Fluorescent automotive display panel

• US 5,920,150 A
• Filed: 10/15/1996
• Issued: 07/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Northern Engraving Corporation (Huaxiang Group Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Northern Engraving Corporation (Huaxiang Group Company Limited)
• Inventors: Peters, Arnis E., Crary, Kevin E.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAY, MICHAEL HENRY
• Application Number:
  US08/731,410
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 106/21 R, 106/21 A, 106/31.15, 106/31.24, 252/301.4 R, 523/160, 523/161, 524/80, 313/483, 313/489, 313/484, 313/486, 313/117, 359/227, 359/238, 359/438, 359/232, 427/68, 427/157, 362/23, 362/30
• US Class Current: 313/484
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/50 Sympathetic, colour changing or similar inks

Abstract

An automobile dashboard display device including a panel that includes indicator numerals and letters that are printed with an acrylic resin bound phosphor pigment wherein the display is illuminated with ultraviolet light.

Claims

1. An automotive display panel comprising:

a light source that emits ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 340 to 380 nm;

a display panel, the panel imprinted with a display, the display including at least one indicia imprinted by fluorescent ink, the ink including long-wave activated inorganic phosphor pigment, and a resin consisting essentially of acrylic resin, the ink being fluorescent under ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of from 340 to 380 nm the light source positioned relative to the display panel to illuminate the display with ultraviolet light; and

a plurality of louvers interposed between the light source and the display panel.

2. An automotive display panel comprising:

a light source that emits ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 340 to 380 nm; and

a panel that is illuminated by the light source, the panel including at least one indicia printed with fluorescent ink, the ink including 4-6 parts by weight of at least one long-wave light activated inorganic phosphor pigment, and 4 parts by weight of a resin consisting essentially of acrylic resin, the ink being fluorescent under ultraviolet radiation having wavelength of from 340 to 380 nm, the light source positioned relative to the panel to illuminate the panel with ultraviolet light.

3. An automotive display panel as in claim 2, the ink further comprising visible light activated pigment.

4. An automotive display panel as in claim 2 wherein the acrylic resin of the ink is transparent to long-wave ultraviolet radiation.

5. An automotive display panel as in claim 2 wherein the inorganic phosphor of the ink is rare-earth doped.

6. An automotive display panel as in claim 2 wherein the ink further comprises additives selected from among the group of flow agents, foam suppressants, and surfactants.

7. An automotive display panel as in claim 2, the ink comprising a mixture of long-wave activated, rare-earth doped, inorganic phosphor pigment, visible-light activated pigment, and acrylic resin at least partially transparent to long-wave radiation, the ink being fluorescent under long-wave ultraviolet radiation.

8. An automotive display panel as in claim 7, the proportion of visible-light activated pigment and the proportion of phosphor pigment relative to each other being established to provide fluorescence of the ink.

9. An automotive display panel as in claim 7, the ink being screen-printable fluorescent ink, the pigments having particle sizes less than 15 microns.

10. An automotive display panel as in claim 7, the phosphor pigment of the ink being selected from among the group comprising red, green and blue phosphor pigments, the proportions of the red, green and blue phosphor pigments relative to each other being established to provide desired color of fluorescence of the ink.

11. An automotive display panel as in claim 7, the phosphor pigment being photostable pigment.

12. An automotive display panel as in claim 7, the phosphor pigment of the ink being white body color pigment.

13. An automotive display panel as in claim 7, the phosphor pigments of the ink being selected from among the group comprising Y₂ O₂ :

Eu, Zn₂ GeO₄ ;

Mn, and BaMg₂ Al₁₆ O₂₇ ;

Eu.