Abstract: A key device and electronic apparatus containing the key device. The key device comprises a housing and key structure, a hollow accommodating space in the housing. The key structure comprising: a key body, at least part of the key body being accommodated in the hollow accommodating space; a lateral contacting structure within the hollow accommodating space and comprising a contacting portion provided at the outer side of the key body, and when being pressed, the lateral contacting structure being squeezed by the key body, so that the contacting portion is in contact with a flexible printed circuit board; and a flexible printed circuit board within the hollow accommodating space at the outer side of the contacting portion for inducting the lateral contact of the contacting portion. Since lateral contact is made with the flexible printed circuit board, the key may be transparent when the key body is transparent.

Abstract: A power button assembly includes a printed circuit board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a switch positioned on the first surface, a dome positioned on the second surface corresponding to the switch, a push button resiliently abutted by the dome. One can depress the push button towards the dome, which then capable of depressing the dome to activate the switch. A support plate is engaged with the printed circuit board. One of the support plate and the push button includes two pairs of hook portions, and the other includes two latching portions for engaging with the two pairs of hook portions.

Abstract: A power button assembly includes a printed circuit board having a switch, a support plate engaging with the printed circuit board, and a push button to activate the switch. The support plate includes abutting portions to elastically abut against the push button, and one of the support plate and the push button includes hook portions, and the other includes latching portions engaging with the hook portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data input device produced by means of a switch operated by a stem. A return spring enables the stem to return to a stable position. According to the invention, the device comprises a circular element that can be displaced roughly perpendicularly to the displacement of the stem, a cam attached to the stem, and elastic means holding the circular element pressed against the cam, the cam comprising a slope, a high point and a counter-slope on which the circular element bears in succession when the stem is operated from its stable position to a position in which the switch is operated.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal includes a body and a front portion; the body including a button portion with button actuators protruding on a lower surface thereof and a board disposed below the button portion and with switches protruding on an upper surface thereof. The button portion and/or the board are slidable with respect to the body if the front portion is moved. The switches are horizontally arranged in parallel with respect to the button actuators with the button actuators in a closed state. The switches are vertically arranged in series with respect to the button actuators in and open state.

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 keypad assembly mounted in a portable terminal is disclosed. The keypad assembly has a window keypad including a display window disposed on a front face of the portable terminal. A keypad top is integrally molded with the display window and simultaneously assembled on the front face of the portable terminal, thereby providing an easier assembly than known heretofore, as two parts can be assembled at the same time and additionally provide an elegant exterior front face.

Abstract: Keypad apparatus and methods are described herein. An example keypad includes a keypad support having a first surface defining a cavity, and an electrical switch assembly coupled to the keypad support. The electrical switch includes a printed circuit board having at least a portion repositioned relative to a second surface of the printed circuit board. The repositioned portion is located in the cavity and the second surface is located on the first surface of the keypad support when the printed circuit board is coupled to the keypad support. The repositioned portion is attached to the second surface of the printed circuit board. A dome switch is aligned with the repositioned portion of the printed circuit board and is at least partially positioned in the cavity of the keypad support.

Abstract: In a cantilever keycap of a keyboard, an elastic piece, which is used for providing the click sense and a restoring force for the keycap, is disposed under an extension section, or the intersection of the extension section and a press section, and the elastic piece locates farther than the press section from the pivot of the keycap. The distance between a contact point, which presses the elastic piece, and the pivot is larger than that between the press section and the pivot. Hence, a shorter stroke of a user pressing the press section produces a longer stroke of the keycap that presses and deforms the elastic piece, which effectively adds up the click sense.

Abstract: A button mechanism includes a circuit structure and an actuating structure. The circuit structure includes a substrate, a first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer. The first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are disposed on the substrate, and the second electrode layer is separated from the first electrode layer. The first electrode layer includes a first section and a second section. The second electrode layer includes a third section and a fourth section. The second section stretches to the third section, and the fourth section stretches to the first section. A predetermined gap is formed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and the predetermined gap includes a plurality of curved portions. The actuating structure includes a conductive portion for conducting the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.

Abstract: A press switch is composed of a base, a light-emitting device, a housing, a movable seat, and a pressing element. Due to the flat surfaces of the base and the ribs of the movable seat, the area of contact between the base and the movable seat is reduced. In addition, due to the ribs of the movable seat and the flat surfaces of the housing, the area of contact between the movable seat and the housing is also reduced. These reduced areas of contact allow the pressing element to be pressed stably and smoothly.

Abstract: A member for a push button switch that has a small thickness, high durability, and excellent click feeling and can be manufactured at low cost. The member for the push button switch includes one or more key tops, a metal sheet including at least holes that correspond to positions of the key tops, and an elastic sheet that is provided on the metal sheet so as to be positioned on the same side as or opposite side to the key tops. The elastic sheet is fitted into the holes and comes in contact with the key tops at positions of the holes. The elastic sheet includes a urethane film or polycarbonate, and a silicone rubber, which are laminated in a thickness direction of the metal sheet.

Abstract: An improved structure of a press switch includes a flexible flat cable connector provided in a base and connected to a circuit board. By pressing downward a housing of the improved structure, electrically conducting terminals on one lateral side of a movable seat are brought into contact with an electrically conducting element to establish electrical conduction. As the flat cable of the flexible flat cable connector is flexible, the pressing of the housing will not be hindered by the flexible flat cable, nor will the load of the pressing operation be increased.

Abstract: An electrically conducting structure of a press switch includes a flexible flat cable connector provided in a base and connected to a circuit board supported on a movable seat. By pressing a housing of the electrically conducting structure, an electrically conducting element located in a bottom portion of the movable seat is brought into contact with electrically conducting terminals in the base to establish electrical conduction. As the flat cable of the flexible flat cable connector is flexible, it does not add to the load experienced by the user when pressing the housing.

Abstract: A switch has a supporting terminal assembled to a base, a movable contact piece, made of a band-shaped conductive material bent to a substantially J-shaped cross section, having a movable contact at one end and having an intermediate portion rotatably supported by a rotation receiving portion of the supporting terminal, a plunger accommodated so as to be movable up and down in an internal space formed by fitting a housing to the base, and a coil spring including a forced dissociation bent portion at one end and being rotatably supported by the plunger. The plunger is moved up and down to slidably move one end of the coil spring while pressure contacting the other end edge of the movable contact piece to invert the movable contact piece and contact or separate the movable contact to and from a fixed contact, and to lock a distal end of the forced dissociation bent portion to the other end edge of the movable contact piece and exert a shear force on the movable contact of the movable contact piece.

Abstract: A switch system having a user-activatable button and button travel limit feature is disclosed. The switch system includes a housing comprising an opening, a circuit board assembly positioned in the housing, and an electrical switch assembly connected to the circuit board. The button travel limit feature is adapted to inhibit motion of an activation surface of the user-activatable button towards the electrical switch assembly when the electrical switch assembly is activated.

Abstract: A control assembly is assembled between a housing and a printed circuit board of an electronic device. The housing defines a mounting hole. The control assembly includes a force member assembled in the mounting hole, a switch electrically fixed on the printed circuit board under the force member, and a resilient member abutted between the force member and the printed circuit board. The resilient member is compressed to allow the force member to contact the switch when external force applied to the force member.

Abstract: A member for a push button switch that has a small thickness, high durability, and excellent click feeling and can be manufactured at low cost. The member for the push button switch includes one or more key tops, a metal sheet including at least holes that correspond to positions of the key tops, and an elastic sheet that is provided on the metal sheet so as to be positioned on the same side as or opposite side to the key tops. The elastic sheet is fitted into the holes and comes in contact with the key tops at positions of the holes. The elastic sheet includes a urethane film or polycarbonate, and a silicone rubber, which are laminated in a thickness direction of the metal sheet.

Abstract: A switch includes a base, a support terminal assembled in the base, a movable contact piece made of a belt-like electroconductive material bent into a substantial J-shape in section, a plunger vertically movably accommodated in an internal space, and a coil spring turnably supported by the plunger. The movable contact piece includes a movable contact provided in one end portion thereof. An intermediate portion of the movable contact piece is turnably supported by a turning support portion of the support terminal. The internal space is formed by fitting a housing in the base. The plunger is slid while vertically moved press-contact one end portion of the coil spring against the other end edge portion of the movable contact piece such that the movable contact piece is reversed to bring the movable contact into contact with a fixed contact or to separate the movable contact from the fixed contact.

Abstract: A mouse with adjustable button activating pressure includes a body, two circuit boards, two switch sets and at least one adjusting means. The body is provided with two adjacent buttons. The two switch sets are provided in the body and electrically connected to the corresponding circuit board to correspond to the buttons of the body respectively. Each switch set includes a plurality of switches of different activating pressures. The adjusting means is adjustably assembled with the body and coupled to the switch set, thereby allowing the switch set to move with respect to the button of the body. Via the above arrangement of the present invention, the button activating pressure can be adjusted.

Abstract: An arrangement of an illuminatable electrical switch and one or more light emitting elements on a circuit board, the illuminatable electrical switch comprising: a switching device, an actuator with a waveguide which is adapted to allow visible light to be transmitted therethrough. The one or more light emitting elements are arranged with respect to the waveguide such light emitted by the light emitting elements, is transmitted through the waveguide whereby the light is visible from an outer surface of the actuator.

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 switch mechanism comprises a switch button(s) to be pushed, a support board having a projecting portion(s) at a position corresponding to the switch button(s), and a switching assembly that is provided between the switch button and the support board and that switches an electrical connection state with the projecting portion in a state where the switch button is pushed. The support board comprises a through hole(s) around a position corresponding to the projecting portion. The through hole(s) is(are) formed such that the projecting portion is displaced in a pushing direction of the switch button in the state where the switch button is pushed.

Abstract: An apparatus for key actuation of an electronic device comprising a linear bearing configured for transmitting user actuation, and a complementary guide portion, wherein the linear bearing and the guide portion are arranged to allow the linear bearing to move reciprocally relative to the guide portion for key activation, and wherein both the linear bearing and the guide portion comprise a material with a hardness substantially between 6 Mohrs and 10 Mohrs.

Abstract: A key structure assembly is provided for a mobile computing device. The key structure assembly includes a keycap having at least a first segment and a second segment. A first actuation member extends inward into the housing from the first segment of the keycap, and a second actuation member extends inward from the second segment of the key cap. A substrate including a plurality of electrical connects, including a first electrical contact aligned underneath the first actuation member, and a second electrical contact aligned underneath the second actuation member. The keycap is moveable inward to direct either the first actuation member into contact with the first electrical contact, or the second actuation member into contact with the second electrical contact. One or more sections of material are positioned above the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

Abstract: In order to provide an electronic apparatus capable of smooth operation of a press button, an electronic apparatus includes: an outer panel having a hole in which a press button is fitted and a circuit board placed on a back side of the outer panel; a stopper restricted from moving in the thickness direction of the outer panel is formed between the press button and the circuit board; the stopper is brought into contact with the flange portion formed on an edge of the press button when the press button has moved in the thickness direction of the outer panel.

Abstract: A push button assembly comprises a button (1) with an actuating structure (5) movably mounted within a housing (2) for operation of a switch (20). The housing (2) provides a frame (18) comprising side wall structures (16), with a flange structure (15) mounted at a top open end thereof, The axial length of the housing (2) is shorter than the horizontal length of the side wall structures (16), resulting in a short push button assembly. The button (1) is illuminable via a lamp (25) which is provided on a carrier strip (22), the switch (20) being mounted on a body (19), both of which can be removably mounted substantially within the confines of the housing (2), with respective connection terminals (23, 21) projecting outward thereof, the assembly therefore occupying minimal space behind a panel when mounted on such a panel of an amusement or gaming machine where space may be restricted.

Abstract: A push switch includes: an operation portion which is pushed and operated from a direction parallel to a surface of the mounted printed circuit board; a plurality of contacts which are electrically conducted to each other by the push operation of the operation portion; a case which is formed from an insulation body and has a lower surface facing the printed circuit board; a plurality of terminals which are led out from the case to outside; and a embedded portion which is physically and electrically connected to any one of the terminals and embedded and fixed inside the case. An exposed portion is formed in a part of the embedded portion so as to be exposed to the outside from the lower surface of the case. Soldering strength is improved without increasing an occupied area of the push switch on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A command switch or and emergency stop switch is disclosed, which includes an actuator and a contact sensor which is separated therefrom. The actuator includes housing and a tappet, which is guided therein and which has a rest position and an actuation position. The contact sensor includes an open switch element which can be placed in the actuation position by way of the tappet in a tensed position. In at least one embodiment, the command switch also includes an additional switch element which is provided with a first switch piece and a second switch piece, which are applied to the actuator in a separated manner and in/on the contact sensor. The additional switch element only closes when the contact sensor is secured to the actuator. The switch pieces of the additional switch element are separated from each other in a compulsory and advantageous manner by the separated embodiment of the command switch enabling them to be secured to different components of the command switch.

Abstract: An electrical contact comprising a silver-coated stainless steel strip, which has an underlying layer comprising any one of nickel, cobalt, nickel alloys, and cobalt alloys, on at least a part of the surface of a stainless steel substrate, and has a silver or silver alloy layer formed as an upper layer, in which a copper or copper alloy layer with a thickness of 0.05 to 2.0 ?m is provided between the silver or silver alloy layer and the underlying layer; and a producing method of the above-described electrical contact, in which the silver-coated stainless steel strip is subjected to a heat-treating in a non-oxidative atmosphere.

Abstract: A push switch includes a lower case having a recess therein, an inner and outer fixed contacts exposing from a bottom of the recess, a movable contact accommodated in the recess, an upper case attached to the lower case, an elastic operation body for sealing the recess of the lower case, and a push button provided on the elastic operation body. The movable contact has a dome shape having a concave surface facing the inner fixed contact by a distance, a convex surface opposite to the concave surface, and an outer peripheral end placed on the outer fixed contact. The upper case has a through-hole located above the recess of the lower case. The has a lower surface contacting the convex surface of the movable contact, an upper surface opposite to the lower surface, and an outer edge held between the upper case and the lower case while being compressed. The push button is inserted into the through-hole of the upper case movably. This push switch prevents dust from entering in the switch and operates reliably.

Abstract: Disclosed is a side key module installed at a side of a mobile communication terminal, contactly coupled up to a PCB embedded in the mobile communication terminal, and simply fabricated without a soldering process. The side key module is disposed between a side key, which is installed at the side of the mobile communication terminal, and the PCB installed in the mobile communication terminal, including: a first plate of conductivity configured in a lengthwise form including a cut-out space and contacting with the PCB; a second plate of conductivity configured in the same plane with the first plate and disposed in the cut-out space of the first plate, contacting with the PCB; a body accommodating the first and second plates; and a metal dome joining with a side of the body and enabling the first and second plates to be electrically connected together by contacting with the first and second plates if the side key is pressed.

Abstract: To provide a metal dome sheet 10 to which a metal dome 8 is attached. The metal dome 8 elastically deforms with a pressing operation of a key top 16, thereby to have electrical conduction with a contact 6 provided on a substrate 2, and restores from a deformed state when the pressing operation is released, thereby to release the conduction with the contact. The metal dome sheet 10 has an elastic pressing projection 12 which transmits pressing force applied from the key top 16 side to a top 8a of the metal dome 8.

Abstract: Accessories such as headsets for electronic devices are provided. A headset may be provided with a button controller assembly that has user-actuated buttons. The button controller assembly may be formed of housing portions that float with respect to each other. Plastic engagement structures may limit the amount of unimpeded travel that is exhibited by the housing portions. The housing portions may be formed from first and second housings. A rigid frame may be mounted within the second housing. The first housing may flex along its length when the user squeezes the first and second housings together to actuate a desired button. Housings may be formed as double-shot plastic parts having first and second plastics with different properties. Integrated circuits and a microphone may be mounted within the button controller assembly. A nonoperational microphone port may be provided as a visual indicator that the button controller contains a microphone.

Abstract: An electrical switch including a supporting base, a top button mounted to the supporting base wherein the top button has a top face configured to receive a first force for actuating the electrical switch, and a detecting interrupter mounted to the top button configured to detect contact on the top face as well as to establish a signal representative of any detection of the contact on the top button when the first force is greater than or equal to a first threshold value. The detecting interrupter further includes a blade configured to deform elastically under the top button to establish the signal and further configured to exert a resistance force on the top button, wherein the resistance force increases continuously while the first force is exerted.

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: A vehicle door handle device includes: an electric part which is received within an internal space formed within a door handle so as to form a gap between the electric part and an inner surface of the door handle; and an elastic member which is fixed to the electric part, and is pressed against the inner surface of the door handle.

Abstract: An electromechanical device including a key top member (i.e., a push button cover device) used in a push button mechanism. The key top member has a main body, a frame surrounding the main body, and a hinge portion supporting the key top main body. The hinge portion is formed integrally to the frame. The electromechanical device can be used in an operation panel of an image forming apparatus. The hinge and the main body are less susceptible to breakage during transport, installation and maintenance because they are surrounded by the frame.

Abstract: An RFID ring illumination system includes an illumination ring and a printed circuit board. The illumination ring has a light refracting layer integral with the front of a surgical machine. The printed circuit board is located behind and close to the front of the surgical machine. The printed circuit board has an RFID reader antenna and a light source mounted on it. The light emitted by the light source travels through the illumination ring and is visible from the front of the surgical machine.

Abstract: A platform of the type holding a plurality of normally-open electric switches in position for activation of a selected individual switch by application of a force in a direction normal to a surface of the switch by a portion of a human body. An exemplary platform according to the invention forms a dance platform on which a user steps to activate switches in accordance with instructions viewed on a video display device. A joining structure may by used to hold two platforms in a side-by-side competition arrangement. A security vault may be affixed to structure associated with platform to resist theft of a commercially available game controller adapted to operate the video display and to receive switch input from a platform. Certain aspects of the invention include one or more, typically inert, practice platforms structured to represent the user interface surface of an activatable platform. A method for using a system of active and inert platforms is also disclosed.

Abstract: A push button switch has a housing formed by a base in which a fixed contact is disposed on a bottom face of the base and a cover assembled to the base, an operating member slidably inserted in the housing parallel to the bottom face of the base, a guiding part formed on the cover, extending obliquely inwards from a ceiling face of the cover, wherein a tip of an operating piece of the operating member is operable to slide along the guiding part, and a movable contact disposed in the housing and operable to be pressed against the fixed contact, thereby opening a circuit. The guiding part and a reinforcing part extending from the ceiling face of the cover at least on one side of the guiding part are formed at an edge of a through hole formed in the ceiling face of the cover. The movable contact has a thin dome shape.

Abstract: A keypad assembly for a portable terminal includes a first keypad assembly including a substrate formed with openings, and a second keypad assembly including a stick which extends through the substrate. The stick is substantially coplanar with keys on the first keypad.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a housing and a button. The housing contains a switch. The button is arranged in the housing, opposed to the switch and configured to operate the switch. The switch is positioned off a center of the button.

Abstract: A groove-like recess, substantially V-shaped, extending vertically is formed on the outer circumference of an operation shaft, and a projection engaging the recess is provided on a guide hole, namely the inner circumference of a hollow pipe. Such makeup provides an automotive push switch that reduces an impactive force caused when the recess hits the projection within the movable range of the operation shaft, by decomposing or dispersing the force according to the inclination angle of the slope, and so does the hitting sound.

Abstract: A first separate area insulated from a top conductive layer and extending in a direction perpendicular to an extending direction of top electrodes is provided near an inner periphery of a spacer on a surface of the top substrate where the top conductive layer is provided. And/or a second separate area insulated from a bottom conductive layer and extending in a direction perpendicular to an extending direction of bottom electrodes is provided near an inner periphery of the spacer on a surface of the bottom substrate where the bottom conductive layer is provided.

Abstract: A key structure assembly is provided for a mobile computing device. The key structure assembly includes a keycap having at least a first segment and a second segment. A first actuation member extends inward into the housing from the first segment of the keycap, and a second actuation member extends inward from the second segment of the key cap. A substrate including a plurality of electrical connects, including a first electrical contact aligned underneath the first actuation member, and a second electrical contact aligned underneath the second actuation member. The keycap is moveable inward to direct either the first actuation member into contact with the first electrical contact, or the second actuation member into contact with the second electrical contact. One or more sections of material are positioned above the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

Abstract: A cover member for a push-button switch is disclosed, the cover member including a hard base and a keypad, wherein the hard base is made of a hard resin with a through hole for a key top, wherein the keypad is made of a silicone rubber film, and a front surface of the keypad is in contact with an entire back surface of the hard base, thereby preventing the entire back surface of the hard base from being contact with any member other than the keypad, and wherein the keypad is exposed through the through hole, and a back surface of the keypad corresponding to the through hole is provided with a press projection for pressing a contact point.

Abstract: A movable contact assembly includes a light guiding sheet which is light transmittable, and a movable contact provided on the light guiding sheet. The light guiding sheet has a portion having the movable contact provided thereon and a portion having plural grooves provided therein. The grooves constitute a light inlet for introducing light into the light guiding sheet. This movable contact assembly can illuminate a switch preferably with a simple structure, providing the switch with an easily operation.

Abstract: A latch releasing device includes a switch that is turned on upon pressing a pressing button towards a switch body and unlatches a door, a base member that holds the switch via the switch body such that the pressing button is arranged on a front surface thereof, a key top member on the base member to cover the pressing button of the switch, and a biasing member between the base member and the key top member that biases the key top member in a direction departing from the pressing button of the switch. The switch is fixed to a panel via the base member such that the pressing button can be pressed via the key top member from outside the panel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pushbutton (5), especially for actuating an electropneumatic parking brake (EPH) in road vehicles, which is connected to evaluation electronics (ECU) (6) via connecting cables (1 to 4). In order to detect switching processes and/or faults, the input resistance of the pushbutton (5) between the connecting points (7, 8) or (9, 10) is evaluated, thus allowing the evaluation electronics (ECU) (6) to reliably detect both the switched position of the pushbutton (5) and potential fault conditions.