Apparatus exhibiting tactile feel

• US 6,740,832 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2002
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Yi, Jennifer R., Johnston, Raymond P., Spiewak, Brian E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, James R.
• Application Number:
  US10/108,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20030183497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 200/1.R, 200/5.R, 200/5.A, 200/512-517, 200/61, 200/43, 200/86.R, 200/275, 200/1.B, 200/318-327
• 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 2215/00 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/024 Packing between substrate and membrane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2235/012 Euler spring

Abstract

A switch apparatus includes a first layer and a second layer attached to one another via sets of fastening elements formed on the layers. The fastening elements may comprise hook-like elements that engage one another in an interlocking arrangement to attach the layers, or alternatively, the fastening elements may take other forms. The fastening elements may include flexible portions that flex when the first layer and second layer are forced together. The apparatus may be used within switch arrays, and can eliminate the need for dome spring elements.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in a switch array comprising:

a first layer including a first set of fastening elements; and

a second layer including a second set of fastening elements, wherein the first and second sets of fastening elements are engageable to thereby attach the first layer to the second layer, and wherein at least some of the fastening elements include a flexible portion that flexes when the first and second layer are engaged and the first layer is forced toward the second layer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein flexing of the flexible portion of at least some of the fastening elements provides a biasing force between the first and second layers.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the biasing force provided by the flexing is different depending on a distance between the first and second layers.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the biasing force substantially decreases when the distance between the first and second layers passes a threshold.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engaged sets of fastening elements comprise hook-like elements that collectively define a distance of travel between the first and second layers, wherein at least some of the hook-like elements include stem portions that form the flexible portions.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engaged sets of fastening elements comprise Y-shaped elements that collectively define a distance of travel between the first and second layers, wherein tips of the Y-shaped elements form at least part of the flexible portions.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engaged sets of fastening elements comprise angle-shaped elements.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engaged sets of fastening elements comprise C-shaped elements.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible portions of at least some of the fastening elements comprise extensions that extend from at least some of the fastening elements.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the extensions are C-shaped extensions.

11. An apparatus for use in a switch array comprising:

a bottom layer;

a top layer; and

means for engaging the top and bottom layers such that upon engagement, an amount of travel is defined between the top and bottom layers, wherein the means for engaging includes a means for flexing when the top layer is forced toward the bottom layer.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for flexing provides a biasing force between the top and bottom layers.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the biasing force provided by the means for flexing is different depending on a distance between the top and bottom layers.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the biasing force substantially decreases when the distance between the top and bottom layers passes a threshold.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for engaging includes a plurality of hook-like elements that collectively define a distance of travel between the top and bottom layers.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for engaging comprise Y-shaped elements that collectively define a distance of travel between the top and bottom layers.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for engaging comprise angle-shaped elements.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for engaging include C-shaped elements.

19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for flexing comprise extensions that extend from at least some of the fastening elements.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the extensions are C-shaped extensions.

21. A switch array comprising:

an array of sensor elements that generate signals upon actuation;

a bottom layer including a first set of fastening elements, the bottom layer defining holes for aligning with the array of sensor elements; and

a number of top layer sections each including second sets of fastening elements, wherein the first and second sets of fastening elements are engaged, thereby attaching the bottom layer to the top layer sections, and wherein at least some of the fastening elements include a flexible portion that flexes when one of the top layer sections are forced toward the bottom layer, and wherein forcing one of the top layer sections toward the bottom layer causes actuation of one of the sensor elements.

22. The switch array of claim 21, wherein the engaged sets of fastening elements define a distance of travel between the bottom layer and each top layer section.

23. The switch array of claim 21, wherein each of the top layer sections comprises a key of the switch array.

24. The switch array of claim 21, the top layer sections and the bottom layer are extruded films.

25. The switch array of claim 21, wherein the switch array is selected from the following group of switch arrays:

a computer keyboard, a membrane switch array, a keypad, an instrument panel of an aircraft, an instrument panel of a watercraft, an instrument panel of a motor vehicle, a switch array for an appliance and a switch array of a musical instrument.

26. A switch array that does not include any dome spring elements, the switch array comprising:

a set of keys, and

a set of sensor elements, wherein the set of keys are biased away from the set of sensor elements, wherein a biasing force for a key in the set substantially decreases when the key is pressed passed a threshold.

27. The switch array of claim 26, wherein the set of keys comprise a number of top layer sections engaged with a bottom layer via fastening elements, wherein at least some of the fastening elements include a flexible portion that flexes when the key is pressed.

28. The switch array of claim 27, wherein the flexible portions of the fastening elements buckle when a key is pressed.

29. A switch array apparatus comprising:

a first layer defining one or more keys;

a second layer; and

a number of fastening elements formed on the first and second layers that fasten the layers, wherein at least some of the fastening elements include a flexible portion that flexes when a key of the first layer is pressed toward the second layer.