The present disclosure relates to dial gauges for vehicle instrument panels and clusters, and more specifically to a dial gauge with features for positioning a tick mark.
Vehicles include instrument panels to communicate information indicative of operation to an operator. Motor vehicles include instrument panels with several gauges and dials that communicate vehicle conditions such as speed, engine rpm, temperature, oil pressure along with many other operational parameters. Some gauges include illuminated indicators referred to as tick marks provided at specific increments relative to the reference numerals. The tick marks are part of a light guide disposed under the gauge face. The dial face includes openings through which the tick marks extend. The openings are larger than the tick marks to facilitate assembly. The larger openings may enable misalignment or light leakage around the tick marks that can detract from the perception of quality.
Automotive original equipment suppliers continually strive to improve quality, reduce costs and maintain customer interest with new produces and aesthetic design features.
A featured gauge assembly embodiment includes a dial face including a scale indicative of vehicle operating parameter, the dial face including an opening proximate the scale and an illuminable tick mark extending through the opening in the dial face, wherein the tick mark is larger than the opening.
In a further embodiment of the forgoing gauge assembly, the opening includes a corner width across at each end of the opening and a central portion having a central width that is smaller than the corner width.
In a further embodiment of any of the forgoing gauge assemblies, the corner width is greater than a thickness of the tick mark.
In a further embodiment of any of the forgoing gauge assemblies, the opening includes side lengths and a middle length with the middle length being less than the side lengths.
In a further embodiment of any of the forgoing gauge assemblies, the tick mark includes a longitudinal length that is less than the middle length of the opening.
In a further embodiment of any of the forgoing gauge assemblies, including a plurality of tick marks spaced apart and extending through a corresponding plurality of openings.
In a further embodiment of any of the forgoing gauge assemblies, the opening comprises a perimeter having curved sides and curved ends.
In a further embodiment of any of the forgoing gauge assemblies, the opening includes four concave sides.
In a further embodiment of any of the forgoing gauge assemblies, including a light guide and each of the tick marks extend from the light guide.
In a further embodiment of any of the forgoing gauge assemblies, the tick marks are an integral portion of the light guide.
In a further embodiment of any of the forgoing gauge assemblies, the tick marks are an integral portion of the light guide.
In another disclosed embodiment a method of assembling a gauge assembly includes forming a dial face to include a scale indicative of an operating parameter and openings relative to the scale and inserting a corresponding plurality of tick marks through each of the openings such that a portion of each tick mark is visible on the dial face. The openings are smaller than corresponding ones of the plurality of tick marks to form an interference fit between the tick mark and the opening.
In a further embodiment of the foregoing method of assembling a gauge assembly, the dial face is formed of a flexible material and sides of the opening bend upward responsive to receiving one of the plurality of tick marks.
In a further embodiment of the foregoing method of assembling a gauge assembly, the opening comprises four concave sides and the tick mark bends the four concave sides outward when inserted through the dial face.
In a further embodiment of the foregoing method of assembling a gauge assembly, the four concave sides press against surfaces of the tick mark.
In a further embodiment of the foregoing method of assembling a gauge assembly, the plurality of tick marks are part of a light guide and inserting the tick marks into the openings aligns the tick marks and light guide relative the dial face.
In a further embodiment of the foregoing method of assembling a gauge assembly, a light source is supported relative to the light guide to illuminate the tick marks.
Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples.
These and other features disclosed herein can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
Referring to
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The openings 30 in the dial face 14 are smaller than the size of the tick marks 20 to provide an interference fit between the dial face 14 and each of the tick marks 20. The interference fit between the tick marks 20 and the openings 30 prevent leakage of light through potential gaps that may exist between the tick marks 20 and the openings 30. Openings that are larger than the tick marks 20 to provide a clearance fit allow misalignment and light leakage. The disclosed gauge 12 substantially prevents light leakage and provides alignment for the tick marks 20 with the disclosed interference fit.
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In this example, each of the openings 30 include a first width 36 at the corners 35, and a second width 38 near a middle portion of the opening 30. The middle second width 38 is less than the end first width 36. Similarly, a length 40 from each of the corners 35 in a longitudinal direction is longer than a length 42 between surfaces 34c and 34d that is midway between the corners 35. The concave walls 34c and 34d thereby provide the interference fit with the corresponding tick mark 20 at the end surfaces.
It should be understood that although a rectangular opening 30 and tick mark 20 are disclosed by way of example, other rectilinear shapes would are within the contemplation of this disclosure. Moreover, other shapes including round, oval, elliptical or other shapes of openings that correspond to the shape of the tick mark are also within the contemplation and scope of this disclosure.
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Moreover, because the opening 30 is smaller than the tick marks 20, there is no movement between corresponding tick marks 20 once they are inserted through the dial face 14. The walls 34 A-D contact and center each tick mark 20, thus providing alignment of the tick marks 20, and thereby the light guide 24 relative to the dial face 14.
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Accordingly, the example dial face includes a plurality of opening that accept corresponding tick marks in a manner that self-aligns the light guide relative to the dial face and prevents leakage of any light through any potential gaps between a tick mark and the dial face.
Although the different non-limiting embodiments are illustrated as having specific components or steps, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from any of the non-limiting embodiments in combination with features or components from any of the other non-limiting embodiments.
It should be understood that like reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings. It should be understood that although a particular component arrangement is disclosed and illustrated in these exemplary embodiments, other arrangements could also benefit from the teachings of this disclosure.
Although an example embodiment has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the scope and content of this disclosure.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20190323867 A1 | Oct 2019 | US |