초록 ▼

A four-directional switch which can be turned on and off in four directions, which comprises a base plate having a plurality of electrodes formed thereon, a key top having an indication showing predetermined four pressing directions in an identifiable manner, a support member constituting a fulcrum

A four-directional switch which can be turned on and off in four directions, which comprises a base plate having a plurality of electrodes formed thereon, a key top having an indication showing predetermined four pressing directions in an identifiable manner, a support member constituting a fulcrum between the base plate and the key top, a plurality of conductive rubbers disposed opposing to the plurality of electrodes so as to be in electrical contact with corresponding ones of the electrodes, and a sustaining member having the plurality of conductive rubbers fixed thereto and having elastic force for sustaining the conductive rubbers so as not to be in contact with the electrodes when the key top is not pressed.

대표청구항 ▼

A multi-directional switch which can be manually actuated in multiple directions by a depressing action with the tip of a finger of an operator, said multi-directional switch comprising: (a) a base member; (b) an integral key member disposed above said base member, said key member including a plate

A multi-directional switch which can be manually actuated in multiple directions by a depressing action with the tip of a finger of an operator, said multi-directional switch comprising: (a) a base member; (b) an integral key member disposed above said base member, said key member including a plate portion and a manipulation portion extending upwardly from said plate portion, said manipulation portion having a downwardly concave upper surface for receiving a fingertip of the operator, said plate portion having a generally planar bottom surface that is sloped upwardly relative to said base member in the direction extending radially outwardly from a central portion of said bottom surface; (c) a plurality of electrodes disposed on said base member, said electrodes having generally planar contact surfaces; (d) a deformable sustaining member composed of flexible, resilient material, said sustaining member: (i) underlying the bottom surface of and upwardly supporting said key member and, (ii) overlying and nominally spaced above said base member; (e) a plurality of electrically conductive members having generally planar contact surfaces, said electrically conductive members mounted on said sustaining member and carried by said sustaining member at locations above a corresponding electrode; (f) a support member extending downwardly from a central portion of the lower surface of said key member, said support member integrally formed with said key member and constituting a fulcrum between said key member and said base member; and, (g) whereupon when said key member is depressed and tilted downwardly about said support member by use of a fingertip of the operator, the substantially planar bottom surface of said key member presents a generally planar bearing area against the adjacent region of said underlying sustaining member, thereby to temporarily deform said underlying sustaining member and simultaneously push a corresponding conductive member, being carried by said sustaining member, downwardly into face-to-face contact with its corresponding electrode.