# US 2009/0022966 A1 · Control element

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- Number: US 2009/0022966 A1
- Document ID: US20090022966A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/185,792
- Filed: 2008-08-04
- Published: 2009-01-22
- Earliest claimed: 2006-02-04
- Inventors: Matthias Lust; Horst Wilhelm; Michael Haller; Martin Stahl
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090022966A1

## CPC

- H01H 9/18: Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks
- B44C 1/228: {by laser radiation}
- B44F 1/06: produced by transmitted light, e.g. transparencies, imitations of glass paintings
- G05G 1/105: {comprising arrangements for illumination}
- G05G 1/503: {Controlling members for hand-actuation}
- G09F 13/04: Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
- H01H 2009/187: {having symbols engraved or printed by laser}
- H01H 2209/0021: with metallic appearance, e.g. polymers with dispersed particles to produce a metallic appearance
- Y10T 428/24893: including particulate material
- H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00)
- B44C: PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS (processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general B05D; shaping of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29C; printing processes to produce transfer pictures B41M3/12; thermographic duplication or marking methods B41M5/00); MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK (imitation of mosaic or tarsia work patterns B44F11/04); PAPERHANGING {(labels G09F; multi-step processes for making paper labels or tags B31D1/02)}
- B44F: SPECIAL DESIGNS OR PICTURES
- G05G: CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY ("Bowden" or like mechanisms F16C1/10; gearings or mechanisms not peculiar to this purpose F16H; speed changing or reversing mechanisms for gearings conveying rotary motion F16H59/00 - F16H63/00)
- G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A control element is provided, in particular for a motor vehicle, including a material through which light can be passed and whish is provided with at least one opaque coating provided with symbols, and having a transparent enamel layer on the coating, wherein nanoparticles are introduced into the enamel layer and the coating and the enamel layer are removed by means of a laser.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A control element comprising:
a translucent material that is provided with at least one opaque coating;
a symbol and a transparent lacquer layer being provided on the opaque coating; and
nanoparticles incorporated into the lacquer layer,
wherein the coating and the lacquer layer are removed in certain areas by a laser.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The control element according to claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles have a diameter from 10 nm to 10 μm and are present at a volume concentration of 0.01% to 10% and include metal oxides.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The control element according to claim 1, wherein the transparent lacquer layer has a thickness of less than 100 μm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The control element according to claim 1, wherein the translucent material is a translucent plastic, a polycarbonate, a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), a transparent ceramic, a sapphire, or a glass.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The control element according to claim 1, wherein the opaque coating is a metal layer or a pigmented paint layer that is processed a laser.

### Claim 6 (depends on 6)

The control element according to claim 6, wherein the metal layer has a thickness of <5 μm and is applied in one or more layers by a PVD or CVD method.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The control element according to claim 6, wherein the metal layer is produced by a reactive PVD method and is present as a metal oxide, metal carbide, or metal nitride layer.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The control element according to claim 1, wherein the translucent material is provided with an additional adhesion layer, in particular a primer paint, under the coating.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The control element according to claim 1, wherein the control element is a control element for a motor vehicle.