US 8,658,929 B2Granted

Switch

AssigneeOsram Sylvania Inc.

InventorsMarc Hoffknecht, Peter Reist, Javier Orlando Rojas, Timothy J. Poupore, Steve Armstrong

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A switch according to various embodiments of the disclosure comprises a mechanical actuator configured to control a function associated with the switch and a face coupled to the actuator. The face is configured to depress in response to a force applied to at least a portion of the face, whereby depression of the face engages the actuator to control the function associated with the switch. The face includes a plurality of segments, each segment for controlling a respective additional function associated with the switch. A respective capacitive touch sensor is coupled to each respective segment of the plurality of segments, wherein each capacitive touch sensor is configured to control the function associated with its respective segment in response to detecting human skin in contact with the segment.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A switch comprising:

a mechanical actuator configured to control a function associated with the switch, wherein the mechanical actuator comprises:
a first arm coupled to the face;
a second arm coupled to the face;
and
a hinge coupling connecting the first arm and the second arm, whereby a force exerted along either the first arm or the second arm causes both the first arm and the second arm to depress;
a face coupled to the actuator, the face configured to depress in response to a force applied to at least a portion of the face, whereby depression of the face engages the actuator to control the function associated with the switch, wherein the face includes a plurality of segments, each segment to control a respective additional function associated with the switch;
and
a respective touch sensor coupled to each respective segment of the plurality of segments, wherein each touch sensor is configured to control the function associated with its respective segment in response to detecting human skin in contact with the segment.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/161,358Filed 15 Jun 2011
Published: US 2012/0318657 A120 Dec 2012
Granted: 25 Feb 2014
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

H03K 17/962
Touch switches: capacitive touch switches
H01H 3/122
Push-buttons: with enlarged actuating area, e.g. of the elongated bar-type; Stabilising means therefor
H01H 2003/0293
Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch: with an integrated touch switch
H01H 2239/006
Miscellaneous: containing a capacitive switch or usable as such