With Means To Indicate Range Or Set Speed Patents (Class 116/62.3)
  • Patent number: 11326912
    Abstract: A pointer device for an indicator instrument, in particular for a vehicle, is provided with a light-guide body defined by a single piece, which, in use, receives light from a light source and has a hub and a pointer radially protruding from the hub; the hub has a surface covered by a shield and a light transmission portion, which, on the opposite side, ends with at least one light emission area; the device is provided with a cap defined by a single piece, which is separate from said light-guide body and has an intermediate portion and a lateral portion arranged in an inner and outer radial position, respectively, relative to the light transmission portion; the cap has at least one through opening aligned with the light emission area and connection portions extending radially and joining the intermediate portion to the lateral portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Marelli Europe S.p.A.
    Inventors: Ruggero Giusti, Sylvain Mouard, Luca Carlone
  • Patent number: 10222760
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece, including: a reciprocating hand which is provided to be rotatable only within a partial angle range of a circle; and a processor which acquires information according to an operation of the reciprocating hand, and makes the reciprocating hand perform a predetermined notification operation when a destination of the reciprocating hand is out of the angle range, the destination being determined on the basis of the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kosuke Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20150083035
    Abstract: The present invention relate to a method of rendering speed limit data on a vehicle speedometer (1). The vehicle speedometer (1) has a scale (3) and an indicator (5) for indicating the instantaneous speed of the vehicle. A set of speed limit data is received indicating an effective speed limit. A symbol (15) indicating the speed limit is displayed on the scale (3). The symbol (15) is positioned adjacent to a graduation mark (7) corresponding to the effective speed limit. The symbol (15) represents the road sign providing notification of the effective speed limit. The invention also relates a vehicle speedometer (1). Aspects of the Invention also relate to a computer system and a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Sebastian Paszkowicz, David Smith, Keith Talbot
  • Publication number: 20140182508
    Abstract: A speed displaying device is provided in a vehicle that travels to reach a set target speed, and displays a speedometer which indicates a speed of the vehicle. The speed displaying device includes a speedmeter having a scale and a controller that controls to display a pointer pointed position which indicates a position of current speed of the vehicle in the scale of the speedometer, a speed setting position which indicates a position of the target speed in the scale of the speedometer, and a speed difference region which indicates the size of the difference between the current speed and the target speed with an area on the speed meter. The speed difference region is displayed at a position near the scale of the speedometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Oishi
  • Patent number: 8065973
    Abstract: A panel for an indicating instrument has a base plate. The base plate has a line pattern with lines. The line pattern is defined by projections and grooves. A desired metal-like appearance is converted into a glossiness ratio Gp/Gv. The projections and grooves are formed at intervals and have at least one dimension in a direction perpendicular to the surface such that the surface has a predetermined glossiness ratio Gp/Gv. Gp is a glossiness measured in a direction parallel to an axis of at least one line. Gv is a glossiness measured in a direction perpendicular to an axis of at least one line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Ryo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7612660
    Abstract: Instruments or gauges arranged to provide feedback detectable by the peripheral vision of a driver when vehicle operating parameters, such as engine speed, temperature, pressure, and voltage, are in a critical range, include one or more of the following types of instruments or gauges and/or features: (a) a tachometer that not only includes a primary numeric display, but also a secondary display made up of a plurality of discrete lights of different colors, the colors indicating whether the engine speed of a vehicle is within a relatively narrow range of engine speeds acceptable for the roadway leading from a race track to service areas, known as “pit road,” the high and low limits of the range being adjustable to meet pit road requirements at different tracks; (b) an instrument or gauge having a background that illuminates to indicate critical sensor readings; (c) an instrument or gauge having improved handling of sensor abnormalities to prevent false readings; (d) a non-linear analog gauge for a motor vehicl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Inventors: John Timothy Sullivan, Steve Parks
  • Patent number: 7612683
    Abstract: An illuminated gauge includes a dial with at least first and second ranges of markings. The first range of markings indicates one type of vehicle information and the second range of markings indicates another type of vehicle information. A single motor is used to move a common pointer between the first and second ranges of markings. A selector is to be operated by a user to select between the different types of vehicle information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenichi Takato
  • Patent number: 7145309
    Abstract: Provided herewith is an improved scheme for parking a load such as an indicator pointer and calibrating its position in a system for controlling the position of the load. The system also has a stopper for physically impeding the load when it is to be parked. In one embodiment, a parking method involves driving the motor in a reduced torque mode to move the load toward the stopper, stopping the load at the stopper while the motor is driven in the reduced torque mode, and maintaining the motor in a reduced torque mode until transitioning to an insignificant torque mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Reiter, Peter J. Pinewski
  • Patent number: 6925959
    Abstract: The invention relates to an indicating instrument, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising an approximately circular scale (12), which is placed on a dial (5), provided for a physical quantity, and along which a pointer (10) can be displaced whereby being able to be rotatably driven about an axis of rotation. Additionally provided is a marking that indicates a particular area of the scale (12). The marking is placed on a part (27), which is situated underneath the plane of the dial (5) whereby enabling it to be rotatably driven about the axis or rotation of the pointer (10) into a control position. The dial (5) comprises, along the movement path of the marking, a window (13) through which the marking can be viewed from the front of the indicating instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Manfred Wehner
  • Patent number: 6910439
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicular meter, which can suppress the complication of structures of peripheral parts, when an operation shaft and an elastic member are to be supported, thereby to realize the cost reduction. The vehicular meter comprises: an indication element D3; a circuit board 5 arranged on the back of the indication element D3; and a manipulation mechanism S for switching pieces of information to be indicated by the indication element D3. The manipulation mechanism S includes: a switch element 11; an operation shaft 12 for activating the switch element 11; and an elastic member 13 for returning the operation shaft 12. This operation shaft 12 includes a push portion 161 for actuating the switch element 11; hook portions 171 and 172 inserted into a through hole 52 of the circuit board 5 to come into engagement with the back face of the circuit board 5; a flange portion 16 opposed to the circuit board 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideto Baba, Atsushi Fujita, Norihiro Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6771038
    Abstract: A method and system for calibrating a motor-driven instrument pointer (8) against a stop (5) without using feedback includes, in a first power state, driving the pointer (8) at full torque against the stop (5), then driving the pointer (8) against the stop at a reduced torque for a predetermined radial distance so at the pointer (8) is caused to be held against the stop (5). A third driving step, at reduced torque for a further predetermined radial distance, may be used in a second power state to move the pointer (8) against the stop (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Australian Arrow Pty Ltd
    Inventor: David McIntyre Fyfe
  • Patent number: 6718906
    Abstract: A dual scale gauge, such as a speedometer, for a motor vehicle. The gauge includes a mechanical indicator, an overlay, a first light source, and a second light source. The mechanical indicator moves in response to a sensed condition of the motor vehicle. The overlay is positioned behind the indicator. The overlay includes first and second scales that are only visible when illuminated. The first light source illuminates the first scale when the gauge is operated in a first mode. The second light source illuminates the second scale when the gauge is operated in a second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Quigley, Michael Blackard
  • Patent number: 6714126
    Abstract: A graduation board has an arc-shaped graduation portion and translucent graduations disposed along the graduation portion. A light emitting pointer is disposed on a front side of the graduation board and moves along the graduations. A plurality of LEDs that are disposed on a reverse side of the graduation board emits respective graduations. A control circuit controls an emission order of the LEDs according to the movement of the light emitting pointer when a key switch of the vehicle is turned on. As a result, the combination meter provides attractiveness and originality for the driver, when the key switch turns on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiki Wada
  • Publication number: 20040045494
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicular meter, which can suppress the complication of structures of peripheral parts, when an operation shaft and an elastic member are to be supported, thereby to realize the cost reduction. The vehicular meter comprises: an indication element D3; a circuit board 5 arranged on the back of the indication element D3; and a manipulation mechanism S for switching pieces of information to be indicated by the indication element D3. The manipulation mechanism S includes: a switch element 11; an operation shaft 12 for activating the switch element 11; and an elastic member 13 for returning the operation shaft 12. This operation shaft 12 includes a push portion 161 for actuating the switch element 11; hook portions 171 and 172 inserted into a through hole 52 of the circuit board 5 to come into engagement with the back face of the circuit board 5; a flange portion 16 opposed to the circuit board 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Hideto Baba, Atsushi Fujita, Norihiro Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6674497
    Abstract: A display device, in particular for a motor vehicle, having a pointer, a scale and an electrooptic display, it being possible to represent measured values on the scale in an analog fashion using the pointer, and at least one area of the electrooptic display being arranged along the movement path of the pointer. In order to provide a high level of information density while simultaneously making the display easy to read, the electrooptic display has a first display field which runs along at least one section of the movement path of the pointer and has display segments which can be actuated, and a second display field which can be actuated in an unrestricted way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventor: Peter Brandt
  • Patent number: 6600409
    Abstract: A self-contained accessory for an analog metering device such as a speedometer or tachometer. The accessory includes a sensor which is selectively adjustable to align with a plurality of positions in the range of movement of an output needle of the analog metering device. In the preferred embodiment, the sensor is alignable with gradation marks, e.g., miles per hour indicia on a speedometer, and the accessory provides a signal when a needle reaches a selected gradation. The signal is sent to a secondary device, such as a radar detector or central monitoring system. The signal may also be used to provide an indication that alerts a user that a selected gradation has been reached by an output needle of the analog metering device. The accessory attaches to a cover of the analog metering device and allows adjustment of sensor position without removal of the accessory from the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: Marc S. Cohen
  • Patent number: 6522381
    Abstract: A invention relates to a display device, in particular for a motor vehicle, having a pointer, a scale and an electrooptic display, it being possible to represent measured values on the scale in an analog fashion using the pointer, and at least one area of the electrooptic display being arranged along the movement path of the pointer. In order to provide a high level of information density while simultaneously making the display easy to read, the electrooptic display has a first display field which runs along at least one section of the movement path of the pointer and has display segments which can be actuated, and a second display field which can be actuated in an unrestricted way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventor: Peter Brandt