Polymer thick film electroluminescent animation and back lighting on a glass substrate

• US 6,462,468 B1
• Filed: 07/24/2000
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Polymore Circuit Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Polymore Circuit Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Kimmet, Mark A., Jones, Barrie M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Vip
• Assistant Examiner(s): Berck, Ken A
• Application Number:
  US09/624,683
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 313/498, 313/505, 313/506, 313/509, 445/24, 445/58, 445/66
• US Class Current: 313/498
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 33/10 Apparatus or processes specially adapted to the manufacture of electroluminescent light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 33/12 Light sources with substantially two-dimensional radiating surfaces

Abstract

An apparatus for providing lighted areas on a surface. The apparatus comprises a glass substrate having at least a first surface that includes a substantially clear substantially conductive layer, and a second surface that does not include a substantially clear substantially conductive layer. The present apparatus also includes a polymer thick film phosphor ink layer applied to the first surface of the glass substrate, a polymer thick film dielectric layer applied to at least a portion of the phosphor ink layer, and a polymer thick film conductive layer applied to at least a portion of the dielectric layer. Further, the apparatus includes power connectors for connecting electrical power to the polymer thick film conductive layer and to the substantially clear substantially conductive layer of the glass substrate. When power is applied to the power connectors, the polymer thick film phosphor ink layer illuminates and light substantially shows through the second surface of the glass substrate. There is also an apparatus for providing animated lighted areas on a surface.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing animated lighted areas on a surface comprising:

a) a glass substrate having at least a first surface wherein the surface includes a substantially clear substantially conductive layer, and a second surface wherein the surface does not include a substantially clear substantially conductive layer;

b) a polymer thick film phosphor ink layer applied to the substantially clear substantially conductive layer of the glass substrate;

c) a polymer thick film dielectric layer applied to the phosphor ink layer;

d) a first polymer thick film conductive strip applied to a portion of the substantially clear substantially conductive layer of the glass substrate;

e) a plurality of second polymer thick film conductive strips, each of the plurality of second polymer thick film conductive strips applied to one of a plurality of portions of the polymer thick film dielectric layer;

f) power connective means for connecting an electrical power source to the plurality of second polymer thick film conductive strips associated with the polymer thick film dielectric layer and to the first polymer thick film conductive strip associated with the substantially clear substantially conductive layer of the glass substrate; and

g) a switching circuit connecting said electrical power source to said power connective means, said switching circuit sequentially energizing each of said plurality of second polymer thick film conductive strips;

wherein when power is applied to the power connective means, portions of the polymer thick film phosphor ink layer illuminate and light substantially shows through the second surface of the glass, and wherein the power is applied to and removed from the power connective means selectively and in such a sequence that the portions of the polymer thick film phosphor ink layer are illuminated and darkened to provide animation as seen through the second surface of the glass substrate.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first polymer thick film conductive strip includes a material selected from the group consisting of copper, silver, gold, and carbon, and the plurality of second polymer thick film conductive strips includes a material selected from the group consisting of copper, silver, gold, and carbon.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power connective means is attached to at least a portion of the first polymer thick film conductive strip and a portion of the plurality of second polymer thick film conductive strips with a solder connection.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power connective means is attached to at least a portion of the first polymer thick film conductive strip and a portion of the plurality of second polymer thick film conductive strips with a conductive adhesive.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power connective means is attached to at least a portion of the first polymer thick film conductive strip and a portion of the plurality of second polymer thick film conductive strips by compression of a conductive leaf spring on the polymer thick film conductive strip and the substantially clear substantially conductive layer.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power connective means is attached to at least a portion of the first polymer thick film conductive strip and a portion of the plurality of second polymer thick film conductive strips by compressed conductive rubber between the power connective means and said portion of the first polymer thick film conductive strip and between the power connective means and said portion of the plurality of second polymer thick film conductive strips.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a non-conductive layer applied to the first polymer thick film conductive strip and the plurality of second polymer thick film conductive strips, the polymer thick film dielectric layer, the polymer thick film phosphor layer, and the glass substrate such that the non-conductive layer substantially insulates the first polymer thick film conductive strip and the plurality of second polymer thick film conductive strips, the polymer thick film dielectric layer, the polymer thick film phosphor layer and the glass substrate from being touched by a user of the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the glass substrate includes a layer having a design which is visible at least when power is applied to the power connective means such that, when power is applied to the power connective means, the polymer thick film phosphor ink layer illuminates and light substantially shows through the layer having a design which is visible at least when power is applied to the power connective means and through the second surface of the glass substrate.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said polymer thick film phosphor ink layer, said polymer thick film dielectric layer, said first polymer thick film conductive strip, and said plurality of second polymer thick film conductive strips are a thermosetting polymer.

9. An apparatus for providing a plurality of illuminated areas on a surface that are selectively illuminated, said apparatus comprising:

a glass substrate having a first surface,

a conductive layer in contact with said first surface of said substrate, said conductive layer being substantially clear, said conductive layer overlaying a first portion of said first surface;

a phosphor layer in contact with said conductive layer, said phosphor layer overlaying a second portion of said conductive layer, said phosphor layer being a polymer thick film ink, said phosphor layer being a thermosetting polymer;

a dielectric layer in contact with said phosphor layer, said dielectric layer overlaying a third portion of said phosphor layer, said dielectric layer being a polymer thick film ink, said dielectric layer being a thermosetting polymer having a high dielectric constant;

a plurality of image layers in contact with said dielectric layer, each of said plurality of image layers overlaying one of a plurality of selected portions of said dielectric layer, each of said plurality of image layers insulated from others of said plurality of image layers, said plurality of image layers being formed from a polymer thick film ink, said plurality of image layers being formed from a thermosetting polymer that is conductive;

a power supply having a first power output connection and a second power output connection;

a first electrical connection between said conductive layer and said first power output connection;

a switching circuit connected to said second power output connection;

a plurality of second electrical connections, each of said plurality of second electrical connections between one of said plurality of image layers and said switching circuit, wherein said plurality of image layers is selectively and sequentially energized by said power supply.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further including an insulating layer substantially overlaying said plurality of image layers and said dielectric layer.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 further including a design layer in contact with a second surface of said glass substrate, said design layer having a pattern visible when at least one of said plurality of image layers is energized by said power supply.

12. An apparatus for providing a plurality of illuminated areas on a surface that are selectively illuminated, said apparatus comprising:

a means for illuminating a plurality of selected areas of a transparent substrate with a thermosetting polymer thick film; and

a means for selectively providing power to said means for illuminating said plurality of selected areas.