Switch actuator having light guiding features

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9324517-B2
Application number	US-201414496669-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 25, 2014
Priority date	Nov 22, 2013
Publication date	Apr 26, 2016
Grant date	Apr 26, 2016

Abstract

A switch assembly includes a base plate and a switch element. The base plate includes a protrusion, a first light emitting diode, a second light emitting diode, a first switch contact, and a second switch contact. The first light emitting diode and the first switch contact are positioned on a first side of the protrusion, and the second light emitting diode and the second switch contact are positioned on a second side of the protrusion. The switch element is movably mounted on the protrusion and contactable with the first switch contact and the second switch contact. The switch element includes a light guiding portion with a first light incident surface positioned above the first light emitting diode, a second light incident surface positioned above the second light emitting diode, and a light emitting surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A switch assembly comprising;
a base plate having:
a protrusion;
a first light emitting diode positioned on a first side of the protrusion;
a second light emitting diode positioned on a second side of the protrusion opposite the first side;
a first switch contact positioned on the first side of the protrusion between the first light emitting diode and the protrusion; and
a second switch contact positioned on the second side of the protrusion between the second light emitting diode and the protrusion; and

a switch element movably mounted on the protrusion and contactable with the first switch contact and the second switch contact, the switch element having a first surface facing the base plate and a second surface substantially opposite the first surface and facing away from the base plate;
wherein, the switch element includes a light guiding portion with a first light incident surface forming a portion of the first surface and positioned substantially above the first light emitting diode, a second light incident surface forming another portion of the first surface and positioned substantially above the second light emitting diode and a light emitting surface forming a portion of the second surface.

2. The switch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light incident surfaces and the light emitting surface are made of transparent composite materials.

3. The switch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first switch contact and the second switch contact are made of an elastic metal reed.

4. The switch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light guiding portion further comprises a first incident portion and a second light incident portion positioned oblique to the base plate and in symmetry.

5. The switch assembly of claim 4 , wherein the light guiding portion further comprises an emitting portion at the ends of the two incident portions.

6. The switch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first light emitting diode and the second light emitting diode emit light of different colors.

7. The switch assembly of claim 6 , wherein the colors of the first light emitting diode and the second light emitting diode are selected from the group of blue, red, yellow, and white.

8. The switch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the switch element further comprises a reflective portion, and the light guiding portion is surrounded by the reflective portion.

9. The switch assembly of claim 8 , wherein the switch element comprises two light emitting surfaces separated by a part of the reflective portion.

10. The switch assembly of claim 8 , wherein the reflective portion comprises a supporting portion at the bottom thereof, the two ends of the supporting portion are oblique to the base plate and contactable with the first switch contact and the second switch contact.

11. The switch assembly of claim 10 , wherein the protrusion comprises a recess, the supporting portion comprises a protrusion part movably assembled in the recess of the protrusion.

12. The switch assembly of claim 10 , wherein the protrusion comprises a column substantially positioned vertical to the base plate; the support portion comprises a recess, and the column of the protrusion is movably assembled in the recess of the reflective portion.

Assignees

• Hon Hai Prec Ind Co Ltd

Inventors

• Chang Shao-Han

Classifications

• H01H2219/062

  Light conductor · CPC title

• H01H23/143

  having a generally flat elongated shape · CPC title

• H01H23/08

  Bases; Stationary contacts mounted thereon · CPC title

• H01H2219/06

  Reflector · CPC title

• H01H23/025 Primary

  Light-emitting indicators · CPC title