Flexible switch and method for producing the same

• US 6,841,748 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2003
• Issued: 01/11/2005
• 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): LEE, KYUNG S
• Application Number:
  US10/726,632
• Publication Number:
  US 20040129549A1
• Time in Patent Office: 404 Days
• Field of Search: 200/512, 200/514, 200/517, 200/314, 200/5.A, 200/17.R, 200/18
• 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 first circuit member, provided on the adhesive sheet, and having a first electrode;

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

a second circuit member, provided on the first spacer sheet, and having a second electrode situated so as to correspond to the first electrode of the first circuit member;

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

a front sheet, provided on the second spacer sheet, and having a projected portion situated so as to correspond to the second electrode of the second circuit member,

wherein the second circuit member is depressed by the projected portion through the second through hole so as to bend the second circuit member when the projected portion is depressed, so that the second electrode on the second circuit member is brought into contact with the first electrode through the first through hole; and

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

2. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second circuit member has an elastic member situated so as to correspond to the first electrode of the first circuit member;

and

wherein the elastic member is depressed together with the second circuit member by the projected portion when the projected portion is depressed.

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

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

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

6. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 5, wherein the external connection member includes a wire connection circuit portion.

7. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 4, wherein the external connection member includes at least one of an edge connector terminal and a connector.

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

9. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 8, wherein the external member is at least one of an automotive component and an automotive accessory.

10. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 9, wherein the external connection member includes a wire connection circuit portion.

11. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 8, wherein the external connection member includes at least one of an edge connector terminal and a connector.

12. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first 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.

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

14. 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.

15. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 14, 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.

16. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 14, 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.

17. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 14, 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.

18. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 14, wherein the compatible external appearance portion includes a key top member and a cover member;

wherein the key top member depresses the projected portion when the key top member is depressed; and

wherein the cover member covers the outer face of the front sheet while holding the key top member.

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

20. The flexible switch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the flexible switch is attached on at least one of automotive components, and

wherein the automotive mounting portions include a face of a panel, a recess portion in the panel, an opening-closing member, a front face of an accessory, and a steering wheel.

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