MATRIX SWITCH

• US 3,760,360 A
• Filed: 11/01/1971
• Issued: 09/18/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert S. Reynolds, Svein T. Nordberg
• Original Assignee: Robert S. Reynolds, Svein T. Nordberg
• Inventors: Reynolds, Robert S., Nordberg, Svein T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yusko, Donald J.
• Application Number:
  US05/194,261
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 340/166,324R,378A,225 178/18 343/5MM 235/61.6A
• US Class Current: 341/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04146 using pressure sensitive conductive elements delivering a boolean signal and located between crossing sensing lines, e.g. located between X and Y sensing line layers
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/13 the indicator being in the form of a map
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2207/012 via underside of substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/016 Protection layer, e.g. for legend, anti-scratch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/032 non elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/076 non elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/01 Ink
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/00 Legends
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/002 replaceable; adaptable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/026 with programming switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/036 Light emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/024 Spacer elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/032 Screw
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/026 Car
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/034 Coordinate determination
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/01 combined with other elements on the same substrate

Abstract

A finger-pressure actuated matrix switch assembly includes a map overlay and generates a binary coded signal corresponding to the coordinates of the point of application of pressure to the map. The assembly comprises a housing with a slot for positioning a replaceable map card in operative position and a storage chamber for a plurality of such map cards. Each of the map cards is edgenotched with a unique code identifying that card, and switches supported on the housing are actuated by these notches when a map card is inserted into its operative position to generate a binary electrical signal corresponding to that code. The matrix or grid is formed by orthogonally related sets of printed conductors on stacked boards spaced apart by resilient strip separators formed directly on one of the boards. Logic circuitry for converting the coordinates of contacting conductors into binary digits is carried on a single pluggable board detachably connected to the matrix boards for quick replacement to facilitate maintenance and repair.

Claims

1. A matrix switch assembly comprising a housing having an unobstructed opening and a stacked multilayer compression switch supported on said housing and traversing said opening, said unit comprising a first electrically nonconductive sheet having a first set of laterally spaced parallel conductors on one side, a second electrically nonconductive sheet having a second set of laterally spaced parallel conductors on a side facing said one side of said first sheet and extending transversely of the direction of said first set of con-ductors, one of said sheets having a plurality of resilient separators formed thereon for spacing said first and second sets of conductors, each of said separators comprising an elongated strip disposed between adjacent conductors on said one sheet, and means for generating an output signal in response to an electrical contact between a conductor of the first set and a conductor of the second set.

2. The assembly according to claim 1 in which said strips are parallel to and coextensive with the conductors of said one member.

3. The assembly according to claim 1 in which said conductors have a printed circuit construction.

4. The assembly according to claim 2 in which said strips are permanently bonded to said one member.

5. A matrix switch assembly, comprising a housing having an opening therein, a compression switch unit mounted on and within said housing and having a surface traversing said opening, said switch comprising a first set of spaced parallel conductors in a first plane and a second set of spaced parallel conductors in a second plane spaced from the first plane, the conductors in the first set overlying and extending transversely of the conductors in the second set and defining therewith crossover points at which electrical contact is made between conductors of the two sets in response to a compressive force applied transversely of said planes, said housing having slot means in a plane parallel to and adjacent to said surface, and card means removably insertable into said slot means to an operative position overlying said surface, said card means being capable of transmitting to said surface of the switch unit said compresSive force when applied thereto.

6. The switch assembly according to claim 5 in which a portion of said card means is formed with an identification code, and switch means mounted on said unit and actuated by said portion of the card when the latter is in the operative position for producing an electrical signal corresponding to said identification code.

7. The switch assembly according to claim 6 in which said housing has a compartment adapted to receive and store a plurality of said card means.

8. The switch assembly according to claim 7 in which each of said card means is formed with a different identification code for generating a corresponding electrical signal whereby automatically to distinguish the card means from each other when inserted into said operative position.

9. The switch assembly according to claim 8 in which said housing has a transverse groove in a portion thereof defining said slot, each of said card means comprising a frame and a flexible sheet mounted in said frame, said frame having a projection engageable in said groove when the frame is in the operative position in said slot.