Gauge lens with embedded anti-fog film and method of making the same

• US 8,371,164 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2008
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flextronics Automotive Inc
• Original Assignee: Flextronics Automotive Inc
• Inventors: Sneek, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): CONSILVIO, MARK J
• Application Number:
  US12/314,463
• Publication Number:
  US 20090122404A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,524 Days
• Field of Search: 359/512
• US Class Current: 73/431
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/14 Protective coatings, e.g. hard coatings
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0006 with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/8305 Miscellaneous [e.g., treated surfaces, etc.]

Abstract

The gauge lens with anti-fog film includes a substantially planar transparent lens substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface and a thin film possessing anti-fog properties adjacent and substantially covering the inner surface of the lens substrate to provide a low angle of contact for water and moisture. The anti-fog film is bonded to the lens substrate during the molding process that produces the lens substrate shape. The anti-fog film comprises a hydrophilic material or is coated with a hydrophilic coating. In addition to the anti-fog film, in another embodiment, the outer surface of the lens substrate has a hard coat film adjacent and substantially covering the outer surface of said lens. The materials for the lens substrate, anti-fog film, and hard coat film are selected based on the application, performance, and stability of the gauge lens in the environment that it is operated.

Claims

1. An anti-fog gauge lens, for use with a gauge lens, comprising:

a substantially planar transparent lens substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the outer surface includes a sidewall extending annularly from the lens substrate;

a single-layer film having a first surface which is adjacent to and substantially covering and bonded to said inner surface during the molding process of said lens by pre-heating a mold to a molding temperature prior to the molding process and heating a mold in which the single layer film is placed during the molding process; and

an intermolded bond formed between the single-layer film and the inner surface of the substantially planar transparent lens during the molding process,

wherein a second surface having hydrophilic properties preventing moisture condensation from forming, wherein the lens is configured to engage a gauge body that is part of the gauge and the lens includes a tab in the sidewall that engages a slot in the gauge body.

2. The anti-fog gauge lens of claim 1, wherein said film comprises a material selected from linear polyethylene, polyethylenes, plastics, polycarbonates, polyethylene terephthalate, and acrylics.

3. The anti-fog gauge lens of claim 2, wherein said second surface of said film is coated with a hydrophilic coating.

4. The anti-fog gauge lens of claim 1, wherein said lens substrate is between 0.1 to about 10 millimeters in thickness.

5. The anti-fog gauge lens of claim 1, wherein said lens substrate is between 1 to about 3 millimeters in thickness.

6. The anti-fog gauge lens of claim 1, wherein said film is between 0.002 to about 0.020 inches in thickness.

7. The anti-fog gauge lens of claim 1, wherein said film is between 0.007 to about 0.010 inches in thickness.

8. The anti-fog gauge lens of claim 1, further comprising a hard coat film having a first surface and a second surface, said first surface adjacent and substantially covering said outer surface of said lens.

9. The anti-fog gauge lens of claim 8, wherein said first surface of said hard coat film is bonded to said outer surface of said lens during the molding process of said lens.

10. The anti-fog gauge lens of claim 9, wherein said hard coat film comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, fluorocarbons, polyethylenes, polyethylene terephthalate, polyurethane prepolymer, polycarbonates, polystyrene, polypropylene, cellulosic resins, acrylic resins, acrylates, methyl methacrylate, polymethyl-methacrylate, epoxides, epoxies, plastics, and polymers or copolymers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, esters of these acids, and acrylonitrile.

11. The anti-fog lens of claim 1, wherein the anti-fog gauge lens includes ribs.

12. The anti-fog lens of claim 11, wherein the ribs are configured to attach electrical and mechanical components.

13. The anti-fog lens of claim 1, wherein the lens and the annular sidewall are composed of a single material.