Industrial membrane switch
US4376239A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 1982 |
| Grant date | Mar 8, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H13/705
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electrical switch is provided with a switch operator having a resilient pad on its distal end, the operator being mounted for axial movement in an operator housing to actuate contacts deposited in a double spiral pattern on a substrate coupled to the operator housing. The operator tip is moved first to contact the front side of a flexible membrane which is separated from the contacts by a spacer. The operator pad is then moved further to deflect the membrane and close the gap formed between the shorting patch and the switch contacts, the travel of the operator and the action of the pad providing a sensation of feel to the user. The switch is constructed in single units and in arrays.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.