Patent EP0613157A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0613157A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Membrane switch and air bag assembly including it
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
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Filing: 1994-02-15
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2014-02-15
Abstract
Abstract A membrane switch (10) including first and second substantially flexible electrical contacts (18) and a first layer (22) of dielectric material deposited between and on one surface of one of the first or second contacts. the first layer (22) is deposited in a pre-determined geometric pattern including a plurality of cells (30) defined by cell walls (32). The cell walls (32) are broken in pre-determined positions about their perimeter so that during and after actuation of the switch air within a cell (30) between the first and second contacts (18) can vent to one or more adjoining cells (30) to enable activation and prevent a vacuum from forming between the first and second contacts (18) thereby enabling the switch to break contact after being depressed. Such a switch (10) is particularly useful to overlie an air bag (44) mounted in the centre of a steering wheel and to operate a horn and other accessories.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph L. Asta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:52
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q5/00; B60Q5/001; B60Q5/003; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/203; H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/14; H01H3/141
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A membrane switch comprising first and second substantially flexible electrical contact means (18, 20) and a first layer of dielectric material (22) deposited between and on one surface of one of said first or second contact means (18), said first layer (22) being deposited in a pre-determined geometric pattern including a plurality of cells (30) defined by cell walls (32).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A membrane switch according to claim 1, wherein said cell walls (32) are broken in pre-determined positions (34) about the perimeter of each cell (30) so that, during and after actuation of said switch, air within any cell (30) between said first and second contact means (18) can vent to one or more adjoining cells (30) to enable activation and prevent a vacuum from forming between said first and second contact means (18) thereby enabling said switch to break contact after being depressed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A membrane switch as defined in claim 2, wherein said geometric pattern includes a series of hexagons defining a plurality of cells (30) where each of the six sides of the hexagons are broken proximate a mid-point thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A membrane switch as defined in any preceding claim, wherein said first and second contact means are provided by depositing a conductive layer of material (18) on a respective first and second flexible substrate (20).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
A membrane switch as defined in any preceding claim, including a second layer of dielectric material (22) deposited on the surface of the other of said first and second contact means opposite said first layer (22), said second layer (22) being deposited in a pre-determined geometric pattern substantially identical to said first layer and wherein said cell walls (32) of said first and second layers are in alignment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A membrane switch as defined in any preceding claim, wherein said first and second electrical contact means are secured about their perimeters with an adhesive (16) to environmentally protect the switch contacts (18) by preventing infiltration of the elements there-between.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A membrane switch as defined in any preceding claim, wherein a resilient member (46) is provided on an exterior surface of at least one of said first and second contact means (18, 20) to distribute both mechanical and electrical switch loads over more than one cell (30).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
137 words
A membrane switch (10), comprising: first substantially flexible electrical contact means (18, 20); second electrical contact means (18, 20); and a first layer of dielectric material (22) deposited between and on one surface of said first or second contact means, said first layer (22) being deposited in a pre-determined geometric pattern including a plurality of cells (30) defined by cell walls (32), said cell walls (32) being broken in pre-determined positions (34) about the perimeter of each cell (30) so that, during and after actuation of said switch, air within any cell (30) between said first and second contact means (18) can vent to one or more adjoining cells (30) to enable activation and prevent a vacuum from forming between said first and second contact means (18) thereby enabling said switch to break contact after being depressed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
133 words
An air bag assembly (40), comprising: housing means (42) having at least one opening there-through; air bag means (44) mounted within said housing means (42); an outer cover member (46) enclosing said at least one opening in said housing (42) and securing said air bag means (44) therein, said outer cover (46) capable of enabling release of said air bag means (44) through said opening in said housing (42) when activated; and a membrane switch means (10) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, mounted between said air bag means (44) and said outer cover (46) which can be activated by a user through said outer cover (46), enable unimpeded deployment of said air bag means (44) while preventing damage to said air bag means (44) and injury to a user.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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