Patent Application
20060071901
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a graphic assembly for the graphic illumination for contact-less controls.
2. Background Art
Many types of control panels incorporate illuminated graphics into the control panel in order to allow the user to readily see what is being activated, or non-activated, by the control on the panel. Currently, these controls currently use field effect, capacitance or resistive sensors.
The designs of the currently available graphic assemblies that are used to back light, or illuminate, graphics on a control panel have a number of drawbacks. One drawback is caused by the undesirable refraction and/or reflection of light that occurs in the prisms within the graphic assembly. This undesirable refraction and/or reflection of light causes shadows to occur in adjacent graphics in the control panel.
Another drawback is that the current products that use field effect, capacitance or resistive sensors frequently have uneven light intensity which makes viewing of the panel more difficult.
A still further drawback is that the control panel has complicated wiring that connects a source of illumination to a power source. When the source of illumination must be replaced, various parts of the control panel must be removed, often causing damage to the control panel itself.
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a contact-less control that has at least one panel with at least one back-lit graphic; at least one sensor flexible printed circuit; and, at least one carrier flexible printed circuit having at least one LED.
According to one aspect, the present invention relates to a contact-less control having a panel with at least one back-lit graphic; a sensor circuit; a carrier circuit; and, a light source operatively connected to the carrier circuit. The at least one light source is connected to the carrier circuit such that when an appropriate signal is received by the light source, the light source is illuminated.
In certain embodiments, the panel includes at least one generally opaque member through which light cannot pass. The opaque member defines the at least one graphic design formed in the panel where the graphic design is at least translucent such that light can pass therethrough.
The sensor circuit defines at least one aperture that extends from an inner surface to an outer surface of the sensor circuit. The light source on the carrier sensor is positioned within the aperture. The aperture in the sensor circuit generally has a desired dimension that allows for optimum light transmission from a light source at a desired projection. In certain embodiments, the light source comprises a LED type of light.
According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a contact-less control where the graphic design includes at least one lens formed into an inner surface of the back-lit panel where the lens is in alignment with the light source on the carrier sensor.
The advantages associated with embodiments of the present invention are numerous. For example, the preferred embodiment allows the control panel to have multiple illuminated graphics that are sharp, clear, and substantially without shadows caused by adjacent or nearby graphics. Further, the contact-less control allows multiple graphics to be individually illuminated. Also, the contact-less control allows each individually illuminated graphic to be specifically tailored to the desired end needs, including individual brightness, or light intensity; color of illumination; and other such parameters.
The features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Referring first to the Figures, it is to be understood that certain features in the drawings have been enlarged for ease of illustration and the drawings and the elements thereof are not necessarily in proper proportion. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand such details. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout.
It is also to be understood that the frame 12 and back plate 20 can be comprised of any suitable material. The frame 12 and back plate 20 can have any suitable shape that secures the components of the control panel 10 to the apparatus in which it is installed. In certain embodiments, the present invention is suitable for a control panel in a motor vehicle or aircraft, or other such end uses where an operator desires to control an apparatus under conditions where there is insufficient ambient light to readily see and select a desired control.
The frame 12 generally defines at least one opening 13 through which the panel 14 can be seen. While not shown, it should be understood that, in certain embodiments, a protective covering can be placed in the opening 13.
For ease of illustration, the back-lit panel 14 is described herein as having an outer planar surface 22 and an inner planar surface 24. It should be understood that the terms “outer” and “inner” refer to the relative placement of the planar surfaces of the back-lit panel 14 with respect to the control panel 10 as it is assembled for installation in the end use and is accessible to the end user. The back-lit panel 14 includes at least one generally opaque member 26 through which light cannot pass. The opaque member 26 has at least one graphic design 28 formed therein.
In many embodiments, the graphic designs 28 are arranged in desired patterns, such as controls for a vehicle interior. In certain embodiments, the graphic design 28 is at least translucent such that light can pass therethrough. It is to be understood that the graphic design 28 can correspond to visual indications such as hatch marks, numbers and/or letters, symbols, and the like.
It is to be further understood that, in certain embodiments, the back-lit panel 14 and the graphic designs 28 can be constantly illuminated when the apparatus is being operated. Also, in certain embodiments, the graphic design 28 can correspond to an indicator that only becomes illuminated under certain circumstances, including, for example, warning lights, low fuel indicators, and the like. It is to be further understood that the back-lit panel 14 can be fabricated using such suitable methods as paint and laser etching; molding in the applique, or graphic; or second shot over mold processing.
The sensor circuit 16 generally comprises at least one flexible printed circuit that has an outer planar surface 42 and an inner planar surface 44. It should be understood that the terms “inner” and “outer” refer to the relative placement of the planar surfaces of the sensor circuit 16 with respect to the control panel 10 as it is assembled for installation in the end use and is accessible to the end user. The sensor circuit 16 includes at least one suitably designed circuit 46 having at least one or more sensor traces 48, as schematically shown in the figures. It is to be understood that, in many embodiments, the sensor circuit 16 comprises a plurality of circuits 46 and sensor tracers 48 that are arranged in a configuration that coincides with a desired pattern of graphic designs 28 on the back-lit panel 14. In the embodiment shown, each sensor tracer 48 is in co-axial alignment with a corresponding graphic design 28 on the back-lit panel 14. The sensor tracers 48 are operatively connected to the apparatus for receiving appropriate signals.
Referring now to
Referring again to
The LED light source 70 allows ample illumination without generating undesirable heat. As best seen in the schematic illustration in
Also, in certain embodiments, as shown in
Referring again to
The control panel can have include the back plate 20, as shown in the figures where such back plate 20 has an outer planar surface 82 and an inner planar surface 84. It should be understood that the terms “inner” and “outer” refer to the relative placement of the planar surfaces of the back plate 20 with respect to the control panel 10 as it is assembled for installation in the end use and is accessible to the end user.
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the examples shown, but rather, that it is to include the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, various iterations of the contact-less control have been contemplated which include a control panel with a very low package height.
It is therefore one object of this invention to provide a contact-less control retains a desirable intensity of illumination while improving on the sharpness of the graphic.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a contact-less control that retains a desirable intensity of illumination while lessening shadows within the control.
It is a further object to provide a contact-less control that provides one LED per graphic without causing additional heat build-up within a panel which contains such control.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a low cost, contact-less control design.
It should be understood that the various features of different embodiments may be used as shown with the specific embodiments illustrated or with other features shown and described with other control panels arrangements. Thus, a control panel can be configured with one or more of the features as disclosed herein. It should also be understood that the trim panels or housings to which the control panels are mounted can be any suitable trim component in the vehicle, such as door panels, armrests, instrument panels, center consoles, seats, overhead consoles, and roofs.
The control panel is also applicable to all types of electronic devices, optical devices, touch/pressure devices and any other type of sensor or electrical component.
In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.
