Integrated instrument cluster and fuse block

• US 6,186,633 B1
• Filed: 02/18/1999
• Issued: 02/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Vanderlaan, Thomas C., Zen, Djuini S.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): TON, ANABEL
• Application Number:
  US09/252,194
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 362/26-30, 362/23, 362/551, 362/489, 362/481, 362/559, 362/459, 362/487, 362/488, 302/27, 116/286, 240/1
• US Class Current: 362/23
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/44 Wiring harness
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10

Abstract

An integrated instrument cluster assembly for use in an instrument panel 400, the assembly comprising: (1) a generally flat instrument cluster appliqué 110 having a first surface 112, an opposed second surface 114, and a perimeter 116 thereabout; (2) a generally flat light pipe/diffuser 120 sandwiched against the second surface 114 of the appliqué; and (3) at least one generally flat circuit board 130 sandwiched against the light pipe/diffuser. The at least one circuit board 130 is/are disposed such that a first rigid edge card connector portion 140 thereof extends outward generally beyond the perimeter 116.

Claims

1. An integrated instrument cluster assembly for use in an instrument panel, said assembly comprising:

a generally flat instrument cluster appliqué

having a first surface, an opposed second surface, and a perimeter thereabout;

a generally flat light pipe/diffuser sandwiched against said second surface said appliqué

;

at least one generally flat circuit board sandwiched against said light pipe/diffuser, said at least one circuit board being disposed such that a first rigid edge card connector portion thereof extends outward generally beyond and contiguous with said perimeter.

2. An integrated instrument cluster assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first rigid edge card connector portion extends generally parallel to said at least one generally flat circuit board.

3. An integrated instrument cluster assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one generally flat circuit board further includes a second rigid edge card connector portion proximate, extending generally parallel to, and extending generally to the same extent outward as said first rigid edge card connector portion.

4. An integrated instrument cluster assembly according to claim 1, wherein said assembly has top, bottom, left, and right sides as viewed when installed in the instrument panel, wherein said edge card connector portion extends to the left or to the right of said assembly.

5. An integrated instrument cluster assembly according to claim 1, further including a bezel and lens assembly sandwiched against said first surface of said appliqué

.

6. An integrated instrument cluster assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a fuse block having a female electrical connector adapted to receive said first rigid edge card connector portion.

7. An integrated instrument cluster assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a fuse block having a female electrical connector adapted to receive said first and second rigid edge card connector portions.

8. An integrated instrument cluster assembly for use in an instrument panel, said assembly comprising:

a generally flat instrument cluster appliqué

having a first surface, an opposed second surface, and a perimeter thereabout;

a generally flat light pipe/diffuser sandwiched against said second surface of said appliqué

;

at least one generally flat circuit board sandwiched against said light pipe/diffuser, said at least one circuit board being disposed such that a first rigid edge card connector portion thereof extends outward generally beyond said perimeter; and

a fuse block having a female electrical connector adapted to receive said first rigid edge card connector portion.

9. An integrated instrument cluster assembly for use in an instrument panel, said assembly comprising:

a generally flat instrument cluster appliqué

having a first surface, an opposed second surface, and a perimeter thereabout;

a generally flat light pipe/diffuser sandwiched against said second surface of said appliqué

;

at least one generally flat circuit board sandwiched against said light pipe/diffuser, said at least one circuit board being disposed such that first and second rigid edge card connector portions thereof extend outward generally beyond said perimeter, wherein said second rigid edge card connector portion is proximate, extends generally parallel to, and extends generally to the same extent outward as said first rigid edge card connector portion; and

a fuse block having a female electrical connector adapted to receive said first and second rigid edge card connector portions.

10. An integrated instrument cluster assembly for use in an instrument panel, said assembly comprising:

a generally flat instrument cluster appliqué

having a first surface, an opposed second surface, and a perimeter thereabout;

a generally flat light pipe/diffuser sandwiched against said second surface said appliqué

;

at least one generally flat circuit board sandwiched against said light pipe/diffuser, said at least one circuit board being disposed such that a first rigid edge card connector portion thereof extends outward generally beyond said perimeter; and

a bezel and lens assembly sandwiched against said first surface of said appliqué

.

11. An integrated instrument cluster assembly for use in an instrumental panel, said assembly comprising:

a generally flat instrument cluster appliqué

having a first surface, an opposed second surface, and a perimeter thereabout;

a generally flat light pipe/diffuser sandwiched against said second surface said appliqué

;

at least one generally flat circuit board sandwiched against said light pipe/diffuser, said at least one circuit board being disposed such that a first rigid edge card connector portion thereof extends outward generally beyond said perimeter; and

a fuse block having a female electrical connector adapted to receive said first rigid edge card connector portion.

12. An integrated instrument cluster assembly for use in an instrument panel, said assembly comprising:

a generally flat instrument cluster appliqué

having a first surface, an opposed second surface, and a perimeter thereabout;

a generally flat light pipe/diffuser sandwiched against said second surface said appliqué

;

at least one generally flat circuit board sandwiched against said light pipe/diffuser, said at least one circuit board being disposed such that a first rigid edge card connector portion thereof extends outward generally beyond said perimeter and said generally flat circuit board includes a second rigid edge card connector portion proximate, extending generally parallel to, and extending generally to the same extent outward as said first rigid edge card connector portion; and

a fuse block having a female electrical connector adapted to receive said first rigid edge card connector portion.