Product category: Keyboards, Switches and other Human/Machine Interfaces
News Release from: Danielson (UK) | Subject: Solar1
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 5 February 2004

Backlight shines from membrane keyboards

A novel cost-effective low-voltage backlighting solution can be used with all types of membrane switches and keyboards in a wide range of applications

Called Solar1, the new system has been developed and is produced in the UK and offers a number of important advantages over traditional methods of backlighting. In particular, Solar1 ensures consistent and even light distribution, without affecting the tactile response or other properties of the keyboard, has an exceptionally long operating life and can easily be produced in both high and low volumes.

To date, backlighting for membrane keyboards has generally been achieved by the use of point light sources, light guides or electroluminescent lamps.

Although these systems can provide an acceptable standard of illumination, they each have their limitations, typically producing hot spots, being complex to assemble reliably or, in the case of EL, having a relatively short operating life and requiring additional components to be used.

By comparison, Solar1 has been designed with a simple construction, using standard membrane production methods, thereby making it quick and easy to manufacture and assemble, which in turn helps to minimise overall costs.

In essence, Solar1 comprises a custom designed layer, inserted directly beneath the graphics and, depending on requirements, switch and tactile layers of a standard membrane keyboard.

LEDs are then positioned within machined pockets in the base of the custom layer to act as a light source for individual switches, groups of switches or graphics areas.

Although this construction is similar to normal light guides, Solar1 then incorporates innovative switch actuators that, through a special shape and coating, allow the light path and degree of diffusion to be carefully controlled.

This effectively eliminates bright spots and, as importantly, allows light to be directed precisely into those areas that require illumination.

In addition, the structure enables fewer LEDs to be used than would normally be the case and provides the option of using different coloured LEDs within the same keyboard.

The new Solar1 backlighting system is ideal for use in a wide range of equipment, including automotive dashboards and aerospace instruments, consumer goods and process control systems.

Operating life is identical to that of standard membrane keyboards.

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