Gauge having variable display

摘要

A gauge which uses a prism or other type of reflector to illuminate a single graphic or icon on a dial such that only one graphic on the dial is shown during the operation of the gauge. All of the remaining graphics have a dead front appearance, and cannot be viewed, such that the gauge presents only one discrete value at a time. The dial is beneath a lens, and the prism is beneath the dial. An actuator is mounted to a PCB, and an LED is also mounted to the PCB to allow the prism to transmit light to the desired area of the dial. The dial also includes a central graphic, or icon, and the gauge is able to display different values, while the central graphic remains constantly illuminated in the center of the gauge.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a gauge, including:
a light source;a light directing device operable for directing light from the light source;a dial located in proximity to the light directing device; anda plurality of graphics located on the dial, the plurality of graphics representing a plurality of measurements of an operating parameter;a housing, the dial mounted within the housing;a printed circuit board (PCB) located in the housing;an actuator connected to the printed circuit board; anda shaft extending through the actuator;a tube portion mounted on an end of the shaft, the light directing device connected to the tube portion;a center graphic located on the dial, the center graphic being part of the plurality of graphics;wherein the light directing device directs light through one of the plurality of graphics to indicate that the vehicle is operating at one of the plurality of measurements of the operating parameter, the actuator rotates the shaft such that the light directing device rotates and is positioned to direct light through the one of the plurality of graphics, such that the one of the plurality of graphics is illuminated, and the center graphic is constantly illuminated by light from the light source.