Normally closed electrical switch

• US 5,791,459 A
• Filed: 02/27/1996
• Issued: 08/11/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Molex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Molex Incorporated
• Inventors: Kreger, Daniel T., Hester, Todd A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke, Renee S.
• Application Number:
  US08/607,407
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 200/512, 200/517, 200/5 A
• US Class Current: 200/512
• 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 13/807 characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/01 Different switch sites under one actuator in same plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/012 normally closed

Abstract

A normally closed electrical switch includes a first circuit board having a first switch contact thereon and an aperture therethrough near the first switch contact. A second, flexible circuit board has a second switch contact aligned with the first switch contact of the first circuit board. A spacer sheet separates the first and second circuit boards and has an aperture in registry with the aperture in the first circuit board. The switch contacts extend toward each other through the aperture in the spacer sheet such that they are in normally closed condition. A movable cover is provided on the first circuit board at least over the aperture therein. An actuator is operatively associated with the cover and extends through the aperture in the first circuit board, through the aperture in the spacer sheet and engageable with the second, flexible circuit board for flexing the second circuit board and opening the switch contacts in response to movement of the cover. At least one of the circuit boards may be embossed in the area of its respective switch contact so that the contact projects through the aperture in the spacer sheet.

Claims

1. A normally closed electrical switch, comprising:

a first circuit board having a first switch contact thereon and a first aperture therethrough near the first switch contact;

a second, flexible circuit board having a second switch contact aligned with the first switch contact of the first circuit board;

a spacer separating the first and second circuit boards and having a second aperture in operative alignment with said first aperture in the first circuit board;

said switch contacts extending toward each other through said second aperture in the spacer such that they are in normally closed condition;

a movable cover on the first circuit board at least over said first aperture therein; and

an actuator operatively associated with the cover and extending through said first aperture in the first circuit board, through said second aperture in the spacer and operatively associated with the second, flexible circuit board for flexing the second circuit board and opening the switch contacts in response to movement of the cover.

2. The normally closed electrical switch of claim 1 wherein said second, flexible circuit board comprises a non-conductive membrane, and said second switch contact comprises a conductive ink contact screen-printed on the membrane.

3. The normally closed electrical switch of claim 2 wherein said first circuit board comprises a non-conductive membrane, and said first switch contact comprises a conductive ink contact screen-printed on the membrane.

4. The normally closed electrical switch of claim 3 wherein said spacer is generally rigid relative to at least one of said plastic membranes.

5. The normally closed electrical switch of claim 1 wherein said cover is fabricated of deformable material.

6. The normally closed electrical switch of claim 1 wherein said actuator is integral with said cover.

7. The normally closed electrical switch of claim 1 wherein said actuator includes at least one actuator post mounted on the second circuit board.

8. The normally closed electrical switch of claim 1 wherein at least one of said circuit boards is embossed to project at least partly through said second aperture in the spacer such that the switch contacts are in normally closed condition.

9. The normally closed electrical switch of claim 1 wherein said cover includes a movable switch button operatively associated with said actuator.

10. The normally closed electrical switch of claim 1 wherein the first circuit board has a plurality of apertures, including said first aperture, therethrough spaced around the switch contacts, and wherein said actuator comprises a plurality of actuator posts, each actuator post extending through one of said plurality of apertures.

11. The normally closed electrical switch of claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a single actuator post, and including a plurality of switches spaced around the actuator post, each switch including one of said first switch contacts and one of said second switch contacts.

12. A normally closed electrical switch, comprising:

a first circuit board having a first switch contact thereon and an aperture therethrough near the first switch contact, the first circuit board including a thin non-conductive membrane having a conductive contact thereon defining said first switch contact;

a second, flexible circuit board having a second switch contact aligned with the first switch contact of the first circuit board, the second circuit board including a thin non-conductive membrane having a conductive contact defining said second switch contact;

a spacer sheet sandwiched between the membranes of the first and second circuit boards, the spacer sheet being generally rigid relative to the membranes and having an aperture in operative alignment with the aperture in the first circuit board;

at least one of said circuit boards being embossed in the area of its respective switch contact to project at least partly through the aperture in the spacer sheet such that the switch contacts are in normally closed condition;

a movable cover on the first circuit board at least over the aperture therein; and

an actuator operatively associated with the cover and extending through the aperture in the first circuit board, through the aperture in the spacer sheet and operatively associated with the second, flexible circuit board for flexing the second circuit board and opening the switch contacts in response to movement of the cover.

13. The normally closed electrical switch of claim 12 wherein said cover is fabricated of deformable material.

14. The normally closed electrical switch of claim 12 wherein said actuator is integral with said cover.

15. The normally closed electrical switch of claim 12 wherein said actuator includes at least one actuator post mounted on the second circuit board.

16. The normally closed electrical switch of claim 12 wherein said cover includes a movable switch button operatively associated with said actuator.

17. The normally closed electrical switch of claim 12 wherein the first circuit board has a plurality of apertures therethrough spaced around the switch contacts, and wherein said actuator comprises a plurality of actuator posts, each actuator post extending through one of said plurality of apertures.

18. The normally closed electrical switch of claim 12 wherein said actuator comprises a single actuator post, and including a plurality of switches spaced around the actuator asset, each switch including one of said first switch contacts and one of said second switch contacts.

19. The normally closed electrical switch of claim 12, including a backing sheet on the outside of said second circuit board, the backing sheet having an aperture in operative alignment with the aperture in the spacer sheet.