Indicator device for vehicle

• US 5,261,349 A
• Filed: 03/05/1992
• Issued: 11/16/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Iino, Tadashi, Aoki, Kunimitsu
• Primary Examiner(s): Will, Thomas B.
• Application Number:
  US07/846,080
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 116/310, 116/286, 116/287, 116/288, 116/DIG. 35, 116/DIG. 36, 116/62.1, 359/436, 359/438, 359/440, 359/441, 359/442, 362/23, 362/26, 362/27, 362/28, 362/29, 362/30, 73/866.3
• US Class Current: 116/289
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/14 lighting through the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/28 Structurally-combined illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0154 with movable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/36 Illuminated dial and pointer

Abstract

A prism-type pointer is provided adjacent to a front face of a prism-type dial plate in such a manner that their prism apex angles are directed in opposite directions, respectively. Those portions of the dial plate having characters/scale markings or the like are recessed, and a light source is provided at a back side of the dial plate. A pointer drive portion is provided on a bottom surface of the dial plate so as to effect a parallel movement of the pointer. Light of the light source, passed through both of the dial plate and the pointer can reach a driver'"'"'s eye point, and light, passed only through the dial plate, can not reach the driver'"'"'s eye point, except for those portions thereof having the characters/scale markings or the like.

Claims

1. An indicator device to be viewed by a viewer from a predetermined viewing point, comprising:

a dial plate prism having recessed portions corresponding to indicia thereon;

a light for illuminating a back side of said dial plate;

a pointer prism, said pointer prism being proximate a front side of said dial plate, opposite said back side; and

drive means for moving said pointer prism with respect to said dial plate,

wherein said dial plate prism and said pointer prism are oriented with respect to each other such that apex angles thereof are directed in opposite directions, facing each other, and with respect to said viewing point such that a light emitted from said viewing point and passing through both of said dial plate and said pointer prisms is incident on the back side of the dial plate prism at an angle less than a critical angle whereat said light would be internally reflected in said dial plate prism, and wherein a surface of said dial plate prism opposite said apex angle is dark.

2. A indicator device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light passes through said recess portion to said front side of said dial plate.

3. An indicator device as claimed in claim 1, wherein light which passes only through said dial plate prism is incident on the back side of the dial plate prism at an angle greater than said critical angle so as to be internally reflected in said dial plate prism.

4. A indicator device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said prism of said dial plate prism has a triangular cross section.

5. A indicator device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pointer prism has a triangular cross section.

6. An indicator device to be viewed by a viewer from a predetermined viewing point, comprising:

a dial plate including a plurality of first serrated prisms disposed on a back face thereof and spaced at a predetermined interval in a concentric manner about a center point, said dial plate having recessed portions corresponding to indicia thereon;

a light for illuminating a back side of said dial plate;

a pointer disposed proximate a front side of said dial plate, opposite said back side, said pointer including a plurality of second serrated prisms on a side thereof spaced at said predetermined interval and respectively opposing said first prisms; and

drive means for rotating said pointer with respect to said dial plate about said center point, wherein said plurality of first and second prisms are oriented with respect to each other such that apex angles of said first serrated prisms are respectively directed in opposite directions from apex angles of said second serrated prisms, and with respect to said viewing point such that light emitted from said viewing point and passing through both said first and second prisms is incident on the back side of at least one of said second serrated prisms at an angles less than a critical angle whereat said a light would be internally reflected in said dial plate, and wherein each of said second prisms include a dark coating on a surface thereof opposing said apex angle.