US4368406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lamp dimmer control with integral ambient sensor
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1980-12-29
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Granted: 1983-01-11
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Expires: 2000-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A lamp dimmer control utilizing a variable resistor and an associated adjustment mechanism having an ambient light sensor mounted integral to the control so as to receive ambient light external to the control housing via a translucent adjustment mechanism. Constant contrast illumination control is achieved by pulse width modulation techniques in accordance with the output of the variable resistance setting and the output of the ambient light sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph K. Kruzich
- 👤 Sidney R. Fletcher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 04:10
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B39/00; H05B39/04; H05B39/041; H05B39/042; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B20/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An adjustable lamp dimmer for controlling illumination intensity of associated illuminated instruments and gauges comprising: a housing; a mounting substrate within said housing; means mounted in said housing for movable adjustment on said substrate; at least one variable resistor mounted between said substrate and said movable means for providing a different selected resistance for each adjustment thereof; means mounted on said substrate for continuously sensing ambient light levels in the environment external to said housing of said lamp dimmer; and means for monitoring the resistance of said variable resistor and said ambient light sensing means to provide a pulse width modulated output signal to control said illumination intensity of associated illuminated instruments and gauges as a function of sensed ambient light levels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
An adjustable lamp dimmer for controlling illumination intensity of associated illuminated instruments and gauges comprising: a housing; a mounting substrate within said housing; means mounted in said housing for movable adjustment on said substrate; at least one variable resistor mounted between said substrate and said movable means for providing a different selected resistance for each adjustment thereof; means mounted on said substrate for continuously sensing ambient light levels in the environment external to said housing of said lamp dimmer; and means for monitoring the resistance of said variable resistor and said ambient light sensing means to provide a pulse width modulated output signal to control said illumination intensity of associated illuminated instruments and gauges as a function of sensed ambient light levels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An adjustable lamp dimmer as in claim 1, wherein said monitoring means is mounted on said substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
An adjustable lamp dimmer as in claim 1, wherein said movable means is a wheel rotationally mounted on said substrate, having a translucent portion thereof continuously exposed to said ambient light; and said sensing means is mounted to continuously sense ambient light transmitted through said translucent portion of said wheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An adjustable lamp dimmer as in claim 3, wherein said translucent wheel includes an internally reflective surface oriented to direct transmitted ambient light in said wheel toward said sensing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
An adjustable lamp dimmer as in claim 1, further including an electrical switch mounted on said substrate and means on said movable adjustment means for actuating said switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
An adjustable lamp dimmer as in claim 5, wherein said movable means is a wheel rotationally mounted on said substrate, having a translucent portion thereof exposed to said ambient light; and said sensing means mounted to continuously sense ambient light transmitted through said translucent portion of said wheel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
An adjustable lamp dimmer as in claim 6, wherein said translucent wheel includes an internally reflective surface oriented to direct transmitted ambient light in said wheel toward said sensing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
An adjustable lamp dimmer as in claim 7, wherein said dimmer is enclosed by said housing having an aperture through which said translucent portion of said rotationally mounted wheel is exposed to said ambient light.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-10 | 1986-07-12 | 1987-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-10 | 1990-07-12 | 1991-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-10 | 1994-07-12 | 1995-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |