Patent ID: 7161460
Filing Date: 2007-01-09
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. A foil-type switching element comprising: a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil, said first carrier foil and said second carrier foil being arranged at a certain distance one to another by means of a spacer, said spacer having a height corresponding to said distance, said spacer including a recess at least in an active region of the switching element such that said spacer is arranged around said active region; a contact arrangement with at least two electrodes, the electrodes of said contact arrangement being arranged in the active region of the switching element in such a way that an electrical contact is established between the electrodes when the carrier foils are pressed together, at least one of said electrodes including a layer of a pressure-sensitive material, such that the electric resistance between the electrodes depends on the pressure exerted on the switching element when the carrier foils are pressed together; and a structure of an electrically nonconducting material having a first side and a second side corresponding to said first and second carrier foils, said structure arranged in the active region of the switching element, said structure of electrically nonconducting material having a height less than said spacer such that mechanical contact is established on both of said first and second sides only after at least one of the first and second carrier foils is subjected to a deflection, said structure preventing a contacting of the electrodes in the region of the structure.