Indicating device with light-pickup configuration

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9933287-B2
Application number	US-201615052061-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 24, 2016
Priority date	Feb 24, 2016
Publication date	Apr 3, 2018
Grant date	Apr 3, 2018

Abstract

A pointer is rotational relative to the dial plate. The pointer includes a pointer shaft, which is non-opaque to conduct light therethrough. A driver unit includes a drive shaft coaxial with the pointer shaft. A light source emits light. A hub interconnects the pointer shaft with the drive shaft. The hub includes a light pickup, which is non-opaque to receive light from the light source and to conduct the light into the pointer shaft.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An indicating device comprising:
a dial plate;
a pointer rotational relative to the dial plate, the pointer including a pointer shaft, which is non-opaque;
a driver unit including a drive shaft coaxial with the pointer shaft;
a light source configured to emit light; and
a hub interconnecting the pointer shaft with the drive shaft, wherein
the hub includes a light pickup, which is non-opaque to receive light from the light source and to conduct the light into the pointer shaft, the light pickup is in a conical shape having a closed tip end and an open end,
the light pickup reduces in an outer diameter along an axial direction from the open end toward the closed tip end, and
the open end has a light receiving surface opposed to the light source, the hub includes a cover coupled with the light pickup, and
the cover is opaque, the cover includes a tubular portion and a collar portion,
the tubular portion has a tip tubular end and a base tubular end,
the tip tubular end is connected with the pointer shaft,
the base tubular end is connected with the light pickup, and
the collar portion is in a disc shape extending radially outward from the base tubular end.

2. The indicating device according to claim 1 , wherein
the light source includes a plurality of light source elements located on a radially outside of the drive shaft to surround the drive shaft.

3. The indicating device according to claim 2 , wherein
the open end is hollow and has a drive shaft hole into which the drive shaft is inserted.

4. The indicating device according to claim 1 , wherein
the closed tip end is chamfered to form a flat surface, and
the flat surface is opposed to a light receiving surface of the pointer shaft.

5. The indicating device according to claim 1 , wherein
the light pickup is configured to conduct light therethrough from the light receiving surface toward the closed tip end radially inward along the axial direction.

6. The indicating device according to claim 5 , wherein
the light receiving surface is in a ring-shaped tapered shape, and
the light receiving surface is convex at a center projected toward the light source.

7. The indicating device according to claim 5 , wherein
the light pickup has an external surface and an internal surface,
the external surface is configured to reflect light incident from the light receiving surface toward the internal surface, and
the external surface is configured to reflect the light incident from the external surface toward the closed tip end.

8. The indicating device according to claim 1 , wherein
the cover is molded of an opaque resin,
the light pickup is molded of a non-opaque resin, and
the cover and the light pickup are integrally molded together.

9. The indicating device according to claim 1 , wherein
the cover is molded of an opaque resin,
the light pickup is molded of a non-opaque resin, and
the cover and the light pickup are separate components and are coupled together.

10. The indicating device according to claim 1 , wherein
the cover includes a tubular portion and a body portion,
the tubular portion has a tip tubular end and a base tubular end,
the tip tubular end is connected with the pointer shaft,
the base tubular end is connected with the light pickup, and
the body portion is in a conical shape extending along an external surface of the light pickup.

11. The indicating device according to claim 10 , wherein
the hub is interposed between the light source and the pointer in the axial direction.

12. The indicating device according to claim 10 , wherein
the cover is molded of an opaque resin,
the light pickup is molded of a non-opaque resin, and
the cover and the light pickup are integrally molded together.

13. The indicating device according to claim 10 , wherein
the cover is molded of an opaque resin,
the light pickup is molded of a non-opaque resin, and
the cover and the light pickup are separate components and are coupled together.

14. A dial gauge comprising:
a dial plate;
a pointer rotational relative to the dial plate, the pointer including a pointer shaft, which is non-opaque;
a driver unit including a drive shaft coaxial with the pointer shaft;
a light source configured to emit light; and
a hub interconnecting the pointer shaft with the drive shaft, wherein
the hub includes a light pickup, which is non-opaque to receive light from the light source and to conduct the light into the pointer shaft, the light pickup is in a conical shape having a closed tip end and an open end,
the light pickup reduces in an outer diameter along an axial direction from the open end toward the closed tip end, and
the open end has a light receiving surface opposed to the light source, the hub includes a cover coupled with the light pickup, and
the cover is opaque, the cover includes a tubular portion and a collar portion,
the tubular portion has a tip tubular end and a base tubular end,
the tip tubular end is connected with the pointer shaft,
the base tubular end is connected with the light pickup, and
the collar portion is in a disc shape extending radially outward from the base tubular end,
the collar portion has a surface in an annular shape, and
the surface is opposed to the light source.

15. A dial gauge indicator comprising:
a dial plate;
a pointer rotational relative to the dial plate, the pointer including a pointer shaft, which is non-opaque;
a driver unit including a drive shaft coaxial with the pointer shaft;
a light source configured to emit light; and
a hub interconnecting the pointer shaft with the drive shaft, wherein
the hub includes a light pickup, which is non-opaque to receive light from the light source and to conduct the light into the pointer shaft, the light pickup is in a conical shape having a closed tip end and an open end,
the light pickup reduces in an outer diameter along an axial direction from the open end toward the closed tip end, and
the open end has a light receiving surface opposed to the light source, the hub includes a cover coupled with the light pickup, and
the cover is opaque, the cover includes a tubular portion and a collar portion,
the tubular portion has a tip tubular end and a base tubular end,
the tip tubular end is connected with the pointer shaft,
the base tubular end is connected with the light pickup, and
the collar portion is in a disc shape extending radially outward from the base tubular end, the collar portion has a periphery in a ring shape, and
the periphery is opposed to the dial plate in the axial direction.

Assignees

• Denso Int America Inc
• Denso Corp

Inventors

• Simpson Austin
• Kunitachi Ryo
• Krishnamurthy Jagadeesh

Classifications

• G01D11/28

  Structurally-combined illuminating devices · CPC title

• G01D13/28 Primary

  with luminescent markings · CPC title

• G01D13/265

  Pointers which conduct light · CPC title

• G01D13/02

  Scales; Dials · CPC title