FR2616560A1 - Arrangement especially for a slim multi-function keyboard - Google Patents

Arrangement especially for a slim multi-function keyboard Download PDF

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Publication number
FR2616560A1
FR2616560A1 FR8708225A FR8708225A FR2616560A1 FR 2616560 A1 FR2616560 A1 FR 2616560A1 FR 8708225 A FR8708225 A FR 8708225A FR 8708225 A FR8708225 A FR 8708225A FR 2616560 A1 FR2616560 A1 FR 2616560A1
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FR
France
Prior art keywords
light
diffusing material
control member
recess
movable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
FR8708225A
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French (fr)
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FR2616560B1 (en
Inventor
Rene Veyrac
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mors SA
Original Assignee
Mors SA
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mors SA filed Critical Mors SA
Priority to FR8708225A priority Critical patent/FR2616560B1/en
Publication of FR2616560A1 publication Critical patent/FR2616560A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of FR2616560B1 publication Critical patent/FR2616560B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/83—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement especially for multi-function keyboards. This arrangement is characterised in that a part of the movable control element 5 is produced from a light-diffusing material, in that a recess 13 is formed in the support 7 at the periphery of the passage 6 for guiding the element 5 and in communication with the latter, in the region of the part made of light-diffusing material of the element 5, a light source 14 such as a light-emitting diode is placed in this recess 13 so that its light ray is oriented perpendicularly to the axis of the control element 5 and can penetrate laterally into the latter so as to light up the said part uniformly. The invention relates to slim multi-function keyboards.

Description

La présente invention concerne un agencement notamment pour clavier multifonctions de faible épaisseur, comprenant au moins un organe mobile de commande guidé dans un passage percé dans un support telle qu'une plaque et destiné à fermer un contact électrique sous l'effet d'une pression exercée sur l'organe mobile, tel qu'un contact prévu sur la surface d'une plaque portant un circuit imprime. The present invention relates to an arrangement in particular for a multifunctional keyboard of small thickness, comprising at least one mobile control member guided in a passage drilled in a support such as a plate and intended to close an electrical contact under the effect of pressure. exerted on the movable member, such as a contact provided on the surface of a plate carrying a printed circuit.

Les agencements connus pour clavier multifonctions de faible épaisseur, du type qui vient d'être énoncé, ne permettent pas sur l'organe de commande des indications lumineuses quant à leurs fonctions et, le cas échéant, leur état de commande. The known arrangements for thin multifunctional keyboard, of the type which has just been stated, do not allow on the control member light indications as to their functions and, where appropriate, their control state.

La présente invention a donc pour objectif de palier à cet inconvénient. The present invention therefore aims to overcome this drawback.

Pour atteindre son but, l'agencement selon l'invention est caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une partie dudit organe mobile est réalisée en un matériau diffuseur de lumière, qu'un évidement est pratiqué dans le support à la périphérie dudit passage de guidage et en communication avec celui-ci, au niveau de la partie en matériau diffuseur de lumière de l'organe mobile, qu'une source lumineuse telle qu'une diode électroluminescente est placée dans cette évidement de façon que son rayon lumineux soit orienté perpendiculairement à l'axe de l'organe de commande et puisse pénétrer latéralement dans celui-ci pour éclairer uniformément cette partie. To achieve its object, the arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that at least part of said movable member is made of a light-diffusing material, that a recess is made in the support at the periphery of said guide passage and in communication with it, at the level of the light-diffusing material part of the movable member, that a light source such as a light-emitting diode is placed in this recess so that its light ray is oriented perpendicularly to the axis of the control member and can penetrate laterally therein to uniformly illuminate this part.

Selon une caractéristique avantageuse de l'invention l'organe mobile présente une forme sensiblement cylindrique et la source lumineuse est placée de façon à pouvoir pénétrer par la tranche de celui-ci.  According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the movable member has a substantially cylindrical shape and the light source is placed so as to be able to penetrate through the edge thereof.

Selon une autre caractéristique avantageuse de l'invention, le matériau diffuseur de lumière constituant l'organe mobile est choisi dans la famille des polyamides. According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the light-diffusing material constituting the movable member is chosen from the family of polyamides.

L'invention sera mieux comprise, et d'autres buts, caractéristiques, détails et avantages de celle-ci apparaîtront plus clairement au cours de la description explicative qui va suivre faite en référence aux dessins schématiques annexés donnés uniquement à titre d'exemple illustrant un mode de réalisation de l'invention, et dans lequel
- la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un clavier multifonctions agencés selon la présente invention, et
- la figure 2 est une vue en coupe avec arrachement, selon la ligne II-II de la figure 1.The invention will be better understood, and other objects, characteristics, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the explanatory description which follows, made with reference to the appended schematic drawings given solely by way of example illustrating a embodiment of the invention, and in which
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction keyboard arranged according to the present invention, and
- Figure 2 is a sectional view with cutaway, along line II-II of Figure 1.

En se référant à la figure 1, on constate qu'un clavier multifonctions agencé selon la présente invention comporte sur sa face avant de commande un certain nombre de zones de commande qui sont pourvues d'indications lumineuses relatives à leur fonction ou à leur état de commande ou de fonctionnement. Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that a multifunctional keyboard arranged according to the present invention comprises on its control front face a number of control zones which are provided with luminous indications relating to their function or to their state of control or operation.

La figure 2 illustre l'agencement qui permet d'obtenir cet effet particulier. Un clavier multifonctions selon la présente invention comporte à cette fin de la face avant de commande vers la face arrière du clavier une plaque 2 formant guide-doigt et pourvue d'un orifice 3 délimitant la zone de commande 1, un film 4 en matière flexible, légèrement déformable, par exemple en polycarbonate, et un organe mobile de commande 5 qui est guidé dans un passage 6 percé dans une plaque support 7 et porte à sa surface arrière un embout de commande 8 qui ferme un contact électrique, lorsque l'organe de commande 5 est enfoncé, ce contact étant réalisé sous forme d'une coupelle 9 prévue sur la surface avant d'une plaquette 10 portant un circuit imprimé.A l'état enfoncé de l'organe de commande 5 la coupelle est écrasée et établie un circuit électrique entre une ou plusieurs zones à sa périphérie et une partie centrale. Un intercalaire 11 est disposé sur la plaquette 10 à circuit imprimé et est recouvert d'un film flexible 12 en un matériau électriquement isolant, tel que du polyester. Figure 2 illustrates the arrangement that achieves this particular effect. A multifunctional keyboard according to the present invention comprises for this purpose from the front control face towards the rear face of the keyboard a plate 2 forming a finger guide and provided with an orifice 3 delimiting the control area 1, a film 4 made of flexible material. , slightly deformable, for example polycarbonate, and a movable control member 5 which is guided in a passage 6 drilled in a support plate 7 and carries on its rear surface a control end piece 8 which closes an electrical contact, when the member 5 is pressed, this contact being made in the form of a cup 9 provided on the front surface of a plate 10 carrying a printed circuit. In the pressed state of the control member 5 the cup is crushed and established an electrical circuit between one or more zones at its periphery and a central part. An interlayer 11 is disposed on the printed circuit board 10 and is covered with a flexible film 12 made of an electrically insulating material, such as polyester.

L'intercalaire 11 est découpé au niveau de la coupelle 9 pour permettre l'action de l'organe 8 sur celle-ci.The insert 11 is cut at the cup 9 to allow the action of the member 8 thereon.

Dans l'exemple représenté, l'organe de commande 5, de forme sensiblement cylindrique, est réalisé en un matériau diffuseur de lumière. Ce matériau est avantageusement choisi dans la famille des polyamides. In the example shown, the control member 5, of substantially cylindrical shape, is made of a light-diffusing material. This material is advantageously chosen from the family of polyamides.

La plaque support 7 présente à la périphérie de l'organe mobile 5 et en communication avec le passage de guidage 6 de celui-ci un évidement 13. Une source lumineuse telle qu'une diode électrolumineuse 14 est placée dans cet évidement 13 de façon que son rayon lumineux pénètre dans l'organe mobile diffuseur de lumière 5, par la tranche, à savoir la surface cylindrique périphérique de celui-ci. L'évidement 13 s'étend à partir de la face arrière de la plaque support 7 mais le traverse par cette plaque entièrement.The support plate 7 has at the periphery of the movable member 5 and in communication with the guide passage 6 thereof a recess 13. A light source such as a light-emitting diode 14 is placed in this recess 13 so that its light ray enters the mobile light-diffusing member 5, through the edge, namely the peripheral cylindrical surface of the latter. The recess 13 extends from the rear face of the support plate 7 but passes through it entirely through this plate.

Le clavier selon l'invention peut être conçu de façon que l'organe diffuseur 5 se déplace seulement légèrement par exemple de 0,4 millimètres, sous l'effet d'une pression de commande exercée sur le film 4 formant la face avant dans la zone de commande délimitée par l'orifice 3 dans le guide-doigt 2. The keyboard according to the invention can be designed so that the diffuser member 5 moves only slightly, for example 0.4 millimeters, under the effect of a control pressure exerted on the film 4 forming the front face in the control zone delimited by the opening 3 in the finger guide 2.

Pendant cette course l'organe de commande 5 peut être balayer par le rayon lumineux émis par la diode 14 reliée au circuit imprimé. During this race, the control member 5 can be swept by the light ray emitted by the diode 14 connected to the printed circuit.

On comprend aisément que l'agencement spécifique selon la présente invention permet un éclairage uniorme de l'organe mobile 5 dans toute la partie réalisée en matériau diffuseur. Bien entendu l'organe 5 peut être constitué dans son ensemble par ce matériau. Il est ainsi facile en prévoyant sur la surface avant de l'organe mobile des caches appropriés de faire en sorte que chaque zone de commande porte une indication lumineuse relative à sa fonction et/ou son état de fonctionnement, comme cela ressort de la figure 1. Malgré la présence de la source lumineuse 14, un clavier selon l'invention peut présenter une trèsfaible épaisseur par exemple de l'ordre de 3 à 15 millimètres, selon les dimensions des diodes et des guides-doigts.  It is easily understood that the specific arrangement according to the present invention allows uniform lighting of the movable member 5 throughout the part made of diffusing material. Of course the member 5 can be made up as a whole by this material. It is thus easy, by providing on the front surface of the movable member suitable covers to ensure that each control zone bears a light indication relating to its function and / or its operating state, as is apparent from FIG. 1 Despite the presence of the light source 14, a keyboard according to the invention can have a very small thickness, for example of the order of 3 to 15 millimeters, depending on the dimensions of the diodes and the finger guides.

Claims (3)

REVENDICATIONS 1. Agencement notamment pour clavier multifonctions de faible épaisseur, comprenant au moins un organe mobile de commande (5) guidé dans un passage (6) percé dans un support (7) telle qu'une plaque et destiné à fermer un contact électrique sous l'effet d'une pression exercée sur l'organe mobile (5), tel qu'un contact prévu sur la surface d!une plaque (10) portant un circuit imprimé et situé du côté arrière du clavier, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une partie dudit organe mobile (5) est réalisée en un matériau diffuseur de lumière, qu'un évidement (13) est pratiqué dans le support (7) à la périphérie du passage de guidage (6) et en communication avec celui-ci, au niveau de la partie en matériau diffuseur de lumière de l'organe (5), une source lumineuse (14) telle qutune diode électroluminescente est placée dans cet évidement (13) de façon que son rayon lumineux soit orienté perpendiculairement à l'axe de l'organe de commande (5) et puisse pénétrer latéralement dans celui-ci pour éclairer uniformément ladite partie. 1. Arrangement in particular for a multifunctional keyboard of small thickness, comprising at least one mobile control member (5) guided in a passage (6) drilled in a support (7) such as a plate and intended to close an electrical contact under the effect of a pressure exerted on the movable member (5), such as a contact provided on the surface of a plate (10) carrying a printed circuit and located on the rear side of the keyboard, characterized in that at at least a part of said movable member (5) is made of a light-diffusing material, that a recess (13) is made in the support (7) at the periphery of the guide passage (6) and in communication therewith , at the level of the light-diffusing material part of the member (5), a light source (14) such that a light-emitting diode is placed in this recess (13) so that its light ray is oriented perpendicular to the axis of the control member (5) and can penetrate laterally therein for lightning er said part uniformly. 2. Agencement selon la revendication'l, caractérisé en ce que le matériau constituant l'organe de commande mobile (5) est choisi dans la famille des polyamides. 2. Arrangement according to claim'l, characterized in that the material constituting the movable control member (5) is chosen from the family of polyamides. 3. Agencement selon l'une des revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que la surface avant de la partie en matériau diffuseur de lumière de 1 'organe mobile de commande (5) est recouvert d'une cache présentant des évidements correspondant à des indications associées à l'organe mobile.  3. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the front surface of the part of light-diffusing material of the movable control member (5) is covered with a cover having recesses corresponding to indications associated with the mobile organ.
FR8708225A 1987-06-12 1987-06-12 ARRANGEMENT IN PARTICULAR FOR LOW-THICKNESS MULTI-FUNCTIONAL KEYBOARD Expired - Lifetime FR2616560B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8708225A FR2616560B1 (en) 1987-06-12 1987-06-12 ARRANGEMENT IN PARTICULAR FOR LOW-THICKNESS MULTI-FUNCTIONAL KEYBOARD

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8708225A FR2616560B1 (en) 1987-06-12 1987-06-12 ARRANGEMENT IN PARTICULAR FOR LOW-THICKNESS MULTI-FUNCTIONAL KEYBOARD

Publications (2)

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FR2616560A1 true FR2616560A1 (en) 1988-12-16
FR2616560B1 FR2616560B1 (en) 1993-09-10

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FR8708225A Expired - Lifetime FR2616560B1 (en) 1987-06-12 1987-06-12 ARRANGEMENT IN PARTICULAR FOR LOW-THICKNESS MULTI-FUNCTIONAL KEYBOARD

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2723454A1 (en) * 1994-08-03 1996-02-09 Sagem Flat keyboard for radiotelephones, calculators or facsimile machines
EP1515350A1 (en) * 2003-09-09 2005-03-16 Meierhofer Mellingen AG Backlit push button for keyboard
US8322774B2 (en) 2009-03-18 2012-12-04 Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Ag Motor vehicle

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4163138A (en) * 1978-03-17 1979-07-31 Bowmar Instrument Corporation Flush lighted flat keyboard assembly
GB2065373A (en) * 1979-12-07 1981-06-24 Shinetsu Polymer Co Illuminated key-board switch unit
FR2504721A1 (en) * 1981-04-22 1982-10-29 Telecomm El Aeronaut Maritime DEVICE FORMING KEYBOARD PANEL AND / OR INDIVIDUAL KEYS OR PUSH BUTTONS
DE3535217A1 (en) * 1984-10-08 1986-04-17 Alps Electric Co., Ltd., Tokio/Tokyo Control display board
US4636593A (en) * 1985-03-13 1987-01-13 Motorola Inc. Light conducting, elastomeric membrane keypad
US4638131A (en) * 1986-01-15 1987-01-20 General Motors Corporation Steering wheel pad keyboard switch assembly

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4163138A (en) * 1978-03-17 1979-07-31 Bowmar Instrument Corporation Flush lighted flat keyboard assembly
GB2065373A (en) * 1979-12-07 1981-06-24 Shinetsu Polymer Co Illuminated key-board switch unit
FR2504721A1 (en) * 1981-04-22 1982-10-29 Telecomm El Aeronaut Maritime DEVICE FORMING KEYBOARD PANEL AND / OR INDIVIDUAL KEYS OR PUSH BUTTONS
DE3535217A1 (en) * 1984-10-08 1986-04-17 Alps Electric Co., Ltd., Tokio/Tokyo Control display board
US4636593A (en) * 1985-03-13 1987-01-13 Motorola Inc. Light conducting, elastomeric membrane keypad
US4638131A (en) * 1986-01-15 1987-01-20 General Motors Corporation Steering wheel pad keyboard switch assembly

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2723454A1 (en) * 1994-08-03 1996-02-09 Sagem Flat keyboard for radiotelephones, calculators or facsimile machines
EP1515350A1 (en) * 2003-09-09 2005-03-16 Meierhofer Mellingen AG Backlit push button for keyboard
US8322774B2 (en) 2009-03-18 2012-12-04 Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Ag Motor vehicle

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Publication number Publication date
FR2616560B1 (en) 1993-09-10

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