EP0036570A2 - Keyboard - Google Patents

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Publication number
EP0036570A2
EP0036570A2 EP81101815A EP81101815A EP0036570A2 EP 0036570 A2 EP0036570 A2 EP 0036570A2 EP 81101815 A EP81101815 A EP 81101815A EP 81101815 A EP81101815 A EP 81101815A EP 0036570 A2 EP0036570 A2 EP 0036570A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
snap
metal frame
contact
keyboard according
keyboard
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
Application number
EP81101815A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0036570B1 (en
EP0036570A3 (en
Inventor
Jürgen Dipl.-Ing. Oelsch
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.)
Preh GmbH
Original Assignee
Preh GmbH
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Preh GmbH filed Critical Preh GmbH
Priority to AT81101815T priority Critical patent/ATE7434T1/en
Publication of EP0036570A2 publication Critical patent/EP0036570A2/en
Publication of EP0036570A3 publication Critical patent/EP0036570A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0036570B1 publication Critical patent/EP0036570B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • H01H13/705—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 characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
    • 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
    • H01H2213/00—Venting
    • H01H2213/01—Venting with internal pressure of other switch sites
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2215/00—Tactile feedback
    • H01H2215/004—Collapsible dome or bubble
    • H01H2215/012—Positioning of individual dome
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
    • H01H2229/044—Injection moulding
    • H01H2229/048—Insertion moulding

Definitions

  • the invention is based on a keyboard according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • keyboards Due to the general trend from analog to digital technology and from hardware to software, pushbutton switches, individually or in keyboards, are increasingly being used in electrical engineering, communications technology and, last but not least, in so-called terminals or data input devices. There are a whole range of different types and functional principles for such keyboards, which represent the interface between man and machine. The type of stroke is of great importance for reliability, but also for human-keyboard contact. In addition to the so-called flat keyboards with a stroke of up to approx.1.5 mm, there are also keyboards with a stroke of between 1.5 and 6.35 mm depending on the application. In addition, keyboards with touch switches are of course also used. All keyboards with a stroke, however, have in common that the operator should get a kind of feedback about the feeling that the respective push button has been pressed.
  • a keyboard is already known in which an insulating material plate is placed over a printed circuit board provided with contact points and conductor tracks, in which a number of openings are provided. There is a metal plate above the insulating plate, in which a larger one Number of dome-like bulges has been indented, the entire arrangement being such that these bulges come to lie over the openings. If one of these bulges is now pressed in, an electrical connection can be made between the contact points of the printed circuit board for the duration of the depression. If the pressure is released, the bulge snaps back into its original position. With this keyboard, it should be difficult, particularly in mass production, to always obtain an even contact resistance, at least within the keyboard, and thus an identical tactile feedback for the user.
  • the dome-shaped contact springs were designed as loosely mounted and separate plate springs in another known pushbutton field.
  • the disc springs are secured against lateral deflection by a holding plate made of insulating material, in the openings of which they are located.
  • Under the holding plate there is another plate made of insulating material, which also has openings that release the contact points.
  • the printed circuit board with the contact points and the conductor tracks is arranged again under this plate.
  • a keyboard is already known in which snap elements are arranged above a printed circuit board provided with conductor tracks, said snap elements being made of a rubber-elastic material and having the shape of a table mountain.
  • the section above the contact points of the printed circuit board is connected to the remaining part by a foldable or foldable wall.
  • the wall is designed so that its thickness gradually decreases from an upper section toward a central section and gradually increases from the central section to a lower section with an arcuate surface that is inclined inward toward the inside of the snap member and extends from the central section to the upper section.
  • a deforming force is obtained by deforming the wall, whereby the operator feels a kind of snap effect.
  • So-called switching mats made of non-conductive silicone rubber for keyboards are also known, which have a number of dome-shaped elevations.
  • a contact element made of conductive silicone rubber is arranged, which interacts with contact surfaces of a printed circuit board. Because of the shrinkage of up to 6%, which depends on the processing parameters, among other things, and the resulting manufacturing accuracy, these switch mats can only be manufactured with sufficient positioning accuracy of the individual functional units with one another or with the required reproducibility in a certain area or length.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard of the type mentioned at the outset, which is mechanically stable and inexpensive to produce and in which the influence of the shrinkage dimension is almost completely eliminated even with larger dimensions.
  • 1 in the figures is a carrier plate or film for a keyboard made of an insulating substrate such as Designated hard paper or plastic, on which printed conductors 2 and contact surfaces 3 are applied in conventional patterns in desired patterns.
  • An insulating layer or also an insulating film or insulating plate 4 lies on this carrier plate or film and is cut out or cut out at the points at which the contact surfaces 3 are located.
  • For mounting on the carrier plate it is at least partially glued flat. In the case of an insulating layer, this can be applied using screen printing technology.
  • Each of these projections has an opening 9 in the center, in which a preferably round snap element 5 is held.
  • This snap element is made of a rubber-elastic material, in particular silicone rubber, and it has, as from the figures shows, an arcuate edge part which is concave or convex or which can also be frustoconical, and an essentially flat upper part.
  • the mode of operation corresponds to the well-known click frog principle.
  • a contact element 6 which is made of an electrically conductive material, preferably an electrically conductive silicone rubber, and which, when the snap element is pressed, is to establish an electrical connection between the contact surfaces 3.
  • This contact element can be pre-assembled and e.g. be made by punching. Before spraying, it can be introduced into the depressions provided for this purpose and can be connected to the subsequently injected silicone rubber by a vulcanization process or else by subsequent gluing to the snap element.
  • the manufacture and introduction of the electrically conductive contact element according to the principle of two-color spraying is conceivable.
  • a cover plate 12 which can be made of metal, is arranged over the metal frame 7. It has, as can be seen from Figure 1, several select laterally approximately at right angles angled holding legs 18 which protrude through the carrier plate 1 and optionally through the metal frame and the insulating film or insulating plate and whose ends protruding from the carrier plate are crossed.
  • the cover plate 12 has a number of sleeve-shaped holders 13 made of plastic, corresponding to the number of pushbuttons, which are injected or snapped into the cover plate.
  • Each bracket serves as a guide for an operating button 14.
  • the operating button can be provided with symbols on the top.
  • a lateral, circumferential extension 19 is formed on one side of the actuating button, which is supported on a projection 20 of the holder. The actuation button is thus secured against falling out.
  • a cavity is present in the interior of the actuation button, into which a sleeve-shaped wall 22 projects. The actuating button rests on the snap element with the front edge of this wall. The front edge is interrupted at some points on the circumference by small cutouts 16 in order to ensure pressure equalization here too.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 show an exemplary embodiment in which the edge of the opening 9 in the metal frame is smooth.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 show a further exemplary embodiment in which the edge of the opening 9 in the metal frame is smooth.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 show a further exemplary embodiment in which the edge of the opening 9 in the metal frame is smooth.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 show a further exemplary embodiment in which the edge of the opening 9 in the metal frame is smooth.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 shows a further exemplary embodiment in which the edge of the opening 9 in the metal frame is smooth.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 shows a further exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 3 and 4, with a circumferential chamfer 10 on both sides being present in the edge region of the opening 9, which is encompassed by the edge section of a snap element 15.
  • Figure 5 shows another embodiment, in particular with regard to the actuating button and its storage.
  • the snap element 5 and the metal frame 7, as well as the parts underneath correspond to the embodiment already described examples.
  • This holder is used to guide an actuating button, which here consists of two parts, namely a sleeve-shaped insert 24 and a cap part 25, which can carry a label if necessary.
  • the cap part is fastened to the insert by means of a positive or non-positive connection and is displaceable with it.
  • the cap part is dimensioned in such a way that it projects over the holder 23 like a roof.

Abstract

A keyboard comprises a base plate having conductor paths and contact areas provided thereon, a plurality of keys associated with said contact areas, said keys consisting each of an elastically deformable snap member, the contact element thereof being adapted to be brought into contact with said contact areas by deformation upon actuation of an actuating button and being positioned above said contact areas in spaced relationship thereto. A metal frame is provided as mounting support for the snap members, said metal frame having a number, which corresponds to the number of snap members, of protrusions protruding therefrom in a direction toward the actuating buttons. Each protrusion has an opening therein, in which the snap member is held.

Description

Die Erfindung geht von einer Tastatur nach dem Oberbegriff des Anspruches 1 aus.The invention is based on a keyboard according to the preamble of claim 1.

Bedingt durch den allgemeinen Trend von der Analog- zur Digitaltechnik und von der Hard- zur Software werden in zunehmendem Maße Drucktastenschalter,einzeln oder in Tastaturen zusammengefaßt,in Geräten der Elektrotechnik, der Nachrichtentechnik und nicht zuletzt in sogenannten Terminals oder Dateneingabevorrichtungen eingesetzt. Es gibt eine ganze Reihe von verschiedenen Bauarten und Funktionsprinzipien für derartige Tastaturen, die die Schnittstelle zwischen Mensch und Maschine darstellen. Von großer Bedeutung für die Zuverlässigkeit, aber auch für den Kontakt Mensch - Tastatur, ist die Art des Hubes. Neben den sogenannten Flachtastaturen mit einem Hub bis ca. 1,5 mm gibt es auch je nach Anwendungsbereich Tastaturen mit einem Hub zwischen 1,5 und 6,35 mm. Daneben werden natürlich auch Tastaturen mit Berührungsschaltern verwendet. Allen Tastaturen mit Hub ist jedoch gemeinsam, daß die Bedienperson über das Gefühl eine Art Rückkopplung erhalten sollte, daß die jeweilige Drucktaste betätigt worden ist.Due to the general trend from analog to digital technology and from hardware to software, pushbutton switches, individually or in keyboards, are increasingly being used in electrical engineering, communications technology and, last but not least, in so-called terminals or data input devices. There are a whole range of different types and functional principles for such keyboards, which represent the interface between man and machine. The type of stroke is of great importance for reliability, but also for human-keyboard contact. In addition to the so-called flat keyboards with a stroke of up to approx.1.5 mm, there are also keyboards with a stroke of between 1.5 and 6.35 mm depending on the application. In addition, keyboards with touch switches are of course also used. All keyboards with a stroke, however, have in common that the operator should get a kind of feedback about the feeling that the respective push button has been pressed.

Es ist bereits eine Tastatur bekannt, bei der über einer mit Kontaktstellen und Leiterbahnen versehenen gedruckten Schaltungsplatte eine Isolierstoffplatte gelegt ist, in der eine Anzahl von Durchbrüchen vorhanden ist . Über der Isolierstoffplatte befindet sich eine Metallplatte, in der eine größere Anzahl von domartigen Ausbuchtungen eingedrückt worden ist, wobei die gesamte Anordnung so ist, daß diese Ausbuchtungen über den Durchbrüchen zu liegen kommen. Wird nun eine dieser Ausbuchtungen eingedrückt, so kann eine elektrische Verbindung zwischen den Kontaktstellen der gedruckten Schaltungsplatte für die Dauer des Niederdrückens hergestellt werden. Wird der Druck aufgehoben, so schnappt die Ausbuchtung wieder in ihre Ausgangslage zurück. Es dürfte bei dieser Tastatur Schwierigkeiten insbesondere in der Massenfertigung bereiten, immer einen zumindest innerhalb der Tastatur gleichmäßigen Anschlagwiderstand und damit eine gleiche taktile Rückkopplung für den Benutzer zu erhalten.A keyboard is already known in which an insulating material plate is placed over a printed circuit board provided with contact points and conductor tracks, in which a number of openings are provided. There is a metal plate above the insulating plate, in which a larger one Number of dome-like bulges has been indented, the entire arrangement being such that these bulges come to lie over the openings. If one of these bulges is now pressed in, an electrical connection can be made between the contact points of the printed circuit board for the duration of the depression. If the pressure is released, the bulge snaps back into its original position. With this keyboard, it should be difficult, particularly in mass production, to always obtain an even contact resistance, at least within the keyboard, and thus an identical tactile feedback for the user.

Um diesen Nachteil zu beseitigen, wurden bei einem anderen bekannten Drucktastenfeld die kalottenförmigen Kontaktfedern als lose gelagerte und getrennte Tellerfedern ausgebildet. Gegen seitliches Ausweichen sind die Tellerfedern durch eine Halteplatte aus Isoliermaterial gesichert, in deren Öffnungen sie sich befinden. Unter der Halteplatte befindet sich eine weitere Platte aus Isoliermaterial, die auch Durchbrüche aufweist, die die Kontaktstellen freigeben. Wiederum unter dieser Platte ist die gedruckte Schaltungsplatte mit den Kontaktstellen und den Leiterbahnen angeordnet. Wenngleich die taktile Rückkopplung bei diesem Drucktastenfeld,sicher günstiger ist, so ist doch gerade in der Massenfertigung das Einlegen von Einzelfedern montagemäßig schwieriger und aufwendiger als die Handhabung einer mit kalottenförmigen Domenversehenen Platte.In order to eliminate this disadvantage, the dome-shaped contact springs were designed as loosely mounted and separate plate springs in another known pushbutton field. The disc springs are secured against lateral deflection by a holding plate made of insulating material, in the openings of which they are located. Under the holding plate there is another plate made of insulating material, which also has openings that release the contact points. The printed circuit board with the contact points and the conductor tracks is arranged again under this plate. Although the tactile feedback with this pushbutton field is certainly cheaper, it is precisely in mass production that inserting individual springs is more difficult and expensive to assemble than handling a plate provided with dome-shaped domes.

Es ist ferner bereits eine Tastatur bekannt, bei der über einer mit Leiterbahnen versehenen gedruckten Schaltungsplatte Schnappelemente angeordnet sind, die aus einem gummielastischen Werkstoff bestehen und die Tafelbergform aufweisen. Der über den Kontaktstellen der gedruckten Schaltungsplatte liegende Abschnitt ist durch eine falt- oder klappbare Wand mit dem übrigen Teil verbunden. Die Wand ist hierbei so ausgebildet, daß ihre Dicke allmählich abnimmt von einem oberen Abschnitt gegen einen mittleren Abschnitt und allmählich zunimmt von dem mittleren Abschnitt zu einem unteren Abschnitt mit einer gebogenen Fläche, die nach innen in das Innere des Schnappelementes geneigt ist und sich von dem mittleren Abschnitt zum oberen Abschnitt erstreckt. Durch Deformierung der Wand wird so eine Rückstellkraft gewonnen, wobei die Bedienperson eine Art Schnappeffekt fühlt.Furthermore, a keyboard is already known in which snap elements are arranged above a printed circuit board provided with conductor tracks, said snap elements being made of a rubber-elastic material and having the shape of a table mountain. The section above the contact points of the printed circuit board is connected to the remaining part by a foldable or foldable wall. The wall is designed so that its thickness gradually decreases from an upper section toward a central section and gradually increases from the central section to a lower section with an arcuate surface that is inclined inward toward the inside of the snap member and extends from the central section to the upper section. A deforming force is obtained by deforming the wall, whereby the operator feels a kind of snap effect.

Es sind ferner sogenannte Schaltmatten aus nichtleitendem Silikongummi für Tastaturen bekannt, die eine Anzahl von kuppelförmigen Erhebungen aufweisen. Im hohlen Innenraum einer solchen Erhebung ist jeweils ein Kontaktelement aus leitendem Silikongummi angeordnet, das mit Kontaktflächen einer gedrukkten Schaltungsplatte zusammenwirkt. Wegen des unter anderem von den Verarbeitungsparametern abhängigen Schrumpfmaßes von bis zu 6 % und der dadurch bedingten Herstellgenauigkeit können diese Schaltmatten mit ausreichender Positioniergenauigkeit der einzelnen Funktionseinheiten untereinander bzw. mit der erforderlichen Reproduzierbarkeit nur in einer bestimmten Flächenausdehnung bzw. Länge hergestellt werden.So-called switching mats made of non-conductive silicone rubber for keyboards are also known, which have a number of dome-shaped elevations. In the hollow interior of such an elevation, a contact element made of conductive silicone rubber is arranged, which interacts with contact surfaces of a printed circuit board. Because of the shrinkage of up to 6%, which depends on the processing parameters, among other things, and the resulting manufacturing accuracy, these switch mats can only be manufactured with sufficient positioning accuracy of the individual functional units with one another or with the required reproducibility in a certain area or length.

Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es, eine Tastatur der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, die mechanisch stabil und kostengünstig herstellbar ist und bei der auch bei größeren Abmessungen der Einfluß des Schrumpfmaßes nahezu völlig beseitigt ist.The object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard of the type mentioned at the outset, which is mechanically stable and inexpensive to produce and in which the influence of the shrinkage dimension is almost completely eliminated even with larger dimensions.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß durch die im kennzeichnenden Teil des Patentanspruches 1 angegebenen Merkmale gelöst.This object is achieved by the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1.

Weitere vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung sind den Unteransprüchen zu entnehmen.Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend für ein Ausführungsbeispiel anhand der Zeichnungen näher beschrieben.The invention is described below for an embodiment with reference to the drawings.

Von den Figuren zeigt

  • Figur 1 einen Schnitt durch eine Tastatur,
  • Figur 2 eine vergrößerte Darstellung einer Drucktaste mit Betätigungsknopf,
  • Figur 3 ein Teilstück eines Metallrahmens einer anderen Ausführungsform,
  • Figur 4 einen Schnitt durch den Metallrahmen mit eingespritztem Schnappelement,
  • Figur 5 eine vergrößerte Darstellung einer Drucktaste mit einem anderen Betätigungsknopf.
From the figures shows
  • FIG. 1 shows a section through a keyboard,
  • FIG. 2 shows an enlarged illustration of a pushbutton with an operating button,
  • FIG. 3 shows a section of a metal frame of another embodiment,
  • FIG. 4 shows a section through the metal frame with an injected snap element,
  • Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a push button with another actuating button.

Mit 1 ist in den Figuren eine Trägerplatte oder Folie für eine Tastatur aus einem isolierenden Substrat wie z.B. Hartpapier oder Kunststoff bezeichnet, auf der in herkömmlicher Technik in gewünschten Mustern Leiterbahnen 2 und Kontaktflächen 3 aufgebracht sind. Auf dieser Trägerplatte oder Folie liegt eine Isolierschicht oder auch eine Isolierfolie oder Isolierplatte 4, die an den Stellen, an denen sich die Kontaktflächen 3 befinden, ausgespart oder freigeschnitten ist. Zur Halterung an der Trägerplatte ist sie zumindest teilweise flächig verklebt. Im Falle einer Isolierschicht kann diese in Siebdrucktechnik aufgebracht sein. Über der Isolierfolie oder Isolierplatte 4 befindet sich ein Metallrahmen 7, der eine Anzahl von herausgeprägten Vorsprüngen 8 aufweist. Diese Vorsprünge sind untereinander durch Nuten 11 verbunden, die dem Druckausgleich dienen. Wäre diese Möglichkeit des Druckausgleiches nicht vorhanden, so würde die einmal gedrückte Drucktaste nicht mehr sofort in ihre Ausgangsstellung zurückkehren.1 in the figures is a carrier plate or film for a keyboard made of an insulating substrate such as Designated hard paper or plastic, on which printed conductors 2 and contact surfaces 3 are applied in conventional patterns in desired patterns. An insulating layer or also an insulating film or insulating plate 4 lies on this carrier plate or film and is cut out or cut out at the points at which the contact surfaces 3 are located. For mounting on the carrier plate, it is at least partially glued flat. In the case of an insulating layer, this can be applied using screen printing technology. There is a metal frame 7 above the insulating film or insulating plate 4, which has a number of protrusions 8 which are stamped out. These projections are interconnected by grooves 11 which serve to equalize the pressure. If this possibility of pressure equalization were not available, the push button once pressed would no longer immediately return to its starting position.

Jeder dieser Vorsprünge besitzt mittig eine öffnung 9, in der ein vorzugsweise rundes Schnappelement 5 gehaltert ist. Dieses Schnappelement ist aus einem gummielastischen Werkstoff, insbesondere Silikonkautschuk, hergestellt und es besitzt, wie aus den Figuren hervorgeht, einen bogenförmigen Randteil, der konkav oder konvex gewölbt ist oder der auch kegelstumpfförmig ausgebildet sein kann, und einen im wesentlichen ebenen Oberteil. Die Funktionsweise entspricht dem bekannten Knackfroschprinzip. Bei der Herstellung werden nun in den Metallrahmen 7 in einem Arbeitsgang sämtliche Schnappelemente eingespritzt. Die Einspritzung der Schnappelemente erfolgt so, daß die öffnungen 9 durch die Schnappelemente ganz verschlossen bzw. abgedichtet werden. Dadurch und in Verbindung mit dem Verkleben der Trägerplatte sind die Kontaktflächen vor störenden Umwelteinflüssen geschützt. Dies erfordert andererseits aber den bereits erwähnten Druckausgleich durch die Nuten 11. Die aus dem Metallrahmen herausgeprägten Vorsprünge 8 haben die Aufgabe, den Anschluß an die Nuten 11 herzustellen unter Beibehaltung der Abdichtung durch die eingespritzten Schnappelemente.Each of these projections has an opening 9 in the center, in which a preferably round snap element 5 is held. This snap element is made of a rubber-elastic material, in particular silicone rubber, and it has, as from the figures shows, an arcuate edge part which is concave or convex or which can also be frustoconical, and an essentially flat upper part. The mode of operation corresponds to the well-known click frog principle. During manufacture, all snap elements are now injected into the metal frame 7 in one operation. The snap elements are injected in such a way that the openings 9 are completely closed or sealed by the snap elements. As a result, and in connection with the adhesive bonding of the carrier plate, the contact surfaces are protected against disturbing environmental influences. On the other hand, this requires the already mentioned pressure equalization through the grooves 11. The projections 8 stamped out of the metal frame have the task of making the connection to the grooves 11 while maintaining the seal by the injected snap elements.

Auf der Unterseite des Schnappelementes 5 ist ein Kontaktelement 6 vorhanden, das aus einem elektrisch leitenden Werkstoff, vorzugsweise einem elektrisch leitenden Silikonkautschuk, hergestellt ist und das, wenn das Schnappelement gedrückt ist, eine elektrische Verbindung zwischen den Kontaktflächen 3 herstellen soll. Dieses Kontaktelement kann vorkonfektioniert und z.B. durch Stanzen hergestellt sein. Es kann vor dem Spritzen in die Form in hierfür vorgesehene Vertiefungen eingebracht werden und durch einen Vulkanisationsprozeß mit dem nachträglich eingespritzten Silikonkautschuk verbunden sein oder auch durch anschließendes Verkleben mit dem Schnappelement. Darüberhinaus ist die Herstellung und Einbringung des elektrisch leitenden Kontaktelementes nach dem Prinzip des Zweifarbenspritzens denkbar.On the underside of the snap element 5 there is a contact element 6, which is made of an electrically conductive material, preferably an electrically conductive silicone rubber, and which, when the snap element is pressed, is to establish an electrical connection between the contact surfaces 3. This contact element can be pre-assembled and e.g. be made by punching. Before spraying, it can be introduced into the depressions provided for this purpose and can be connected to the subsequently injected silicone rubber by a vulcanization process or else by subsequent gluing to the snap element. In addition, the manufacture and introduction of the electrically conductive contact element according to the principle of two-color spraying is conceivable.

Über den Metallrahmen 7 ist eine Abdeckplatte 12 angeordnet, die aus Metall hergestellt sein kann. Sie besitzt, wie aus Figur 1 ersichtlich ist, mehrere seitlich etwa im rechten Winkel abgewinkelte Haltebeine 18, die durch die Trägerplatte 1 und gegebenenfalls durch den Metallrahmen und die Isolierfolie oder Isolierplatte ragen und deren aus der Trägerplatte herausragenden Enden verschränkt sind. Die Abdeckplatte 12 weist eine der Zahl der Drucktasten entsprechende Anzahl von hülsenförmigen Halterungen 13 aus Kunststoff auf, die in die Abdeckplatte eingespritzt oder eingeschnappt sind.A cover plate 12, which can be made of metal, is arranged over the metal frame 7. It has, as can be seen from Figure 1, several abge laterally approximately at right angles angled holding legs 18 which protrude through the carrier plate 1 and optionally through the metal frame and the insulating film or insulating plate and whose ends protruding from the carrier plate are crossed. The cover plate 12 has a number of sleeve-shaped holders 13 made of plastic, corresponding to the number of pushbuttons, which are injected or snapped into the cover plate.

Jede Halterung dient zur Führung für einen Betätigungsknopf 14. Auf der Oberseite kann der Betätigungsknopf mit Zeichensymbolen versehen sein. Einseitig ist an den Betätigungsknopf ein seitlicher, umfangseitig verlaufender Ansatz 19 angeformt, der sich an einem Vorsprung 20 der Halterung abstützt. Damit ist der Betätigungsknopf gegen ein Herausfallen gesichert. Im Inneren des Betätigungsknopfes ist ein Hohlraum vorhanden, in den eine hülsenförmige Wand 22 ragt. Mit dem stirnseitigen Rand dieser Wand liegt der Betätigungsknopf auf dem Schnappelement auf. Der stirnseitige Rand ist an einigen Stellen am Umfang durch kleine Aussparungen 16 unterbrochen, um auch hier einen Druckausgleich zu gewährleisten.Each bracket serves as a guide for an operating button 14. The operating button can be provided with symbols on the top. A lateral, circumferential extension 19 is formed on one side of the actuating button, which is supported on a projection 20 of the holder. The actuation button is thus secured against falling out. A cavity is present in the interior of the actuation button, into which a sleeve-shaped wall 22 projects. The actuating button rests on the snap element with the front edge of this wall. The front edge is interrupted at some points on the circumference by small cutouts 16 in order to ensure pressure equalization here too.

In den Figuren 1 und 2 ist ein Ausführungsbeispiel dargestellt, bei dem der Rand der öffnung 9 im Metallrahmen glatt ist. In den Figuren 3 und 4 ist ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel dargestellt, wobei hier im Randbereich der Öffnung 9 eine umlaufende, beidseitige Anfasung 10 vorhanden ist, die von dem Randabschnitt eines Schnappelementes 15 umgriffen wird. Hierdurch wird eine Art Formschluß zwischen Metallträger und Schnappelemente hergestellt, so daß die entstehenden Kräfte über diese mechanische Verankerung abgestützt werden, wodurch eine Vorbehandlung des Metalls mit Haftvermittler entfallen kann. Der entsprechende Metallrahmen ist in Figur 3 und 4 mit 17 bezeichnet.1 and 2 show an exemplary embodiment in which the edge of the opening 9 in the metal frame is smooth. A further exemplary embodiment is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, with a circumferential chamfer 10 on both sides being present in the edge region of the opening 9, which is encompassed by the edge section of a snap element 15. This creates a kind of positive connection between the metal carrier and the snap elements, so that the resulting forces are supported by this mechanical anchoring, whereby a pretreatment of the metal with adhesion promoter can be omitted. The corresponding metal frame is designated 17 in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Figur 5 zeigt ein anderes Ausführungsbeispiel, insbesondere im Hinblick auf den Betätigungsknopf und dessen Lagerung. Das Schnappelement 5 und der Metallrahmen 7, sowie die darunter liegenden Teile entsprechen den bereits beschriebenen Ausführungsbeispielen. Es ist auch hier eine Abdeckplatte 12 aus Metall vorhanden, in deren Löcher eine Halterung 23 aus Kunststoff eingespritzt oder eingeschnappt ist. Diese Halterung dient zur Führung eines Betätigungsknopfes, der hier aus zwei Teilen besteht und zwar einem hülsenförmigen Einsatz 24 und einem Kappenteil 25, der im Bedarfsfall eine Beschriftung tragen kann. Der Kappenteil ist an dem Einsatz durch eine form-oder kraftschlüssige Verbindung befestigt und mit ihm verschiebbar. Der Kappenteil ist in seiner Ausdehnung so dimensioniert, daß er die Halterung 23 dachartig überragt. Sollte einmal unbeabsichtigt auf die Tastatur eine Flüssigkeit gelangen, so kann diese nicht in die Tastenführung eindringen, sondern sie fließt auf dem Kappenteil 25 zu der Abdeckplatte 12, wo sie keinen Schaden anrichten kann. Damit die Luft aus dem Hohlraum über dem Schnappelement entweichen kann, sind sowohl im Einsatz als auch in der Halterung einige Aussparungen 26 und 27 vorgesehen.Figure 5 shows another embodiment, in particular with regard to the actuating button and its storage. The snap element 5 and the metal frame 7, as well as the parts underneath correspond to the embodiment already described examples. There is also a cover plate 12 made of metal, into the holes of which a holder 23 made of plastic is injected or snapped into place. This holder is used to guide an actuating button, which here consists of two parts, namely a sleeve-shaped insert 24 and a cap part 25, which can carry a label if necessary. The cap part is fastened to the insert by means of a positive or non-positive connection and is displaceable with it. The cap part is dimensioned in such a way that it projects over the holder 23 like a roof. Should a liquid accidentally get onto the keyboard, it cannot penetrate the key guide, but flows on the cap part 25 to the cover plate 12, where it cannot do any damage. So that the air can escape from the cavity above the snap element, a few recesses 26 and 27 are provided both in the insert and in the holder.

Claims (8)

1. Tastatur mit einer Trägerplatte mit auf ihr vorgesehenen Leiterbahnen und Kontaktflächen, mit einer Vielzahl von den Kontaktflächen zugeordneten Drucktasten, bestehend aus jeweils einem elastisch deformierbaren Schnappelement, dessen durch Deformation bei Betätigung eines Betätigungsknopfes mit den Kontaktflächen in Berührung bringbares Kontaktelement sich mit Abstand über den Kontaktflächen befindet,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß als Halterung für die Schnappelemente (5, 15) ein-Metallrahmen (7, 17) vorgesehen ist, der eine der Anzahl der Schnappelemente entsprechende Zahl von in Richtung auf die Betätigungsknöpfe (14, 24, 25) herausgeprägten Vorsprünge (8) aufweist,und daß in jedem Vorsprung eine öffnung (9) vorgesehen ist, in der das Schnappelement (5, 15) gehaltert ist.1.Keyboard with a carrier plate with conductor tracks and contact surfaces provided on it, with a multiplicity of push buttons assigned to the contact surfaces, each consisting of an elastically deformable snap element, the contact element of which can be brought into contact with the contact surfaces by deformation when an actuating button is actuated, being at a distance via the Contact areas,
characterized,
that a metal frame (7, 17) is provided as a holder for the snap elements (5, 15) and has a number of projections (8) stamped out in the direction of the actuating buttons (14, 24, 25), corresponding to the number of snap elements, and that an opening (9) is provided in each projection, in which the snap element (5, 15) is held. 2. Tastatur nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Randbereich der öffnung (9) von einem Randabschnitt des Schnappelementes (15) umgriffen wird.2. Keyboard according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the edge region of the opening (9) is encompassed by an edge section of the snap element (15). 3. Tastatur nach Anspruch 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Randbereich beidseitig eine umlaufende Anfasung (10) aufweist.3. Keyboard according to claim 2,
characterized,
that the edge area has a circumferential chamfer (10) on both sides. 4. Tastatur nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß das Schnappelement (5, 15) aus einem gummielastischen Werkstoff, insbesondere Silikonkautschuk, hergestellt ist.4. Keyboard according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized,
that the snap element (5, 15) is made of a rubber-elastic material, in particular silicone rubber. 5. Tastatur nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Schnappelemente (5, 15) in einem Arbeitsgang in den Metallrahmen eingespritzt sind.5. Keyboard according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in
that the snap elements (5, 15) are injected into the metal frame in one operation. 6. Tastatur nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Metallrahmen (7, 17) auf der der Trägerplatte (1) gegenüberliegenden Seite Nuten (11) besitzt, die die Vorsprünge (8) im Sinne eines Druckausgleichs miteinander verbinden.6. Keyboard according to one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized,
that the metal frame (7, 17) on the side opposite the carrier plate (1) has grooves (11) which connect the projections (8) to one another in the sense of pressure equalization. 7. Tastatur nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Metallrahmen (7, 17) allen Schnappelementen (5, 15) gemeinsam ist.7. Keyboard according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in
that the metal frame (7, 17) is common to all snap elements (5, 15). 8. Tastatur nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß sich über jedem Schnappelement (5, 15) ein Betätigungsknopf (14, 24, 25) befindet, der auf seiner Oberseite wahlweise mit Zeichensymbolen versehen ist.8. Keyboard according to one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized,
that there is an actuating button (14, 24, 25) above each snap element (5, 15), which is optionally provided with symbols on its upper side.
EP81101815A 1980-03-26 1981-03-12 Keyboard Expired EP0036570B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT81101815T ATE7434T1 (en) 1980-03-26 1981-03-12 KEYBOARD.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3011674 1980-03-26
DE3011674A DE3011674C2 (en) 1980-03-26 1980-03-26 keyboard

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0036570A2 true EP0036570A2 (en) 1981-09-30
EP0036570A3 EP0036570A3 (en) 1982-08-11
EP0036570B1 EP0036570B1 (en) 1984-05-09

Family

ID=6098396

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP81101815A Expired EP0036570B1 (en) 1980-03-26 1981-03-12 Keyboard

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US4366355A (en)
EP (1) EP0036570B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS5936375B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE7434T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3011674C2 (en)

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EP0051749A1 (en) * 1980-11-06 1982-05-19 PREH, Elektrofeinmechanische Werke Jakob Preh Nachf. GmbH & Co. Keyboard
FR2508228A1 (en) * 1981-06-19 1982-12-24 Thomson Csf Mat Tel Keyboard and mfg. method for office telephone terminal - provides keys set in magnetic plate and uses magnetic restoring force for keys
GB2130016A (en) * 1982-11-11 1984-05-23 Sharp Kk Electrical push button switch
GB2151405A (en) * 1983-12-12 1985-07-17 Kokoku Rubber Ind A spring unit for a key board
DE3712189A1 (en) * 1986-04-14 1987-10-15 Shinetsu Polymer Co KEYPAD COVER WITH BASE PLATE
GB2208039A (en) * 1987-08-15 1989-02-15 Harboro Rubber Company Limited Manufacture of switch pad arrays
EP0404718A2 (en) * 1989-06-23 1990-12-27 Fela Planungs Ag Push button switch
WO2008040132A1 (en) 2006-10-03 2008-04-10 Abatek International Ag Button for smt applications
CN105489427A (en) * 2016-01-06 2016-04-13 广东欧珀移动通信有限公司 Key structure and mobile terminal equipment

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US4677268A (en) * 1983-03-28 1987-06-30 The Gates Corporation Elastomeric switch control device
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EP0558239A1 (en) * 1992-02-22 1993-09-01 McKechnie UK Limited Improvements in or relating to key button switches
US5510584A (en) * 1995-03-07 1996-04-23 Itt Corporation Sequentially operated snap action membrane switches
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USD409151S (en) * 1997-10-21 1999-05-04 Staco Switch, Inc. Elastomeric switch
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WO2008067278A1 (en) 2006-11-27 2008-06-05 Continental Automotive Systems Us, Inc. Reinforced key fob
US8456330B2 (en) * 2008-09-26 2013-06-04 Apple Inc. Configurable buttons for electronic devices
US20110304554A1 (en) * 2010-06-10 2011-12-15 Research In Motion Limited Keypad stiffener and method of manufacture
JP5720224B2 (en) * 2010-12-14 2015-05-20 ヤマハ株式会社 Switch structure, electronic component installation structure, and electronic musical instrument including the same
US8586884B2 (en) * 2011-06-22 2013-11-19 Symbol Technologies, Inc. Tamper-resistant keypad for mobile device
EP2680291B1 (en) * 2012-06-26 2018-03-21 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd Key assembly and electronic device having the same
US9158390B2 (en) * 2013-03-08 2015-10-13 Darren C. PETERSEN Mechanical actuator apparatus for a touch sensing surface of an electronic device
US9164595B2 (en) 2013-03-08 2015-10-20 Darren C. PETERSEN Mechanical actuator apparatus for a touchscreen
JP6165531B2 (en) * 2013-07-17 2017-07-19 富士通コンポーネント株式会社 keyboard
JP5865433B2 (en) * 2013-11-27 2016-02-17 京セラ株式会社 Electronics
CN104112616B (en) 2014-07-21 2016-04-27 南通万德科技有限公司 A kind of button of trembling of disappearing and preparation method thereof
CN108404403A (en) * 2018-05-29 2018-08-17 京东方科技集团股份有限公司 A kind of operation handle and terminal device

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Cited By (14)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0051749A1 (en) * 1980-11-06 1982-05-19 PREH, Elektrofeinmechanische Werke Jakob Preh Nachf. GmbH & Co. Keyboard
FR2508228A1 (en) * 1981-06-19 1982-12-24 Thomson Csf Mat Tel Keyboard and mfg. method for office telephone terminal - provides keys set in magnetic plate and uses magnetic restoring force for keys
GB2130016A (en) * 1982-11-11 1984-05-23 Sharp Kk Electrical push button switch
GB2151405A (en) * 1983-12-12 1985-07-17 Kokoku Rubber Ind A spring unit for a key board
DE3712189A1 (en) * 1986-04-14 1987-10-15 Shinetsu Polymer Co KEYPAD COVER WITH BASE PLATE
GB2190245A (en) * 1986-04-14 1987-11-11 Shinetsu Polymer Co A covering member for an electrical keyboard
GB2208039A (en) * 1987-08-15 1989-02-15 Harboro Rubber Company Limited Manufacture of switch pad arrays
EP0404718A2 (en) * 1989-06-23 1990-12-27 Fela Planungs Ag Push button switch
EP0404718A3 (en) * 1989-06-23 1991-10-23 Fela Planungs Ag Push button switch
WO2008040132A1 (en) 2006-10-03 2008-04-10 Abatek International Ag Button for smt applications
US8148657B2 (en) 2006-10-03 2012-04-03 Abatek International Ag Key for SMT applications
CN101523533B (en) * 2006-10-03 2012-10-03 Aba科技 Button for smt applications
KR101392462B1 (en) 2006-10-03 2014-05-07 아바텍 인터내셔날 아게 Button for smt applications
CN105489427A (en) * 2016-01-06 2016-04-13 广东欧珀移动通信有限公司 Key structure and mobile terminal equipment

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3011674C2 (en) 1984-07-26
JPS5936375B2 (en) 1984-09-03
ATE7434T1 (en) 1984-05-15
US4366355A (en) 1982-12-28
DE3011674A1 (en) 1981-10-01
JPS56149728A (en) 1981-11-19
EP0036570B1 (en) 1984-05-09
EP0036570A3 (en) 1982-08-11

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