Illumination ring in pointer hub

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9404772-B2
Application number	US-201314086196-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 21, 2013
Priority date	Nov 21, 2013
Publication date	Aug 2, 2016
Grant date	Aug 2, 2016

Abstract

A pointer assembly for a gauge is disclosed and includes a pointer including a pointer arm extending from a pointer base and a crown attached to the pointer body including an illuminatable ring. A cap is mounted over the pointer and the crown and includes a first slot revealing the illuminatable ring and a second slot revealing a portion of the pointer arm.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A pointer assembly for a gauge comprising:
a pointer including a pointer arm extending from a pointer base;
a crown attached to the pointer base including an illuminatable ring; and
a cap mounted over the pointer and the crown, the cap including a first slot revealing the illuminatable ring.

2. The pointer assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the crown comprises a translucent material and includes an inner light guide for propagating light to the illuminatable ring.

3. The pointer assembly as recited in claim 2 , wherein the light guide comprises an L-shape with a first portion including a light receiving surface and a second portion transverse to the first portion including the illuminatable ring.

4. The pointer assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein an angle between the first portion and the second portion is less than about forty-five (45) degrees.

5. The pointer assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein the light receiving surface is disposed at an angle of about forty-five degrees (45) to the first second portion.

6. The pointer assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein the crown comprises a bottom surface having a matte finish for reducing illumination.

7. The pointer assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the cap includes an arm portion that covers the pointer arm and includes a second slot revealing a portion of the pointer arm.

8. The pointer assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the pointer arm includes a bottom surface that tapers upward toward a top surface in a direction toward a distal tip of the pointer arm.

9. The pointer assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the pointer base includes a reflective surface for propagating light into the pointer arm.

10. The pointer assembly as recited in claim 1 , including a shroud including a shroud body supporting the pointer and crown and a shroud stem for attachment to a rotary element to provide rotation about an axis.

11. The pointer assembly as recited in claim 10 , wherein the cap includes pins that extend through openings in the crown and pointer for attachment to the shroud.

12. A gauge assembly comprising:
a gauge surface including graphic indicative of a vehicle operating parameter;
a pointer including an arm extending from a base;
a crown attached to the base including an illuminatable ring; and
a cap mounted over the pointer and the crown, the cap including a first slot revealing the illuminatable ring.

13. The gauge assembly as recited in claim 12 , wherein the crown comprises a translucent material and includes an inner light guide for communicating light to the illuminatable ring.

14. The gauge assembly as recited in claim 13 , wherein the light guide comprises an L-shape with a first portion including a light receiving surface and a second portion transverse to the first portion including the illuminatable ring.

15. The gauge assembly as recited in claim 14 , wherein an angle between the first portion and the second portion is less than about forty-five (45) degrees.

16. The gauge assembly as recited in claim 15 , wherein the light receiving surface is disposed at an angle of about forty-five degrees (45) to the first second portion.

17. The gauge assembly as recited in claim 12 , wherein the cap includes an arm portion over covering the pointer arm and including a second slot revealing the a part of the arm portion.

18. The gauge assembly as recited in claim 12 , wherein the pointer arm includes a bottom surface that tapers upward toward a top surface in a direction toward a distal tip of the pointer arm.

19. The gauge assembly as recited in claim 12 , including a shroud including a shroud body supporting the pointer and crown and a shroud stem for attachment to a rotary element to provide rotation about an axis.

20. The gauge assembly as recited in claim 19 , wherein the cap includes pins that extend through openings in the crown and pointer for attachment to the shroud.

21. The gauge assembly as recited in claim 19 , including a stepper motor driving a shaft attached to the shroud stem.

22. The gauge assembly as recited in claim 12 , including a light source directing light into the pointer and the crown.

23. The gauge assembly as recited in claim 22 , wherein the gauge surface comprises a substantially transparent portion about an axis rotation of the pointer through which light is propagated into the pointer and crown.

24. The gauge assembly as recited in claim 22 , wherein the gauge surface includes an opening about an axis or rotation of the pointer through which light is transmitted into the pointer and crown.

Assignees

• Continental automotive systems inc

Inventors

• Sherman Matthew Scott
• Carrel Michael E
• Birman Vyacheslav

Classifications

• G01D11/28 Primary

  Structurally-combined illuminating devices · CPC title

• G01D13/265

  Pointers which conduct light · CPC title

• B60K2360/6992

  Light conducting pointers · CPC title