Membrane switch and fabrication method
First Claim
1. A membrane switch comprising:
- a flexible first substrate having a first electrically conductive surface;
a second substrate having a second electrically conductive surface;
a dielectric intermediate substrate defining a central aperture and third and fourth opposite surfaces, the first substrate being depressible through the central aperture of the intermediate substrate to contact the second substrate;
means for defining at least one first electrode on the third surface of the intermediate substrate and for defining at least one second electrode on the fourth surface of the intermediate substrate; and
means for securing the intermediate substrate between the first surface of the first substrate and the second surface of the second substrate and for maintaining the first and second electrodes in electrical contact with the first and second surfaces, respectively.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A membrane switch (10) having a top membrane (12) with a lower conductive surface (16), a bottom membrane (14) with an upper conductive surface (18), and a dielectric intermediate circuit spacer (20) disposed therebetween. The intermediate circuit spacer includes a central aperture (24) and defines upper and lower surfaces (28 and 32). First y-axis electrodes (26) are formed on the upper surface of the intermediate circuit spacer, and second x-axis (30) electrodes are formed on the lower surface of the intermediate circuit spacer. Conductive adhesive (58, 64) is applied between the intermediate circuit spacer and the top and bottom membranes to secure the intermediate spacer in place with the x- and y-axis electrodes in electrical contact with the top and bottom membranes, respectively.
80 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A membrane switch comprising:
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a flexible first substrate having a first electrically conductive surface; a second substrate having a second electrically conductive surface; a dielectric intermediate substrate defining a central aperture and third and fourth opposite surfaces, the first substrate being depressible through the central aperture of the intermediate substrate to contact the second substrate; means for defining at least one first electrode on the third surface of the intermediate substrate and for defining at least one second electrode on the fourth surface of the intermediate substrate; and means for securing the intermediate substrate between the first surface of the first substrate and the second surface of the second substrate and for maintaining the first and second electrodes in electrical contact with the first and second surfaces, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A touch sensitive membrane switch comprising:
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a flexible first membrane having a first electrically conductive coated surface; a second substrate having a second electrically conductive coated surface; an intermediate circuit spacer, including; a dielectric frame defining a central aperture and third and fourth opposite surfaces, the first membrane being depressible through the central aperture of the frame to contact the second substrate; first electrodes formed on the third surface of the frame; second electrodes formed on the fourth surface of the frame; and means securing the intermediate circuit spacer between the first surface of the first membrane and the second surface of the second substrate such that the first and second electrodes are maintained in electrical contact with the first and second surfaces, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification