Key Tappet For A Key Module Of A Key For A Keyboard, Key Module Of A Key For A Keyboard And Method For Producing It

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016133403-A1
Application number	US-201414894875-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 5, 2014
Priority date	Jun 7, 2013
Publication date	May 12, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

The invention proposes a key tappet for a key module of a key for a keyboard. The key tappet comprises a coupling section for coupling a key button and a guiding section for guiding the key tappet in a receiving section of the key module upon actuation of the key tappet. The guiding section has at least one sliding section to slide in the receiving section of the key module during the actuation of the key tappet. Demolding fins caused by demolding of the key tappet are arranged outside the at least one sliding section.

First claim

1 . A key tappet for a key module of a key for a keyboard comprising:
a coupling section for coupling a button of the key; and a guiding section for guiding the key tappet in a receiving section of the key module upon actuation of the key tappet, the guiding section comprising at least one sliding section for sliding the key module in the receiving section upon actuation of the key tappet; and demolding fins of the key tappet caused by demolding of the key tappet arranged outside the at least one sliding section.

2 . The key tappet of claim 1 , wherein the guiding section has at least one rounded edge arranged in a region of the at least one sliding section.

3 . The key tappet of claim 1 , wherein the guiding section is surface-treated in the at least one sliding section to minimize surface roughness.

4 . The key tappet of claim 1 , wherein the guiding section is formed of a friction-minimizing plastic material or of a plastic material with a friction-minimizing additive.

5 . The key tappet of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sliding section extends along an axis of actuation of the key tappet over at least two thirds of a dimension of the guiding section along the actuation axis.

6 . A key module of a key for a keyboard comprising:
a module housing comprising a receiving section for receiving a key tappet; and a key tappet comprising a coupling section for coupling a button of the key, a guiding section for guiding the key tappet in a receiving section of the key module upon actuation of the key tappet, the guiding section comprising at least one sliding section for sliding the key module in the receiving section upon actuation of the key tappet, and demolding fins arranged outside the at least one sliding section; wherein the at least one sliding section extends along an axis of actuation of the key tappet over at least two thirds of a dimension of the guiding section along the actuation axis.

7 . The key module of claim 6 , wherein a dimension of the at least one sliding section of the key tappet and a dimension of the receiving section are coordinated along the actuation axis so that upon actuation of the key tappet between a rest position and an actuating position with respect to the module housing, the at least one sliding section of the key tappet is largely arranged within the receiving section of the module housing.

8 . A method for manufacturing a key module of a key for a keyboard, the method comprising:
providing a key tappet comprising a coupling section for coupling a button of the key, a guiding section for guiding the key tappet in a receiving section of a module housing of the key module upon actuation of the key tappet, the guiding section comprising at least one sliding section for sliding the key module in the receiving section upon actuation of the key tappet, and demolding fins arranged outside the at least one sliding section; providing the module housing; and arranging the guiding section of the key tappet in the receiving section of the module housing, such that upon actuation of the key tappet, the at least one sliding section of the guiding section of the key tappet slides into the receiving section of the module housing.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one sliding section of the guiding section is surface-treated in order to minimize surface roughness.

10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the guiding section of the key tappet is formed of a friction-minimizing plastic material or of a plastic material with a friction-minimizing additive.

11 . The key tappet of claim 2 , wherein the guiding section is surface-treated in the at least one sliding section to minimize surface roughness.

12 . The key tappet of claim 2 , wherein the guiding section is formed of a friction-minimizing plastic material or of a plastic material with a friction-minimizing additive.

13 . The key tappet of claim 3 , wherein the guiding section is formed of a friction-minimizing plastic material or of a plastic material with a friction-minimizing additive.

14 . The key tappet of claim 2 , wherein the at least one sliding section extends along an axis of actuation of the key tappet over at least two thirds of a dimension of the guiding section along the actuation axis.

15 . The key tappet of claim 3 , wherein the at least one sliding section extends along an axis of actuation of the key tappet over at least two thirds of a dimension of the guiding section along the actuation axis.

16 . The key tappet of claim 4 , wherein the at least one sliding section extends along an axis of actuation of the key tappet over at least two thirds of a dimension of the guiding section along the actuation axis.

17 . The key module of claim 6 , wherein the guiding section has at least one rounded edge arranged in a region of the at least one sliding section.

18 . The key module of claim 6 , wherein the guiding section is surface-treated in the at least one sliding section to minimize surface roughness.

19 . The key module of claim 6 , wherein the guiding section is formed of a friction-minimizing plastic material or of a plastic material with a friction-minimizing additive.

20 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one sliding section of the guiding section of the key tapper extends along an axis of actuation of the key tappet over at least two thirds of a dimension of the guiding section along the actuation axis.

21 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the guiding section of the key tappet is formed of a friction-minimizing plastic material or of a plastic material with a friction-minimizing additive.

Assignees

• Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen

Inventors

• MüLLER KARL-HEINZ

Classifications

• H01H2229/044

  Injection moulding · CPC title

• H01H13/20 Primary

  Driving mechanisms · CPC title

• H01H13/704

  characterised by the layers, e.g. by their material or structure (H01H13/703 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01H13/705

  characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys · CPC title

• H01H13/50

  having a single operating member · CPC title