Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Automobile
Patent
1997-09-25
1999-08-17
Cariaso, Alan
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Automobile
362140, 362295, 362488, B60Q 302, B60R 112
Patent
active
059383216
ABSTRACT:
Interior vehicle instrumentation and/or console lighting is provided by an interior rearview mirror assembly or interior lamp assembly incorporating a non-incandescent, directed, low level, low power, non-glare producing light emitting source. The source illuminates portions of the vehicle interior such as the instrumentation or controls in the instrument panel or console area. One or more of such light emitting sources is optionally mounted on or within the mirror case or mirror support separate from any conventional incandescent lamp or lamps which may be mounted in the mirror assembly to provide general interior lighting. Alternately, the light emitting source can be mounted on or within an interior vehicle lamp assembly such as a dome lamp, rail lamp, or the like. Preferably, the light emitting source is a solid state lamp such as a light emitting diode, is controlled via the ignition switch and/or a rheostat/dimmer switch, and most preferably provides a maximum illumination of about 0.2 to 4.0 lux at 22 to 26 inches at about 20 mA to about 50 mA or less current and about 2.0 volts to about 5.0 volts or less.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2060401 (1936-11-01), Smith
patent: 2190123 (1940-02-01), Pace
patent: 2595331 (1952-05-01), Calihan et al.
patent: 3436758 (1969-04-01), Kluth
patent: 3543018 (1970-11-01), Barcus et al.
patent: 3589662 (1971-06-01), Lagrange
patent: 3665392 (1972-05-01), Annas
patent: 4040726 (1977-08-01), Paca
patent: 4499451 (1985-02-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 4516197 (1985-05-01), Yonkers
patent: 4588267 (1986-05-01), Pastore
patent: 4626967 (1986-12-01), Segoshi
patent: 4630904 (1986-12-01), Pastore
patent: 4646210 (1987-02-01), Skogler et al.
patent: 4733336 (1988-03-01), Skogler et al.
patent: 4781436 (1988-11-01), Armbruster
patent: 4791534 (1988-12-01), Lindberg
patent: 4793690 (1988-12-01), Gahan et al.
patent: 4799768 (1989-01-01), Gahan
patent: 4807096 (1989-02-01), Skogler et al.
patent: 4826289 (1989-05-01), Vandenbrink et al.
patent: 4864473 (1989-09-01), Tokarz et al.
patent: 4936533 (1990-06-01), Adams et al.
patent: 4948242 (1990-08-01), Desmond et al.
patent: 5014167 (1991-05-01), Roberts
patent: 5100095 (1992-03-01), Hann et al.
patent: 5140455 (1992-08-01), Varaprasad et al.
patent: 5151816 (1992-09-01), Varaprasad et al.
patent: 5178448 (1993-01-01), Adams et al.
patent: 5193029 (1993-03-01), Schofield et al.
patent: 5253109 (1993-10-01), O'Farrell
patent: 5327288 (1994-07-01), Wellington et al.
patent: 5439305 (1995-08-01), Santo
patent: 5576687 (1996-11-01), Blank et al.
patent: 5615857 (1997-04-01), Hook
patent: 5659423 (1997-08-01), Schierbeek et al.
patent: 5671996 (1997-09-01), Bos et al.
Lampert, Carl M. and Granqvist, Claes G., "Large-Area Chromogenics: Materials and Devices for Transmittance Control," SPIE Institutes for Advanced Optical Technologies, vol. IS 4, SPIE Optical Engineering Press, Sep. 22, 1988, pp. 46-84, "Automotive Applications of Chromogenic Materials," by Niall R. Lynam and Anoop Agrawal, Donnelly Corporation, Holland, Michigan, U.S.A.
Lynam, N.R., "Smart Windows for Automobiles," SAE Technical Paper Series, 900419 (1990).
Bos Brent J.
Forbes Stephen J.
Veldman Roger L.
Cariaso Alan
Donnelly Corporation
LandOfFree
Vehicle instrumentation/console lighting does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Vehicle instrumentation/console lighting, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Vehicle instrumentation/console lighting will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-308040