EP0323916A2 - Push-button keypads - Google Patents

Push-button keypads Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0323916A2
EP0323916A2 EP89300135A EP89300135A EP0323916A2 EP 0323916 A2 EP0323916 A2 EP 0323916A2 EP 89300135 A EP89300135 A EP 89300135A EP 89300135 A EP89300135 A EP 89300135A EP 0323916 A2 EP0323916 A2 EP 0323916A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
push
support plate
button
keypad
keys
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP89300135A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0323916A3 (en
Inventor
Keith Barrie Doyle
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.)
Marconi Electronic Devices Ltd
Original Assignee
Marconi Electronic Devices Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Marconi Electronic Devices Ltd filed Critical Marconi Electronic Devices Ltd
Publication of EP0323916A2 publication Critical patent/EP0323916A2/en
Publication of EP0323916A3 publication Critical patent/EP0323916A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • H01H13/78—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
    • H01H13/785—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/702—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
    • H01H2201/00—Contacts
    • H01H2201/022—Material
    • H01H2201/032—Conductive polymer; Rubber
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2203/00—Form of contacts
    • H01H2203/036—Form of contacts to solve particular problems
    • H01H2203/052—Form of contacts to solve particular problems for backlighted keyboards
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2209/00—Layers
    • H01H2209/024—Properties of the substrate
    • H01H2209/038—Properties of the substrate transparent
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/002—Legends replaceable; adaptable
    • H01H2219/006—Snap mounting
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/002—Legends replaceable; adaptable
    • H01H2219/018—Electroluminescent panel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2221/00—Actuators
    • H01H2221/002—Actuators integral with membrane
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2223/00—Casings
    • H01H2223/002—Casings sealed

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to push-button keypads.
  • the invention relates to push-button keypads in which the keys are formed as respective sections of a profiled mat of a resilient electrically insulating material, such as silicone rubber, behind which are provided respective sets of electrical conductors which are to be interconnected by operation of the respective keys.
  • a resilient electrically insulating material such as silicone rubber
  • a push-button keypad in which operation of keys of said keypad is arranged selectively to interconnect respective ones a pattern of electrical contacts provided on an electrically insulating member interposed between said keys and a substantially rigid support plate, said support plate is provided with a coating of electroluminescent material whereby said keys may be backlit.
  • a push-button keypad comprises a profiled membrane of resilient electrically insulating material formed to provide at least one area arranged to act as a push-button key, the or each said area bearing on its rear face one or more electrically conductive moving contacts, a substantially rigid support plate, and an electrically insulating member interposed between said membrane and said support plate which member carries a pattern of electrical conductors forming substantially fixed contacts in respect of the or each push-button key, said support plate being provided with a coating of electroluminescent material on its surface adjacent said insulating member whereby the or each said push-button key may be backlit.
  • the electrically insulating member may comprise a polyester film.
  • a push-button keypad in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows the component parts of the keypad schematically in cross-section.
  • the keypad comprises three separable component parts, a profiled silicone rubber mat 1, a polyester film 2 bearing a conductor pattern (not shown), and a substantially rigid support plate 3.
  • a profiled silicone rubber mat 1 In an assembled keypad the down-turned edges 4 of the mat 1 are arranged to fit closely around the edge of the support plate 3 to form effectively a sealed unit.
  • the profiled mat 1 includes a plurality of raised areas or keys 5, only one of which is shown, having a generally rectangular central region 6 within which a transparent or partly transparent snap-in legend slip (not shown) may be positioned.
  • the side walls 7 of each raised area 5 may be of thinner section than the surrounding areas to allow for the required downward movement of the central region 6 in response to a minimum operating pressure.
  • Each central region 6 carries on its undersurface a moving contact 8, for example in the form of a short length of rectangular section tube of electrically conductive material, while the film 2 bears on its upper surface a pattern of conductors (not shown) which provide respective fixed contacts for each key 5, together with the necessary external connections via flexible strip 9 to a multiway socket connector 10.
  • the conductors may be formed of a conductive polymer.
  • the support plate 3 which may be a metal plate, is provided with a slot 11 through which the flexible strip 9 passes and which may be sealed (not shown) against the ingress of moisture or corrosive atmospheres.
  • the plate 3 may also be provided with studs 12 by which the keypad may be mounted in use.
  • the upper surface of the support plate 3 is coated with a layer of an electroluminescent material 13, the light produced when this layer is energised passing through the translucent mat 1.
  • the provision of the layer 13 does not affect the mechanical layout or the outline of the keypad or the tactile or sealed nature of the unit.

Abstract

A keypad of the kind utilising a profiled one-piece silicone-rubber mat, in which the rigid back plate is coated with electroluminescent material whereby the keys may be back-lit.

Description

  • The present invention relates to push-button keypads.
  • In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to push-button keypads in which the keys are formed as respective sections of a profiled mat of a resilient electrically insulating material, such as silicone rubber, behind which are provided respective sets of electrical conductors which are to be interconnected by operation of the respective keys.
  • According to one aspect of the present invention in a push-button keypad in which operation of keys of said keypad is arranged selectively to interconnect respective ones a pattern of electrical contacts provided on an electrically insulating member interposed between said keys and a substantially rigid support plate, said support plate is provided with a coating of electroluminescent material whereby said keys may be backlit.
  • According to another aspect of the present invention a push-button keypad comprises a profiled membrane of resilient electrically insulating material formed to provide at least one area arranged to act as a push-button key, the or each said area bearing on its rear face one or more electrically conductive moving contacts, a substantially rigid support plate, and an electrically insulating member interposed between said membrane and said support plate which member carries a pattern of electrical conductors forming substantially fixed contacts in respect of the or each push-button key, said support plate being provided with a coating of electroluminescent material on its surface adjacent said insulating member whereby the or each said push-button key may be backlit.
  • The electrically insulating member may comprise a polyester film.
  • A push-button keypad in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows the component parts of the keypad schematically in cross-section.
  • Referring to the drawing the keypad comprises three separable component parts, a profiled silicone rubber mat 1, a polyester film 2 bearing a conductor pattern (not shown), and a substantially rigid support plate 3. In an assembled keypad the down-turned edges 4 of the mat 1 are arranged to fit closely around the edge of the support plate 3 to form effectively a sealed unit.
  • The profiled mat 1 includes a plurality of raised areas or keys 5, only one of which is shown, having a generally rectangular central region 6 within which a transparent or partly transparent snap-in legend slip (not shown) may be positioned. The side walls 7 of each raised area 5 may be of thinner section than the surrounding areas to allow for the required downward movement of the central region 6 in response to a minimum operating pressure.
  • Each central region 6 carries on its undersurface a moving contact 8, for example in the form of a short length of rectangular section tube of electrically conductive material, while the film 2 bears on its upper surface a pattern of conductors (not shown) which provide respective fixed contacts for each key 5, together with the necessary external connections via flexible strip 9 to a multiway socket connector 10. The conductors may be formed of a conductive polymer.
  • The support plate 3, which may be a metal plate, is provided with a slot 11 through which the flexible strip 9 passes and which may be sealed (not shown) against the ingress of moisture or corrosive atmospheres. The plate 3 may also be provided with studs 12 by which the keypad may be mounted in use.
  • In order to provide back lighting for each key 5 and its legend the upper surface of the support plate 3 is coated with a layer of an electroluminescent material 13, the light produced when this layer is energised passing through the translucent mat 1. The provision of the layer 13 does not affect the mechanical layout or the outline of the keypad or the tactile or sealed nature of the unit.

Claims (3)

1. A push-button keypad in which operation of keys of said keypad is arranged selectively to interconnect respective ones a pattern of electrical contacts provided on an electrically insulating member interposed between said keys and a substantially rigid support plate, wherein said support plate is provided with a coating of electroluminescent material whereby said keys may be backlit.
2. A push-button keypad comprising a profiled membrane of resilient electrically insulating material formed to provide at least one area arranged to act as a push-button key, the or each said area bearing on its rear face one or more electrically conductive moving contacts, a substantially rigid support plate, and an electrically insulating member interposed between said membrane and said support plate which member carries a pattern of electrical conductors forming substantially fixed contacts in respect of the or each push-button key, said support plate being provided with a coating of electroluminescent material on its surface adjacent said insulating member whereby the or each said push-button key may be backlit.
3. A push-button keypad in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the electrically insulating member comprises a polyester film.
EP19890300135 1988-01-08 1989-01-09 Push-button keypads Withdrawn EP0323916A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8800369 1988-01-08
GB888800369A GB8800369D0 (en) 1988-01-08 1988-01-08 Push-button keypads

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0323916A2 true EP0323916A2 (en) 1989-07-12
EP0323916A3 EP0323916A3 (en) 1990-12-27

Family

ID=10629658

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19890300135 Withdrawn EP0323916A3 (en) 1988-01-08 1989-01-09 Push-button keypads

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0323916A3 (en)
DK (1) DK729588A (en)
GB (2) GB8800369D0 (en)
NO (1) NO890063L (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5555550A (en) * 1990-10-01 1996-09-10 Motorola, Inc. Keypad apparatus with integral display indicators
EP1526558A1 (en) * 2003-10-20 2005-04-27 Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH Key board

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6040534A (en) * 1998-10-13 2000-03-21 Prince Corporation Integrally molded switch lighting and electronics

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2266282A1 (en) * 1974-04-01 1975-10-24 Litton Industries Inc
EP0017580A1 (en) * 1979-04-03 1980-10-15 OREGA ELECTRONIQUE & MECANIQUE Keyboard with luminous indicators, especially for a control box
US4310839A (en) * 1979-11-23 1982-01-12 Raytheon Company Interactive display system with touch data entry
DE3511496A1 (en) * 1985-03-29 1986-10-09 Telefunken electronic GmbH, 7100 Heilbronn Key-switching device having a transparent covering film

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2153078B (en) * 1983-10-27 1986-10-15 Ti Switch/display units
JPH0439613Y2 (en) * 1986-05-23 1992-09-17

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2266282A1 (en) * 1974-04-01 1975-10-24 Litton Industries Inc
EP0017580A1 (en) * 1979-04-03 1980-10-15 OREGA ELECTRONIQUE & MECANIQUE Keyboard with luminous indicators, especially for a control box
US4310839A (en) * 1979-11-23 1982-01-12 Raytheon Company Interactive display system with touch data entry
DE3511496A1 (en) * 1985-03-29 1986-10-09 Telefunken electronic GmbH, 7100 Heilbronn Key-switching device having a transparent covering film

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5555550A (en) * 1990-10-01 1996-09-10 Motorola, Inc. Keypad apparatus with integral display indicators
US6011961A (en) * 1990-10-01 2000-01-04 Motorola, Inc. Keypad apparatus with integral display indicators
EP1526558A1 (en) * 2003-10-20 2005-04-27 Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH Key board

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO890063L (en) 1989-07-10
GB8900388D0 (en) 1989-03-08
NO890063D0 (en) 1989-01-06
GB8800369D0 (en) 1988-02-10
EP0323916A3 (en) 1990-12-27
DK729588D0 (en) 1988-12-29
DK729588A (en) 1989-07-09
GB2213648A (en) 1989-08-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5138119A (en) Backlit tactile keyboard with improved tactile and electrical characteristics
US4916262A (en) Low-profile, rubber keypad
US5149923A (en) Backlit tactile keyboard with improved tactile and electrical characteristics
EP0763838B1 (en) Illuminated switches
US4499343A (en) Monolithic flat tactile keyboard
US4532395A (en) Electroluminescent flexible touch switch panel
KR100469037B1 (en) El sheet and switch comprising the same
US4366355A (en) Keyboard
US4035593A (en) Flexible pressure sensitive switch actuator module adaptable to a keyboard surface having fixed contact array
ES506885A0 (en) IMPROVEMENTS IN KEYBOARDS, WITH A FLEXIBLE PRINTED LAMINAR CIRCUIT
CA1160271A (en) Designation cap actuator assembly
MY115707A (en) Equipment operation panel
JP2007523456A (en) switch
GB1576753A (en) Electrical switches keyboards
WO1998003983A1 (en) Universal keypad assembly
EP0323916A2 (en) Push-button keypads
WO1984003172A1 (en) Variable control device
US5293017A (en) Right angle elastomeric control switch
GB2156588A (en) Membrane switch
EP0323917A2 (en) Push-button key switches
EP0351992A2 (en) Improvements in key switches
JP2001093368A (en) Switch and switching device
GB2222029A (en) Pressure sensitive potentiometer
JPH0424578Y2 (en)
JPH06283077A (en) Illuminated knob

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): BE DE FR NL SE

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): BE DE FR NL SE

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19910801