Ring pointer illumination
AssigneeContinental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
InventorsVyacheslav Birman, Werner Eckardt, Richard Sanders, Ronald Struck
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An illuminated pointer assembly for a gauge scale having an outer periphery includes a pointer that moves about a periphery of the gauge scale and is illuminated by a light guide. The light guide is disposed on a plane below the pointer and the gauge scale. The light guide includes at least two LEDs that are disposed adjacent first and second ends of the light guide. The light guide also includes a plurality of reflective elements. The plurality of reflective elements is disposed in sets that are orientated with regard to each of the LEDs. The reflective elements provide for the transmission and direction of light within the light guide into the guide body portion of the pointer.
Claims19
An illuminated pointer assembly comprising:
- a scale including an outer periphery;
- a pointer for movement outside of the outer periphery of the scale;
- a light guide including a first end, a second end, and at least one intermediate end, at least one light emitting diode (LED) disposed at each of the first end, the second end, and the at least one intermediate end for transmitting light through the light guide, wherein light in the light guide is directed through a top surface of the light guide to illuminate the pointer and the pointed supported by the light guide and the pointer moves along and relative to the top surface of the light guide during movement about the scale, wherein the intermediate end extends tangentially from the light guide.
An illuminated gauge assembly comprising:
- a dial face including a scale and outer perimeter;
- a light guide disposed outside the outer perimeter of the dial face, the light guide including a first end for receiving light from a first LED and a second end for receiving light from a second LED, the light guide including a top surface through which light is transmitted;
- and
- a pointer assembly supported by and moves relative to the light guide for movement on the top surface of the light guide about the path defined by the light guide outside the outer perimeter of the dial face for indicating a current condition on the scale.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.