GB2098311A - Illumination device - Google Patents

Illumination device Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2098311A
GB2098311A GB8210207A GB8210207A GB2098311A GB 2098311 A GB2098311 A GB 2098311A GB 8210207 A GB8210207 A GB 8210207A GB 8210207 A GB8210207 A GB 8210207A GB 2098311 A GB2098311 A GB 2098311A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
block
housing
screen
light
cable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB8210207A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tucker Fasteners Ltd
Original Assignee
Tucker Fasteners Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tucker Fasteners Ltd filed Critical Tucker Fasteners Ltd
Publication of GB2098311A publication Critical patent/GB2098311A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
    • B60Q3/10—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors for dashboards
    • B60Q3/14—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors for dashboards lighting through the surface to be illuminated
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
    • B60Q3/60—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by optical aspects
    • B60Q3/62—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by optical aspects using light guides
    • B60Q3/64—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by optical aspects using light guides for a single lighting device

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
  • Instrument Panels (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)

Abstract

A screen 16 bearing indicia for the dashboard of a motor vehicle is illuminated from behind by light emanating from an optical fibre 24. Diffusion of the light so that it is not concentrated at the centre of the screen is achieved by interposing between the fibre and the screen 16 a truncated pyramid 28 of transparent material having a concave light- receiving surface 26. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Illumination device This invention is conce'rned with an illumination device, for example for indicia displayed on the dashboard of a motor vehicle.
Usually, such devices have been provided with their own light bulbs and electrical connections resulting in a large number of electrical leads and the complexities involved in having, on those dashboards which are equipped with many indicia, a large number of separate bulbs. Accordingly, it has been recognised that it is advantageous to illuminate the indicia by means of optical cables which besides being able to receive light from a common source remote from the dashboard also permit more convenient means to be used to control whether or not the indicia are illuminated than is the case with electrical switches operating individual bulbs.
A problem has arisen, however, in attempting merely to substitute optical cables for bulbs in devices of the kind mentioned in that light from an optical cable which is pointing towards the screen tends to be concentrated on a small area of the screen coincident with the axis of the cable.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide improved means for illuminating the screen of a device of the kind referred to by means of an optical cable without concentrating light on a small area. By "optical cable" is to be understood a flexible cable comprising one or more optical fibres and capable of transmitting light from one end to the other.
The invention provides, in one of its several aspects an illumination device, for example for indicia displayed on the dashboard of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing open at the front, a screen over the front opening of the housing bearing indicia, for example, which become clearly visible when illuminated from behind, an optical cable supported by a rear wall of the housing with one end pointing towards the screen and a diffusing block of light-transmitting material accommodated within the housing, the block having a front face co-extensive with and disposed adjacent the screen and side walls converging towards the rear wall of the housing, the rear face of the block facing said end of the optical cable being recessed to provide a concave surface for receiving light from the cable.
Preferably, in a device in accordance with the invention the recess in the rear face of the diffusing block is part of a surface of a sphere and is so disposed that the centre of the sphere lies on the axis of the optical cable. It is also preferred that if the screen is rectangular, the diffusing block is in the shape of a truncated pyramid with a rectangular base and flat side walls.
The diffusing block of a device in accordance with the invention may be made of glass or any suitable transparent plastics material, for example poly-methyl-methacrylate.
There now follows a description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawing of an illumination device embodying the invention and selected for description of the invention by way of example.
In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a view in side elevation and partly in section of the illustrative illumination device; and Figure 2 is a view from above of the device shown in Figure 1.
The illustrative illumination device comprises a generally rectangular housing 10 open at the front, where it is provided with an outwardly projecting flange 12 to abut a dashboard having a rectangular hole into which the housing can be inserted. The housing 10 is moulded from resilient plastics material and has integral spring fingers 14 in its upper and lower walls to clip behind the dashboard and hold it in position. A rectangular screen 1 6 bearing indicia which become visible when illuminated from behind covers the front of the housing and is held in place by a frame 18 which clips over the flange 12.
Centrally on a rear wall of the housing, and at right angles thereto, is mounted a metal terminal 22 which holds one end of an optical cable 24.
The cable in this instance has one uniform fibre of light transmitting material (but it could alternatively have a bundle of thinner fibres) 1 mm in diameter protected by an outer sleeve in the usual manner. The cable 24 terminates in an end face co-planar with the inside of the rear wall of the housing.
Within the housing is a transparent block 28 of poly-methyl-methacrylate, a flat rectangular front face of which is about 15 mm by 30 mm, coextensive with the screen 16; it lies adjacent to the screen. The block 28 is a truncated pyramid, its flat upper, lower and side walls converging to its rear face, which is spaced 6 mm from the rear wall of the housing. A recess 26 in the rear face is part, rather less than half, of a sphere of 2.5 mm radius with maximum depth of 1.5 mm.
Light from the cable 24 thus strikes the surface of the recess 26 and in being transmitted through the block 28 is diffused so that it illuminates a larger area of the screen 1 6 more uniformly than would be the case in the absence of the block.
Whereas the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment of specific shape and dimensions it is to be understood that other shapes and sizes can be adopted for diffusing blocks in devices in accordance with the invention. The block need not, for example, be rectangular; the recess in its rear face need not be part of a sphere. The block can be made of glass or plastics materials other than poly-methylmethacrylate provided it is capable of transmitting light without undue attenuation.
1. An illumination device, for example for indicia displayed on the dashboard of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing open at the front, a screen over the front opening of the housing bearing indicia, for example, which become clearly visible when illuminated from behind, an optical
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Illumination device This invention is conce'rned with an illumination device, for example for indicia displayed on the dashboard of a motor vehicle. Usually, such devices have been provided with their own light bulbs and electrical connections resulting in a large number of electrical leads and the complexities involved in having, on those dashboards which are equipped with many indicia, a large number of separate bulbs. Accordingly, it has been recognised that it is advantageous to illuminate the indicia by means of optical cables which besides being able to receive light from a common source remote from the dashboard also permit more convenient means to be used to control whether or not the indicia are illuminated than is the case with electrical switches operating individual bulbs. A problem has arisen, however, in attempting merely to substitute optical cables for bulbs in devices of the kind mentioned in that light from an optical cable which is pointing towards the screen tends to be concentrated on a small area of the screen coincident with the axis of the cable. It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide improved means for illuminating the screen of a device of the kind referred to by means of an optical cable without concentrating light on a small area. By "optical cable" is to be understood a flexible cable comprising one or more optical fibres and capable of transmitting light from one end to the other. The invention provides, in one of its several aspects an illumination device, for example for indicia displayed on the dashboard of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing open at the front, a screen over the front opening of the housing bearing indicia, for example, which become clearly visible when illuminated from behind, an optical cable supported by a rear wall of the housing with one end pointing towards the screen and a diffusing block of light-transmitting material accommodated within the housing, the block having a front face co-extensive with and disposed adjacent the screen and side walls converging towards the rear wall of the housing, the rear face of the block facing said end of the optical cable being recessed to provide a concave surface for receiving light from the cable. Preferably, in a device in accordance with the invention the recess in the rear face of the diffusing block is part of a surface of a sphere and is so disposed that the centre of the sphere lies on the axis of the optical cable. It is also preferred that if the screen is rectangular, the diffusing block is in the shape of a truncated pyramid with a rectangular base and flat side walls. The diffusing block of a device in accordance with the invention may be made of glass or any suitable transparent plastics material, for example poly-methyl-methacrylate. There now follows a description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawing of an illumination device embodying the invention and selected for description of the invention by way of example. In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a view in side elevation and partly in section of the illustrative illumination device; and Figure 2 is a view from above of the device shown in Figure 1. The illustrative illumination device comprises a generally rectangular housing 10 open at the front, where it is provided with an outwardly projecting flange 12 to abut a dashboard having a rectangular hole into which the housing can be inserted. The housing 10 is moulded from resilient plastics material and has integral spring fingers 14 in its upper and lower walls to clip behind the dashboard and hold it in position. A rectangular screen 1 6 bearing indicia which become visible when illuminated from behind covers the front of the housing and is held in place by a frame 18 which clips over the flange 12. Centrally on a rear wall of the housing, and at right angles thereto, is mounted a metal terminal 22 which holds one end of an optical cable 24. The cable in this instance has one uniform fibre of light transmitting material (but it could alternatively have a bundle of thinner fibres) 1 mm in diameter protected by an outer sleeve in the usual manner. The cable 24 terminates in an end face co-planar with the inside of the rear wall of the housing. Within the housing is a transparent block 28 of poly-methyl-methacrylate, a flat rectangular front face of which is about 15 mm by 30 mm, coextensive with the screen 16; it lies adjacent to the screen. The block 28 is a truncated pyramid, its flat upper, lower and side walls converging to its rear face, which is spaced 6 mm from the rear wall of the housing. A recess 26 in the rear face is part, rather less than half, of a sphere of 2.5 mm radius with maximum depth of 1.5 mm. Light from the cable 24 thus strikes the surface of the recess 26 and in being transmitted through the block 28 is diffused so that it illuminates a larger area of the screen 1 6 more uniformly than would be the case in the absence of the block. Whereas the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment of specific shape and dimensions it is to be understood that other shapes and sizes can be adopted for diffusing blocks in devices in accordance with the invention. The block need not, for example, be rectangular; the recess in its rear face need not be part of a sphere. The block can be made of glass or plastics materials other than poly-methylmethacrylate provided it is capable of transmitting light without undue attenuation. CLAIMS
1. An illumination device, for example for indicia displayed on the dashboard of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing open at the front, a screen over the front opening of the housing bearing indicia, for example, which become clearly visible when illuminated from behind, an optical cable supported by a rear wall of the housing with one end pointing towards the screen and a diffusing block of light-transmitting material accommodated within the housing, the block having a front face co-extensive with and disposed adjacent the screen and side walls converging towards the rear wall of the housing, the rear face of the block facing said end of the optical cable being recessed to provide a concave surface for receiving light from the cable.
2. A device according to claim 1 in which the recess in the rear face of the diffusing block is part of the surface of a sphere.
3. A device according to claim 2 in which the recess of the block is so disposed that the centre of said sphere lies on the axis of the optical cable.
4. A device according to claim 1 in which the diffusing block has flat side walls, the block being a truncated pyramid with a rectangular base.
5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the diffusing block is a transparent plastics material.
6. A device according to claim 5 in which the block is poly-methyl-methacrylate.
7. An illumination device constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB8210207A 1981-04-15 1982-04-06 Illumination device Withdrawn GB2098311A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8107586A FR2504239A1 (en) 1981-04-15 1981-04-15 LIGHTING DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FOR THE DASHBOARD OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2098311A true GB2098311A (en) 1982-11-17

Family

ID=9257441

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8210207A Withdrawn GB2098311A (en) 1981-04-15 1982-04-06 Illumination device

Country Status (2)

Country Link
FR (1) FR2504239A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2098311A (en)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5222793A (en) * 1991-02-25 1993-06-29 General Electric Company Remote vehicle lighting system
US5559911A (en) * 1995-01-17 1996-09-24 Radiant Imaging, Inc. Optical fiber coupler using segmented lenses
US5661828A (en) * 1995-01-17 1997-08-26 Remote Source Lighting International Reflector for illumination system
US5682448A (en) * 1995-01-17 1997-10-28 Remote Source Lighting International Reflector and illumination system
US5706376A (en) * 1995-06-02 1998-01-06 Remote Source Lighting International Multiport illuminator for macro-fibers
US5708737A (en) * 1995-01-17 1998-01-13 Remote Source Lighting International Multiport illuminator mechanical design for macro-fibers
US5790723A (en) * 1995-01-17 1998-08-04 Remote Source Lighting International Multiport illuminator optic design for macro-fibers
US5790725A (en) * 1995-06-02 1998-08-04 Remote Source Lighting Int'l, Inc. Multiport illuminator for macro-fibers
US5832151A (en) * 1995-01-17 1998-11-03 Remote Source Lighting International, Inc Reflector and illumination system
US5857041A (en) * 1995-01-17 1999-01-05 Remote Source Lighting International Optical coupler and method utilizing optimal illumination reflector
US5862277A (en) * 1995-01-17 1999-01-19 Remote Source Lighting International, Inc. Multiport illuminator optic design for light guides
US5892867A (en) * 1995-01-17 1999-04-06 Remote Source Lighting International, Inc. Spherical multiport illuminator optic design for light guides
US5911020A (en) * 1995-01-17 1999-06-08 Remote Source Lighting International Inc. Bi-planar multiport illuminator optic design for light guides
US6027237A (en) * 1997-03-17 2000-02-22 Remote Source Lighting International, Inc. Air router for cooling light guide bundle
US6070985A (en) * 1996-11-22 2000-06-06 Remote Source Lighting International, Inc. Multiport illuminator for light guides

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB700829A (en) * 1950-10-04 1953-12-09 Forges Ateliers Const Electr Improvements in illuminating systems for signs or display panels
US3174144A (en) * 1960-11-21 1965-03-16 Richard J O'neill Digital read-out and display unit

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5222793A (en) * 1991-02-25 1993-06-29 General Electric Company Remote vehicle lighting system
US5892867A (en) * 1995-01-17 1999-04-06 Remote Source Lighting International, Inc. Spherical multiport illuminator optic design for light guides
US5559911A (en) * 1995-01-17 1996-09-24 Radiant Imaging, Inc. Optical fiber coupler using segmented lenses
US5661828A (en) * 1995-01-17 1997-08-26 Remote Source Lighting International Reflector for illumination system
US5682448A (en) * 1995-01-17 1997-10-28 Remote Source Lighting International Reflector and illumination system
US5708737A (en) * 1995-01-17 1998-01-13 Remote Source Lighting International Multiport illuminator mechanical design for macro-fibers
US5751870A (en) * 1995-01-17 1998-05-12 Remote Source Lighting International, Inc. Optical fiber lensed illumination coupler
US5790723A (en) * 1995-01-17 1998-08-04 Remote Source Lighting International Multiport illuminator optic design for macro-fibers
US5911020A (en) * 1995-01-17 1999-06-08 Remote Source Lighting International Inc. Bi-planar multiport illuminator optic design for light guides
US5832151A (en) * 1995-01-17 1998-11-03 Remote Source Lighting International, Inc Reflector and illumination system
US5857041A (en) * 1995-01-17 1999-01-05 Remote Source Lighting International Optical coupler and method utilizing optimal illumination reflector
US5862277A (en) * 1995-01-17 1999-01-19 Remote Source Lighting International, Inc. Multiport illuminator optic design for light guides
US5706376A (en) * 1995-06-02 1998-01-06 Remote Source Lighting International Multiport illuminator for macro-fibers
US5790725A (en) * 1995-06-02 1998-08-04 Remote Source Lighting Int'l, Inc. Multiport illuminator for macro-fibers
US6070985A (en) * 1996-11-22 2000-06-06 Remote Source Lighting International, Inc. Multiport illuminator for light guides
US6086234A (en) * 1997-01-31 2000-07-11 Remote Source Lighting International, Inc. Parabolic and spherical multiport illuminators for light guides
US6027237A (en) * 1997-03-17 2000-02-22 Remote Source Lighting International, Inc. Air router for cooling light guide bundle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2504239A1 (en) 1982-10-22

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Legal Events

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