Abstract:
The invention relates to a switch provided with self-cleaning contacts used, in particular for actuating a horn for a steering wheel of a motor vehicle. The inventive switch comprises at least two opposite contacts one of which is movable and touches the opposite contact by means of an actuating element. The self-cleaning of the contacts is carried out by the reciprocal sliding thereof, the contact associated with the actuating element is fixed to a supporting element which is embodied in such a way that it is elastic and fixed to an end, an opposite end being free and moveable. Said invention is characterised in that the supporting element (2) from the fixing side outward has an inclined line with respect to the direction of actuation (B) in the direction of said actuating element (14), and subsequently in the direction of the free end thereof. A line is also inclined in the direction of the free end thereof with respect to the direction of actuation (B) starting from the actuating element (14).
Abstract:
An electrical switch (12) includes a pair of stamped switch contacts (20) opposed to each other at a gap (22). An insulative substrate (18) supports the contacts and includes a recess (34) below the contacts at said gap. The recess (34) is sufficiently large so that the switch contacts (20) extend into the recess and can flex relative to each other. A conductive actuator (38) is engageable with the switch contacts (20) at the gap (22) to close the switch, with either switch contact being flexible to ensure that the actuator engages both contacts.
Abstract:
Elektrischer Schalter mit einer Reihe von Schalterele menten, die aus zwei mit ihren Metallisierungen (11, 31) einander zugewandten und durch eine gelochte Zwischen lage (2) in Abstand gehaltene Isolierstoffolien (1, 3) gebildet sind und auf einer nachgiebigen Unterlage (42) aufliegen. Durch ein längs der Reihe bewegliches federndes Druck glied (52) wird ein Schiebeschalter von hoher Zuverlässig keit erhalten. Durch geeignete Anordnung der Metallisie rungen kann ein Codierschalter erhalten werden, der sich insbesondere zur elektrischen Stellungsanzeige von me chanischen Stellgliedern eignet.
Abstract:
A keyboard includes a resilient foam layer (28) having an array of holes (30) therein with the layer (28) being sandwiched between a flexible sheet having dome-shaped areas (34) aligned with said holes and a dielectric member (38), the flexible sheet and dielectric member having electrodes (36, 40) thereon which are arranged to complete a circuit associated with a hole (30) when the flexible sheet and member are moved toward each other. A snap action of the dome-shaped areas (34) in the switch movement provides for improved tactile response and switch travel and reduced switch actuating force. Additional foam layers enhance the operating characteristics of the embodiments. A method of production of the keyboard entails determining the operating parameters of a desired keyboard and selecting the relative density and thicknesses of various resilient layers and flexible sheets in the keyboard to determine the switch actuating force, the extent of travel of the switch, and the location of the "makepoint" of the switch at a position between the start and end of switch travel.
Abstract:
Un clavier comprend une couche de mousse elastique (28) ayant un reseau de trous (30), la couche (28) etant prise en sandwich entre une feuille flexible ayant des regions en forme de domes (34) alignees avec ces trous et un organe dielectrique (38), la feuille flexible et l'organe dielectrique ayant des electrodes (36, 40) qui sont prevues pour completer un circuit associe a un trou (30) lorsque la feuille flexible et l'organe sont deplaces l'un vers l'autre. Une action rapide des regions en forme de domes (34) dans le mouvement de commutation assure une reponse tactile et une course de commutation ameliorees et une force d'actionnement de commutation reduite. Des couches de mousse supplementaires ameliorent les caracteristiques de fonctionnement des modes de realisation. Un procede de production du clavier comporte la determination des parametres de fonctionnement d'un clavier desire et la selection de la densite et de l'epaisseur relatives des diverses couches elastiques et des feuilles flexibles dans le clavier pour determiner la force d'actionnement de commutation, la longueur de la course du commutateur, et la position du "point d'etablissement de contact" du commutateur entre le debut et la fin de la course du commutateur.