Patent ID: 6624608
Filing Date: 2003-09-23
Classification: G01R,H02P

Abstract:
An indicating instrument for a vehicle comprising:a pointer disposed to move over said display portion between a zero position and a maximum position corresponding to said maximum value; a step motor including a stator and a magnet rotor connected to said pointer for moving said pointer when an alternating signal is supplied thereto; a stopper unit for stopping said pointer when said pointer reaches said zero position; driving means for supplying said stator with a driving alternating signal to move said pointer in response to said analog signal; zero-return means for supplying said stator with a zero-return alternating signal to move said pointer toward said zero-position; storing means for pre-storing a zero-level electric angle in which said zero-return alternating signal becomes a zero level at least twice after said zero-return signal is supplied to said stator; first examining means for examining whether a phase angle of said zero-return alternating signal reaches said zero-level electric angle or not after said zero-return alternating signal is supplied to said stator; interrupting means for interrupting said zero-return alternating signal to provide induced voltage induced in said stator when it is presumed that said zero-return alternating signal reaches said zero-level electric angle; and second examining means for examining whether said induced voltage is equal to or lower than a threshold voltage that indicates that said pointer is stopped.