Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Electrical device making
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-31
2004-11-02
Arbes, Carl J. (Department: 3729)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Electrical device making
C029S450000, C029S846000, C345S168000, C341S020000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06810579
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing membranes and particularly a method for manufacturing membranes after having defined the button key position and matrix layout under the conditions of without jumping and without generating ghost keys.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The keyboards now being used on the notebook computers generally include a membrane in addition to the button keys on the upper layer, base plate and frame. To make the membrane, a button key configuration layout has to be defined and formed first by the vendor. Then the layout definition is transferred to manufacturers to make a matrix configuration (as shown in FIG.
1
). Each button key position has a code to be built into the chip.
The membrane is made according to the finished matrix configuration of the button key position set forth above. In the manufacturing processes of the membrane, first, the membrane PET is heated and pre-shrunk, then a circuit made from a silver paste is printed on the membrane, an insulation layer is printed on the silver paste printed circuit, then a cover layer is printed on the insulation layer, then silver paste of jumping is printed on the cover plate, another insulation layer is printed on the jumping and carbon powders are printed, finally the membrane is folded and welded by supersonic wave, and structural holes are punched to complete the membrane production.
Production of the membrane with the jumping set forth involves many printing operations. Thus manufacturing processes are complex, production cost is higher, yield is lower, and defect rate is greater. In addition, the jumping portion generates a circuit ionization phenomenon and results in greater micro short circuit. The reliability of the product becomes lower. Moreover, the print position of the jumping is prone to form uneven membrane thickness and affects key in operation.
Furthermore, when the keyboard made by the aforesaid method is in use, the microprocessor located inside the keyboard constantly scans the matrix to check whether the key has been pushed downwards. In the event that composite keys are depressed (i.e. the composite keys means three keys have been depressed simultaneously), the microprocessor scans the depressed composite keys and usually mistakenly deems a fourth key is also being depressed (as shown in FIG.
5
). As a result, a ghost key signal is generated and an additional character appears in the character string on the display screen. It causes inconvenience to users.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore the primary object of the invention is to resolve the aforesaid disadvantages. The invention aims at providing a method for manufacturing membranes without jumping to reduce print operations and production cost, increase yield, simplify manufacturing processes, reduce defects and loss, and prevent circuit ionization phenomenon on the jumping portion and micro short circuit. The membrane made according to the method of the invention also has enhanced reliability and an even thickness to facilitate key in operation.
To achieve the foregoing object, the method of the invention includes: defining the button key position circuit and matrix layout under the conditions of without jumping and without generating ghost keys, heating and pre-shrinking the PET of the membrane, printing a circuit made from silver paste on the membrane, printing an insulation layer on the printed silver paste circuit or printing carbon powders, folding the membrane and welding the membrane by supersonic wave, and finally punching the membrane to form structural holes to complete the membrane production.
The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4920342 (1990-04-01), Gratke
patent: 5520323 (1996-05-01), Hauner et al.
patent: 6630927 (2003-10-01), Sherman et al.
Arbes Carl J.
Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Phan Tim
Shin Jiuh Corp.
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