Key input device and portable telephone incorporating same
First Claim
1. A key input device comprising a seesaw switch unit (4) mounted on a base, and a key rubber (8) provided on the base covering the seesaw switch unit (4), a seesaw key (10) provided on the surface of the key rubber (8) for depressing the seesaw switch unit (4), the seesaw switch unit (4) comprising a base plate (5), a dome sheet (7) provided on the base plate (5) and having a plurality of dome portions (71)(72), and a pivotally movable member (6) provided over the dome sheet (7) to selectively depress each dome portion (71), the seesaw key (10) disposed over the pivotally movable member (6), a dome portion being elastically restorably invertable by being depressed by the pivotally movable member (6) to bring a contact terminal (52) formed on an inner surface of the dome portion into contact with a contact electrode (51) formed on a surface of the base plate (5) and closing contacts.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A key input device embodying the present invention comprises a seesaw switch unit (4) installed on a sheet (41), and a key rubber (8) installed on the sheet (41) covering the seesaw switch unit (4). A seesaw key (10) is arranged on the surface of the key rubber (8) for depressing the seesaw switch unit (4). The seesaw switch unit (4) comprises a base plate, a dome sheet provided on a base plate having a plurality of dome portions, and a pivotally movable member 6 provided over the dome sheet to depress selectively each dome portion. The depression of the pivotally movable member 6 causes a dome portion to be elastically restorably invertable, to have a contact terminal formed on an inner surface of the dome portion into contact with a contact electrode formed on a surface of the base plate, closing contacts. With the key input device, the device can be made thinner, and the complete waterproof can be achieved with reduced number of components.
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Citations
8 Claims
- 1. A key input device comprising a seesaw switch unit (4) mounted on a base, and a key rubber (8) provided on the base covering the seesaw switch unit (4), a seesaw key (10) provided on the surface of the key rubber (8) for depressing the seesaw switch unit (4), the seesaw switch unit (4) comprising a base plate (5), a dome sheet (7) provided on the base plate (5) and having a plurality of dome portions (71)(72), and a pivotally movable member (6) provided over the dome sheet (7) to selectively depress each dome portion (71), the seesaw key (10) disposed over the pivotally movable member (6), a dome portion being elastically restorably invertable by being depressed by the pivotally movable member (6) to bring a contact terminal (52) formed on an inner surface of the dome portion into contact with a contact electrode (51) formed on a surface of the base plate (5) and closing contacts.
- 5. A portable telephone comprising a circuit board (3) disposed inside a casing (1) and formed with a circuit for radio communication, a sheet key assembly (40) installed on the circuit board (3), a seesaw switch unit (4) installed on the surface of the sheet key assembly (40), a key rubber (8) provided covering the surface of the sheet key assembly (40) and the seesaw switch unit (4), the key rubber (8) having arranged on its surface a plurality of manual keys (14) for depressing the sheet key assembly (40) and a seesaw key (10) for depressing the seesaw switch unit (4), the seesaw switch unit (4) comprising a base plate (5), a dome sheet (7) having a plurality of dome portions (71) (72) and provided over the base plate (5), and a pivotally movable member (6) provided over the dome sheet (7) for selectively depressing each dome portion (71), the seesaw key (10) disposed over the pivotally movable member (6), a dome portion being elastically restorably invertable by being depressed by the pivotally movable member (6) to bring a contact terminal (52) formed on an inner surface of the dome portion into contact with a contact electrode (51) formed on the surface of the base plate (5) and closing contacts.
Specification