Vehicle console display buttons and vehicle consoles incorporating the same

• US 8,248,265 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2009
• Issued: 08/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toyota Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Jones, Earnee Yasha
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T
• Application Number:
  US12/561,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20110063123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.4, 340/427, 340/468, 340/475, 362/26, 362/27, 362/29, 362/612, 362/634, 348/742, 348/744, 348/760
• US Class Current: 340/815.4
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/023 Light-emitting indicators for multi-layer switches H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/184 Illumination of symbols by using laser light
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/187 having symbols engraved or printed by laser
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/056 Diffuser; Uneven surface
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/026 Car
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/182 Illumination of the symbols or distinguishing marks H01H9/181 takes precedence

Abstract

Display buttons and vehicle consoles include etched lenses operable to diffract light provided by a light source within a vehicle console such that the light emitted from the display button diverges from the first pathway within the button housing into a secondary pathway outside of the display button.

Claims

1. A vehicle console, comprising:

a display button disposed within a housing of the vehicle console, the display button comprising an indicator component;

a light source disposed within the vehicle console, and operable to emit light through the display button; and

at least one etched lens associated with the vehicle display button operable to diffract light provided by the light source such that the light emitted from the indicator component diverges from a first pathway to a second pathway;

wherein the etched lens comprises etched lines in a substantially crisscrossed pattern.

2. The vehicle console of claim 1 wherein the etched lens diffracts light such that the light diverges from the first pathway into multiple secondary pathways.

3. The vehicle console of claim 1 wherein a single etched lens diverges light for a plurality of indicator components.

4. The vehicle console of claim 1 further comprising an indicator lens.

5. The vehicle console of claim 4, wherein the etched lens is disposed between the indicator lens and the light source.

6. The vehicle console of claim 4, wherein the indicator lens and the etched lens are integral.

7. A display button for a vehicle console comprising:

a housing for directing transmittance of light from a light source;

an indicator lens having an indicator component identifying vehicle functionality; and

an etched lens comprising an etched pattern, at least a portion of the etched lens being disposed within the display housing between the light source and the indicator lens, wherein the etched lens is operable to diffract light provided by the light source such that the light emitted from the indicator component diverges from a first pathway within the housing into multiple secondary pathways outside of the display button;

wherein the etched lens comprises etched lines.

8. The display button of claim 7 wherein the etched lines comprise a substantially crisscrossed pattern.

9. The display button of claim 7 wherein a single etched lens diverges light for a plurality of indicator components.

10. The display button of claim 7, wherein the indicator lens and the etched lens are integral.