Fluorescing keypad
First Claim
1. A backlit component having a substantially uniform backlighting intensity, the backlit component including a button member comprising an optically clear silicone and at least one phosphor additive dispersed in a portion of the button member, the button member having means for enabling a light source in proximity to the button member to excite the at least one phosphor additive such that the button member will fluoresce when excited by the light source, the at least one phosphor additive generating a substantially uniform backlighting intensity.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A backlit component is provided which is suitable for use in an illuminated graphic display in an instrument panel of an automobile. The backlit component can be formed as a molded plastic button for use in a display group forming a keypad, in which minimal variability of backlighting intensity can be readily achieved within the backlit component as well as within the display group. The backlit component is preferably molded from a translucent substrate in which at least one phosphor additive is dispersed. The phosphor additive is preferably uniformly dispersed such that the backlit component is characterized by a substantially uniform backlighting intensity upon the phosphor additive being excited by an appropriate light source in proximity to the backlit component. The light source can be received within a recess formed in the backlit component, or spaced apart from the component, in which case light emitted by the light source may be transmitted by a recess or light pipe integrally formed in the component. An insignia can be formed on the surface of the component, and phosphors capable of fluorescing in different colors can be combined to produce essentially any backlighting color.
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Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A backlit component having a substantially uniform backlighting intensity, the backlit component including a button member comprising an optically clear silicone and at least one phosphor additive dispersed in a portion of the button member, the button member having means for enabling a light source in proximity to the button member to excite the at least one phosphor additive such that the button member will fluoresce when excited by the light source, the at least one phosphor additive generating a substantially uniform backlighting intensity.
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8. A backlit component having a substantially uniform backlighting intensity, the backlit component comprising:
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a button member formed of at least one phosphor additive dispersed in an optically clear silicone, the at least one phosphor additive being substantially uniformly dispersed in the optically clear silicone such that, upon excitation of the at least one phosphor additive, the button member is characterized by a substantially uniform backlighting intensity; an insignia defined on a surface of the button member; and a light source in proximity to the button member for exciting the at least one phosphor additive such that the button member will appear to emit light when the at least one phosphor is excited by the light source. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A backlit component having a substantially uniform backlighting intensity, the backlit component comprising:
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a button member formed of at least one phosphor additive dispersed in an optically clear silicone, the at least one phosphor additive being substantially uniformly dispersed in the optically clear silicone such that, upon excitation of the at least one phosphor additive, the button member is characterized by a substantially uniform backlighting intensity; a coating disposed on at least a portion of the button member so as to define an insignia with an exposed portion of the button member; and a ultraviolet light source in proximity to the button member to excite the at least one phosphor additive such that the button member will appear to emit light when the at least one phosphor is excited by the light source. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification