Keyboard switch
First Claim
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1. A keyboard switch comprising:
- an insulating substrate;
a first electrode laid on the insulating substrate;
a second electrode facing the first electrode;
a dielectric positioned between the first and second electrodes,said second electrode being formed of a conical coil spring, and being positioned on the dielectric such that one end portion of the spring may be contacted with the surface of the dielectric, capacitance between the first and second electrodes being mainly defined by the contact area between the dielectric and second electrode;
a button, positioned on the other end portion of the second electrode, for compressing the second electrode toward the first electrode to change the contact area when the button depressed toward the first electrode, said capacitance varying with the change in the facing area which changes substantially in proportion to the depth of depression of the button;
means for restoring said button to an undepressed position, said means for restoring comprising said second electrode; and
means for giving snap feeling to an operator when the button is depressed sufficiently that the capacitance exceeds a given value sufficient to activate said switch,whereby the switch is capacitive-coupled for switching operation and the feeling is given to the operator when the capacitance exceeds the given value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A keyboard switch is provided with an insulating substrate, a first electrode laid on the insulating substrate, a second electrode formed of a conical coil spring and facing the first electrode, a dielectric disposed on the first electrode, a button positioned on the top portion of the second electrode, and a rubber cap disposed between the button and second electrode, for giving snap feeling to an operator when the button is depressed and the capacitance of the switch exceeds a given value. The capacitance varies with the change in the facing area which changes substantially in proportion to the depth of depression of the button. The switch is capacitive-coupled for a switching operation and the snap feeling is given to the operator when the capacitance exceeds the given value.
43 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A keyboard switch comprising:
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an insulating substrate; a first electrode laid on the insulating substrate; a second electrode facing the first electrode; a dielectric positioned between the first and second electrodes, said second electrode being formed of a conical coil spring, and being positioned on the dielectric such that one end portion of the spring may be contacted with the surface of the dielectric, capacitance between the first and second electrodes being mainly defined by the contact area between the dielectric and second electrode; a button, positioned on the other end portion of the second electrode, for compressing the second electrode toward the first electrode to change the contact area when the button depressed toward the first electrode, said capacitance varying with the change in the facing area which changes substantially in proportion to the depth of depression of the button; means for restoring said button to an undepressed position, said means for restoring comprising said second electrode; and means for giving snap feeling to an operator when the button is depressed sufficiently that the capacitance exceeds a given value sufficient to activate said switch, whereby the switch is capacitive-coupled for switching operation and the feeling is given to the operator when the capacitance exceeds the given value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A keyboard switch comprising:
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an insulating substrate; a first electrode having one side and fixed on the insulating substrate; a second electrode having one side and fixed on the same plane with the first electrode on the insulating substrate, said one sides of the first and second electrodes facing each other; an auxiliary electrode formed of a conical coil spring, one end portion of the auxiliary electrode being mounted on the first and second electrodes; a dielectric positioned between the first and second electrodes and the auxiliary electrode, the capacitance of the keyboard switch being mainly defined by contact area between the dielectric and auxiliary electrode; a button, positioned on the other end portion of the auxiliary electrode, for compressing the auxiliary electrode toward the insulating substrate to change the contact area when the button is depressed toward the insulating substrate, said capacitance varying with the change in the facing area which changes substantially in proportion to the depth of depression of the button; means for restoring said button to an undepressed position, said means for restoring comprising said auxiliary electrode; and means for giving snap feeling to an operator when the button is depressed sufficiently that the capacitance exceeds a given value sufficient to activate said switch whereby the switch is capacitive-coupled for a switching operation and the snap feeling is given to the operator when the capacitance exceeds the given value. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeTopre Corporation
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Original AssigneeTopre Corporation
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InventorsNagashima, Takao
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Primary Examiner(s)SCOTT, JAMES R
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Application NumberUS06/652,738Time in Patent Office578 DaysField of Search200/5 A, 200/DIG. 1, 200/52 R, 200/159 R, 200/307, 200/276, 200/301.2, 361/288, 340/365 C, 400/479.1, 116/279, 116/DIG. 1US Class Current200/600CPC Class CodesH01H 2215/006 Only mechanical functionH01H 2239/006 Containing a capacitive swi...H03K 17/975 using a capacitive movable ...
