Abstract: A keyboard device includes plural key structures. Each key structure includes a base plate, a keycap, a membrane circuit board, a connecting member and an elastic element. The keycap includes a pressing post. The membrane circuit board is arranged between the base plate and the keycap. The connecting member is penetrated through the membrane circuit board and connected between the keycap and the base plate. The keycap is movable upwardly or downwardly relative to the membrane circuit board. The elastic element is arranged between the keycap and the membrane circuit board. The elastic element includes a resilience piece and plural supporting ribs. The plural supporting ribs are arranged between the resilience piece and the keycap. The plural supporting ribs are contacted with the pressing post of the keycap. Consequently, there is a gap between the pressing post and the resilience piece.

Abstract: An improved structure and tactile sensation providing apparatus are provided. A structure is configured to provide a tactile sensation. The structure comprises an abutment configured to abut an actuator that causes the structure to vibrate according to expansion and contraction displacement of a piezoelectric element. The abutment is non-adherent to the actuator.

Abstract: An input device having an overlapping key structure includes a plurality of keys, each of the plurality of keys configured to actuate a respective key switch in response to an applied mechanical force; and a key support frame, where each of the plurality of keys includes a spring arm portion coupled to the key support frame at a first end of the each of the plurality of keys such that the each of the plurality of keys deflects through a range of motion in response to the applied mechanical force, and each of the plurality of keys overlaps with another one of the plurality of keys such that each of the plurality of keys is included in an envelope of a two-dimensional cross section of the range of motion of another one of the plurality of keys when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the two-dimensional cross section.

Abstract: Low-profile keysets and input devices having such low-profile keysets are described. In one example, the input device includes a support structure having a first and second surface; a bezel having a first and second surface, wherein the first surface of the bezel is adjacent to the first surface of the support structure, and the bezel comprises at least one opening; at least one key cap positioned within the at least one opening of the bezel, wherein each key cap is configured to move between a first and second position to trigger a function of the input device; and a fabric cover layer positioned adjacent to the second surface of the bezel, such that the bezel and the at least one key cap are positioned between the fabric cover layer and the support structure, the fabric cover layer is only adhered to the second surface of the bezel.

Abstract: A push switch 1 includes a movable contact member 20 with a bulging portion 20a. The push switch 1 has a fixed contact member 10 with a first fixed contact portion 10a and a second fixed contact portion 10b. The push switch 1 includes an electrically conductive vibration damping member 25 elastically deformable by an operating force lower than load for inversion operation of the bulging portion 20a. When the movable contact member 20 is operated from the initial state, the vibration damping member 25 is deflected due to elastic deformation while the operating force during the elastic deformation of the vibration damping member 25 increases monotonically. When the movable contact member 20 returns from the bulging portion 20a being in an inverted state to the initial state, the vibration damping member 25 absorbs the vibrations from the movable contact member 20.

Abstract: A keyboard device includes a substrate, a thin film switch circuit, and a trigger device having a rubber dome and a metal dome. The trigger device is configured to trigger the thin film switch circuit in response to an external force. The rubber dome is arranged to provide a first tactile feel during a first pressing process while the external force is exerted and provide a first rebound force during a first relieving process after the external force has been removed. The metal dome is arranged to provide a second tactile feel during a second pressing process while the external force is exerted and provide a second rebound force during a second relieving process after the external force has been removed.

Abstract: A magnetic alignment system is disclosed, including a magnet array (10), a motor rotor (20), a fixed tooling (30) and a force sensor (40). The motor rotor (20) is disposed over the magnet array (10) and is connected via the force sensor (40) to the fixed tooling (30) that is positionally fixed relative to the magnet array (10). By varying an angle of a three-phase current supplied to a specific one of three-phase coil assemblies in the motor rotor (20) within an angular range for magnetic alignment and measuring a force generated by the specific one of three-phase coil assemblies using the force sensor (40), an angle of magnetic alignment for the specific one of three-phase coil assemblies is determinable based on the angle of three-phase current that causes the specific one of three-phase coil assemblies to generate a maximum force.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method and apparatus describing a force sensor that includes a ground unit that is a grounded conductor that changes its position according to an external force, and including a flat panel module that is a conductor of a flat panel shape, and a protruding module that is a conductor protruding from a lower surface of the flat panel module, a substrate of a flat panel shape arranged in a predetermined distance from the lower surface of the flat panel module, and having a hole through which the protruding module may be inserted, a first electrode formed on an upper surface of the substrate, to generate a capacitance together with the flat panel module upon receiving power, and a second electrode formed on the substrate, to generate a capacitance together with the protruding module upon receiving power.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a case member that includes an opening, an electric component provided on the case member, and a circuit board connected to the electric component via the opening, wherein a portion of the circuit board contacts the case member to seal the opening.

Abstract: A portable electronic user device, in the form of an electronic key, having an inherently rigid button for activation by a user. The portable electronic user device further has a flexibly deformable membrane including a first side having at least one support section on which the at least one button is supported via the plunger, and an actuating section, separate from the at least one support section, for receiving and forwarding an actuation of the button to an electrical switch element. There is a rigid frame which bears the membrane on a second side opposite the first side, wherein, in the assembled state, having the membrane in the region of the at least one support section, the frame has at least one breakout, via which the membrane is moveable by the plunger upon activating the at least one button and, in dependence on the size and/or the shape of the breakout, provides a force for resetting the button.

Abstract: A push switch includes a switch contact part for carrying out electrical connection by pressing, a case having a wall part on a periphery thereof and accommodating the switch contact part in a concave portion surrounded by the wall part, and a protective sheet covering the concave portion. The protective sheet and at least a part of an upper surface of the wall part of the case are welded together as a first welding place.

Abstract: Touch sensitive mechanical keyboards and processes for routing the drive and sense lines of the touch sensitive keyboard using patterned dome-switches are provided. The keyboard can include one or more mechanical keys having a touch sensor located within or beneath a keycap. The keyboard can further include a dome-switch beneath each keycap to detect a depression of the corresponding key. The dome-switch can be formed from an elastic (or malleable) material and can include patterned conductive traces within the elastic material. The patterned conductive traces can be used to route stimulation signals and sense signals to and from the touch sensor. In some examples, a first end of the patterned conductive traces can be coupled to the drive and sense lines of the touch sensor and a second end of the patterned conductive traces can be coupled to a flexible circuit or PCB.

Abstract: A mobile terminal according to the present disclosure includes a terminal main body, a case covering the terminal main body, and forming at least part of appearance of the terminal, wherein the case comprises a penetration line formed through the case along a predetermined path, and forming a connecting portion between ends of the penetration line, and wherein the connecting portion extends from the case, and an input part is formed on a region formed by the penetration line and the connecting portion, the input part being rotatable based on the connecting portion.

Abstract: A control mechanism for an electronic device comprises a cover glass having an aperture defined therein. The aperture extends from an interior to an exterior of the device. A control member is positioned within the aperture, coupled to an actuator. The control member comprises a ceramic insert having a contact surface exposed to the exterior of the housing, operable to actuate the actuator in response to a force on the contact surface. A bearing member is molded about the insert. The bearing member has a hardness less than that of the ceramic insert, and less than that of the cover glass.

Abstract: Provided is a push switch that can be made thin without requiring that a notch be made into a mounting board. The push switch includes a substrate having a L-shaped cross section and wherein the substrate has a front surface, a back surface and a side face, an accommodating recess provided on the front surface, a center contact provided so as to be substantially centralized in the accommodating recess, a pair of peripheral contacts each provided at a circumferential edge of the accommodating recess, a movable contact spring constructed so as to extend across the pair of peripheral contacts and designed to be brought into contact with the center contact when pressed, a connection pad provided on the back surface and electrically connected to the mounting substrate, and an electrode provided on the side face and electrically connected to the connection pad.

Abstract: Hybrid keypad apparatus are disclosed herein. An example hybrid keypad apparatus includes a dome-switch assembly having a first plurality of domes composed of a first material and a second plurality of domes composed of a second material different from the first material. A carrier couples the first and second plurality of domes.

Abstract: A push switch includes a switch contact part for carrying out electrical connection by pressing, a case having a wall part on a periphery thereof and accommodating the switch contact part in a concave portion surrounded by the wall part, and a protective sheet covering the concave portion. The protective sheet and at least a part of an upper surface of the wall part of the case are welded together as a first welding place.

Abstract: A slim key structure includes a lower case having at least one positioning slot, a flexible membrane disposed on the lower case, an upper case dispose on the flexible membrane, a keycap and an elastic piece. The flexible membrane has a post opening corresponding to the positioning slot. The upper case has at least one hollow guiding cylinder and a central passage. The guiding cylinder is protruded upwardly and downwardly from the upper case, and the downward protruding portion of the guiding cylinder is received in the positioning slot. The keycap has at least one guiding post and a pushing stem protruding downwardly from a bottom surface thereof. The guiding post is reciprocably received in the guiding cylinder. The elastic piece is disposed between the keycap and the flexible membrane in the central passage depressable by the pushing stem against the flexible membrane.

Abstract: A dome sheet structure of a mobile communication terminal may include: a metal dome covering a contact point printed on a printed circuit board; and a light guide film disposed on the metal dome. The light guide film may be bonded with the metal dome in a bonding area, and the bonding area may be an area between two concentric circles having different diameters and centered at a center of the metal dome.

Abstract: Printed circuit boards are provided with embedded components. The embedded components may be mounted within recesses in the surface of a printed circuit board substrate. The printed circuit board substrate may have grooves and buried channels in which wires may be mounted. Recesses may be provided with solder pads to which the wires may be soldered or attached with conductive adhesive. An integrated switch may be provided in an opening within a printed circuit board substrate. The integrated switch may have a dome switch member that is mounted within the opening. A cover member for the switch may be formed from a flexible layer that covers the dome switch member. Terminals for the integrated switch may be formed from conductive structures in an interior printed circuit board layer. Interconnects may be used to electrically connect embedded components such as switches, integrated circuits, solder pads for wires, and other devices.

Abstract: According to one general aspect of the invention, an input device includes a collapsible structure and a sheet of material. The sheet of material is disposed above the collapsible structure and includes an attached edge that is affixed to a housing of the input device, creating a pivot point. The sheet of material also includes a front edge opposite the attached edge, a left edge, and a right edge. The sheet of material has a width extending from the left edge to the right edge and a height extending from the front edge to the pivot point. A first opening is formed proximate the front edge of the sheet of material. The collapsible structure is disposed below a portion of the sheet of material located between the front edge and a midpoint of the height of the sheet. The collapsible structure is approximately centered between the left and right edges.

Abstract: A portable electronic device may have an inverted dome switch assembly. The switch assembly may have an inverted dome that has a base and a conductive underside. The base may be attached to a button member. Two electrical contacts in the button member may face the conductive underside. Corresponding conductive traces may be connected to the contacts. The dome may bear against a housing member. The button member may be movable with respect to the housing member from an unactuated position to an actuated position. The dome switch may form a footprint based upon the dome base area. The housing member may extend into a portion of the footprint and not into the remaining portion of the footprint allowing that space to be otherwise utilized.

Abstract: A key assembly for an electronic device having a one-piece keycap and an electronic device having such a keycap are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a key assembly for use in an electronic device, comprising: a keycap having a plurality of rigid key portions separated by mechanically deforming portions; and a flexible member having opposed first and second sides, the first side having a plurality of key stems which are attached to the plurality of key portions, the second side having a plurality of actuators for actuating dome switches of the electronic device.

Abstract: To prevent debris from entering the volume between a dome and contacts of a dome switch, a dome can include a channel providing a remote path through which air can be vented. In particular, the channel can extend from the dome to a location within an electronic device that is known to be or expected to be contaminant free (e.g., a region of the device that does not include any interfaces communicating with the device environment). The channel can be defined from components of the dome switch including, for example, as a channel bound by spacer walls between a flex circuit and a film layer. The channel can include an opening for venting the dome switch. In some embodiments, the dome switch can include a protective film applied over the opening in the channel. The protective film can be selected to allow air to flow through, but to prevent contaminants or particles from reaching the channel opening.

Abstract: A luminous switch using an inorganic EL material is provided with a plurality of switch sections so as to reduce acoustic noise. The switch sections are provided with a plurality of protruding parts (112) and a plurality of supporting sections (113) formed on a surface of a structure (101); an elastic deformable conductor (124) arranged to have a convex surface opposed the protruding parts (112); a wiring sheet (102A) for covering the conductor (124); a luminous sheet (160) for covering the wiring sheet (102A); and a plurality of switch buttons (125) arranged above the luminous sheet (160). The luminous switch has a structure in which at least two supporting sections (113) are arranged around the protruding parts (112), and a space (111) is formed between the protruding parts (112) and a switch sheet (102). The conductor (124) is accommodated in the space (111). In a case main body (101), an electronic component (103) is mounted and a substrate (104) provided with wiring is arranged.

Abstract: This is directed to a dome switch that includes a capacitive sensor. A dome switch can include a dome operative to deform to provide tactile feedback to a user. To provide an electrical instruction to the device, the region underneath the dome can define a free space separating conductive regions forming a capacitor. For example, a tip of the dome, a button placed between the dome and a circuit board, or a user's finger can form a first conductor of a capacitor, and a support structure for the dome can include a terminal forming a second conductor completing the capacitor. When the dome deflects, the distance between the conductors can change and provide a measurable capacitance variation, which the device can detect. To protect the dome switch from damage due to contaminants, the terminal can be integrated within a volume of the circuit board such that it is not exposed to the environment of the dome switch. In one implementation, the terminal may not be exposed to air.

Abstract: A keypad assembly including a dome configured to operatively engage a switch sensor; a dome overlay guide operatively coupled by to the dome; a key corresponding to the dome and configured to operatively engage the dome; and a light emitting source, configured to emit light. The dome overlay guide is configured to receive the light emitted by the light emitting source and direct the received light toward the keys.

Abstract: The key module for the mobile device includes a key top 6; a base plate 2 on which a fixed-side contact 7 is disposed; a dome 4 that is disposed on the fixed-side contact 7; a dome sheet 5 that covers the dome 4; an LED module 3 disposed on the base plate 2; and a light guide plate 1 that is disposed on the dome sheet 5. Such a configuration causes light emitted by the LED module 3 propagates within the light guide plate, and exits the light from an exit surface of the light guide plate on the key top 6 side. The light guide plate 1 is formed by inkjet printing a dot pattern in white ink onto a surface of a base material formed from a thermosetting polyurethane elastomer sheet, which surface is opposite to the exit surface of the light guide plate.

Abstract: A portable electronic device may have an inverted dome switch assembly. The switch assembly may have an inverted dome that has a base and a conductive underside. The base may be attached to a button member. Two electrical contacts in the button member may face the conductive underside. Corresponding conductive traces may be connected to the contacts. The dome may bear against a housing member. The button member may be movable with respect to the housing member from an unactuated position to an actuated position. The dome switch may form a footprint based upon the dome base area. The housing member may extend into a portion of the footprint and not into the remaining portion of the footprint allowing that space to be otherwise utilized.

Abstract: Printed circuit boards are provided with embedded components. The embedded components may be mounted within recesses in the surface of a printed circuit board substrate. The printed circuit board substrate may have grooves and buried channels in which wires may be mounted. Recesses may be provided with solder pads to which the wires may be soldered or attached with conductive adhesive. An integrated switch may be provided in an opening within a printed circuit board substrate. The integrated switch may have a dome switch member that is mounted within the opening. A cover member for the switch may be formed from a flexible layer that covers the dome switch member. Terminals for the integrated switch may be formed from conductive structures in an interior printed circuit board layer. Interconnects may be used to electrically connect embedded components such as switches, integrated circuits, solder pads for wires, and other devices.

Abstract: Provided is a switch including a click spring, stationary contacts, spring holding sheet, switch base, and Nub disposed on the sheet and having a non-linear acting load to displacement characteristic. Spring constant k11 (tangent gradient of the characteristic curve of the Nub at origin point), spring constant k3 (gradient of a line connecting a point corresponding to the peak acting load and an origin point of a characteristic curve of the sheet), spring constant k12 (tangent gradient at an arbitrary contacting point of non-linear portion of the characteristic curve of the Nub), and displacement s11 (displacement of intersection point of two lines of the line having the gradient k11 and the line having the gradient k12) satisfy k11 k3, k12 k3, and 0 s11 S1.

Abstract: A keypad assembly is described herein in which the keypad assembly includes a substrate and a plurality of domes positioned on the substrate and configured to translate operator action into a corresponding input for a machine. The keypad assembly also includes a dome overlay positioned over the domes and the substrate in which the dome overlay can create a sealed environment for the substrate and the domes. A light guide that directs light in the keypad assembly and an interlocking component coupled to the light guide can also be part of the keypad assembly. In one arrangement, the interlocking component can selectively compress the dome overlay to assist in the creation of the sealed environment. In another arrangement, the interlocking component can compress the dome overlay by bending the dome overlay at an edge of the substrate.

Abstract: A backlit key assembly having a reduced thickness for an electronic device, and an electronic device having such a backlit key assembly are provided. The key assembly utilizes a local sink (recess) in a backing plate of the key assembly to lower the light source (e.g. LED) and flexible printed circuit board relative to the backing plate. The key assembly described herein provides a suitable leading space for the light source while permitting the overall thickness of the key assembly to be reduced compared with conventional backlit key designs.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of an inductive electrical sensor assembly includes a hollow housing structure defining an open space within the housing structure and a circuit board mounted in the open space. The circuit board includes an inductive sense area. A flexible metal domed spring structure is mounted over the inductive sensor area. A stem portion extends from a actuator area of the housing structure and having a distal end disposed adjacent to or in contact with the spring structure. The domed spring structure is adapted to be flexed toward the inductive sensor area by force exerted by the stem portion when a user exerts force on the actuator area, the flexing of the domed spring structure resulting in a change of inductance of the inductive sensor area which may be sensed to indicate an actuator push.

Abstract: A dome overlay structure for a mobile device keyboard includes a plurality of dome switches, a circuit board disposed beneath the plurality of dome switches with each dome switch electrically coupled to the circuit board, a main overlay disposed over the plurality of dome switches, and a first adhesive dab centrally interposed between the dome switch and the main overlay with a second adhesive dab surrounding the first adhesive dab. Each dome switch has a central portion and a non-central portion. The first adhesive dab can bond the central portion of the dome switch to the main overlay. The second adhesive dab is configured to form a gap between the second adhesive dab and the non-central portion of the dome switch in an unactuated configuration and configured to contact the non-central portion of the dome switch in an actuated configuration.

Abstract: An integrated switch assembly is described, the integrated switch assembly including at least an actuator and a flexible membrane mechanically coupled to the actuator, the flexible membrane formed of a resilient, electrically conductive material. In the described embodiment, the flexible membrane is held at a first electrical potential. The integrated switch assembly also includes at least an electrical contact at a second electrical potential connected to an electrical circuit. The integrated switch assembly is engaged when the actuator applies a mechanical force to the flexible membrane causing the flexible membrane to deflect to a point of contact with the electrical contact causing the electrical potential of the electrical contact to change from the second potential to the first potential. The electrical circuit detects the change in potential of the electrical contact as a signal.

Abstract: A power button assembly includes a printed circuit board having terminals and a dome for trigging the terminals, a support base fixed on the printed circuit board, and a push button positioned between the printed circuit board and the support base. The push button is capable of moving along a first axis relative to the support base. One of the push button and the support base includes a guiding groove, and the other includes a guiding element slidably received in the guiding groove.

Abstract: A key assembly for use in an electronic device is provided. The key assembly includes a plurality of dome switches and a plurality of single-piece keycaps. Each keycap identifies a row of keyboard characters. Each keycap has a plurality of character-representing portions separated by deforming portions. Each character-representing portion is associated with a separate one of the plurality of dome switches. The key assembly further comprises a plurality of actuators for activating the dome switches. Each actuator has a first side which is engaged by one of the character representing portions of the keycap. Each actuator has a second side which engages the dome switch associated with that character-representing portion. In a rest state in which the keycap is not depressed, at least some of the actuators preload at least some of the dome switches by exerting a force upon the dome switches.

Abstract: A key-press assembly includes a PCB, an elastic member and a key-press. The PCB forms a contact section on a surface thereof. The elastic member is configured to be mounted on the PCB corresponding to the contact section and includes a pressing portion, a first extension, a second extension, a connecting portion and a trigger portion. The first extension extends out from a circumference of the pressing portion. The second extension extends out from an outer boundary of the first extension parallel to the pressing portion. The electrical connecting portion extends out from a peripheral edge of the second extension and configured to be connected to the contact section. The trigger portion is formed at a junction of the first extension and the second extension correspondingly. The key-press is mounted on the elastic member for sandwiching the elastic member with PCB.

Abstract: The present application provides a key assembly for use in an electronic device. The key assembly comprises a plurality of dome switches and one or more single-piece keycaps. Each keycap has a plurality of key portions separated by deforming portions. The key assembly further comprises a plurality of actuators for activating the dome switches. Each actuator has a stem portion and an enlarged rigid blocking portion. The key assembly also comprises one or more rigid blocking members disposed between the blocking portion of the actuators and the keycaps and in close proximity to the blocking portion of the actuators. The blocking members form a barrier to limit a rotational movement of the actuators away from the dome switches.

Abstract: A membrane switch can attach an elastically deformable dome to a board in a reliable manner such that the dome is not detached even if a fixing sheet is made thinner and smaller and therefore has a smaller footprint. This switch has: a dome (110) that is formed projecting toward the surface and that is dented opposite toward the back surface by elastic deformation; and a flexible fixing sheet (120) that has a back surface of an adhesive face pasted to the entire face of the surface of the dome (110). The fixing sheet (120) fixes the dome (110) in a predetermined position of a board (4) by means of a stretching part (122) which stretches radially outer to the dome (110), from an outer rim (112) of the dome (110), in a direction virtually orthogonal to a direction in which the dome (110) projects.

Abstract: Provided is a push-type switch device including: a switch element in which a dome-shaped reversing spring is accommodated in a switch casing; a holder which is mounted to the outside portion of the switch casing so as to define a position relative to the switch casing and has a perforation hole formed at a position adjacent to a center portion of the reversing spring so as to face the center portion; and a driving protrusion which is inserted through the perforation hole so as to reciprocate and is driven to push the reversing spring, wherein when the holder mounted on an upper portion of the switch casing is attached to a predetermined position of the interconnection substrate, the switch casing is held in the interconnection substrate.

Abstract: An electronic device adapted to be mounted on a circuit board is disclosed. A housing is made of an insulative material. The housing includes a first face adapted to oppose the circuit board, a second face and a third face which respectively intersect with the first face. A cover covers a part of the housing and is made of a conductive material. An earth contact member is made of a conductive material and integrally molded with the housing. The earth contact member has a first terminal extending from the first face to the second face and a second terminal disposed on the third face and being in contact with the cover. The first terminal is adapted to be soldered on an earth circuit on the circuit board.

Abstract: A touch keypad assembly (100) includes a main board (10), a metal dome (40) disposed on a predetermined position of the main board, a touchpad layer (30) disposed on the metal dome, a keypad cover (20) disposed over the touchpad layer, and a light guide film (60) disposed between the metal dome and the keypad cover. The touchpad layer is a flexible printed circuit board.

Abstract: A switch-type electronic device adapted to be mounted on a circuit board is disclosed. A housing is made of an insulative material. The housing includes a first face adapted to oppose the circuit board and a second face intersecting with the first face and formed with a projection. A cover is made of a conductive material. The cover includes a first part covering a side of the housing opposite to the first face, at least one second part extending from the first part and opposing the second face, and a third part extending from each of the at least one second part and engaging with the projection. An operating member includes a first part disposed outside the housing and adapted to be operated by a user, and a second part disposed in the housing and configured to switch the electronic device between a first state and a second state when the first part is operated by the user.

Abstract: The movable contact unit with a light-guiding function has the following structure. An uneven section is formed in a section that is to be lighted on the lower surface of a TPU base sheet. A film with a refractive index of light lower than that of the base sheet is disposed beneath the lower surface of the base sheet in a manner that the uneven section is embedded in the film. Besides, an adhesive layer is disposed beneath the film so as to hold a movable contact. The movable contact unit structured above is effectively employed for a lighted panel switch capable of reducing loss in amount of light and providing the section that is to be lighted with required illuminance.

Abstract: A movable contact unit, of which an upper surface of a movable contact made of a conductive metal plate is adhesively fixed to an adhesive layer formed on the underside of a base film, an upper surface of a separator is affixed to the adhesive layer in a manner to sandwich the movable contact between them, and the periphery of the movable contact is heated and pressed in a circular shape from above of the base film to form a convex-shaped portion in an area of base film corresponding to the movable contact in a manner to fit along a dome-like shape of the movable contact and to make a peripheral area or a base of the convex-shaped portion pressed circularly to close adhesion to the separator with the adhesive layer. By virtue of this structure, there can be an improvement of manufacturing efficiency of the movable contact unit.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is provided for use in a keyboard assembly of a mobile device having a plurality of keys in a key layout. The printed circuit board has a plurality of contacts, such as dome switches, arranged in a contact layout. The contact layout is such that it can be used with a plurality of different key layouts, each actuating different combinations of contacts. Some keys in a particular key layout are overlying at least two of the plurality of contacts, and such keys actuate only one of the underlying contacts. As such, a common printed circuit board can be used for a plurality of complementary mobile device designs having different key layouts, thereby allowing a manufacturer to realize cost efficiencies.

Abstract: A push switch includes an upper movable contact, a lower movable contact, a center fixed contact, an intermediate fixed contact, and a peripheral fixed contact. The lower movable contact includes an annular portion, and four legs extending from the annular portion. One of the four legs is placed on a peripheral fixed contact. The upper movable contact faces the center fixed contact through a circular hole in the annular portion of the lower movable contact via a space between the upper movable contact and the center fixed contact. Two legs out of the four legs are located away from each other by an angular interval smaller than 90 degrees with respect to the center of the annular portion. Upon being pressed, the actuator activates two combinations of switch contacts, one combination including the movable contacts and the intermediate fixed contact and the other combination including the movable contacts and the center fixed contact, providing the push switch with a small size.

Abstract: A switch integrated type housing includes a housing body, a switch button sheet, a conductor and a cover sheet. The housing body is provided with a plurality of concave sections on an outer surface of the housing body. The switch button sheet is provided on the outer surface to cover the plurality of concave sections. The conductor has a dome shape downwardly projecting and is provided in each of the plurality of concave sections to contact the switch button sheet. The cover sheet is provided between the switch button sheet and the outer surface of the housing body in a portion of the outer surface of the housing body other than the plurality of concave sections and to cover a lower surface of the conductor in each of the plurality of concave sections.