Patent Publication Number: US-2009219730-A1

Title: Illuminated trim element for an instrument cluster

Description:
FIELD 
     The present application relates generally to the field of automotive displays, and particularly to instrument clusters and trim elements for vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many vehicles include instrument clusters which display various types of information. This information may include instrumentation such as a speedometer, tachometer, fuel level gauge, etc. This information may also include a seat belt indicator, low-fuel warning, a check engine warning, an engine temperature warning, an anti-lock brake indicator, a traction control indicator, tire-pressure warnings, and/or other indicators. This information may further include turn signal indicators. 
     Many instrument panels and instrument clusters are designed for day and night displays. Accordingly, instrument clusters are often designed to provide readable information during the day and night, utilizing various types of lighting systems. Despite the large number of known lighting systems utilized for instrument panels and instrument clusters, most known systems typically do not provide certain aesthetically pleasing features and characteristics. 
     Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a system and method which provides for an instrument cluster lighted barrel trim ring comprising a leading portion, which faces a vehicle passenger, that may be illuminated and that directs light toward the vehicle passenger and away from the face of the appliqué and/or gauge. It would further be advantageous to provide an instrument cluster lighted barrel trim ring that may comprise light transmissive or diffusive materials that enables the sides of the barrel to be illuminated and/or to transmit light away from the sides of the barrel. It would further be advantageous to provide an instrument cluster lighted barrel trim ring having multiple layers of lights to create an illusion of dimension or depth through the barrel trim ring. It would be desirable to provide a system and method that provides any one or more of these or other advantageous features. 
     The teachings herein extend to those embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether they address one or more of the above-mentioned problems. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, an instrument cluster for a passenger vehicle comprises a trim element comprising a leading portion nearest a passenger area, a trailing portion furthest from the passenger area, and a light transmissive portion, an appliqué proximate the trailing portion of the trim element, and a circuit comprising at least one illumination device. The trim element is configured so that light is transmitted from the at least one illumination device through the leading portion toward the passenger area when the at least one illumination device emits light. 
     According to another embodiment, a lighting device for a passenger vehicle comprises an instrument panel comprising a mounting area, an instrument cluster mounted to the instrument panel at the mounting area, the instrument cluster comprising a trim element having a back portion, a leading portion nearest a passenger area, a trailing portion furthest from the passenger area, and at least one light transmissive portion, an appliqué proximate the trailing portion of the trim element, and an illumination device located proximate the back portion of the trim element, the illumination device configured to transmit light through the leading portion toward the passenger area when the illumination device emits light. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an instrument cluster according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a side plan view of an instrument cluster according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a side plan view of an instrument cluster according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a side plan view of an instrument cluster according to an exemplary, embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a side plan view of an instrument cluster according to an exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a process for forming an instrument cluster according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an instrument cluster  20  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Instrument cluster  20  is an assemblage of parts configured to provide automobile data from a plurality of automobile systems to an operator of the automobile and/or to passengers of the automobile. Instrument cluster  20  comprises a housing  22  configured to be fixedly mounted to an instrument panel  10  of an automobile at one or more locations on instrument panel  10 , such as in front of the operator, near the center stack, etc., or even in an overhead compartment coupled to the headliner of the vehicle. Instrument cluster  20  may be coupled to instrument panel  10  at any suitable mounting area. Instrument cluster  20  is suitable for use with an automobile, which can be any passenger vehicle used for land transportation, such as a car, minivan, truck, etc. According to alternative embodiments, the instrument cluster and panel may be used with any type of vehicle, such as water vehicles, air vehicles, etc. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, and as best shown in  FIG. 1 , instrument cluster  20  provides a speedometer display  26 , an engine rotations-per-minute (RPM) display  28 , and a display  30  configured to display a plurality of automobile data. Automobile data can include speed, engine RPMs, engine oil temperature, fuel remaining, engine oil level, engine water temperature, engine oil pressure, instantaneous consumption, turbo rate, battery level, seat belt indicator, windshield wash level, hazard light indicator, and/or other information. Instrument cluster  20  can include more or less than the displays indicated. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , instrument cluster  20  is illustrated in greater detail. Instrument cluster  20  comprises a circuit board  32  (e.g., printed circuit board) having a plurality of illumination devices  52  (e.g., light sources, light emitting diodes, incandescent bulbs, etc.), an appliqué  36  having indicia such as speed and RPM markings, light guides or light pipes (e.g., plastic or other material configured to transmit light) which can be shaped in the form of tick marks (e.g., lines, arrows, circles, etc.), and a trim element  46  (e.g., a bezel, a trim ring, a barrel, tunnel, etc.) having a lens  48  (optional). According to an exemplary embodiment, the circuit board may include a control circuit or be coupled to a control circuit. The control circuit coupled to the circuit board and/or the circuit board comprising the control circuit can comprise one or more analog and/or digital electrical or electronic components, and may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable logic, and/or other circuit elements. According to an exemplary embodiment, the control circuit is configured to receive data via one or more electrical wires or buses from a plurality of automobile systems within the automobile. For example, the control circuit can be configured to receive fuel data from a fuel level sensor and engine oil temperature data from an engine oil temperature sensor on an automobile. According to various exemplary embodiments, the circuit board may be a printed circuit board, a flexible circuit board, a rigid circuit board, conductive foil, and/or other suitable form. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of illumination devices  52  comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs)  34  on circuit board  32  which transmit light through appliqué  36  and through trim element  46 . Trim element  46  may comprise a plurality of trim rings, tunnels, or barrels  54  (shown as a portion of portion of displays  26 ,  28 ,  30  in  FIG. 1 ). Each trim ring  54  may comprise a leading portion  64  (e.g., a leading edge), a trailing portion  66  (e.g., a trailing edge), an outer surface  68 , and an inner surface  70 . Trim element  46  may be configured so that light emitted from LEDs  34  is transmitted through at least one of leading portion  64 , outer surface  68  and inner surface  70  (e.g., leading portion  64 , outer surface  68  and inner surface  70  may be light transmissive portions of trim element  46 ). According to an exemplary embodiment, leading portion  64 , outer surface  68  and inner surface  70  may be at least partially translucent to transmit light from LEDs  34  when LEDs  34  emit light. According to an embodiment, the leading portion or edge is proximate a vehicle passenger for viewing by the vehicle passenger. According to an exemplary embodiment, the LED may be positioned between the trim element and the appliqué. According to various exemplary embodiments, providing a trim element closer to a vehicle occupant than an appliqué allows for 3-D effects, interesting trim details, entertainment during a startup or shut down sequence, supplemental indicators or turn signals, etc. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , trim element  46  may be configured so that light only passes through leading portion  64 . According to an exemplary embodiment, leading portion  64  may comprise a suitable light transmissive material. Outer surfaces  68  and inner surfaces  70  may be configured to block and/or restrict the transmission of light from illumination devices  52  (e.g., LEDs  34 ). According to an exemplary embodiment, outer surfaces  68  and inner surfaces  70  may comprise a treatment such as a masking paint, film, or foil which may be applied to the surfaces to block light emitted from illumination devices  52  (and thereby produce a light pipe to produce the lighted effect through leading portion  64 ). According to various alternative embodiments, any other suitable technique may be used to produce the effect of light through the leading portion but not through the outer and inner surfaces of the trim element. According to an exemplary embodiment, leading portion  64  may comprise a metallic or foil appearance. Leading portion  64  can include a treatment comprising a reflective metallic substance or coating to create a bezel-like appearance. The coating enables leading portion  64  to be at least partially translucent in order to reflect light from the occupant area of the vehicle as well as transmit emitted light from LEDs  34  through to the occupant area of the vehicle. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , trim element  46  may be configured so that light only passes through at least one of outer surfaces  68  and inner surfaces  70 . According to an exemplary embodiment, outer surfaces  68  and inner surfaces  70  may comprise a suitable light transmissive material. Leading portion  64  may be configured to block and/or restrict the transmission of light from illumination devices  52  (e.g., LEDs  34 ). According to an exemplary embodiment, leading portion  64  may comprise a treatment such as a masking paint, film, or foil which may be applied to the leading portion to block light emitted from illumination devices  52 . According to an exemplary embodiment, leading portion  64  may comprise hydrographic or foil metallic material to produce “dead-fronting” or non-illumination along portion  64 . Trim element  46  may comprise a material that creates a “glowing effect” therein when illumination devices  52  emit light. For example, trim element  46  may comprise a material that diffuses or scatters light in multiple directions instead of directing all light to a particular location. According to an exemplary embodiment, the trim element material may be at least partially reflective and may scatter light to create the glowing effect. According to, another exemplary embodiment, the trim element may comprise phosphorus that is exited by an ultraviolet LED to produce a glowing effect. According to various alternative embodiments, any other suitable method of creating a glowing effect throughout may be used. According to an exemplary embodiment, trim element  46  may be configured to emit light beyond surfaces  68  and  70 . Light may be transmitted from illumination devices  52 , through light transmissive surfaces  68  and  70 , and to a location beyond surfaces  68  and  70 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , outer surfaces  68  and inner surfaces  70  may be configured to block and/or restrict the transmission of light from illumination devices  52  (e.g., LEDs  34 ). According to an exemplary embodiment, outer surfaces  68  and inner surfaces  70  may comprise a treatment such as a masking paint, film, or foil which may be applied to the surfaces to block light emitted from illumination devices  52 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , various patterns  80  may be etched into the light blocking materials of surfaces  68  and  70 . A flood light or other suitable light may be used to transmit light onto etched patterns  80  or other reflective surface. The etchings may be embedded in a translucent sheet by disrupting the form of the sheet to create visual markings that will result in the outward transmission of light that is piped into the translucent trim element. This may be done by etching the trim element, changing the topography of the trim element, embossing the trim element, tool texturing the trim element, transferring an in-mold graphic to the trim element, foil painting the trim element, changing the crystal structure of the trim element, or by any other suitable technique. According to one embodiment, the etchings or markings are added in a molding step when the trim element is formed. The etchings or markings may be formed in a translucent trim element in three dimensions (e.g., by laser etching a 3-D image in the trim element) such that a resulting image has a three dimensional appearance. The 3-D image may be formed using a technique similar to Crystology 3-D to form 3-D images in various products. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , a plurality of illumination devices  52  may be utilized to produce a layered lighting effect along trim element  46 . Illumination devices  52  may be coupled to one of surfaces  68 ,  70 , a flange  82 , circuit  32 , or other structure along trim element  46  between leading portion  64  and trailing portion  66 . According to an exemplary embodiment, illumination devices  52  may be configured to be located within a portion of trim element  46  (as shown at portion  81 ). According to another exemplary embodiment, illumination devices  52  may be configured to be located along an outer portion of trim element  46  (as shown at portion  83 ). Illumination devices  52  may be configured to emit light in a predetermined sequence along a length of trim element  46  (e.g., between portions  66  and  64 ) to create an impression of a layered or three-dimensional depth. According to various exemplary embodiments, illumination devices  52  may be configured to emit light according to any suitable sequence or function (e.g., the illumination devices may be configured to light up at vehicle start-up in a sequence, produce a strobe effect, etc.). 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, any of the light transmissive portions of the trim element may be configured to transmit light in combination with other light transmissive portions according to any suitable configuration. For example, leading portion  64 , inner surface  70  and outer surface  68  may be configured to each transmit light from illumination devices  52  at the same time when illumination devices  52  emit light. According to an alternative embodiment, only leading portion  64  may transmit light when illumination devices  52  emit light. According to an alternative embodiment, only surface  68  and/or  70  may transmit light with illumination devices emit light. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, illumination devices  52  may be configured to emit light in conjunction with various functions of a vehicle. For example, one or more of illumination devices  52  may be configured to emit light when a vehicle operator utilizes a turn signal (e.g., the leading portion of the left barrel may light up in unison with the left turn signal to further demonstrate to the vehicle operator the signal feature). According to another exemplary embodiment, three barrels may light up in a red or other bright color when a check engine light appears on the vehicle display. The additional lights provide added safety features for a driver to draw attention to a potential problem or provide awareness of a vehicle function. According to various exemplary embodiments, the illumination devices may be any number of suitable colors and may be configured to illuminate in conjunction with any number of vehicle functions (e.g., vehicle start-up, high temperature, low oil, low fuel, turn signals, high speeds, etc.). 
     According to various exemplary embodiments, the illuminated areas or portions are observable during day and night when LEDs emit light. According to an alternative embodiment, more than one portion (e.g., surface  68 , surface  70 , leading poriton  64 , etc.) may be illuminated by a single illumination device, such as a single LED that illuminates multiple (and/or all) light transmissive portions. According to various exemplary embodiments, the trim element, surfaces, edges or portions, and illuminated portions may be any number of configurations. For example, the etched patterns may be oval, triangular, rectangular, 3-D, 2-D, etc. 
     When not illuminated, trim element  46  may have a first visual state where it is less noticeable. When illuminated, trim element  46  may have a second visual state where it is more noticeable. The trim element may be switched from the first visual state to the second visual state. Certain portions of the trim element may be configured such that they can be selectively switched from the first visual state to the second visual state at the same time. According to an exemplary embodiment, a light source is utilized such that there is a high contrast between the first visual state and the second visual state for the trim element. 
     Any number of configurations may be used for the components or parts of the instrument cluster. For example, appliqués, sheets, and light pipes may be planar, non-planar, curved, rectangular, ovular, irregularly shaped, thick, a film, or may take some other suitable form. The parts may be translucent. The parts may be formed from plastic, from a polymer, from glass, acrylic and/or other suitable material. According to an exemplary embodiment, a traditional lens of an instrument cluster can serve as the sheet, which may be formed from a plastic material and may have a substantially planar form. A clear sheet and light pipes would result in transmission of light. The clarity of the sheet and light pipes, the light source brightness, and the various other factors would preferably be selected such that a sufficient amount of light can reach a suitable location to be illuminated, but such that little or no light would be able reach and illuminate other non-suitable locations. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a method  100  for forming an instrument cluster is illustrated. The method includes forming a circuit board having a light source at a rear portion of the instrument cluster at block  202 , forming an appliqué at block  204 , forming a trim element with one or more light transmissive portion at block  206 , and attaching the trim element, appliqué and circuit board at block  208 . The method may include attaching a trim element carrying indicia and illuminating light pipes, tick marks, indicia, and a rear area of the trim element. Forming the trim element having light transmissive portions may include molding the trim element in a manner configured to carry indicia (e.g. segregating indicia from each other, utilizing a molded score, etching the trim element, changing the topography of the trim element, embossing the trim element, tool texturing the trim element, transferring an in-mold graphic to the trim element, foil painting the trim element, a combination of these steps, or some other step). 
     Installation of the components at each block may comprise using snap connections, clip connections, adhesives, welding (e.g., sonic, laser, etc.), and/or other suitable means. Illumination from the light sources may include illuminating the light transmissive portions with one or more than one light source. The illumination may be in response to a value of a measured parameter, to a change in a vehicle condition, and/or to user input. The illuminating may be based on ignition of the engine and/or may be in response to a change in state of an accessory (e.g., radio, air conditioning, heat, interior lamp, navigation system, etc.). The trim element may be positioned either on the surface of the instrument panel adjacent to a gauge, on an instrument cluster lens surface, or at any other suitable surface or location. 
     The construction and arrangement of the elements of the system as shown in the exemplary, preferred and alternative embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of fasteners, connectors, etc. may be reversed or otherwise varied, etc. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, including any of a wide variety of moldable plastic materials (such as high-impact plastic or plastic having various coatings, such as hard-coating material) in any of a wide variety of colors, textures and combinations. It should also be noted that the system may be used in association with any of a wide variety of types of components and/or features such as digital displays, electronic displays, etc. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present system. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present system.