Continuously variable capacitive switch
US5768088A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 4, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 4, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/975
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A multiple position or continuously variable capacitive switch which operates by producing a series of discernable changes in the capacitance between a pair of conductors (14,16) disposed in a spaced coplanar relationship on a surface of a non-conductive substrate (12). A dielectric layer (18) is applied over the conductors (14,16) and exposed areas of the substrate (12) surface. A resilient conductive pad (20) is positioned atop the dielectric layer (18) and a user movable actuator (28) is moved to controllably increase the capacitance between the conductors (14,16) by creating progressively greater areas of compression between conductive pad (20) and dielectric layer (18).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.