Display device, particularly display device for motor vehicles, with a brightness sensor

• US 8,780,100 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2008
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Arheit, Thomas, Duss, Mike, Loeffler, Markus, Kammerer, Gerhard, Kuehn, Detlef, Schmitz, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): SHERMAN, STEPHEN G
• Application Number:
  US12/663,771
• Publication Number:
  US 20100277451A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,225 Days
• Field of Search: 345/207, 345/204, 345/76, 345/82, 345/60, 345/87, 345/101, 340/933, 361/748, 348/227.1
• US Class Current: 345/207
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/349 Adjustment of brightness
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/349 Adjustment of brightness
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/18 for varying the light intensity
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4214 the intermediate optical element having redirecting reflective means, e.g. mirrors, prisms for deflecting the radiation from horizontal to down- or upward direction toward a device G02B6/4246 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4219 Mechanical fixtures for holding or positioning the elements relative to each other in the couplings; Alignment methods for the elements, e.g. measuring or observing methods especially used therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4298 coupling with non-coherent light sources and/or radiation detectors, e.g. lamps, incandescent bulbs, scintillation chambers

Abstract

A display is disclosed, such as for a vehicle. A brightness sensor receives light from a flexible fiber-optic cable. An adapter element is provided proximate, such as between, the light output point of the optical fiber and the brightness sensor. The adapter element may be an angled piece, and may be extruded onto the optical cable.

Claims

1. A display device for a vehicle, comprising:

a brightness sensor;

a temperature sensor disposed proximate to the brightness sensor and configured to detect a temperature, wherein the temperature is used to adjust a measurement of the brightness sensor;

a printed circuit board having the brightness sensor and the temperature sensor electrically coupled thereto;

a flexible fiber-optic cable comprising a light input point and a light output point, wherein the fiber-optic cable is configured to direct light into the brightness sensor; and

an adaptor element disposed proximate to the light output point and the brightness sensor, and coupled to the printed circuit board, wherein the adaptor element is extruded via an injection molding process onto the fiber-optic cable to establish an integral bond.

2. The display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light input point of the fiber-optic cable is held in its mounted position by intrinsic resilience.

3. The display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adaptor element comprises an angled piece.

4. The display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fiber-optic cable is coated at least partially with a light-opaque material between the light input point and the light output point.

5. The display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light input point is proximate to an outside of a cover of the display device, or proximate to an outside of a panel of the display device.

6. The display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an optical conductor is provided between the light input point and an outside of a cover of the display device or a panel of the display device.

7. The display device in claim 6, wherein the optical conductor comprises a lens.

8. The display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an insertion aid for the light input point of the fiber-optic cable is provided proximate to an inside of a cover of the display device or proximate to an inside of a panel of the display device.

9. The display device in claim 8, wherein the insertion aid comprises a funnel-shaped surface.

10. The display device of claim 1, wherein the adaptor element is configured to be coupled to the printed circuit board by pressing the adaptor element into the printed circuit board.