Analog display having electroluminescent pointer

• US 5,697,322 A
• Filed: 01/30/1996
• Issued: 12/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Durel Corporation (Rogers Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Durel Corporation (Rogers Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Sherbrooke, William C., Hamann, Stephen F., Olson, Douglas B., Hay, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WORTH, WILLIE M
• Application Number:
  US08/593,578
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 116/286, 116/287, 116/288, 116/310, 116/DIG. 6, 116/DIG. 35, 116/DIG. 36, 362/23, 362/26, 362/84, 368/226, 368/227, 368/228, 368/234, 368/238
• US Class Current: 116/286
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/698 Pointers of combined instruments
• 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: G01D 13/28 with luminescent markings
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/08 Pointers; Scales; Scale illumination
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 19/305 the hands carrying the light source hands and manufacture thereof G04B19/042; projection of hands or dials G04B19/34; illumination of scales and/or hands on moving scales H03J1/02; on compasses G01C17/24; on weighing apparatus G01G23/18; on measuring instruments G01D11/28
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/06 Pointer structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/35 Electroluminescent dials
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/36 Illuminated dial and pointer

Abstract

An analog display includes a dial and a movable EL pointer positioned adjacent the dial for indicating a measured value. The pointer is an elongated EL lamp having a conductive pin extending through one end of the lamp and about which the lamp pivots. The pin is mechanically secured to the lamp and is electrically connected to the front electrode of the lamp. A hole larger than cross-sectional diameter of the pin is formed in the rear electrode and in the phosphor layer to prevent the pin from shorting the front electrode to the rear electrode. A conductive spring rests on the pin to provide electrical power to the front electrode. Power is supplied to the rear electrode either through a conductive ferrule attached to the rear electrode or through a resilient wiper. The wiper can be attached to the pointer or to the face of the dial. For plural pointers, concentric conductive pins are used with a sliding contact for the rear electrodes.

Claims

1. An analog display having a dial and a movable pointer positioned adjacent said dial for indicating a measured value, wherein said pointer comprises:

(a) an elongated EL lamp having a first end and a second end, said lamp including as consecutive layers

(i) a transparent substrate;

(ii) a transparent, front electrode;

(iii) an electroluminescent layer; and

(iv) a rear electrode;

(b) a first conductive pin extending through said lamp near said first end and through said dial;

(c) means for making contact with said rear electrode;

(d) wherein said first conductive pin is electrically connected to said front electrode;

(e) wherein said electroluminescent layer and said rear electrode including a hole larger than said first conductive pin to prevent said first conductive pin from shorting said front electrode to said rear electrode; and

(f) wherein said lamp pivots with said first conductive pin for indicating said measured value.

2. The analog display as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a second movable pointer including a second elongated EL lamp and a second conductive pin extending through a first end of said second elongated EL lamp, wherein said second conductive pin is concentric with said first conductive pin.

3. The analog display as set forth in claim 2 wherein said second conductive pin is electrically connected to the front electrode of said second elongated EL lamp.

4. The analog display as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a conductive spring in sliding contact with said first conductive pin for coupling electrical power to said front electrode.

5. The analog display as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means Comprises:

a cylindrical, conductive ferrule having an axis approximately parallel with said first conductive pin, said ferrule in contact with said rear electrode and enclosing said hole.

6. The analog display as set forth in claim 5 and further comprising insulating material in said hole and in said ferrule for electrically isolating said ferrule from said first conductive pin and for supporting said first conductive pin within said ferrule.

7. The analog display as set forth in claim 6 wherein said insulating material is epoxy resin.

8. The analog display as set forth in claim 5 wherein said ferrule is flared at one end thereof and said one end is in electrical contact with said rear electrode.

9. The analog display as set forth in claim 5 and further comprising a conductive metal layer on said rear electrode between said rear electrode and said ferrule, said metal layer increasing the contact area between said rear electrode and said ferrule.

10. The analog display as set forth in claim 9 wherein said conductive metal layer is in the shape of an annulus surrounding said hole.

11. The analog display as set forth in claim 5 and further comprising a conductive spring in sliding contact with said ferrule for coupling electrical power to said rear electrode.

12. The analog display as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means comprises:

a conductive metal layer on said rear electrode;

a conductive wiper attached to said dial and in electrical contact with said metal layer for coupling electrical power to said rear electrode.

13. The analog display as set forth in claim 12 wherein said conductive metal layer is in the shape of an annulus surrounding said hole.

14. The analog display as set forth in claim 4 and further comprising:

a conductive metal layer on said dial adjacent said pointer;

a conductive wiper attached to said pointer and in electrical contact with said metal layer for coupling electrical power to said rear electrode.

15. The analog display as set forth in claim 14 wherein said conductive metal layer at least partially surrounds said first conductive pin.

16. The analog display as set forth in claim 14 wherein said wiper is attached to said pointer between said first conductive pin and said first end.