Patent ID: 9530586
Filing Date: 2016-12-27
CPC Classification: H01H,H03K

Claim Text:
1. A touch switch device with an illuminator for detecting one of proximity to or contact of a human body to an operation surface, comprising: a planar wiring board having a light-emitting device and a detection electrode provided on a one surface side of the wiring board opposite the light-emitting device; a light guide plate located on the one surface side of the wiring board, the light guide plate being configured to emit light introduced from the light-emitting device toward an outside of the operation surface in a direction that is opposite to the wiring board; and a detector connected with the detection electrode, the detector being configured to perform detection of a change in an electrostatic capacitance generated at the detection electrode when a human body is proximate to or contacts the operation surface, to produce a detection signal corresponding to a condition of the detection, wherein an operation part is displayable on a surface of the light guide plate to serve as the operation surface, and the operation part is positioned corresponding to a position of the detection electrode, the light guide plate includes an extended portion that faces the light-emitting device such that light emitted from the light-emitting device is introduced directly to the light guide plate via the extended portion, and the extended portion faces the light-emitting device on a side of the wiring board opposite the one surface side such that the wiring board is provided between the light-emitting device and the operation surface.