The invention relates to switch arrays for use in computer input devices and, more particularly, to keyboards and keypads.
Electronic switches are used to provide input to computer devices. Electronic switches generate signals in response to physical force. For example, a user may actuate an electronic switch by pressing a key. Pressing the key causes a force to be applied on an electronic membrane, which in turn causes the electronic membrane to generate an electronic signal. A computer keyboard is one common example of a switch array.
Many switch arrays, such as keyboards, include dome spring elements to provide a biasing force against individual keys. Dome spring elements provide tactile feedback to a user by providing a defined amount of resistance to key actuation. Moreover, dome spring elements may provide a “snapping” feel upon actuation, wherein the amount of resistance to key actuation drastically decreases after pressing the key past a threshold distance.
Dome spring elements can become contaminated, however, particularly if liquid collects under or within the dome spring elements. When this happens, the resistance of the spring can change, and the “snapping” feel can be lost. Moreover, individual spring elements can become stuck in an actuated position. These phenomena are often referred to as “sticky key” phenomena.
In general, the invention is directed to various apparatuses for use in switch arrays such as computer keyboards or keypads. In one embodiment, the invention provides an array of dome spring elements for use in a switch array. Each of the dome spring elements defines a chamber. A plurality of channels may interconnect the chambers of the dome spring elements such that each chamber of each dome spring element is in fluid communication with the chamber of at least one of the other dome spring elements. This is advantageous because it allows for key-to-key venting. In addition, the regions between the various dome spring elements may have no holes, thus providing a hermetic barrier to the back side of the individual dome spring elements. This is advantageous because the array of dome spring elements can seal off the individual dome spring elements from the outside environment to avoid the sticky key phenomenon.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a set of alignment elements for use in a switch array. The set of alignment elements may include a bottom layer defining holes for aligning with spring elements, and a top layer engaged with the bottom layer. The top layer is biased away from the bottom layer upon protrusion of spring elements through the holes in the bottom layer. The top and bottom layers may be films that include hook-like elements that engage one another. In this manner, the top and bottom layers can define a predetermined amount of key travel. Moreover, the predetermined amount of key travel may be less than the amount of key travel of conventional keyboards that implement scissors hinges. In addition, the set of alignment elements can provide resistance to key rocking.
One or more aspects of the invention may be used to realize thinner keyboards, and or keyboards that have fewer elements. For example, in one embodiment, the top layer of the set of alignment elements defines keys without the use of additional keycaps. In addition, the invention may provide easier keyboard manufacturing and assembly, and therefore, may lower production costs associated with the manufacturing of keyboards. Also, the invention may result in switch arrays that are flexible, rollable, washable, submersible, or otherwise more useful for various applications.
Additional details of various embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects and advantages will become apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
In general, the invention provides elements for use in switch arrays such as keyboards. For example, in one embodiment, the invention is directed to an array of dome spring elements for use in a switch array. The regions between the respective dome spring elements may have no holes, sealing off the individual dome spring elements from the outside environment. Each of the dome spring elements defines a chamber. A plurality of channels may interconnect the chambers of the dome spring elements such that each chamber of each dome spring element is in fluid communication with the chamber of at least one of the other dome spring elements. For example, upon actuation of one of the dome spring elements, air, or another fluid, may be forced through at least one of the channels. In this manner, fluid can be vented between dome spring elements. In other words, when one dome spring element is actuated by depression of a key, it expels air, or another fluid, into one or more adjacent dome spring elements to redistribute the fluid to idle dome spring elements.
In another embodiment, the invention is directed to an apparatus for use in a switch array having spring elements. The apparatus may be a set of alignment elements. The apparatus may include a bottom layer defining holes for aligning with spring elements, and a top layer engaged with the bottom layer and biased away from the bottom layer upon protrusion of the spring elements through the holes in the bottom layer. The spring elements may be an array of dome spring elements as described above. The apparatus may perform a function similar to conventional scissors hinges used in keyboards. The bottom layer may be a bottom hook film formed with holes for aligning with spring elements. The spring elements may protrude upward through an array of holes defined by the bottom hook film. Top layer may include a plurality of top hook films mechanically engaged with the bottom layer. Each top hook film is biased upward and away from the bottom hook film by one of the spring elements. Alternatively, the top layer may include substantially rigid elements and elastic regions between the rigid elements. Each rigid element can be biased by one of the spring elements of a switch array.
The array of dome spring elements 10 may have no holes in the regions between the respective dome spring elements 12. In other words, the sheet-like member 11 may be a continuous sheet in the regions between the respective dome spring elements. This may ensure that liquid, e.g., spilled on the array of dome spring elements 10, cannot collect under or within the dome spring elements 12. In this manner, the sheet-like member 11 provides a barrier to the backside of the individual dome spring elements 12 to ensure that the sticky key phenomenon is avoided.
Again, channel 14 may be a groove on the bottom major surface of the sheet-like member 11, or alternatively, channel 14 may be contained within the bottom major surface and the top major surface of the sheet-like member 11. For example, if channel 14 is a groove on the bottom major surface of the sheet-like member 11, the groove may form the top part of a passageway when the array of dome spring elements 10 is placed on substantially flat surface. In that case, the substantially flat surface may form the bottom part of the passageway. An array of dome spring elements can be fabricated as described below.
An array of dome spring elements 10 can be formed, e.g., by compression molding using a dual-sided tool. Synprene thermoplastic elastomer (supplied by PolyOne of Cleveland, Ohio), with a durometer of 40, can be heated to 150 degrees Celsius and injected into a mold at a pressure of approximately 1,100,000 Pascals (approximately 160 pounds per square inch), for two minutes. The pressure can then be increased to approximately 2,300,000 Pascals (approximately 350 pounds per square inch) for an additional five minutes. The result is a sheet-like array of molded dome spring elements 10. The array can be sized for use in a keyboard, or sized much larger and cut into smaller sheets for use in keyboards, keypads, membrane switches, or other input devices.
For example, a user may actuate an electronic switch by pressing the key cap 35A. Scissors hinge 34A directs the user actuated force in a direction perpendicular to the major surface of the array of dome spring elements 10 causing dome spring element 12A to be depressed. Air, or another fluid, may flow through channel 14 as the dome spring element 12A is depressed. In this manner, air can be vented between the respective chambers of dome spring elements 12A and 12B. Moreover, depressing dome spring element 12A may cause a force to be applied on an electronic membrane 32, which in turn causes the electronic membrane 32 to generate an electronic signal. For example, a depressed dome spring element may short the electronic membrane 32, causing the electronic membrane to generate the electronic signal. The electronic signal may cause a computer to display the letter Q, corresponding to key cap 35A. The electronic membrane may include a single electronic layer which is shorted by the dome elements, a sandwich layer or membrane of sensor elements, capacitance sensor elements, Hall effect sensor elements, piezo sensor elements, or the like. Alternatively, mechanical signals, optical signals, or the like could be generated. In addition, in other configurations, multiple dome spring elements could be associated with a single key.
Conventional keyboards generally make use of scissors hinges to direct user actuated force onto an electronic membrane in the direction perpendicular to the major surface of the electronic membrane. Conventional keyboards form scissors hinge mounting elements on the base plate. For example, the base plate is usually machined to include mounting brackets for scissors hinges. The brackets on the base plate protrude through holes on the electronic membrane. Moreover, the brackets on the base plate may protrude through the array of dome spring elements. Therefore, conventional keyboards require dome spring elements to be either separate discrete elements, or to form an array of dome spring elements with holes in the regions between the dome spring elements.
However, discrete separate dome spring elements and arrays of dome spring elements with holes between the dome spring elements do not provide a hermetic barrier to the bottom sides of the dome spring elements. For this reason, in conventional keyboards, liquid may be able to collect under or within the dome spring elements, resulting in the sticky key phenomenon.
As shown in
As shown in
The hook films illustrated in
Top and bottom hook films 61 and 62 may direct user actuated force to ensure that dome spring element 12 becomes depressed in response to the user actuated force. In addition, top and bottom hook films 61, 62 may provide resistance to rocking of individual switches, and may ensure that individual switches are held in place and properly aligned with individual dome spring elements. In this manner, top and bottom hook films 61 and 62 can replace conventional scissors hinges in a switch array.
Top and bottom hook films 61 and 62 provide several advantages over conventional scissors hinges. For example, hook films can be fabricated at relatively low cost by extrusion or injection molding. Moreover, assembly of switch arrays can be simplified significantly by replacing discrete scissors hinges with top and bottom hook films 61, 62. The hook films 61, 62 can be engaged simply by sliding or snapping then together such that hook-like elements 63 overlap one another to provide an interlocking arrangement. Moreover, the machining of scissors hinge mounting brackets, e.g., on the base plate, is avoided. In addition, top and bottom hook films 61 and 62 may realize thinner switch arrays by reducing the amount of key travel and reducing the number of layers in the switch array.
In a switch array, top hook films 61A, 61B may function as the keys that are depressed by a user. In this manner, thinner switch arrays, and/or switch arrays having fewer elements can be realized. Alternatively, additional keycaps (not shown) may be attached to the respective top hook films 61A, 61B to be depressed by a user. In addition, in other embodiments, multiple dome spring elements protrude through the same hole. In that case, the multiple dome spring elements that protrude through the same hold may be associated with the same switch of a switch array.
In the embodiment illustrated in
Another way to prevent lateral movement of top hook films 61A–61H relative to bottom hook film 62 is to form regions (not shown) in bottom hook film 62. A region may define an area for placement of a top hook film 61 to limit the lateral motion of top hook film 61 relative to bottom hook film 62 when the films are engaged. For example, the hook-like elements of bottom hook film 62 could be heat sealed or crushed by a die in selected places to form the regions. Regions could be created in bottom hook film 62 to define the area for placement of each top hook film 61.
A melt processable ethylene-propylene copolymer (7C55H or 7C06 supplied by Union Carbide Corporation, now Dow Chemical Corp. of Midland, Mich.) can be fed into a single screw extruder (supplied by Davis Standard Corporation of Pawcatuck Conn.) having a diameter of approximately 6.35 centimeters (2.5 inches), a length/diameter ratio of 24/1, and a temperature profile that steadily increases from approximately 175–232 degrees Celsius (350–450 degrees Fahrenheit). The polymer can be continuously discharged at a pressure of at least 690,000 Pascals (100 pounds per square inch) through a necktube heated to 232 degrees Celsius (450 degrees Fahrenheit) and into a 20-centimeter wide (8-inch wide) MasterFlex LD-40 film die (supplied by Production Components of Eau Claire, Wis.), maintained at a temperature of 232 degrees Celsius (450 degrees Fahrenheit). The die may have a die lip configured to form a polymeric hook film having hook-like elements forming a self-mating profile as shown in
The film can be extruded from the die and drop-cast at about 3 meters/minute (10 feet/minute) into a quench tank maintained at 10–21 degrees Celsius (50–70 degrees Fahrenheit) for a residence time of at least 10 seconds. The quench medium may be water with 0.1–1.0% by weight of a surfactant, Ethoxy CO-40 (a polyoxyethylene caster oil available from Ethox Chemicals, LLC of Greenville, S.C.), to increase wet-out of the hydrophobic polyolefin materials.
The quenched film can then be air-dried and collected in 91–137 meter rolls (100–150 yard rolls). The film may have a uniform base film caliper of approximately 0.0356+/−0.005 centimeters (0.014+/−0.002 inches), a hook element width (the distance between the outermost ends of the hook element arms, measured in a plane parallel to the base of the film) of about 0.1524+/−0.005 centimeters (0.060+/−0.002 inches). The film may have an extruded basis weight of approximately 700 grams/square meter. The vertical travel permitted may be approximately 0.094 centimeters (0.037 inches). In a separate operation, the extruded films can be annealed to flatten the base sheet by passage over a smooth cast roll maintained at approximately 93 degrees Celsius (200 degrees Fahrenheit), and then wound onto 15.24 centimeter cores (6 inch cores) to minimize web-curl.
Bottom layer 52 is formed with holes 45A–45B for aligning with dome spring elements 12A and 12B. Top layer 51 includes rigid elements 71A and 71B and elastic regions 73 between the respective rigid elements 71A and 71B. Each rigid element 71A and 71B may cover one of the holes 45A and 45B when the top and bottom layers 51, 52 are engaged. For example, in one embodiment, the top and bottom layers 51, 52 are top and bottom hook films as described above. Key caps 35A and 35B may be placed on top of the rigid elements 71A and 71B, or alternatively, rigid elements 71A and 71B may function as keys without keycaps.
Referring now to
For example, the respective devices in
Moreover, the switch arrays in the respective devices in
The various devices of
A number of implementations and embodiments of the invention have been described. For instance, an array of dome spring elements for use in a switch array has been described. In the array of dome spring elements, the chambers of each dome spring element may be connected by at least one channel to the chamber of another dome spring element. In addition, a set of alignment elements for use in a switch array having spring elements has been described. Switch arrays implementing various aspects of the invention may avoid the sticky key phenomenon and may reduce the thickness of the switch array. Moreover, assembly of switch arrays can be simplified, thereby reducing manufacturing and production costs.
Nevertheless, it is understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the invention could be implemented in other switch arrays, such as switch arrays on an instrument panel of an aircraft, watercraft or motor vehicle, or switch arrays in appliances, water-proof devices, submersible devices, or musical instruments. In addition, the top and bottom layers could be engaged by interlocking elements other than hook-like elements. Accordingly, other implementations and embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2424527 | Whyte et al. | Jul 1947 | A |
3133170 | Nanninga | May 1964 | A |
3266113 | Flanagan, Jr. | Aug 1966 | A |
3707609 | Dapot et al. | Dec 1972 | A |
3879835 | Brumlik | Apr 1975 | A |
3896283 | Hayden | Jul 1975 | A |
4056700 | Stannek | Nov 1977 | A |
4109118 | Kley | Aug 1978 | A |
4146767 | Murata | Mar 1979 | A |
4194105 | Hodges | Mar 1980 | A |
4249044 | Larson | Feb 1981 | A |
4290832 | Kalleberg | Sep 1981 | A |
4349712 | Michalski | Sep 1982 | A |
4385219 | Finlayson | May 1983 | A |
4421958 | Kameda | Dec 1983 | A |
4423294 | Walser et al. | Dec 1983 | A |
4463234 | Bennewitz | Jul 1984 | A |
4500758 | Guckenheimer | Feb 1985 | A |
4508942 | Inaba | Apr 1985 | A |
4862499 | Jekot et al. | Aug 1989 | A |
4894060 | Nestegard | Jan 1990 | A |
5119531 | Berger et al. | Jun 1992 | A |
5235731 | Anzai et al. | Aug 1993 | A |
5396687 | Osterman | Mar 1995 | A |
5398387 | Torigoe et al. | Mar 1995 | A |
5457297 | Chen | Oct 1995 | A |
5505747 | Chesley et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
5514843 | Wilfong et al. | May 1996 | A |
5630501 | Tsay | May 1997 | A |
5666112 | Crowley et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5742242 | Sellers | Apr 1998 | A |
5760351 | Tsai | Jun 1998 | A |
5812116 | Malhi | Sep 1998 | A |
5847337 | Chen | Dec 1998 | A |
5874700 | Hochgesang | Feb 1999 | A |
5879088 | English | Mar 1999 | A |
5898145 | Su | Apr 1999 | A |
5967298 | Watanabe et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
6064019 | Buchan et al. | May 2000 | A |
6073341 | Odorfer | Jun 2000 | A |
6100478 | LaPointe et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6130593 | Van Zeeland | Oct 2000 | A |
6137072 | Martter et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6144003 | Kamishima | Nov 2000 | A |
6178619 | Tai | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6633641 | Mushika et al. | Oct 2003 | B1 |
6690360 | Johnston et al. | Feb 2004 | B1 |
20020163503 | Johnston et al. | Nov 2002 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
32 18 404 | Nov 1983 | DE |
298 11 378 | Jun 1998 | DE |
198 19 693 | Nov 1999 | DE |
200 02 680 | Jun 2000 | DE |
200 09 377 | Sep 2000 | DE |
200 09 919 | Sep 2000 | DE |
200 16 887 | Feb 2001 | DE |
0 942 444 | Sep 1999 | EP |
1 001 443 | May 2000 | EP |
1 024 510 | Aug 2000 | EP |
1 056 107 | Nov 2000 | EP |
1065687 | Jan 2001 | EP |
WO 9839785 | Sep 1998 | WO |
WO 0158302 | Aug 2001 | WO |
WO 0158780 | Aug 2001 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20020163451 A1 | Nov 2002 | US |