Patent Grant
7199321
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a metal dome switch, more specifically, to an improved metal dome switch.
2. Description of the Related Art
Taiwanese Utility Model Patent Application Publication No. 420,370 discloses a conventional metal dome switch. As shown in
Once the roof portion 91 is pressed down, it abuts against the domed portion 711 of the metal spring plate 71, allowing the domed portion 711 to be in contact with the bump 82 of the circuit board 8. The positive electrode of the circuit board 8 is electrically connected with the winglet 713 via the bump 81, allowing the positive electrode to be electrically connected with the negative electrode via the downwardly pressed metal spring plate 71.
However, when the conventional switch 7 is pressed down, the bumps 81, 82 for connecting the positive electrode and the negative electrode are required for the circuit board 8 to be electrically connected with the metal spring plate 71. Such an arrangement needs more parts and causes a higher cost. Moreover, the wing 712 which lacks proper flexibility deforms under the stress from the domed portion 711 and will probably be damaged or even fractured after being used for a long time. Besides, a positioning jig is required when the sticker 72 is manually attached to the metal spring plate 71, increasing the manufacture cost.
Therefore, in view of the above drawbacks of the prior switch, the inventor proposes the present invention to overcome the above problems based on his deliberate researches and related principles.
The object of the present invention is to provide an integrally formed metal dome switch, which is directly contacting with the circuit board, which is integrally formed of a metal sheet for reducing manufactured element due to reduce the cost. Additionally, the metal dome switch provides an integrally formed mountable surface for reducing manufactured element due to reduce the cost.
To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a metal dome switch comprises a touch element protruding from a center thereof; a connecting element integrally extended from a periphery of the touch element; and a mountable surface integrally formed on the touch element; whereby the metal dome switch integrally formed of the touch element, the connecting element and the mountable surface.
The characteristics and the technical content of the present invention will be further understood in view of the detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to
Four positioning bumps 21 provided around an anode (not shown) mounted on a circuit board 2. Each of positioning bumps 21 has an L-shape and respectively formed at each corner of the square periphery of the fixing portion 121, forming a square pattern. Each corner of the fixing portion 121 abuts against the corresponding positioning bump 21, and thus the fixing portion 121 aligns with the anode on the circuit board 2 and is connected with the anode. In this way, the metal dome switch 1 is directly mounted on the circuit board 2 with the aid of the fixing portion 12.
Once the touch element 11 is pressed down, it will be in direct contact with a cathode (not shown) mounted on the circuit board 2. Since the circuit board 2 is in contact with the touch element 11 and fixing portion 121, the anode and cathode on the circuit board are electrically connected. Additionally, when the flexible portions 122 are pushed by the touch element 11, they will flexibly deform to prevent the connecting element 12 from being damaged.
The metal dome switch 1 is in direct contact with the circuit board 2 without conventional bumps for connecting with the anode and cathode, and therefore the manufacturing process can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. Furthermore, the mountable surface 13 is formed by punching right on the surface of the touch element 11 and such a mountable surface is similar with a conventional sticker attached on the conventional spring plate. Therefore, the manufacture cost can be reduced since there is no need to produce the sticker and attach it on the spring plate any more. Meanwhile, the connecting element 12 is flexibly mounted on the circuit board 2, and thus it can effectively avoid the fracture of the metal dome switch when the metal dome switch is pressed down. Additionally, due to the positioning bump 21 mounted on the circuit board 2, the metal dome switch 1 can be readily mounted on the circuit board 2.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the aforementioned preferred embodiment, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various equivalent variations and modifications can still occur by those skilled in this art in view of the teachings of the present invention. Thus, all such variations and equivalent modifications are also included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2604316 | O'Brien et al. | Jul 1952 | A |
| 3133170 | Nanninga | May 1964 | A |
| 4005293 | Boulanger | Jan 1977 | A |
| 4029916 | Chu | Jun 1977 | A |
| 4084071 | Smith | Apr 1978 | A |
| 4385218 | Nishida | May 1983 | A |
| 6664491 | Yanai et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
| 6951991 | Asada et al. | Oct 2005 | B2 |
| 7075020 | Asada | Jul 2006 | B2 |
