Disclosed herein is a flexible and soft material-based pressure sensor and/or switch assembly that can be used for soft goods as a soft switch. The material selection and design enhances the maximum bending ability and squeezing ability of the pressure sensor/switch and the sensor/switch is made to withstand heavy washes while maintaining its functionality of switching with a light touch based on the use of a waterproof stacking assembly that contains a piezoresistant material, electrodes and other components.

A pushbutton includes a base extending in a longitudinal direction, a sensor module mounted to the base, a keycap disposed above the sensor module, two scissor switch modules, a main pushbutton module and two side pushbutton modules. The sensor module has a first sensing member and two second sensing members. The main pushbutton module is operable to switch between a released state, where the main pushbutton module is not in direct contact with the first sensing member such that each of the scissor switch modules would not be in direct contact with a respective one of the second sensing members, and a depressed state, where the main pushbutton module comes in direct contact with the first sensing member.

A button device includes a base extending in a longitudinal direction, a sensor module mounted to the base, a keycap disposed above the sensor module, two scissor switch modules, and a pushbutton module. The sensor module has a first sensing member and two second sensing members disposed at two opposite sides of the first sensing member in the longitudinal direction. The pushbutton module is operable to switch between a released state, where the pushbutton module is not in direct contact with the first sensing member such that each of the scissor switch modules would not be indirect contact with corresponding second sensing member, and a depressed state, where the pushbutton module comes in direct contact with the first sensing member.

An interface device includes a movable button connected to a frame structure by resilient structures positioned laterally between the button and the frame structure. Multiple layers or diaphragms of material can be used to make the button, frame, and resilient structures. Movement of the button can trigger a switch or sensor in a manner allowing an electronic device to detect interaction with the button. The interface device can be implemented in an electronic device such as a keyboard that has a low number of parts yet also providing tactile, stabilized key travel, support for various sensor or switch types for the keys, and, in some cases, haptic feedback.

In some examples, techniques are provided for quick haptic feedback, without the use of a controller, which is local to individual, non-actuating keys, such as keys of a thin keyboard or keypad. The haptic feedback may be in the form of a simulated key-click feedback for an individual key that is pressed by a user such that the finger used to press the key feels the tactile sensation. The haptic feedback mimics the tactile sensation of a mechanical key (e.g., buckling spring, pop-dome key switch) to give a user the perception that they have actuated a mechanically movable key.

Methods of making an electronic device and a keyboard are disclosed. One method including providing a flexible film; providing a first electrode underneath the flexible film, the first electrode coupled to a high voltage signal source; providing a second electrode located beneath the first electrode, the second electrode coupled to an input detector; providing a spacer configured to maintain at least a threshold distance between the first electrode and the second electrode; providing a piezoelectric actuator beneath the second electrode, a top surface of the piezoelectric actuator coupled to the second electrode, wherein contact between the first electrode and the second electrode couples the high voltage signal source to the input detector and the piezoelectric actuator; and providing a base plane beneath the piezoelectric actuator, the base plane coupled to a bottom surface of the piezoelectric actuator and a signal ground.

An input device includes a housing, an operation unit, a vibrating body, a piezoelectric element, a picker, and a signal processing unit. The operation unit is movable relative to the housing. The vibrating body has elasticity. The vibrating body includes a first end partially fixed to the housing, and a second end provided so as to be vibratable. The piezoelectric element is provided to the vibrating body. The piezoelectric element is configured to convert vibration energy of the vibrating body into electrical energy as the vibrating body vibrates. The picker flicks the vibrating body to allow the vibrating body to vibrate in conjunction with the operation unit. The signal processing unit is configured to receive power generated by the piezoelectric element to operate and transmit, through wireless communications, detection information to be generated as the operation unit moves.

A power generation switch according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a holder section; a power generator having a fixed end which is fixed to the holder and a free end which freely vibrates in a first direction, the power generator generating a power due to the free vibration of the free end, the power generator including an attraction member; an arm section extending in a second direction from the free end to the fixed end, the arm section having an axis at an end closer to the fixed end than to the free end, the arm section rotating around the axis of the arm section, the arm section including a magnet that is attached to or released from the attraction member by a rotation of the arm section; a lever section fitting to the arm section, the lever section extending in the second direction, the lever section having an axis at an end closer to the fixed end than to the free end, the lever section rotating around the axis of the lever section, the lever section pressing the arm section; and a top plate pressing the arm section or the lever section.

An interface device includes a movable button connected to a frame structure by resilient structures positioned laterally between the button and the frame structure. Multiple layers or diaphragms of material can be used to make the button, frame, and resilient structures. Movement of the button can trigger a switch or sensor in a manner allowing an electronic device to detect interaction with the button. The interface device can be implemented in an electronic device such as a keyboard that has a low number of parts yet also providing tactile, stabilized key travel, support for various sensor or switch types for the keys, and, in some cases, haptic feedback.

An electrically conductive membrane pressure switch, such as a graphene membrane pressure switch. The electrically conductive membrane pressure switch includes an electrically conductive membrane, source, drain plane, actuator, and movable element (such as a piston element). The actuator drives the movable element to create a pressure differential that moves the suspended section of the electrically conductive membrane between its on, off, and neutral states.