Touch switch with illuminated sensor element surface and light guides
AssigneeE.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH
InventorsAndreas Kleinhans, Wilfried Schilling
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Abstract
A sensor element and a touch switch arrangement have a sensor surface, which engages on the underside of a control surface. The sensor surface is at least partly light-transmitting and is illuminated from below by a LED as the light source. A Funnel-shaped, closed light guide structure is provided, which guides or conducts the light from the LED to the sensor surface or shield against the environment. The light guide structure can additionally have further function(s) such as securing in position or electrical contacting of the sensor surface.
Claims33
A sensor element with a sensor surface said, sensor surface being a part of a capacitive touch switch, said sensor surface being fitted to the underside of a control surface of said capacitive touch switch,
- wherein said sensor surface is at least partly light-transmitting and is illuminated from below by a light source,
- wherein light guide means are provided for flux of light from said light source to said sensor surface, and
- wherein said light guide means shield said light source of a touch switch from the environment and from a remaining underside of said control surface.
A sensor element with a sensor surface, said sensor surface being a part of a capacitive touch switch, said sensor surface being fitted to the underside of a control surface of said capacitive touch switch.
- wherein said sensor surface is at least partly light-transmitting and is illuminated from below by a light source,
- wherein light guide means are provided for a flux of light from said light source to said sensor surface, and
- wherein said light guide means have a wall, said wall surrounds said at least one light source and forms a channel to said sensor surface, and wherein said channel is closed in a substantially light-proof manner.
A sensor element with a sensor surface, said sensor surface being a part of a capacitive touch switch, said sensor surface being fitted to the underside of a control surface of said capacitive touch switch,
- wherein said sensor surface is at least partly light-transmitting and is illuminated from below by a light source,
- wherein light guide means are provided for a flux of light from said light source to said sensor surface, and
- wherein said light guide means form an electrical contacting means to said sensor surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.