Hub glow pointer
AssigneeDENSO International America, Inc.
InventorDavid Cook
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gauge of an instrument cluster includes a glow hub. The gauge includes a dial and a pointer including a hub portion rotatably mounted in the instrument cluster and movable to a plurality of positions. A light source is disposed in the gauge and adapted to direct light in a first direction through a translucent portion of the hub. A first reflecting surface portion of the hub is adapted to receive light directed from the light source and adapted direct light in a second direction. A second reflecting surface portion of the hub is adapted to receive light directed from the first reflecting surface portion and adapted to direct light in a third direction.
Claims12
A vehicle instrument cluster gauge comprising:
- a printed circuit board;
- a light source mounted to the printed circuit board;
- a gauge faceplate positioned parallel to the printed circuit board;
- and
- a pointer with a hub portion rotatably positioned on a side of the faceplate opposite that of the printed circuit board, the hub portion rotatable to a plurality of positions, the hub portion defining a concave body portion and a concave cavity with a reflective concave surface on a side of the hub portion opposite the faceplate;
- wherein
- the hub portion further comprises a translucent portion and a non-translucent portion;
- and
- the translucent portion has a surface on a flat portion of the hub portion and a surface on the concave surface of the hub portion.
A vehicle instrument cluster gauge comprising:
- a printed circuit board;
- a light source mounted to the printed circuit board;
- a gauge faceplate positioned parallel to the printed circuit board a pointer with a hub portion rotatably positioned on a side of the faceplate opposite that of the printed circuit board, the hub portion rotatable to a plurality of positions, the hub portion defining a concave body portion and a concave cavity with a reflective concave surface on a side of the hub portion opposite the faceplate;
- and
- a conical protrusion that protrudes from the hub portion and resides at least partially within the concave cavity, wherein the conical protrusion has a conical reflective surface that reflects light onto the concave surface, wherein the conical protrusion includes a small diameter end and a large diameter end, the small diameter end coupled to the concave surface of the concave body portion.
A gauge of a vehicle instrument cluster comprising:
- a faceplate defining a hole and a readable surface;
- a motor;
- a printed circuit board;
- and
- a pointer attached to a rotable hub portion, the hub portion mounted to the motor and over the readable surface of the faceplate, the hub portion further comprising:
- a concave body portion with one surface parallel to the faceplate and facing the faceplate, and a reflective concave surface on a side opposite the faceplate;
- a translucent portion in the hub;
- a light source disposed on the printed circuit board and adapted to direct light in a first direction through the translucent portion in the hub;
- and
- a conical protrusion protruding from the concave body portion with a conical reflective surface to receive light from the light source, wherein the reflective concave surface is positioned to receive light from the conical protrusion and direct light toward a viewer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.