Tactile sensor, in particular for electrical equipment
First Claim
1. A tactile sensor control member comprising a button or key adapted to be pushed or touched, a piezo-electric member responsive to pushing or touching of the key or button, a forward and a rearward metal electrode spaced from each other, said piezo-electric member being sandwiched between the electrodes, the forward electrode having a forward surface fixed to an underside of said key or button, said forward electrode also being fixed to a support member by at least one fixing point for holding said piezo-electric member relative to said support member, and said piezo-electric member being disposed forwardly of said support member.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tactile sensor includes, under a control key accessible to the user, at least one piezo-electric member which is responsive through the control key to any depression of the latter. For connecting it to an electrical circuit of any kind, the piezo-electric member is sandwiched between a top or forward metal electrode to which it is attached and a bottom or rearward metal electrode which is attached to a support of any kind. For holding the piezo-electric member in place relative to the support of the bottom electrode, the top electrode is fixed to the support by at least one fixing point. Applications include controlling various devices such as on/off switches, changeover switches, dimmers or keypads.
83 Citations
19 Claims
- 1. A tactile sensor control member comprising a button or key adapted to be pushed or touched, a piezo-electric member responsive to pushing or touching of the key or button, a forward and a rearward metal electrode spaced from each other, said piezo-electric member being sandwiched between the electrodes, the forward electrode having a forward surface fixed to an underside of said key or button, said forward electrode also being fixed to a support member by at least one fixing point for holding said piezo-electric member relative to said support member, and said piezo-electric member being disposed forwardly of said support member.
- 17. A tactile sensor control member comprising a control key or button, comprising a piezo-electric member responsive to pushing or touching of the key or button, a support member facing said key or button and a space defined between said support member and said control key or button, said piezo-electric member being sandwiched between first and second opposed electrodes, said first electrode being supported by said control key or button, said second of the electrodes being fixed to said support member for holding said piezo-electric member in position relative thereto, said first electrode being also being fixed to said support member by at least one fixing point, said piezo-electric member being disposed in said space between said support member and said key or button.
Specification