Contact Switch Device

The present invention relates generally to switching devices for controlling the passage of electrical signals, and more particularly, to an elastomeric membrane contact switch which is adapted to be used for operating electronic equipment.

Elastomeric membrane contact switches have become widely used in many applications in the electronics industry. Such switches have been used individually to control switching functions on electronic instruments such as stereo equipment or laboratory recorders or monitors, and have been molded into grid-like arrays of side-by-side switches to provide keypads for calculators, adding machines or the like. In many of these applications, it is desirable to provide a double acting switch which is capable of initiating or controlling two electrical states. To this end, it is necessary that the switch have a tactile feel wherein initiation of the first or second states is readily perceptible to the user.

The present invention provides a contact key switch device which provides a noticeable tactile feel when initiating a switch activation state and which may be configured to function as a single action switch or a double action switch.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a contact-type key switch comprised of a base member, circuit means including a plurality of conductors which are to be electrically connected, an inner member and an outer membrane. The outer membrane extends over the baseplate and has an actuator key at the upper end thereof, a support pad at the lower end thereof, and a wall portion connecting the upper end to the lower end. The wall portion flares outwardly from the actuator key to the support pad and has a predetermined collapse lead characteristic. The inner membrane is smaller than the outer membrane and has an upper end, a lower end, and a wall portion connecting the upper and lower end. The wall portion flares outwardly from the upper end to the lower end and has a predetermined collapse lead characteristic. The inner membrane is mounted to the outer membrane wherein the lower end of the inner membrane is a predetermined distance above the circuit means. A first electrical conductor is mounted to the lower end of the inner membrane and a second electric conductor member is mounted within the wall portion of the inner membrane such that the second electrical conductor is spaced a predetermined distance above the first electrical conductor. The first electric conductor on the inner membrane operates to electrically connect selected connectors in the circuit means when the outer membrane exceeds its collapse lead characteristic and the second electric conductor operates to connect other connectors in the circuit means when the inner membrane exceeds its collapse lead characteristic.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a keypad comprised of a plurality of the above-described switch arranged side-by-side in a grid-like array, each of the switches in the keypad having first and second activation states.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a double acting contact-type membrane key switch device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a switch device as described above which has a noticeable tactile feel upon activation of a switch state.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a switch device as described above having clearly identifiable collapse load points.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a switch device as described above which includes an inner membrane and an outer membrane wherein each membrane has an identifiable collapse point.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a contact-type switch which may be modified to act as a single acting switch or a double acting switch.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a switch device as described above which is comprised of an inner conical cup and an outer conical cup wherein the inner cup may have one or more contacts thereon and is removable from the outer conical membrane.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a membrane keypad comprised of a plurality of side-by-side contact-type switches which are integrally formed of an elastomeric material, wherein each switch may be modified to act as a single action switch or a double action switch.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments taken together with the accompanying drawings.

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional, side elevational view showing a double action contact-type switch according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a circuit board having a plurality of conductors thereon showing in phantom the position of the switch shown in FIG. 1 relative thereto;

FIG. 4 is a sectioned, side elevational view of the switch shown in FIG. 1 showing the switch in a first state of actuation;

FIG. 5 is a sectioned, side elevational view of the switch shown in FIG. 1 showing the switch in a second state of actuation;

FIG. 6 is a graph showing button travel versus actuating load for the switch shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sectioned, side elevational view of a contact-type switch illustrating another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectioned, side elevational view of a contact-type switch illustrating a still further embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a keypad illustrating another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates a double action contact-type membrane switch 10 according to the present invention. Switch 10 would typically be formed as a part of the larger switch membrane mat, as shown in FIG. 9, having a plurality of switches 10 arranged side-by-side in a grid-like array. Such mats are conventionally used as keypads on calculators and the like. Hereinafter, a single switch 10 will be described in detail, it being understood that such description applies equally to other switches in a membrane mat. Switch 10 is formed on a planar surface of a base member 12 of insulating material. In the embodiment shown, base 12 carries two (2) pairs of electrical conductors designated 14a, 14b, 16a, and 16b in the drawings having contacts 15 and 17 respectively at the ends thereof. Conductors 14a, 14b, 16a and 16b would typically be formed as part of a larger printed circuit (not shown) wherein the circuit and electrical conductors 14a 14b, 16a and 16b would be bonded to base 12. FIG. 3A shows a typical conductor layout for contact-type membrane switch 10. In the embodiment shown, conductors 14a and 14b are aligned end-to-end, with contacts 15 spaced-apart. Conductors 16 a and 16b are aligned to be generally perpendicular to the path of conductors 14a and 14b, with contacts 17 spaced-apart from each other and from contacts 15. A thin, solid resist layer 19, as shown in FIG. 3B, covers conductors 14a, 14b, 16a and 16b, but leaves contacts 15 and 17 exposed.

Switch 10 includes a first outer membrane 20 which is generally shaped as an inverted cone or cup. In the embodiment shown, membrane 20 includes a pad 22 dimensioned to rest upon solder resist layer 19 on base member 12. Pad 22 has a flat annular shape with a planar lower surface 24. In the embodiment shown, aligned grooves 26 (best seen in FIG. 2) are formed in lower surface 24. Grooves 26 are provided to allow air to be expelled from under switch 10 upon activation thereof, as shah be described in greater detail below. The upper end of membrane 20 is formed as a burton or key 28 and includes an upper key portion 30 which, in the embodiment shown, is generally rectangular in cross-section and a lower key portion 32 which is generally cylindrical in shape. Upper key portion 30 and lower key portion 32 are generally symmetrical about an axis, designated "A" in the drawings, which is generally perpendicular to base member 12. Button 28 and more particularly, lower key portion 32, are dimensioned to extend through at panel or cover plate (not shown) as typically found with such switches. In this respect, as will be appreciated, upper key portion 30 is not limited to a rectangular cross-section, but may assume any cross-section provided that the maximum profile of the cross-section is maintained within the profile of the cylindrical lower key portion 32. A generally conical wall 34 which is generally symmetrical about axis "A" connects pad 22 to key or button 28. Outer membrane 20 would typically be molded as an integral part of the elastomeric base member 22 (illustrated in FIG. 9) which would in turn be secured to location spigots or clamp fixings to the base member 12.

It is to be understood that reference herein to expressions such as "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer" and "under" are intended to refer to the disposition of the elements as shown in the drawings and are not to be interpreted as requiring a particular switch orientation when used.

A generally conical shaped cavity 36 is defined within switch membrane 20, a portion of which projects into key 28. At the apex of conical cavity 36, a cylindrical bore 38 extends along axis "A" into a portion of lower key section 32.

A second switch membrane 40 is dimensioned to be disposed within cavity 36 of first switch membrane 20. Second switch membrane 40 is generally comprised of an annular pad 42 having a generally planar lower surface 44. A generally cylindrical body or plug 48 forms the upper portion of second switch membrane 40. A conical wall 52 connects body 48 with pad 42 and is symmetrical about axis "A". Second switch membrane 40 is formed such that a generally flat surface 54 facing base member 12 is formed below plug 48. Surface 54 is generally parallel to and spaced a predetermined distance above lower surface 44 of pad 42. According to the present invention, an electrically conductive ring 60 is provided on lower surface 44 of pad 42. In the embodiment shown, ring 60 is symmetrically positioned relative to axis "A" and disposed above contacts 15 on conductors 14a, 14b. Grooves 61 are formed in the lower surface of ring 60 to allow air to be expelled from under second switch membrane 40. A second electrical conductor 62 is provided on surface 54. In the embodiment shown, second electrical conductor 62 is generally circular in shape.

According to the present invention, plug 48 of second membrane 40 is dimensioned to be snugly received within bore 38 of first switch membrane 20, wherein both conical walls 34 of switch membrane 20 and conical wall 52 of switch membrane 40 are symmetrical about axis "A". Both switch membranes 20 and 40 are preferably formed of a resilient elastomeric material. In this respect, switch membranes 20 and 40, and more specifically conical walls 34 and 52, are deformable when a force is applied along axis "A".

Referring now to the operation of switch 10, as an axial force is applied to key 28 along axis "A", cavity 36 will collapse when the applied force is sufficient to force conical wall 34 of switch membrane 20 to collapse. As conical wall 34 collapses, conductive ring 60 on pad 42 of switch membrane 40 engage contacts 15 of connectors 14a, 14b, on base member 12 as shown in FIG. 4. In the embodiment shown, conductor 14a is thus electrically connected to conductor 14b. Importantly, the solid resist layer 19 covering the portion of conductors 16a, 16b below ring 60 prevents ring 60 from electrically connecting same.

Further depression of key 28 causes conical wall 52 of second switch membrane 40 to collapse wherein electrical connector 62 is brought into contact with contacts 17 of conductors 16a, 16b and electrically connects same. Importantly, a perceptible tactile sensation is provided for each switch activation state. In this respect, conical walls 34, 52 are each dimensioned to have a collapse point sufficiently high so as to be noticeable by the user of the switch.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing a curve line 70 representing the loading (in grams) required to initiate collapse of respective conical walls 34, 52 versus the distance in millimeters (mm) key 28 travels before initiation of each activation state. In the embodiment shown, a force of 160 grams is required to be exerted on key or button 28 to collapse conical wall 34 of first switch membrane 20 to initiate a first activation state. Key or button 28 travels approximately 1.2 mm before conical wall 34 collapses as shown at peak 72 of curve 70. In this respect, curve 70 shows two peaks 72, 74 representative of the collapse points of conical walls 34, 52 respectively. Peak 74 of curve 70 illustrates that 200 grams are required to overcome first membrane 20 and to collapse conical wall 52. Importantly, because first switch membrane 20 and second switch membrane 40 are individual components, the respective conical walls 34, 52 can be individually formed to have specific, identifiable collapse points which provide a distinct tactile feel when each switch state is activated. As will be appreciated, the loading shown in FIG. 6 and discussed above, represents a typical loading and are not intended to imply or suggest limits to the present invention.

More importantly, the present invention provides a switch wherein the second switch membrane may be modified and replaced to vary either the operating characteristics of the switch, i.e., the force required to collapse second switch membrane 40 or the distance of travel between the first actuation state and the second actuation state. In addition, the operation of the switch can also be modified by replacing second switch membrane 40. In this respect, because second switch membrane 40 is removably mounted within first switch membrane 20, it may be replaced by a membrane having a different shape. FIGS. 7 and 8 show alternate embodiments of the switch shown in FIG. 1.

Specifically, FIG. 7 shows a switch 80 having a first membrane 20 which is identical in all respects to membrane 20 shown in FIG. 1. Switch 80 includes an inner plug 82 dimensioned to be received within cylindrical bore 38 of first switch membrane 20. Plug 82 includes an electrical connector 84 at the lower end thereof. As will be appreciated, switch 80 has only a single activation state which occurs when conical wall 34 of first switch membrane 20 collapses.

FIG. 8 shows a switch 90 having a first membrane 20 which is identical in all respects to membrane 20 shown in FIG. 1. Switch 90 also includes a second switch membrane 92 generally similar to second switch membrane 40 of FIG. 1, but absent an electrical connector 62 on the lower downward facing flat surface 54 of plug 48. In other words, only the lower surface 44 of annular pad 42 has electrical connectors thereon. In this respect, switch 90 has a single activation state which occurs when conical wall 34 of first switch membrane 20 collapses. Further depression of key or button 28 will eventually collapse conical wall 52 of second switch membrane 92, but became the lower flat surface 54 of body 48 does not have a connector thereon, the conductor therebelow will not be bridged.

Because the switch, according to the present invention, my be easily modified to a plurality of different switch configurations by merely replacing the inner membrane or plug within first switch membrane 20, such switch finds advantageous application as a single switch component or as part of an array of keys (i.e., a keyboard) for instruments where it is desirable to vary the operating parameters of a single switch or one or more switches in an array.

For example, a manufacturer of laboratory test equipment may offer a basic laboratory recorder. In addition, the manufacturer may offer several other models or variations of the basic recorder, each model including more features than the basic model. For economy, it would be desirable to manufacture the basic recorder with the electronic switch wiring and circuitry adaptable for all models or variations thereof. In this respect, a switch on the basic recorder may control a single function whereas the same switch on the higher model would operate two functions. If the basic recorder was designed to include the appropriate electrical switch conductors, a switch of the type heretofore described could be used in both models, wherein each recorder model would include the same first outer membrane but depending on what conductors needed to be connected, would include an inner membrane or plug selected to accomplish such function.

In similar respects, a key on a keypad array or calculator may control a single function on a specific version of the calculator and may control two functions on a different version of the same calculator. Clearly, for economy of manufacture, it would be desirable to have the same basic circuit board below the keypad. With a membrane switch according to the present invention, an array of first switch membranes may be formed side-by-side to produce the keypad, and specially formed inner switch membranes may be inserted at specific locations within the keypad array to accomplish specific functions required at that position in the array. In other words, one key in the keypad may have an inner membrane which provides a single action switch, while the adjacent key in the keypad has an inner membrane providing a double acting switch. By simply varying the configuration of the inner membrane, a keypad having a plurality of keys may be easily adapted to a variety of configurations.

Thus, the present invention provides a versatile switch arrangement which finds advantageous application in modifying existing switches to perform one or more functions, and also provides a switch having clearly identifiable tactile switch activation states.

The present invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the specification. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed, or equivalents thereof.