Electroluminescent lamp membrane switch

• US 20060278509A1
• Filed: 06/14/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 2461729 Ontario Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Oryon Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Burrows, Kenneth, Brown, Thomas L., Marcus, M. Richard
• Granted Patent: US 8,110,765 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/310
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/018 Electroluminescent panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/028 Printed information
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/006 Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/024 with inductive switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/078 Variable resistance by variable contact area or point
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/182 Illumination of the symbols or distinguishing marks H01H9/181 takes precedence

Abstract

An combined monolithic electroluminescent lamp and membrane switch is manufactured by continuous printing. Graphic indicia is imprinted on deformable substrate. An electroluminescent lamp is imprinted on the graphic indicia layer and a membrane switch is formed on the lamp. The monolithic switch has a layer for sensing switch actuation by means including resistance change, capacitance change, or magnetic field change.

Claims

1. A monolithic membrane switch comprising:

a deformable substrate;

a first conductive layer;

a second conductive layer; and

,

a layer for sensing actuation of the switch imprinted between the first and second conductive layers.

2. The monolithic membrane switch of claim 1, where the layer for sensing actuation of the switch comprises:

a base resin;

a curable polymer; and

,

a compound selected from the group consisting of carbon-impregnated powdered rubber, indium, indium-tin oxide, carbon powder, nano-carbon powder, and nano-silver powder.

3. The monolithic membrane switch of claim 1, where the layer for sensing actuation of the switch comprises:

a base resin;

a curable polymer; and

,

a ferro-electric compound.

4. The monolithic membrane switch of claim 1, where the layer for sensing actuation of the switch comprises:

a base resin;

a curable polymer; and

,

a compound selected from the group consisting of silver-coated copper, coated iron particles, and low-carbon steel particles.

5. The monolithic membrane switch of claim 1, further comprising graphic indicia imprinted on a surface of the deformable substrate.

6. A combined monolithic membrane switch and electroluminescent lamp comprising:

a deformable substrate;

the deformable substrate having a front surface and a back surface;

a first conductive layer;

a second conductive layer;

a layer for sensing actuation of the switch imprinted between the first and second conductive layers; and

,

an electroluminescent lamp;

the electroluminescent lamp having a front surface and a back surface;

the front surface of the electroluminescent lamp being imprinted on the back surface of the deformable substrate.

7. The combined monolithic membrane switch and electroluminescent lamp of claim 6, where the layer for sensing actuation of the switch comprises:

a base resin;

a curable polymer; and

,

a compound selected from the group consisting of carbon-impregnated powdered rubber, indium, indium-tin oxide, carbon powder, nano-carbon powder, and nano-silver powder.

8. The combined monolithic membrane switch and electroluminescent lamp of claim 6, where the layer for sensing actuation of the switch comprises:

a base resin;

a curable polymer; and

,

a ferro-electric compound.

9. The combined monolithic membrane switch and electroluminescent lamp of claim 6, where the layer for sensing actuation of the switch comprises:

a base resin;

a curable polymer; and

,

a compound selected from the group consisting of silver-coated copper, coated iron particles, and low-carbon steel particles.

10. The combined monolithic membrane switch and electroluminescent lamp of claim 6, further comprising graphic indicia imprinted on a surface of the deformable substrate.

11. The combined monolithic membrane switch and electroluminescent lamp of claim 6, where the front surface of the lamp includes an insulating layer.

12. The combined membrane switch and electroluminescent lamp of claim 6, where the back surface of the lamp includes an insulating layer.

13. The combined membrane switch and electroluminescent lamp of claim 6, further including graphic indicia formed on the front surface of the lamp.

14. A method of manufacturing a monolithic membrane switch by continuous printing, comprising:

printing a first conductive layer;

printing a layer for sensing actuation of the switch; and

,

printing a second conductive layer.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

providing an ink for printing the layer for sensing actuation of the switch, where the ink comprises;

a base resin;

a curable polymer; and

,

a compound selected from the group consisting of carbon-impregnated powdered rubber, indium, indium-tin oxide, carbon powder, nano-carbon powder, and nano-silver powder.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

providing an ink for printing the layer for sensing actuation of the switch, where the ink comprises;

a base resin;

a curable polymer; and

,

a ferro-electric compound.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

providing an ink for printing the layer for sensing actuation of the switch, where the ink comprises;

a base resin;

a curable polymer; and

,

a compound selected from the group consisting of silver-coated copper, coated iron particles, and low-carbon steel particles.

18. The monolithic membrane switch of claim 14, further comprising:

providing a deformable substrate for the switch; and

,

printing graphic indicia on a surface of the deformable substrate.

19. A method of manufacturing a combined monolithic membrane switch and electroluminescent lamp by continuous printing, comprising:

printing a first conductive layer;

printing a layer for sensing actuation of the switch;

printing a second conductive layer; and

;

printing the layers of an electroluminescent lamp.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing an ink for printing the layer for sensing actuation of the switch, where the ink comprises;

a base resin;

a curable polymer; and

,

a compound selected from the group consisting of carbon-impregnated powdered rubber, indium, indium-tin oxide, carbon powder, nano-carbon powder, and nano-silver powder.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing an ink for printing the layer for sensing actuation of the switch, where the ink comprises;

a base resin;

a curable polymer; and

,

a ferro-electric compound.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing an ink for printing the layer for sensing actuation of the switch, where the ink comprises;

a base resin;

a curable polymer; and

,

a compound selected from the group consisting of silver-coated copper, coated iron particles, and low-carbon steel particles.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing a deformable substrate for the combined monolithic membrane switch and electroluminescent lamp; and

,

printing graphic indicia on a surface of the deformable substrate.