Light emitting panel assemblies for use in automotive applications and the like

• US 6,158,867 A
• Filed: 10/07/1998
• Issued: 12/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Innovative Display Technologies LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lumitex Incorporated
• Inventors: Parker, Jeffery R., Hough, Thomas A., Miller, Mark D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): ASSAF, FAYEZ G
• Application Number:
  US09/167,949
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 200/314, 200/313, 362/85, 362/26, 362/27, 362/30, 362/29, 362/278, 362/320
• US Class Current: 362/29
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0082 mounted on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/14 lighting through the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/252 Sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/66 for distributing light among several lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0472 Traffic signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/18 Edge-illuminated signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/014 LED
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/018 Electroluminescent panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/044 Edge lighting of layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/056 Diffuser; Uneven surface
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/026 Car

Abstract

Light emitting panel assemblies include in one form of the invention a light emitting panel member made of a transparent resiliently deformable elastomeric material that absorbs impact without breakage for use in automotive lighting applications of various types. In another form of the invention, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used with dome switches for switch area lighting or to backlight control buttons/key pads by providing holes or openings in the panel member for the control buttons/key pads. Also, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used as a structural member, and two or more such light emitting panel members may be stacked together and used to light an instrument panel or the like. One or more light sources may be mounted within one or more light transition areas adjacent one or more light input surfaces of the light emitting panel members. Also one or more light sources may be positioned adjacent one side of the light emitting panel members for causing light to shine through the panel members or through holes in the panel members for performing specified lighting functions.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising control buttons, a resiliently deformable light emitting panel member positioned behind said control buttons, said panel member having light emitting surface areas through which light entering said panel member is emitted for illuminating said control buttons, and a printed circuit behind said panel member, said control buttons when depressed causing said panel member to be deformed into engagement with associated circuitry on said printed circuit.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said control buttons are on a contoured surface in front of said panel member.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said control buttons are integrally molded on said contoured surface.

4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said contoured surface comprises a dash of a vehicle.

5. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said contoured surface is curved.

6. An assembly comprising a contoured surface, a resiliently deformable light emitting panel member mounted behind said contoured surface, said panel member having a light emitting surface through which light entering said panel member is emitted for illuminating portions of said contoured surface, control buttons located at said portions of said contoured surface which are illuminated by said panel member, and a printed circuit behind said panel member, said control buttons when depressed causing said panel member to be deformed into engagement with associated circuitry on said printed circuit.

7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said contoured surface comprises a dash of a vehicle.

8. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said control buttons are integrally molded on said contoured surface.

9. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said control buttons extend through holes in said contoured surface.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said control buttons are integrally molded on said panel member.

11. The assembly of claim 6 wherein dome switches are provided on said printed circuit which are actuated by said panel member when said control buttons are depressed.

12. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said printed circuit is made of a resiliently deformable material.