Display apparatus

• US 20070025096A1
• Filed: 08/01/2005
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fye, Michael, Lippmann, Raymond, Sylvester, Gail, Snider, Chris
• Granted Patent: US 7,350,954 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/29
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133603 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133608 including particular frames or supporting means
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133614 using photoluminescence, e.g. phosphors illuminated by UV or blue light
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133617 Illumination with ultraviolet light; Luminescent elements or materials associated to the cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/025 Light-emitting indicators

Abstract

An holder or support for a backlit component is disclosed which provides display lighting for the backlit component. The holder may be a one-piece holder and may be made from a polymeric material including one or more fluorescing materials and/or diffusing substances. A trim plate for a backlit display is disclosed. The trim plate may have a front face which provides both a solid support for graphic indicia and display lighting for the graphic indicia.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a backlit display, the apparatus comprising:

at least one illumination source configured to emit light having a first spectrum;

a backlit component; and

a one-piece holder configured to support the backlit component, the holder having a first portion positioned between the at least one illumination source and the backlit component, the first portion including a fluorescing material which absorbs at least a portion of the light having the first spectrum and emits light having a second spectrum to provide appropriate lighting for the backlit component.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the backlit component is a liquid crystal display which has a lower surface and an upper surface, the light having the second spectrum passing through the liquid crystal display from the lower surface of the liquid crystal display to the upper surface of the liquid crystal display to provide appropriate lighting for the backlit component.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the illumination source is a light emitting diode and the first spectrum of light generally corresponds to blue light.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first portion has an upper surface and the liquid crystal display is supported on the upper surface of the first portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first portion is spaced apart from a central portion of the liquid crystal display, the first portion and the central portion of the liquid crystal display cooperating to form an air gap there between and wherein a periphery of the liquid crystal display is supported by a second portion of the holder.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion is configured to provide a generally equal path length through the first portion for the light emitted by the illumination source.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a spacing between the illumination source and the first portion is generally constant.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one piece holder is molded from a polymeric material.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a base member configured to support the at least one illumination source and the one piece holder and to be electrically coupled to the at least one illumination source and the liquid crystal display.

10. A method for providing a backlit display, the method comprising the steps of:

providing at least one illumination source configured to emit light having a first spectrum and a backlit component; and

positioning a holder between the at least one illumination source and the backlit component, the holder having a light-transmitting first portion that is configured to provide a generally equal path length for light passing from the at least one illumination source through the light-transmitting first portion of the holder on to the backlit component for backlighting the backlit display, the light-transmitting first portion including one or more fluorescing materials which absorb light of the first spectrum and emit light of a second spectrum.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of supporting the backlit component with a second portion of the holder, wherein the backlit component is a liquid crystal display and wherein the first portion of the holder is spaced apart from a back surface of the liquid crystal display.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the illumination source emits a cone of light that impinges upon the liquid crystal display to backlight the liquid crystal display, a periphery of the cone of light having a generally equal path length through the holder as an axial portion of the cone of light through the holder.

13. An apparatus for providing a backlit display, the apparatus comprising:

at least one illumination source configured to emit light having a first spectrum;

a backlit component; and

a holder configured to support the backlit component, the holder having a first portion positioned between the at least one illumination source and the backlit component, the first portion including a fluorescing material which absorbs at least a portion of the light having the first spectrum and emits light having a second spectrum to provide a display lighting for the backlit component, the first portion being configured to minimize color variation in the display lighting by providing a generally equal path length for the light passing through the first portion.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the display lighting includes an unabsorbed portion of the light having the first spectrum and at least a portion of the light having the second spectrum.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first portion has a generally constant offset from the at least one illumination source and a generally constant wall thickness.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first portion is offset from the at least one illumination source by at least two millimeters.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a base member, the base member configured to support the at least one illumination source and the holder and to be electrically coupled to the at least one illumination source.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the holder is a one piece holder.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first portion is positioned proximate to the at least one illumination source and a second portion of the holder supports a periphery of the backlit component, the first portion and the second portion being connected by at least one support.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first portion is spaced apart from a back surface of the backlit component and wherein the backlit component is a liquid crystal display.

21. A display apparatus, the display apparatus comprising:

at least one illumination source configured to emit light having a first spectrum; and

a trim plate positioned in front of the at least one illumination source, the trim plate including a fluorescing material which absorbs at least a portion of the light having the first spectrum and emits light having a second spectrum to provide a display lighting, the trim plate having a front face whereupon graphic indicia are provided in at least one region, the front face of the trim plate providing a solid support in the at least one region which also provides the display lighting for the graphic indicia.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the graphic indicia are formed on an information label which is coupled to the front face.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the graphic indicia are formed by applying a first layer of a light-transmitting substance to the front face, applying a second layer over the first layer, the second layer being generally opaque, and removing portions of the second layer to provide the graphic indicia.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:

a case having a cavity;

a circuit board assembly being received in the cavity, the circuit board assembly supporting the at least one illumination sources and a rotatably actuatable control device, the case and the trim plate cooperating to protect circuit board assembly;

a knob coupled to the least one rotatably actuatable control device, the trim plate including an opening to receive the knob to permit a user to impart a rotation to the knob from the front face of trim plate, the graphic indicia being positioned proximate to the knob.