Vehicle lighting system for combination type instrument and interior lighting

摘要

The instrument lamps of the vehicle are mounted behind the instrument panel and illuminate a cut-away pattern in the otherwise opaque panel. These lamps are lit by a first switch when the ignition is switched on. A second switch illuminates the external lights as well as a second set of instrument lights i.e. to enable the other instruments and controls to be identified when driving in the dark. The intensity of the instrument and control lights is regulated by a common control circuit. The control circuit sets different levels of intensity for the instrument lights depending on whether the external lights are activated. The driver is able to vary the intensity of the instrument and control lights via a single control.