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US 7,612,683 B2Granted
Indication change instrument cluster
AssigneeContinental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
InventorKenichi Takato
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An illuminated gauge includes a dial with at least first and second ranges of markings. The first range of markings indicates one type of vehicle information and the second range of markings indicates another type of vehicle information. A single motor is used to move a common pointer between the first and second ranges of markings. A selector is to be operated by a user to select between the different types of vehicle information.
Claims15
An illuminated gauge for an instrument cluster comprising:
- a dial including a first range of markings to identify a first type of vehicle information and a second range of markings to identify a second type of vehicle information, and wherein said first range of markings is formed from a first printing type and said second range of markings is formed from a second printing type different from said first printing type;
- a pointer to be driven by a power source for movement relative to said dial, said pointer being selectively movable to operate within only one of said first range of markings and said second range of markings, wherein said power source comprises a motor that is electrically connected to a printed circuit board and wherein said pointer is coupled to said motor;
- at least one light source to illuminate said pointers;
- a light guide supported by said printed circuit board and surrounding said motor;
- a light housing supported by said printed circuit board and surrounding said light guide at a location radially outward relative to said light guide, wherein said light housing and said light guide cooperate to direct light to illuminate said pointer;
- and
- wherein said at least one light source comprises a first light source supported on said printed circuit board at first position located radially between said light guide and said light housing such that said first light source is only used to illuminate said dial and said pointer in an area of said first range of markings, and a second light source supported on said printed circuit board at second position located radially between said light guide and said light housing such that said second light source is only used to illuminate said dial and said pointer in an area of said second range of markings.
4 more elements
An illuminated gauge for an instrument cluster comprising:
- a dial including a first range of markings to identify a first type of vehicle information and a second range of markings to identify a second type of vehicle information, and wherein said first range of markings is formed from a first printing type and said second range of markings is formed from a second printing type different from said first printing type;
- a pointer being selectively movable to operate within only one of said first range of markings and said second range of markings at a time;
- a power source that drives said pointer, wherein said power source comprises a motor that is electrically connected to a printed circuit board, and wherein said pointer is directly coupled to said motor;
- a light guide supported by said printed circuit board and surrounding said motor;
- a light housing supported by said printed circuit board and surrounding said light guide at a location radially outward relative to said light guide, wherein said light housing and said light guide cooperate to direct light to illuminate said pointer;
- a first light source that illuminates said pointer when operating in said first range of markings wherein said first light source is supported on said printed circuit, board at first position located radially between said light guide and said light housing such that said first light source is only used to illuminate said dial and said pointer in an area of said first range of markings;
- a second light source that illuminates said pointer when operating in said second range of markings wherein said second light source is supported on said printed circuit board at second position located radially between said light guide and said light housing such that said second light source is only used to illuminate said dial and said pointer in an area of said second range of markings;
- and
- a selector to be operated by a user to select one of said first type of vehicle information and said second type of vehicle information.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.