Foil-type switching element

US7064650B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A. · LU

Inventors

• Werner Bieck · Wiltingen, DE
• Yves Decoster · Ethe, BE
• Alain Schumacher · Igel, DE
• Thomas Schleeh · Schweich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 24, 2002
• Grant date: Jun 20, 2006
• Expiry date: May 24, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01H2239/078
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A foil-type switching element comprises a first carrier foil having a first electrode arrangement applied thereon and a second carrier foil having a second electrode arrangement applied thereon, said first and second carrier foils being arranged at a certain distance by means of a spacer in such a way that said first and second electrodes face each other in an active area of said switching element. At least said second electrode arrangement comprises a resistive layer which faces said first electrode arrangement. In response to a pressure acting on said switching element said first and second electrode arrangements are pressed together, the shape and/or the size of a mechanical contact surface between said first and second electrode arrangements being given by a mechanical response function depending on the amount of pressure applied. According to the invention, said resistive layer has a shape such that an electrical response function of said sensor is decoupled from said mechanical response function.