Instrument cluster lens assembly and method of making
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A lens assembly for an instrument cluster comprising:
- a lens having a top surface and a bottom surface and including a mounting portion;
a base having at least one lens receiving portion;
wherein said lens mounting portion is laser welded by a laser welding apparatus to said lens receiving portion to securely connect said lens to said base thereby forming the lens assembly for an instrument cluster and further wherein the welding apparatus does not physically contact the lens or the receiving portion during welding.
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Abstract
An instrument cluster lens assembly includes a lens having top and bottom surfaces and a mounting portion that is mounted on a base having at least one lens receiving portion. The lens mounting portion is laser welded to the lens receiving portion of the base to securely connect the lens to the base thereby forming the lens assembly for an instrument cluster. Preferably, the lens mounting portion is transparent to laser light and the lens receiving portion of the base is opaque to laser light. A method of forming the instrument cluster lens assembly is also disclosed.
172 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A lens assembly for an instrument cluster comprising:
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a lens having a top surface and a bottom surface and including a mounting portion;
a base having at least one lens receiving portion;
wherein said lens mounting portion is laser welded by a laser welding apparatus to said lens receiving portion to securely connect said lens to said base thereby forming the lens assembly for an instrument cluster and further wherein the welding apparatus does not physically contact the lens or the receiving portion during welding. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of forming a lens assembly for an instrument cluster comprising the steps of:
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providing a lens having a mounting portion;
providing a base having a lens receiving portion;
aligning said mounting portion of said lens with said lens receiving portion of said base;
laser welding said lens to said base for secure attachment. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of forming a lens assembly for an instrument cluster comprising the steps of:
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providing a substantially planar lens made from flat sheet stock;
providing a base having a non-planar lens receiving portion;
aligning said lens relative to said non-planar lens receiving portion of said base;
pressing said lens against said base to form a generally non-planar lens; and
providing a laser welding apparatus and laser welding said non-planar lens to said base for secure attachment wherein the welding apparatus does not physically contact the lens or the receiving portion during welding. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of forming a lens assembly for an instrument cluster comprising the steps of:
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providing a pre-shaped, non-planar lens having a mounting portion;
providing a base having a lens receiving portion;
aligning said mounting portion of said lens with said lens receiving portion of said base;
providing a laser welding apparatus and laser welding said lens to said base for secure attachment wherein the welding apparatus does not physically contact the lens or the receiving portion during welding. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification