TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an all pressure * switch. More specifically, the invention relates to

5 such a switch which includes a housing member having a recessed well for holding a degassed, non- compressible, electrically insulating fluid spacer.

The invention also relates to a control module including such all pressure switches. 10 The invention also relates to a process for making such all pressure switches.

BACKGROUND ART

It is known in the prior art to provide switches, or other like devices, having spacers made

15 of a liquid or other fluid or a solid material. Such switches or other devices are described in the following patents: U.S. Patent 4,017,848, Tannas, Jr., April 12, 1977; U.S. Patent 3,784,768, Hunt, January 8, 1974; IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin,

20 Vol. 14, No. 8, Jan. 1972; U.S. Patent 4,524,256, Miyata et al, June 18, 1985; 2,487,433, Gardenhour, November 8, 1949; U.S. Patent 4,689,879, Fowler, September 1, 1987; French Patent No. 2,370,348, Leveille, June 1978; U.S. Patent 4,109,118, Kley,

25 August 22, 1978; WO 81/00787, Marshall, March 19,

1981; U.S. Patent 3,864,024, Olson, February 4, 1975;

IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 13, No. 3,

Aug. 1970; U.S. Patent 4,421,958, Kameda, December 20, 1983; U.S. Patent 4,066,855, Zenk, January 3,

30 1978; and U.S. Patent 4,520,248, Woelfel, May 28, 1985.

The above references are discussed below:

In U.S. Patent 4,017,848, a switch array comprises an upper electrode and a lower electrode separated from each other by a transparent dielectric fluid. The electrodes are also transparent so that a legend can underlie the switch. As the switch operates at atmospheric pressure, there is no teach¬ ing of using a degassed fluid.

In U.S. Patent 3,784,768, a submersible touch operated signaler includes a front plate and a rear plate - both of which are of a conductive material and grounded - and an intermediate plate - also of a conductive material and connected to a source of low voltage. The plates are spaced from each other and the entire arrangement is submersible in, for example, a swimming pool. When submersed, water from the pool flows into the regions between the plates (see column 4, lines 10 et seq. of the patent) .

In IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 14, No. 8, January 1972, a hydraulically controlled keyboard comprises fluid chambers 2 underlying switch actuator 6 housing. The chambers are connected by a channel 3. Fluid is contained in the chambers and channel. As the switch mechanism is disposed in the switch actuator housing, the fluid does not need to be an insulating fluid. As the mechanism is operated at atmospheric pressure, the fluid does not have to be degassed.

In U.S. Patent 4,524,256, a pressure sensitive switch comprises a conductive porous material spaced from a conductive layer by an elastic insulator. The elastic insulator not being a fluid, the switch of the patent does not include an insulating, degassed fluid spacer.

In U.S. Patent 2,487,433, a ball contactor switch comprises a conductive ball 23 in a fluid filled tubular container 10. There are, of course, substantive differences between the present invention and the teaching of this patent.

In U.S. Patent 4,689,879, a membrane key¬ board has two circuit layers with spacers disposed between them. Vents are provided to permit the escape of trapped air. In French Patent 2,370,348, a keyboard for a pocket calculator includes a flexible foil 18 having conductive discs. The flexible foil is spaced from a set of broken paths 15 by a compressible fluid 20. In U.S. Patent 4,109,118, there is taught an array of manually operable key switches in which each switch comprises a fluid filled bag under a key cap. The fluid does not have to be an insulator, nor is there any teaching in the patent that the fluid be degassed.

In WO 81/00787, a switch structure uses, e.g., a displaceable fluid to provide a degree of resilient resistance.

In U.S. Patent 3,864,024, an optical display device includes a transparent layer 1, an overlying layer 2 and a liquid 3 between layers 1 and 2.

In IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 13, No. 3, August 1970, a switch has a conductive strip 12 mounted on a substrate 10. A cover 14 over¬ lies the substrate and includes a metallic contact 14B. A liqud 20 separates 12 from 14B. There is no teaching of degassing the fluid.

In U.S. Patent 4,421,958, a membrane switch includes conductive layers 1 and 5 which are mounted on substrates 2 and 6 respectively and are separated by air. The substrates are spaced by a porous sheet 12 so that air can be brought into and discharged from the space between the conductive layers.

In U.S. Patent 4,066,855, there is taught a vented membrane switch. It uses the same principles as the '958 patent except that there is provided a vent in the main membrane to permit airflow.

In U.S. Patent- 4,520,248, a keyboard assembly includes conductive strips 20 and 28 which are spaced by an insulating strip 22.

The prior art also teaches degassing machines as illustrated in U.S. Patents 2,413,102, 2,485,857 and 3,154,087.

With respect to switches having fluid spacers, if there is gas in the fluid, then the switches will have difficulties at either extreme of pressure, i.e, at high pressures or at low pressures. At high pressures, the gas will be compressed so that contact may be made when it is not desired. At low pressures, the gas will expand making the switch difficult to operate or possibly even bursting the switch depending on the amount of gas in the fluid.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a switch which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a switch having a fluid spacer wherein the fluid is degassed.

It is a further object of the invention to provide control modules utilizing a plurality of the inventive switches.

It also an object of the invention to pro- vide a process for degassing the fluid in the inventive switches.

In accordance with the invention there is provided an all pressure switch, comprising: a housing member having a recessed well for holding a degassed, non-compressible, electrically insulating fluid, said housing further including a first end; flexible membrane means covering said first end; a surface within said housing having at least one conductive pad facing said flexible membrane; and a second conductive pad on the underside of said flexible membrane and in alignment with said one conductive pad; whereby, when said flexible membrane is depressed in the area above said second conductive pad, the fluid between said second conductive pad and said one conductive pad will be displaced in a direction away from the space between said second conductive pad and said one conductive pad so that said second conductive pad will make contact with said one conductive pad, said flexible membrane being expanded to provide additional volume to accommodate said displaced fluid, said additional volume being equal to the volume of said displaced fluid.

Further in accordance with the invention there is also provided a control module including a plurality of said all pressure switches.

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Still further in accordance with the invention there is provided a process for the degassing of a non-compressible, electrically insulating fluid in a all pressure switch which switch comprises a housing member having a recess for holding said fluid, said housing member further having a first end covered by a flexible membrane means, said housing still further including at least one fluid filling and degassing valve; said process comprising: filling a vacuum 'chamber with said fluid; submerging said housing member into said fluid, with said valve open, until said housing is fully covered by said fluid; whereby said housing will be filled with said fluid; drawing a vacuum on said vacuum chamber whereby to withdraw all gas from said fluid; breaking said vaccum and closing said valve while said housing member is submerged; whereby said housing member is filled with degassed fluid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood by an examination of the following description, together with the. accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a section through I-I of

Figure 2; and FIGURE 2 is a top view of a control module in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figure 1, a control module, containing a plurality of inventive switches, is illustrated generally at 1 and includes a housing 3. A recess 5 in the housing includes a degassed, non- compressible, electrically insulating fluid which, in accordance with the invention, is degassed, as will be described below. Although many insulating fluids are suitable for use in the invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the insulating fluid comprises a silicone fluid ^* .

The housing is further formed with a seal¬ ing cover 8 secured to member 3 by screws 8a. The securing must be done by leak-proof connections so that gas cannot enter into the housing.

The sealing cover has a first end 9 which is covered by a flexible membrane 11. Examples of useful materials for forming the flexible membrane are rubber, flexible metal or flexible plastic. The flexible membrane is disposed over the one end in a leak-proof arrangement.

Disposed in the housing is a board 13 on whose top surface are conductive coatings 15 forming conductive pads. Disposed on the underside of the flexible membrane are conductive pads 17 each of which is in alignment with a respective one of the conductive pads 15. The conductive pads 17 underlie push-button moldings 16.

A filling and degassing fluid valve 19 is used for filling the housing with fluid, and for degassing the fluid in the housing, and for sub¬ sequently sealing the degassed fluid in the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve 19 comprises a threaded opening with screw 21, having mating screw

threads, screwable into the opening. O-ring 23 ensures a leak-proof closure. Although only one such valve is illustrated in Figure 1, preferably, the housing includes two such valves. As is well known in the art, conductive leads 25 may be attached to conductive pads 17. The leads are then fed to an opening 27 which is leak- proofedly sealed with a seal 29. The conductive leads would extend through the seal 29 and emerge from the other end thereof as shown in Figure 1.

In operation, when it is desired to depress a switch, the push-button molding is pushed down¬ wardly. The fluid between the conductive pads 15 and 17 will then be displaced. The displaced fluid will force the flexible membrane outwardly to bulge out by an increased volume equal to the volume of the dis¬ placed fluid. When the switch is released, the flexible membrane will return to its original shape thus returning the displaced fluid to the space between the conductive pads 15 and 17.

If the fluid is a slow moving fluid, to increase the speed of the return action of the switch, a spring, as illustrated at 31, may be inserted between the conductive pads 15 and 17. Obviously, either the entire spring would be insulated or there would be insulated pads between the spring and the conductive pads so that a con¬ ductive circuit is not formed between the conductive pads 15 and 17 and the spring 31. The module can then be mounted on a device, for example, an underwater camera, by screwing screw 33 into a threaded opening, with mating screw threads, on the underwater camera. O-ring 35 will once again provide a leak-proof seal between the

module and the camera. The conductive leads 25 will, as well known in the art, be connected to appropriate elements of the underwater camera.

In a process for degassing the insulating 5 fluid, a vacuum chamber is filled with the fluid to a level deep enough so that the entire module can be submerged therein. The module, with the valve or valves 19, in the open position, is then submerged in the fluid so that it is completely covered. A vacuum 0 is then drawn whereupon all of the gas will be drawn out of the fluid, and especially the fluid in the housing. The vacuum is then broken, and, while the module is still submerged in the fluid, the valve is closed. In the case of the illustrated embodiment, 5 screw 21 is inserted into the threaded opening and screwed tightly shut.

The module is then removed from the fluid and the fluid in the housing will be completely degassed. 0 Although Figures 1 and 2 herein illustrate a module having a plurality of switches, it will be quite clear that the switches can be formed as single units, and the single unit switches can then be mounted in a module. Alternatively, a single unit 5 switch may be used on its own.

Although only one embodiment has been des¬ cribed, this was for the purpose of illustrating, but not limiting, the invention. Various modifications, which will come readily to the mind of one skilled in the art, are within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.