Pointer device for an indicator instrument, in particular for a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10584985-B2
Application number	US-201615388854-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 22, 2016
Priority date	Dec 28, 2015
Publication date	Mar 10, 2020
Grant date	Mar 10, 2020

Abstract

A pointer device has a light-guiding body, including a shaft, a hub coaxial with the shaft and having a rear surface covered by a shield, and a pointer, which projects radially from the hub. A cap is defined by at least one piece separate from the light-guiding body and is mounted on the hub in a fixed position. The hub has an emitting surface, a first reflecting surface configured to reflect and direct a first light flow from the shaft to the pointer, and at least a second reflecting surface, which is configured to reflect and direct a second light flow from the shaft to the emitting surface and is, at least in part, set apart from the first reflecting surface. The cap has at least one light-permeable area, aligned with the emitting surface, and a barrier arranged radially between the emitting surface and the first reflecting surface.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A pointer device for an indicator instrument for a vehicle, the device comprising:
a body, which is defined by a single piece, is made of a light-guiding material and comprises:

a) a shaft having an axis and comprising a free surface for receiving light from a light source;
b) a hub, which is coaxial with said shaft and has an external surface comprising a rear surface facing said shaft;
c) a pointer, which projects radially outwards from said hub;
a shield, which covers said rear surface so as to block the light emitted, in use, by said rear surface; and
a cap, which is defined by at least one piece separate from said body and is mounted on said hub in a fixed position;

wherein the external surface of said hub further comprises:
an emitting surface;
a first reflecting surface configured to reflect and direct a first light flow from said shaft to said pointer; and
at least a second reflecting surface, which is configured to reflect and direct a second light flow from said shaft to said emitting surface and comprises at least one area set apart from said first reflecting surface;

and wherein said cap defines at least one light-permeable passageway aligned with said emitting surface, to let the second light flow pass to the outside;
said hub comprising a portion, which radially delimits a recess, open at an axial end of the hub;
said portion axially ending at said emitting surface so as to guide said second light flow to said emitting surface;
said cap comprising an arcuate appendage disposed about said axis of said shaft, said appendage arranged in said recess between said emitting surface and said first reflecting surface in such a manner to define a barrier suitable to block the part of the light that, in use, leaves the hub via said first reflecting surface into said recess in order not to reach said emitting surface.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said appendage projects axially and is arranged radially between said emitting surface and said first reflecting surface.

3. The device according to claim 2 , wherein:
said cap comprises a front wall that axially closes said recess; and
said appendage protrudes into said recess from said front wall.

4. The device according to claim 3 , wherein said appendage has an axial size such that it completely engages said recess.

5. The device according to claim 3 , wherein said appendage has an angular size about said axis so as to completely engage said recess.

6. The device according to claim 3 , wherein said first and second reflecting surfaces are arranged in said recess.

7. The device according to claim 6 , wherein the external surface of said hub further comprises a third reflecting surface configured to reflect and direct said second light flow from said second reflecting surface to said emitting surface.

8. The device according to claim 7 , wherein said portion starts at said third reflecting surface and ends at said emitting surface so as to guide said second light flow without further reflections.

9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said cap comprises a single piece made of a transparent material and an opaque coating placed on said transparent material so as to leave at least one uncovered transparent portion defining said passageway.

10. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said cap is made of an opaque material and comprises a first and a second portion arranged in positions so as to delimit between them at least one gap defining said passageway.

11. The device according to claim 10 , wherein said first and second portions are respectively defined by a first and a second part, separated from each other and mutually coaxial.

12. The device according to claim 11 , wherein said first part is fastened directly to said hub by a snap connection or by an interference fit.

Assignees

• Magneti Marelli Spa

Inventors

• Mouard Sylvain
• Carlone Luca

Classifications

• G01D13/265

  Pointers which conduct light · CPC title

• G01D13/22 Primary

  Pointers, e.g. settable pointer · CPC title

• G01D11/28 Primary

  Structurally-combined illuminating devices · CPC title

• B60K2370/331

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• B60K35/00

  Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles · CPC title