U.S. patent application number 09/268143 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-03 for indicating instrument with an illuminated pointer disposed behind the dial..
Invention is credited to BAUER, BENOIT, DOBLER, MICHAEL, POHLMANN, FRANK, TURCK, HEINZ, WILHELM, HEINZ GUNTHER, WOLLF, HELMUT, ZECH, STEPHAN.
Application Number | 20020001185 09/268143 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26044854 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020001185 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WILHELM, HEINZ GUNTHER ; et
al. |
January 3, 2002 |
INDICATING INSTRUMENT WITH AN ILLUMINATED POINTER DISPOSED BEHIND
THE DIAL.
Abstract
In an indicating instrument (1) with a translucent dial (8), an
illuminated pointer (4) is arranged, out of the viewing direction
of a viewer, behind the dial (8) on its rear, inner side (7). An
additional covering glass for protecting the pointer (4) can thus
be dispensed with.
Inventors: |
WILHELM, HEINZ GUNTHER;
(WIESBADEN, DE) ; DOBLER, MICHAEL; (BABENHAUSEN,
DE) ; BAUER, BENOIT; (SELIGENSTADDDT, DE) ;
TURCK, HEINZ; (KELKHEIM, DE) ; WOLLF, HELMUT;
(HOCHHEIM, DE) ; POHLMANN, FRANK; (SCHAAFHEIM,
DE) ; ZECH, STEPHAN; (ELTVILLE, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARTIN A FARBER
SUITE 473
866 UNITED NATIONS PLAZA
NEW YORK
NY
10017
|
Family ID: |
26044854 |
Appl. No.: |
09/268143 |
Filed: |
March 12, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/23.2 ;
362/489; 362/511 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01D 13/28 20130101;
G01D 11/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/30 ; 362/26;
362/489; 362/511 |
International
Class: |
G01D 011/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 12, 1998 |
DE |
19812549.6 |
Feb 5, 1999 |
DE |
19904597.6 |
Claims
1. An indicating instrument, in particular for a vehicle, having a
pointer, which is connected fixed in terms of rotation to a pointer
shaft and can be driven by the pointer shaft, a pointer
illumination and a dial, the dial having a scale for representing a
value of a variable shown by the pointer, wherein the dial (8, 16)
is translucent, and wherein the pointer (4) is arranged on the
opposite side of the dial (4) from a viewer.
2. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
dial (8, 16) is diffusely translucent.
3. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein
the surface of the outer side (9) and/or of the inner side (7) of
the dial (8, 16) is reflection-reducing.
4. The indicating instrument as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, wherein the surface of the outer side (9) of the dial (8,
16) is dull.
5. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
surface of the outer side (9) of the dial (8, 16) has a surface
coating which cures with a dull finish, or has a roughened
finish.
6. The indicating instrument as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, wherein the dial (8, 16) is an opal plate.
7. The indicating instrument as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, wherein the dial (8, 16) has a scale (13, 20) which is
arranged on the opposite side of the dial (8, 16) from the
viewer.
8. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
scale (13, 20) is engraved into the dial (8, 16).
9. The indicating instrument as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, wherein the pointer illumination has a light source (40)
which is connected fixed in terms of rotation to the pointer
(41).
10. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
light source (40) is arranged on a pointer vane of the pointer
(41).
11. The indicating instrument as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8,
wherein the pointer illumination has a fixed light source (2), and
wherein light (14) which is emitted by the light source (2) can be
injected into the pointer (4).
12. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 11, wherein a
light guide is arranged in the transmission path of the light (14)
which is emitted by the light source (2), between the light source
(2) and the pointer (4).
13. The indicating instrument as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, wherein the pointer (4) has a means for projecting onto a
region of the dial (8) the light beams (14) which are emitted by
the light source (2).
14. The indicating instrument as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, wherein the dial (8, 16) has an optical transparency which
is suitable for reading the unilluminated pointer (4, 41).
15. The indicating instrument as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, wherein the indicating instrument is a combination
instrument (43) having at least two displays (1, 21, 23).
16. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 15, wherein one
of the displays (1, 21, 23) is a pointer instrument (1) and a
further display is a screen (23), the dial (16) having a cut-out
(36) in the region of the screen (23).
17. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 16, wherein the
screen (23) is an LCD, and wherein the front polarizer of the LCD,
facing the viewer, has a reflection-reducing surface.
18. The indicating instrument as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, wherein the indicating instrument (1, 43) is inclined
downward with respect to the vertical in the direction of a
viewer.
19. The indicating instrument as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, wherein the scale (13, 20) is translucent.
20. The indicating instrument as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, wherein the main area (44) of the dial (16) is of a first
color and the scale (20) is of a second color, the main area (44)
of the dial (16) having a low transmission level when illuminated
with light of the color of the scale (20).
21. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 20, wherein a
light source (30, 31) is provided for transmissive illumination of
the dial (16), and wherein the color of the light source (30, 31)
corresponds approximately to the color of the scale (20).
22. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein
the pointer (4, 41) is illuminated with a color which corresponds
approximately to the color of the main area (44) of the dial
(16).
23. The indicating instrument as claimed in one of claims 20 to 22,
wherein the main area (44) of the dial (16) and the scale (20) each
have a high transmission level when illuminated with light of a
color which corresponds approximately to their respective
color.
24. The indicating instrument as claimed in one of claims 20 to 23,
wherein the color of the main area (44) of the dial (16) is red,
and the color of the scale (20) is blue.
25. The indicating instrument as claimed in one of claims 20 to 24,
wherein the colors of the main area (44) of the dial (16) and of
the scale (20) are printed onto the dial (16).
26. The indicating instrument as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, wherein the dial (16) has, in its regions outside displays
(1, 21, 23), a masked area (45) with a low transmission level.
27. The indicating instrument as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, wherein the dial (8, 16) has a scratch-resistant coating on
its outer side (9) facing the viewer.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to an indicating instrument, in
particular for a vehicle, having a pointer which is connected fixed
in terms of rotation to a pointer shaft and can be driven by a
pointer shaft, a pointer illumination and a dial, the dial having a
scale for representing a value of a variable which is indicated by
the pointer.
[0002] Indicating instruments of the above type are used, for
example, as speedometers or rev counters in contemporary motor
vehicles and are generally known. The dial of such a pointer
instrument has markings for numbers, symbols or scale graduation
markings which contrast with the other regions by their optical
transparency or their coloring. Such a blade is composed, for
example, of a colored, predominantly translucent film which is
applied to a light guide. Arranged behind the light guide is a lamp
as light source. Using the lamp, light is introduced into the light
guide and passes through the dial to a viewer. The pointer here has
a pointer shaft which is designed as a light guide and a pointer
vane which can be illuminated and is arranged so as to be capable
of rotating with this pointer shaft. Therefore, the viewer
perceives a pointer, which can be illuminated by means of a light
guide, in front of a completely illuminated dial.
[0003] A disadvantage with such a pointer instrument is that, for
protection against damage and harmful environmental influences, the
rotatably arranged pointer has to be arranged behind a cover plate
in order to protect it. This plate should be both totally
transparent and essentially free of reflections in order to ensure
that the dial can be read reliably. These requirements can be
fulfilled only by shaping the plate in a relatively complicated
way, which at the same time restricts the design possibilities of
the dashboard. Furthermore, it is disadvantageous that the cover
plate scratches easily, as a result of which it is more difficult
to read the dial and a less satisfactory impression is produced.
Moreover, it is disadvantageous that the known pointer instrument
has a large physical depth.
[0004] The invention is based on the problem of designing an
indicating instrument of the type mentioned at the beginning such
that is particularly simple and can be read satisfactorily. At the
same time, the installation space for the indicating instrument is
to be reduced.
[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention with an
indicating instrument of the type mentioned at the beginning by
virtue of the fact that the dial is translucent and the pointer is
arranged on the rear of the dial, on the opposite side from a
viewer. The cover plate which is necessary according to the prior
art can therefore be dispensed with owing to the arrangement of the
pointer in a protected position behind the dial. As a result, the
outlay on materials and the weight of the display instrument are
considerably reduced. In addition, the indicating instrument has a
very small installation depth, which is a great advantage in
particular in the case of indicating instruments which are provided
for installation in dashboards of motor vehicles--as is the
reduction in weight. At the same time, the indicating instrument
according to the invention provides design possibilities of shape
which permit the ergonomic and stylistic desires of the customer to
be fulfilled. In addition, the fabrication of the indicating
instrument is simplified since it requires fewer components than
known indicating instruments.
[0006] A particularly advantageous development of the invention is
obtained if the dial is diffusely translucent. As a result, the
viewer is prevented from seeing the components of the pointer
instrument lying behind the pointer, whereas the illuminated
pointer itself--at any rate at least its contour--remains visible.
It is therefore unnecessary to provide additional means of covering
the rear components.
[0007] The dial can be read significantly more easily if the
surface of the outer side and/or of the inner side of the dial is
designed in a reflection-reducing way. As a result, the contour of
the pointer can still be recognized even in unfavorable light
conditions, obliquely incident light, for example sunlight, having
virtually no negative effect on the ease of reading.
Reflection-reducing qualities of the surface of the inner side of
the dial ensure that light from the illumination of the pointer is
not reflected on the dial. A weakening of the luminosity of the
pointer is thus avoided.
[0008] It is possible to imagine providing the surface of the outer
side of the blade with a reflection-reducing film. However, it is
particularly cost-effective and simple if, according to one
advantageous development of the invention, the surface of the outer
side of the dial is dull, which is an effective means of reducing
reflections caused by incident light. During the fabrication of the
indicating instrument, the dull surface can advantageously be
produced in a simple way if the surface of the outer side of the
dial has a surface coating which cures with a dull finish, or has a
roughened finish.
[0009] A favorable embodiment of the indicating instrument is
obtained if the dial is an opal plate. As a result, shaded areas
caused by components at the rear are reliably avoided and a dial
with a homogenous appearance is provided. The material of the opal
plate for which milk glass is also a colloquial expression, may be
a plastic or glass, for example.
[0010] The scale could be arranged, as in conventional pointer
instruments, on the side facing the viewer. However, in an
indicating instrument of the present invention it is advantageous
if the dial has a scale which is arranged on the rear side of the
dial which is on the opposite side from the viewer. As a result, in
the first instance the scale is arranged protected against damage,
and secondly the visual impression of the pointer instrument is not
affected by labelings on the outside.
[0011] In this context, a development of the invention in which the
scaling is engraved into the dial is particularly favorable. This
design is, in the first instance well protected against damage and,
secondly provides the possibility of allowing the scale to have a
brightly lit-up appearance by means of an appropriately arranged
light source.
[0012] According to another advantageous development of the
invention, the pointer illumination has a light source which is
connected fixed in terms of rotation to the pointer. As a result,
the light transmission path in the pointer may be particularly
short, which minimizes the light losses.
[0013] The indicating instrument is of particularly bright, and
thus also at the same time particularly easily readable design if
the light source is arranged on a pointer vane of the pointer. In
this design, the pointer vane which is designed in this way
contrasts in an easily readable way and also makes it possible, for
example, to make the dial colored. The light source here may itself
be rotatable about an axis of rotation and preferably be designed
in the form of a pointer vane, and thus replace the pointer
vane.
[0014] The pointer can advantageously be designed in a particularly
lightweight way if the pointer illumination has a fixed light
source and if light which is emitted by the light source can be
injected into the pointer. In this way, a pointer drive which
drives the pointer, for example a measuring mechanism, can be
designed to generate only a small amount of torque. It is possible
here for light which is emitted by the light source to be injected
into a pointer shaft which is designed as a light guide, and to be
passed on from there into the pointer vane; however, there may also
be provision to inject the light directly into a pointer head and
direct it from there into the pointer vane.
[0015] According to another advantageous development of the
invention, a light guide is arranged in the transmission path of
the light which is emitted by the light source, between the light
source and the pointer, so that the light source does not have to
be spatially assigned to the pointer, but rather may be arranged
freely in the indicating instrument.
[0016] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention is obtained
if the pointer has a means for projecting onto a region of the dial
the light beams which are emitted by the light source. This means
can, for example, reflect the light and, in order to do so, may be
of rotatable design and may be arranged in the vicinity of the
light source. As a result, a bar of light is projected onto the
dial, replacing a conventional pointer, or one region of the dial
is illuminated in proportion to the reference variable which is to
be represented.
[0017] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is
obtained if the dial has an optical transparency which is suitable
for reading the unilluminated pointer. Here, the contrast between
the pointer and the dial may be selected such that the pointing
instrument can be read even when the light source fails, which, as
an emergency function, contributes significantly to increasing the
operational reliability.
[0018] It is possible to imagine the indicating instrument being
composed of an individual pointer instrument. However, the small
physical space required and the clearly organized layout of the
instrument according to the invention are particularly emphasized
as advantages if the indicating instrument is a combination
instrument having at least two displays. According to one
advantageous development of the invention, the scope of information
which can be represented by means of the indicating instrument is
particularly large if one of the displays is a pointer instrument
and a further display is a screen, the dial having a cut-out in the
vicinity of the screen. Preferably, the screen is an LCD and the
front polarizer of the LCD, facing the viewer, has a
reflection-reducing surface. In this way, in the first instance the
screen is, as an LCD, very operationally reliable and, in addition,
it can be mass produced cost-effectively in large numbers and
secondly reflection, particularly with strong incident light, on
the screen surface is very largely avoided, improving the ease of
reading.
[0019] A reflection which irritates the viewer and makes the
display instrument more difficult to read, as a result of incident
light on the surface of the dial and of the screen, is very largely
avoided by a reflection-reducing design of the surfaces. However,
in particular in motor vehicles, when the ambient light is poor (at
night) the indicating instrument may, as a result of the light
emitted by it itself, give rise to reflections in side windows of
the vehicle which distract the driver of the vehicle. These
reflections are effectively eliminated by virtue of the fact that
the indicating instrument is inclined downward with respect to the
vertical in the direction of a viewer. Light originating from the
indicating instrument is therefore emitted in the direction of a
lower part of the vehicle, in which there are usually no reflective
surfaces. It is usually sufficient here to incline the indicating
instrument by merely a few degrees with respect to the
vertical.
[0020] In one embodiment of the indicating instrument, the scale
could be light-proof, and thus contrast with respect to an
illuminated main area of the dial. However, it is particularly
advantageous if, according to another development of the invention,
the scale is translucent. In this way, a particularly effective,
multi-colored design of the dial may be obtained.
[0021] According to another advantageous development of the
invention, the main area of the dial is of a first color and the
scale is of a second color, the main area of the dial has a low
transmission level when illuminated with light of the color of the
scale. The main area of the dial, which forms the visual background
for the scale which has, for example, scale graduation marks and/or
labelings and/or alpha-numeric characters and/or symbols, therefore
prevents light with the color of the scale passing through, whereas
this light passes through the scale which is thus represented in a
particularly contrasting way in comparison with the main area of
the dial, this increasing the ease of reading. In order to bring
about the optical blocking function, the wavelength ranges of the
colors of the main area of the dial and of the scale preferably do
not overlap and are as far apart from one another as possible. In
the normal color table, the colors are accordingly at locations
which are far apart from one another. An indicating instrument
which can be very easily read both with a high level of ambient
light and with ambient darkness is obtained by means of a high
level of contrast between the scale and the main area of the dial
if a light source for providing transmissive illumination of the
dial is advantageously provided and if the color of the light
source corresponds approximately to the color of the scale. As a
result, the light from the light source does not reach the viewer
through the main area of the dial, but, owing to the light passing
through the scale, the scale is distinct, and with a high level of
contrast with respect to the main area, can be recognized, and read
very easily.
[0022] A further improvement in the ease of reading of the
indicating instrument is advantageously obtained by virtue of the
fact that the pointer is illuminated with a color which corresponds
approximately to the color of the main area of the dial. Therefore,
the pointer can be recognized very satisfactorily through the main
area of the dial, but the pointer cannot be perceived through the
scale, since the color of the scale represents a barrier for the
light of the pointer. In this way, the scale is effectively
prevented from being covered by the pointer.
[0023] A particularly small number of light sources are required to
illuminate the indicating instrument, and the display has a high
level of contrast if the main area of the dial and the scale each
advantageously have a high transmission level when illuminated with
light of a color which corresponds approximately to their
respective color.
[0024] Various color pairs, which are far apart in the normal color
table, such as for example yellowish green and violet, are
conceivable for the color of the main area of the dial and the
color of the scale. On the other hand, reliable ease of recognition
and satisfactory ease of reading the display are obtained if the
color of the main area of the dial is red and the color of the
scale is blue.
[0025] It is possible to imagine a case in which the dial is
completely colored and a material with a different color is, for
example, used or injected into certain areas of the scale. On the
other hand, a particularly simple and cost-effective way of
manufacturing the dial is obtained if the colors of the main area
of the dial and of the scale are preferably printed onto the
dial.
[0026] If, according to another advantageous development of the
invention, the dial has a masked area with low transmission levels
in its regions outside displays, the attention of the viewer is
concentrated onto the essential regions of the display without
being distracted. The masked area can be, for example, a panel or a
portion which is printed black.
[0027] In particular in indicating instruments which are
continuously subjected to environmental influences, for example in
vehicles, and possibly have to be cleaned, it is of particular
advantage if the dial has a scratch-resistant coating on its outer
side facing the viewer.
[0028] The invention permits numerous embodiments. For further
clarification of its basic principle, various of these embodiments
are represented in the drawing and described below. In said
drawing,
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a sectional basic representation
of an indicating instrument according to the invention,
[0030] FIG. 2 shows the indicating instrument according to the
invention, illustrated in FIG. 1, in a perspective basic
representation,
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a front view of a second indicating instrument
according to the invention,
[0032] FIG. 4 shows a sectional side view along the line IV-IV of
the indicating instrument from FIG. 3,
[0033] FIG. 5 shows a sectional side view similar to FIG. 4 of a
further indicating instrument.
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a pointer instrument 1 in a sectional basic
representation from the side. A light source 2, whose emitted light
beams 14 are introduced into a shaft 3, embodied as a light guide,
of a pointer 4, is represented symbolically. The light beams are
then deflected into a pointer vane 6 by means of a reflector 5
arranged in a pointer head 15. The light beams emerge at the
pointer vane 6 and are projected against an inner side 7 of a
diffusely translucent dial 8. A bright bar of light can be
identified by the viewer, corresponding to the position of the
pointer 4, on an outer side 9, facing the viewer, of the dial 8. A
scale, which may be arranged either on the inner side 7 or on the
outer side 9 of the dial 8, is not represented. In order to deflect
the pointer 4, the shaft 3 is driven by a pointer drive 10 which is
arranged on a printed circuit board 11. The printed circuit board
11 simultaneously shields the inner side 7 of the dial 8 with
respect to the light source 2 and has a light inlet opening 12 to
allow the light beams to pass unimpeded to the pointer shaft 3
which is embodied as a light guide.
[0035] FIG. 2 shows the pointer instrument 1 according to the
invention, represented in FIG. 1, in a perspective basic
representation in the viewing direction onto the outer side 9 of
the dial 8. A scale 13 is merely indicated here and, depending on
the purpose of use, may be supplemented in particular with
numerals. The contours of the pointer vane 6, of the pointer head
15 and of the pointer shaft 3 of the pointer 4 can only be seen
weakly through the diffusely translucent dial 8, and they are
therefore represented by broken lines. The pointer vane 6 stands
out particularly clearly as soon as it is illuminated by means of
the light source (not illustrated). The pointer vane 6 can be
deflected by means of the pointer drive 10 which drives the pointer
shaft 3, the pointer drive 10 being formed by a measuring mechanism
and being represented only in part.
[0036] FIG. 3 represents a front view of an indicating instrument
formed by a combination instrument 43. The combination instrument
43 which is provided for installation in a dashboard of a motor
vehicle has a plurality of pointer instruments 1 and, as further
displays, a screen 23 and display fields 21. The screen 23 which is
formed by a liquid crystal display is surrounded by a panel 29.
Symbols of the display fields 21 are printed onto a dial 16, as are
a masked area 45 and scales 20 of the individual pointer
instruments 1.
[0037] FIG. 4 shows a section along the line IV-IV (in FIG. 3) of
the combination instrument 43. It is clear that a stepping motor 18
is arranged on a printed circuit board 19 as pointer drive of a
pointer instrument 1. By means of a pointer shaft 3, the stepping
motor 18 drives a pointer 4 which has a pointer vane 6. By means of
a light source 2 which is also attached to the printed circuit
board 19, the pointer 4 is illuminated by the injection of light
into the pointer shaft 3 and the deflection of light into the
pointer vane 6. A housing 27 is fitted with the dial 16 on the
front side of the combination instrument 43, which faces a viewer,
and said housing accommodates both the printed circuit board 19 and
a cover 33 at the rear. The display field 21 can be illuminated by
means of a light source 22 which is arranged in a light shaft 35
which is formed in the housing 27. Corresponding light sources 24,
25 illuminate, via a diffuser 39 which is connected in between, in
order to make the light more uniform, the screen 23 which is
mounted on the printed circuit board 19 by means of a mounting
frame 28. A panel 29 which is connected to the housing 27 by means
of a clip-type connection 38 bounds a visible portion of the screen
23.
[0038] The dial 16 is supported by a dial carrier 17 which is
secured by means of said carrier and screws 37 which attach the
cover 33 to the printed circuit board 19. On its outer side 9
facing the viewer, the dial 16 is provided with a scratch-resistant
surface coating which cures with a dull finish. Moreover, the dial
16 has a cut-out 36 so that the screen 23 is not covered by the
dial 16. The scale 20 of the dial 16 is printed onto the latter in
a blue color and a main area 44 of the dial 16, forming the visual
background of the scale 20, is printed onto the dial 16 in a red
color. Light sources 30, 31 (which are LEDs, like the light sources
2, 22, 24, 25) which emit blue light are arranged in the vicinity
of the pointer instrument 1 on the printed circuit board 19. A
reflector 34 increases the light yield of these light sources 30,
31, and a diffuser 26 which is arranged between the light sources
30, 31 and dial 16 makes the light more uniform. When the light
sources 30, 31 are switched on, the main area 44 of the dial 16 has
a dark appearance, whereas the scale 20 is lit up owing to its blue
printed area. When the pointer vane 6 is illuminated red, it can be
read very easily by virtue of the red main area 44, whereas the
blue printed area of the scale 20 prevents the red light emerging
from the pointer vane 6 from passing through. In this way, the
scale is prevented from being covered by the pointer vane.
[0039] On the rear of the printed circuit board 19 there is fitted
a plug socket 32 for making electrical contact between the
combination instrument 43 and the vehicle's electronics.
[0040] A further combination instrument 43 which is similar to the
indicating instrument in FIG. 4 is shown in FIG. 5; corresponding
components are provided here with the same reference symbols, as
are the preceding figures also.
[0041] In contrast to the exemplary embodiments above, a pointer
instrument 1 of the combination instrument 43 has here a pointer 41
with a pointer vane 46 which is supported by a pointer shaft 42 and
which is illuminated by a light source 40 which is arranged in the
pointer 41. The light source 40, which is an LED here, is placed in
electrical contact (in a way which is not illustrated) with a
printed circuit board 19 in order to provide it with power.
* * * * *