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EP0531973A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Click-action membrane switch

Assignee: Fujikura Ltd
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Filing: 1992-09-09
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-09-09
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Abstract

Abstract A click-action membrane switch unit comprises a flexible base film (101) having two surfaces (101a, 101b), flexible circuits (102, 103) formed on at least one of said two surfaces of the base film (101) and having interdigitating electrode contacts (105, 106), a resist film (111) formed on the flexible circuits (102, 103) and having a window (108) in the region of the electrode contacts (105, 106), a dome-shaped click spring (109) made of electrically conducting material and having an edge (109a) placed on the circuits, and a layer (151) fixed to the other surface of the base film (101) and having an opening (112) formed in the portion of the layer (151) which aligns with the click spring (109).

Inventors

  • 👤 Masahiro Kaizu
  • 👤 Atsuhiro Horii

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 20:15
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/78; H01H13/80; H01H13/7006; H01H2201/00; H01H2201/008; H01H2203/00; H01H2203/02; H01H2215/00; H01H2215/034; H01H2215/036; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/002; H01H2219/014; H01H2219/036; H01H2219/04

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 129 words
A click-action membrane switch unit including: a flexible base film (101) having two surfaces (101a, 101b); circuits (102, 103) formed on at least one (101a) of said two surfaces of the base film (101) and having interdigitating electrode contacts (105, 106); a resist film (107) formed on said circuits (102, 103) and having a window (108) in a region of said electrode contacts (105, 106); a dome-shape click spring (109) made of electrically conducting metal and having an edge (109a) placed on said electric contacts (105, 106); and a layer (150) fixed to the other surface (101b) of said base film (101), characterised in that said layer (150) is provided with an opening (112) formed in a portion of said layer (150) which aligns with said click spring (109).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 175 words
The membrane switch unit according to claim 1, characterised in that said membrane switch unit is used in a click-action type membrane switch with lighting, comprising: said flexible base film (101); first cirucits formed on one of surfaces (101a) of said base film (101)including a signal circuit (113) and a land pattern (114) comprising said circuits of said switch unit; a first resist film (107) comprising said resist film of said switch unit formed on said first circuits of said switch unit; a layer (151) including a second resist film (111) having one surface connected to the other surface (101b) of said base film (101), and an LED-mounting circuit (116) and a connecting terminal (117), both formed on said other surface (101b) of said base film (101); an LED (204) connected to said LED-mounting circuit (116) and said connecting terminal (117); said interdigitating electrode contacts (105, 106) disposed between said signal circuit (113) and said land pattern (114) and extending therebetween; said dome-shaped click spring (109); and said opening (126) formed in said layer (151).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 30 words
The membrane switch unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that each of said window (108) and said opening (126) has a circular shape in cross section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 38 words
The membrane switch unit according to claim 3, characterised in that said click spring (109) has a diameter (D2) and said opening (126) has a smaller inner diameter (D3) than said diameter (D2) of said click spring (109).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 29 words
The membrane switch unit according to claim 4, charactrised in that said window (108) has an inner diameter (D1) smaller than said inner diameter (D3) of said opening (126).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 36 words
The membrane switch unit according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterised in that said inner diameter (D3) of said opening (126) is 10% to 20% smaller than said diameter (D1) of said click spring (126).

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