Meter panel for use in automotive instrument
AssigneeDenso Corporation
InventorSeigo Tane
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A meter panel such as a speedometer used in an instrument panel of an automotive vehicle includes a transparent pointer disc, a dial plate having scales and numerals thereon, and a light source for illuminating the pointer disc. The pointer disc is disposed in front of the dial plate to overlap the scales and numerals of the dial plate. The pointer disc is rotated by a pointer driver disposed behind the dial plate. Light emitted from the light source is introduced into the transparent pointer disc and reflected by a groove formed on the pointer disc toward the front side of the meter panel, thereby making the pointer visible. Since the pointer overlaps the scales and numerals of the dial plate, the pointer position relative to the scales and numerals is easily and clearly recognized.
Claims19
A meter panel for use in an instrument panel, comprising:
- a dial plate showing scales and numerals thereon;
- a rotatable pointer disc, made of a light-conductive transparent material, disposed in parallel to the dial plate to overlap the dial plate, the rotatable pointer disc having a pointer portion;
- a light source for emitting light into the rotatable pointer disc;
- and
- means for directing the light emitted into the rotatable pointer disc toward a front side of the meter panel to make the pointer portion visible.
A meter panel for use in an instrument panel, comprising:
- a dial plate showing scales and numerals thereon;
- a rotatable pointer disc, made of a light-conductive transparent material, disposed in front of the dial plate to overlap the dial plate, the rotatable pointer disc having a pointer portion;
- a light source for emitting light into the rotatable pointer disc;
- and
- means for directing the light emitted into the rotatable pointer disc toward a front side of the meter panel to make the pointer portion visible.
A meter panel for use in an instrument panel, comprising:
- a dial plate showing scales and numerals thereon;
- a rotatable pointer disc, made of a light-conductive transparent material, disposed in front of the dial plate to overlap the dial plate, the rotatable pointer disc having a pointer portion;
- a light source for emitting light into the rotatable pointer disc;
- and
- means for directing the light emitted into the rotatable pointer disc toward a front side of the meter panel to make the pointer portion visible, the light directing means being formed on the rear surface of the rotatable pointer disc.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.