Die Erfindung betrifft eine Schaltereinheit, insbesondere für ein Kraftfahrzeug, mit betätigbaren Funktionstasten, wobei jeder Funktionstaste eine separate Einzelleiterplatte zugeordnet ist, mit einem Grundelement, auf dem die Einzelleiterplatten angeordnet sind, und mit grundelementseitigen Leiterbahnen, der freie Enden wenigstens teilweise als Kontaktfedern ausgebildet sind und einzelleiterplattenseitige Kontakte federnd vorgespannt kontaktieren.

Es wird ein Eingabegerät vorgeschlagen, das sich dadurch auszeichnet, dass eine Wasserabdichtung durch eine flexible Dichtung über einen Stecker erreicht wird, wobei der Stecker auf einen Folienausgang aufgecrimpt wird. Das Eingabegerät wird dabei mit einem Montagerahmen in eine Kammer eingebaut, die wenigstens einen Stift und/oder eine Buchse zur Aufnahme des Steckers aufweist.

An input device allowing reduction in the number or parts, thinning, down sizing and easy assembly, and a method for fabricating thereof are provided. The input device for entering a desired command by user's operation has an enclosure 12 having a slit portion 40; a sheet-type switch portion 140 located within the enclosure 12 so as to be aligned with the slit portion 140; a board 170 located within the enclosure 12; and electrical connection portion 190 which establishes electrical connection between the board 170 and the switch portion 140 by elastic deformation caused by assembly process of the enclosure 12.

The present invention is a low cost electronic apparatus construction method which may be employed for hand held calculators, electronic learning aids and electronic games. The primary electrical circuit interconnection pattern of the electronic apparatus is printed upon a part of the case of the apparatus (11) which must be nonconducting. This printed circuit pattern (12) together with the constuction of the back case (11) includes connection portions (21, 22 and 23) for electrical connection to the major components of the apparatus which may include an integrated circuit (15), a display device (16) and an electrical power source (17). The primary circuit pattern printed on the back case includes a plurality of interleaved comb key switch positions (17). The keyboard is constructed employing a plurality of keys aligned in registration with the key switch portions (26), each key having a shorting bar (104) for causing electrical connection across the key switch portion when the key is depressed. The top case (13) of the apparatus has an aperture for viewing the display device and a plurality of apertures for the keys. The keyboard may alternatively be constructed of a flexible membrane (12) in which pressure on a key switch position (163) causes electrical contact with a conductive ink (153) disposed in a depression (152) in the case (150) of the apparatus. In an alternative embodiment, the top case also includes an aperture enabling light to shine on a photovoltic power cell (19) employed to generate the electric power needed to operate the apparatus.

Conductors (19) of a flexible printed circuit (16,18) routed through a hollow two axis articulated hinge (7) allow a calculator (1) with rotating case halves (2,3) to possess a keyboard portion (4,5) in each half of the case. The conductors (19) routed through the hollow articulated hinge (7) are generally centered about one axis of hinge rotation for approximately half the length of the axis, whereupon they transition by either a U-turn or a jog to continue as centered about the other axis of hinge rotation. The conductors (19) may be an integral part of a flexible membrane keyboard assembly having portions located in both halves of the calculator's case. Strain reliefs at the locations (28-31) where the conductors traverse the case halves, and two in the hinge, at about the center thereof, limit and apportion the torsional flexing experienced by the conductors. The torsional flexing experienced by the flexible conductors increases the number of cycles of rotation they can undergo without breaking, as compared to conventional bending. The hollow articulated hinge (7) allows one case half (2) to rotate one full revolution about the other (3), so that the calculator (1) can be opened and held in one hand. By being within the hollow hinge the conductors (19) are protected from injury.

Membrane type circuit comprises an insulating support (8) having terminal sites (36, 38) thereon and circuit conductors (1-4, 1'-4') extending between and among the terminal sites. A tail (12) extends from the support and the conductors extend onto the tail and have output terminals (1-27, 4-27, 1'-27, 4'-27) on the tail. The tail (12) is folded so that the output terminals on each side of the fold line (20) are against each other and are connected to each other. Each pair of conductors which extends from two opposed output terminals are therefore a dual conductor. This arrangement simplifies circuit design and avoids the need for crossovers in many circumstances.