Analog indicator with self-luminescent pointer

• US 5,372,087 A
• Filed: 08/18/1993
• Issued: 12/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd. (DENSO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd. (DENSO Corporation)
• Inventors: Miyazaki, Kazuhiko, Kato, Miki
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WORTH, WILLIE M
• Application Number:
  US08/108,516
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 116/286, 116/287, 116/288, 116/332, 116/DIG. 6, 116/DIG. 36, 368/238
• US Class Current: 116/288
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/33 Illumination features
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/33 Illumination features
• 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 3/16 Circuits; Control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/28 Structurally-combined illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 13/28 with luminescent markings
• CPC Class Codes: G12B 11/04 Pointers; Setting-mechanisms therefor

Abstract

A self-luminescent indicator is provided. This indicator includes a pointer, a pointer support shaft rotatably supporting the indicating pointer, a luminescent element arranged in the indicating pointer, and a flexible circuit plate connecting with the luminescent element serving as a lead wire. The flexible circuit plate is arranged around the pointer support shaft in a scroll fashion so that it allows the indicating pointer to rotate about the pointer support shaft.

Claims

1. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus comprising:

an indicating pointer;

pointer supporting means for rotatably supporting said indicating pointer;

a luminescent element disposed in said indicating pointer; and

a flexible circuit plate disposed around said pointer supporting means in a scroll fashion, said flexible circuit plate having disposed thereon a plurality of lead wires electrically connected to said luminescent element.

7. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said flexible circuit plate includes a conductive pattern which forms thereon the lead wires and an insulating film coated on the conductive pattern.

8. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said conductive pattern is formed on a surface of said flexible circuit plate.

10. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said indicating pointer includes a plurality of luminescent elements provided therein, with each luminescent element emitting light in one of a plurality of colors, the luminescent elements being electrically connected to the leadwires.

2. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus comprising:

an indicating pointer;

pointer supporting means for rotatably supporting said indicating pointer;

a flexible circuit plate disposed around said pointer supporting means in a scroll fashion, said flexible circuit plate having disposed thereon a plurality of lead wires, part of said flexible circuit plate extending into said indicating pointer; and

a luminescent element mounted on the part of said flexible circuit plate within said indicating pointer, said luminescent element being electrically connected to said lead wires on said flexible circuit plate.

3. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a reinforcement member attached to a bottom of the part of said flexible circuit plate arranged within said indicating pointer.

4. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus comprising:

an indicating pointer;

pointer supporting means for rotatably supporting said indicating pointer;

a luminescent element disposed in said indicating pointer;

a lens disposed on said luminescent element for projecting light from said indicating pointer; and

a flexible circuit plate disposed around said pointer supporting means in scroll fashion, said flexible circuit plate having disposed thereon a plurality of lead wires electrically connected to said luminescent element.

5. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said lens includes a corrugated surface.

6. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus as set forth in claim 4, further comprising a semitransparent member provided proximate said lens for dispersing the light projected from said luminescent element.

9. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus comprising:

an indicating pointer;

pointer supporting means for rotatably supporting said indicating pointer;

a luminescent element arranged in said indicating pointer; and

a flexible circuit plate arranged around said pointer supporting means in scroll fashion, said flexible circuit plate including a plurality of conductive patterns formed on both surfaces thereof and insulating films covering over the conductive patterns, respectively, the conductive patterns forming lead wires electrically connected to said luminescent element.

11. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus comprising:

a base member;

a pointer support shaft rotatably mounted to said base member;

an indicating pointer attached to said pointer support shaft;

a luminescent element disposed in said indicating pointer; and

a single flexible circuit strip plate on which a plurality of lead wires are provided, the lead wires being electrically connected to said luminescent element, said flexible circuit strip plate being disposed around said pointer supporting means in scroll fashion, electrically connecting between terminals arranged on said base member and said luminescent element.

12. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said flexible circuit strip plate is arranged around the pointer support shaft in a preselected geometry which allows said flexible circuit strip plate to be deformed according to the rotation of said indicating pointer.

14. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said flexible circuit strip plate is provided with a printed circuit forming the lead wires.

15. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said flexible circuit strip plate includes a first portion arranged around the pointer support shaft in a scroll fashion, a second portion extending within said indicating pointer in a lengthwise direction of said indicating pointer, and a third portion connecting between the first and second portions.

16. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the scrolled first portion includes slits therein into which a terminal supplying lighting current is inserted to connect with the lead wires.

13. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus comprising:

a base member;

a pointer support shaft rotatably mounted to said base member;

an indicating pointer attached to said pointer support shaft;

a luminescent element disposed in said indicating pointer;

a lens disposed on said luminescent element to project light over a preselected length of said indicating pointer; and

a single flexible circuit strip plate including a plurality of lead wires electrically connected to said luminescent element said flexible circuit strip plate electrically connecting between terminals disposed on said base member and said luminescent element.

17. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus comprising:

an indicating pointer;

pointer supporting means for rotatably supporting said indicating pointer;

a luminescent element disposed in said indicating pointer; and

a flexible circuit plate disposed around said pointer supporting means in scroll fashion, said flexible circuit plate including a conductive pattern having a plurality of leads formed thereon and being electrically connected to said luminescent element.