US 6,636,164 B1 · Key structure for the user interface of an electrical device

Abstract

A key structure used in the user interface of an electrical device comprises a plate-like member (301) which comprises electrical couplings for transforming keystrokes into electrical signals, and an electrically conducting dome-like member (303) on the plate-like member. This dome-like member is arranged to have such suitable elastic characteristics that it is at least partly pressed against the plate-like member when a pressing force substantially perpendicular towards the plate-like member acts on the dome-like member, and to return to the dome-like position when the pressing force is removed. The key structure further comprises a button member (304) made of an electrically isolating material and being located on the dome-like member. The key structure is characterised in that the elastic deformation of the button member due to the pressing force is substantially similar to that of the dome-like member.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A key structure used in the user interface of an electrical device, the key structure comprising:

A plate member which comprises electrical couplings for transforming keystrokes into electrical signals;
An electrically conducting dome member on said plate member resting against said plate member, which dome member is arranged to have such suitable elastic characteristics that it is at least partly pressed against the plate member when a pressing force substantially perpendicular towards the plate member acts on the dome member, and to return to the dome position when the pressing force is removed;
and
A button member made of an electrically isolating material and being on top of said dome member, wherein a lower edge of said button member is contiguously engaged with the surface of said dome member and said dome member is covered in total by said button member, and said button member is arranged to undergo an elastic deformation due to said pressing force in the same manner as said dome member.

1 more element

A keypad of the user interface of an electrical device, the keypad comprising:

a plate member which comprises electrical couplings for transforming keystrokes into electrical signals;
electrically conducting dome members on said plate member resting against said plate member, whereby each of the dome members is arranged to have such suitable elastic characteristics that it is at least partly pressed against the plate member when a pressing force substantially perpendicular towards the plate member acts on the dome member, and to return to the dome position when the pressing force is removed;
button members made of an electrically isolating material and being on top of said dome members, and
a cover member covering said plate member and the surface of said cover member defining a hole at least at the location of each button member, wherein
lower edges of said button members are contiguously engaged with the surfaces of said dome members and said dome members are covered in total by said button members, and said button members are arranged to undergo an elastic deformation due to the effect of said pressing force in the same manner as said dome members, and
a combination of said button members, said cover member and said plate member is arranged to form a substantially planar body with a uniform thickness.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Key structure for the user interface of an electrical device

Life of this patent

Key structure for the user interface of an electrical device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20