Capacitive switch and panel

• US 4,413,252 A
• Filed: 03/21/1980
• Issued: 11/01/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Tyler, Hugh J., Conway, William H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Groody, James J.
• Application Number:
  US06/132,390
• Time in Patent Office: 1,320 Days
• Field of Search: 340/365 C, 200/DIG. 1, 200/2, 200/52 R, 200/5 A, 200/159 B, 200/275, 307/98, 307/99, 307/116, 361/280, 361/281, 361/303, 361/330, 361/288, 219/10.55 B, 219/10.55 R
• US Class Current: 341/33
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/98 having a plurality of control members, e.g. keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/94073 with capacitive detection
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96023 Details of electro-mechanic connections between different elements, e.g.: sensing plate and integrated circuit containing electronics
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96062 with tactile or haptic feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96076 with spring electrode

Abstract

A user, touch actuable capacitive switch for changing the level of an output signal to an electrical circuit. The switch includes an external, user touchable capacitive plate formed on a first dielectric panel and two internal capacitive plates formed on a second dielectric panel affixed to the first flexible dielectric panel, the two internal capacitive plates being oppositely disposed from said external capacitive plate on opposite sides of said second dielectric panel. Electrically conductive paths on the second dielectric panel interconnect the internal capacitive plates to the electrical circuit. A trim tab formed on the second dielectric panel permits the adjustment of the change of level of the output signal upon actuation of the capacitive switch.

Claims

1. A user, touch actuable capacitive switch panel for changing the level of an output signal to an electrical circuit means comprising:

a first dielectric panel having a plurality of external, user touchable capacitive plates formed thereon arranged as a keyboard;

a second flexible dielectric panel having a plurality of pairs of internal capacitive plates formed thereon affixed to said first dielectric panel, two internal capacitive plates forming each pair of capacitive plates being oppositely disposed from one of said external capacitive plates on opposite sides of said second flexible dielectric panel forming a plurality of capacitive switches on said switch panel;

electrically conductive paths formed on said second flexible dielectric panel for interconnecting said internal capacitive plates to said electrical circuit means;

and trim means formed on said second flexible dielectric panel for adjusting the change of level of the output signal upon actuation of each of said capacitive switches.

2. A capacitive switch as defined in claim 1 wherein said first dielectric panel is transparent and said second flexible dielectric panel has colored surfaces and identifying indicia thereon.