Flexible switch and method for producing the same

• US 6,700,086 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2002
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Kubota, Minoru, Serizawa, Yasuyoshi, Nishitani, Keizo, Kawaguchi, Kenichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): KLAUS, LISA NHUNG
• Application Number:
  US10/212,811
• Publication Number:
  US 20030029709A1
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 200/6.A, 200/5.A, 200/510-520, 200/314-341, 200/302.2, 200/344, 200/85.R, 200/5.R, 200/17.R, 200/18, 200/406
• 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 13/703 characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2207/004 Printed circuit tail
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/004 Depressions or protrusions on switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/012 avoiding too large deformation or stress
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/014 composed of different layers; Lubricant in between
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/03 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/052 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/074 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2213/002 with external pressure
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2213/01 with internal pressure of other switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/006 Only mechanical function
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/008 Part of substrate or membrane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/014 located in recess
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/022 Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/022 Modular assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/022 Telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/026 Car

Abstract

In a flexible switch, a circuit member having an electrode is provided on a adhesive sheet. A spacer sheet, having a through hole situated so as to correspond to the electrode on the circuit member, is provided on the circuit member. A front sheet, having a projected portion, is provided on the spacer sheet, in which a contact portion provided on an inner face of the projected portion is brought into contact with the electrode through the through hole in the circuit member when the projected portion is depressed. At least one of the adhesive sheet, the circuit member, the spacer sheet, and the front sheet has flexibility.

Claims

1. A flexible switch, comprising:

an adhesive sheet;

a circuit member, provided on the adhesive sheet, and having an electrode;

a spacer sheet, provided on the circuit member, and having a through hole situated so as to correspond to the electrode on the circuit member; and

a front sheet, provided on the spacer sheet, and having a projected portion, in which a contact portion provided on an inner face of the projected portion is brought into contact with the electrode through the through hole in the circuit member when the projected portion is depressed; and

wherein at least one of the adhesive sheet, the circuit member, the spacer sheet, and the front sheet has flexibility.

2. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 1, wherein a form of the projected portion is shaped into a hemisphere.

3. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an external connection member, for electrically connecting the circuit member to an external member, and the external connection member provided on the circuit member.

4. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 3, wherein the external member is at least one of an automotive component and an automotive accessory.

5. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 3, wherein the external connection member includes at least one of an edge connector terminal and a connector.

6. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 4, wherein the external connection member includes a wire connection circuit portion.

7. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the circuit member is provided on a first face of the adhesive sheet;

and

wherein a second face of the adhesive sheet opposed to the first face is covered with a release paper sheet.

8. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the front sheet is transparent.

9. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the front sheet is provided with an compatible external appearance portion;

and

wherein the compatible external appearance portion is provided on at least one of an inner face and an outer face of the front sheet.

10. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one flat member situated so as to correspond to the through holes is provided on the front sheet.

11. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 9, wherein the front sheet is transparent;

and

wherein the compatible external appearance portion, formed on the inner face of the front sheet, is at least one of a printed portion and an ornamented portion.

12. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 9, wherein the compatible external appearance portion includes a coating layer made of a synthetic resin;

and

wherein the coating layer is formed on the projected portion of the front sheet.

13. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 9, wherein the compatible external appearance portion includes a sheet cover member and a depressing portion;

wherein the sheet cover member covers the outer face of the front sheet;

wherein the depressing portion is integrally formed with the sheet cover member; and

wherein the projected portion is accommodated in an inner side of the depressing portion.

14. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the front sheet serves for a bezel.

15. A method for producing a flexible switch, comprising the steps of:

providing an adhesive sheet, a circuit member having an electrode, and a spacer sheet having a through hole situated so as to correspond to the electrode on the circuit member, used respectively as common members; and

providing a first compatible front sheet having a first projected portion and a first external appearance;

providing a second compatible front sheet having a second projected portion and a second external appearance different from the first external appearance;

selecting either the first compatible front sheet or the second compatible front sheet in accordance with a design change and a model change;

mounting the circuit member on the adhesive sheet;

mounting the spacer sheet on the circuit member; and

mounting either the first compatible front sheet or the second compatible front sheet which is selected in the selecting step accordance with the design change and the model, on the spacer sheet.