Illuminated membrane switch
First Claim
1. An electroluminescent device and membrane switch including:
- one or more electroluminescent lamp assemblies and one or more membrane switch assemblies, wherein a rear flexible electrode of the electroluminescent lamp(s) and a conductive layer of the membrane switch are superimposed on opposite sides of the same element(s) which function as the means by which the membrane switch(es) is/are closed upon actuation by a user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electroluminescent switch is described incorporating an electroluminescent lamp assembly and one or more membrane switch assembly. The rear or base electrode of the electroluminescent lamp and a conductive layer of the membrane switch are superimposed on opposite sides of the same element which functions as the means by which the membrane switch may be closed upon actuation by a user. The membrane switch can be constructed from two electrodes arranged so that the conductive layer when brought into contact with said electrodes, shorts the electrodes thereby closing the circuit. Applications for the membrane switch include electronic devices where panel switches are required or electronic devices requiring particularly thin switches which are to be backlit.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. An electroluminescent device and membrane switch including:
one or more electroluminescent lamp assemblies and one or more membrane switch assemblies, wherein a rear flexible electrode of the electroluminescent lamp(s) and a conductive layer of the membrane switch are superimposed on opposite sides of the same element(s) which function as the means by which the membrane switch(es) is/are closed upon actuation by a user.
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2. An the electroluminescent lamp/membrane switch assembly comprises:
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a membrane switch including;
at least two electrodes arranged so that upon bringing a flexible conductive layer in contact with said electrodes, the electrodes are shorted;
a flexible conductive layer covering at least two of the electrodes;
a spacer interposed between the conductive layer and the at least two electrodes, the spacer being adapted to hold the conductive layer away from the at least two electrodes while allowing the conductive layer to come into contact with the at least two electrodes upon the application of pressure by a user;
an electroluminescent lamp comprising;
a rear electrode;
a substrate layer juxtaposed over the rear electrode wherein a phosphor layer and dielectric layer are interposed between the rear electrode and a substrate layer;
wherein the rear electrode of the electroluminescent lamp and the conductive layer of the membrane switch superimposed on opposite sides of the same element. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification