Backlit reflective pointer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-8935989-B2
Application number	US-201113077430-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 31, 2011
Priority date	Mar 31, 2011
Publication date	Jan 20, 2015
Grant date	Jan 20, 2015

Abstract

A gauge assembly defining an interior direction and an exterior direction includes a gauge faceplate having a plurality of indicators and a hub that is substantially opaque. The hub includes a hub reflective portion that generally faces toward the interior direction. The assembly additionally includes a pointer having a first portion adjacent the hub and a second portion spaced away from the hub. The pointer is operable to move relative to the gauge faceplate such that the second portion distinguishes between the plurality of indicators. The pointer is substantially opaque, and the second portion includes a pointer reflective portion that generally faces toward the exterior direction. Moreover, the assembly includes a light source that emits a light generally in the exterior direction. The light reflects from the hub reflective portion generally toward the pointer reflective portion. The light also reflects from the pointer reflective portion generally toward the exterior direction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A gauge assembly defining an interior direction and an exterior direction comprising:
a gauge faceplate having a plurality of indicators;
a hub that is substantially opaque, the hub including a hub reflective portion that generally faces toward the interior direction;
a pointer having a first portion adjacent the hub and a second portion spaced away from the hub, the pointer operable to move relative to the gauge faceplate such that the second portion distinguishes between the plurality of indicators, the pointer being a solid opaque member, the second portion including a flat planar pointer reflective portion that generally faces toward the exterior direction; and
a light source that emits a light generally in the exterior direction, the light reflecting from the hub reflective portion generally toward the pointer reflective surface, the light reflecting from the flat planar pointer reflective portion generally toward the exterior direction; wherein
the light source emits light through an opening in the gauge faceplate to travel along an unobstructed pathway from the hub reflective portion to the pointer reflective surface of the pointer; and
the pointer is a flat planar member defining the flat planar pointer reflective portion.

2. The gauge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hub and pointer are coupled to move together relative to the gauge faceplate.

3. The gauge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light source is fixed relative to the gauge faceplate, and wherein the pointer is operable to move relative to the light source.

4. The gauge assembly of claim 3 , wherein the light source is one of a plurality of first light sources, the plurality of first light sources each operable to emit a first light generally in the exterior direction, the first light reflecting from the hub reflective portion generally toward the flat planar pointer reflective portion, the first light reflecting from the flat planar pointer reflective portion generally toward the exterior direction, wherein the pointer is operable to rotate about an axis of rotation relative to each of the plurality of first light sources, and wherein the plurality of first light sources are spaced apart about the axis of rotation.

5. The gauge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light source is a first light source and further comprising a second light source that emits a second light that at least partially illuminates the gauge faceplate.

6. The gauge assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first light source and second light source emit different color lights.

7. The gauge assembly of claim 5 , wherein the gauge faceplate is at least partially translucent, and wherein the second light emits the second light generally in the exterior direction and through the gauge faceplate to at least partially illuminate the gauge faceplate.

8. The gauge assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a circuit board, wherein the light source is operably mounted to the circuit board, wherein the gauge faceplate includes an opening, and wherein the light source is operable to emit the light generally in the exterior direction through the opening, the light reflecting from the hub reflective portion generally toward the flat planar pointer reflective portion, the light reflecting from the flat planar pointer reflective portion generally toward the exterior direction.

9. The gauge assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a motor operable to drivingly rotate the pointer in rotation relative to the gauge faceplate, the motor including a shaft and the pointer including a base, the shaft being operably coupled to the base, at least one of the base and the shaft extending through the opening.

10. The gauge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the pointer is operable to rotate about an axis of rotation relative to the gauge faceplate to distinguish between the plurality of indicators, the second portion of the pointer and the light source being disposed on opposite sides of the axis of rotation.

11. The gauge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the pointer includes a plurality of arms, wherein an opening is defined between the plurality of arms, the flat planar pointer reflective portion, and the hub, wherein the gauge faceplate is viewable through the opening.

12. The gauge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hub includes a first portion, and wherein the hub reflective portion is removably coupled to the first portion of the hub.

13. The gauge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light source emits a light generally in the exterior direction, the light reflecting from the hub reflective portion, generally in a transverse direction along an exterior surface of the gauge faceplate and generally toward the flat planar pointer reflective portion, the light reflecting from the flat planar pointer reflective portion generally toward the exterior direction.

14. The gauge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hub reflective portion includes a hub reflective surface that is disposed at an acute angle relative to the exterior direction and the flat planar pointer reflective portion includes a flat planar pointer reflective surface that is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the exterior direction.

15. The gauge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flat planar pointer reflective portion is disposed at an acute angle relative to the exterior direction.

16. The gauge assembly of claim 1 , wherein an unobstructed passageway is defined between the hub and the pointer, the light travelling along the unobstructed passageway from the light source, to the hub reflective portion, and along the unobstructed passageway out from the hub toward the flat planar pointer reflective portion.

17. The gauge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flat planar pointer reflective surface is an outer surface of the pointer.

18. The gauge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light emitted by the light source does not travel through the pointer.

19. The gauge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the entire pointer is a solid opaque member.

20. The gauge assembly of claim 1 , wherein only the flat planar pointer reflective surface is illuminated by the light source.

21. The gauge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hub includes a top wall and a side wall extending from the top wall towards the gauge faceplate, the side wall defining a notch through which the pointer extends.

22. The gauge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flat planar pointer reflective surface extends from an end of the pointer opposite to the hub towards the hub.

23. A vehicle instrument cluster gauge assembly defining an interior direction and an exterior direction comprising:
a circuit board;
a gauge faceplate having a plurality of indicators and including an opening, the gauge faceplate having an exterior surface that extends in a transverse direction that is transverse to the exterior direction, the gauge faceplate being at least partially translucent;
a hub having a substantially opaque first portion and a hub reflective portion that is removably coupled to the first portion, the hub reflective portion generally facing toward the interior direction, the hub reflective portion including a hub reflective surface that is disposed at a first acute angle relative to the exterior direction;
a pointer having a first portion that is fixed to the hub and a second portion that extends radially away from the hub and that is spaced away from the hub, the pointer being a solid opaque member, the second portion of the pointer includi

Assignees

• Cook David
• Denso Int America Inc

Inventors

• Cook David

Classifications

• G01D13/265 Primary

  Pointers which conduct light · CPC title

• G01D11/28

  Structurally-combined illuminating devices · CPC title

• B60K2360/6992

  Light conducting pointers · CPC title