A keyboard device includes plural key structures. Each key structure includes a plate assembly, a keycap assembly, an elastic element, a connecting member and a signal generator. The plate assembly includes a membrane switch. The keycap assembly is located over the plate assembly. The elastic element is arranged between the plate assembly and the keycap assembly. The connecting member is arranged between the plate assembly and the keycap assembly. The connecting member includes a triggering part. The signal generator is installed on the plate assembly. While the keycap assembly is moved toward the plate assembly through the connecting member, the triggering part is moved downwardly to trigger the signal generator to generate a first signal. After the signal generator is triggered, the keycap assembly is continuously moved downwardly and the membrane switch is triggered to generate a second signal.

An illuminated keyboard includes a light-emitting diode light string, a controller, a feedback line and a plurality of keys. The light-emitting diode light string includes a plurality of light-emitting diode modules which are connected in series through a serial connection wire. Each light-emitting diode module includes a light-emitting diode chip and a drive circuit. The controller is electrically connected with the light-emitting diode light string. The feedback line is electrically connected between the light-emitting diode modules and the controller. The keys correspond to the light-emitting diode modules and are electrically connected with the feedback line. Each light-emitting diode module emits light according to a received light-emitting signal and outputs a feedback signal. When at least one of the keys is switched to a pressing state, the feedback signal is pulled from a first level to a second level for the controller to differentiate the key in the pressing state.

An illuminated keyboard includes a light-emitting diode light string, a controller, a feedback line and a plurality of keys. The light-emitting diode light string includes a plurality of light-emitting diode modules which are connected in series through a serial connection wire. Each light-emitting diode module includes a light-emitting diode chip and a drive circuit. The controller is electrically connected with the light-emitting diode light string. The feedback line is electrically connected between the light-emitting diode modules and the controller. The keys correspond to the light-emitting diode modules and are electrically connected with the feedback line. Each light-emitting diode module emits light according to a received light-emitting signal and outputs a feedback signal. When at least one of the keys is switched to a pressing state, the feedback signal is pulled from a first level to a second level for the controller to differentiate the key in the pressing state.

An electric switch for electrical devices that includes a circuit board immovably arranged in a switch housing, the circuit board includes on one of its surfaces the contact paths of a contact system as well as contact surfaces in the form of potentiometer tracks. The contact paths interact with sliding contacts of the contact system and the potentiometer tracks interact with additional sliding contacts in order to set the revolutions per minute or the torque of the electric motor, movement of the plunger causes the sliding contacts of the contact system to come into contact with the associated contact paths, and, in this position of the plunger, which is the on position of the switch, the sliding contacts used for changing the direction of rotation are in the same way already in contact with the associated potentiometer tracks on the circuit board.

Systems and methods for forming an electrostatic MEMS plate switch include forming a deformable plate on a first substrate, forming the electrical contacts on a second piezoelectric substrate, and coupling the two substrates using a hermetic seal. The deformable plate may have at least one shunt bar located at a nodal line of a vibrational mode of the deformable plate, so that the shunt bar remains relatively stationary when the plate is vibrating in that vibrational mode. The second piezoelectric substrate may include lithium tantalate (LiTaO3) or lithium niobate (LiNiO3) or lead zirconate titanate (Pb[Zr(x)Ti(1x)]O3), or integrated circuits formed thereon.

A fuse suitable for arc quenching is disclosed. The fuse incorporates a high-resistive material or element placed in parallel relationship with the fusible element to mitigate, minimize and/or prevent arcing during an overcurrent condition. By incorporating a high-resistive material or element in parallel with a fusible element an alternate or second path for current flow during an overcurrent condition is provided. As such, during normal operating conditions, current travels through the fusible element. However, during an overcurrent condition, the resistance through the fusible element increases. Once the resistance through the fusible element is greater than the resistance through the high-resistive material or element, the current will bypass the fusible element and travel through the high-resistive material or element. In this manner, arcing through the fusible element during the overcurrent condition can be prevented or minimized.

A fuse suitable for arc quenching is disclosed. The fuse incorporates a high-resistive material or element placed in parallel relationship with the fusible element to mitigate, minimize and/or prevent arcing during an overcurrent condition. By incorporating a high-resistive material or element in parallel with a fusible element an alternate or second path for current flow during an overcurrent condition is provided. As such, during normal operating conditions, current travels through the fusible element. However, during an overcurrent condition, the resistance through the fusible element increases. Once the resistance through the fusible element is greater than the resistance through the high-resistive material or element, the current will bypass the fusible element and travel through the high-resistive material or element. In this manner, arcing through the fusible element during the overcurrent condition can be prevented or minimized.

A front panel overlay having a plurality of layers and one or more logic circuits incorporated therein is disclosed. One of the plurality of layers may have a first electrical contact and another one of the plurality of layers may have a second electrical contact. The one or more logic circuits may be incorporated at least indirectly within the plurality of layers and may be activated when the first electrical contact completes an electrical circuit with the second electrical contact.

A tactile switch assembly can include a tactile switch structure electrically connected to one end of a flexible circuit. The tactile switch assembly has a first length when the flexible circuit is in an unfolded state and a smaller second length when the flexible circuit is in a folded state. The flexible circuit folds over itself one or more times in the folded state. The tactile switch structure can include a stiffener positioned over a switch. The flexible circuit can extend over at least a portion of a top surface of the stiffener and wrap around the stiffener at a bend region and extend under at least a portion of a bottom surface of the stiffener. One or more component chambers can be created in openings in the stiffener that provide additional locations for one or more electrical components to be electrically connected to the flexible circuit.

An electric switch used in an electric device having a motor is provided. The electric switch comprises a switch housing, a plunger extending from the switch housing and switching from an off position into an on position of at least one contact of a contact system arranged within the switch housing via a movement, a circuit board; and a changeover device for changing a direction of rotation of the motor. The changeover device comprises a position encoder operated from outside, the position encoder is directly connected to a contact arm via two contact tongues; one contact tongue interacts with one conducting path to create a contact for the clockwise rotation of the motor in one position of the position encoder, and/or the other contact tongue interacts with other conducting paths to create a contact for the counterclockwise rotation of the motor in another position of the position encoder.