Abstract:
A contact structure for a switch that ensures stable electrical connection. The contact structure includes a substrate. A first fixed contact and a second fixed contact are arranged on the substrate and spaced from each other. An elastically deformable movable contact engages and disengages the first and second fixed contacts. The movable contact includes a recess. A conductive member is arranged on the movable contact for electrically connecting the first and second fixed contacts when the movable contact engages the first and second fixed contacts.
Abstract:
A method of forming a switching device having a movable contact that is an integral part of a metallic support substrate and is supported above the support substrate by a plurality of spring-like legs that are also an integral part of the support substrate. One or more of the switching devices is produced by forming one or more groups of curved, unconnected radially extending slots in a metallic substrate to define support legs, plastically deforming the legs defined by the slots past their elastic limit, and then precipitation hardening the complete structure. The slots can be formed by a photomasking technique followed by an acid etch with the etch being performed from both sides of the metallic support substrate. To provide a desired tactile response characteristic, and to assure movement of a central portion of the switching device past the plane of the metallic support substrate, a portion of each of the legs defined by the slots may be removed to thin that portion of each leg. The plastic deformation may be performed in a male-female die mechanism.
Abstract:
A keyboard switch device comprising rows and columns of intersecting wires conductors held taut and normally spaced slightly from each other by a separator sheet of non-conducting material having openings therein aligned with the intersections of at least certain of the conductors. The conductors are engaged by depressing different keys aligned with the conductor intersections and a relatively thick layer of soft elastomeric materialis interposed between the keys and conductors to normally hold the keys in raised position and to transmit pressure from the keys to engage the conductors. By merely changing the sizes, shapes and positions of the openings, the switching device can be made to produce different output coded signals. Also, by changing the configuration of the various rows and columns of conductors different switch matrix patterns can be produced.
Abstract:
A commutating circuit breaker that progressively inserts increasing resistance into a circuit via physical motion of a shuttle that is linked into the circuit by at least one set of sliding electrical contacts on the shuttle that connect the power through the moving shuttle to a sequence of different resistive paths with increasing resistance; the motion of the shuttle can be either linear or rotary. At no point are the sliding stator electrodes separated from the matching stationary stator electrodes so as to generate a powerful arc, which minimizes damage to the sliding stator electrodes. Instead, the current is commutated from one resistive path to the next with small enough changes in resistance at each step that arcing is suppressed. The variable resistance can either be within the moving shuttle, or the shuttle can comprise a commutating shuttle that moves the current over a series of stationary resistors.
Abstract:
A commutating circuit breaker that progressively inserts increasing resistance into a circuit via physical motion of a shuttle that is linked into the circuit by at least one set of sliding electrical contacts on the shuttle that connect the power through the moving shuttle to a sequence of different resistive paths with increasing resistance; the motion of the shuttle can be either linear or rotary. At no point are the sliding stator electrodes separated from the matching stationary stator electrodes so as to generate a powerful arc, which minimizes damage to the sliding stator electrodes. Instead, the current is commutated from one resistive path to the next with small enough changes in resistance at each step that arcing is suppressed. The variable resistance can either be within the moving shuttle, or the shuttle can comprise a commutating shuttle that moves the current over a series of stationary resistors.
Abstract:
A control device for switches with silicone domes comprising actuator means (10) which act on silicone domes (13) associated with metallic means adapted to close and selectively open electric contacts of a printed circuit activators characterized in that between each actuator means (10) and the respective silicone dome (13) a metallic plate (11) is positioned which rests one side on the dome (13) and the other on the printed circuit (15) and upon which said actuator means act.
Abstract:
A switching device having a movable contact that is an integral part of a metallic support substrate and is supported above the support substrate by a plurality of spring-like support legs that are also an integral part of the support substrate. The support legs extend radially outward from the movable contact and contact the substrate and the movable contact at equally spaced points. The movable contact is aligned with either a stationary contact or another movable contact and a stationary contact to provide either single or multiple switching. The switching device can be used for contact switching or capacitive switching. A plurality of the switching devices can be formed on the support substrate making the switching device particularly well suited for use in a keyboard. A portion of each support leg may be thinned to provide a negative force-displacement characteristic which provides a good tactile feedback signal indicating switching.One or more of the switching devices are produced by forming one or more groups of curved, unconnected, radially extending slots in a metallic substrate, deforming the legs defined by the slots past their elastic limit, and then, if desired, precipitation hardening the completed structure. To assure movement of the central area of the movable contact past the plane of the support substrate, a portion of each of the legs is thinned prior to the legs being plastically deformed.
Abstract:
The disclosure relates generally to key assemblies employed in electrical switch operating keyboard devices and more particularly to the assembly of parts forming an individual depressible key of such a keyboard. Each key assembly is composed of parts cooperatively interfitting to provide both a low profile for the keyboard as well as a bifurcated electrical contact provision. Included in each key assembly is a pair of coiled springs of different diameters which are coaxially and overlappingly related to one another. The smaller diameter spring of the pair is a double rate spring and as such is formed with two longitudinal sections of different helical pitches for conveying forces employed to depress the key to the switch associated with the assembly to effect closure of the same, as well as for substantially reducing if not eliminating a detrimental contact ''''bounce'''' encountered in the operation of such assemblies. The force transmitting spring member acts through a terminal member shaped to provide a teetering motion in conjunction with the desired bifurcated action for assuring closure of the contacts. The assembly is composed of parts formed mainly of plastic material molded to shape and as such provides a durable, light-weight, and low cost structure.
Abstract:
A commutating circuit breaker that progressively inserts increasing resistance into a circuit via physical motion of a shuttle that is linked into the circuit by at least one set of sliding electrical contacts on the shuttle that connect the power through the moving shuttle to a sequence of different resistive paths with increasing resistance; the motion of the shuttle can be either linear or rotary. At no point are the sliding stator electrodes separated from the matching stationary stator electrodes so as to generate a powerful arc, which minimizes damage to the sliding stator electrodes. Instead, the current is commutated from one resistive path to the next with small enough changes in resistance at each step that arcing is suppressed. The variable resistance can either be within the moving shuttle, or the shuttle can comprise a commutating shuttle that moves the current over a series of stationary resistors.
Abstract:
An elastomeric switch is provided having self cleanings contacts. The switch includes a substrate and a switch actuator configured for reciprocating motion along an axis generally perpendicular to a surface of the substrate. A first switch contact, including a contact surface generally perpendicular to the actuator axis of motion is, carried by the switch actuator. A second switch contact is cantilevered from the surface of the substrate. Reciprocation of the actuator in a first direction toward the substrate acts to force the first contact against the distal end of the second contact. The two contacts are deflected together as result of further reciprocation of the actuator in the first direction. As the contacts are deflected, the distal end of the second contact is scraped across the contact surface of the first contact, thereby removing contaminants and other debris from the contact surface of the first contact. As the contacts are deflected, the second contact is mechanically biases against the first contact to eliminate contact bounce.