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A
membrane
switch is a multilayered switch device that is touch
activated to make or break the electrical connection of a
particular switch element.
Membrane
switches have become popular for use in industrial
controls, home appliances, office equipment and automotive
applications. Most often, membrane switches are designed for
intended use as
keyboard,
key pad,
or front panel interfaces to provide instructions from a user to
operate various items, such as computers, manufacturing
equipment and vending machines. Membrane switches normally
employ a pair of stacked flexible membranes having opposed
contacts printed on their facing surfaces. An intermediate layer
is disposed between the outer two layers and acts to isolate the
switch circuit patterns from each other. Electrical conductors,
also printed on the facing surfaces of the membranes,
communicate electrical signals to and from the contacts. Finger
pressure applied to the switch pushes a conductive pad on the
membrane into contact with a similar pad on the substrate.
Contact between the pads closes the switch and completes the
electrical circuit. Membrane switches are particularly
well-suited for use in certain environments wherein it is
desired to seal an electronic system against moisture, dust etc.
Membrane switches have recently come into wide use for the
keypads of
cellular
phones or
portable
personal computers or the various control panel
switches of household electrical appliances.
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