CN101087995A - Phosphor reactive instrument panel and gauges - Google Patents

Abstract

An instrument panel assembly (10) having a transparent intermediate substrate (42) inside its housing (16) on which is applied a phosphor coated indicia (40) for giving the appearance of a depth dimension when energized by a UV light source (36). Multiple intermediate substrates (42, 48) can be positioned at different level within the interior region of the housing(16), each containging various indicia (40, 46, 56, 58) which emits luminescent light when irradiated by the UV light source (36). Multiple UV light sources (36, 52) can be set to project UV radiation of different wavelengths into the housing (16) with each of the phosphor coated indicia (40, 46, 56, 58) being selected from material types which are responsive to only one of the various UV wavelengths, so that each indicia (40, 46, 56, 58) can be selectively energized to display warnings, information messages, or the like.

Description

Dashboards and gauges for phosphorescent reactions

technical field

The present invention relates to an improved technique for creating an aesthetically pleasing spatial effect on an instrument panel, such as for nautical purposes, and more particularly for vehicle instrument panel light markings.

Background technique

The dashboard and gauges in a typical automobile must be clearly visible to the operator in any ambient light condition. For example, drivers must be able to read gauges clearly in bright sunlight and while driving at night. For this reason, the various colors for the different components or the lights or lighting of these components must be able to adapt to different environments. Various lighting technologies have been used to achieve circadian instrument lighting, such as incandescent, fluorescent, and LED lights.

Apart from the functional requirement of visibility of the instrumentation, this part has become a favorite object of designers and stylers who try to create dazzling and visually impressive appearance. This impressive style often becomes the deciding factor for consumers to buy or not.

One such style feature includes the use of phosphor-coated markings on the dashboard cover, which can be selectively activated by an ultraviolet light source. Phosphor-coated markers appear to a viewer a different color when illuminated than in their non-excited state. The result is an instrument panel capable of providing an aesthetically appealing display when activated. Examples of existing fascias include phosphors or other UV sensitive markings, see US Patent No. 5,920,150 (Crary), published Jul. 6,1999. Additional examples can be found in US Patent Publication No. 2002/0186556 (Wojnarowski), published December 12, 2002, and US Patent Publication No. 2004/0189483 (Stringfellow), published September 30, 2004. In these examples, UV sensitive indicia are placed within the confines of the instrument panel cover and are selectively activated by a UV light source to produce an aesthetically interesting effect.

All of these prior art examples emphasize the attention given to the dashboard and the general appeal of different lighting effects to interest the customer. These prior art therefore emphasize the functional need of an instrument panel, which is clearly visible to the driver in various lighting situations and which also exhibits a unique and stylistically impressive visual display.

Contents of the invention

The present invention includes an instrument panel assembly, such as the type used in automobiles. The instrument panel assembly includes a housing having a transparent front viewing screen, a back panel, and side panels that together define an interior area. At least one gauge is secured to the back panel within the interior region of the housing for communicating information to a viewer through the front viewing screen. Phosphor-coated markings are placed in the inner region to convert ultraviolet radiation into diffuse fluorescent light. A UV light source projects UV light into the interior region of the housing and shines on the phosphor-coated indicia causing it to emit fluorescent light. An intermediate layer spaces the phosphor-coated indicia relative to the gauge and is suspended between the back plate and the viewing screen to provide an aesthetically pleasing display within the interior region when the phosphor-coated indicium emits fluorescent light. space effect. In other words, the phosphor-coated indicia can appear to float or suspend over the gauge and/or backplate, simulating some three-dimensional or holographic effect. The end result, when the phosphor-coated indicia is illuminated within the fascia assembly, creates an aesthetically appealing visual display. The present invention provides a technique to meet a long felt unsatisfied need due to the dazzling and visually impressive display imparted on instrument panel assemblies, particularly in automobiles.

Description of drawings

Features and advantages of the present invention will be easily drawn from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle interior including a dashboard assembly;

Figure 2 is an illustration of the spatial effect created by the phosphor-coated markings provided on the instrument panel assembly;

Figure 3 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the instrument panel of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a second embodiment including second and third phosphor-coated indicia in the interior space of the housing;

Fig. 5 is the front view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4;

6 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein at least one ultraviolet light source is emitted from a position behind the back region; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged schematic view of the peripheral region shown in Fig. 6, showing the waveguide formed by the gauge pointer.

Detailed ways

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding corresponding parts in those drawings, an instrument panel assembly for conveying information to a viewer is shown at 10 in FIG. 1 . The novel features of the present invention can be applied to instrument panel assemblies for any purpose, including mechanical controls, aviation, and other fields, but are described in this specification in terms of automobiles. As such, the instrument panel 10 is concealed under the console 12 and located behind the steering wheel 14, a position that has proven to be an ergonomic and convenient location for an automobile. These applications are also within the scope of the present invention when not used in an automobile, and the instrument panel assembly 10 may be provided in or between disparate components.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the instrument panel assembly 10 is shown in its most basic form to include a housing, generally indicated at 16 . The housing 16 includes a back panel 18 and a UV absorbing or reflecting front viewing screen 20 . Typically, the front viewing screen 20 is made of a transparent polypropylene material, although other translucent or transparent materials can be used that do not allow ultraviolet light to pass through to a viewer, such as the driver represented by eyes 22 . The housing 6 also includes side panels 24 and a bottom panel 26 which together with the back panel 18 and the console 12 form a closed chamber visible to the observer 22 through the front viewing screen 20 . This closed chamber is hereinafter referred to as the inner area.

Within the housing 16 , on the back panel 18 are located one or more gauges 28 . The gauge 28 may have any known form, including a speedometer, tachometer, display screen, and the like. In the depicted example, the gauge 28 includes a pointer 30, a stripe 32 along the pointer 30, and a patterned gauge zone 34. These components can be coated with phosphorescent materials such as strontium, zinc, cadmium sulfide, or other materials or pigments that absorb light energy and emit visible light when exposed to ultraviolet light. Different phosphorescent materials and material mixtures are used to emit different colors of visible light. In the example of FIG. 2, in a daytime (non-energized) environment, the gauge zone 34 is generally amber and the needle 30 is generally black and the stripe 32 is generally white. When illuminated at night, the visible light emitted by the phosphor-coated marker changes. For example, the gauge area 34 could be predominantly blue with an immediate ring reminiscent of craters on a full moon, the pointer 30 predominantly red, and the stripe 32 predominantly yellow. This color shift between day and night environments creates an aesthetically pleasing appearance, where the visual effect of the instrument 28 can change from a sun shape to a moon shape.

An ultraviolet light source 36 can be located at any convenient place, but for ease of illustration, the ultraviolet light source shown is hung below the console 12 and located within the housing 16 . In order to prevent any visible light emitted by the UV light source 36 from escaping, a filter 38 is arranged in front of the light source 36 . In a preferred embodiment, the filter 38 only allows ultraviolet light of a predetermined wavelength to pass through. For example, a typical ultraviolet wavelength may be 365 nanometers. Therefore, when powered on, the ultraviolet light source 36 can generate light in a certain wavelength range, and the filter 38 only allows light with a wavelength of 365 nanometers (or other selections) to enter the interior of the housing 16 . Within the housing 16, once filtered ultraviolet light strikes the phosphor-coated indicium, it absorbs the energy of the light and emits visible light. The UV absorbing (or reflecting) front viewing screen 20, which is generally transparent to the viewer 22, prevents harmful UV rays from reaching the viewer. Thus, for the observer 22, the emission of ultraviolet light from the light source 36 is completely imperceptible. However, ultraviolet light causes the gauge zone 34, pointer 30, and stripe 32 to glow different visible light colors. This produces impressive visual effects.

According to the present invention, additional phosphor-coated indicia 40 are provided in the housing 16 at a location spaced from the back plate 18 and the gauge 28, which may be in the form of text or graphics. Preferably, but not necessarily, this technique is achieved in such a way that even the phosphor-coated markings are completely invisible to the human eye during the day, or at least not noticeable, and at night or when excited by the ultraviolet light source 36 become visible (obvious). In order to achieve interesting spatial effects, the phosphorescently coated marking 40 is provided on an intermediate layer 42 . The intermediate layer 42 separates the phosphor-coated indicium 40 from the gauge, and is suspended between the back plate 18 and the front viewing screen 20 . If a very thin coating is used for the phosphor-coated marking 40, and if the intermediate layer 42 is sufficiently transparent, the phosphor-coated marking 40 will be nearly invisible to the human eye during daylight or non-excited conditions. However, when excited by the ultraviolet light source 36, the phosphor-coated marking 40 will fluoresce and the observer's normal depth perception will perceive the phosphor-coating marking as appearing to levitate or float above the gauge 28 and the back surface. plate 18. Preferably, although not necessarily, the intermediate layer 42 comprises a sheet of plastic material which is fully transparent to ultraviolet light. This intermediate layer 42 can cover the entire backplane 18 and, because it is transparent, is substantially imperceptible to the observer. Depending on the distance between the backplane 18 and the intermediate layer 42, different visual effects can be produced, in part by shadows 44 cast on the backplane 18 and/or by activated phosphor-coated indicia 40 Or generated on the instrument 28, as shown in FIG. 2 .

In FIG. 4 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is depicted comprising a second phosphor-coated marking 46 disposed in the inner region and spaced apart from the first phosphor-coated marking 40 . The second phosphor-coated indicium 46 is disposed on the second intermediate layer 48 , similar to the first intermediate layer 42 , the second phosphor-coated indicium 46 is spaced relative to the meter 28 and overhangs the back plate 18 and between the observation screen 20. The first intermediate layer 42 and the second intermediate layer 48 may, as described, be made of a similar fully transparent sheet plastic material that spans from the side panel 24 to the opposite side panel 24 within the housing 16. the inner area. The intermediate layer 42, 48 is not required to be a flat member, but may have a convex or concave profile to create additional spatial characteristics in the perceived image of the phosphor-coated indicia 40, 46.

Still referring to FIG. 4 , a third phosphor-coated marking 50 may be provided within the interior region and secured to the viewing screen 20 . Because it is located on the inner surface of the front viewing screen 20, the third phosphorescent coated marking 50 can be illuminated by the ultraviolet light source 36 to fluoresce. The result is a multi-dimensional visual effect that the viewer can perceive, with visual interest.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a second alternative embodiment of the present invention which includes a second ultraviolet light source 52. As shown in FIG. The second UV light source 52 can be used to increase the amount of UV light entering the housing 16 , or more preferably can be combined with a filter 54 that allows different wavelengths of UV energy to enter the housing 16 . For example, the first UV filter 38 can be set at 350 nm, while the second UV filter 54 can be set at 385 nm. With this combination, the phosphorescently coated mark can be selectively selected so that the phosphorescent material is responsive to ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 350 nm, but not affected by ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 385 nm. While many practical and aesthetic uses of this alternative embodiment can be readily realized, this application activates the second ultraviolet light source 42 only when predetermined conditions occur. For example, in FIG. 5, a warning sign 56, which displays the words "LOW FUEL" (just one example), is only visible when the second ultraviolet light source 52 is activated. Thus, in this example, the second UV light source 52 may in use be connected to the fuel gauge so that it is only energized when the fuel level is below a predetermined low level. In the unactivated state, the warning sign 56 is completely transparent (or at least barely perceptible) to the observer 22 .

Similarly, the other indicator 58 may display, for example, the words "CRUISEON". The indicator mark 58 may only respond to ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 350 nanometers, and thus be visible when the first ultraviolet light source 36 is excited, but not when the second ultraviolet light source 52 is excited. If the first and second ultraviolet light sources 36 and 52 are activated simultaneously, both the warning indicia 56 and the indicator indicium 58 are visible. Similarly, a third phosphor-coated indicia 50, depicted in FIG. 5 by the exemplary word "LOGO," may be responsive to a third ultraviolet light source (not shown) in a different color than the other two ultraviolet light sources 36, 52. wavelength work. For example, a third phosphor-coated indicia 50 may be activated independently of any one or combination of the other indicia 56,58. Further, since the ultraviolet wavelengths to which the warning mark 56 is sensitive are different from that of the indicator mark 58, they can be arranged in the same middle layer or a separate middle layer, similar to the embodiment described in FIG. 4 .

This second intermediate layer 48 can be used in various configurations with the dual light source in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 . For example, the second intermediate layer 48 can be made of a UV absorbing material very similar to the front viewing screen 20 , with dual UV light sources acting on different sides of the second intermediate layer 48 . In this way, conditional activation of different markers 56, 58 can be achieved while using the same wavelength of UV light source and filter. This technique can be applied with any number of interlayers and any number of UV light sources.

6 and 7 illustrate another alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the UV light source 36' is located behind the back plate 18. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, phosphor deposited on a transparent medium is coated or otherwise applied to selected surfaces of the interior region. The ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source 36' excites the phosphorescent material in the interior region, or at least the phosphorescent coated indicia, which respond to specific wavelengths passing through the filter 38'. For marking components that would be partially or fully obscured, such as the pointer 30' by the gauge area 34', various techniques can be used to allow UV light to reach all phosphor surfaces to achieve similar results as shown in the previous embodiments. For example, the pointer 30' can be fitted with a waveguide 60 which can transmit ultraviolet light to the desired surface. This concept of backlighting the sign can be used in conjunction with other embodiments of the invention, including the dual light source in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 .

Although throughout the context these phosphorescently coated markings 40, 46, 50, 56, 58 are described as phosphorescent materials of the fluorescent type, that is, they only emit visible light when the ultraviolet light source remains excited, the phosphorescently coated The indicia of material can also be of the phosphorescent type, which continues to emit visible light long after the energy source has ceased. When phosphorescent type materials are used, the UV light source 36 may be pulsed instead of maintaining a constant "ON" state.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may have applications otherwise than as described in the foregoing.

Claims (as amended under Article 19 of the Treaty)

1. A dashboard assembly, comprising:

an enclosure having a generally transparent front viewing screen, a back panel, and side panels collectively defining an interior region;

at least one gauge, secured to the back panel of said interior area, conveys information to a viewer through said front viewing screen;

Phosphor-coated markings disposed in said interior region to convert ultraviolet light into emitted fluorescent light;

an ultraviolet light source emitting ultraviolet light to an interior region of the housing and illuminating the phosphor-coated marking to fluoresce; and

An intermediate layer separates the phosphor-coated indicia from the gauge and is suspended between the back plate and the viewing screen.

2. The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer is completely transparent.

3. The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer comprises a sheet of plastic material extending between opposing side panels of said housing.

4. The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, said front viewing screen preventing transmission of ultraviolet rays therethrough.

5. The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second phosphor-coated indicia disposed within said interior region and spaced from said first phosphor-coated indicia.

6. The instrument panel assembly of claim 5, further comprising a second intermediate layer for spacing said second phosphor-coated indicia relative to said instrumentation and overhanging said back panel and said Between viewing screens.

7. The instrument panel assembly of claim 6, further comprising a second ultraviolet light source for emitting ultraviolet light of a different wavelength than said first ultraviolet light source, said second phosphorescently coated indicium being responsive to said second ultraviolet light light source other than the first ultraviolet light source.

8. The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a third phosphor-coated indicia disposed within said interior region and attached to said front viewing screen.

9. The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the gauge includes a waveguide for transmitting ultraviolet light.

10. The instrument panel assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an ultraviolet filter disposed between said ultraviolet light source and an interior region of said housing for selectively allowing only Ultraviolet rays enter the interior area.

11. An automotive dashboard assembly for displaying real-time information to a driver, said assembly comprising:

an enclosure having a transparent front viewing screen of ultraviolet absorbing material, a back panel, and side panels collectively defining an interior region;

at least one gauge, secured to the back panel of said interior area, conveys information to a viewer through said front viewing screen;

Phosphor-coated markings disposed in said interior region to convert ultraviolet light into emitted fluorescent light;

an ultraviolet light source selectively excites and emits ultraviolet light toward an interior region of the housing and illuminates the phosphor-coated marking to fluoresce; and

A completely transparent intermediate layer separates the phosphor-coated indicium from the gauge and is suspended between the back plate and the viewing screen.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, further comprising an ultraviolet filter disposed between said ultraviolet light source and an inner region of said housing for selectively passing ultraviolet rays within a predetermined wavelength range.

13. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising a second phosphor-coated indicia disposed within said interior region and spaced from said first phosphor-coated indicia, and a second intermediate layer that will The second phosphor-coated indicium is spaced relative to the gauge and is suspended between the back plate and the viewing screen.

14. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a second ultraviolet light source for emitting ultraviolet light of a different wavelength than said first ultraviolet light source, said second phosphorescently coated indicia responding to said second ultraviolet light source Not the first UV light source.

Claims (14)

1. A dashboard assembly, comprising: an enclosure having a generally transparent front viewing screen, a back panel, and side panels collectively defining an interior region; at least one gauge affixed to the back panel of said interior region for communicating information to a viewer through said front viewing screen; Phosphor-coated markings provided in said interior region for converting ultraviolet light into emitted fluorescent light; an ultraviolet light source for emitting ultraviolet light to the interior region of the housing and illuminating the phosphor-coated marking to fluoresce; and an intermediate layer for isolating said phosphor-coated marking from said meter and suspended between said back plate and said viewing screen for viewing in said phosphor-coated marking when said phosphor-coated marking fluoresces Provides an aesthetically pleasing spatial effect in the interior area. 2. The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer is completely transparent. 3. The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer comprises a sheet of plastic material extending between opposing side panels of said housing. 4. The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, said front viewing screen preventing transmission of ultraviolet rays therethrough. 5. The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second phosphor-coated indicia disposed within said interior region and spaced from said first phosphor-coated indicium. 6. The instrument panel assembly of claim 5, further comprising a second intermediate layer for spacing said second phosphor-coated indicia relative to said instrumentation and overhanging said back panel and said Between viewing screens. 7. The instrument panel assembly of claim 6, further comprising a second ultraviolet light source for emitting ultraviolet light of a different wavelength than said first ultraviolet light source, said second phosphorescently coated indicium being responsive to said second ultraviolet light light source other than the first ultraviolet light source. 8. The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a third phosphor-coated indicia disposed within said interior region and attached to said front viewing screen. 9. The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the gauge includes a waveguide for transmitting ultraviolet light. 10. The instrument panel assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an ultraviolet filter disposed between said ultraviolet light source and an interior region of said housing for selectively allowing only Ultraviolet rays enter the interior area. 11. An automotive dashboard assembly for displaying real-time information to a driver, said assembly comprising: an enclosure having a transparent front viewing screen of ultraviolet absorbing material, a back panel, and side panels collectively defining an interior region; at least one gauge affixed to the back panel of said interior region for communicating information to a viewer through said front viewing screen; Phosphor-coated markings provided in said interior region for converting ultraviolet light into emitted fluorescent light; an ultraviolet light source selectively energizable to emit ultraviolet light to an interior region of the housing and illuminate the phosphor-coated indicium to fluoresce; and a completely transparent intermediate layer separating said phosphor-coated marking from said meter and suspended between said back plate and said viewing screen to An aesthetically pleasing spatial effect is provided within the inner region. 12. The assembly according to claim 11, further comprising an ultraviolet filter disposed between said ultraviolet light source and an inner region of said housing for selectively passing ultraviolet rays within a predetermined wavelength range. 13. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising a second phosphor-coated indicia disposed within said interior region and spaced from said first phosphor-coated indicia, and a second intermediate layer that will The second phosphor-coated indicium is spaced relative to the gauge and is suspended between the back plate and the viewing screen. 14. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a second ultraviolet light source for emitting ultraviolet light of a different wavelength than said first ultraviolet light source, said second phosphorescently coated indicia responding to said second ultraviolet light source Not the first UV light source.

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