Graphic back-lighting for panel with contact-less switch sensors

• US 7,207,686 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2004
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Uleski, Michael A., Schmidt, Robert Mark, Barlow, Mike
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke; Renee
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZETTL, MARY E
• Application Number:
  US10/960,483
• Publication Number:
  US 20060077650A1
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 362/26, 362/489, 362/482, 362/604, 362/23, 362/27
• US Class Current: 362/26
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0018 Redirecting means on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0021 for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/006 to produce indicia, symbols, texts or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/06 Reflector
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/006 Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such

Abstract

A light emitting panel having first and second panels that are constructed of a generally transparent material and that are connected such that the second panel is angularly positioned relative to the first panel. The first panel has first and second opposing surface, wherein at least a portion of the surfaces have a reflective material disposed thereon and an aperture through the reflective material is positioned on the first surface. A light source is associated with the second panel and a contact-less switch sensor is positioned at the second surface.

Claims

1. A light emitting panel, comprising:

a first panel, constructed of a generally transparent material, having first and second opposing surfaces, in which at least a portion of the first and second surfaces of the first panel have a reflective material disposed thereon and an aperture through the reflective material is positioned on the first surface;

a second panel, constructed of a generally transparent material, connected to the first panel and angularly positioned relative to the first panel;

a light source associated with the second panel; and

a contact-less switch sensor positioned at the second surface.

2. A light emitting panel, as recited in claim 1, wherein the second panel is integrally formed with the first panel.

3. A light emitting panel, as recited in claim 1, wherein a predetermined radius is formed between the first and second panels.

4. A light emitting panel, as recited in claim 1, wherein the light source is disposed within the second panel.

5. A light emitting panel, as recited in claim 1, wherein the second panel has first and second opposing surfaces and at least a portion of the first and second surfaces of the second panel have a reflective material disposed thereon.

6. A light emitting panel, as recited in claim 1, wherein the contact-less switch sensor is positioned generally opposite the aperture.

7. A light emitting panel, as recited in claim 1, wherein the light source is a light emitting diode.

8. A light emitting panel, as recited in claim 1, wherein the contact-less switch sensor is a field effect switch pad.

9. A light emitting panel, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a compression ramp formed in the first panel proximal the contact-less switch sensor.

10. A light emitting panel, as recited in claim 9, wherein the compression ramp is disposed between the light source and the contact-less switch sensor.

11. A light emitting panel, as recited in claim 9, wherein the compression ramp comprises a reflective wall extending from a first edge and projecting into the first panel toward the contact-less switch sensor to a second edge, wherein the first edge of the reflective wall of the compression ramp is coplanar with a surface of the first panel, the second edge of the reflective wall of the compression ramp is proximal the contact-less switch sensor.

12. A light emitting panel, as recited in claim 11, wherein the second edge of the reflective wall of the compression ramp has a width that is substantially the same as a width of the contact-less switch sensor and a contour that conforms to the contour of the contact-less switch sensor.

13. A light emitting panel, as recited in claim 11, wherein and the angle formed between the reflective wall of the compression ramp and the surface of the first panel is approximately 2–

5 degrees.

14. A light emitting panel, as recited in claim 9, further comprising a reflector ramp formed in the first panel proximal the contact-less switch sensor.

15. A light emitting panel, as recited in claim 14, wherein the contact-less switch sensor is disposed between the light source and the reflector ramp.

16. A light emitting panel, as recited in claim 14, wherein the reflector ramp comprises a reflective wall extending from a first edge and projecting into the front panel and away from the contact-less switch to a second edge, wherein the first edge of the reflective wall of the reflector ramp is coplanar with a surface of the first panel, the second edge of the reflective wall of the reflector ramp is proximal the contact-less switch.

17. A light emitting panel, as recited in claim 16, wherein the first edge of the reflective wall of the reflector ramp has a width that is substantially the same as a width of the contact-less switch sensor and a contour that conforms to the contour of the contact-less switch sensor.

18. A light emitting panel, as recited in claim 16, wherein the angle formed between the reflective wall of the reflector ramp and the surface of the first panel is approximately 45 degrees.