Abstract: A gauge assembly for a vehicle instrument cluster is provided. The gauge assembly includes a plate member and a pointer assembly that is rotatable relative to the plate member about a first axis. The pointer assembly includes a pointer cap having an internal surface and a pointer arm fixed relative to the cap. A driven surface is provided on at least a portion of the internal surface of the cap. The gauge assembly further includes a motor having a drive shaft. A driver is coupled to the drive shaft for drivingly engaging the driven surface of the pointer cap and rotating the pointer assembly.

Abstract: A stepper motor having an internally toothed ring gear acting as a stator which is contacted by one or more pinion gears supported by a carrier. The ring gear stator is made up of several sets of teeth which are separately magnetically polarized to move the pinion gears about the ring gear. Three toroidal coils are preferably provided to charge three different sets of teeth which are arranged in a repeating series of three about the ring gear. Alternatively, a linear actuator can be provided to provide a linear output. The teeth may also include an individual coil wherein sets of teeth can be electromagnetically biased into a north or south polarity or remain neutral.

Abstract: An automotive speedometer assembly includes a speedometer head, a cable for mechanically driving the head and a seal positioned within the cable proximate the head for preventing infiltration of lubricant from the cable into the head.

Abstract: A lamp socket assembly for retaining a wedge base bulb and being configured to be insert mounted into the aperture of a rigid support panel so as to capture and make contact with exposed conductors on an intermediate flexible printed circuit layer. The socket assembly is further configured to be removable from the opposite side of the support panel from its original insertion.

Abstract: A support panel containing an aperture for mounting a lamp socket assembly that is linearly insertable into the aperture to contact an intermediate flexible printed circuit layer when oriented in a first rotational position about its axial length, wherein the aperture is formed to capture and releasably retain the socket assembly when so inserted and to allow the socket assembly to pass through the aperture when oriented in a second rotational position.