Abstract:
A vehicle (10) instrument panel assembly (12) configured to determine an orientation angle of an illuminated pointer (24) of the assembly (12). The assembly (12) includes a pointer (24), and a sensor (32). The pointer (24) is configured to emit light (28) and rotate about a display surface (20) of the assembly (12) to point to indicia (22) on the display surface (20). The sensor (32) is configured to detect light (28) emitted by the pointer (24) when the pointer (24) is oriented at a predetermined orientation angle relative to the display surface (20).
Abstract:
A vehicle instrument panel assembly (12) that includes a pointer (20), a light source (40), and a light pipe (42). The pointer (20) is movable about an axis (22) to point to indicia (24) on a display surface (18) of the assembly (12). The pointer (20) defines a shaft portion (26) of the pointer (20) that rotates about the axis (22). The light source (40) is configured to emit light (48) into the shaft portion (26) to illuminate the pointer (20). The light pipe (42) is arranged on the display surface (18) and proximate to a sweep path (44) of a tip (46) of the pointer (20). The pointer (20) is further configured to project light (48) from the light source (40) into the light pipe (42).
Abstract:
An instrument cluster assembly (12) suitable for installation into a vehicle (10) to display information to an operator (14) of the vehicle (10). The assembly (12) includes a reconfigurable display (20), a mirror (24), and a pointer (26). The reconfigurable display (20) is configured to display an image (22). The mirror (24) is oriented to reflect the image (22) toward the operator (14). The pointer (26) is movably overlying the mirror (24) such that the pointer (26) is effective to indicate a feature of the image (22) to the operator (14). The pointer (26) may be mounted on a rotatable shaft (28) passing through a hole (30) in the mirror (24) such that rotation of the shaft (28) is effective to orient the pointer (26).
Abstract:
A vehicle (10) instrument panel assembly (12) that includes a display (30), a pointer (24), and a light detector (40). The display (30) is configured to define indicia (26) on a surface of the display (30). The indicia (26) are configured to emit light (48). The pointer (24) is configured to rotate a shaft (34) of the pointer (24) about an axis (36) to align a tip (46) of the pointer (24) with the indicia (26). The pointer (24) is also configured to conduct light (48) emitted by the indicia (26) from the tip (46) into the shaft (34) when the tip (46) is substantially aligned with the indicia (26). The light detector (40) is configured to detect light (48) in the shaft (34) of the pointer (24) to determine the position of the pointer (24).
Abstract:
A vehicle (10) instrument panel assembly (12) configured to determine an orientation angle of an illuminated pointer (24) of the assembly (12). The assembly (12) includes a pointer (24), and a sensor (32). The pointer (24) is configured to emit light (28) and rotate about a display surface (20) of the assembly (12) to point to indicia (22) on the display surface (20). The sensor (32) is configured to detect light (28) emitted by the pointer (24) when the pointer (24) is oriented at a predetermined orientation angle relative to the display surface (20).
Abstract:
A vehicle instrument panel assembly (10) configured to determine an orientation angle (32) of a stepper motor (12) actuated pointer (14, 114) of the assembly (10). The assembly (10) includes a pointer (14, 114), a stepper motor (12), a magnet (24), and a sensor (34). The pointer (14, 114) is movable about an axis (16, 116) to point to indicia on a display surface of the assembly (10). The stepper motor (12) is coupled to the pointer (14, 114) via a reduction gear arrangement (20). The magnet (24) is fixedly coupled to the pointer (14, 114) such that a magnetic field direction (30) generated by the magnet (24) corresponds to an angle (32) of the pointer (14, 114). The sensor (34) is configured to determine the magnetic field direction (30) of the magnet (24) and output a signal indicative of the angle (32) of the pointer (14, 114).
Abstract:
A needle indicator assembly (20) that includes a pointer (22) formed at least in part of magnetized material, and configured to rotate about an axis (24) and thereby define an area (26) swept by the pointer (22). The assembly also includes a plurality of electromagnets (32) arranged around a perimeter (34) of the area (26), said electromagnets (32) operable to urge the pointer (22) to point in a desired direction (28). An instrument panel (12) equipped this needle assembly overlying a reconfigurable display (18) gives the appearance that the pointer (22) is floating above the display (18), and the means by which the pointer (22) is moved is not readily apparent.
Abstract:
A vehicle instrument panel assembly (10) configured to determine an orientation angle (32) of a stepper motor (12) actuated pointer (14, 114) of the assembly (10). The assembly (10) includes a pointer (14, 114), a stepper motor (12), a magnet (24), and a sensor (34). The pointer (14, 114) is movable about an axis (16, 116) to point to indicia on a display surface of the assembly (10). The stepper motor (12) is coupled to the pointer (14, 114) via a reduction gear arrangement (20). The magnet (24) is fixedly coupled to the pointer (14, 114) such that a magnetic field direction (30) generated by the magnet (24) corresponds to an angle (32) of the pointer (14, 114). The sensor (34) is configured to determine the magnetic field direction (30) of the magnet (24) and output a signal indicative of the angle (32) of the pointer (14, 114).
Abstract:
A vehicle (10) instrument panel assembly (12) that includes a display (30), a pointer (24), and a light detector (40). The display (30) is configured to define indicia (26) on a surface of the display (30). The indicia (26) are configured to emit light (48). The pointer (24) is configured to rotate a shaft (34) of the pointer (24) about an axis (36) to align a tip (46) of the pointer (24) with the indicia (26). The pointer (24) is also configured to conduct light (48) emitted by the indicia (26) from the tip (46) into the shaft (34) when the tip (46) is substantially aligned with the indicia (26). The light detector (40) is configured to detect light (48) in the shaft (34) of the pointer (24) to determine the position of the pointer (24).