Integrated instrument cluster and fuse block

Details Integrated instrument cluster and fuse block Integrated instrument cluster and fuse block

1999-02-18

2001-02-13

O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)

Illumination

Illuminated scale or dial

C362S263000, C362S023000, C362S551000, C362S489000, C362S481000, C362S559000, C362S459000, C362S487000, C362S488000, 30, C116S286000, 24

Reexamination Certificate

active

06186633

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electrical systems for automotive vehicles, and more particularly to instrument clusters and fuse blocks for automotive vehicles.
2. Disclosure Information
It is conventional practice to design instrument panel systems, such as those found in automobiles, watercraft, airplanes, and the like, to provide an instrument cluster
100
at a first given location, and the fuse block
200
at a second, distant location, with the cluster
100
and fuse block
200
connected by a wiring harness
300
with wire harness connectors
310
/
320
at either end thereof. However, because it is often desirable to package more and more components in a given space, it is desirable to provide ways of reducing the amount of space such components take up. It is also desirable to reduce the number of electromechanical connections that are needed, since these are often the highest source of product/system failures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of prior art approaches by providing an integrated instrument cluster assembly for use in an instrument panel. The assembly comprises: (1) a generally flat instrument cluster appliqué having a first surface, an opposed second surface, and a perimeter thereabout; (2) a generally flat light pipe/diffuser sandwiched against the second surface of the appliqué; and (3) at least one generally flat circuit board sandwiched against the light pipe/diffuser. The at least one circuit board is/are disposed such that a first rigid edge card connector portion thereof extends outward generally beyond the perimeter.
It is an object and advantage that the present invention integrates an instrument cluster with a fuse block in a way that provides an easy-to-install and easy-to-service module.
Another advantage is that the present invention takes up less space and requires fewer electromechanical connections that prior art approaches.
These and other advantages, features and objects of the invention will become apparent from the drawings, detailed description and claims which follow.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5695269 (1997-12-01), Lippmann et al.
patent: 5997161 (1999-12-01), Stringfellow et al.

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