Keypad structure with inverted domes
AssigneeNokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
InventorsTerho Kaikuranta, Bror Svarfvar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A keypad is disclosed for a portable electronic device. The keypad comprises an outer surface and a number of pressable keys (402). Associated with each key there is a pair of conductive contact points (501, 502, 611, 612, 620, 621, 622, 1106) separated from each other. A plurality of elastic domes (1103) is located next to the conductive contact points. For each pair of conductive contact points (501, 502, 611, 612, 620, 621, 622, 1106) there is an adjacent elastic dome (1103) having a concave side and a convex side, of which the concave side is at least partially conductive and directed towards the pair of conductive contact points. The concave sides of the plurality of elastic domes (1103) are directed towards the outer surface of the keypad.
Claims13
A keypad for a portable electronic device, comprising:
- an outer surface,
- an elastic key mat having a number of pressable keys,
- associated with each key, a pair of conductive contact points separated from each other and
- a dome sheet including a plurality of elastic domes, each next to individual pairs of the conductive contact points;
- and
- a flexible printed circuit material between the dome sheet and the elastic key mat, the flexile printed circuit material including the conductive contact points;
- wherein for each pair of conductive contact points there is an adjacent elastic dome having a concave side and convex side, of which the concave side is at least partially conductive and directed towards the pair of conductive contact points and towards the outer surface of the keypad.
A keypad for a portable electronic device, comprising:
- a rigid mechanical support structure having a plurality of protrusions;
- an elastically deformable dome sheet having a first side and a second side, and including a plurality of conductive domes oriented to bulge away from the second side toward the support structure, such that each of the plurality of protrusions provides a point contact between the support structure and each of the plurality of domes;
- a flexible printed circuit foil having conductive strips at locations corresponding to locations of the plurality of domes on a surface of the foil contacting the first side of the dome sheet;
- an elastic key mat adjacent to a surface of the foil that does not contact the first side of the dome sheet;
- and
- an illumination device positioned in a space between the elastic key mat and the foil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.