Device for resetting a button

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (42) for resetting a button along a guide direction (8), comprising: two holding posts (44), which are spaced apart in a clamping direction (6) perpendicular to the guide direction (8) and extend in the guide direction, for receiving a first force (46) which runs parallel to the guide direction (8), each having a holding form-locking element (48) which acts against the first force (46), around which holding posts a viscoelastic element (50) is clamped; two counter posts (52), which are spaced apart in the clamping direction (6), for receiving a second force (57) which is opposite the first force (46) and which runs parallel to the guide direction (8), each having a counter form-locking element (54) which acts against the second force (56), the viscoelastic element (50) being arranged between the holding and counter form-locking elements (48, 54) in the guide direction (8); and at least one resetting protrusion (56) which is held stationary with respect to the counter posts (52) and which, in reaction to the first and / or the second force (46, 57), acts on the viscoelastic element (50) in order to deflect the viscoelastic element in or opposite the guide direction (8).

Description

[0001] Device for resetting a key

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for resetting a button and a remote control with the device.

[0004] US Patent 2014 / 305250 discloses an operating device with at least one button that is slidably mounted in a housing in a direction perpendicular to the housing surface. The button has at least one hook with a lug projecting transversely to the direction of movement. An elastic element acts in the direction of the button's extension from the housing. The button's movement is limited by the lug in combination with a removable rod inserted into the housing and running parallel to the housing surface. The rod, together with the lug, forms a retaining element that limits the button's travel against the action of the elastic element.

[0005] A device for resetting a key is known from WO 93 / 10650 Al.

[0006] The object of the invention is to improve the known device for resetting a key. This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, a device for resetting a button along a guide direction comprises two retaining posts spaced apart transversely to and extending in the guide direction for receiving a first force running parallel to the guide direction, each with a retaining form-locking element acting against the first force, around which a viscoelastic element is stretched; two counterposts spaced apart in the tension direction for receiving a second force running parallel to the guide direction and opposite to the first force, each with a counter-form-locking element acting against the second force, wherein the viscoelastic element is arranged in the guide direction between the retaining and counter-form-locking elements;and at least one restoring projection fixed to the opposing posts, which is designed to deflect the viscoelastic element in or against the guiding direction in response to the first and / or second force..;

[0008] The proposed device is based on the premise that conventional key return mechanisms, such as the spacebar on a computer keyboard, consist of several components that can generate noise when the key is pressed and released. There is usually a return element, such as a spring, located beneath the key, which returns the key to its original position after being pressed. However, these return elements are often insufficiently damped, resulting in noise when the key strikes the base and when it returns to its original position. To reduce this noise, additional damping materials, such as O-rings or special damping pads, are frequently placed under the key or around the return element. However, these conventional approaches have the disadvantage of making the design more complex and expensive.For this reason, the mechanism for resetting a key along a guide direction integrates the damping material directly into the return element. The viscoelastic return element is integrated between the movement-limiting positive-locking elements, enabling it to both effect the return and effectively dampen noise. Integrating the damping material directly into the return element reduces the number of necessary components. This simplifies the overall design and assembly of the keyboard, resulting in lower production costs and faster manufacturing times. Furthermore, the viscoelastic material, which serves as both the return element and the damping material, is less susceptible to wear compared to separate damping elements such as O-rings. This increases the keyboard's lifespan, as there are fewer wear parts.

[0009] Because the damping material is firmly integrated into the return element, the damping performance remains consistent throughout the keyboard's lifespan. Conventional damping materials can shift or wear out over time, resulting in inconsistent performance. Furthermore, reducing the number of components requires less space inside the keyboard. This allows for more compact designs and can promote the miniaturization of keyboards and other input devices.

[0010] Fewer components also mean fewer potential sources of failure. This leads to greater reliability and lower maintenance costs. If a replacement is necessary, the components are easier to handle and replace. The use of viscoelastic material as an integral part of the return mechanism also ensures a more stable and consistent key return. This improves haptic feedback and the user experience, as each keystroke is precise and consistent. Reducing the number of components and using durable materials lowers resource consumption. This contributes to more sustainable production and reduces the keyboard's environmental footprint. Simplifying the design and production processes also leads to lower manufacturing costs.These savings can be passed on to the end consumer or used to increase profit margins.

[0011] In a further development of the described device, the retaining and mating locking elements are designed as interlocking hooks. This achieves a particularly stable connection between the retaining and mating locking elements. This stability ensures that the viscoelastic element remains firmly in place and can act evenly on forces, thus increasing the precision and consistency of the button actuation. Furthermore, the hook design allows for simple and reliable assembly of the device. The interlocking hooks can be connected without additional fasteners such as screws or adhesives, reducing assembly time and further lowering production costs. This simple assembly also facilitates any maintenance or repair work, as the hooks can be easily detached and reattached.Another advantage of the interlocking hooks is the ability to securely tension the viscoelastic element. The hook connection effectively fixes the viscoelastic material between the retaining and counter-locking elements, optimizing damping properties and distributing the restoring force evenly. This results in improved noise reduction and consistent keystrokes. Additionally, the hook design offers flexibility. It can be easily adapted to different key sizes and shapes, allowing this technology to be applied to various types of keyboards and input devices. This adaptability facilitates integration into existing product lines and the development of new designs.

[0012] In another embodiment of the device, the viscoelastic element can be designed as a rubber band wrapped around the retaining elements. A significant advantage of using a rubber band as a viscoelastic element is its flexibility and adaptability. Rubber bands are able to stretch under load and return to their original shape when released. This property makes them ideal for key retraction, as they provide a consistent and reliable return force. The elastic nature of the rubber band also results in effective noise damping, as it absorbs shocks and vibrations. Another advantage is ease of handling and assembly. Rubber bands can be easily wrapped around the retaining elements, simplifying and speeding up the assembly process. This reduces production costs and the complexity of the device.Compared to other return elements, such as springs, rubber bands are inexpensive and readily available in various sizes and thicknesses, increasing flexibility in keyboard design and customization. As a viscoelastic element, the rubber band also contributes to the device's durability and reliability. Rubber is a robust material that retains its elastic properties even with frequent use. This extends the keyboard's lifespan, as the rubber band, unlike mechanical springs, is less prone to wear and tear or breakage. Another advantage of the rubber band is its ability to distribute both tensile and compressive forces evenly. This ensures consistent key return and prevents tilting or misalignment during actuation. This improves the user experience, as each keystroke is precise and consistent.

[0013] In a further development of the described device, the return projection can be wall-shaped and oriented transversely to the clamping direction. This wall-shaped return projection, oriented transversely to the clamping direction, provides increased stability and supports the even distribution of forces on the viscoelastic element. The wall-shaped return projection acts as a fixed reference point against which the rubber band works, ensuring that the button returns precisely and efficiently to its initial position. This additional stability prevents the button from tilting or becoming misaligned during actuation, thus improving the consistency and precision of the button press. Furthermore, the transverse arrangement of the return projection to the clamping direction strengthens the structural integrity of the entire device.This configuration allows for more effective utilization of the viscoelastic element's restoring force, as the forces are distributed more evenly and can be better controlled. This contributes to improved noise reduction, as the wall-shaped projection helps to absorb and dampen vibrations and shocks generated by actuation. Furthermore, the wall-shaped design of the restoring projection facilitates the integration and assembly of the device. A solid projection oriented perpendicular to the clamping direction provides a clear and stable mounting point for the viscoelastic element, simplifying the assembly process and increasing the overall stability of the keyboard.

[0014] In a further refinement, the device for resetting a button can additionally include a clamping wall, positioned between the clamping elements and fixed in the clamping direction. This clamping wall is designed to clamp the viscoelastic element in the direction of the first force. The resetting projection is located between one of the clamping elements and the clamping wall. By integrating a clamping wall that clamps the viscoelastic element in the direction of the first force, the restoring force of the viscoelastic material is optimized. The clamping wall ensures that the viscoelastic element is stretched uniformly, guaranteeing consistent and reliable button resetting. This results in smooth button actuation and improves haptic feedback, thus enhancing the overall user experience.The placement of the return projection between one of the retaining elements and the clamping wall provides additional stability and precision. This configuration ensures that the viscoelastic element remains firmly and securely tensioned, preventing unwanted movement or displacement. This not only contributes to noise reduction but also prevents the button from tilting or becoming misaligned during actuation. Another advantage of this design is its ease of assembly and maintenance. The clamping wall provides a clear and stable structure for securing the viscoelastic element, simplifying and accelerating the assembly process. This reduces production costs and increases manufacturing efficiency. Furthermore, the secure mounting facilitates maintenance and component replacement, should the need arise.Using a tensioning wall to secure the viscoelastic element allows for finer adjustment of the restoring force. Precise positioning and tensioning of the viscoelastic material enable the key's return characteristics to be tailored to the desired specifications. This increases flexibility in designing and adapting the keyboard to various requirements and applications.

[0015] In a further development, the specified device for resetting a key can additionally include a further resetting projection arranged between the other of the retaining form-locking elements and the clamping wall. Integrating this additional resetting projection on the opposite side ensures symmetrical tension of the viscoelastic element. This symmetrical arrangement ensures that the resetting force is distributed evenly, enabling even more precise and consistent key actuation. This improves haptic feedback and ensures consistent key operation, regardless of where it is pressed. A further advantage of this design is the improved stability of the entire device.The arrangement of the return lugs on both sides of the tensioning wall ensures even tension and prevents the viscoelastic element from shifting or being subjected to uneven stress. This increases the lifespan of the viscoelastic element and prevents mechanical wear, thus improving the overall durability of the keyboard. Additionally, this symmetrical arrangement allows for better noise dampening. Because the return lugs tension the viscoelastic element evenly, vibration dampening is more effective, resulting in less noise when the key is pressed and returned. This is particularly advantageous in environments where quiet keyboards are preferred, such as offices or libraries. Integrating an additional return lug also simplifies the design and assembly of the device.The uniform tension of the viscoelastic element simplifies the assembly process, as fewer adjustments are required to achieve the desired tension and alignment. This reduces production costs and increases manufacturing efficiency.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the described device, the clamping wall can be constructed in two parts, with a first guide element held between the clamping wall parts. This first guide element is configured to guide a second guide element, which is fixed to the mating elements, in the guiding direction. The two-part design of the clamping wall and the integration of a first guide element between the clamping wall parts optimize the guidance and stabilization of the button during actuation. The first guide element ensures that the second, fixed guide element is guided precisely in the guiding direction. This precise guidance prevents lateral displacement or tilting of the button, which increases the accuracy of button actuation and ensures consistent haptic feedback. A further advantage of this design is the increased stability of the entire device.The two-part clamping wall and guide elements create a robust and stable structure that evenly distributes mechanical loads during actuation. This contributes to the device's longevity, as the components are less susceptible to wear or damage. Furthermore, the guide elements ensure consistent and reliable return of the button along the direction of travel. The stationary second guide element is precisely guided by the first in the direction of travel, optimizing the restoring force of the viscoelastic element and enabling smooth and precise button return. This design also simplifies assembly and maintenance. The two-part clamping wall and guide elements can be designed for easy assembly and adjustment, streamlining and accelerating the installation process.This reduces production costs and increases manufacturing efficiency. Furthermore, the modular design of the clamping wall and guide elements facilitates the replacement and maintenance of individual components, should this become necessary. Another advantage is the improved noise reduction. The precise key guidance and the stable structure of the clamping wall and guide elements help to minimize vibrations and noise generated by keystrokes. This ensures quiet and comfortable keyboard use.

[0017] In a further development, the specified device for resetting a key can be constructed symmetrically to the clamping wall. A significant advantage of a symmetrical design is the even distribution of forces. The symmetrical arrangement of the retaining and counter-locking elements, as well as the return projections and guide elements on both sides of the clamping wall, ensures that the forces acting on the device are distributed evenly. This results in a uniform load on the components and prevents uneven wear or deformation. Consequently, the service life of the entire device is considerably increased. A symmetrical design also contributes to the stability and precision of the key actuation. Because the forces are evenly distributed, the key remains stable and centered with each actuation, preventing tilting or misalignment.This results in more precise and consistent key actuation, which improves haptic feedback and optimizes the user experience. Another advantage is simplified assembly and manufacturing. A symmetrical design allows for the use of identical components on both sides of the mounting plate. This reduces the number of different parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, lowering production costs and increasing manufacturing efficiency. Furthermore, the assembly process is simplified, as symmetrical parts are easier and faster to align and attach. The symmetrical arrangement of components also improves noise reduction. The even distribution of forces and the stable guidance of the key better absorb and dampen vibrations and shocks generated when the key is pressed.This results in quieter keyboard operation, which is particularly advantageous in noise-sensitive environments such as offices or libraries. Additionally, the symmetrical design offers flexibility. Because the device is identical on both sides of the mounting plate, it can be easily adapted to different keyboard sizes and layouts. This facilitates integration into various products and allows for easy scaling when developing new keyboard models.

[0018] In a further development, the specified device for resetting a key can be designed such that, viewed in the guide direction, a stop shoulder is arranged opposite the viscoelastic element at a distance equal to the guide direction for each retaining form-locking element. By arranging stop shoulders at a defined distance from the viscoelastic element, the maximum movement of the key in the guide direction is controlled. These stop shoulders act as limit points, preventing the key from moving beyond a certain point. This protects the viscoelastic element from excessive stretching and potential damage, thus increasing the device's service life. Another advantage of this design is the improved return accuracy. The stop shoulders ensure that the key returns precisely to its initial position after each actuation.This is achieved by using the keycaps as fixed reference points for the key's end position. This precise return improves tactile feedback and ensures consistent and reliable keystrokes. Additionally, the keycaps contribute to the overall stability of the keyboard. They provide extra structural support that distributes mechanical stress evenly across the device. This prevents the key from tilting or shifting and ensures smooth and stable movement along its axis. This stability is particularly important for consistent and comfortable keyboard use. The keycap arrangement also offers advantages in terms of noise reduction. By limiting the maximum key travel, the keycaps reduce the impact force when the key is pressed, thus minimizing noise.This contributes to quieter keyboard operation and improves the user experience in noise-sensitive environments. Another advantage is the increased flexibility in the device's design. The keycaps can be positioned and sized to meet the specific requirements of various keyboards and input devices. This allows for easy adaptation of the device to different products and applications.

[0019] In a further refinement, the device can be designed such that each counter-locking element has a slot extending in the guide direction, into which a stop shoulder engages. This design offers several advantages that further improve the functionality and efficiency of the device. The integration of slots in the counter-locking elements, into which the stop shoulders engage, precisely guides and controls the movement of the key in the guide direction. These slots act as guide channels, ensuring that the key moves along a clearly defined path. This prevents lateral displacement or tilting of the key, increasing the stability and accuracy of key actuation. A significant advantage of this design is the improved return accuracy.The stop shoulders, which engage in the slots of the anti-locking elements, ensure that the key returns precisely to its starting position after each actuation. This is achieved by clearly limiting the maximum movement of the key in the guide direction. This precise return results in consistent tactile feedback and uniform key actuation, thus improving the overall user experience. The use of slots in the anti-locking elements also offers advantages in terms of noise reduction. Because the stop shoulders limit the key's movement, the impact force when the key is pressed is reduced, minimizing the resulting noise. This noise reduction is particularly beneficial in noise-sensitive environments such as offices or libraries. A further advantage of this design is the increased stability and durability of the device.The slots and the interlocking stop shoulders provide additional structural support, distributing the mechanical load evenly across the device. This protects the components from excessive wear or damage and extends the keyboard's service life. Integrating slots into the counter-locking elements also increases design flexibility. The slots can be dimensioned and positioned to meet the specific requirements of various keyboards and input devices. This allows for easy adaptation of the device to different products and applications.

[0020] According to a further aspect of the stated invention, a remote control comprises a housing with an upper housing shell and a lower housing shell which is movably held relative to the upper housing shell in a guiding direction, a printed circuit board arranged in the housing with an electronic circuit for controlling an electrical device and one of the aforementioned devices which movably supports the upper housing shell relative to the lower housing shell in the guiding direction.

[0021] The properties, features, and advantages of this invention described above, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer in connection with the following description of the exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. The drawings show:

[0022] Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a remote control from a first direction,

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a perspective exploded view of the remote control from Fig. 1 from a second direction.

[0024] Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the remote control from Fig. 1 in a composite representation.

[0025] The figures use identical technical elements with the same reference symbols and describe them only once. The figures are purely schematic and, above all, do not represent the actual geometric relationships.

[0026] Reference is made to Figures 1 to 3, which show a perspective exploded view of a remote control 2 from two different directions, as well as a sectional view of the remote control 2. The remote control 2 is viewed in a space spanned by a longitudinal direction 4, a transverse direction 6 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 4, and a vertical direction 8 extending perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction 4 and the transverse direction 6.

[0027] The remote control 2 comprises a housing 10 with an upper housing shell 12 and a lower housing shell 14 which is movable relative to the upper housing shell 12 in the vertical direction 8. The movement of the upper housing shell 12 relative to the lower housing shell 14 is guided in the vertical direction 8 in a manner to be described below, which is why the vertical direction 8 is referred to below as the guide direction 8.

[0028] A printed circuit board (not shown) with an electronic circuit for controlling an electrical device (also not shown) can be positioned at any desired location within the housing 2. In the present embodiment, the upper housing shell 12 is comprised of two parts: an input frame 16 with a plurality of crimp sleeves 18 and a pressure-receiving frame 20 with a plurality of crimp pins 22. The printed circuit board is held in the upper housing shell 12 by placing the input frame 16 onto the pressure-receiving frame 20 and crimping the crimp pins 22 into the crimp sleeves 18. For the sake of clarity, not all crimp sleeves 18 and crimp pins 22 are labeled with their own reference numerals in the figures. The input frame 16 can be connected to the pressure-receiving frame 20 in any configuration.The so-called stud / sleeve connection, as shown in EP 2 620 044 Al, is just one example of the connection.

[0029] The circuit board has, in a manner known per se, a position sensor on one side facing the input frame 16, which detects the position of a user's finger on the input frame 16, and a pressure sensor on the other side facing the pressure-receiving frame 20, which detects a pressure movement of the lower housing shell 14 in the guide direction 8 against the upper housing shell 12. For user orientation, structural elements 24 extending in and against the guide direction 8 are formed on the input frame 16, not all of which are labeled with a separate reference numeral in the figures for the sake of clarity. The user grasps the remote control 2 and positions their thumb on one of the structural elements 24, which is then detected by the electronic circuit.He then presses the lower housing shell 14 against the upper housing shell 12 with his fingers, thus triggering a function on the electronic device to be controlled, which is assigned to the position where the user has positioned his thumb on the input frame 16.

[0030] The lower housing shell 14 has a battery frame 26 with a battery receptacle 28 and a battery cover 30, which closes the battery receptacle 28 on a side opposite the upper housing shell 12 when viewed in the guide direction 8. Retaining slots 32 are formed on the pressure-retaining frame 20, into which retaining springs (not shown) can be inserted. These retaining slots 32, together with the retaining springs, are inserted into the battery receptacle 28 during assembly of the remote control 2, so that batteries for the electrical power supply of the electronic circuit on the circuit board can be inserted into the battery receptacle 28.

[0031] To allow the lower housing shell 14 to move relative to the upper housing shell 12 in the guide direction 8, or vice versa, the two shells 12 and 14 are mounted against each other at a rear end as viewed in the guide direction 4. For this purpose, the lower housing shell 14 has retaining pins 34 on the battery frame 26, which are inserted into corresponding retaining sleeves 36 on the pressure-receiving frame 16 of the upper housing shell 12. This connection positions the lower housing shell 14 relative to the upper housing shell 12 in a plane defined by the longitudinal direction 4 and the transverse direction 6. For positioning in the guide direction 8, the lower housing shell 14 has detent pockets 38 on the battery frame 26 into which detent hooks 40 can be inserted. These detent hooks 40 are formed on the pressure-receiving frame 16 of the upper housing shell 12.In this way, the upper housing shell 12 is pivotably mounted against the lower housing shell 14 about the rear edge of the two housing shells 12, 14 as seen in the longitudinal direction.

[0032] On this suspension consisting of locking pockets 38 and locking hooks 40, a device 42 is arranged at the other end of the remote control, viewed in the longitudinal direction 4, which movably supports the upper housing shell 12 against the lower housing shell 14 in the guide direction 8.

[0033] For this purpose, the device 42 has two retaining posts 44 on the pressure-receiving frame 16 of the housing upper shell 12 for receiving a thumb pressure force 46 running parallel to the guide direction 8, which the user exerts on the input frame 16 when operating the remote control 2 as described above in order to perform a function on the electronic device. At the lower end of each retaining post 44, as viewed in the guide direction 8, a locking element 48 is formed, which blocks movement against the thumb pressure force 46 and thus against the guide direction 8. The two locking elements 48 are directed outwards and thus away from each other when viewed from inside the remote control 2, respectively, in the transverse direction 6.In this way, each retaining post 44 together with its retaining form-locking element 48 forms an outwardly directed locking hook, which is constructed analogously to the locking hooks 40 at the rear end of the remote control 2 as seen in the longitudinal direction 4.

[0034] The two retaining posts 44 are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction 6, and a viscoelastic element, here in the form of a rubber band 50, can be stretched around the two retaining posts 44. Since the two retaining form-locking elements 48 are directed outwards, the rubber band stretched over the two retaining posts 44 cannot slip off them against the guide direction 8. The rubber band 50 is primarily stretched in the transverse direction 6, which is why the transverse direction 6 is also referred to below as the tension direction 6. The rubber band 50 placed around the retaining posts 44 is shown in Fig. 3.

[0035] Furthermore, analogous to the retaining posts 44 on the battery frame 26 of the lower housing shell 14, two counterposts 52 spaced apart in the clamping direction 6 are held, at the upper end of each of these counterposts, as viewed in the guide direction 8, a counter-locking element 54 is formed. Unlike the retaining locking elements 48, the two counter-locking elements 54, viewed from the interior of the remote control 2, are directed inwards and thus towards each other. Each counter-locking element 54 is designed to receive a finger pressure force 57 opposite to the thumb pressure force 46, which thus also acts parallel to the guide direction 8, but in the opposite direction to the respective retaining locking element 46.

[0036] The rubber band 50 is held in the assembled remote control 2 in the guide direction between the retaining positive locking elements 48 and the counter-positive locking elements 54. In this way, the rubber band 50 can be clamped and released between the two positive locking elements 48, 54 by the movement of the lower housing shell 14 towards the upper housing shell 12, thus damping mechanical shocks of the positive locking elements 48, 54 in or against the guide direction 8. At the same time, the rubber band 50 can also achieve a restoring effect in or against the guide direction 8, the effect of which is used in the remote control 2 as follows:

[0037] Viewed in the clamping direction 6, two return projections 56, also spaced apart from each other in the clamping direction 6, are held between the two counterposts 52. These return projections are designed as walls aligned in the longitudinal direction 4. Therefore, when the lower housing shell 14 is moved towards the upper housing shell 12, the wall-shaped return projections 56 contact the rubber ring 50 and press it towards the upper housing shell 12. With this movement, the user pushes a release pin 58 through a release opening 60, thereby actuating a pressure switch on the circuit board to trigger the function on the electronic device as described above. The two housing shells 12, 14 thus act like a button. When the user releases the pressure, the rubber ring 50 pushes the two housing shells 12, 14 apart again. In this way, the rubber ring 50 acts both as a damper and a return spring.To increase the restoring effect of the rubber band 50, a clamping wall 62, aligned longitudinally 4 and opposite to the guide direction, is positioned on the pressure-receiving frame 16 of the housing upper shell 12 between the two retaining posts 44. The rubber band 50 is stretched over this clamping wall. In this way, the effective path of the rubber band 50 is shortened and its rigidity is increased.

[0038] The clamping wall 62 is composed of two clamping wall parts 64 arranged in series in the longitudinal direction 4, with a guide sleeve 66 between the clamping wall parts 62. A guide pin 68 is guided in this guide sleeve 66 in the guide direction 8 and is held on the lower housing shell 14 on the battery frame 26 extending in the guide direction 8. In this way, forces transverse to the guide direction 8 are absorbed, which are transmitted to the remote control 2 by a user through shaking or the like.

[0039] Furthermore, on the input frame 16, a stop shoulder 70 is arranged opposite each retaining locking element in the guide direction 8, opposite the rubber ring 50. A slot 72 extending in the guide direction 8 is formed in each counter post 52, into which one of the stop shoulders 70 engages.

[0040] The entire device 42 is symmetrically constructed with respect to the clamping wall 62.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (42) for resetting a key along a guide direction (8), comprising: two retaining posts (44) spaced apart in a clamping direction (6) transversely to the guide direction (8) and extending in this direction for receiving a first force (46) running parallel to the guide direction (8), each with a retaining form-locking element (48) acting against the first force (46), around which a viscoelastic element (50) is clamped; two counterposts (52) spaced apart in the clamping direction (6) for receiving a second force (57) running parallel to the guide direction (8) and opposite to the first force (46), each with a retaining form-locking element (48) acting against the second force (57). Counter-locking element (54), wherein the viscoelastic element (50) is arranged in the guide direction (8) between the retaining and counter-locking elements (48, 54); and at least one fixedly held relative to the counterposts (52). Restoring projection (56) which is designed to deflect the viscoelastic element (50) in or against the guiding direction (8) in response to the first and / or second force (46, 57).

2. Device (42) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining form-locking elements (48) and the counter-form-locking elements (54) are designed as interlocking hooks.

3. Device (42) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the return projection (56) is wall-shaped and is oriented transversely to the clamping direction (6) and transversely to the guiding direction (8).

4. Device (42) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a clamping wall (62) arranged between the clamping elements (48, 54) and held in a fixed position relative to them in the clamping direction (6), which is configured to clamp the viscoelastic element (50) in the direction of the first force (46), wherein the Restoration advantage (56) between one of the The retaining form-locking elements (48) and the tension wall (62) are arranged.

5. Device (42) according to claim 4 comprising a further restoring projection (56) which is arranged between the other of the retaining locking elements (48) and the clamping wall (62).

6. Device (42) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the clamping wall (62) is formed in two parts (64) and a first guide element (66) is held between the clamping wall parts (64), which is arranged to guide a second guide element (68) held fixedly to the counter-form locking elements (52) in the guide direction (8).

7. Device (42) according to one of claims 4 to 6, which is constructed symmetrically to the clamping wall.

8. Device (42) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a stop shoulder (70) is arranged opposite each retaining form-locking element (48) in the guide direction (8) opposite the viscoelastic element (50) at a guide direction distance.

9. Device (42) according to claim 8, wherein each counter-locking element (52) has a slot (72) extending in the guide direction (8) into which a stop shoulder (70) engages.

10. Remote control (2) comprising a housing with an upper housing shell (12) and a lower housing shell (14) movably held against the upper housing shell (12) in a guide direction (8), a circuit board arranged in the housing with an electronic circuit for controlling an electrical device and a device (42) movably supporting the upper housing shell (12) against the lower housing shell (14) in the guide direction (8) according to one of the preceding claims.

Images