Patent · US Expired

Membrane switch with means for impeding silver migration

US4243852A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
4References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 16, 1979
Grant dateJan 6, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 16, 1999

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H2239/03
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A membrane switch has a first silver conductor formed on a flexible membrane and a second silver conductor formed on a substrate, which may also be a flexible membrane. A spacer is positioned between and adhesively secured to the substrate and membrane in such a way that there is an opening in the spacer in register with the first and second conductors. Pressure applied to the membrane moves it toward the substrate through the opening in the spacer to cause electrical contact between the first and second conductors. There are means for impeding migration of the silver between the first and second conductors which essentially consists of orienting the conductors so as to provide the longest possible path between portions thereof.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.