV urethane with PC or PET film, and transfers applied pressure from the key top to the metal dome of each contact.
  • Layer 8 is the adhesive plunger to dome layer, provided by industry available substance supplied by 3M. Layer 8 adheres the plunger layer 17 to the metal dome layer 19.
  • Metal dome layer 19 is an industry available part supplied by Fujikura Dome, and serves to provide a tactile feeling when a user applies and releases force to the keypad assembly 10, while also acting as a circuitry switch with printed circuit board layer 20.
  • the flexible printed circuit board is a customised part with the purpose of transmitting electrical signals to the main board of the telephone, providing electrical power to the back lighting layer 12, and providing for electrostatic grounding.
  • adhesive layer 21 is provided by industry available substance supplied by 3M, and bonds the entire assembly 10 to a mobile telephone housing
  • Figures 3a, 3b and 3c are photographs of an actual keypad assembly comprising the combination of layers illustrated in Figure 2, and illustrating the flexible connector 201.
  • Fig 3b in particular illustrates the thin profile of the assembly, having a total stack thickness of 1.641 mm.
  • the single module keypad of the present invention enables a keypad to be constructed having integrated mechanical and electronic layers and a thickness of as little as 1.2 mm.
  • the present invention provides a keypad assembly comprising a single module, which integrates different layers of mechanical and electronic components together as a total keypad solution that substantially differs from the conventional keypad.
  • the assembly can maintain a slim profile of reduced thickness, as well as assisting in ease of manufacture, reducing the amount of human resources involved. Further, the assembly may be formed into different geometries that can suit the various hand phone designs.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Telephone Set Structure (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un clavier pour un téléphone mobile ou son équivalent. Le clavier a une couche supérieure de touches, une couche de renfort formée à partir d'un matériau électriquement conducteur pour l'essentiel rigide. Il se compose également d'une couche de commutation comprenant une pluralité de commutateurs et d'une feuille de poussoir comprenant une pluralité de poussoirs pour transférer la force appliquée de la couche supérieure de touches à la couche de commutation pour commuter lesdits commutateurs. La couche supérieure de touches, la couche de renfort, la couche de commutation et la feuille de poussoir sont laminées ensemble pour former un module unique.
PCT/SG2006/000184 2006-06-30 2006-06-30 Module de clavier WO2008002269A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TW095123778A TW200802452A (en) 2006-06-30 2006-06-30 Keypad module
PCT/SG2006/000184 WO2008002269A1 (fr) 2006-06-30 2006-06-30 Module de clavier

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/SG2006/000184 WO2008002269A1 (fr) 2006-06-30 2006-06-30 Module de clavier

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008002269A1 true WO2008002269A1 (fr) 2008-01-03

Family

ID=38845912

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SG2006/000184 WO2008002269A1 (fr) 2006-06-30 2006-06-30 Module de clavier

Country Status (2)

Country Link
TW (1) TW200802452A (fr)
WO (1) WO2008002269A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4916262A (en) * 1988-11-03 1990-04-10 Motorola, Inc. Low-profile, rubber keypad
US5265274A (en) * 1990-06-04 1993-11-23 Motorola, Inc. Combined keypad and speaker porting
US7053799B2 (en) * 2003-08-28 2006-05-30 Motorola, Inc. Keypad with illumination structure
WO2006059834A1 (fr) * 2004-12-01 2006-06-08 Hanwool Information Tech. Co., Ltd. Clavier luminescent ultra-mince

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4916262A (en) * 1988-11-03 1990-04-10 Motorola, Inc. Low-profile, rubber keypad
US5265274A (en) * 1990-06-04 1993-11-23 Motorola, Inc. Combined keypad and speaker porting
US7053799B2 (en) * 2003-08-28 2006-05-30 Motorola, Inc. Keypad with illumination structure
WO2006059834A1 (fr) * 2004-12-01 2006-06-08 Hanwool Information Tech. Co., Ltd. Clavier luminescent ultra-mince

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
TW200802452A (en) 2008-01-01

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