# US 11,110,797 B2 · Fluid demarcation instrument cluster > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,110,797 B2 - Document ID: US11110797B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/701,764 - Filed: 2019-12-03 - Published: 2020-06-25 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2018-12-21 - Assignees: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. - Applicants: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. - Inventors: Diego Trujillo; Guillermo Figueroa; Cristina Gascón - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11110797B2 ## CPC - B60K 35/60: Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) - B60K 35/21: using visual output, e.g. blinking lights or matrix displays - B60K 35/28: characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver - B60K 35/29: Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions - B60K 2360/188: Displaying information using colour changes - B60K 2360/33: Illumination features - B60K 2360/6992: Light conducting pointers - 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 ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle instrument cluster as recited in claim 1, including a first bellows controlling movement of the first fluid and a second bellows controlling movement of the second fluid and the visible demarcation is disposed between the first fluid and the second fluid and is positioned within the conduit to indicate the current vehicle operating condition. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The vehicle instrument cluster as recited in claim 2, including a controller in communication with the first bellows and the second bellows for controlling movement to adjust the visible demarcation relative to the scale. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The vehicle instrument cluster as recited in claim 2, including a window within the dial face with the first bellows and the second bellows disposed proximate the window such that the first bellows and the second bellows are viewable through the window. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The vehicle instrument cluster as recited in claim 2, including a pointer movable to indicate on the scale that corresponds with movement of the visible demarcation between the first fluid and the second fluid. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The vehicle instrument cluster as recited in claim 2, wherein the first fluid is of a first color and the second fluid is of a second color different than the first color. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The vehicle instrument cluster as recited in claim 6, wherein the second color is clear relative to the first color. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The vehicle instrument cluster as recited in claim 2, including a light for illuminating the conduit. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The vehicle instrument cluster as recited in claim 7, wherein at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid is luminescent and illuminates in response to the light within the conduit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The vehicle instrument cluster as recited in claim 9, wherein the wherein the second fluid is not luminescent and remains clear in response to light within the conduit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The vehicle instrument cluster as recited in claim 1, wherein the scale is arranged circumferentially on the dial face and the conduit is disposed about a periphery of the scale. ### Claim 12 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. ### Claim 13 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. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The gauge assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein the scale is arranged circumferentially on the dial face and the conduit is disposed about a periphery of the scale. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The gauge assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein the scale is arranged as a partial curvilinear shape and the conduit is disposed about an outer periphery of the partial curvilinear shape. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The gauge assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein the first fluid is luminescent and illuminates in response to the light within the conduit and the second fluid is not luminescent and remains clear in response to light within the conduit. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The gauge assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein the first fluid is of a first color and the second fluid is of a second color different than the first color. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The gauge assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein the scale is arranged as a curvilinear shape and the conduit is disposed about an outer periphery of the curvilinear shape. ### Claim 19 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. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The vehicle instrument cluster as recited in claim 19, wherein the scale is arranged as a partial curvilinear shape and the conduit is disposed about the outer periphery of the partial curvilinear shape.