Abstract: A switch that includes a droplet capable of spreading between two conductors to allow them to be coupled when a voltage is applied. The droplet can be enclosed by a cap that is bonded to a wafer that the droplet is placed upon, and include metallic properties. The cap can create a cavity that may be filled by a fluid, gas, or vapor. The cavity can have multiple conductors that extend partially or fully through it. The droplet can couple the conductors when specific voltages, or frequencies are applied to them. At the specific voltage and frequency the droplet can spread allowing at least two conductors to be coupled.

Abstract: The present teachings provide for a device with a membrane and an underlying switch, an underlying switch actuator, or both that has a unique tactile pattern that is felt through the membrane when the membrane is aligned with the switch, switch actuator, or both, corresponding to the electrical state of the device. The membrane, the switch, the switch actuator or a combination thereof can be repositioned from a first position to a second position so that a different tactile feel is present through the membrane corresponding to a second electrical state.

Abstract: A push-button switch assembly with means for indicating a switch status includes: an actuation head for actuating the push-button switch assembly, the actuation head having a disc-shaped upper part and a tubular lower part; a sleeve-type push-button guide which is coupled to the actuation head such that, in relation to a longitudinal axis of the push-button switch assembly, the upper part is arranged above the push-button guide and the lower part surrounds the push-button guide; a sleeve-type locking unit for determining a switch status of the push-button switch assembly, the sleeve-type locking unit being arranged within the push-button guide in relation to the longitudinal axis and being transferrable between a first and a second locking state by the actuation head, the locking unit having a plunger sleeve and an annular detent catch coupled to the plunger sleeve, which delimit a central through-opening through the locking unit.

Abstract: An input apparatus includes a casing including an opening, a knob exposed to outside along a virtual central axis, a first support member that supports the knob so as to be capable of a first operation, a second support member that supports the first support member so as to be capable of a second operation of the knob, a first detection member that detects the first operation, a second detection member that detects the second operation, and a detachable regulating member that regulates movement of the second detection member. The second support member includes a groove extending parallel to the virtual central axis. When the second operation is to be disabled, the regulating member including a rib to be fitted in the groove is attached. When the second operation is to be enabled, the regulating member not including a rib to be fitted in the groove is attached.

Abstract: A keyboard includes a backlight module, a base plate, a membrane circuit disposed on the base plate, and a plurality of key structures disposed on the membrane circuit. The backlight module includes a light source, a reflective layer, a light guide layer, and a shielding layer. The light source is disposed corresponding to the light guide layer. The light guide layer is located between the shielding layer and the reflective layer. The light guide layer has a through-hole. The shielding layer and the reflective layer are in contact with each other in the through-hole of the light guide layer. The base plate is disposed on the shielding layer. The base plate has a positioning portion disposed corresponding to the through-hole of the light guide layer, which protrudes toward the reflective layer or the membrane circuit.

Abstract: A key structure includes a base, a movable mechanism movably positioned on the base, a sound generating member positioned on the base, and an adjusting unit movable relative to the base to be at a first position or a second position. The sound generating member has a hitting portion, which extends corresponding to an impact surface. When the adjusting unit is at the first position, and a pressing force is applied to the movable mechanism, the movable mechanism moves relative to the base and drives the sound generating member to move, so the hitting portion moves to hit the impact surface to generate a hitting sound. When the adjusting unit is at the second position, the adjusting unit restricts movement of the hitting portion, so the hitting portion cannot move to hit the impact surface.

Abstract: A user interface for a home appliance comprises a circuit board having at least one mechanically actuated switch having a first area. The user interface further comprises an input interface having at least one button defining a second area, greater than the first area, and having an actuator corresponding to the switch. The button is coupled to at least one of the circuit board or the input interface for relative movement between an actuation position, where the actuator actuates the switch, and a non-actuation position, where the actuator does not actuate the switch.

Abstract: A rocker switch that can include multiple redundancy at each position. Specifically, the rocker switch is a two-position rocker switch with both positions in line and with double or triple redundancy at each position. The rocker switch still provides a user with definitive snap “on” switching and the snap positions which can be used to activate multiple redundant internal circuit switches to provide for increased reliability of switch operation.

Abstract: An engageable lockout and tagout device for aircraft pushbutton switches prevents attempts to electrically engage a corresponding control panel circuit of a system under service. The lockout and tagout device is configured to lock different pushbutton switch types present in a flight deck, including Korry switches, thereby preventing operators from actuating switches and alerting them that the switches have been disengaged.

Abstract: A long keyboard key device includes a base plate, a keycap, and a support unit disposed between the base plate and the keycap and including outer and inner frame members that are pivotally connected together. The outer frame member has a frame body, two first engaging parts engaging rotatably first pivotal mounting brackets of the base plate, and a first balance rod embedded in the frame body and having a plurality of engaging sections that engage rotatably first clips of the keycap. The inner frame member has a frame plate, a plurality of second engaging parts engaging rotatably second pivotal mounting brackets of the base plate, and a plurality of third engaging parts engaging rotatably second clips of the keycap.

Abstract: A key structure which is adjustable in pressing force required and in duration of key pushback includes a circuit board, a keycap, a first magnetic member, an elastic member, a membrane switch, and a second magnetic member. The keycap includes an extending portion. The membrane switch is spaced apart from the first magnetic member, and the elastic member buffers the first magnetic member against the membrane switch. The second magnetic member is disposed between the membrane switch and the circuit board. When energized, the second magnetic member generates magnetic attraction or magnetic repulsion to the first magnetic member. A pressing force required on the key structure and a rebound force and a delay of rebound can be dynamically adjusted by a direction and magnitude of a current applied to the second magnetic member. A key device including the key structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a detachable knob that can be easily and quickly detached and attached repeatedly from a switchgear. The detachable knob includes: a knob housing configured to be manually rotated about a rotation axis “X”, and anchoring means placed inside the knob housing. A plunger is arranged inside the housing and is axially displaceable along the rotation axis “X”, wherein the plunger is configured to bring the anchoring means from their engaged position to their disengaged position and vice versa. The plunger is axially displaceable relative to the anchoring means between two stable axial positions at axis “X”, namely: a pushed-down position in which the plunger remains stable and force the anchoring means to their engaged or to their disengaged position, and a release position in which the plunger remains stable and in which the anchoring means are in the other position.

Abstract: An input module includes a base, a keycap assembly and an identification unit. The base includes a magnetic sensor. The keycap assembly is assembled on the base, and the keycap assembly includes a magnetic element. The identification unit is electrically coupled to the magnetic sensor, and the identification unit determines the type of the keycap assembly according to the characteristics of magnetic field lines of the magnetic element sensed by the magnetic sensor. An electronic device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical switch includes a base, an actuating rod comprising a lateral wall guided in a bore of the base, a return spring for the rod which moves with respect to the base. The return spring comprises a last elastic turn which, during the actuating travel of the rod, bears against an abutment surface of the base and which cooperates with a ramp formed in the side wall which deforms it radially. The bore has a series of axial ribs projecting into the bore, each of which is slidably received in a complementary axial groove formed in the side wall. A radial upper end facet of each axial rib forms a portion of the abutment surface.

Abstract: An electrical switch device including a switch housing having first and second compartments separated by a partition; an electrical switch assembly disposed in the second compartment; a control knob configured for seating adjacent to the first compartment, and having a user engagement portion and a plunger configured to extend from user engagement portion from the first compartment in to the second compartment via an opening in the partition separating the first and second compartments when the control knob is seated, and said plunger being configured for movable interaction with the electrical switch assembly; and a sealing member including a base portion configured for securing of the sealing member to the housing, and, a tubular portion extending from the base portion and configured to surround the plunger so as to alleviate ingress of liquid from the first compartment in to the second compartment via the opening in the partition.

Abstract: A control device includes a display panel and a key structure. The key structure is located over the display panel. The key structure includes a circuit board, a keycap, an elastic element and a conducting element. The circuit board includes a circuit structure. The circuit structure includes a first circuit pattern and a second circuit pattern. The first circuit pattern and the second circuit pattern are separated from each other by a gap. The conducting element is disposed on a support part of the elastic element. When the keycap is pressed down, the keycap is moved downwardly to push the support part. After the support part is moved downwardly for a specified travel distance, the conducting element is contacted with the first circuit pattern and the second circuit pattern. Consequently, the first circuit pattern and the second circuit pattern are electrically connected with each other.

Abstract: A key module includes a bracket, a circuit film assembly, a keycap, and a connecting structure. The bracket includes a bottom plate and a bracket pivotal portion protruding from the bottom plate. The circuit film assembly is disposed on the bracket and includes a plurality of film layers and a supporting portion formed by at least one of the film layers. The supporting portion is located beside the bracket pivotal portion. The keycap is disposed above the bracket and the circuit film assembly and includes a keycap pivotal portion. The connecting structure is disposed between the bracket and the keycap and includes a first pivot pivotally disposed at the bracket pivotal portion and a second pivot pivotally disposed at the keycap pivotal portion. The supporting portion beside the bracket pivotal portion supports the first pivot, such that the first pivot continuously contacts the bracket pivotal portion.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods of manufacturing are described that provide a rotary switch. An example rotary switch includes a substrate and a plurality of electrical contacts supported by the substrate. The rotary switch includes a resistor network of a plurality of resistors in electrical communication with the plurality of electrical contacts and a commutator that moves relative to the substrate along the plurality of electrical contacts. The commutator electrically connects a pair of adjacent electrical contacts so as to modify an output voltage of the rotary switch corresponding to a position of the rotary switch. Each resistor of the resistor network is positioned so as to electrically connect a respective pair of adjacent electrical contacts. Each resistor in the resistor network comprises a resistance value that is different from resistance values of other resistors in the resistor network.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switches with multiple pull-down electrodes between terminal electrodes to limit off-state capacitance. In exemplary aspects disclosed herein, a plurality of pull-down electrodes are positioned between the input terminal electrode and the output terminal electrode. The plurality of pull-down electrodes are offset from each other to limit off-state capacitance between the input terminal electrode and the output terminal electrode. The separation between the pull-down electrodes disrupts the off-state capacitive path between the input terminal electrode and the output terminal electrode, thereby further insulating the contacts from each other. Limiting off-state capacitance reduces on-state electrical loss and increases off-state electrical isolation for improved performance.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a keyswitch comprising a baseplate, a circuit layer, an elastic part, a thin film, a keycap, and a linkage component. The circuit layer is disposed on the baseplate. The baseplate penetrates and is exposed from the circuit layer. The elastic part is disposed on the circuit layer. The thin film is disposed on the circuit layer. The thin film is provided with an opening. The baseplate penetrates and is exposed from the opening. The elastic part protrudes from the opening. The keycap is disposed above the elastic part and covers the elastic part. Two ends of the linkage component are respectively connected to the baseplate and the keycap. The elastic part is disposed in the linkage component. The linkage component drives the keycap to move up and down relative to the baseplate. The thin film is disposed on the movement path of the keycap.