IP Library Granted Patent US 8,232,491
Granted Patent B2
US 8,232,491 · App. 12/129,824 · Granted Jul 31, 2012

Movable contact element and switch using the same

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,232,491
App. No.
12/129,824
Granted
Jul 31, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A movable contact point made of a thin conductive metal sheet in an approximate dome shape is attached to the lower surface of a transparent base sheet, and the base sheet is provided at the upper or the lower surface with a fluorescent layer in the location above the movable contact point. Since, in the make-up, light can be made available for illumination in many colors other than that generated from a light emitting device, a movable contact element, as well as a switch formed using the contact element, that offers various illuminating modes can be implemented in a simple structure.

Claims (20)

1. A movable contact element comprising:

a transparent base sheet, and

a movable contact point made of a thin conductive metal sheet in a dome shape attached to a lower surface of the base sheet; wherein

a fluorescent layer is provided on an upper surface or the lower surface of the base sheet above the movable contact point, the fluorescent layer comprising a plurality of distinct fluorescent dots, and

a reflection section is provided above the movable contact and the fluorescent layer, the reflection section comprising an unevenness in a surface of the base sheet, the reflection section comprising a plurality of distinct reflecting dots.

2. The movable contact element of claim 1 ; wherein

the fluorescent layer is one of a plurality of fluorescent layers, and the plurality of fluorescent layers emit light in different colors, respectively.

3. The movable contact element of claim 1 , wherein the reflection section is provided at the vicinity of the fluorescent layer.

4. A switch comprising:

the movable contact element recited in claim 1 , the movable contact element being attached on an upper surface of a substrate having a fixed contact point, which faces the movable contact point, on its upper surface.

5. A switch comprising:

the movable contact element recited in claim 2 , the movable contact element being attached on an upper surface of a substrate having a fixed contact point, which faces the movable contact point, on its upper surface.

6. A switch comprising:

the movable contact element recited in claim 3 , the movable contact element being attached on an upper surface of a substrate having a fixed contact point, which faces the movable contact point, on its upper surface.

7. The movable contact element of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of fluorescent layers are located directly above the movable contact.

8. A movable contact element comprising:

a transparent base sheet, and

a movable contact point made of a thin conductive metal sheet in a dome shape attached to a lower surface of the base sheet; wherein

a fluorescent layer is provided on an upper surface or the lower surface of the base sheet above the movable contact point, the fluorescent layer having an annular shape, and

a reflection section is provided above the movable contact and the fluorescent layer, the reflection section comprising an unevenness in a surface of the base sheet, the reflection section positioned inside of the annular-shaped fluorescent layer.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 11, 2008
From: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021818/0725 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 22, 2008
From: TATEHATA, NAOKI; INOUE, TAKEFUMI; TANABE, KOJI; CHIKAHISA, YOUSUKE
To: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 021274/0338 →