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EP1238402B1 - Decoupled push keys - Google Patents

Decoupled push keys Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1238402B1
EP1238402B1 EP00981318A EP00981318A EP1238402B1 EP 1238402 B1 EP1238402 B1 EP 1238402B1 EP 00981318 A EP00981318 A EP 00981318A EP 00981318 A EP00981318 A EP 00981318A EP 1238402 B1 EP1238402 B1 EP 1238402B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
arrangement according
pushbutton
connecting webs
pushbutton arrangement
pushbuttons
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.)
Revoked
Application number
EP00981318A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1238402A1 (en
Inventor
Jürgen RIECKE
Jörg ESSINGER
Gil Jose Maria Saez
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.)
Bsh Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete En Ticona G GmbH
Original Assignee
Ticona GmbH
BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
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Filing date
Publication date
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Application filed by Ticona GmbH, BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH filed Critical Ticona GmbH
Publication of EP1238402A1 publication Critical patent/EP1238402A1/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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2221/00—Actuators
    • H01H2221/036—Return force
    • H01H2221/044—Elastic part on actuator or casing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2221/00—Actuators
    • H01H2221/054—Actuators connected by flexible webs

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a one-piece push button arrangement with at least two neighboring pushbuttons, struts and connecting bars, which are largely ensures that when a pushbutton is operated, adjacent keys are only extremely move slightly with.
  • a female connector describes, for example, the German patent DE 3034585, the a profile strip made of clamps to hold the push buttons and curved, preferably V-shaped connecting webs at intervals of two clamps disclosed.
  • the push buttons are attached to the bracket and the Flexible connecting bars ensure that the push buttons are easy can be depressed.
  • the keys spring back after being depressed is also guaranteed by separate frog feathers.
  • buttons are on two flexible ones Shock struts arranged, which in turn are formed on rigid connecting webs.
  • a telephone keypad with multi-row control buttons integrated into a female connector is used in European Plastics News, No. 10, 1983, page 63.
  • This keypad will manufactured by molding part of the keys in a first injection molding step and in a second injection molding step the buttons are completed and the buttons are pressed connecting frame.
  • buttons For flexible operation of the buttons, these are via movable legs with the stiffer ones Part of the frame connected.
  • US 5270507 discloses a push button arrangement in which adjacent ones Pushbuttons are connected to each other via bars.
  • the webs are on theirs Pushbutton-assigning ends worked out as struts, so that the pushbuttons are movably supported over the resilient parts of the webs and the entire Pushbutton arrangement on the sections between the struts Can rest on a pad.
  • the entire push button arrangement is from one Made of rubber.
  • the thickness of the webs is essentially along their entire length constant.
  • a disadvantage of the push button arrangement already described is that the spring action of the struts is directly related to the strength of the connecting webs. When the spring action is increased, the coupling of the pushbuttons to one another is also always increased.
  • the object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art by simple design measures. This object is achieved by a pushbutton arrangement with at least two adjacent pushbuttons which are connected to one another by connecting webs, characterized in that each of the pushbuttons (2) has two spring struts (4) which are supported on a support surface.
  • the present arrangement of struts and connecting webs creates two independent functional elements which can be appropriately designed with regard to their actual task and function, without this having an adverse effect on the function between the two components. The functional reliability of the key arrangement is consequently considerably improved.
  • the restoring force that the struts exert on the push button can thus be effected independently of the connecting webs.
  • the connecting webs can thus be freely dimensioned in the push button arrangement according to the invention, since the spring action is independent of the thickness of the connecting webs and depends on the nature of the struts.
  • Another advantage is that the mechanical decoupling of adjacent push buttons is possible, so that when a push button is operated, adjacent buttons do not move and no unwanted contact or switching effect of an adjacent button is triggered.
  • the spring struts on each pushbutton are arranged laterally offset from one another; the pushbuttons preferably have a base on which the spring struts are provided.
  • the spring struts are preferably of flat profile and are supported with their free end on the support surface.
  • the free end of the spring struts preferably has a section which is offset parallel to the support surface and which is supported on the support surface.
  • the struts can also extend from the bottom of the push buttons (2) under the push button arrangement.
  • the connecting webs are flexible.
  • the connecting webs particularly advantageously have a taper, which is provided either on the upper side facing the pushbuttons, on the lower side or on the side surfaces of the connecting webs.
  • the taper is preferably provided in the middle of the connecting web between the push buttons.
  • the taper is particularly preferably designed as a film hinge, and the connecting webs are very particularly preferably in the form of tapered film hinges.
  • the push button arrangement according to the invention is particularly advantageously produced from a particularly rigid polyacetal polymer with a high restoring force.
  • the connecting webs can be tapered down to 0.2 mm without fear of breakage of the connecting webs if the buttons on the tapering parts are used continuously.
  • the use of an easily flowing polyacetal (Hostaform® C 13031, Ticona GmbH, Frankfurt) also enables the pushbutton unit to be manufactured in one injection molding step, despite the tapering which hinders the flow of the plastic.
  • Suitable polyacetal homopolymers and copolymers generally have a melt index (MVR) of at least 12.
  • Suitable copolymers have a comonomer content of generally less than 3.4% by weight, based on the monomer trioxane, preferably less than 2% by weight, in particular 1.4% by weight.
  • the connecting webs are flexible as a result executed that the connecting webs from an elastomer preparation (crosslinked or uncrosslinked), preferably a thermoplastic elastomer preparation, which has good adhesion to the material of the push buttons.
  • an elastomer preparation crosslinked or uncrosslinked
  • thermoplastic elastomer preparation which has good adhesion to the material of the push buttons.
  • Push buttons made of a polyacetal and the connecting bars made of a thermoplastic Elastomer preparation such as in WO 00/20204, US 5149589, US 5002625 or US 5472782, which is incorporated by reference.
  • Such Push button arrangement is preferably produced by two-component injection molding.
  • Figure 1 shows a section of a single-row push button arrangement 1 of Pushbuttons 2, which are connected to one another via connecting webs 3.
  • the Pushbuttons 2 are two struts 4, which are located from the bottom of the pushbuttons 3 extend under the push button arrangement 1.
  • the struts 4 serve as a support the push button arrangement 1 on a support surface, not shown, or a frame and to reset the pushbutton after pressing it down.
  • the connecting webs 3 have a taper in the middle. This taper is shown in the figure on the the pushbuttons facing the top of the connecting webs, but it can can also be carried out on the underside or from both sides.
  • the single row Pushbutton arrangement 1 can be combined with other rows of pushbuttons or a frame get connected.
  • FIG. 2 shows a section of a two-dimensional pushbutton arrangement 5 from Pushbuttons 6, which are connected to one another via connecting webs 7, the Pushbuttons 6 are movably supported via the spring struts 8.
  • the push button arrangement according to the invention can, as required, as a pair of buttons, group, row or two-dimensional key arrangement.
  • application finds such a push button arrangement, for example, in control panels of Household appliances, especially so-called white appliances such as washing machines, Refrigerators, tumble dryers, cookers etc., as keyboards for calculating machines, Typewriters, computers and telephones, in particular cell phones, notebooks etc., control panels for radio, music, video and TV sets, control panels for machines and machine tools or elevators, switch and control panels in vehicles etc.
  • the push button arrangement according to the invention is particularly there Can be used advantageously where control buttons are close together to save space in one Device or component must be housed and guaranteed at the same time must that no adjacent keys are moved when a key is pressed and thus possibly trigger a signal.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)
  • Control Of Motors That Do Not Use Commutators (AREA)
  • Input Circuits Of Receivers And Coupling Of Receivers And Audio Equipment (AREA)
  • Telephone Function (AREA)
  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
  • Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
  • Diaphragms For Electromechanical Transducers (AREA)
  • Control Of Eletrric Generators (AREA)
  • Electronic Switches (AREA)

Abstract

A pushbutton configuration includes at least two neighboring pushbuttons, connecting webs, and spring legs. The connecting webs are in the form of constricted film hinges. The length of the connecting webs is, preferably, 3 to 10 mm, the width of the connecting webs is 0.5 to 2 mm, and the thickness of the connecting webs at their ends is 0.5 to 1.5 mm and at their constricted center is 0.15 to 1 mm, but, in any event, less than at their ends. The pushbutton configuration is preferably formed in one piece from readily flowing polyacetal, which has a high rigidity and restoring elasticity.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine einstückige Drucktastenanordnung mit mindestens zwei benachbarten Drucktasten, Federbeinen und Verbindungsstegen, die weitestgehend gewährleistet, daß bei Bedienung einer Drucktaste benachbarte Tasten sich nur ,äußerst geringfügig mit bewegen.The invention relates to a one-piece push button arrangement with at least two neighboring pushbuttons, struts and connecting bars, which are largely ensures that when a pushbutton is operated, adjacent keys are only extremely move slightly with.

Im Zuge der allgemeinen Tendenz zur Vereinfachung von Produktionsabläufen werden zunehmend Baugruppen, die früher aus Einzelteilen zusammengesetzt wurden, heute als integrale Einheiten gefertigt. Dies trifft auch auf Einheiten aus Drucktasten, Tastenhalterungen und Tastenfederungen zu. Nachdem in einem ersten Schritt Tastenhalterungen und Tastenfederungen in einer Federleiste vereinigt wurden, wird nunmehr versucht, auch die Drucktasten mit in diese Einheit zu integrieren, sodaß diese in einem einzigen Verfahrensschritt hergestellt werden kann.In the wake of the general tendency to simplify production processes increasingly assemblies that used to be assembled from individual parts, today as integral units manufactured. This also applies to push button units, Key holders and key suspensions too. After in a first step Key holders and key suspensions were combined in a female connector now tries to integrate the pushbuttons with this unit, so that this can be produced in a single process step.

Eine Federleiste beschreibt beispielsweise die deutsche Patentschrift DE 3034585, die einen Profilstreifen aus Klammerbügeln zur Aufnahme der Drucktasten und gebogenen, vorzugsweise V-förmigen Verbindungsstegen im Abstand von je zwei Klammerbügeln offenbart. Die Drucktasten werden dabei auf die Klammerbügel aufgesteckt und die flexiblen Verbindungsstege gewährleisten, daß die Drucktasten ohne Schwierigkeiten niedergedrückt werden können. Das Zurückfedern der Tasten nach dem Niederdrücken wird zusätzlich über gesonderte Froschfedern gewährleistet.A female connector describes, for example, the German patent DE 3034585, the a profile strip made of clamps to hold the push buttons and curved, preferably V-shaped connecting webs at intervals of two clamps disclosed. The push buttons are attached to the bracket and the Flexible connecting bars ensure that the push buttons are easy can be depressed. The keys spring back after being depressed is also guaranteed by separate frog feathers.

Ebenso zeigt die Patentschrift US 4066860 eine Drucktastenanordnung gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1.The patent US 4066860 also shows a push button arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1.

Eine gestaffelte, als eine Einheit gebildete Anordnung von Federleisten wird in US 4315114 beschrieben. In dieser Anordnung sind die Tasten an je zwei flexiblen Federbeinen angeordnet, die ihrerseits an steifen Verbindungsstegen angeformt sind.A staggered, unitary arrangement of female connectors is disclosed in US 4315114. In this arrangement the buttons are on two flexible ones Shock struts arranged, which in turn are formed on rigid connecting webs.

Ein Telefontastenblock mit in eine Federleiste integrierten mehrreihigen Bedientasten wird in European Plastics News, No. 10, 1983, Seite 63 beschrieben. Dieser Tastenblock wird dadurch hergestellt, daß in einem ersten Spritzgußschritt ein Teil der Tasten geformt wird und in einem zweiten Spritzgußschritt die Tasten vervollständigt und mit einem die Tasten verbindenden Rahmen versehen werden. A telephone keypad with multi-row control buttons integrated into a female connector is used in European Plastics News, No. 10, 1983, page 63. This keypad will manufactured by molding part of the keys in a first injection molding step and in a second injection molding step the buttons are completed and the buttons are pressed connecting frame.

Zur flexiblen Bedienung der Tasten sind diese über bewegliche Beine mit dem steiferen Teil des Rahmens verbunden.For flexible operation of the buttons, these are via movable legs with the stiffer ones Part of the frame connected.

In US 5270507 ist eine Drucktastenanordnung offenbart, bei der benachbarte Drucktasten Über Stege miteinander verbunden sind. Die Stege sind dabei an ihren den Drucktasten zuweisenden Enden als Federbeine ausgearbeitet, so daß die Drucktasten über die federnden Teile der Stege beweglich gelagert sind und die gesamte Drucktastenanordnung auf den zwischen den Federbeinen liegenden Abschnitten der Stege auf einer Unterlage ruhen kann. Die gesamte Drucktastenanordnung ist aus einem Kautschuk gefertigt. Die Dicke der Stege ist auf ihrer gesamten Länge im wesentlichen konstant.US 5270507 discloses a push button arrangement in which adjacent ones Pushbuttons are connected to each other via bars. The webs are on theirs Pushbutton-assigning ends worked out as struts, so that the pushbuttons are movably supported over the resilient parts of the webs and the entire Pushbutton arrangement on the sections between the struts Can rest on a pad. The entire push button arrangement is from one Made of rubber. The thickness of the webs is essentially along their entire length constant.

Allgemein soll durch die Ausbildung von Federbeinen für die Drucktasten sowie durch flexible Verbindungsstege zwischen benachbarten Drucktasten erreicht werden, daß bei Bedienung einer Drucktaste benachbarte Tasten sich nicht bewegen, wobei unter Umständen ein ungewollter Kontakt oder Schalteffekt ausgelöst werden könnte. Da diese Entkoppelung zwischen benachbarten Drucktasten noch nicht einwandfrei gelöst werden konnte, bestand die Aufgabe, durch weitere konstruktive Änderungen die Entkoppelung zu verbessern.Generally, through the formation of struts for the push buttons as well as through flexible connecting bridges between neighboring push buttons can be achieved at Operation of a push button neighboring buttons do not move, under Under certain circumstances, an unwanted contact or switching effect could be triggered. This one Decoupling between adjacent pushbuttons can not be solved properly could, the task was to decouple by further design changes to improve.

Nachteilig bei den bereits beschriebenen Drucktastenanordnung ist, daß die Federwirkung der Federbeine unmittelbar mit der Stärke der Verbindungsstege zusammenhangt. Bei einer Verstärkung der Federwirkung wird also stets auch die Kopplung der Drucktasten aneinander verstärkt.
Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es, durch einfache konstruktive Maßnahmen die Nachteile des Standes der Technik zu beheben. Diese Aufgabe wird gelöst durch eine Drucktastenanordnung mit wenigstens zwei benachbarten zueinander angeordneten Drucktasten, die durch Verbindungsstege zu einer Einheit verbunden sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jede der Drucktasten (2) zwei Federbeine (4) besitzt, die sich an einer Auflagefläche abstützen. Durch die vorliegende Anordnung von Federbeinen und Verbindungsstegen sind zwei voneinander unabhängige Funktionselemente geschaffen, die sich im Hinblick auf ihre eigentliche Aufgabe und Funktion zweckmäßig ausbilden lassen, ohne daß dies eine funktionsbeeinträchtigende Beeinflussung zwischen den beiden Bauteilen zur Folge hat. Die Funktionssicherheit der Tastenanordnung ist folglich erheblich verbessert. A disadvantage of the push button arrangement already described is that the spring action of the struts is directly related to the strength of the connecting webs. When the spring action is increased, the coupling of the pushbuttons to one another is also always increased.
The object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art by simple design measures. This object is achieved by a pushbutton arrangement with at least two adjacent pushbuttons which are connected to one another by connecting webs, characterized in that each of the pushbuttons (2) has two spring struts (4) which are supported on a support surface. The present arrangement of struts and connecting webs creates two independent functional elements which can be appropriately designed with regard to their actual task and function, without this having an adverse effect on the function between the two components. The functional reliability of the key arrangement is consequently considerably improved.

Die Rückstellkraft, die die Federbeine auf die Drucktaste ausübt kann also unabhängig von den Verbindungsstegen bewirkt werden. Die Verbindungsstege können bei der erfindungsgemäßen Drucktastenanordnung also frei dimensioniert werden, da die Federwirkung unabhängig von der Dicke der Verbindungsstege ist und von der Beschaffenheit der Federbeine abhängt. Vorteilhaft ist weiter, daß die mechanische Entkopplung benachbarter Drucktasten möglich ist, so daß sich bei Bedienung einer Drucktaste benachbarte Tasten nicht bewegen und kein ungewollter Kontakt oder Schalteffekt einer benachbarten Taste ausgelöst wird.
In einer vorteilhaften Ausführung der vorliegenden Erfindung sind die Federbeine an jeder Drucktaste seitlich versetzt zueinander angeordnet, bevorzugt besitzen die Drucktasten einen Boden, an dem die Federbeine vorgesehen sind. Bevorzugt sind die Federbeine flachprofilig ausgebildet und stützen sich mit ihrem freien Ende an der Auflagefläche ab. Das freie Ende der Federbeine besitzt bevorzugt einen parallel zur Auflagefläche abgesetzten abschnitt, der sich an der Auflagefläche abstützt. Die Federbeine können sich außerdem vom Boden der Drucktasten (2) unter die Drucktastenanordnung erstrecken.
in einer vorteilhaften Ausführung sind die Verbindungsstege flexibel ausgeführt. Besonders vorteilhaft weisen die Verbindungsstege eine Verjüngung auf, die entweder auf der der Drucktasten zugewandten Oberseite, der Unterseite oder den Seitenflächen der Verbindungsstege vorgesehen ist. Bevorzugt ist die Verjüngung in der Mitte des Verbindungssteges zwischen den Drucktasten vorgesehen. Besonders bevorzugt ist die Verjüngung als Filmschamier ausgebildet, ganz besonders bevorzugt sind die Verbindungsstege in Form von sich verjüngenden Filmscharnieren ausgeprägt. Besonders vorteilhaft wird die erfindungsgemäße Drucktastenanordnung aus einem besonders steifen Polyacetalpolymeren mit hoher Rückstellkraft hergestellt. Hierbei lassen sich die Verbindungsstege bis auf 0,2 mm verjüngen, ohne daß bei dauerhaftem Gebrauch der Tasten an den Verjüngungssteilen ein Bruch der Verbindungsstege zu befürchten wäre. Durch die Verwendung eines leicht fließenden Polyacetals (Hostaform® C 13031, Ticona GmbH, Frankfurt) wird zudem ermöglicht, daß die Drucktasteneinheit trotz der den Durchfluß des Kunststoffs behindernden Verjüngungen in einem Spritzgußschritt hergestellt werden kann. Geeignete Polyacetal Homo- und Copolymere besitzen im Allgemeinen einen Schmelzindex (MVR) von mindestens 12. Geeignete Copolymere besitzen einen Comonomergehalt von im Allgemeinen weniger als 3,4 Gew.-% bezogen auf das Monomer Trioxan, bevorzugt weniger als 2 Gew.-%, insbesondere 1,4 Gew.-%. The restoring force that the struts exert on the push button can thus be effected independently of the connecting webs. The connecting webs can thus be freely dimensioned in the push button arrangement according to the invention, since the spring action is independent of the thickness of the connecting webs and depends on the nature of the struts. Another advantage is that the mechanical decoupling of adjacent push buttons is possible, so that when a push button is operated, adjacent buttons do not move and no unwanted contact or switching effect of an adjacent button is triggered.
In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the spring struts on each pushbutton are arranged laterally offset from one another; the pushbuttons preferably have a base on which the spring struts are provided. The spring struts are preferably of flat profile and are supported with their free end on the support surface. The free end of the spring struts preferably has a section which is offset parallel to the support surface and which is supported on the support surface. The struts can also extend from the bottom of the push buttons (2) under the push button arrangement.
In an advantageous embodiment, the connecting webs are flexible. The connecting webs particularly advantageously have a taper, which is provided either on the upper side facing the pushbuttons, on the lower side or on the side surfaces of the connecting webs. The taper is preferably provided in the middle of the connecting web between the push buttons. The taper is particularly preferably designed as a film hinge, and the connecting webs are very particularly preferably in the form of tapered film hinges. The push button arrangement according to the invention is particularly advantageously produced from a particularly rigid polyacetal polymer with a high restoring force. Here, the connecting webs can be tapered down to 0.2 mm without fear of breakage of the connecting webs if the buttons on the tapering parts are used continuously. The use of an easily flowing polyacetal (Hostaform® C 13031, Ticona GmbH, Frankfurt) also enables the pushbutton unit to be manufactured in one injection molding step, despite the tapering which hinders the flow of the plastic. Suitable polyacetal homopolymers and copolymers generally have a melt index (MVR) of at least 12. Suitable copolymers have a comonomer content of generally less than 3.4% by weight, based on the monomer trioxane, preferably less than 2% by weight, in particular 1.4% by weight.

In einer weiteren vorteilhaften Ausführung sind die Verbindungsstege dadurch flexibel ausgeführt, daß die Verbindungsstege aus einer Elastomerzubereitung (vernetzt oder unvernetzt), vorzugsweise einer thermoplastischen Elastomerzubereitung bestehen, die eine gute Haftung zum Material der Drucktasten besitzt. Bevorzugt bestehen die Drucktasten aus einem Polyacetal und die Verbindungsstege aus einer thermoplastischen Elastomerzubereitung wie zum Beispiel in WO 00/20204, US 5149589, US 5002625 oder US 5472782 beschrieben, worauf Bezug genommen wird. Eine derartige Drucktastenanordnung wird bevorzugt durch Zweikomponenten-Spritzguß hergestellt.In a further advantageous embodiment, the connecting webs are flexible as a result executed that the connecting webs from an elastomer preparation (crosslinked or uncrosslinked), preferably a thermoplastic elastomer preparation, which has good adhesion to the material of the push buttons. Preferably there are Push buttons made of a polyacetal and the connecting bars made of a thermoplastic Elastomer preparation such as in WO 00/20204, US 5149589, US 5002625 or US 5472782, which is incorporated by reference. Such Push button arrangement is preferably produced by two-component injection molding.

Weitere Merkmale der erfindungsgemäßen Drucktastenanordnung sind den folgenden Ausführungen sowie den anschließenden Patenansprüchen zu entnehmen.Further features of the push button arrangement according to the invention are the following Please refer to the explanations and the subsequent patent claims.

Figur 1 zeigt einen Ausschnitt aus einer einreihigen Drucktastenanordnung 1 von Drucktasten 2, die über Verbindungsstege 3 miteinander verbunden sind. An den Drucktasten 2 befinden sich je zwei Federbeine 4, die sich vom Boden der Drucktasten 3 unter die Drucktastenanordnung 1 hin erstrecken. Die Federbeine 4 dienen zur Auflage der Drucktastenanordnung 1 auf eine nicht gezeigte Auflagefläche oder einen Rahmen und zur Rückstellung der Drucktaste nach dem Niederdrücken. Die Verbindungsstege 3 weisen in ihrer Mitte eine Verjüngung auf. Diese Verjüngung ist in der Abbildung auf der den Drucktasten zugewandten Oberseite der Verbindungsstege ausgeführt, sie kann aber auch an der Unterseite oder von beiden Seiten her ausgeführt werden. Die einreihige Drucktastenanordnung 1 kann mit anderen Drucktastenreihen oder einem Rahmen verbunden werden.Figure 1 shows a section of a single-row push button arrangement 1 of Pushbuttons 2, which are connected to one another via connecting webs 3. To the Pushbuttons 2 are two struts 4, which are located from the bottom of the pushbuttons 3 extend under the push button arrangement 1. The struts 4 serve as a support the push button arrangement 1 on a support surface, not shown, or a frame and to reset the pushbutton after pressing it down. The connecting webs 3 have a taper in the middle. This taper is shown in the figure on the the pushbuttons facing the top of the connecting webs, but it can can also be carried out on the underside or from both sides. The single row Pushbutton arrangement 1 can be combined with other rows of pushbuttons or a frame get connected.

An einer Drucktastenanordnung gemäß Figur 1 mit Verbindungsstegen der Länge 6,2 mm, der Breite 1 mm und einer Stegdicke von 0,8 mm am Tastenende bzw. von 0,35 mm in der Verjüngung kann mit FEM-Berechnungen beispielsweise gezeigt werden, daß bei einer Verformung (Niederdrücken) einer Drucktaste um 1,25 mm die benachbarten Drucktasten um nur 0,35 mm mit bewegt werden. Ist der Steg in seiner ganzen Länge 0,8 mm dick, so werden bei gleicher Verformung einer Drucktaste die benachbarten Drucktasten um 0,63 mm mit bewegt. In den Berechnungen wurden die Materialeigenschaften von ®Hostaform C 13031 (Ticona GmbH) mit berücksichtigt.On a push button arrangement according to FIG. 1 with connecting bars of length 6.2 mm, the width 1 mm and a web thickness of 0.8 mm at the end of the key or 0.35 mm in the taper, FEM calculations can be used to show, for example, that at deformation (depression) of a push button by 1.25 mm the neighboring ones Push buttons can only be moved by 0.35 mm. The length of the web is 0.8 mm thick, the neighboring ones become the same with the same deformation of a pushbutton Push buttons moved by 0.63 mm. In the calculations, the Material properties of ®Hostaform C 13031 (Ticona GmbH) also taken into account.

Figur 2 zeigt einen Ausschnitt aus einer zweidimensionalen Drucktastenanordnung 5 von Drucktasten 6, die über Verbindungsstege 7 miteinander verbunden sind, wobei die Drucktasten 6 über die Federbeine 8 beweglich gelagert sind. FIG. 2 shows a section of a two-dimensional pushbutton arrangement 5 from Pushbuttons 6, which are connected to one another via connecting webs 7, the Pushbuttons 6 are movably supported via the spring struts 8.

Die erfindungsgemäße Drucktastenanordnung kann je nach Bedarf als Tastenpaar, -gruppe, -reihe oder zweidimensionale Tastenanordnung ausgeführt sein. Anwendung findet eine derartige Drucktastenanordnung beispielsweise in Bedienfeldem von Haushaltsgeräten, insbesondere sogenannten Weißgeräten wie Waschmaschinen, Kühlschränke, Wäschetrockner, Küchenherde etc., als Tastaturen für Rechenmaschinen, Schreibmaschinen, Computer und Telefonen, insbesondere Mobiltelefone, Notebooks etc., Bedienfelder für Radio-, Musik-, Video- und TV-Geräte, Bedienfelder für Maschinen und Werkzeugmaschinen oder Fahrstühle, Schalt- und Bedienfelder in Fahrzeugen etc.The push button arrangement according to the invention can, as required, as a pair of buttons, group, row or two-dimensional key arrangement. application finds such a push button arrangement, for example, in control panels of Household appliances, especially so-called white appliances such as washing machines, Refrigerators, tumble dryers, cookers etc., as keyboards for calculating machines, Typewriters, computers and telephones, in particular cell phones, notebooks etc., control panels for radio, music, video and TV sets, control panels for machines and machine tools or elevators, switch and control panels in vehicles etc.

Im allgemeinen ist die erfindungsgemäße Drucktastenanordnung insbesondere dort vorteilhaft einsetzbar, wo eng beieinander stehende Bedientasten platzsparend in einem Gerät oder Bauteil untergebracht werden müssen und gleichzeitig gewährleistet sein muß, daß beim Betätigen einer Taste keine benachbarten Tasten mit bewegt werden und somit u.U. ein Signal auslösen.In general, the push button arrangement according to the invention is particularly there Can be used advantageously where control buttons are close together to save space in one Device or component must be housed and guaranteed at the same time must that no adjacent keys are moved when a key is pressed and thus possibly trigger a signal.

Claims (21)

  1. Pushbutton arrangement for a component, such as a control panel of domestic appliances, machines, radio sets or television sets or the like, comprising at least two pushbuttons which are arranged adjacent to one another and which are connected by at least one connecting web to form a unit, wherein each of the pushbuttons has at least two spring legs which are supported against a support surface, characterised in that the at least one connecting web (3) has a narrowing.
  2. Pushbutton arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the spring legs (4) are arranged at each pushbutton (2) to be laterally offset relative to one another.
  3. Pushbutton arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the spring legs (4) are formed to be of flat profile shape and are supported by the free ends thereof against the support surface.
  4. Pushbutton arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the spring legs (4) have at the free ends thereof a portion which is offset to be parallel to the support surface and which is supported at the support surface.
  5. Pushbutton arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the pushbuttons have a base at which the spring legs are provided.
  6. Pushbutton arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the spring legs (4) extend from the base of the pushbuttons (2) below the pushbutton arrangement (1).
  7. Pushbutton arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the spring legs (4) on actuation of the pushbutton (2) exert a restoring force thereon.
  8. Pushbutton arrangement according to claim 7, characterised in that the narrowing is provided in the middle of the connecting webs (3).
  9. Pushbutton arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the pushbuttons (2) are connected together by way of flat connecting webs (3) which each narrow in thickness towards the middle thereof.
  10. Pushbutton arrangement according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterised in that the narrowing is provided on the upper side of the connecting webs (3) facing the pushbuttons (2).
  11. Pushbutton arrangement according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterised in that the narrowing is provided on the underside of the connecting webs (3) facing the pushbuttons (2).
  12. Pushbutton arrangement according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterised in that the narrowing is provided at both side surfaces of the connecting webs (3).
  13. Pushbutton arrangement according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterised in that the narrowing is formed at the connecting webs (3) as a film hinge.
  14. Pushbutton arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the connecting webs (3) are constructed in the form of narrowing film hinges.
  15. Pushbutton arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the length of the connecting webs (3) amounts to 3 to 7 mm, the width of the connecting webs (3) to 0.5 to 2 mm and the thickness of the connecting webs (3) at the ends thereof to 0.5 to 1.5 mm and in the narrowed middle thereof to 0.15 to 1 mm, but in each case less than at the ends thereof.
  16. Pushbutton arrangement according to claim 15, characterised in that the length of the connecting webs (3) amounts to 5 to 7 mm, the width of the connecting webs (3) to 0.8 to 1.2 mm and the thickness of the connecting webs (3) at the ends thereof to 0.75 to 0.85 mm and the narrowed middle thereof to 0.25 to 0.45 mm.
  17. Pushbutton arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that in the case of pressing down a pushbutton (2) by 1.25 mm adjacent pushbuttons (2) are moved therewith by less than 0.63 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm, particularly preferably at most 0.35 mm.
  18. Pushbutton arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that the spring legs (4) are disposed at the pushbuttons (2) to extend out from the base of the pushbuttons (2) under the pushbutton arrangement.
  19. Pushbutton arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that the pushbutton arrangement (1) consists of polyacetal, preferably of a polyoxymethylene homopolymer or copolymer with a melt index (MVR) of at least 12.
  20. Pushbutton arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that the pushbutton arrangement (1) consists of a polyoxymethylene copolymer with a comonomer content of less than 3.4 weight %.
  21. Pushbutton arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that the connecting webs (3) consist of an elastomer preparation, preferably of a thermoplastic elastomer preparation.
EP00981318A 1999-11-30 2000-11-29 Decoupled push keys Revoked EP1238402B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19957643 1999-11-30
DE19957643A DE19957643A1 (en) 1999-11-30 1999-11-30 Unit of thrust keys comprises connector pieces which take the form of tapering film hinges which are located between adjacent keys, and ensure that operation of any key does not disturb any other key of the unit
PCT/EP2000/011939 WO2001041169A1 (en) 1999-11-30 2000-11-29 Decoupled push keys

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1238402A1 EP1238402A1 (en) 2002-09-11
EP1238402B1 true EP1238402B1 (en) 2003-10-29

Family

ID=7930888

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00981318A Revoked EP1238402B1 (en) 1999-11-30 2000-11-29 Decoupled push keys

Country Status (13)

Country Link
US (1) US6982389B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1238402B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2003515904A (en)
CN (1) CN1218338C (en)
AT (1) ATE253254T1 (en)
AU (1) AU1860701A (en)
BR (1) BR0015972A (en)
DE (2) DE19957643A1 (en)
NZ (1) NZ519149A (en)
PL (1) PL355681A1 (en)
TR (1) TR200201321T2 (en)
WO (1) WO2001041169A1 (en)
YU (1) YU36402A (en)

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EP2082088B1 (en) 2006-08-31 2016-11-09 LG Electronics Inc. Control panel assembly for laundry device and laundry device including the same
US20140151208A1 (en) * 2012-12-03 2014-06-05 Zippy Technology Corp. Simple assembly thin keyboard

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MY121337A (en) * 1997-10-14 2006-01-28 Shinetsu Polymer Co Method for forming pad character in push button switch and method for manufacturing cover member for push button switch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1218338C (en) 2005-09-07
WO2001041169A1 (en) 2001-06-07
DE50004279D1 (en) 2003-12-04
YU36402A (en) 2004-05-12
JP2003515904A (en) 2003-05-07
ATE253254T1 (en) 2003-11-15
US6982389B2 (en) 2006-01-03
TR200201321T2 (en) 2002-11-21
BR0015972A (en) 2002-07-16
DE19957643A1 (en) 2001-05-31
US20030010610A1 (en) 2003-01-16
PL355681A1 (en) 2004-05-04
AU1860701A (en) 2001-06-12
CN1402877A (en) 2003-03-12
EP1238402A1 (en) 2002-09-11
NZ519149A (en) 2003-03-28

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