Patent · US Expired

Touch switch with flexible, intermediate conductive spacer as sensor button

US5917165A · kind A · utility

193Cited by

14References

19Claims

0Family size

Assignee

E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH · DE

Inventors

Nils Platt · New Bern, US
Wilfried Schilling · Gondelsheim, DE
Bernhard Goetz · Eppingen, DE
Uwe Kreiter · Oberderdingen, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Feb 17, 1998
Grant date	Jun 29, 1999
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Feb 17, 2018

Classification

Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
CPC primaryH03K2217/960785
WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A touch contact switch has a sensor key or button with a spatially extended, electrically conductive foam or flexible plastic or rubber body. The switch is operated by contact or approach. The sensor button essentially forms one pole of a capacitor and is electrically connected to an evaluating circuit of the touch contact switch, wherein switching is initiated as a result of a capacitance change in consequence of approach or contact. The sensor button can be bonded directly on a mounting plate of the associated electrical evaluating circuit or can be engaged by a pin or the like. The body can be flush to the underside of a cover, which forms or contains the contact surface. The body can include an opening along the longitudinal axis in which is insertable a LED.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.