Patent classifications
H01H2215/046
Elastomeric keypad
An elastomeric keypad (1) is shown having at least one key (3) having an elastomeric dome (41) defining a chamber (42) and provided inside with an activating means (43), an activation means (44) cooperating with the activating means (43), and at least one compensating channel (48) opening at the chamber (42) to enable for a flow of fluid from the chamber (42), while the elastomeric dome (41) collapses, and to the chamber (42), while the elastomeric dome (41) releases. In order to suppress the sound intensity of the push up event, at least one of the compensating channels (48) includes at least one valve arrangement (5) generating fluid restrictions while the fluid returns to the chamber (42). Preferably the valve arrangement (5) has a form of a Tesla Valve.
ELASTOMERIC KEYPAD
The present invention relates to an elastomeric keypad (1) having at least one key (3) comprising an elastomeric dome (41) defining a chamber (42) and provided inside with an activating means (43), an activation means (44) cooperating with said activation means (44), and at least one compensating channel (48) opening at said chamber (42) to enable for a flow of fluid from said chamber (42), while said elastomeric dome (41) collapses, and to said chamber (42), while said elastomeric dome (41) releases. In order to suppress the sound intensity of the pushup event, at least one of said compensating channels (48) comprises at least one valve arrangement (5) generating fluid restrictions while the fluid returns to said chamber (42). Preferably said valve arrangement (5) has a form of a Tesla Valve.
User interface system
A user interface system of one embodiment includes a layer defining a surface; a substrate supporting the layer and at least partially defining a cavity; a displacement coupled to the cavity that expands the cavity, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface; and a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and adapted to sense a user touch proximate the particular region of the surface. The layer and the substrate are connected at an attachment point, and the location of the attachment point relative to the layer, substrate, and cavity at least partially defines the shape of the deformed particular region of the surface.