ARRANGEMENT OF A LONGITUDINAL KEY WITH JAM PROTECTION

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement (1) of a longitudinal key, comprising a housing (2), a longitudinal key (3) which extends along a first axis (A), is arranged displaceably in the housing (2) along a second axis (B) which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis (A), and is connectable to a switching means which is activated when the key (3) is pressed.In order to provide a simple stabilising mechanism which prevents the key from jamming when one of its ends is pressed, the arrangement (1) further comprises a longitudinal stabilising element (4) which has a first part (41) which is connected to the key (3) and a second part (42) which is rotatable about the first axis (A) and displaceable along a third axis (C) which is perpendicular to the first axis (A), and is embedded in a socket (5) which extends along the first axis (A), the first part (41) being connected to the second part (42) by means of a hinge (43).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement of a longitudinal key, comprising a housing and a longitudinal key extending along a first axis, which is arranged displaceably in the housing along a second axis which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis and is connectable to a switching means which is activated when the key is pressed. Background of the invention

[0002] Key arrangements of this type can be used in various consumer devices, particularly in the automotive industry.

[0003] Publications US 3,582,584, EP 0 759 205, and US 3,668,356 disclose key assemblies with plastic hinges based on lever assemblies movably connected to the housing. They enable a uniform transmission of the force exerted by the user on the key to the elements of the activation system.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a simple arrangement of a longitudinal key with a simple stabilizing mechanism that prevents the key from jamming when pressure is applied to one of its ends. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention relates to an arrangement of a longitudinal key of the type mentioned in the introduction, which is characterized in that it further comprises a longitudinal stabilizing element having a first part which is connected to the key and a second part which is embedded in a socket which extends along the first axis and is rotatable about the first axis and displaceable along a third axis which is perpendicular to the first axis, wherein the first part is connected to the second part via a hinge.

[0006] This provides a simple stabilization mechanism that eliminates the need for, for example, a metal stabilization bar, an expensive additional component.

[0007] Preferably, the longitudinal stabilizing element is made of plastic and the hinge is a film hinge.

[0008] Preferably, the longitudinal stabilizing element is integrated into the button.

[0009] Such an integrated component can be easily manufactured using the injection molding process.

[0010] Preferably, the socket has a first surface and a second surface extending in a sliding plane defined by the first axis and the third axis.

[0011] Preferably, at least one of the first and / or second surfaces is defined by a number of projections extending along the second axis.

[0012] The use of protrusions instead of a continuous surface reduces the friction between the socket and the second part when the button is pressed at its end, so that the reaction force is not significantly increased.

[0013] Preferably, the sliding plane is inclined by an angle (a) about the plane perpendicular to the second axis.

[0014] Preferably, the angle of inclination of the sliding plane corresponds substantially to half the angle between a plane defined by the second part rotated into the inactive position of the key and a plane defined by the second part rotated into the active position of the key.

[0015] Preferably, the longitudinal stabilizing element has a length that substantially corresponds to the length of the key.

[0016] Of course, the stabilizing effect of the invention should also be achieved with stabilizing elements that are shorter than the key and are preferably positioned in the middle of the key.

[0017] Preferably, the second part has a substantially circular cross-section.

[0018] Preferably, the socket is formed in the housing.

[0019] Preferably, the socket is defined by the housing and the housing cover. Short description of the drawing

[0020] The invention is described and explained below using a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic axonometric view of an embodiment of a longitudinal key arrangement according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic axonometric exploded view of the Fig. 1 shown key layout, Fig. 3 illustrates the undesirable effect of the prior art key jamming, Fig. 4 a cross-sectional view of the Fig. 1 shown key arrangement along the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the key in the inactive position and Fig. 5 a cross-sectional view of the Fig. 1 shown key arrangement along the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the key in the active position. Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0021] An embodiment of an arrangement 1 of a longitudinal key is shown in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The key assembly 1 consists of a plastic injection-molded housing 2, which enables the assembly 1 to be attached to external circuits which, in a known manner, provide an activation signal to external systems (not shown).

[0022] An elongated, injection-molded plastic button 3, extending along a first axis A, is slidably mounted in the housing 2 along a second axis B, which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis A. For this purpose, the button 3 is provided with three sliding projections 32 parallel to the second axis B, each of which is arranged in a sliding groove 22 in the housing 2.

[0023] The key 3 penetrates a housing cover 21 and is connected to a key plate 31. By pressing the key plate 31, the user slides the key 3 downwards, thus activating a switch (not shown), which delivers the activation signal in a known manner. Furthermore, the key assembly 1 comprises an elastic equilibrium position device (not shown) which maintains the inactive position of the key 3 (see Fig. 4) and ensures the return of the key 3 to this inactive position after being pressed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the key assembly 1 may comprise a plurality of elastomeric dome switches, which are commonly used as computer keyboard switches and provide both the equilibrium position and the switch function.

[0024] Due to its relatively long length, button 3 could rotate in a plane defined by axes A and B when a user presses it at one of its ends, as shown in Fig. 3 (Prior Art). This, in turn, could lead to jamming. In the illustrated embodiment, the opposing projections 32 would simply remain stuck in the grooves 22 provided for them.

[0025] To prevent the key 3 from becoming undesired when pressure is applied to one of its ends, the key 3 has an elongated stabilizing element 4 whose length substantially corresponds to the length of the key 3. The stabilizing element 4 has a first part 41 which is connected to the key 3, and a second part 42 which has a substantially circular cross-section and is embedded in a socket 5 which extends along the first axis A and is rotatable about the first axis A and displaceable along a third axis C which is perpendicular to the first axis A. The first part 41 is connected to the second part 42 by means of a film hinge 43 whose cross-sectional area has a reduced thickness.

[0026] In this embodiment, the housing cover 21 has a plurality of projections 23 that extend along the second axis B and define a first surface 51 of the socket 5. A second surface 52 of the socket 5 is defined by the housing 2. Both surfaces 51, 52 extend in a sliding plane AC defined by the first axis A and the third axis C.

[0027] As in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 by arrows, the second part 42 can slide along the third axis C and rotate about the first axis A. Thus, when the button 3 is pressed on one of its sides (as for example in Fig. 3) and slides downwards, the first part 41 pulls the second part 42 downwards in the direction of the third axis C and rotates the second part 42 counterclockwise about the first axis A. This rotational movement is transmitted over the entire length of the second part 42 through the film hinge 43 to the other side of the key 3, where the forces act in the opposite direction, i.e. the second part 42 pulls the key 3 downwards via the film hinge 43. As a result, the key 3 does not tilt and jam when pressed, but moves over its entire length along the second axis B in accordance with the direction of pressure.

[0028] As in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the sliding plane AC is inclined by an angle a with respect to the plane perpendicular to the second axis B. This angle α corresponds substantially to half the angle between a plane A-D0 defined by the second part 42 in the active position of the key 3 ( Fig. 4) and a plane A-D1, which defines the second part 42 in the inactive position of key 3 ( Fig. 5), ie it is essentially half the angle of rotation of the second part 42 between the inactive and the active position of the key 3.

[0029] The above embodiment of the present invention is merely exemplary. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or reduced in size. However, these and other factors should not be considered as limiting the inventive concept, the scope of which is indicated in the appended claims. List of reference symbols A First axis B Second axis C Third Axis 1 Key layout 2 housings 21 Housing cover 22 sliding groove 23 lead 3 button 31 key plate 32 sliding projection 4 Stabilizing element 41 Part One 42 Part Two 43 Hinge 5th version 51 First area 52 Second area QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 3 582 584

[0003] EP 0 759 205

[0003] US 3 668 356

[0003]

Claims

[1] Arrangement (1) of a longitudinal key, comprising a housing (2), a longitudinal button (3) extending along a first axis (A), slidably arranged in the housing (2) along a second axis (B) substantially perpendicular to the first axis (A), and connectable to a switching means activated when the button (3) is pressed, characterized by that it further comprises a longitudinal stabilizing element (4) comprising: a first part (41) connected to the button (3) and a second part (42) which is embedded in a socket (5) extending along the first axis (A) and is rotatable about the first axis (A) and displaceable along a third axis (C) perpendicular to the first axis (A), wherein the first part (41) is connected to the second part (42) via a hinge (43). [2] Key arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the longitudinal stabilizing element (4) is made of plastic and the hinge (43) is a film hinge. [3] Key arrangement (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the longitudinal stabilizing element (4) is integrated into the button (3). [4] Key arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the socket (5) has a first surface (51) and a second surface (52) extending in a sliding plane (AC) defined by the first axis (A) and the third axis (C). [5] Key arrangement (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that at least one of the first (51) and / or second (52) surfaces is defined by a number of projections (23) extending along the second axis (B). [6] Key arrangement (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that the sliding plane (AC) is inclined by an angle (a) about the plane perpendicular to the second axis (B). [7] Key arrangement (1) according to claim 6, characterized by that the angle of inclination (a) of the sliding plane (AC) corresponds substantially to half the angle between a plane (A-D0) defined by the second part (42) rotated into the inactive position of the key (3) and a plane (A-D1) defined by the second part (42) rotated into the active position of the key (3). [8] Key arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the longitudinal stabilizing element (4) has a length which essentially corresponds to the length of the key (3). [9] Key arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the second part (42) has a substantially circular cross-section. [10] Key arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the socket (5) is formed in the housing (2). [11] Key arrangement (1) according to claim 10, characterized bythat the socket (5) is defined by the housing (2) and the housing cover (21).

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