Compact gauge assembly
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorsJames E. Marshall, Chandresekar R. Karur
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gauge assembly for a vehicle instrument cluster is provided. The gauge assembly includes a plate member and a pointer assembly that is rotatable relative to the plate member about a first axis. The pointer assembly includes a pointer cap having an internal surface and a pointer arm fixed relative to the cap. A driven surface is provided on at least a portion of the internal surface of the cap. The gauge assembly further includes a motor having a drive shaft. A driver is coupled to the drive shaft for drivingly engaging the driven surface of the pointer cap and rotating the pointer assembly.
Claims20
An instrument cluster gauge assembly, comprising:
- a plate member;
- a pointer assembly rotatable relative to said plate member about a first axis;
- said pointer assembly including:
- a pointer cap having an internal surface,
- a driven surface on at least a portion of said internal surface, and
- a pointer fixed relative to said pointer cap;
- a motor having a drive shaft;
- and
- a driver coupled to said drive shaft for drivingly engaging said driven surface and rotating said pointer assembly.
An instrument cluster gauge assembly, comprising:
- a plate member;
- a pointer assembly rotatable relative to said plate member about a first axis;
- said pointer assembly including:
- a pointer cap having an internal surface,
- a driven surface on at least a portion of said internal surface, said driven surface comprising an internally toothed ring gear, and
- a pointer fixed relative to said pointer cap;
- a motor having a drive shaft extending along a second axis remote from and parallel to said first axis;
- and
- a pinion coupled to said drive shaft for drivingly engaging said driven surface and rotating said pointer assembly.
An instrument cluster gauge assembly, comprising:
- a plate member;
- a pointer assembly rotatable relative to said plate member about a first axis;
- said pointer assembly including:
- a pointer cap having an internal surface,
- a driven surface on at least a portion of said internal surface, said driven surface comprising an internally toothed ring gear, and
- a pointer fixed relative to said pointer cap;
- a motor positioned behind said plate member and having a drive shaft extending through said plate member along a second axis remote from and parallel to said first axis;
- and
- a pinion coupled to said drive shaft for drivingly engaging said driven surface and rotating said pointer assembly, wherein the gear drive ratio of said ring gear to said pinion is between about 7:1 and about 9:1.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.