Tactile keys and methods for their production and use

A method to produce a tactile key, the method comprising:

• providing a conductive layer on at least one region of a substrate;
• providing a porous layer on at least a portion of the conductive layer;
• providing an insulating layer on regions of the substrate that surround the conductive layer and the porous layer to form a well, wherein the well comprises sidewalls defined by the insulating layer, and a bottom surface at least partially defined by the porous layer;
• adding an electroactive polymer composition to the well;
• and
• covering the well and at least a portion of the insulating layer that surrounds the well with a flexible layer, wherein the flexible layer includes a conductive coating on at least a portion of a surface that faces the electroactive polymer composition.

A method to provide a tactile feedback with a device that comprises at least one tactile key, the method comprising:

• providing the at least one tactile key, wherein the at least one tactile key comprises:
• a substrate;
• a conductive layer disposed on at least one region of the substrate;
• a porous layer disposed on at least a portion of the conductive layer;
• an insulating layer disposed on regions of the substrate that surround the conductive layer and the porous layer to form a well, wherein the well comprises sidewalls defined by the insulating layer, and a bottom surface at least partially defined by the porous layer;
• an electroactive polymer composition disposed in the well;
• and
• a flexible layer that includes a conductive coating on at least a portion of a surface that faces the electroactive polymer composition, wherein the flexible layer covers the well and at least a portion of the insulating layer that surrounds the well,
• forming a closed circuit between the conductive coating of the flexible layer, and the conductive layer in response to depression of the at least one tactile key;
• activating an electric field across the electroactive polymer composition of the tactile key in response to formation of the closed circuit, and
• responsive to the activated electric field;
• urging the electroactive polymer composition disposed in the well to move towards the flexible layer to provide the tactile feedback.