US6239925B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Instrument cluster lens assembly and method of making
Assignee: Fraunhofer USA Inc
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Filing: 1999-09-03
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Granted: 2001-05-29
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Expires: 2019-09-03
Abstract
Abstract An instrument cluster lens assembly includes a lens having top and bottom surfaces and a mounting portion that is mounted on a base having at least one lens receiving portion. The lens mounting portion is laser welded to the lens receiving portion of the base to securely connect the lens to the base thereby forming the lens assembly for an instrument cluster. Preferably, the lens mounting portion is transparent to laser light and the lens receiving portion of the base is opaque to laser light. A method of forming the instrument cluster lens assembly is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth J. Ardrey
- 👤 Hans J. Herfurth
- 👤 Sandip R. Mehta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:39
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B3/00; G02B3/02; G02B3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A lens assembly for an instrument cluster comprising: a lens having a top surface and a bottom surface and including a mounting portion; a base having at least one lens receiving portion; wherein said lens mounting portion is laser welded by a laser welding apparatus to said lens receiving portion to securely connect said lens to said base thereby forming the lens assembly for an instrument cluster and further wherein the welding apparatus does not physically contact the lens or the receiving portion during welding.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A lens assembly for an instrument cluster comprising: a lens having a top surface and a bottom surface and including a mounting portion; a base having at least one lens receiving portion; wherein said lens mounting portion is laser welded by a laser welding apparatus to said lens receiving portion to securely connect said lens to said base thereby forming the lens assembly for an instrument cluster and further wherein the welding apparatus does not physically contact the lens or the receiving portion during welding.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein said lens and said base are fabricated from different materials.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein said lens is generally transparent to laser light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein said base is generally opaque to laser light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein said lens includes an acrylic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein said base includes an ABS plastic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein said lens further includes a removable protective film on said top surface that is transparent to laser light for protecting said lens during shipping.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of forming a lens assembly for an instrument cluster comprising the steps of: providing a lens having a mounting portion; providing a base having a lens receiving portion; aligning said mounting portion of said lens with said lens receiving portion of said base; laser welding said lens to said base for secure attachment.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of forming a lens assembly for an instrument cluster comprising the steps of: providing a lens having a mounting portion; providing a base having a lens receiving portion; aligning said mounting portion of said lens with said lens receiving portion of said base; laser welding said lens to said base for secure attachment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein said laser welding is performed by a diode laser.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein said laser is operated at a wavelength between approximately 800 to 1100 nanometers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein said laser is operated at a wavelength between approximately 800 to 960 nanometers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein said laser is operated at a wavelength less than approximately 960 nanometers.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of forming a lens assembly for an instrument cluster comprising the steps of: providing a substantially planar lens made from flat sheet stock; providing a base having a non-planar lens receiving portion; aligning said lens relative to said non-planar lens receiving portion of said base; pressing said lens against said base to form a generally non-planar lens; and providing a laser welding apparatus and laser welding said non-planar lens to said base for secure attachment wherein the welding apparatus does not physically contact the lens or the receiving portion during welding.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of forming a lens assembly for an instrument cluster comprising the steps of: providing a substantially planar lens made from flat sheet stock; providing a base having a non-planar lens receiving portion; aligning said lens relative to said non-planar lens receiving portion of said base; pressing said lens against said base to form a generally non-planar lens; and providing a laser welding apparatus and laser welding said non-planar lens to said base for secure attachment wherein the welding apparatus does not physically contact the lens or the receiving portion during welding.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising removing a protective film on a bottom surface of said lens before pressing said lens against said base.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising removing a protective film on a top surface of said lens just before installing said instrument cluster lens assembly in an instrument panel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said laser welding is performed by a diode laser.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said laser is operated at a wavelength less than approximately 960 nanometers.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of forming a lens assembly for an instrument cluster comprising the steps of: providing a pre-shaped, non-planar lens having a mounting portion; providing a base having a lens receiving portion; aligning said mounting portion of said lens with said lens receiving portion of said base; providing a laser welding apparatus and laser welding said lens to said base for secure attachment wherein the welding apparatus does not physically contact the lens or the receiving portion during welding.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of forming a lens assembly for an instrument cluster comprising the steps of: providing a pre-shaped, non-planar lens having a mounting portion; providing a base having a lens receiving portion; aligning said mounting portion of said lens with said lens receiving portion of said base; providing a laser welding apparatus and laser welding said lens to said base for secure attachment wherein the welding apparatus does not physically contact the lens or the receiving portion during welding.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein said laser welding is performed by a diode laser.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein said laser is operated at a wavelength less than approximately 960 nanometers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-05-28 | 2004-11-27 | 2005-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-28 | 2008-11-27 | 2009-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-28 | 2012-11-27 | 2013-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |