GB2123213A - Panel keyboard electrical switch - Google Patents
Panel keyboard electrical switch Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2123213A GB2123213A GB08317808A GB8317808A GB2123213A GB 2123213 A GB2123213 A GB 2123213A GB 08317808 A GB08317808 A GB 08317808A GB 8317808 A GB8317808 A GB 8317808A GB 2123213 A GB2123213 A GB 2123213A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- contacts
- switch
- panel keyboard
- switch sheet
- base
- 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.)
- Granted
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
- H01H2215/00—Tactile feedback
- H01H2215/004—Collapsible dome or bubble
- H01H2215/008—Part of substrate or membrane
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2217/00—Facilitation of operation; Human engineering
- H01H2217/006—Different feeling for different switch sites
Landscapes
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
- Combinations Of Printed Boards (AREA)
- Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
A panel keyboard comprising a switch sheet (17) having a pattern of contacts (14) spaced by insulating spacers (11) from a base portion (10) also having a pattern of contacts (12). The corresponding contact pairs (14,12) are engageable with each other upon application of pressure to the switch sheet (17) or base portion (10). The thickness of the portions of the switch sheet (17) attached to respective contact pairs (12,14) differs from portion to portion providing a variation in actuation pressure between one contact pair A and the next contact pair B. Alternatively such a variation may be provided by differing thicknesses in the base portion (10). <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Panel keyboard
This invention relates to a panel keyboard which can be used widely incorporating input switches for operating various electrical and electronics machines and instruments, and in particular, it relates to a panel keyboard in which the switch selection operation can be carried out regardless of the size of the switch operating area.
There are panel keyboards in which each switch comprises a pair of contacts, one of which must be pushed into electrical contact with the other for operation of the switch. The action pressure or operation pressure of a specific switch to be selected to operate is desirably different from that of at least some of the others, for certain applications. However, known panel keyboards have the same size for all of the contact pairs, that is, the same size for the contact patterns coming into contact with each other. As a result, the action pressure or the operation pressure for any of the switches is the same which does not facilitate easy switch selection.
According to the present invention there is provided a panel keyboard comprising a base having a pattern of contacts thereon and a switch sheet having a corresponding pattern or contacts thereon, corresponding pairs of contacts on the base and switch sheet being spaced from each other and capable of engagement with each other upon application of pressure to the base or switch sheet so as to define a plurality of switch regions, wherein the thickness of portions of at least one of said base and switch sheet differs from region to region, whereby the actuating pressure for engagement of corresponding contacts varies from region to region.
Some embodiments will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side-view of a prior art panel keyboard;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of a panel keyboard in accordance with the present invention; and
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of a panel keyboard in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 1 shows a prior art panel keyboard having a diaphragm structure comprising a soft or hard base material 2 containing a plurality of contacts 1,an insulating spacer 4 installed on the base material 2 and having openings at portions corresponding to those of the contacts 1 to form switch-operating voids 3, a soft switch sheet 6 installed over the insulating spacer 4 and having thereon flexible contacts 5 which are installed at the positions corresponding to those of the contacts 1 to carry out independent switching operations, and adhesive layers between those components. As is wellknown, the previous panel keyboard has been used in various electrical and electronics machines and instruments as a suitable operation input switch.
Figure 2 shows a panel keyboard according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this Figure, base portion 10, insulating spacers 11, contact patterns 12 on the base portion 10, switch operating voids 13, the contact patterns 14 formed on switch sheet 17 and contact layer 16 are all constructed similarly to the corresponding parts of the prior art panel keyboard as described with reference to Figure 1. The switch sheet 17 is, however, constructed so that the thickness of the portions upon which the contacts 14 are positioned varies from one portion to another. For example, of the portions A and B having contact patterns 12 attached, the thickness t2 of portion B is greater than the thickness t1 of portion A, portion 17A providing the extra thickness.One method of increasing the thickness of the switch sheet 17 in portion B is to attach a flexible film to that portion of the switch sheet shown in the Figure with a dotted line, using a pressure sensitive adhesive or rubber type adhesive.
In a panel keyboard prepared as described above, the action or operation pressure that must be applied to the switch sheet to force the contact pattern 12 to come into contact with the contact pattern 14 is greater at portion B than at portion A.
Thus the switch selection operation is easily specified by the difference in the action or operation pressure.
Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this case, there is shown a type of panel keyboard in which the switch operating voids are formed in a dome shape so that a click feeling can be felt by the finger tip when the switches are operated. This panel keyboard has a flexible base portion 20 with a pattern 19 of a required number of contacts formed in its indented portions. A switch sheet 22 with a contact pattern 21 corresponding to the contact pattern 19 is spaced from the base portion by insulating spaces 23 and contact layers 24. Dome-like switch operating voids 25 are formed between the switch sheet and the base portion. The base portion 20 is constructed so that the thickness of the indented portions in which the contacts 19 are positioned varies from one portion to another.For example, with portions C and D having contact patterns 19, the thickness of portion D is greater than the thickness of portion C. This difference is shown by a dotted line in the Figure, marking a portion 20A which constitutes the extra thickness. The same method as was used in the previous embodiment can also be used to increase the thickness of the base portion in this embodiment.
In the embodiment described above, the action or operation pressure of the switch involving portion D is higher than that involving portion C, enabling specific switch selection.
In the two embodiments described above, constructions have been shown with specific regions where contacts are located having the thickness of the base portion or the switch sheet portions increased by the use of additional material so that the action or operation pressure is increased in the specific regions relative to elsewhere. In order to achieve the same effect, the thickness of portions in other than the specific regions can be reduced relative to elsewhere. Thus the action or operation pressure in the specific portions will be relatively greater than in the other regions
Thus, at least in the preferred embodiments where the thickness of the portions of at leRstone ofthe switch sheet or the base portion of the panei keyboard upon which the contacts are positioned is allowed to be different from one region to anqther, the action or operation pressure of switches is different from one region to another. Hence, specific switch selection can be carGied out-easily. This facility has practical effects such as simplifying the construction and the like of the panel keyboard;
Claims (3)
1. A panel keyboard comprising a base having a pattern of contacts thereon and a switch sheet having a corresponding pattern of contacts thereon, corresponding pairs of contactsonthe base and switch sheet being spaced from each other and capable of engagement with each other upon application of pressure to the base or switch sheet so -as to define a plurality of switch regions, wherein the thickness of portions of at least one ofsaid base and switch sheet differs from region to region, whereby the actuating pressure for engagement of corres- ponding contacts varies from region to region.
2. A panel keyboard as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base has dome-shaped-portions in the regions of the contacts so as to provide a click action.
3. A panel keyboard substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 or 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP57113010A JPS593824A (en) | 1982-06-30 | 1982-06-30 | Panel keyboard |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8317808D0 GB8317808D0 (en) | 1983-08-03 |
| GB2123213A true GB2123213A (en) | 1984-01-25 |
| GB2123213B GB2123213B (en) | 1985-10-30 |
Family
ID=14601172
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08317808A Expired GB2123213B (en) | 1982-06-30 | 1983-06-30 | Panel keyboard electrical switch |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS593824A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3323470A1 (en) |
| FR (2) | FR2529718B1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2123213B (en) |
Cited By (20)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2192307A (en) * | 1986-05-02 | 1988-01-06 | Shinetsu Polymer Co | Push-button keyboard switch unit |
| EP0519183A2 (en) * | 1991-05-04 | 1992-12-23 | Bizerba GmbH & Co. KG | Microcomputer controlled electronic balance |
| US20130230346A1 (en) * | 2012-03-02 | 2013-09-05 | Timothy C. Shaw | Pressure Sensitive Key Normalization |
| US9678542B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2017-06-13 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Multiple position input device cover |
| US9752361B2 (en) | 2015-06-18 | 2017-09-05 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Multistage hinge |
| US9759854B2 (en) | 2014-02-17 | 2017-09-12 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Input device outer layer and backlighting |
| US9793073B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2017-10-17 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Backlighting a fabric enclosure of a flexible cover |
| US9824808B2 (en) | 2012-08-20 | 2017-11-21 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Switchable magnetic lock |
| US9864415B2 (en) | 2015-06-30 | 2018-01-09 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Multistage friction hinge |
| US9870066B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2018-01-16 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Method of manufacturing an input device |
| US9959241B2 (en) | 2012-05-14 | 2018-05-01 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | System and method for accessory device architecture that passes via intermediate processor a descriptor when processing in a low power state |
| US9964998B2 (en) | 2014-09-30 | 2018-05-08 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Hinge mechanism with multiple preset positions |
| US10031556B2 (en) | 2012-06-08 | 2018-07-24 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | User experience adaptation |
| US10037057B2 (en) | 2016-09-22 | 2018-07-31 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Friction hinge |
| US10107994B2 (en) | 2012-06-12 | 2018-10-23 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Wide field-of-view virtual image projector |
| US10120420B2 (en) | 2014-03-21 | 2018-11-06 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Lockable display and techniques enabling use of lockable displays |
| US10156889B2 (en) | 2014-09-15 | 2018-12-18 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Inductive peripheral retention device |
| US10324733B2 (en) | 2014-07-30 | 2019-06-18 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Shutdown notifications |
| US10344797B2 (en) | 2016-04-05 | 2019-07-09 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Hinge with multiple preset positions |
| USRE48963E1 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2022-03-08 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Connection device for computing devices |
Families Citing this family (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3420627A1 (en) * | 1984-06-02 | 1985-12-12 | Wilde Membran Impuls Tech | Electrical pressure sensor |
| JPH08227629A (en) * | 1995-10-23 | 1996-09-03 | Shin Etsu Polymer Co Ltd | Manufacture of key board |
| US9354748B2 (en) | 2012-02-13 | 2016-05-31 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Optical stylus interaction |
| US9360893B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2016-06-07 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Input device writing surface |
| US9706089B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2017-07-11 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Shifted lens camera for mobile computing devices |
| US8935774B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2015-01-13 | Microsoft Corporation | Accessory device authentication |
| US8873227B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2014-10-28 | Microsoft Corporation | Flexible hinge support layer |
| US9426905B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2016-08-23 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Connection device for computing devices |
| US8654030B1 (en) | 2012-10-16 | 2014-02-18 | Microsoft Corporation | Antenna placement |
| EP2908970B1 (en) | 2012-10-17 | 2018-01-03 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC | Metal alloy injection molding protrusions |
| US8952892B2 (en) | 2012-11-01 | 2015-02-10 | Microsoft Corporation | Input location correction tables for input panels |
| US8786767B2 (en) | 2012-11-02 | 2014-07-22 | Microsoft Corporation | Rapid synchronized lighting and shuttering |
| US9304549B2 (en) | 2013-03-28 | 2016-04-05 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Hinge mechanism for rotatable component attachment |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1490080A1 (en) * | 1963-03-06 | 1969-06-04 | Philips Nv | Connection of two electrically conductive bodies |
| GB1477780A (en) * | 1974-08-14 | 1977-06-29 | Seikosha Kk | Assembly incorporating electrically conductive adhesive |
-
1982
- 1982-06-30 JP JP57113010A patent/JPS593824A/en active Pending
-
1983
- 1983-06-29 FR FR8310758A patent/FR2529718B1/en not_active Expired
- 1983-06-29 FR FR8310757A patent/FR2548444A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1983-06-29 DE DE19833323470 patent/DE3323470A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1983-06-30 GB GB08317808A patent/GB2123213B/en not_active Expired
Cited By (33)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2192307A (en) * | 1986-05-02 | 1988-01-06 | Shinetsu Polymer Co | Push-button keyboard switch unit |
| GB2192307B (en) * | 1986-05-02 | 1990-08-22 | Shinetsu Polymer Co | Push-button keyboard switch unit |
| EP0519183A2 (en) * | 1991-05-04 | 1992-12-23 | Bizerba GmbH & Co. KG | Microcomputer controlled electronic balance |
| EP0519183A3 (en) * | 1991-05-04 | 1993-01-20 | Bizerba-Werke Wilhelm Kraut Gmbh & Co. Kg. | Microcomputer controlled electronic balance |
| US9870066B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2018-01-16 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Method of manufacturing an input device |
| US9766663B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2017-09-19 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Hinge for component attachment |
| US9619071B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2017-04-11 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Computing device and an apparatus having sensors configured for measuring spatial information indicative of a position of the computing devices |
| US9678542B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2017-06-13 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Multiple position input device cover |
| US9710093B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2017-07-18 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Pressure sensitive key normalization |
| USRE48963E1 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2022-03-08 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Connection device for computing devices |
| US10963087B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2021-03-30 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Pressure sensitive keys |
| US9618977B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2017-04-11 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Input device securing techniques |
| US9793073B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2017-10-17 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Backlighting a fabric enclosure of a flexible cover |
| EP3346365A1 (en) * | 2012-03-02 | 2018-07-11 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC | Pressure sensitive key normalization |
| US9852855B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2017-12-26 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Pressure sensitive key normalization |
| US10013030B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2018-07-03 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Multiple position input device cover |
| US20130230346A1 (en) * | 2012-03-02 | 2013-09-05 | Timothy C. Shaw | Pressure Sensitive Key Normalization |
| US9904327B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2018-02-27 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Flexible hinge and removable attachment |
| US9946307B2 (en) | 2012-03-02 | 2018-04-17 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Classifying the intent of user input |
| US9959241B2 (en) | 2012-05-14 | 2018-05-01 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | System and method for accessory device architecture that passes via intermediate processor a descriptor when processing in a low power state |
| US10031556B2 (en) | 2012-06-08 | 2018-07-24 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | User experience adaptation |
| US10107994B2 (en) | 2012-06-12 | 2018-10-23 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Wide field-of-view virtual image projector |
| US9824808B2 (en) | 2012-08-20 | 2017-11-21 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Switchable magnetic lock |
| US9759854B2 (en) | 2014-02-17 | 2017-09-12 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Input device outer layer and backlighting |
| US10120420B2 (en) | 2014-03-21 | 2018-11-06 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Lockable display and techniques enabling use of lockable displays |
| US10324733B2 (en) | 2014-07-30 | 2019-06-18 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Shutdown notifications |
| US10156889B2 (en) | 2014-09-15 | 2018-12-18 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Inductive peripheral retention device |
| US9964998B2 (en) | 2014-09-30 | 2018-05-08 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Hinge mechanism with multiple preset positions |
| US9752361B2 (en) | 2015-06-18 | 2017-09-05 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Multistage hinge |
| US10606322B2 (en) | 2015-06-30 | 2020-03-31 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Multistage friction hinge |
| US9864415B2 (en) | 2015-06-30 | 2018-01-09 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Multistage friction hinge |
| US10344797B2 (en) | 2016-04-05 | 2019-07-09 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Hinge with multiple preset positions |
| US10037057B2 (en) | 2016-09-22 | 2018-07-31 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Friction hinge |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2548444A1 (en) | 1985-01-04 |
| JPS593824A (en) | 1984-01-10 |
| GB8317808D0 (en) | 1983-08-03 |
| DE3323470A1 (en) | 1984-01-05 |
| FR2529718A1 (en) | 1984-01-06 |
| FR2529718B1 (en) | 1988-10-21 |
| GB2123213B (en) | 1985-10-30 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |