Automotive display panel
AssigneeYazaki North America, Inc.
InventorsChing Fong, Sanjiv Venkatram
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automotive display panel having a plurality of clear plastic substrates, wherein color-printed inks or foils are imprinted on the substrates. Each plastic substrate includes digits and identifying marks in selected areas. After creating a metallic-looking finish on the substrates, finely configured lines, such as concentric circles or radial lines, are printed on the color-tinted layer to create a desired appearance. Thereafter,,when the printing is completed, the substrates may be formed in multi-level configurations for providing a three-dimensional appearance. Backlighting is also provided to illuminate the selected areas of the substrates.
Claims14
An instrument dial, having a metallic appearance, for an automotive display panel comprising:
- (a) at least one substrate made of a plastic material;
- (b) a metallic film or ink applied to a predetermined area on the substrate;
- (c) finely configured lines printed on the film or ink;
- and
- (d) the substrate being backlit for illuminating the panel.
An instrument dial for an automotive display panel comprising:
- (a) a plurality of clear plastic substrates with each substrate having an ink or foil applied thereto in predetermined areas;
- (b) each area of the substrates having digits or identifying marks imprinted thereon;
- (c) finely configured lines applied by printing to selected areas on the substrates to provide a desired appearance;
- (d) the substrates having a multi-level configuration for providing a three-dimensional appearance;
- and
- (e) lighting means for illuminating the clear plastic substrates.
An instrument dial of an automotive display panel, comprising:
- (a) at least one substrate made of a plastic material;
- (b) a silver ink layer applied to a first predetermined area on the substrate;
- (c) a metallic layer applied to a second predetermined area on the substrate;
- and
- (d) a plurality of finely configured lines printed on said metallic layer,
- (e) wherein said instrument dial is embossed so that said first predetermined area is at a different level than said second predetermined area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.