Pointer Patents (Class 116/288)
  • Patent number: 8558681
    Abstract: A graphic meter display device includes a tick mark information retaining section that retains information about display coordinates of respective positions of three or more typical tick marks among tick marks, in correspondence with typical numeric values assigned to the respective positions; an indicator needle coordinate calculation section that extracts two typical numeric values adjacent, above and below, to a magnitude of the input measured value according to the input measured value as a first typical numeric value and a second typical numeric value from the positions of three or more typical tick marks and that calculates, as coordinates of an indicator needle point, an intermediate position, which lies on a line segment connecting coordinates corresponding to the first typical numeric value to coordinates corresponding to the second typical numeric value and which is determined by means of the first typical numeric value, the second typical numeric value, and the measured value; and a graphic display
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 8427407
    Abstract: An on-vehicle display apparatus with an increased flat display size. The on-vehicle display apparatus includes a flat display capable of displaying various types of information, a light-transmitting substrate provided on a front-face side of the flat display, a pointer provided in the light-transmitting substrate, and a pointer drive means provided on a back-face side of the flat display. The pointer drive means rotates the pointer. The apparatus further includes a movement mechanism for moving the light-transmitting substrate to the outside of a display range. A first magnet is provided for the pointer, and a second magnet is provided for the pointer drive means and is configured to be opposite to first magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Masuda, Tatsuki Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20130092078
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an indicating device, in particular for a motor vehicle, which comprises a dial, a first needle and a second needle, the first needle being rotated in front of the dial and about a rotational axis, the second needle being rotated behind the dial and about the rotational axis, the second needle comprising an end portion visible along the periphery of the dial, the end portion including at least one first marking element and one second marking element, the first marking element and the second marking element being separated along the circumference of the dial, the indicating device comprising a means of illuminating the end portion of the second needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventor: Sylvain Denise
  • Patent number: 8400288
    Abstract: An operator configurable vehicle instrument panel with the ability to provide both analog and digital style outputs, and more particularly to an instrument panel configured to provide a digital style display in a first state and an analog state display in a second state using a physical pointer that was not visible in the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Upton Beall Bowden, James P. Farell
  • Patent number: 8365681
    Abstract: An indicating instrument is provided in which a pointer is secured to pointer drive means by attraction force of magnets and the magnetic influence of the magnets can be reduced to improve the indication accuracy of the pointer. The indicating instrument has a display plate 21, a pointer 22 provided on the front-face side of the display plate 21, and pointer drive means provided on the back-face side of the display plate 21 for rotating the pointer 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Masuda
  • Patent number: 8365680
    Abstract: Provided is a pointer illumination structure which is simple, and in which a rotary part including a pointer body can be made lightweight. A containing cover 20 of a pointer movement 1 contains a rotation driving mechanism including a rotor 32 and an intermediate gear 33, an output gear 34, and so on. The rotation driving mechanism transmits rotation based on a measured amount to the output gear 34, and rotates a pointer body 10 supported by a bearing 22c, by way of the output gear 34. The bearing 22c rotatably supports a shaft 11 of the pointer body 10. A pointer 12 of the pointer body 10 indicates a measuring value according to rotation of the pointer body 10 around the shaft 11. A light source 13 is provided for illuminating the pointer 12 of the pointer body 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Taisei Fukuda, Tomohiro Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8356570
    Abstract: To provide an indicator apparatus in which a pointer is secured to a pointer drive means by attraction force of magnets and the pointer can be secured more tightly to prevent an overshoot and pulsation of the pointer. The indicator apparatus has a display plate 21, a pointer 22 provided on a front-face side of the display plate 21, a pointer drive means provided on a back-face side of the display plate 21 for rotating the pointer 22, a first magnet 22c in a ring shape provided for the pointer 22, and a second magnet 25a provided for the pointer drive means to be opposite to the first magnet 22c, in which the pointer 22 is rotated in association with rotation drive of the pointer drive means by attraction force of the first and second magnets 22c, 25a. A shaft portion 23 rotatably supporting the pointer 22 is located in the display plate 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Masuda, Tatsuki Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8347807
    Abstract: A dashboard indicator module including a rotating actuator including a hollow output shaft controlling movement of an indicator with a light conducting path, connected to a light source, diffusing a light at an angle, and a reduction gear set. The external diameter of the conducting path is between 2.6 and 5.5 millimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sonceboz SA
    Inventors: Daniel Sigg, Corinne Zuppigger-Lachat
  • Publication number: 20130000543
    Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] An indicator device and a light-guide member for achieving low cost by lightening both an indicator and an indicator plate by using one light source is provided. [Solution] A light-guide indicator 32 is provided with a base part 32a, and an indicator main body 32b extending along the indicator plate 31 from one end of the base part 32a. One end of a light-guide output axis 33a provided with a motor 33 is arranged opposite to the other end of the base part 32a, and the other end of the output axis is arranged opposite to a light source 34. A back side of the indicator plate 31 is provided with a light-guide member 35, and the light-guide member 35 is provided with a first recess 35a receiving the other end of the base part 32a and a second recess 35b receiving the one end of the output axis 33a. A bottom face 35a-1 of the first recess 35a is arranged tapered in such a way that the bottom face approaches the output axis 33a as approaches rotation axis of the output axis 33a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Masanobu Terao, Akihiro Oohata, Katsuma Sano
  • Patent number: 8344903
    Abstract: An instrumental device is provided which includes a variable display portion and a pointer moving around the variable display portion and achieves excellent response and resistance to vibration without complicating the shape of a member. The instrumental device has a display plate 21 having a variable display portion 21b, a pointer 23 moving around the variable display portion 21b, and pointer drive means 25, 26 provided on the back-face side of the display plate 21 for moving the pointer 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Ogasawara, Shuichi Nomizu, Toshiyuki Ohtake
  • Patent number: 8294561
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dashboard indicator module comprising, in a casing, a rotary motor, an output shaft, mechanical reduction device associated with the motor, at least one electrical supply coil, electrical connection tabs linked to the coils leaving the casing and electrical contact elements, characterized in that the electrical contact elements can be fitted on the connection tabs in order to produce solderless connectors on the printed circuit or even removed from the connection tabs in order to allow the connection tabs of the motor to be soldered directly to the printed circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Sonceboz Automative SA
    Inventors: Martin Strahm, Michael Geiser, Pierre Gandel, Guillaume Loussert
  • Publication number: 20120255483
    Abstract: Provided is an instrument driving device which can have improved marketability and designability by providing a new expression for a prompting operation. The instrument driving device is provided with an instrument (2) that displays vehicle information by causing a pointer to turn on a display board, and a display board lighting means (2d) for illuminating the display board. The instrument driving device is also provided with a control means (2a) for causing, in response to the input of a predetermined start signal, the instrument (2) to perform a prompting operation which is different from a normal operation, and as the prompting operation, activating at least the display board lighting means (2d), then gradually reducing the illumination such that the transition in brightness is nonlinear and the fading rate lessens over time. The predetermined start signal may be the ON or OFF of an electrical power switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: NIPPON SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Hiroe, Masaki Yamazoe
  • Patent number: 8225736
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: David Cook
  • Publication number: 20120048177
    Abstract: An instrument lighting device configured in such a manner that even index marks disposed away from the light sources can achieve sufficient luminance using a reduced number of light sources. An instrument lighting device comprising: a pointer needle (4) mounted to a drive shaft (2) of an instrument body (3); a display panel (6) having index marks (5); a light source (7b) for lighting the index marks (5); a reflecting surface section (9) for applying the light from the light source (7b) to the display panel (6); and a reflecting wall section (10) for guiding the light from the light source (7b) toward the reflecting surface section (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Tomono, Norihiro Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8111032
    Abstract: An indicating instrument for a vehicle includes a step motor including a field winding, a pointer, a stopper device for stopping the pointer, which is rotating in a zero-reset direction, at a stopper position, a detecting device for detecting induced voltage of the field winding at each of detecting points, a control device for performing zero-reset control, whereby a drive signal is controlled to rotate the pointer in the zero-reset direction. In a state of abnormal detection in which the induced voltage larger than a predetermined set value is detected at a zero point; and the induced voltage equal to or smaller than the set value is detected at a next detecting point to the zero point, the control device assumes synchronization loss of the step motor and continues the zero-reset control until an assumptive electrical angle corresponding to a rotational position of the pointer reaches the zero point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hideyuki Nakane
  • Patent number: 8102139
    Abstract: An indicating instrument includes a step motor having a field winding, a pointer, a reduction gear mechanism having gears, a stopper device for stopping the pointer at a stopper position, a detecting device for detecting induced voltage of the winding at each of detecting points that include a zero point corresponding to the stopper position, a control device for controlling a drive signal, and an updating device for updating the zero point based on the induced voltage during zero-reset control performed by the control device. The control device performs return control, whereby the pointer rotates to a return point in an indication value increasing direction and then returns to a waiting point in a zero-reset direction to stand by at the waiting point, prior to zero-reset control, whereby the pointer rotates from the waiting point in the zero-reset direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hideyuki Nakane
  • Patent number: 8067919
    Abstract: A drive control device and a drive control method for a stepping motor are provided to reduce the number of parts and generation of vibration and noise by a stepping motor. The drive control device controls a drive frequency of the stepping motor according to a measurement value inputted. The drive control device includes storage means for storing the resonance frequency of the stepping motor based on its resonance characteristic as an output-inhibited drive frequency and control means for calculating an instruction angle for operating a needle according to the measurement value, acquiring a first drive frequency of the stepping motor, judging whether the first drive frequency is the output-inhibited drive frequency, and deciding the drive frequency by replacing the first drive frequency with the second drive frequency which is lower than the output-inhibited drive frequency if the first drive frequency is the output-inhibited drive frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Sasaki, Yuji Oguro
  • Publication number: 20110179990
    Abstract: A monitoring unit for a measuring instrument (100) with a pointer (120) and a face (110), pointer (120) and face (110) having mutually differing reflection behaviors for light, comprising at least one first detecting means (210) with a light source (220) and a sensor (230), and at least one fastening means (250) for fastening the detecting means (210) on the measuring instrument (100), it being possible to arrange the detecting means (210) with the aid of the fastening means (250) such that the first sensor (230) can pick up light (228) reflected by the measuring instrument (100) that was emitted by the first light source (220).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Bundesanstalt fur Materialforschung und-prufung (BAM)
    Inventor: Remzi Zecirovic
  • Patent number: 7984688
    Abstract: A display device includes a first portion of a flexible ribbon, the first portion secured along the pointer and a bend portion of the flexible ribbon disposed between the first portion of the flexible ribbon and a first loop branch, the bend portion folded over one end of the pointer so that the bend portion and the first loop branch connected to the pointer both extend along a common plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Joël Fournier
  • Publication number: 20110139061
    Abstract: The invention relates to a backlit motor vehicle gauge such as a speedometer or a revolution counter, which gauge has a wall provided with translucent graduations disposed over a circular arc, one or more light-emitting elements (16) carried by a support plate (13), and a light guide (18) interposed between the support plate (13) and the graduated wall so as to diffuse the light emitted by the light-emitting elements (16) towards a back face of the graduated wall in order to illuminate all of the graduations. According to the invention, the light guide (18) is mounted to pivot IO about an axis (AX) passing through the center of the circular arc while having its position servo-controlled, and said light guide (18) carries a spot lighting member (28) situated radially at the same level as the circular arc so as to highlight a portion of the region carrying the graduations. The invention is applicable to gauges designed to equip motor vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Benoît BOX
  • Patent number: 7954965
    Abstract: A display for measured quantities can include a gauge with a set of indicia spaced around the gauge to indicate the measured quantities. A window can be formed in the gauge that extends along the set of indicia. An elliptical reflector can be positioned such that a first focus of the elliptical reflector is on the same axis as the center of the gauge with this axis perpendicular to the axis connecting the foci. An optical device can be mounted on a shaft and be arranged to redirect a light beam from a second foci of the elliptical reflector onto the elliptical reflector to generate a virtual pointer in the window. Means can be provided for turning the shaft to rotate the optical device. A light source can project the light beam onto the optical device. Rotation of the optical device can enable the virtual pointer to be selectively aimed at the set of indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Boyd, Kang Li, George Wu
  • Publication number: 20110114009
    Abstract: Provided is a pointer illumination structure which is simple, and in which a rotary part including a pointer body can be made lightweight. A containing cover 20 of a pointer movement 1 contains a rotation driving mechanism including a rotor 32 and an intermediate gear 33, an output gear 34, and so on. The rotation driving mechanism transmits rotation based on a measured amount to the output gear 34, and rotates a pointer body 10 supported by a bearing 22c, by way of the output gear 34. The bearing 22c rotatably supports a shaft 11 of the pointer body 10. A pointer 12 of the pointer body 10 indicates a measuring value according to rotation of the pointer body 10 around the shaft 11. A light source 13 is provided for illuminating the pointer 12 of the pointer body 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taisei Fukuda, Tomohiro Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7928859
    Abstract: A display for measured quantities can include a dial plaque with at least one set of indicia spaced around the plaque to indicate the measured quantities. An optical device can be mounted on a shaft within a perimeter of the dial plaque at a location surrounded by the indicia. The optical device can redirect an incident light beam onto the area of the set of indicia. A motor can turn the shaft to rotate the optical device through three-hundred-sixty degrees about an axis of rotation centered on the shaft. Apparatus can be provided for sensing the shaft rotating angular position. A light source can project a light beam on the optical device through the axis of rotation, such that a virtual pointer is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kang Li, Michael Boyd
  • Publication number: 20110061586
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Guoging Wang, Vyacheslav B. Birman, Ronald A. Struck
  • Patent number: 7887222
    Abstract: A vehicle display with a housing having a gauge port, an interior wall around the gauge port, and an appliqué port extending from an exterior side of the vehicle display and intersecting the gauge port. A light source provides light into the gauge port and directs the light outwardly from a front side of the housing. An appliqué has a first locking feature. The appliqué port at least partially receives the appliqué between the front side of the housing and the light source. The light from the light source illuminates a portion of the appliqué. The first locking features releasably engages a second locking feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcelo R Fanfa, Dimitri Baudon
  • Publication number: 20100263584
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display device having a first displaceable pointer, a second displaceable pointer, a light source, and a display surface, the first pointer and the light source being disposed on a side of the display surface facing away from the visible side, the first pointer and the light source being disposed such that light can be emitted from the first pointer toward the display device, and the second pointer being disposed on the visible side of the display surface, the display surface further being at least partially transparent in the region of the light emitted by the first pointer, such that the representation of the first pointer substantially corresponds to the representation of the second pointer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Manfred Süss
  • Patent number: 7810445
    Abstract: A gauge may employ a dial plate, a pointer shaft driven by a motor, a printed circuit board having a plurality of light sources, such as LEDs, and a motor. An upper pointer may be located on a viewed side of the dial plate and a lower pointer may be located on an unviewed side of the dial plate. The upper and lower pointers are attached to the pointer shaft. The lower pointer is positioned to receive light from the light source and direct the light into indicia and graduations of the dial plate, and into the upper pointer. An area surrounding the upper pointer is more brightly lit than other areas of the dial plate. A light-collecting ring may collect light and transmit light into the lower pointer. The ring may be an integral or attached part of the lower pointer or it may be a detached and separate piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jagadeesh Krishnamurthy
  • Patent number: 7810444
    Abstract: A configurable gauge apparatus includes a flat panel display (FPD) for displaying a user-defined gauge face, a transparent panel spaced from the FPD through which the displayed gauge face is viewed, and a mechanical pointer disposed between the FPD and the transparent panel for indicating a current value of a parameter of interest. The pointer includes a stem and a hub that rotatably supports the stem, and the hub is mounted on the FPD or the transparent panel. Pointer position is regulated either magnetically with a pointer magnet and a magnetic field generator disposed behind the FPD, or electrically with a motorized hub activated with transparent conductors formed on the FPD or transparent panel. The stem of the pointer is illuminated by either the FPD, or a hub-mounted LED activated with transparent conductors. Transparent conductors are also used to form a sensor array for detecting pointer position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel F. Sultan, David K. Lambert
  • Publication number: 20100236471
    Abstract: A gauge can include a face plate and an indication area disposed about a gauge center. The indication area can have a shape that can be defined by a bottom boundary, a top boundary, and first and second ends joining respective ends of the top and bottom boundaries. The top and bottom boundaries can be spaced apart from the gauge center by first and second radial distances. The indication area can be angled rearward relative to the face plate with the top boundary being spaced rearward from the face plate. A plurality of indicia can be disposed on the face plate. The gauge can further include a laser system disposed behind a rear side of the face plate and arranged to rotate and reflect a laser beam to a position adjacent or relative to a specific one of the plurality of indicia based on a signal output from a sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: David Cook
  • Publication number: 20100186661
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: David Cook
  • Patent number: 7743726
    Abstract: An indication instrument with improved illumination efficiency. The indication instrument has an indication panel (100), an indication plate (200) on which index parts (201) are disposed along the outer periphery of the indication panel (100), a pointer (11) for indicating the index parts (201), a drive source (7) for driving the pointer (11), and an indication plate light source (light source) (700) for illuminating the indication plate (200). The pointer (11) is routed around the rear of the indication panel (100) to reach the front of the indication plate (200). The indication instrument further comprises a frame (300) for joining to each other the indication panel (100), the indication plate (200), and the light source (700). An illumination chamber (R1) for guiding the light of the light source (700) to the indication plate (200) is formed in the frame (300).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takaki Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20100154700
    Abstract: A pointer for an instrument panel having an enlarged central display area substantially free from obstruction from the pointer as it rotates about an axis located within the central display area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Dale O. Cramer, Stephen Lee Betts, Pascal Guirauton
  • Patent number: 7722202
    Abstract: A meter has a liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel is adapted to display a dial picture image thereon. A backlight illuminates the liquid crystal display panel. A movement is located in front of a front surface of the liquid crystal display panel. A semi-translucent panel covers the front surface of the liquid crystal display panel. A pointer is pivotably supported by the movement in such a manner that the semi-translucent panel is located between a pivotal trajectory plane of the pointer and the liquid crystal display panel. The semi-translucent panel enhances a contrast between the dial picture image and a background image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shunya Tsurumi, Seigo Tane, Satoshi Sugiura
  • Patent number: 7721672
    Abstract: An electrically illuminating indicator needle and a light guiding member therefor that allow such a control as length of the needle can be varied while undergoing less unevenness in luminance and can be manufactured at a lower cost are provided. The electrically illuminating indicator needle comprises a plurality of planes of incidence, a plurality of light reflecting surfaces disposed to correspond to the planes of incidence so as to reflect light coming from the planes of incidence, a light guiding member disposed to correspond to the light reflecting surfaces so as to cause the light reflected on the light reflecting surfaces to emerge, and a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed to oppose the planes of incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Nichia Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Nakano, Hitoshi Nojiri, Ryosuke Wakaki
  • Publication number: 20100083894
    Abstract: An instrument cluster includes a gauge with selectively and visually variable features to communicate vehicle information to a vehicle operator. A border is illuminatable by colored LED assemblies to provide an indication of the range of a vehicle operating condition. A pointer assembly is also selectively illuminatable to provide a visual reference of a specific operating condition that is responsive and varies depending on a specific current operating condition. A digital display within the gauge includes telltales that are also selectively illuminatable and visually variable, responsive to specific operating conditions to communicate not only a problem or an issue with a specific feature but also a range or magnitude of alert to the vehicle operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventors: Vyacheslav B. Birman, Marcus Moll, Ronald A. Struck, Werner Eckardt, Heath D. Zietz
  • Publication number: 20100071611
    Abstract: A gauge may employ a dial plate, a pointer shaft driven by a motor, a printed circuit board having a plurality of light sources, such as LEDs, and a motor. An upper pointer may be located on a viewed side of the dial plate and a lower pointer may be located on an unviewed side of the dial plate. The upper and lower pointers are attached to the pointer shaft. The lower pointer is positioned to receive light from the light source and direct the light into indicia and graduations of the dial plate, and into the upper pointer. An area surrounding the upper pointer is more brightly lit than other areas of the dial plate. A light-collecting ring may collect light and transmit light into the lower pointer. The ring may be an integral or attached part of the lower pointer or it may be a detached and separate piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Jagadeesh Krishnamurthy
  • Patent number: 7681517
    Abstract: A pointer for an instrument panel which is actively lighted and, more specifically, an actively lighted pointer including a flex circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ritthaler, Michael J. Luettgen
  • Publication number: 20100064962
    Abstract: An illuminated gauge assembly includes a top surface of a light housing that includes a scale and a light guide that extends through the light housing for distributing light onto the surface of the top surface. A single light source is disposed below the light housing and directs through the light guide onto the top surface of the light housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Vyacheslav B. Birman, Yang Yang
  • Patent number: 7675428
    Abstract: An indicating instrument for a vehicle may employ an analog type lighted pointer arranged on a rotatable, circular shaped pointer disk, a liquid crystal display arranged over the pointer disk, and a first dial with indicia located outboard of or adjacent to and/or inboard of the LCD. A second or inboard dial may be located over the liquid crystal display. The pointer disk may be a translucent light collector for the pointer yet also transmit light to provide backlighting for the LCD. Depending upon the analog gauge arrangement, the pointer may point outboard of the pointer disk or toward the LCD center. The dials, especially the second dial, may be in the shape of rings to permit viewing of the LCD from the perspective of a viewer, such as a vehicle driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Silviu Pala, Reben Werman
  • Publication number: 20100050927
    Abstract: A configurable gauge apparatus includes a flat panel display (FPD) for displaying a user-defined gauge face, a transparent panel spaced from the FPD through which the displayed gauge face is viewed, and a mechanical pointer disposed between the FPD and the transparent panel for indicating a current value of a parameter of interest. The pointer includes a stem and a hub that rotatably supports the stem, and the hub is mounted on the FPD or the transparent panel. Pointer position is regulated either magnetically with a pointer magnet and a magnetic field generator disposed behind the FPD, or electrically with a motorized hub activated with transparent conductors formed on the FPD or transparent panel. The stem of the pointer is illuminated by either the FPD, or a hub-mounted LED activated with transparent conductors. Transparent conductors are also used to form a sensor array for detecting pointer position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Michel F. Sultan, David K. Lambert
  • Patent number: 7669545
    Abstract: An indicator for a vehicle instrument cluster is provided. The indicator includes a dial configured to guide light from a light source to a pointer which further guides the light so that it is visible by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Joël Fournier
  • Publication number: 20100043697
    Abstract: To provide an indicator apparatus in which a pointer is secured to a pointer drive means by attraction force of magnets and the pointer can be secured more tightly to prevent an overshoot and pulsation of the pointer. The indicator apparatus has a display plate 21, a pointer 22 provided on a front-face side of the display plate 21, a pointer drive means provided on a back-face side of the display plate 21 for rotating the pointer 22, a first magnet 22c in a ring shape provided for the pointer 22, and a second magnet 25a provided for the pointer drive means to be opposite to the first magnet 22c, in which the pointer 22 is rotated in association with rotation drive of the pointer drive means by attraction force of the first and second magnets 22c, 25a. A shaft portion 23 rotatably supporting the pointer 22 is located in the display plate 21.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Hideki Masuda, Tatsuki Kawamura
  • Patent number: 7665857
    Abstract: An illumination device for an indicating needle includes a plurality of light sources, an indicating needle, a guiding member, and a luminance control unit. The indicating needle includes a needle body and a needle base. The base has an entrance surface and a reflection surface. A luminance control unit controls luminance of the light sources in response to turning of the indicating needle such that the luminance is lowest when a light emitted perpendicularly from a center of an emitting surface of the light source is reflected off a reflection surface's region which a longitudinal central line of the needle body intersects with, and that the luminance gradually increases as the light emitted by the light source from the center of the emitting surface thereof is reflected off a region that is more distant from the region which the longitudinal central line of the needle body intersects with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Harada, Masayuki Ogawa, Yoshiyuki Furuya
  • Patent number: 7665413
    Abstract: A pointer assembly includes the pointer and hub that are both illuminatable. The hub includes a main portion with a concave surface. A reflector is partially received within a slot through the concave surface and is supported on top of the hub. The reflector includes a reflective surface that directs light onto the concave surface. Light from a light source is directed by separate reflective surfaces on the pointer and the reflector to illuminate both the hub and the pointer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Vyacheslav B. Birman, Christian Tanguy
  • Patent number: 7637623
    Abstract: An example light guide assembly for illuminating a display of an instrument cluster includes a light receiving portion, a light propagating portion and a reflective surface between the light receiving portion and the light propagating portion. The light receiving portion extends along a first axis, and the light propagating portion extends along a second axis which is transverse to the first axis. The reflective surface includes a stepped surface transverse to the reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Taochuan Bruce Wang, Vyacheslav B. Birman, Werner Eckardt
  • Publication number: 20090316382
    Abstract: An illuminated instrument cluster utilizes a single light emitting diode to backlight the entire dial surface. The LED is aligned with a light guide then directs light into a cavity of a light housing. The cavity includes a surface that reflects light upwardly onto a back surface of the dial face to provide the desired illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventors: Vyacheslav B. Birman, Christian Tanguy
  • Patent number: 7624699
    Abstract: The pointer illuminator includes: an optically transparent pointer member having a reflecting surface for a pointer, which surface reflects, light incident on a predetermined surface of incidence and guides the light to a tip of the pointer; a light source arranged around a drive shaft of the pointer member; and an optically transparent light-guiding member, which guides light from the light source to the surface of incidence and includes a first light-guiding reflecting surface provided on a face of the light-guiding member, an angle which the face forms with a center axis of the light source becoming smaller as the face leaves the light source so that the first light-guiding reflecting surface reflects the light from the light source to convert the light into approximately parallel light rays, whereby the light-guiding member guides the parallel light rays to the surface of incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Harada, Yoshiyuki Furuya
  • Publication number: 20090277375
    Abstract: A vehicle display with a housing having a gauge port, an interior wall around the gauge port, and an appliqué port extending from an exterior side of the vehicle display and intersecting the gauge port. A light source provides light into the gauge port and directs the light outwardly from a front side of the housing. An appliqué has a first locking feature. The appliqué port at least partially receives the appliqué between the front side of the housing and the light source. The light from the light source illuminates a portion of the appliqué. The first locking features releasably engages a second locking feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Marcelo R. Fanfa, Dimitri Baudon
  • Publication number: 20090272313
    Abstract: An analog-style gauge for displaying the value of a parameter measured or sensed by a remote sensor. The gauge comprises an actuator having a selectively rotatable shaft and a pointer fixedly attached to the actuator shaft and capable of being internally illuminated by light directed into the pointer. A light source is disposed to direct light of at least two colors into the pointer. Control circuitry is operably connected to the actuator, the light source and a remote sensor. The control circuitry rotates the actuator shaft within a range of motion in response to signals received from the remote sensor indicative of changes in the value of the sensed parameter. The control circuitry changes the color of light directed into the pointer when the pointer reaches a pre-determined point within the range of motion, whereby the internal illumination of the pointer will change color when the pointer reaches a predetermined point within the range of motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Claudio R. Ballard, Jeff Seward
  • Publication number: 20090223437
    Abstract: An analog style gauge for a vehicle includes a face and a pointer that moves across the face to indicate a relative value of a parameter being measured, a bezel for mounting a lens over the face of the gauge and a lens formed entirely from a synthetic sapphire mounted in the bezel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: CLAUDIO R. BALLARD