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GB2077508A - Variable resistance pressure- sensitive laminate - Google Patents

Variable resistance pressure- sensitive laminate Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2077508A
GB2077508A GB8114009A GB8114009A GB2077508A GB 2077508 A GB2077508 A GB 2077508A GB 8114009 A GB8114009 A GB 8114009A GB 8114009 A GB8114009 A GB 8114009A GB 2077508 A GB2077508 A GB 2077508A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
electrodes
pressure
laminate
pair
foil
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB8114009A
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB8114009A priority Critical patent/GB2077508A/en
Publication of GB2077508A publication Critical patent/GB2077508A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • H01H13/78—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 the contacts or the contact sites
    • H01H13/785—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 the contacts or the contact sites characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01C—RESISTORS
    • H01C10/00—Adjustable resistors
    • H01C10/10—Adjustable resistors adjustable by mechanical pressure or force
    • H01C10/106—Adjustable resistors adjustable by mechanical pressure or force on resistive material dispersed in an elastic material
    • 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
    • H01H13/702—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 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2201/00—Contacts
    • H01H2201/022—Material
    • H01H2201/026—Material non precious
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2201/00—Contacts
    • H01H2201/022—Material
    • H01H2201/032—Conductive polymer; Rubber
    • H01H2201/036—Variable resistance
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2209/00—Layers
    • H01H2209/018—Layers flat, smooth or ripple-free
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2209/00—Layers
    • H01H2209/02—UV or light sensitive
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/028—Printed information
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
    • H01H2229/016—Selective etching
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
    • H01H2229/024—Packing between substrate and membrane
    • H01H2229/028—Adhesive
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2231/00—Applications
    • H01H2231/01—Toy

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)

Abstract

A keyboard or games target board in the form of a laminate comprises pairs of electrodes A,B on a base board 1 and superimposed by a foil 2 of carbon impregnated polythene and a cover layer 3 formed with indicating indicia. The electrical resistance between the electrodes of each pair varies with the pressure applied to the laminate. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Variable resistance pressure-sensitive laminate This invention relates to a pressure-sensitive laminate having an electrical resistance (between electrodes thereof) which varies in accordance with pressure applied to the laminate. The laminate may include a plurality of pairs of such electrodes and be employed, for example, as a keyboard, or as a target board.
My British patent application 79.10997 describes and claims a pressure-sensitive mat, comprising a laminate of two metal foil electrodes and an interposed foil of electrically insulating material loaded with electrically conductive particles, such that the electrical resistance between the electrodes varies in accordance with pressure applied to the mat. The intermediate foil is basically incompressible but the variation in electrical resistance results from a variation with pressure of the effective electrical contact between its surfaces and those of the respective electrode foils.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a pressure-sensitive laminate comprising at least one pair of electrodes and a foil of electrically insulating material loaded with electrically conductive particles and superimposed so as to bridge the pair or pairs of electrodes, such that the electrical resistance between the electrodes of the, or each pair varies in accordance with pressure applied to the laminate in the region of those electrodes. In an embodiment to be described, the electrodes are provided as conductive layers on a base board and the bridging foil is superimposed by a cover layer. A plurality of pairs of electrodes may be provided, so as to form for example a plurality of keys for keyboard use or a plurality of target areas for use as a games target board.
An embodiment of this invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective partiai view of a base board provided with a number of pairs of electrodes of different shapes, to show a few exemplary shapes for the electrodes; and Figure 2 is an exploded view of a keyboard in accordance with the invention.
The laminate in accordance with the invention comprises at least one pair of electrodes and four different shapes are shown (by way of example only) in Figure 1. As shown, the electrodes may be formed on a copper clad board (for example a resin based board), the copper being etched chemically to leave the required electrode pattern. Referring more particularly to Figure 2, a foil 2 of electrically insulating material (e.g. polythene) loaded with electrically conductive particles (e.g. carbon) is superimposed over the base board 1 so as to bridge the pairs of electrodes A, B, etc. The electrodes of each pair are close together, relative to the spacing between the pairs. The bridging foil 2 is superimposed by a cover layer 3 of clear polymeric material having an adhesive backing.As shown, the cover layer may be provided with indiciaatthe region of each electrode pair, so as identify the location of each electrode pair and the function of the key which is constituted by that electrode pair. For example, the cover layer 3 may be formed of a material which is ultra-violet sensitive and which has been selectively exposed to such light to form the indicia. The three layers 1, 2, 3 are sealed together around their margins to provide an integral structure for the keyboard.
As shown in Figure 2, the electrode pairs are connected by conductor paths to electrodes 4 along an edge of the base board, which electrodes 4 provide for connection to associated circuits.
When pressure is applied to any "key" of the keyboard from the free surface of the cover layer, the electrical resistance between the electrodes of the underlying pair varies inversely with that pressure, not because of any compression of and consequent resistivity change in the bridging foil 2, but because of an increase with pressure in the surface-to-surface conductivity between the foil 2 and the respective electrodes of the pair.
The change in electrical resistance of the keys can be used to activate electronic devices (e.g. a visual display or memory store) via the associated circuits.
The keys can be used as on-off switches or as variable controls which respond to the degree of applied pressure (e.g. motor speed control, volume audio control). By way of example, the electrical resistance may change from 500,000 ohms (no applied pressure) to 2000 ohms per square cm.
As another example the laminate may be used as a target board, with different regions actuating different electrode pairs.
1. A pressure-sensitive laminate comprising at least one pair of electrodes and a foil of electrically insulating material loaded with electrically conductive particles and superimposed so as to bridge the pair or pairs of electrodes, such that the electrical resistance between the electrodes of the or each pair varies in accordance with pressure applied to the laminate in the region of those electrodes.
2. A pressure-sensitive laminate as claimed in claim 1, in which the electrodes are provided as conductive layers on a base board.
3. A pressure-sensitive laminate as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the bridging foil is superimposed by a cover layer.
4. A pressure-sensitive laminate as claimed in claim 3, in which the cover layer is provided with indicia indicating the region of the or each electrode pair.
5. A pressure-sensitive laminate as claimed in any preceding claim, in the form of a keyboard.
6. A pressure-sensitive laminate as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, in the form of a games target board.
7. A keyboard substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Variable resistance pressure-sensitive laminate This invention relates to a pressure-sensitive laminate having an electrical resistance (between electrodes thereof) which varies in accordance with pressure applied to the laminate. The laminate may include a plurality of pairs of such electrodes and be employed, for example, as a keyboard, or as a target board. My British patent application 79.10997 describes and claims a pressure-sensitive mat, comprising a laminate of two metal foil electrodes and an interposed foil of electrically insulating material loaded with electrically conductive particles, such that the electrical resistance between the electrodes varies in accordance with pressure applied to the mat. The intermediate foil is basically incompressible but the variation in electrical resistance results from a variation with pressure of the effective electrical contact between its surfaces and those of the respective electrode foils. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a pressure-sensitive laminate comprising at least one pair of electrodes and a foil of electrically insulating material loaded with electrically conductive particles and superimposed so as to bridge the pair or pairs of electrodes, such that the electrical resistance between the electrodes of the, or each pair varies in accordance with pressure applied to the laminate in the region of those electrodes. In an embodiment to be described, the electrodes are provided as conductive layers on a base board and the bridging foil is superimposed by a cover layer. A plurality of pairs of electrodes may be provided, so as to form for example a plurality of keys for keyboard use or a plurality of target areas for use as a games target board. An embodiment of this invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective partiai view of a base board provided with a number of pairs of electrodes of different shapes, to show a few exemplary shapes for the electrodes; and Figure 2 is an exploded view of a keyboard in accordance with the invention. The laminate in accordance with the invention comprises at least one pair of electrodes and four different shapes are shown (by way of example only) in Figure 1. As shown, the electrodes may be formed on a copper clad board (for example a resin based board), the copper being etched chemically to leave the required electrode pattern. Referring more particularly to Figure 2, a foil 2 of electrically insulating material (e.g. polythene) loaded with electrically conductive particles (e.g. carbon) is superimposed over the base board 1 so as to bridge the pairs of electrodes A, B, etc. The electrodes of each pair are close together, relative to the spacing between the pairs. The bridging foil 2 is superimposed by a cover layer 3 of clear polymeric material having an adhesive backing.As shown, the cover layer may be provided with indiciaatthe region of each electrode pair, so as identify the location of each electrode pair and the function of the key which is constituted by that electrode pair. For example, the cover layer 3 may be formed of a material which is ultra-violet sensitive and which has been selectively exposed to such light to form the indicia. The three layers 1, 2, 3 are sealed together around their margins to provide an integral structure for the keyboard. As shown in Figure 2, the electrode pairs are connected by conductor paths to electrodes 4 along an edge of the base board, which electrodes 4 provide for connection to associated circuits. When pressure is applied to any "key" of the keyboard from the free surface of the cover layer, the electrical resistance between the electrodes of the underlying pair varies inversely with that pressure, not because of any compression of and consequent resistivity change in the bridging foil 2, but because of an increase with pressure in the surface-to-surface conductivity between the foil 2 and the respective electrodes of the pair. The change in electrical resistance of the keys can be used to activate electronic devices (e.g. a visual display or memory store) via the associated circuits. The keys can be used as on-off switches or as variable controls which respond to the degree of applied pressure (e.g. motor speed control, volume audio control). By way of example, the electrical resistance may change from 500,000 ohms (no applied pressure) to 2000 ohms per square cm. As another example the laminate may be used as a target board, with different regions actuating different electrode pairs. CLAIMS
1. A pressure-sensitive laminate comprising at least one pair of electrodes and a foil of electrically insulating material loaded with electrically conductive particles and superimposed so as to bridge the pair or pairs of electrodes, such that the electrical resistance between the electrodes of the or each pair varies in accordance with pressure applied to the laminate in the region of those electrodes.
2. A pressure-sensitive laminate as claimed in claim 1, in which the electrodes are provided as conductive layers on a base board.
3. A pressure-sensitive laminate as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the bridging foil is superimposed by a cover layer.
4. A pressure-sensitive laminate as claimed in claim 3, in which the cover layer is provided with indicia indicating the region of the or each electrode pair.
5. A pressure-sensitive laminate as claimed in any preceding claim, in the form of a keyboard.
6. A pressure-sensitive laminate as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, in the form of a games target board.
7. A keyboard substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
GB8114009A 1980-05-09 1981-05-07 Variable resistance pressure- sensitive laminate Withdrawn GB2077508A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8114009A GB2077508A (en) 1980-05-09 1981-05-07 Variable resistance pressure- sensitive laminate

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8015339 1980-05-09
GB8114009A GB2077508A (en) 1980-05-09 1981-05-07 Variable resistance pressure- sensitive laminate

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2077508A true GB2077508A (en) 1981-12-16

Family

ID=26275449

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8114009A Withdrawn GB2077508A (en) 1980-05-09 1981-05-07 Variable resistance pressure- sensitive laminate

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2077508A (en)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2151379A (en) * 1983-12-13 1985-07-17 Stephen Harold Alsop Key pad
GB2158291A (en) * 1984-05-02 1985-11-06 Nottingham County Council Pressure sensitive electrical switch device
GB2191340A (en) * 1986-05-20 1987-12-09 Amalgamated Wireless Australas Interchangeable designation for membrane keyboard
EP0253304A2 (en) * 1986-07-10 1988-01-20 Tapeswitch Resistive tape element, processes for its preparation and its uses
GB2194102A (en) * 1986-07-17 1988-02-24 Schoeller & Co Elektrotech Sheet circuit
US4866412A (en) * 1986-08-14 1989-09-12 The Microelectronics Applications Research Institute Limited Tactile sensor device
GB2222029A (en) * 1988-03-04 1990-02-21 Touch Panel Prod Ltd Pressure sensitive potentiometer
GB2233841A (en) * 1989-06-28 1991-01-16 Lutron Electronics Co Touch-operated power control
EP0489344A1 (en) * 1990-12-03 1992-06-10 I.E.E. International Electronics &amp; Engineering S.à.r.l. Method for identifying an activated key of a keyboard
US5180900A (en) * 1991-04-15 1993-01-19 Tapeswitch Corporation Of America Electrical resistance element with heat-sensitive disconnect capability
FR2692419A1 (en) * 1992-01-24 1993-12-17 Fusilier Jean Marie Flat keyboard with progressive sensitivity keys for wireless remote control - Uses box made up of number of layers one of which is PCB carrying raised cells which provide progressive actions depending on pressure applied to their overlying keys.
DE19642615A1 (en) * 1995-10-20 1997-04-24 Kws Computersysteme Gmbh Machine control input device
GB2324373A (en) * 1997-04-18 1998-10-21 Timothy Macpherson Pressure-sensitive floor covering enabling motion and position tracking
FR2787236A1 (en) * 1998-12-14 2000-06-16 Cit Alcatel KEY LIGHTING SYSTEM AND APPLICATION TO PORTABLE TELEPHONES
GB2346737A (en) * 1999-02-09 2000-08-16 Jordan Advertising Limited Switch for use in an advertising appliance

Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2151379A (en) * 1983-12-13 1985-07-17 Stephen Harold Alsop Key pad
GB2158291A (en) * 1984-05-02 1985-11-06 Nottingham County Council Pressure sensitive electrical switch device
GB2191340A (en) * 1986-05-20 1987-12-09 Amalgamated Wireless Australas Interchangeable designation for membrane keyboard
EP0253304A2 (en) * 1986-07-10 1988-01-20 Tapeswitch Resistive tape element, processes for its preparation and its uses
EP0253304A3 (en) * 1986-07-10 1989-08-16 Tapeswitch Resistive tape element, processes for its preparation and its uses
GB2194102A (en) * 1986-07-17 1988-02-24 Schoeller & Co Elektrotech Sheet circuit
US4866412A (en) * 1986-08-14 1989-09-12 The Microelectronics Applications Research Institute Limited Tactile sensor device
GB2222029A (en) * 1988-03-04 1990-02-21 Touch Panel Prod Ltd Pressure sensitive potentiometer
GB2222029B (en) * 1988-03-04 1991-05-01 Touch Panel Prod Ltd A potentiometer
GB2233841B (en) * 1989-06-28 1994-02-02 Lutron Electronics Co Touch-operated power control
GB2233841A (en) * 1989-06-28 1991-01-16 Lutron Electronics Co Touch-operated power control
EP0489344A1 (en) * 1990-12-03 1992-06-10 I.E.E. International Electronics &amp; Engineering S.à.r.l. Method for identifying an activated key of a keyboard
US5180900A (en) * 1991-04-15 1993-01-19 Tapeswitch Corporation Of America Electrical resistance element with heat-sensitive disconnect capability
FR2692419A1 (en) * 1992-01-24 1993-12-17 Fusilier Jean Marie Flat keyboard with progressive sensitivity keys for wireless remote control - Uses box made up of number of layers one of which is PCB carrying raised cells which provide progressive actions depending on pressure applied to their overlying keys.
DE19642615A1 (en) * 1995-10-20 1997-04-24 Kws Computersysteme Gmbh Machine control input device
DE19642615C2 (en) * 1995-10-20 1999-08-26 Kws Computersysteme Gmbh Input device for machine controls
GB2324373A (en) * 1997-04-18 1998-10-21 Timothy Macpherson Pressure-sensitive floor covering enabling motion and position tracking
GB2324373B (en) * 1997-04-18 2001-04-25 Timothy Macpherson Position and motion tracker
FR2787236A1 (en) * 1998-12-14 2000-06-16 Cit Alcatel KEY LIGHTING SYSTEM AND APPLICATION TO PORTABLE TELEPHONES
EP1014402A1 (en) * 1998-12-14 2000-06-28 Alcatel Illumination system for keys and its application in portable telephones
GB2346737A (en) * 1999-02-09 2000-08-16 Jordan Advertising Limited Switch for use in an advertising appliance

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Legal Events

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)