Light emitting panel assemblies for use in automotive applications and the like
US6508563B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 5, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 21, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 5, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2231/026
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Light emitting panel assemblies include in one form of the invention a light emitting panel member made of a transparent resiliently deformable elastomeric material that absorbs impact without breakage for use in automotive lighting applications of various types. In another form of the invention, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used with dome switches for switch area lighting or to backlight control buttons/key pads by providing holes or openings in the panel member for the control buttons/key pads. Also, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used as a structural member, and two or more such light emitting panel members may be stacked together and used to light an instrument panel or the like. One or more light sources may be mounted within one or more light transition areas adjacent one or more light input surfaces of the light emitting panel members. Also one or more light sources may be positioned adjacent one side of the light emitting panel members for causing light to shine through the panel members or through holes in the panel members for performing specified lighting functions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.