Switch

• US 8,658,929 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2011
• Issued: 02/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digital Lumens, Inc. (Ams-Osram AG)
• Original Assignee: OSRAM Sylvania Inc. (Ams-Osram AG)
• Inventors: Hoffknecht, Marc, Reist, Peter, Rojas, Javier Orlando, Poupore, Timothy J., Armstrong, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond, Briggitte R
• Application Number:
  US13/161,358
• Publication Number:
  US 20120318657A1
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 200/600, 200/5.A, 200/5.R, 200/61.55
• US Class Current: 200/600
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/0293 with an integrated touch switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/006 Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/06 Temperature sensitive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/122 with enlarged actuating area, e.g. of the elongated bar-type; Stabilising means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49105 Switch making

Abstract

A switch according to various embodiments of the disclosure comprises a mechanical actuator configured to control a function associated with the switch and a face coupled to the actuator. The face is configured to depress in response to a force applied to at least a portion of the face, whereby depression of the face engages the actuator to control the function associated with the switch. The face includes a plurality of segments, each segment for controlling a respective additional function associated with the switch. A respective capacitive touch sensor is coupled to each respective segment of the plurality of segments, wherein each capacitive touch sensor is configured to control the function associated with its respective segment in response to detecting human skin in contact with the segment.

Claims

1. A switch comprising:

a mechanical actuator configured to control a function associated with the switch, wherein the mechanical actuator comprises;

a first arm coupled to the face;

a second arm coupled to the face; and

a hinge coupling connecting the first arm and the second arm, whereby a force exerted along either the first arm or the second arm causes both the first arm and the second arm to depress;

a face coupled to the actuator, the face configured to depress in response to a force applied to at least a portion of the face, whereby depression of the face engages the actuator to control the function associated with the switch, wherein the face includes a plurality of segments, each segment to control a respective additional function associated with the switch; and

a respective touch sensor coupled to each respective segment of the plurality of segments, wherein each touch sensor is configured to control the function associated with its respective segment in response to detecting human skin in contact with the segment.

2. The switch of claim 1, wherein the face is configured to depress uniformly regardless of the portion of the face to which the force is applied.

3. The switch of claim 1, wherein the plurality of touch sensors are activated in response to the face engaging the mechanical actuator.

4. The switch of claim 1, wherein the mechanical actuator is configured to generate a tactile indicator in response to the face being depressed.

5. The switch of claim 1, wherein detection of human skin in contact with a segment preempts control of the function by the mechanical actuator.

6. The switch of claim 1, wherein the plurality of segments includes a first segment and a second segment, wherein only one of the first segment or the second segment controls its respective function at any one time.

7. The switch of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to control a function associated with the switch.

8. The switch of claim 1, wherein the switch is configured to generate an indicator comprising one or more of an audible indicator and a visual indicator, the indicator to convey one or more of:

a status of a building in which the switch is installed;

a status for the switch;

an emergency condition;

a status of a device in communication with the switch; and

a mode of operation for a control system in communication with the switch.

9. The switch of claim 8, further comprising a display, wherein the visual indicator is generated via the display.

10. The switch of claim 1, wherein the face is removably coupled to the actuator.

11. The switch of claim 10, wherein the plurality of touch sensors include capacitive touch sensors, wherein each capacitive touch sensor comprises an insulating film and a selective surface coating formed on a rear portion of the face.

12. The switch of claim 1, wherein the plurality of touch sensors include capacitive touch sensors, each capacitive touch sensor comprises an insulating film and a selective surface coating formed on a rear portion of the face.

13. The switch of claim 1, further comprising a cover plate, wherein the face extends over at least a portion of the cover plate.

14. A method of manufacturing a switch, comprising:

providing a mechanical actuator configured to control a function associated with the switch, wherein the mechanical actuator comprises;

a first arm coupled to the face;

a second arm coupled to the face; and

a hinge coupling connecting the first arm and the second arm, whereby a force exerted along either the first arm or the second arm causes both the first arm and the second arm to depress;

coupling a face to the actuator, the face configured to depress in response to a force applied to at least a portion of the face, whereby depression of the face engages the actuator to control the function associated with the switch, wherein the face includes a plurality of segments, each segment to control a respective additional function associated with the switch; and

coupling a respective touch sensor to each respective segment of the plurality of segments, wherein each touch sensor is configured to control the function associated with its respective segment in response to detecting human skin in contact with the segment.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing a sensor configured to control a function associated with the switch.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising configuring the switch to generate an indicator comprising one or more of an audible indicator and a visual indicator, the indicator for conveying one or more of:

a status of a building in which the switch is installed;

a status for the switch;

an emergency condition;

a status of a device in communication with the switch; and

a mode of operation for a control system in communication with the switch.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing a display, wherein the visual indicator is generated via the display.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein coupling a face to the actuator comprises removably coupling the face to the actuator, the face configured to depress in response to a force applied to at least a portion of the face, whereby depression of the face engages the actuator to control the function associated with the switch, wherein the face includes a plurality of segments, each segment for controlling a respective additional function associated with the switch.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein coupling a respective touch sensor comprises coupling a respective capacitive touch sensor to each respective segment of the plurality of segments, wherein each capacitive touch sensor comprises an insulating film and a selective surface coating formed on a rear portion of the face, and wherein each capacitive touch sensor is configured to control the function associated with its respective segment in response to detecting human skin in contact with the segment.