Gm Nameplate, Inc.

Almax Manufacturing Corporation

Alan M Burk

Robert W Deppiesse

An electrical membrane switch that is actuated by applying a force against a layer of a variable resistance material that overlies and is in direct contact with switch poles that are applied to and supported by a substrate. A gap is provided between the switch poles, and the layer extends across the gap. The substrate can be a circuit board with electrical traces formed thereon to convey electrical current to the switch poles. As a sufficient force is applied to the surface of the layer of the variable resistance material, its resistance changes from a relatively high value, in which the switch is in a non-conducting state, to a relatively low value, in which the switch is in a conductive state. A protective sheet can optionally be included over the variable resistance layer and can include graphics/text to indicate the position of each switch in an array and its function.

Switch using variable resistance layer to control state

A membrane switch (10) having a top membrane (12) with a lower conductive surface (16), a bottom membrane (14) with an upper conductive surface (18), and a dielectric intermediate circuit spacer (20) disposed therebetween. The intermediate circuit spacer includes a central aperture (24) and defines upper and lower surfaces (28 and 32). First y-axis electrodes (26) are formed on the upper surface of the intermediate circuit spacer, and second x-axis (30) electrodes are formed on the lower surface of the intermediate circuit spacer. Conductive adhesive (58, 64) is applied between the intermediate circuit spacer and the top and bottom membranes to secure the intermediate spacer in place with the x- and y-axis electrodes in electrical contact with the top and bottom membranes, respectively.

Growing community of inventors

Kirkland, WA, United States of America

Alan M Burk