Instrument panel cluster
AssigneeContinental Automotive Systems, Inc.
InventorsVyacheslav B. Birman, Jeremy Rooney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An instrument cluster assembly is disclosed and includes at least one gauge. The gauge comprises a dial surface and a ring spaced apart from the dial surface. The ring has an outer surface and an inner surface that includes ring graphics. The gauge further comprises a pointer rotatable about an axis. The pointer may include a pointer arm including a portion extending into a space defined between the inner surface of the ring and the dial surface and at least partially visible through the ring. The dial surface my include dial graphics.
Claims17
An instrument cluster assembly comprising:
- at least one gauge comprising
- a dial surface including dial graphics;
- a transparent ring spaced apart from said dial surface and configured to be illuminated, said ring having an outer surface and an inner surface positioned closer to said dial surface than said outer surface, wherein said inner surface includes ring graphics, wherein said inner surface includes a diffractive film, and said diffractive film includes said ring graphics.
An instrument cluster assembly comprising:
- at least one gauge comprising
- a dial surface including dial graphics;
- a transparent ring spaced apart from said dial surface and configured to be illuminated, said rind having an outer surface and an inner surface positioned closer to said dial surface than said outer surface, wherein said inner surface includes ring graphics, wherein said ring includes a plurality of legs extending transverse from said ring for propagating light tangentially into the ring.
A gauge comprising:
- a dial surface including dial graphics;
- a transparent ring spaced apart from said dial surface and configured to be illuminated, said ring having an outer surface and an inner surface positioned closer to said dial surface than said outer surface, wherein said inner surface includes ring graphics, wherein said ring includes a plurality of legs extending transverse from said ring for propagating light tangentially into the ring.
A gauge comprising:
- A dial surface including dial graphics;
- a transparent ring spaced apart from said dial surface and configured to be illuminated, said rind having an outer surface and an inner surface positioned closer to said dial surface than said outer surface, wherein said inner surface includes ring graphics, wherein said inner surface includes a diffractive film, and said diffractive film includes said ring graphics.
A method for making a gauge comprising:
- providing a dial surface having dial graphics;
- mounting a transparent ring spaced apart from said dial surface;
- providing ring graphics to an inner surface of said ring, wherein providing ring graphics comprises providing a diffractive film to said inner surface, said diffractive film including said ring graphics;
- and
- mounting at least one light source for illuminating said ring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.