Shroud for gauge pointer
AssigneeSiemens VDO Automotive Corporation
InventorKevin Dyer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An illuminated instrument assembly includes an instrument cluster having a graphical image and a pointer moveable relative to the graphical image to indicate a vehicle operating condition. In one example, the pointer has a body and an arm portion. A light source illuminates at least a portion of the pointer. The arm portion of the pointer is at least partially coated with a surface finish comprising a metal substrate to eliminate light bleed and the halo effect that may occur when viewing the graphical image.
Claims20
An illuminated instrument assembly, comprising:
- an instrument cluster having at least one graphical image indicating a vehicle operating condition;
- and
- a pointer moveable relative to said graphical image, said pointer at least partially coated with a surface finish comprising a metal substrate.
An illuminated instrument assembly comprising:
- an instrument cluster having at least one graphical image indicating a vehicle operating condition;
- a pointer moveable relative to said graphical image, said pointer comprising an arm portion having a light emitting surface and a light reflecting surface, wherein said light reflecting surface is coated with a surface finish comprising a metal substrate;
- and
- a light source that provides illumination to said pointer, wherein a portion of light is directed through said pointer to light said graphical image.
The assembly as recited in clam 9, wherein said surface finish includes a vacuum metallized finish.
A method of providing a shrouded pointer comprising the steps of:
- (a) masking at least a portion of a pointer arm;
- (b) placing the pointer arm in a vacuum chamber and vacuum sealing the chamber;
- (c) evaporating a metal;
- and
- (d) penetrating a portion of the pointer arm without the mask with the evaporated metal to coat at least a portion of the pointer arm with a surface finish comprising the metal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.