Foil-type switching element with improved spacer design

• US 7,187,264 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2003
• Issued: 03/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering SA (Aerospace Hi-Tech Holding Group Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering SA (Aerospace Hi-Tech Holding Group Company Limited)
• Inventors: Bieck, Werner, Decoster, Yves, Schumacher, Alain, Chabach, Dries, Ollett, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): HOANG, TU BA
• Application Number:
  US10/370,446
• Publication Number:
  US 20040163939A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,475 Days
• Field of Search: 338 47- 49, 338/99, 338/101, 338111-114, 338/36, 338/42, 200/512, 200/513, 200/83.A, 200/85.A, 738/620.42, 737/00, 737/15, 737/54
• US Class Current: 338/47
• 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 2211/00 Spacers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/006 Spacer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/032 Operating force

Abstract

A foil-type switching element comprises a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance from each other by means of a spacer 10. The spacer 10 comprises at least one recess 12 defining an active area of the switching element. At least two electrodes and a layer of pressure sensitive material are arranged within the active area of the switching element between the first and second carrier foils in such a way that, in response to a pressure acting on the active area of the switching element, the first and second carrier foils are pressed together against the reaction force of the elastic carrier foils and an electrical contact is established between the at least two electrodes via the pressure sensitive material. The active area comprises an inner region 14 and a number of outer regions 18, the inner region having a generally convex shape and the outer regions extending outwardly from said inner region.

Claims

1. A Foil-type pressure sensor having an electrical resistance which varies with the amount of pressure applied comprising:

a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance from each other by means of a spacer, said spacer comprising at least one recess defining an active area of the pressure sensor;

wherein the form of said recess is such that said active area comprises an inner region and a number of outer regions, said inner region having a generally convex shape to provide mechanical response for small forces of pressure and to set of turn-on points, and said outer regions extending outwardly from said inner region to provide mechanical response for higher forces of pressure, said outer regions having predetermined widths to ensure smooth transition in mechanical behavior between the inner region and the outer regions of said active area; and

at least two electrodes and a layer of pressure sensitive material, said electrodes and said layer of pressure sensitive semiconductor material being centrally arranged within the active area of the pressure sensor between said first and second carrier foils so as to be at least partially located within the inner region of the active area.

2. Foil-type pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein said inner region comprises a generally circular shape.

3. Foil-type pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein said outer regions extend radially from said inner region.

4. Foil-type pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein said outer regions are equally distributed over a periphery of said inner region.

5. Foil-type pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein said outer regions comprise an elongated shape.

6. Foil-type pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein said outer regions comprise a generally triangular shape.

7. Foil-type switching element according to claim 1, wherein said outer regions comprise a generally trapezoidal shape, said outer regions converging from said inner region towards an outer periphery of said active area.

8. Foil-type pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein said outer regions comprise a generally rectangular shape.

9. Foil-type pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein the number of said outer regions is odd.

10. Foil-type pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein the shape and/or the dimension of said inner region and said outer region are adjusted so as to ensure a smooth transition in the mechanical behavior between the inner and outer regions of the active area.

11. Foil-type pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein a first electrode is arranged on an inner surface of said first carrier foil and a second electrode is arranged on an inner surface of the second carrier foil in a facing relationship with said first electrode and wherein at least one of said first and second electrode is fully or partially covered by a layer of pressure sensitive material.

12. Foil-type pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein a first and a second electrode are arranged side by side on an inner surface of said first carrier foil and wherein a layer of pressure sensitive material is arranged on an inner surface of the second carrier foil in facing relationship with said first and second electrodes.

13. Foil-type pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein said spacer comprises a printable spacer material.