Switch with capacitive sensing element

• US 7,884,299 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2007
• Issued: 02/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Exeloo Limited
• Original Assignee: Daniel John Glew
• Inventors: Glew, Daniel John
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke; Renee
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fishman; Marina
• Application Number:
  US11/855,318
• Publication Number:
  US 20080067052A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,243 Days
• Field of Search: 200/600, 200/302.1, 200/302.2, 200/303, 200308-317, 200512-520, 362/253, 362/276
• US Class Current: 200/600
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960755 Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches

Abstract

A switch adapted to make and/or break a connection in an electric circuit to operate a device has a front to face the user and a rear to face away from the user, a housing, and switch mechanism. The switch mechanism includes in operative connection, a lens facing the front, an information element, a control element, a lighting element, a capacitive sensing element and a power element to operate the lighting element and sensing element. The switch includes a communication element to provide electrical connection to the device and is activated by the control element when a change in capacitance is sensed by the capacitive sensing element such that the information element and lighting element can be viewed through the lens and the device is operated.

Claims

1. A switch adapted to make and break a connection in an electric circuit to operate a device, the switch comprising:

a front facing a user;

a rear facing away from the user;

a housing;

a switch mechanism comprised of i) a lens facing the front, ii) a metal amplification disc, iii) a control element comprised of a PC board, iv) a lighting element, and v) a capacitive sensing element,

the capacitive sensing element comprising an electrode and a capacitor triggered by proximity of the user,

the disc increasing an activation field of the capacitor sensing element,

wherein the capacitive sensing element is covered by the PC board, the PC board is covered by the disc, and the disc is covered by the lens;

a power element connected for operating the lighting element and sensing element; and

a communication element providing electrical connection to the device,

wherein the switch is activated by the control element when a change in capacitance is sensed by the capacitive sensing element, and activiation of the switch provides that i) the information element and lighting element are viewed through the lens and ii) the device is made to operate,

the capacitive sensing element being a touch-free proximity sensor allowing the switch to be activated by the user'"'"'s proximity to the capacitive sensing element and without the user making physical contact with the switch.

2. A switch as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

an O-ring located around the lens, and sealingly engaging with the housing.

3. A switch as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a cover threadingly engaging with a rear of the housing and covering the sensing element, the information element, and the control element.