Fluid demarcation instrument cluster
AssigneeContinental Automotive Systems, Inc.
InventorsDiego Trujillo, Guillermo Figueroa, Cristina Gascón
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gauge assembly according to this disclosure includes a dial a dial face defining a scale indicative of an operating parameter, a conduit containing a first fluid and a second fluid that are immiscible during normal operating conditions. The conduit arranged about a periphery of the scale, wherein a visible demarcation between the first fluid and the second fluid is movable to correspond with the current operating parameter indicated on the scale.
Claims20
A vehicle instrument cluster comprising:
- a gauge including a dial face defining a scale indicative of a vehicle operating parameter;
- and
- a conduit containing a first fluid and a second fluid that are immiscible at normal operating conditions, the first fluid and the second fluid disposed relative to the scale, the first fluid and the second fluid in the conduit including a visible demarcation that is adjusted to correspond with the current vehicle operating parameter indicated on the scale, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are of different densities to prevent mixing.
A vehicle instrument cluster comprising:
- a gauge including a dial face defining a scale indicative of a vehicle operating parameter;
- and
- a conduit containing at least one fluid disposed relative to the scale, the at least one fluid in the conduit including a visible demarcation that is adjusted to correspond with the current vehicle operating parameter indicated on the scale, wherein the scale is arranged as a partial curvilinear shape and the conduit is disposed about an outer periphery of the partial curvilinear shape.
A gauge assembly for a communicating an operating parameter comprising:
- a dial face defining a scale indicative of an operating parameter;
- a conduit containing a first fluid and a second fluid that are immiscible during normal operating conditions, the conduit arranged about a periphery of the scale, wherein a visible demarcation between the first fluid and the second fluid is movable to correspond with the current operating parameter indicated on the scale;
- a first bellows in communication with a first end of the conduit for moving the first fluid within the conduit;
- and
- a second bellows in communication with a second end of the conduit for moving the second fluid within the conduit, wherein the first bellows and the second bellows are selectively expandable and collapsible to move a corresponding one of the first fluid and the second fluid to adjust a position of the visible demarcation relative to the scale.
A vehicle instrument cluster comprising:
- a gauge including a dial face defining a scale indicative of a vehicle operating parameter;
- a pointer that is movable relative to the dial face and scale for indicating the current vehicle operating parameter;
- and
- a conduit containing at least one fluid disposed about an outer periphery of the scale, the at least one fluid in the conduit including a visible demarcation that is adjusted to correspond with the current vehicle operating parameter indicated on the scale.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.