Including Stop Means For Pointer Patents (Class 116/297)
  • Patent number: 10563380
    Abstract: A front linkage for a construction machine which can uniquely calculate the rotation angle of the work tool relative to the arm and which can prevent the angle detection device from being damaged by contact with the soil during digging. The front linkage has an arm, a first link pivotally connected at one end to the front end side of the arm, and at the other end to one end of a second link, and a work tool which is pivotally connected to the other end of the second link and which is pivotally connected to the arm in a further front end side than the one end portion of the first link. The first link is positioned outward along the outer width of the side wall of the arm. An angle detecting device for detecting the rotation angle of the first link relative to the arm may comprise a magnet disposed on an inner surface of the first link and a magnetic detector disposed on the side wall outer surface of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Kunitomo Shimizu, Hirokazu Koga, Shuichi Takada, Kenji Yokohata, Yusuke Kimura
  • Patent number: 9010267
    Abstract: A center-less pointer type display apparatus includes a pointer moving device having a pointer section and a carrying section, and a containing case having a case body and a dial plate. A pointer accommodated in the containing case indicates a scale on the dial plate. The carrying section has a guide rail and a wire. A spring is interposed between a first support member and a second support member of the pointer section so that a lower portion and an upper portion of the spring push the first support member and the second support member respectively, and thereby holding an upper portion and a lower portion of the guide rail respectively. A wire fixing section is provided at an intermediate portion of the pointer section on a line connecting the upper pulley and the lower pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Katsumata
  • Patent number: 8166907
    Abstract: The invention provides a display instrument, particularly for a motor vehicle, having an indicator that is rotatable about a rotational axis, wherein the indicator has an inner first region that is radial with regard to the rotational axis and that is not visible to a user, and an outer second region that is radial with regard to the rotational axis and that is visible to a user, wherein at a radial distance from the rotational axis an additional mounting of the indicator and/or a stop for receiving tilting moments positioned substantially perpendicular on the rotational axis are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive
    Inventors: Kristian Engel, Manfred Süss, Martin Mayer
  • Publication number: 20110100290
    Abstract: A meter system includes: an indicator including a pointer, a step motor, a stopper mechanism and a driving controller; and a flasher function unit including a flasher switch, a flasher and a flasher controller. The driving controller has: a stopper position detection operation executing element for executing a pointer moving away operation when a stopper position detection operation executing condition is satisfied and for executing a voltage detection type zero point stopper position detection operation when the executing condition is satisfied, and the flasher switch does not turn on and off, and a zero point return enforcement type zero point stopper position detection operation when the executing condition is satisfied, and the flasher switch turns on and off; a zero point setting element; and an applying element for applying the driving signal having the zero point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyuki Nakane, Masaaki Niwa, Takashi Mizutani, Hironori Watarai, Teruyuki Anjima
  • Publication number: 20100251954
    Abstract: There is provided a method of returning a pointer driven by a motor to an origin point disposed between a starting point and an endpoint of a movement range of the pointer, the method comprising the steps of: moving the pointer from an arbitrary point in the movement range to a reference point that is away from the starting point by not less than a distance between the starting point and the origin point; thereafter moving the pointer from the reference point toward the starting point; detecting the pointer by a sensor at a detection point whose relative position with respect to the origin point is known; and stopping, when the pointer at the detection point is detected, the pointer moving from the reference point toward the starting point at a predetermined point of time based on timing of the detection of the pointer at the detection point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihisa YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20100192836
    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: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideyuki Nakane
  • Patent number: 7730848
    Abstract: The invention relates to an indicator apparatus (1) having a ring pointer (2), which is mounted such that it can move in the circumferential direction (5), and having a drive unit (3), which drives the ring pointer (2) in the circumferential direction (5), wherein the ring pointer (2) interacts with a stop (10) in a manner limited in terms of its circumferential movement. Particularly in the case of synchronization, radial disengagement often occurs in conventional ring pointer arrangements, and the aim of the invention is to prevent this. In order to solve the problem, the invention proposes arranging the stop (10) directly next to the drive unit (3). The critical advantage of this is that the tangential force on the ring pointer (2) from the drive unit generates an only small disengagement moment on the ring pointer (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: VDO Automotive AG
    Inventor: Axel Förster
  • Publication number: 20100058976
    Abstract: The invention provides a display instrument, particularly for a motor vehicle, having an indicator that is rotatable about a rotational axis, wherein the indicator has an inner first region that is radial with regard to the rotational axis and that is not visible to a user, and an outer second region that is radial with regard to the rotational axis and that is visible to a user, wherein at a radial distance from the rotational axis an additional mounting of the indicator and/or a stop for receiving tilting moments positioned substantially perpendicular on the rotational axis are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Mayer, Kristian Engel, Manfred Süss
  • Publication number: 20090056617
    Abstract: The invention relates to an indicator apparatus (1) having a ring pointer (2), which is mounted such that it can move in the circumferential direction (5), and having a drive unit (3), which drives the ring pointer (2) in the circumferential direction (5), wherein the ring pointer (2) interacts with a stop (10) in a manner limited in terms of its circumferential movement. Particularly in the case of synchronization, radial disengagement often occurs in conventional ring pointer arrangements, and the aim of the invention is to prevent this. In order to solve the problem, the invention proposes arranging the stop (10) directly next to the drive unit (3). The critical advantage of this is that the tangential force on the ring pointer (2) from the drive unit generates an only small disengagement moment on the ring pointer (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Axel Forster
  • Patent number: 7435890
    Abstract: A tuning device includes a pitch extraction device with which the pitch of an input signal is extracted and a deviation detection device with which the deviation of the pitch that has been extracted by the pitch extraction device from a standard pitch is detected. The deviation that has been detected by the deviation detection device is displayed by an indicator of a mechanical meter. The tuning device also includes an ultrasonic motor that drives the indicator. A controller drives the ultrasonic motor in conformance with the deviation that has been detected by the deviation detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 6741184
    Abstract: An apparatus and method sensing the absolute position of a gauge. A pointer having a predefined rotation with a circular travel pattern. At least one light emitting diode that generates an optical signal. An optical sensor placed in a fixed position along the circular travel pattern of the pointer. A pointer driver for driving the pointer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Miller, Raymond Lippmann, Ronald K. Selby, Gail M. Sylvester
  • Patent number: 5847531
    Abstract: A process for reducing the strength of an uncontrolled movement of a pointer driven by a stepper motor and abutting against a mechanical stop means when the stepper motor is switched off. Prior to the switch-off operation, the field strength of the magnetic field of the stepper motor is lowered, or the pointer is moved away from the stop means by a specified compensating angle of rotation. Alternatively, following the switch-off operation, the stepper motor is switched on again at least one time following a specified time span for a specified switch-on time span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Moto Meter GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Hoffsommer, Roland Steger, Bernhard Herzog
  • Patent number: 5650566
    Abstract: A pressure gauge includes a base portion on which a cap is mounted, the base portion having a first indicating needle rotatably disposed to a center thereof, a frame disposed to the base portion and having two tubes extending therefrom, two activating bars and a second indicating needle mounted to the two tubes, each of the two activating bars having an extending plate pivotally connected thereto, the cap having a setting device disposed thereto so as to rotate the second indicating needle together with a higher extending plate, the lower extending plate together with the first indicating needle moved to a position where the lower extending plate is magnetically connected to the higher extending plate so as to stop an increment of a pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventor: J. P. Chou
  • Patent number: 5190643
    Abstract: A lid assembly for a portable water treatment device of the type including a vessel with an opened upper end and a replaceable filter cartridge adapted to be contained therein. A lid assembly is adapted to be attached to the opened upper end of the vessel above the replaceable filter cartridge and operable to monitor the number of times the water treatment device is used. The lid assembly includes a housing having a central aperture therethrough communicating with the filter cartridge. A gate member is reciprocally movable between a position closing the aperture in the housing and a position opening the aperture in the housing. In the opened position, water to be treated may be poured into the filter cartridge through the aperture. Indicator means are provided and are movable incrementally in response to movement of the gate member. The indicator means move one increment during a cyclic movement of the gate member from the closed position to the opened position and back to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Mr. Coffee, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Kenneth Duncan, Wesley A. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 5062135
    Abstract: An indicating gauge for automobiles for displaying the amount of a measurement on a gauge board by a movement. The movement comprises a pair of coils for generating a combined magnetic field in response to a predetermined measurement amount, a magnet rotor having a rotation shaft rotating dependent on the generated magnetic field, a counter shaft rotatably disposed in parallel to the rotating shaft, a pointer mounted on the tip of the counter shaft, a rotation gear secured to the rotation shaft and a counter gear secured to the counter shaft. To fix the pointer to 0 position of the gauge board, a stopper is provided in the counter gear. This obviates the another stopper on the gauge board. The number of parts is reduced, and assembling the gauge can be done easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Ohike
  • Patent number: 4646007
    Abstract: The zero position in a sine cosine indicator for a tachometer is determined by a projection on the magnetized rotor arranged to encounter a stop projecting from the enclosing bobbin wall. A weak stationary secondary magnet is located adjacent the rotor with the magnetic axis of the secondary magnet rotated through an angle less than full scale from the magnetic axis of the rotor when the rotor is in the zero position. Alignment and crossover between the two magnetic axes is arranged to occur when the pointer associated with the rotor is approximately at midscale. Consequently any distortion of the scale to either side of the crossover point is in opposite directions and the overall appearance of the scale to the casual observer is linear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Inventor: Thomas G. Faria
  • Patent number: 4425864
    Abstract: A rotor for an electromagnetic indicator comprises a flat circular disk made of thin, pliable, nonmagnetic material. The disk has integral tabs extending out of diametrically opposite edges and a rib extends diametrically of the disk to outer ends of the tabs. The rib and tabs define T-shaped trunnions which engage in T-shaped slots in respective sides of a rotary magnet, and a journal block. The disk is fabricated from a single flat sheet having flat tabs extending outwardly of opposite edges. A V-shaped groove is made in the sheet extending centrally across the disk and tabs. Opposite sides of the groove are then brought together to form the rib with T-shaped trunnions at opposite edges of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: The Staver Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred Skrobisch