| 摘要 |
<p>Title of Invention SYSTEM FOR DETECTING POSITION OF GAUGE POINTER A system is disclosed for detecting the position of the pointer of a gauge. The system includes a stationary light source which is positioned adjacent the pointer. A lens receives the light from the light source and redirects the light in at least one elongated light beam directed toward the pointer. In the preferred embodiment, the light source is located along the pointer's axis of rotation and the lens bends the light rays 90.degree. to form at least one arcuate light beam. A plurality of elongated light beams can be used and variations of different shapes of light beams can readily be used by so designing the lens means. A light sensitive detector is positionable in the gauge itself and is movable along a guided path on the opposite side of the pointer than is the light source. The guided path generally follows the particular shape of light beams that is directed toward the needle. The function of the light detector is to sense, and provide some signal when the pointer passes across the sensor, thereby substantially reducing the amount of light directed toward the sensor. In this manner the detector signals the position of the pointer. The sensor may be moved within limits to an infinite number of positions along the elongated light beam by conveniently located knobs outside the gauge. The operator thus can, by simply turning a knob, adjust a sensor to a desired position and the sensor will detect when the gauge pointer passes or remains at that position.</p> |
