System and method for analog vehicle gauge with embedded driver information
First Claim
1. A gauge assembly comprising:
- a housing;
a bearing plate coupled to the housing and defining a first aperture;
a pointer moveably coupled to the bearing plate, the pointer having a proximal end that moveably couples the pointer to the bearing plate, a projection that couples the proximal end to a distal end, and the distal end defines a pointing apparatus, the proximal end of the pointer mounted to the bearing plate and the projection sized to enable the distal end to extend into the first aperture;
an annular light guide defining a second aperture, the annular light guide coupled to the bearing plate such that the second aperture is aligned with the first aperture and the distal end of the pointer extends above a surface of the projection into the second aperture and the distal end of the pointer extends beyond a surface of the annular light guide;
an appliqué
fitted over the annular light guide; and
one or more first light sources disposed in the housing and in communication with the annular light guide to provide light to the annular light guide for transmission to the distal end of the pointer and at least a portion of the appliqué
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1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gauge is provided. The gauge includes a housing and a bearing plate that can be coupled to the housing. The bearing plate defines a first aperture. The gauge includes a pointer coupled to the bearing plate that has a proximal and a distal end. The pointer end can be mounted to the bearing plate such that the distal end extends into the first aperture. The gauge includes a light guide that defines a second aperture, and can be coupled to the bearing plate such that the second aperture is aligned with the first aperture and the distal end of the pointer extends into the second aperture. The gauge includes an appliqué fitted over the light guide, and one or more light sources in communication with the light guide to provide light to the light guide for transmission to the pointer and the appliqué.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A gauge assembly comprising:
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a housing; a bearing plate coupled to the housing and defining a first aperture; a pointer moveably coupled to the bearing plate, the pointer having a proximal end that moveably couples the pointer to the bearing plate, a projection that couples the proximal end to a distal end, and the distal end defines a pointing apparatus, the proximal end of the pointer mounted to the bearing plate and the projection sized to enable the distal end to extend into the first aperture; an annular light guide defining a second aperture, the annular light guide coupled to the bearing plate such that the second aperture is aligned with the first aperture and the distal end of the pointer extends above a surface of the projection into the second aperture and the distal end of the pointer extends beyond a surface of the annular light guide; an appliqué
fitted over the annular light guide; andone or more first light sources disposed in the housing and in communication with the annular light guide to provide light to the annular light guide for transmission to the distal end of the pointer and at least a portion of the appliqué
. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A gauge assembly comprising:
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a housing; a bearing plate coupled to the housing, the bearing plate defining a first aperture surrounded by a rim; an annular gear defining a second aperture, the annular gear having an outer edge that includes a plurality of teeth and an inner edge that bounds the second aperture, the inner edge sized to fit around the rim of the bearing plate such that the gear rotates on the bearing plate; a pointer having a proximal end mounted on the annular gear, and a projection that couples the proximal end to a distal end such that the distal end of the pointer extends past the inner edge of the annular gear into the second aperture defined by the annular gear; an annular light guide having an outer periphery and an inner periphery that defines a third aperture, the annular light guide mounted on the bearing plate in a position suspended over the annular gear such that the third aperture is aligned with the first aperture of the bearing plate and the projection of the pointer extends between the annular light guide and the annular gear, the distal end of the pointer coupled to a surface of the projection so that the distal end extends beyond a surface of the annular light guide; an appliqué
fitted over the annular light guide; andmeans for providing light to the annular light guide for transmission to the pointer and appliqué
. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A gauge assembly for use with an instrument panel of a motor vehicle, the instrument panel comprising:
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a housing; one or more gauges coupled to the housing that display an operating condition associated with the motor vehicle; a color graphical display coupled to the housing and disposed within an aperture defined by of one of the gauges, with the gauge surrounding the color graphical display including; a pointer moveably coupled to the housing at a proximal end, the pointer mounted to the housing such that a distal end of the pointer extends into the aperture, the pointer including a projection that couples the proximal end to the distal end; a bearing plate defining a second aperture and including a rim, the bearing plate coupled to the housing such that the second aperture is aligned with the aperture; a gear set coupled to the bearing plate, the pointer being coupled to the gear set; an annular light guide disposed around the aperture having an outer periphery and an inner periphery that abuts the aperture, the annular light guide suspended over the gear set to enable the projection of the pointer to pass between the gear set and the annular light guide, and the distal end of the pointer extends beyond a surface of the annular light guide; an appliqué
fitted over the light guide; andone or more first light sources disposed in the housing about the aperture such that the light produced by the one or more first light sources is directed from the outer periphery of the annular light guide to the inner periphery of the annular light guide for transmission to the pointer and at least a portion of the appliqué
. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification