Illuminated display having two single-colored light sources

• US 7,506,996 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2005
• Issued: 03/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US Incorporated (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Tanguy, Christian, Yu, Shirley, Birman, Vyacheslav B., Eckardt, Werner
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Jong-Suk (James)
• Assistant Examiner(s): May; Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/030,377
• Publication Number:
  US 20050162090A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,538 Days
• Field of Search: 362230-231, 362235-237, 362240-241, 362/243, 362246-247, 362/800
• US Class Current: 362/236
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/188 Displaying information using colour changes
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/33 Illumination features
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/29 Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0404 the light source being enclosed in a box forming the character of the sign

Abstract

A vehicle display includes two colored light sources that are operatively connected to a circuit board. Each of the two colored light sources emits a colored light that mixes to form a desired color of display light that illuminates a vehicle graphic. The desired color of display light is within a predetermined color tolerance. The vehicle display achieves a small size without incurring added expenses associated with using more than two light sources.

Claims

1. A display comprising:

a display that shows a desired color of light;

two single-colored light sources selected to produce light corresponding to said desired color of light when light from only said two single-colored light sources mix, wherein said two single-colored light sources produce said light within a predetermined color tolerance of said desired color of light; and

a housing that directs said light from said two light sources onto a portion of the display comprising a vehicle graphic, said housing including a first angled extension extending over said two colored light sources, said first angled extension including a reflective surface facing said two colored light sources for mixing light from said two colored light sources, said housing further including a second angled extension oriented to reflect said light from said first angled extension.