Optical indicator element
AssigneePreh-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
InventorsHaiko Glienicke, Michael Haub
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical indicator element includes a locator and function symbol that is equipped with a shared optical indicator element, with the intensity of the shared light input being adapted and regulated in brightness to the current ambient brightness. Regulation is accomplished through a PWM (pulse-width modulated) signal from a control device. The indicator element itself comprises a shared and preferably colored plastic that illuminates the locator and function symbol, with the area of the joint symbol being cleared of colored paint on the plastic. The light is preferably guided from at least one light source to the plastic by a light conductor into which the light is coupled, but this can also be accomplished by at least one light source located directly beneath the plastic.
Claims25
An optical indicator element, which receives light from at least one light source, wherein
- a locator symbol and an associated function symbol are illuminated jointly by the optical indicator element and an intensity of the illumination and therewith a brightness of the light source are regulated as a function of incident solar radiation, which are determined by an opto-electronic sensor,
- wherein a pulse width modulated signal is generated in a control device by comparison of ambient brightness to control the light source,
- wherein the light is fed into the indicator element through a light conductor, and
- wherein the light conductor is directly adjacent to the indicator element or is physically connected to the indicator element.
An indicator comprising:
- a light source;
- a translucent plastic having a coating on an upper surface, the coating exposing an area of the translucent plastic to thereby form a locator area and function symbol area;
- and
- a light guide for transmitting light from the light source to the translucent plastic,
- wherein a control device controls a light intensity of the light source by a pulse width modulated signal, the pulse width modulated signal being determined based on an illumination intensity of incident solar radiation measured by a sensor.
An indicator apparatus comprising:
- a light source;
- a translucent plastic having a coating on an upper surface, the coating exposing an area of the translucent plastic to thereby form a locator area and a function symbol area;
- a light guide for transmitting light from the light source to the translucent plastic;
- a sensor for measuring an illumination intensity of incident solar radiation;
- and
- a control device for controlling a light intensity of the light source by a pulse width modulated signal, the pulse width modulated signal being determined based on the illumination intensity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.