Variable resistance switch

• US 4,419,653 A
• Filed: 10/14/1981
• Issued: 12/06/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1980
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerã¤Te GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerã¤Te GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Waigand, Helmut
• Primary Examiner(s): Albritton, C. L.
• Application Number:
  US06/311,394
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 338/114, 338/69, 338/99, 84/DIG. 7
• US Class Current: 338/114
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/20 by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluids of piezo-resistive materials G01L1/18; by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress
• CPC Class Codes: H01C 10/106 on resistive material dispersed in an elastic material H01C10/103 and H01C10/12 take precedence; for electric switches H01H1/029
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/029 comprising conducting material dispersed in an elastic support or binding material

Abstract

Variable resistance switch of a continuously-variable resistance pressure-dependent measurement sensor for triggering a switching operation of an electrical evaluating circuit through a compressive loading, including an elastic layer being formed of elastomeric material interspersed with electrically conductive particles and being deformable with increasing application of force, and a conductive surface disposed opposite the elastic layer.

Claims

1. Variable resistance switch of a continuously-variable resistance pressure-dependent measurement sensor for triggering a switching operation of an electrical evaluating circuit through a compressive loading, comprising an elastic layer formed of elastomeric material interspersed with electrically conductive particles and being deformable with increasing application of force, said elastic layer being pan-shaped and having a lower substantially planar surface, and a conductive surface being in contact with said lower substantially planar surface of said elastic layer.

2. Variable resistance switch according to claim 1, wherein said elastic layer has an area thereof exposed to the compressive loading, and including another layer of pure elastomeric material superimposed on said area of said elastic layer.

3. Variable resistance switch according to claim 1 or 2, including a contact having two surfaces and being disposed opposite said elastic layer.

4. Variable resistance switch according to claim 2, including a contact having two surfaces and being disposed opposite said elastic layer, and a planar base plate being formed of electrically insulating material and being vulcanized together with said pure elastomeric material layer.

5. Variable resistance switch of a continuously-variable resistance pressure-dependent measurement sensor for triggering a switching operation of an electrical evaluating circuit through a compressive loading, comprising two elastic layers each being formed of elastomeric material interspersed with electricall conductive particles and being deformable with increasing application of force, each of said elastic layers having a respective mutually opposite surface with interlocking saw tooth-shaped ridges formed thereon, and terminal contacts rigidly connected on said elastic layers.