Illuminated piezoelectric switch
US5770914A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 27, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 23, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 27, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S310/80
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An illuminated switch assembly employs a piezoelectric film as both a transducer and a circuit substrate. Preferably some or all of the transducer portion of the film is light transmissive in order to facilitate illumination of the activation surface of the switch. Use of a piezoelectric film provides the ability to reduce or eliminate relatively moving parts, resulting in an increase of the useful life of the switch. Providing conductive traces, interconnection and circuitry mounted directly on the piezoelectric film reduces the need for interconnecting a number of different parts during assembly and/or manufacture and thus reduces the cost of the switch.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.