IP Library Granted Patent US 8,182,104
Granted Patent B2
US 8,182,104 · App. 12/674,806 · Granted May 22, 2012

Capacitive proximity and/or touch switch

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,182,104
App. No.
12/674,806
Granted
May 22, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A capacitive proximity and/or touch switch has an electrically conductive body bridging a spacing distance between an at least partially translucent, electrically insulating cover plate and a carrier plate. The electrically conductive body has a sensor surface at the end thereof facing the cover plate. The sensor surface is connected to an evaluation circuit via the electrically conductive body. A light source is associated with the sensor surface, the light of which implements an optical display in an operating region defined by the sensor surface at the front of the cover plate. The light source is disposed at an offset to the position of the operating region, and the electrically conductive body has a reflector region configured such that light emitted from the light source can be deflected in the direction of the operating region by the reflector region.

Claims (23)

1. A capacitive proximity and/or touch switch, comprising:

an at least partially translucent, electrically insulating cover plate, said cover plate having a front face;

a carrier plate disposed a spacing distance from said cover plate;

an electrically conductive body bridging said distance between said cover plate and said carrier plate, said electrically conductive body having a reflector region;

said electrically conductive body having a sensor surface at an end facing said cover plate, said sensor surface being connected to an evaluation circuit by way of said electrically conductive body;

a light source associated with said sensor surface, said light source outputting light implementing an optical display in an operating region on said front face of said cover plate defined by said sensor surface;

said light source being disposed at an offset from the operating region and being disposed to emit and radiate light along said carrier plate and/or said cover plate; and

wherein said reflector region of said electrically conductive body is configured to deflect light radiated in laterally from said light source in a direction toward said operating region.

2. The switch according to claim 1 , wherein said light source is mounted to said carrier plate.

3. The switch according to claim 1 , which comprises an optical device disposed between said light source and said reflector region, configured to change the light emitted from said light source.

4. The switch according to claim 3 , wherein said optical device is configured to scatter, filter, color, or bundle the light from the light source.

5. The switch according to claim 1 , wherein said reflector region extends from said cover plate to said carrier plate.

6. The switch according to claim 1 , wherein said reflector region is disposed at an acute angle relative to said sensor surface.

7. The switch according to claim 1 , wherein said reflector region is formed by a roughened or coated surface to generate a diffuse beam element.

8. The switch according to claim 1 , wherein said reflector region has a metallic surface configured to reflect the light incident thereon in a specific manner with a predefinable form.

9. The switch according to claim 1 , wherein said electrically conductive body is configured as a single piece.

10. The switch according to claim 1 , wherein said electrically conductive body is a leaf spring made of electrically conductive material, and wherein at least a portion of a surface of said leaf spring forms said reflector region.

11. The switch according to claim 1 , wherein an end of said electrically conductive body with said sensor surface is formed as a frame and said reflector region is disposed relative to said frame to cause the light deflected by said reflector region to pass through said frame.

12. The switch according to claim 1 , wherein said electrically conductive body is a stamped part and said reflector region is bent away from an end defining said sensor surface.

13. The switch according to claim 12 , wherein the end of said electrically conductive body defining said sensor surface rests against a rear face of said cover plate.

14. The switch according to claim 12 , wherein the end of said electrically conductive body defining said sensor surface is integrated in said cover plate.

15. A domestic appliance, comprising a switch according to claim 1 .

16. An electrically conductive body for the switch according to claim 1 .

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO REMOVE USSN 14373413; 29120436 AND 29429277 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 035624 FRAME: 0784. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Jun 19, 2015
From: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
To: BSH HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
Reel/Frame 036000/0848 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 11, 2015
From: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
To: BSH HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
Reel/Frame 035624/0784 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2011
From: REINKER, BERNWARD
To: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERAETE GMBH
Reel/Frame 026673/0872 →