CA1063708A - Instrument panel assembly - Google Patents
Instrument panel assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- CA1063708A CA1063708A CA267,748A CA267748A CA1063708A CA 1063708 A CA1063708 A CA 1063708A CA 267748 A CA267748 A CA 267748A CA 1063708 A CA1063708 A CA 1063708A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- lamps
- power source
- diodes
- panel
- terminal
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q11/00—Arrangement of monitoring devices for devices provided for in groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q9/00
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
- H05B47/20—Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K35/00—Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
- B60K35/10—Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K35/00—Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
- B60K35/20—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
- B60K35/21—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor using visual output, e.g. blinking lights or matrix displays
- B60K35/22—Display screens
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K37/00—Dashboards
- B60K37/10—Arrangements for attaching the dashboard to the vehicle
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K37/00—Dashboards
- B60K37/20—Dashboard panels
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
- B60Q3/10—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors for dashboards
- B60Q3/14—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors for dashboards lighting through the surface to be illuminated
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
- B60Q3/10—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors for dashboards
- B60Q3/16—Circuits; Control arrangements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
- B60Q3/80—Circuits; Control arrangements
- B60Q3/85—Circuits; Control arrangements for manual control of the light, e.g. of colour, orientation or intensity
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B19/00—Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B29/00—Checking or monitoring of signalling or alarm systems; Prevention or correction of operating errors, e.g. preventing unauthorised operation
- G08B29/12—Checking intermittently signalling or alarm systems
- G08B29/126—Checking intermittently signalling or alarm systems of annunciator circuits
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q2800/00—Features related to particular types of vehicles not otherwise provided for
- B60Q2800/20—Utility vehicles, e.g. for agriculture, construction work
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
- H05B47/20—Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection
- H05B47/28—Circuit arrangements for protecting against abnormal temperature
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
- Instrument Panels (AREA)
- Audible And Visible Signals (AREA)
- Testing Or Calibration Of Command Recording Devices (AREA)
Abstract
"INSTRUMENT PANEL ASSEMBLY"
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An instrument panel assembly having a plurality of indicating elements and a test switch for concurrently indi-cating the operability or nonoperability of the individual indicating elements. A plurality of electrical devices is connected in association with the test switch and indicating elements so as to prevent false concurrent operation of the indicating elements.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An instrument panel assembly having a plurality of indicating elements and a test switch for concurrently indi-cating the operability or nonoperability of the individual indicating elements. A plurality of electrical devices is connected in association with the test switch and indicating elements so as to prevent false concurrent operation of the indicating elements.
Description
OE~
This invention relates to instrument panel assemblies and in particular to means for permitting selective testing of the operability of the indicating means thereof.
In instrument panel assemblies of the prior art7 a plurality of indicating lamps or the like may be mounted to a panel for indicating different conditions of associated equipment. Illustratively~ in a vehicle, the instrument panel may include a plurality of indicating lamps arranged to indicate abnormal conditions, such as high oil temperature, etc.
In the commercial automobile field, such indicator lamps are considered to be somewhat unreliable relative to protecting the associated equipment in that a burnout or loose connection of the particular indicator lamp causes a failure of indication to the driver of a malfunction of the apparatus of the vehicle. Illustratively, where the indicator lamp provided to signal a low oil level condition burns out, the driver of the vehicle may not be properly apprised of such condition, causing serious and costly damage to the engine.
The present invention comprehends the provision in such an instrument panel assembly of an improved means for facilitated testing of the indicator means of the instrument panel.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle fitted with an instrument panel assembly, the assembly having a plurality of electrical indicator lamps mounted in a display panel to be replaceable forwardly thereof and viewable from forwardly thereof, an electrical power source, means connecting the lamps in parallel to one terminal of the power source, and control switches each connected in series with a respective one of the lamps and in parallel to the opposite terminal of the power source; wherein a lamp testing circuit comprises a normally open test switch connected to the opposite terminal; and a plurality of diodes each connected to a point between a respective connected lamp and control switch and through the test switch to the opposite terminal and, mounted to a carrier removably carried rearwardly ~`' 2 on the display panel, all of the diodes he:ing arranged to permit current flow in the same d:irection relative to the test switch whereby closing of the test switch causes concurrent energization of each operati.ve lamp.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided ;~
a vehicle fitted with an instrument panel assembly having a display panel having a vertical portion carrying first instrumentation and a plurality of electrical indicator lamps adjacent said first instrumentation, said panel further having a downwardly facing portion spaced from said vertical portion, an electrical power source having first and second terminals, means connected the lamps in parallel to said first terminal of the power source, and control switches connected one each in series with the respective lamps and in parallel to said second terminal of the power source for providing selective energization of said lamps from said power source, an improved lamp testing circuit comprising: a normally open manually operable test switch carried by said panel downwardly facing portion in adjacent spaced relation to said indicator lamps, said switch being electrically connected to said second terminal; lenses covering said lamps on said panel, said . ?
lenses being removable from forwardly of the panel to permit replacement of ~ :
each lamp from forwardly of said panel; and a plurality of diodes carried on the rear of said panel in rearwardly spaced relation to said indicator lamps, said diodes being electrically connected one each to between the ~
respective connected lamps and control switches and through said test ~ ;:
switch ~co said second terminal, all of said diodes being arranged to permit current flow in the same direction relative ~o said test switch, whereby .
closing of the test switch causes concurrent energization of each operative ;
lamp from said power source, said test switch having a moving contact connected solely to said second terminal and a fixed contact connected .
solely to said diodes whereby closing of said switch makes an electrical connection from said second terminal solely to said diodes thereby effectively positively providing an indication of the operative condition of each lamp. '~ ;~
; ~ ~3- :~
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Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a vehicle in which an instru-ment panel assembly of the present invention may be installed;
FIGURE 2 is a front elevation of the instru~ent panel;
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FIGURE 3 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;
FIGURE 4 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the improved lamp testing circuit of the instrument panel assembly; and FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary schematic wiring diagram illustrating the use of a battery as the power source.
DESCRIPTION OF TE E PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as dis-closed in the drawing, an instrument panel generally designated lO is adapted for use in a vehicle, such as a loader, generally designated 11, and more specifically may be arranged to be mounted in the cab 12 thereof adjacent the steering wheel 13 for monitoring of the vehicle components by the driver when the `
vehicle is in use. Such instrument panels conventionally in- ~;
clude a plurality of indicators 14 having a corresponding plur-ality of indicator lamps 15 which are selectively illuminated ~-such as for indicating malfunctioning or other conditions of the vehicle components. ~-The instrument panels may include other instrumenta-tion, such as instrumentation 16 shown in Figure 2. The presentinvention, however, is directed to an improved means for testing the lamps 15 of the indicators 14 to effectively avoid a failure of indication as by a burnout or malfunction of the indicator lamps.
Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, instrument panel 10 comprises an assembly having a front panel portion 17 through which indica$or lamps 15 may be selectively viewed. The indi- ~, cator lamps are connected in a circuit generally designated 18 and are arranged to be energized therein from a power source, which illustratively may include a transformer l9 which may have a low voltage secondary 20 connected at one end to ground 21.
. . , . . .. ~ .
The other end of transformer secondary 20 may be connected to each of the indicator lamps 15 so as to provide a parallel connection therebetween. Each of the indicator lamps, in turn, may be controlled by a suitable normally open switch 22 con-nected between the respective lamps 15 and ground 21.
A test circuit generally designated 23 for testing the lamps 15 when desired by the user, includes a normally open switch 24 having its moving contact 24a connected to ground 21 and its fixed contact 24b connected to a parallel arrangement of a plurality of diodes 25 connected one each to between the respective indicator lamps 15 and control switches 22. Two ;
such lamps and associated control diodes are showng it being understood that the invention comprehends the provision of any number of such lamp and diode combinations in parallel.
More specifically, each lamp 15 is connected to its `~
associated control switch by a connection 26. Diodes 25 are ~
connected one each to the respective connections 26 so as to ;
be connected in series one each with the respective lamps. The diodes, in turn, are connected to a common connection 27 to which fixed contact 24b of switch 24 is connected.
As shown in Figure 5, the power supply to control circuit 18 may comprise a direct current power supply, such as a conventional battery 28 connected between ground 21 and the common connection 29 to each of the indicator lamps 15.
As shown in Figure 3, diodes 25 may be mounted on a panel 30 carried on the rear of instrument panel 17.
When it is desired to test the operability OI' the indicator lamps 15, the user need merely close control switch ',' ~`'' ' ~3'7~
24, which, as shown in ~igure 2, may be provided with a manual actuator 31, disposed for facilitated selective manipulation by the user such as at a lower portion 32 of the instrument panel 10. Closing of switch 24 completes a circuit through each of the operable lamps 15 and diodes 25, through the switch to ground 21. Thus, each operable lamp 15 is concur-rently energized so as to provide an immediate indication to the user of the operability of the lamps. Any lamp which is not so illuminated upon the closing of switch 24 may be readily replaced by the removal of the lens 33 of the indi-cator 14 with which the defective lamp is associated, from forwardly of the instrument panel 10. In the event the re~ ;
placement of the bulb does not effect illumination thereof upon retesting of the circuit by reclosing switch 24, the user is apprised of a malfunctioning of that particular portion of the control circuit 18 so that suitable servicing can be effected to remedy the defect.
Diodes 25 prevent spurious parallel operation of the lamps as by the closing of any one single control switch 22 as 20 a result of the parallel connection of each of the lamps to the single test switch 24. Thus, each of the diodes 25 broadly comprehends a unidirectional current element which prevents back-feed from one lamp 15 circuit to another lamp 15 circuit while yet permitting facilitated rapid testing of the individual lamps by one single pole, normally open switch.
Thus, the instrument panel assembly test means is extremely -~
simple and economical of construction while yet providing an i~
improved rapid testing of the indicating lamps of the instrument `
-.
'':
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. , . `
~v~
panel, thereby avoiding the serlous problem of failure of the individual lamps to prpperly indicate a malfunction of the vehlcle component because of a burnout or other inoperable condition of the particular lamp circuit portion. ~
`i`' ~ .. '. .
. ", , .
:. .
:
.. ~ :,, ~ , :
This invention relates to instrument panel assemblies and in particular to means for permitting selective testing of the operability of the indicating means thereof.
In instrument panel assemblies of the prior art7 a plurality of indicating lamps or the like may be mounted to a panel for indicating different conditions of associated equipment. Illustratively~ in a vehicle, the instrument panel may include a plurality of indicating lamps arranged to indicate abnormal conditions, such as high oil temperature, etc.
In the commercial automobile field, such indicator lamps are considered to be somewhat unreliable relative to protecting the associated equipment in that a burnout or loose connection of the particular indicator lamp causes a failure of indication to the driver of a malfunction of the apparatus of the vehicle. Illustratively, where the indicator lamp provided to signal a low oil level condition burns out, the driver of the vehicle may not be properly apprised of such condition, causing serious and costly damage to the engine.
The present invention comprehends the provision in such an instrument panel assembly of an improved means for facilitated testing of the indicator means of the instrument panel.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle fitted with an instrument panel assembly, the assembly having a plurality of electrical indicator lamps mounted in a display panel to be replaceable forwardly thereof and viewable from forwardly thereof, an electrical power source, means connecting the lamps in parallel to one terminal of the power source, and control switches each connected in series with a respective one of the lamps and in parallel to the opposite terminal of the power source; wherein a lamp testing circuit comprises a normally open test switch connected to the opposite terminal; and a plurality of diodes each connected to a point between a respective connected lamp and control switch and through the test switch to the opposite terminal and, mounted to a carrier removably carried rearwardly ~`' 2 on the display panel, all of the diodes he:ing arranged to permit current flow in the same d:irection relative to the test switch whereby closing of the test switch causes concurrent energization of each operati.ve lamp.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided ;~
a vehicle fitted with an instrument panel assembly having a display panel having a vertical portion carrying first instrumentation and a plurality of electrical indicator lamps adjacent said first instrumentation, said panel further having a downwardly facing portion spaced from said vertical portion, an electrical power source having first and second terminals, means connected the lamps in parallel to said first terminal of the power source, and control switches connected one each in series with the respective lamps and in parallel to said second terminal of the power source for providing selective energization of said lamps from said power source, an improved lamp testing circuit comprising: a normally open manually operable test switch carried by said panel downwardly facing portion in adjacent spaced relation to said indicator lamps, said switch being electrically connected to said second terminal; lenses covering said lamps on said panel, said . ?
lenses being removable from forwardly of the panel to permit replacement of ~ :
each lamp from forwardly of said panel; and a plurality of diodes carried on the rear of said panel in rearwardly spaced relation to said indicator lamps, said diodes being electrically connected one each to between the ~
respective connected lamps and control switches and through said test ~ ;:
switch ~co said second terminal, all of said diodes being arranged to permit current flow in the same direction relative ~o said test switch, whereby .
closing of the test switch causes concurrent energization of each operative ;
lamp from said power source, said test switch having a moving contact connected solely to said second terminal and a fixed contact connected .
solely to said diodes whereby closing of said switch makes an electrical connection from said second terminal solely to said diodes thereby effectively positively providing an indication of the operative condition of each lamp. '~ ;~
; ~ ~3- :~
b ,f ~ ~
~6~'7(~
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a vehicle in which an instru-ment panel assembly of the present invention may be installed;
FIGURE 2 is a front elevation of the instru~ent panel;
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~ , .
.
; . -- : ~ ~ , :
1~3~7~
FIGURE 3 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;
FIGURE 4 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the improved lamp testing circuit of the instrument panel assembly; and FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary schematic wiring diagram illustrating the use of a battery as the power source.
DESCRIPTION OF TE E PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as dis-closed in the drawing, an instrument panel generally designated lO is adapted for use in a vehicle, such as a loader, generally designated 11, and more specifically may be arranged to be mounted in the cab 12 thereof adjacent the steering wheel 13 for monitoring of the vehicle components by the driver when the `
vehicle is in use. Such instrument panels conventionally in- ~;
clude a plurality of indicators 14 having a corresponding plur-ality of indicator lamps 15 which are selectively illuminated ~-such as for indicating malfunctioning or other conditions of the vehicle components. ~-The instrument panels may include other instrumenta-tion, such as instrumentation 16 shown in Figure 2. The presentinvention, however, is directed to an improved means for testing the lamps 15 of the indicators 14 to effectively avoid a failure of indication as by a burnout or malfunction of the indicator lamps.
Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, instrument panel 10 comprises an assembly having a front panel portion 17 through which indica$or lamps 15 may be selectively viewed. The indi- ~, cator lamps are connected in a circuit generally designated 18 and are arranged to be energized therein from a power source, which illustratively may include a transformer l9 which may have a low voltage secondary 20 connected at one end to ground 21.
. . , . . .. ~ .
The other end of transformer secondary 20 may be connected to each of the indicator lamps 15 so as to provide a parallel connection therebetween. Each of the indicator lamps, in turn, may be controlled by a suitable normally open switch 22 con-nected between the respective lamps 15 and ground 21.
A test circuit generally designated 23 for testing the lamps 15 when desired by the user, includes a normally open switch 24 having its moving contact 24a connected to ground 21 and its fixed contact 24b connected to a parallel arrangement of a plurality of diodes 25 connected one each to between the respective indicator lamps 15 and control switches 22. Two ;
such lamps and associated control diodes are showng it being understood that the invention comprehends the provision of any number of such lamp and diode combinations in parallel.
More specifically, each lamp 15 is connected to its `~
associated control switch by a connection 26. Diodes 25 are ~
connected one each to the respective connections 26 so as to ;
be connected in series one each with the respective lamps. The diodes, in turn, are connected to a common connection 27 to which fixed contact 24b of switch 24 is connected.
As shown in Figure 5, the power supply to control circuit 18 may comprise a direct current power supply, such as a conventional battery 28 connected between ground 21 and the common connection 29 to each of the indicator lamps 15.
As shown in Figure 3, diodes 25 may be mounted on a panel 30 carried on the rear of instrument panel 17.
When it is desired to test the operability OI' the indicator lamps 15, the user need merely close control switch ',' ~`'' ' ~3'7~
24, which, as shown in ~igure 2, may be provided with a manual actuator 31, disposed for facilitated selective manipulation by the user such as at a lower portion 32 of the instrument panel 10. Closing of switch 24 completes a circuit through each of the operable lamps 15 and diodes 25, through the switch to ground 21. Thus, each operable lamp 15 is concur-rently energized so as to provide an immediate indication to the user of the operability of the lamps. Any lamp which is not so illuminated upon the closing of switch 24 may be readily replaced by the removal of the lens 33 of the indi-cator 14 with which the defective lamp is associated, from forwardly of the instrument panel 10. In the event the re~ ;
placement of the bulb does not effect illumination thereof upon retesting of the circuit by reclosing switch 24, the user is apprised of a malfunctioning of that particular portion of the control circuit 18 so that suitable servicing can be effected to remedy the defect.
Diodes 25 prevent spurious parallel operation of the lamps as by the closing of any one single control switch 22 as 20 a result of the parallel connection of each of the lamps to the single test switch 24. Thus, each of the diodes 25 broadly comprehends a unidirectional current element which prevents back-feed from one lamp 15 circuit to another lamp 15 circuit while yet permitting facilitated rapid testing of the individual lamps by one single pole, normally open switch.
Thus, the instrument panel assembly test means is extremely -~
simple and economical of construction while yet providing an i~
improved rapid testing of the indicating lamps of the instrument `
-.
'':
-6- ~`
. , . `
~v~
panel, thereby avoiding the serlous problem of failure of the individual lamps to prpperly indicate a malfunction of the vehlcle component because of a burnout or other inoperable condition of the particular lamp circuit portion. ~
`i`' ~ .. '. .
. ", , .
:. .
:
.. ~ :,, ~ , :
Claims (4)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A vehicle fitted with an instrument panel assem-bly, the assembly having a plurality of electrical indicator lamps mounted in a display panel to be replaceable forwardly thereof and viewable from forwardly thereof, an electrical power source, means connecting the lamps in parallel to one terminal of the power source, and control switches each con-nected in series with a respective one of the lamps and in parallel to the opposite terminal of the power source;
wherein a lamp testing circuit comprises a normally open test switch connected to the opposite terminal; and a plu-rality of diodes each connected to a point between a respective connected lamp and control switch and through the test switch to the opposite terminal and, mounted to a carrier removably carried rearwardly on the display panel, all of the diodes being arranged to permit current flow in the same direction relative to the test switch whereby closing of the test switch causes concurrent energization of each operative lamp.
wherein a lamp testing circuit comprises a normally open test switch connected to the opposite terminal; and a plu-rality of diodes each connected to a point between a respective connected lamp and control switch and through the test switch to the opposite terminal and, mounted to a carrier removably carried rearwardly on the display panel, all of the diodes being arranged to permit current flow in the same direction relative to the test switch whereby closing of the test switch causes concurrent energization of each operative lamp.
2. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a direct current power source.
3. A vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the diodes are connected to conduct current only from the lamps to the opposite terminal.
4. A vehicle fitted with an instrument panel assembly having a display panel having a vertical portion carrying first instrumentation and a plurality of elec-trical indicator lamps adjacent said first instrumentation, said panel further having a downwardly facing portion spaced from said vertical portion, an electrical power source having first and second terminals, means connecting the lamps in parallel to said first terminal of the power source, and control switches connected one each in series with the respective lamps and in parallel to said second terminal of the power source for providing selective energization of said lamps from said power source, an improved lamp testing circuit comprising: a normally open manually operable test switch carried by said panel down-wardly facing portion in adjacent spaced relation to said indicator lamps, said switch being electrically connected to said second terminal; lenses covering said lamps on said panel, said lenses being removable from forwardly of the panel to permit replacement of each lamp from forwardly of said panel; and a plurality of diodes carried on the rear of said panel in rearwardly spaced relation to said indica-tor lamps, said diodes being electrically connected one each to between the respective connected lamps and control switches and through said test switch to said second ter-minal, all of said diodes being arranged to permit current flow in the same direction relative to said test switch, whereby closing of the test switch causes concurrent energi-zation of each operative lamp from said power source, said test switch having a moving contact connected solely to said second terminal and a fixed contact connected solely to said diodes whereby closing of said switch makes an electrical connection from said second terminal solely to said diodes thereby effectively positively providing an indication of the operative condition of each lamp.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US67502676A | 1976-04-08 | 1976-04-08 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1063708A true CA1063708A (en) | 1979-10-02 |
Family
ID=24708769
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA267,748A Expired CA1063708A (en) | 1976-04-08 | 1976-12-13 | Instrument panel assembly |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS52134350U (en) |
| BE (1) | BE853337A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1063708A (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2347730A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1530668A (en) |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2839741A (en) * | 1956-02-24 | 1958-06-17 | Theodore W Hallerberg | Indicator lamp test circuit |
| JPS44555Y1 (en) * | 1966-01-12 | 1969-01-10 |
-
1976
- 1976-11-18 GB GB48172/76A patent/GB1530668A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-12-13 CA CA267,748A patent/CA1063708A/en not_active Expired
-
1977
- 1977-01-14 FR FR7701074A patent/FR2347730A1/en active Granted
- 1977-03-18 JP JP1977032231U patent/JPS52134350U/ja active Pending
- 1977-04-07 BE BE176493A patent/BE853337A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| BE853337A (en) | 1977-10-07 |
| FR2347730B1 (en) | 1982-04-23 |
| GB1530668A (en) | 1978-11-01 |
| JPS52134350U (en) | 1977-10-12 |
| FR2347730A1 (en) | 1977-11-04 |
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