# US 2019/0378665 A1 · Control Panel Push Button > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0378665 A1 - Document ID: US20190378665A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/006,171 - Filed: 2018-06-12 - Published: 2019-12-12 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-12 - Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc. - Applicants: DENSO International America, Inc. - Inventors: Christopher LEVAY; Spenser PAWLIK; Javon TUCKER; Murali DARURI; Jesse MOELLERS; Yuki MATSUMOTO; Brian STEELE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190378665A1 ## CPC - H01H 13/023: {Light-emitting indicators (for multi-layer switches H01H13/83)} - H01H 11/00: Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches (processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88) - H01H 2013/026: {with two or more independent lighting elements located inside the push button switch that illuminate separate zones of push buttons} - H01H 2219/036: Light emitting elements - H01H 2219/06: Reflector - H01H 2219/062: Light conductor - H01H 2229/044: Injection moulding - 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) ## Abstract A push button for a control panel. The push button includes a button body and a reflector molded as a single, monolithic piece with links extending between the button body and the reflector. A divider of the button body is between a first light source of a printed circuit board and an indicator light guide of the button body. The divider restricts light from the first light source from illuminating the indicator light guide. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of manufacturing a push button for a control panel comprising: molding as a single, monolithic piece a reflector, a button body, and links extending between the reflector and the button body; inserting an indicator light guide within the button body; mounting the reflector to a circuit board including a tact switch, a first light source that illuminates a graphic on a button cap seated on the button body, and a second light source that illuminates the indicator light guide; and mounting the reflector to the circuit board such that a divider of the button body is between the first light source and the indicator light guide to restrict light from the first light source from illuminating the indicator light guide. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the molding is one-shot, injection compression molding. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the molding further includes molding the button body with guiderails that extend from sidewalls of the button body to contact the reflector and maintain the button body centered within the reflector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the links are flexible polymeric strips. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the links are rigid polymeric bridges that are severed subsequent to the molding. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the reflector and button body are molded such that the reflector surrounds the button body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the links are molded to extend linearly between the reflector and the button body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the links are molded to extend non-linearly between the reflector and the button body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the molding of the links includes molding a first plurality of links in a first plane and a second plurality of links in a second plane that is linearly offset from the first plane. ### Claim 10 A push button for a control panel comprising: a circuit board including a tact switch, a first light source, and a second light source; a reflector mounted to the circuit board; a button body arranged over the first light source, the second light source, and the tact switch such that actuation of the button body actuates the tact switch; an indicator light guide within the button body arranged over the second light source for the second light source to illuminate the indicator light guide; a cap on the button body, the cap including a graphic illuminated by the first light source, the indicator light guide is visible at an exterior surface of the cap offset from the graphic when illuminated by the second light source; and a divider of the button body between the first light source and the indicator light guide to restrict light from the first light source from illuminating the indicator light guide; wherein the button body and the reflector are molded as a single, monolithic piece with links extending between the button body and the reflector. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The push button of claim 10, wherein the links are flexible. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The push button of claim 11, wherein the links are each linear. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The push button of claim 11, wherein the links are each non-linear. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The push button of claim 13, wherein the links include first flexible links and second flexible links, the first flexible links are vertically offset from the second flexible links. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The push button of claim 10, further comprising guiderails extending from the button body to center the button body within the reflector. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The push button of claim 10, wherein the button body is surrounded by the reflector. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The push button of claim 10, wherein the button body, the reflector, and the links are molded by injection compression molding. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The push button of claim 10, wherein upon depressing the button body the links connecting the button body to the reflector flex and the button body depresses the tact switch. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The push button of claim 10, wherein the links are molded as rigid links that are severed after molding. ### Claim 20 (depends on 10) The push button of claim 10, wherein the first light source and the second light source are each light emitting diodes.