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US 8,616,147 B2Granted
Pointer illumination
AssigneeContinental Automotive Systems, Inc.
InventorsGuoging Wang, Vyacheslav B. Birman, Ronald A. Struck
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A disclosed instrument cluster includes dial gauges with an illuminated pointer including light reflecting features for uniformly distributing light within the pointer. The light deflecting structure directs light toward tip of the pointer by reflecting the light of each of the first and second sides. The light deflecting structure provides the desired distribution of luminescence by directing light toward the sides surfaces of the pointer.
Claims20
An instrument cluster assembly comprising:
- a dial gauge including markings indicative of a vehicle operating parameter;
- a pointer rotatable relative to the dial gauge, the pointer including a bottom width smaller than a top width, wherein the bottom width decreases in a direction toward a middle section of the pointer and increases in a direction toward a tip of the pointer;
- and
- at least one light source for directing light into the pointer, wherein the pointer includes a light receiving surface including a light deflecting structure that redirect light transverse to the light receiving surface.
1 more element
A gauge assembly for a vehicle comprising:
- a gauge face including a plurality of markings indicative of a vehicle operating condition;
- an illuminated pointer assembly rotatable relative to the gauge face, wherein the pointer assembly includes a bottom, top and first and second sides and the bottom side includes a minimum width at a middle section of the pointer;
- at least one light source for directing light into the pointer assembly, wherein the pointer assembly includes a light deflecting structure that redirects light from the light source against the first and second sides of the pointer assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.