Optoelectronic component

• US 5,452,190 A
• Filed: 07/19/1993
• Issued: 09/19/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Wolfgang Priesemuth
• Inventors: Priesemuth, Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US08/094,540
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 362/95, 362/255, 362/256, 362/800
• US Class Current: 362/255
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/023 Light-emitting indicators for multi-layer switches H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/164 the light emitting elements being incorporated in and movable with the operating part
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/182 Illumination of the symbols or distinguishing marks H01H9/181 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/58 Optical field-shaping elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

An optoelectronic component with luminescence-emitting properties has an optoelectronic element with a body having at least a section that is at least partially light-transparent for allowing emission of luminescence. The component further has a member having at least a portion that is at least partially light-transparent. The portion of the member encloses the section of the body of the optoelectronic element, whereby the section and the member are in contact with one another by areally resting on one another. Preferably, the member may be injection-molded onto the section of the body. In the alternative, the member may be glued onto the section of the body.

Claims

1. An optoelectronic component having luminescence-emitting properties, comprising:

an optoelectronic element having a body having at least a section that is at least partially light-transparent for allowing emission of luminescence; and

a member having at least a portion that is at least partially light-transparent, said portion of said member enclosing said section of said body, wherein said portion of said member enclosing said section of said body has a shape mating with the shape of said section such that said portion and said section are in contact with one another by areally resting on one another without a gap therebetween.

2. An optoelectronic component according to claim 1, wherein said member is comprised of plastic material.

3. An optoelectronic component according to claim 2, wherein said member is connected to said section of said body by using an injection-molding process.

4. An optoelectronic component according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layer between said member and said body for connecting said member to said body.

5. An optoelectronic component according to claim 1, wherein said member has a predetermined color.

6. An optoelectronic component according to claim 1, wherein said member has an outer contour in the form of a symbol.

7. An optoelectronic component according to claim 1, wherein said member has at least one first zone that with respect to a visible outer contour thereof is in the form of a symbol, wherein a second zone of said member surrounding said at least one first zone is non-light-transparent.

8. An optoelectronic component according to claim 7, wherein said at least one first zone of said member has a predetermined color.

9. An optoelectronic component according to claim 7, wherein said at least one first zone is white.

10. An optoelectronic component according to claim 1, wherein said member is white.

20. An optoelectronic component according to claim 1, further comprising the step of coloring said member white.

11. A method of manufacturing an optoelectronic component having luminescence-emitting properties, the optoelectronic component comprising a body having at least a section that is at least partially light-transparent for allowing emission of luminescence and a member having at least a portion that is at least partially light-transparent, said portion of said member enclosing said section of said body;

said method comprising the step of;

positioning said member on said section such that said member and said section are in contact with one another by areally resting on one another without a gap therebetween.

12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of injection-molding said member onto said section of said body.

13. A method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of gluing said member onto said section of said body.

14. A method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of manufacturing said member from plastic material.

15. A method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of coloring said member with a predetermined color.

16. A method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of shaping an outer contour of said member so as to have a symbol.

17. A method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

shaping at least one first zone on said member, said at least one first zone with respect to a visible outer contour thereof being in the form of a symbol, wherein a second zone of said member surrounding said at least one first zone is non-light-transparent; and

forming a non-light-transparent second zone at said member surrounding said at least one first zone.

18. A method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of coloring said at least one first zone with a predetermined color.

19. An optoelectronic component according to claim 17, further comprising the step of coloring said at least one first zone white.