Integrally molded switch lighting and electronics
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An integrated electrical control assembly comprising:
- a polymeric cover including a graphic element formed thereon;
a flex circuit including an electroluminescent panel, said panel positioned within said cover to be aligned with said graphic element; and
a substrate sandwiching said flex circuit to said cover, wherein said substrate includes a first section of a rigid polymeric material and a second section including a carbon-filled elastomeric material and wherein said flex circuit includes switch contacts aligned with a switch actuator formed in said elastomeric material to define a switch.
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Abstract
A display/switch/electronic control assembly includes a molded three-piece assembly in which displays/switches/electronics are integrally included on a flexible circuit material sandwiched between a polymeric substrate and a cover, which may include a switching element cooperating with the flex circuit, or a display. The structure preferably is insert-molded with integrally molded sections for providing an inexpensive, reliable control and display system for use in the vehicle environment.
87 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An integrated electrical control assembly comprising:
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a polymeric cover including a graphic element formed thereon; a flex circuit including an electroluminescent panel, said panel positioned within said cover to be aligned with said graphic element; and a substrate sandwiching said flex circuit to said cover, wherein said substrate includes a first section of a rigid polymeric material and a second section including a carbon-filled elastomeric material and wherein said flex circuit includes switch contacts aligned with a switch actuator formed in said elastomeric material to define a switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A molded electrical control assembly comprising:
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a molded polymeric cover including a resilient switch button having a translucent graphic element formed thereon; a flex circuit including an electroluminescent panel on one side, positioned within said cover with said panel aligned with said graphic element and switch contacts on a side opposite said panel; and a substrate having a contact pad aligned with said switch contacts, said substrate sandwiching said flex circuit to cover, wherein said substrate includes a first section of a rigid polymeric material and a second section including a carbon-filled elastomeric material and wherein said switch pad is formed in said elastomeric material. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. An integrated electrical control assembly comprising:
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a polymeric cover including a flexible switch actuating button formed thereon; a flex circuit including switch contacts formed thereon and aligned with said button; and a substrate sandwiching said flex circuit to said cover, wherein said polymeric cover and said substrate are integrally molded with said flex circuit positioned therebetween, wherein said substrate includes a first section of a rigid polymeric material and a second section including a carbon-filled elastomeric material and wherein said flex circuit switch contacts are aligned with a switch actuator formed in said elastomeric material to define a switch. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification