Elastomeric keypad

1. An elastomeric keypad ( 1 ) having at least one key ( 3 ) comprising

an elastomeric dome ( 41 ) defining a chamber ( 42 ) and provided inside with an activating means ( 43 ),

an activation means ( 44 ) cooperating with said activating means ( 43 ) to transmit a signal indicating said key ( 3 ) activation to an external control system, and

at least one compensating channel ( 48 ) opening at said chamber ( 42 ) to enable for a flow of fluid from said chamber ( 42 ), while said elastomeric dome ( 41 ) collapses, and to said chamber ( 42 ), while said elastomeric dome ( 41 ) releases, characterized in that

at least one of said compensating channels ( 48 ) comprises at least one valve arrangement ( 5 ) acting as a passive check valve generating fluid restrictions with substantially turbulent flow while the fluid returns to said chamber ( 42 ), while providing substantially laminar flow of fluid while said elastomeric dome ( 41 ) collapses.

2. The keypad according to claim 1 , characterized in that, said passive check valve ( 5 ) has a form of a Tesla Valve.

3. The keypad according to claim 1 , characterized in that, said passive check valve ( 5 ) extends along the entire length of said compensating channel ( 48 ).

4. The keypad according to claim 1 , characterized in that, said compensating channel ( 48 ) is terminated with a compensating chamber ( 47 ).

5. The keypad according to claim 1 , characterized in that, said keypad comprises a plurality of keys ( 3 ) and corresponding plurality of domes ( 41 ) formed integrally in an elastomeric sheet ( 4 ).

6. The keypad according to claim 5 , characterized in that, for each key ( 3 ) of said plurality of keys there is formed within the elastomeric sheet ( 4 ) a compensating channel ( 48 ) and a passive check valve ( 5 ).

7. The keypad according to claim 5 , characterized in that, said elastomeric sheet ( 4 ) adjoins a support plate ( 6 ).

8. The keypad according to claim 1 , characterized in that, said at least one key ( 3 ) comprises a key cap ( 32 ) disposed slidably within a housing ( 2 ) and said elastomeric dome ( 41 ) cooperates with said key cap ( 32 ).

9. The keypad according to claim 1 , characterized in that, said activating means ( 43 ) and/or said activation means ( 44 ) has/have a form of a conductive layer(s).

10. An elastomeric keypad ( 1 ) having at least one key ( 3 ) comprising

an elastomeric dome ( 41 ) defining a chamber ( 42 ) and provided inside with an activating means ( 43 ),

an activation means ( 44 ) cooperating with said activating means ( 43 ) to transmit a signal indicating said key ( 3 ) activation to an external control system, and

at least one compensating channel ( 48 ) opening at said chamber ( 42 ) to enable for a flow of fluid from said chamber ( 42 ), while said elastomeric dome ( 41 ) collapses, and to said chamber ( 42 ), while said elastomeric dome ( 41 ) releases, characterized in that

at least one of said compensating channels ( 48 ) comprises at least one valve arrangement ( 5 ) acting as a passive check valve generating fluid restrictions while the fluid returns to said chamber ( 42 ), while providing substantially laminar flow of fluid while said elastomeric dome ( 41 ) collapses, further characterized in that

said passive check valve ( 5 ) has a form of a Tesla Valve.

11. An elastomeric keypad ( 1 ) having at least one key ( 3 ) comprising

an elastomeric dome ( 41 ) defining a chamber ( 42 ) and provided inside with an activating means ( 43 ),

an activation means ( 44 ) cooperating with said activating means ( 43 ) to transmit a signal indicating said key ( 3 ) activation to an external control system, and

at least one compensating channel ( 48 ) opening at said chamber ( 42 ) to enable for a flow of fluid from said chamber ( 42 ), while said elastomeric dome ( 41 ) collapses, and to said chamber ( 42 ), while said elastomeric dome ( 41 ) releases, characterized in that

at least one of said compensating channels ( 48 ) comprises at least one valve arrangement ( 5 ) acting as a passive check valve generating fluid restrictions while the fluid returns to said chamber ( 42 ), while providing substantially laminar flow of fluid while said elastomeric dome ( 41 ) collapses, further characterized in that

said passive check valve ( 5 ) extends along the entire length of said compensating channel ( 48 ).

12. An elastomeric keypad ( 1 ) having at least one key ( 3 ) comprising

an elastomeric dome ( 41 ) defining a chamber ( 42 ) and provided inside with an activating means ( 43 ),

an activation means ( 44 ) cooperating with said activating means ( 43 ) to transmit a signal indicating said key ( 3 ) activation to an external control system, and

at least one compensating channel ( 48 ) opening at said chamber ( 42 ) to enable for a flow of fluid from said chamber ( 42 ), while said elastomeric dome ( 41 ) collapses, and to said chamber ( 42 ), while said elastomeric dome ( 41 ) releases, characterized in that

at least one of said compensating channels ( 48 ) comprises at least one valve arrangement ( 5 ) acting as a passive check valve generating fluid restrictions while the fluid returns to said chamber ( 42 ), while providing substantially laminar flow of fluid while said elastomeric dome ( 41 ) collapses, further characterized in that

said keypad comprises a plurality of keys ( 3 ) and corresponding plurality of domes ( 41 ) formed integrally in an elastomeric sheet ( 4 ) and in that for each key ( 3 ) of said plurality of keys there is formed within the elastomeric sheet ( 4 ) a compensating channel ( 48 ) and a passive check valve ( 5 ).