Abstract A containing case for a luminous display in a motor vehicle instrument panel wherein the display brightness may be controlled according to ambient light intensity includes a generally opaque cover member having a window with an opaque tube extending backward therefrom and a base member including a photosensitive device in a cup having an open axial end adapted to project into the open end of the tube, so that the interior of the tube and cup are optically isolated from the display. The tube has an inner diameter which tapers outwardly toward its open end. A light conducting conduit member has a step-down diameter end portion adapted for retention in the cup and a main portion having a diameter which is at least as large as the cup outer diameter adjacent the cup but tapers to fit the tube inner diameter along its axial length. The conduit member thus functions both as a conduit for ambient light from the window to the photosensitive device and as an aid in aligning the base and cover members during assembly.
Inventors
👤 William J. Kerschner, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-27 04:09
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K35/00; B60K35/20; B60K35/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A containing case and ambient light conduit assembly for a luminous display in a motor vehicle instrument panel wherein the display brightness may be controlled according to ambient light intensity, the assembly comprising, in combination: a generally opaque cover member having an ambient light admitting window and an opaque tube extending from the back of said member and surrounding said window, the tube having an outwardly tapering inner diameter; a base member including therein a photosensitive device in a cup having an open axial end adapted to face and align with the tube of the cover member, said tube being of such length and diameter as to overlap the cup when the cover and base members are assembled together, whereby the interior of the tube and cup are isolated optically from the display; a light conducting conduit member having a step-down diameter end portion adapted for retention in the cup and a main portion having a diameter being at least as large as the cup outer diameter adjacent the cup and tapering to fit the tube inner diameter along its axial length, the conduit member extending from the cup to the window, whereby the light conduit member functions both as a conduit for ambient light from outside the case to the photosensitive device and as an assembly aid in aligning the base and cover members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A containing case and ambient light conduit assembly for a luminous display in a motor vehicle instrument panel wherein the display brightness may be controlled according to ambient light intensity, the assembly comprising, in combination: a generally opaque cover member having an ambient light admitting window and an opaque tube extending from the back of said member and surrounding said window, the tube having an outwardly tapering inner diameter; a base member including therein a photosensitive device in a cup having an open axial end adapted to face and align with the tube of the cover member, said tube being of such length and diameter as to overlap the cup when the cover and base members are assembled together, whereby the interior of the tube and cup are isolated optically from the display; a light conducting conduit member having a step-down diameter end portion adapted for retention in the cup and a main portion having a diameter being at least as large as the cup outer diameter adjacent the cup and tapering to fit the tube inner diameter along its axial length, the conduit member extending from the cup to the window, whereby the light conduit member functions both as a conduit for ambient light from outside the case to the photosensitive device and as an assembly aid in aligning the base and cover members.