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

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11326912-B2
Application number	US-201916375324-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 4, 2019
Priority date	Apr 6, 2018
Publication date	May 10, 2022
Grant date	May 10, 2022

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.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A pointer device for an indicator instrument, in particular for a vehicle; the device comprising:
a light-guide body, that is defined by a single piece, is made with light-guide material, has a rotation axis and comprises:
a) an external surface adapted to receive light from a light source;
b) a hub comprising a base surface and a light transmission portion, which axially ends with at least one light emission area, at the opposite axial side in respect to said base surface;
c) a pointer, which radially protrudes outwards from said hub;

a shield, that covers said base surface at least partially so as to block the light transmitted from said hub;
a cap, that is defined by a single piece separated from said light-guide body, is mounted on said hub in a fixed position, and comprises:
d) an intermediate portion radially arranged inwards in respect to said light transmission portion; and
e) a lateral portion that surrounds said light transmission portion;

said cap further comprising:
at least one through opening radially arranged between said intermediate portion and said lateral portion and aligned with said light emission area for allowing the light to exit through said cap;
a pair of connection portions disposed spaced from one another extending radially and joining said intermediate portion to said lateral portion;
wherein said light transmission portion comprises a pair of first end portions which are spaced apart from said pointer, in a circumferential direction, by first gaps disposed opposite to one another; said pair of connection portions engaging, respectively, said first gaps.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said light-guide body further comprises a tail that protrudes from said hub in a radial direction opposite to said pointer; said light transmission portion comprising a pair of fourth end portions that are separated from said tail, in a circumferential direction, by second gaps disposed opposite to one another; said cap comprising a further pair of connection portions engaging, respectively, said second gaps.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one through opening is radially delimited inwards by said intermediate portion and radially delimited outwards by said lateral portion; said pair of connection portions defining said at least one through opening in a circumferential direction.

4. The device according to claim 3 , wherein said lateral portion comprises a pair of second end portions defining between each other, in a circumferential direction, a first slit radially crossed by said pointer; said pair of connection portions joining said intermediate portion to said second end portions.

5. The device according to claim 4 , wherein said light-guide body further comprises a tail, that protrudes from said hub in an opposite radial direction to said pointer; said lateral portion comprises a pair of third end portions defining between each other, in a circumferential direction, a second slit radially crossed by said tail; said pair of connection portions joining said intermediate portion to said third end portions.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said hub comprises:
a cavity radially delimited by said light transmission portion;
a reflection portion that engages said cavity and is shaped in order to reflect light towards said pointer;
said cap comprising shielding walls arranged in said cavity so as to be radially interposed between said reflection portion and said light transmission portion.

7. The device according to claim 6 , wherein said light-guide body further comprises a tail that protrudes from said hub in an opposite radial direction to said pointer; said cap comprising a tooth, which protrudes into said cavity in order to engage a seat defined by said reflection portion and by said tail.

8. The device according to claim 6 , wherein said cap is fixed so as to axially hold said hub between said shield and said shielding walls.

9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said cap comprises a plurality of pins, which pass through respective first holes made through said base surface and are fixed to said shield.

10. The device according to claim 9 , wherein said pins engage respective second holes made through said shield and have respective ends which are arranged under said shield and are staked or enlarged so as to define a stop abutment for said shield.

11. The device according to claim 9 , wherein said pins protrude from said pair of connection portions.

Assignees

• Magneti Marelli Spa
• Marelli Europe Spa

Inventors

• Giusti Ruggero
• Mouard Sylvain
• Carlone Luca

Classifications

• B60K35/21

  using visual output, e.g. blinking lights or matrix displays · CPC title

• B60K35/60 Primary

  Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) · CPC title

• G01D13/28 Primary

  with luminescent markings · CPC title

• G01D13/265 Primary

  Pointers which conduct light · CPC title

• B60K2370/693

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic