IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,394,034
Granted Patent B2
US 7,394,034 · App. 11/368,763 · Granted Jul 1, 2008

Electric push-button switch with lighting arrangement

Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. Kg
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,394,034
App. No.
11/368,763
Granted
Jul 1, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electric push-button switch ( 10 ) includes a housing ( 22 ), a push-button ( 12 ). The push-button switch ( 10 ) further includes a symbol lighting arrangement to illuminate a transparent region ( 16 ) of the push-button ( 12 ). The transparent region ( 16 ) symbolizes the functional unit to be operated by the push-button switch ( 10 ) or an actual function of the functional unit. The push-button switch ( 10 ) further includes a function lighting arrangement to indicate the operating status of the functional unit. The symbol lighting arrangement comprises a first light source ( 32 ), and the function lighting arrangement comprises a second light source ( 34 ) and an off-partitioned light conducting section to a light outlet area ( 18 ) which is integrated into the push-button ( 12 ). Both lighting arrangements are accommodated in a structural space defined by the housing ( 22 ).

Claims (8)

1. An electric push-button switch, comprising:

a housing, a push-button, a symbol lighting arrangement to illuminate a transparent region of the push-button, the transparent region symbolizing one of a plurality of functional units to be operated by the push-button switch and an actual function of a functional unit, and

a function lighting arrangement to indicate an operating status of the functional unit,

the symbol lighting arrangement comprising a first light source, the function lighting arrangement comprising a second light source and an off-partitioned light conducting section to a light outlet area which is integrated into the push-button, both lighting arrangements being accommodated in a structural space defined by the housing, wherein the light conducting section comprises a light conductor, a switching mat being arranged over the second light source, a form fit existing between the light conductor and the switching mat.

2. The electric push-button switch according to claim 1 , wherein the two light sources are LEDs which are arranged directly on a common printed circuit board.

3. The electric push-button switch according to claim 1 , wherein the push-button switch additionally comprises a reflector which divides an interior of the push-button switch into two lighting areas, the first lighting area restricting the outlet of the light of the first light source substantially to a transparent area, and the light conductor being held in the second lighting area.

4. The electric push-button switch according to claim 1 , wherein the light conductor extends into a bore of the switching mat.

5. The electric push-button switch according to claim 4 , wherein the light conductor is a light block which extends from the bore of the switching mat up to the push-button.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 6, 2006
From: OSTENDORF, JENS; GIRKE, JUERGEN; FROHNE, HANS-JOACHIM
To: TRW AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS & COMPONENTS GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 018494/0635 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 20 2005 003 663 U · Mar 8, 2005 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20060201796A1 · Sep 14, 2006