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Keypad-having-a-reflective-contact

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Keypad having a reflective contact

Details

Inventors: Larose, Charles W.;
Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation (Kokomo, IN)
Primary Examiner: Recla; Henry J.
Assistant Examiner: Walczak; David J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Funke; Jimmy L.

A backlit component which is suitable for use in an illuminated graphic keypad in an instrument panel of an automobile The backlit component is adapted to be illuminated by a light source located beneath the keypad, but off to one side of the backlit component in order to accommodate an actuator member extending from the backlit component and an electrical switch actuated by the actuator member when the backlit component is pressed. The backlit component is formed from an optically conductive material to enable light emitted by the light source to be transmitted through the component to an insignia formed on the exposed or exterior surface of the component. The backlighting intensity of the backlit component is enhanced by forming the actuator member from an optically conductive material, and equipping the actuator member with a reflective surface such that light emitted from the light source is reflected toward the insignia. The actuator member is also equipped with a contact surface for actuating the electrical switch. As such, the backlit component is configured for optimal use of the available light in order to produce the backlighting effect desired for a given application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is an object of this invention to provide a keypad composed of one or more backlit components which are characterized by minimal variability in backlighting intensity.
It is a further object of this invention that such a backlit component be formed of a translucent material which permits light emitted from a light source to be transmitted to an insignia on the surface of the backlit component.
It is another object of this invention that such a backlit component be equipped with an actuator member to operate an electrical switch, wherein the actuator member maximizes the transmission of light from the light source to the insignia, so as to promote the efficient use of the light available to the backlit component.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, these and other objects and advantages are accomplished as follows.
According to the present invention, there is provided a backlit component which is suitable for use in an illuminated graphic keypad in an instrument panel of an automobile.
In particular, the backlit component can be a non-flat molded plastic button for use in a display group forming a keypad.
The backlit component is adapted to be illuminated by a light source located beneath the keypad, but off to one side of the backlit component in order to accommodate an actuator member which extends from the backlit component and an electrical switch which is operated by the actuator member when the backlit component is pressed.
The backlit component is preferably formed from an optically conductive material to enable light emitted by the light source to be transmitted through the component to an insignia formed on an exposed or exterior surface of the component.
The insignia can be defined on the surface of the component through an opening in a coating formed over the component, such that a portion of the component is exposed through the opening.
In accordance with this invention, the backlighting intensity of the backlit component is enhanced by forming the actuator member from an optically conductive material, and equipping the actuator member with a reflective surface such that light emitted from the light source is reflected toward the insignia

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