Illuminated touch switch
First Claim
1. A touch sensitive electroluminiescent (EL) switch comprising:
- a rear electrode layer;
a dielectric layer adjacent to said rear electrode layer;
a phosphor layer adjacent to said dielectric layer; and
a transparent electrode layer including a pad adjacent to said phosphor layer, and a substantially concentric conductive trace adjacent to said phosphor layer spaced from said pad in said transparent electrode layer;
wherein said phosphor layer disposed between said rear electrode layer and said pad define an illuminated region when energized by a first voltage, wherein said substantially conductive trace and said pad cooperate to define a detection region substantially coinciding with said illuminated region when energized by a second voltage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A touch sensitive electroluminiescent (EL) switch is provided in a vehicle for actuating a vehicle accessory. A dielectric layer is adjacent to a rear electrode layer. A phosphor layer is adjacent to the dielectric layer. A transparent electrode layer includes a pad adjacent to the phosphor layer, and a substantially concentric conductive trace is adjacent to the phosphor layer and is spaced from the pad in the transparent electrode layer. The phosphor layer is disposed between the rear electrode layer and the pad and defines an illuminated region when energized by a first voltage. The substantially conductive trace and the pad cooperate to define a detection region substantially coinciding with the illuminated region when energized by a second voltage.
22 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A touch sensitive electroluminiescent (EL) switch comprising:
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a rear electrode layer; a dielectric layer adjacent to said rear electrode layer; a phosphor layer adjacent to said dielectric layer; and a transparent electrode layer including a pad adjacent to said phosphor layer, and a substantially concentric conductive trace adjacent to said phosphor layer spaced from said pad in said transparent electrode layer; wherein said phosphor layer disposed between said rear electrode layer and said pad define an illuminated region when energized by a first voltage, wherein said substantially conductive trace and said pad cooperate to define a detection region substantially coinciding with said illuminated region when energized by a second voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A control panel including at least one touch sensitive electroluminiescent (EL) switch formed in a vehicle for actuating a vehicle accessory, the control panel comprising:
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a plastic substrate forming a portion of an interior trim panel of said vehicle, said plastic substrate including a first side surface exposed to an interior passenger compartment of said vehicle; a rear electrode layer formed in said plastic substrate; a dielectric layer adjacent to said rear electrode layer; a phosphor layer adjacent to said dielectric layer; and a transparent electrode layer including a pad adjacent to said phosphor layer, and a substantially concentric conductive trace adjacent to said phosphor layer spaced from said pad in said transparent electrode layer; wherein said phosphor layer disposed between said rear electrode layer and said pad define an illuminated region when energized by a first voltage, wherein said substantially conductive trace and said pad cooperate to define a detection region substantially coinciding with said illuminated region when energized by a second voltage, and wherein said vehicle accessory is actuated in response to a potential variation in said detection region.
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10. A method for illuminating a touch sensitive electroluminiescent (EL) switch within a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a rear electrode layer; providing a dielectric layer adjacent to said rear electrode layer; providing a phosphor layer adjacent to said dielectric layer; providing a transparent electrode layer including a pad adjacent to said phosphor layer, and a substantially concentric conductive trace adjacent to said phosphor layer spaced from said pad in said transparent electrode layer; energizing an illumination region defined by said phosphor layer disposed between said rear electrode layer and said pad, said illumination region energized by a first voltage; and energizing a detection region formed about said substantially conductive trace and said pad, said detection region energized by a second voltage. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification