Multiple push button matrix switch with permeable film flanged portion and hermetic sealing

• US 6,444,928 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2001
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Okamoto, Satoshi, Inubushi, Toshiya
• Primary Examiner(s): SCOTT, JAMES R
• Application Number:
  US09/842,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20010027916A1
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5.A, 200/512-517, 200/329-345, 200/86.R, 200/5.R, 200/302--30
• US Class Current: 200/5.00A
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/7006 comprising a separate movable contact element for each switch site, all other elements being integrated in layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/006 Force isolators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/016 Protection layer, e.g. for legend, anti-scratch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/006 Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/002 sealed
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/036 Minimise height
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/047 Preformed layer in mould

Abstract

A push button switch of the invention has base rubber having actuator portions, a resin molded portion attached to the base rubber, and a permeable film formed on the surface of the resin molded portion. More preferably, a flange portion of the film is disposed so as to avoid a region just above thick portions such as base plate supported portions of the base rubber. A push button switch capable of preventing peeling of coating or the like and intrusion of water can be therefore provided. A push button switch and a switching device which have satisfactory touch and can be thinned can be provided.

Claims

1. A switching device for a switching operation, comprising:

a base plate on which a plurality of metal plates are positioned to be pressed such that said plurality of metal plates are electrically connected to a plurality of connection portions, respectively;

a base rubber provided over said plurality of metal plates and having an outer base plate supported portion and a plurality of inner base plate supported portions adhered to said base plate such that said plurality of metal plates are encased by said outer base plate portion and surrounded individually by respective ones of said plurality of base plate supported portions, said base rubber having a plurality of actuator portions positioned to press said plurality of metal plates, respectively;

a plurality of button base bodies provided on said base rubber and positioned to be pressed integrally with said plurality of actuator portions, respectively; and

a plurality of permeable films provided over said plurality of button base bodies, respectively, and each having a flange portion surrounding a respective one of the plurality of button base bodies;

wherein said outer base plate supported portion and inner base plate supported portions are not positioned directly below the flange portions.

2. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of permeable films are connected each other via a plurality of key bridge portions integrally connecting the flange portions; and

said plurality of key bridge portions are not provided above said outer base plate supported portion and inner base plate supported portions.

3. A switching device for switching operation, comprising:

a base plate on which a plurality of metal plates are positioned to be pressed such that said plurality of metal plates are electrically connected to a plurality of connection portions, respectively;

a base rubber provided over said plurality of metal plates and having an outer base plate supported portion and a plurality of inner base plate supported portions adhered to said base plate such that said plurality of metal plates are encased by said outer base plate portion and surrounded individually by respective ones of said plurality of base plate supported portions;

a plurality of actuators positioned to press said plurality of metal plates, respectively;

a plurality of button base bodies provided on said base rubber and positioned to be pressed integrally with said plurality of actuators, respectively; and

a plurality of pemeable films is provided over said plurality of button base bodies, respectively and each having a flange portion surrounding a respective one of the plurality of button base bodies;

wherein said outer base plate supported portion and inner base plate supported portions are not positioned directly below the flange portions.

4. The switching device according to claim 3, wherein:

the plurality of permeable films are connected each other via a plurality of key bridge portions integrally connecting the flange portions; and

said plurality of key bridge portions are not provided above said outer base plate supported portion and inner base plate supported portions.

5. A switching device comprising:

a base plate on which a plurality of said metal plates are positioned to be pressed such said plurality of metal plates are electrically connected to a plurality of connected portions, respectively;

a base rubber provided over said plurality of metal plates and having an outer base plate supported portion and a plurality of inner base plate portions adhered to said base plate such that said plurality of metal plates are encased by said outer base plate portion and surrounded individually by respective ones of said plurality of base plate supported portions, said base rubber having a plurality of actuator portions positioned to press said plurality of metal plates, respectively;

a plurality of button base bodies provided on said base rubber and positioned to be pressed integrally with said plurality of actuator portions, respectively; and

a plurality of permeable films provided over said plurality of button base bodies, respectively, and each having a flange portion surrounding a respective one of the plurality of button base bodies, the flange portions being positioned above an upper surface of said base rubber such that the upper surface of said rubber and the flange portions form a gap larger than an operation stroke of said plurality of actuator portions.

6. The switching device according to claim 5, wherein:

the plurality of permeable films are connected each other via a plurality of key bridge portions integrally connecting the flange portions; and

said plurality of key bridge portions are not provided above said outer base plate supported portion and inner base plate supported portions.

7. A switching device, comprising:

a base plate on which a plurality of metal plates are positioned to be pressed such that said plurality of metal plates are electrically connected to a plurality of connection portions, respectively;

a base rubber provided over said plurality of metal plates and having an outer base plate supported portion and a plurality of inner base plate supported portions adhered to said base plate such that said plurality of metal plates are encased by said outer base plate portion and surrounded individually by respective ones of said plurality of base plate supported portions;

a plurality of actuators positioned to press said plurality of metal plates, respectively;

a plurality of button base bodies provided on said base rubber and positioned to be pressed integrally with said plurality of actuators, respectively; and

a plurality of permeable films is provided over said plurality of button base bodies, respectively, and each having a flange portion surrounding a respective one of the plurality of button base bodies, the flange portions being positoned above an upper surface of said base rubber such that the upper surface of said base rubber and the flange portions form a gap larger than an operation stroke of said plurality of actuator portions.

8. The switching device according to claim 7, wherein:

the plurality of permeable films are connected each other via a plurality of key bridge portions integrally connecting the flange portions; and

said plurality of key bridge portions are not provided above said outer base plate supported portion and inner base plate supported portions.