Abstract:
A gauge of a vehicle instrument cluster includes a gauge defining a dial. A pointer is rotatably mounted in the instrument cluster and movable to a plurality of positions relative to the dial. A first scale of numbers is arranged sequentially around the dial and corresponds to a first range of vehicle speed. A second scale of numbers is arranged sequentially around the dial and corresponds to a second range of vehicle speed. The second scale of numbers corresponds to vehicle speeds that are faster than the first range of vehicle speeds and have like units. The first scale and the second scale of numbers are arranged in a radially offset relationship.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to vehicle instrument clusters and, more particularly, to an instrument cluster gauge incorporating a dual scale.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Instrument clusters on automobiles generally include a plurality of gauges for displaying such operational information such as vehicle speed, engine RPM, engine temperature, fuel level and many other information. The gauges may include analog or digital readings for displaying the information depending on manufacturer and styling preferences. An analog gauge typically includes a faceplate having indicia thereon such as numbers and a pointer for rotating to the appropriate number.  
         [0003]     One important design consideration for an instrument cluster and related gauges is the ability of a vehicle operator to easily view and read the gauges in all driving environments. One aspect to consider when designing an instrument cluster gauge is to provide numbers that may be easily viewed by the operator. In some examples however, such as for a speedometer, it may be desirable to provide a large range of numbers, which may reduce the overall size of the displayed numbers. For example, some speedometers may need to display a large scale of miles per hour (MPH). In one example, a speedometer may display a range from 0 to 160 MPH or higher (or 0 to 260 kilometers per hour or higher). In some instances, it may be difficult to provide such a large range of numbers in a manner that is easily viewable.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     A viewed component of a vehicle instrument cluster includes a gauge defining a dial. A pointer is rotatably mounted in the instrument cluster and movable to a plurality of positions relative to the dial. A first scale of numbers is arranged sequentially around the dial and corresponds to a first range of vehicle speed. A second scale of numbers is arranged sequentially around the dial and corresponds to a second range of vehicle speed. The second scale of numbers corresponds to vehicle speeds that are faster than the first range of vehicle speeds and have like units. The first scale and the second scale of numbers are arranged in a radially offset relationship.  
         [0005]     According to other features, the pointer is adapted to rotate from a first position corresponding to a first starting point on the first scale of numbers to a position corresponding to a break point at an end of the first scale of numbers. When the vehicle speed exceeds the break point, the pointer is adapted to rotate to the first position corresponding to a second starting point on the second scale of numbers. A motor is adapted to advance the pointer from the break point to the first position. In one example, the first scale of numbers are located inboard from the second scale of numbers. The first scale of numbers is illuminated when the vehicle is traveling within the first range of speed. The second scale of numbers is illuminated when the vehicle is traveling within the second range of speed.  
         [0006]     According to other features, the second scale of numbers is arranged sequentially counterclockwise around the dial. The pointer may be adapted to rotate in a clockwise direction from a first position corresponding to a first starting point on the first scale of numbers to a position corresponding to a break point at the end of the first scale of numbers. When the vehicle speed exceeds the break point, the pointer may be adapted to rotate in a counterclockwise direction from the break point corresponding to a second starting point on the second scale of numbers.  
         [0007]     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a vehicle speedometer according to teachings of the invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front view of an exemplary vehicle speedometer in accordance with a second aspect of the present teachings; and  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front view of an exemplary vehicle speedometer in accordance with a third aspect of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0013]     The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary instrument cluster  10  in an automotive vehicle. The instrument cluster  10  may include various gauges and dials which are to be viewed and/or operated by an occupant of the vehicle. For example, a speedometer  12  may be used to display the speed at which a vehicle is traveling. The speedometer  12  includes a movable pointer  14  which correlates to the speed of the vehicle. To provide meaningful graphical information to the occupant, a dial or faceplate  20  of the speedometer  12  forms the background for the pointer  14  of the speedometer  12 . While the following discussion is specifically directed toward a speedometer, it is appreciated that the same may be applied to other gauges such as, but not limited to, a tachometer for example.  
         [0015]     The speedometer  12  according to the present teachings provides a first scale of numbers  22  arranged sequentially around the faceplate  20  corresponding to a first range of vehicle speeds. The first scale of numbers  22  may be arranged adjacent a first band of graphics  26 . A second scale of numbers  30  may be arranged sequentially around the faceplate  20  and correspond to a second range of vehicle speeds. The second scale of numbers  30  may be arranged within a second band of graphics  34 . In one example, the first and second scales of numbers  22  and  30 , respectively, are radially offset. In the exemplary speedometer  12 , English units (miles per hour, MPH) are shown. It is appreciated however that metric units (such as kilometers per hour, KPH) may be used.  
         [0016]     With continued reference to  FIG. 1  and further reference to  FIG. 2 , the pointer  14  may define a generally longitudinal portion  40  extending from a hub  42 . The hub  42  may define a stem  44  extending through a passage  46  in the faceplate  20 . The stem  44  may be coupled for rotatable movement with a motor  50 . In one example, the pointer  14  may define a shaded or opaque tip portion  52 . The opaque tip portion  52  may be configured to align or overlay the second scale of numbers  30 . It is appreciated that the tip portion  52  may have other configurations. In one example, numerals in the first scale of numbers  22  may be a bright color such as white while the first band of graphics  26  may be a dark color such as black for example. The pointer  14  may be illuminated along an intermediate portion  56 . A first and second series of grad lines  60  and  62  may be provided on the first and second band of graphics  26  and  34 , respectively. In another example, common grad lines may be used for both the first and second scales of numbers  22  and  30 .  
         [0017]     A first series of light sources  66  may extend from a printed circuit board  68  for directing light through a first series of respective chimneys  70  and through the faceplate  20 . Similarly a second series of light sources  72  may extend from the printed circuit board for directing light through a second series of respective chimneys  74  and through the faceplate  20 . The first series of light sources  66  are aligned with the first scale of numbers  22  while the second series of light sources  72  are aligned with the second scale of numbers  30 . The respective first and second series of light sources  66 ,  72  may comprise any suitable light emitting source for use in an instrument cluster such as, but not limited to a light bulb or light emitting diode.  
         [0018]     As will become appreciated from the following discussion, the speedometer  12  is adapted to rotate clockwise around the dial  20  in a first mode corresponding to the first scale of numbers  22 . Once the vehicle speed exceeds a break or limit of the first scale of numbers  22 , the pointer  14  quickly advances to a position corresponding to the beginning of the second scale of numbers  30 . The pointer  14  then may continue to rotate clockwise around the dial  20  pointing to the second scale of numbers  30 . In one example, the first scale of numbers  22  are illuminated during operation in the first mode and the second scale of numbers  30  are illuminated during operation in the second mode.  
         [0019]     Operation of the speedometer  12  will now be described in greater detail. For purposes of discussion, a sweep of the pointer  14  through MPH ranges of 0 MPH to 90 MPH will be referred to as the first mode and a sweep of the pointer  14  through MPH ranges of 90 MPH to 180 MPH will be referred to as a second mode. Of note, the first and second scales of numbers  22  and  30  may have overlap. In the exemplary speedometer  12  shown, the first scale of numbers end at 90 MPH while the second scale of numbers  30  begins at 80 MPH. As will become appreciated, the overlap reduces the frequency the pointer  14  is required to bounce between the first and second scales  22  and  30 .  
         [0020]     It is appreciated however, that these ranges are merely exemplary. As such, the first mode may define operation of the pointer  14  through a first scale of numbers having a different range. For example, the first scale of numbers may range from 0 to 50 MPH. Alternatively, ranges may define lower or higher MPH limits for the first mode. Similarly, the second mode may define operation of the pointer  14  through a second scale of numbers having a different range than shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, the second scale of numbers may range from 50 MPH to 120 MPH. Again, ranges may define lower or higher MPH limits for the second mode.  
         [0021]     In general, the pointer  14  is operable to rotate clockwise around the dial  20  through the first mode while corresponding to the first scale of numbers  22 . In one example, the first scale of numbers  22  may be illuminated by the first series of light sources  66  during operation in the first mode. During operation in the first mode, the second series of light sources  72  are not illuminated. As a result, the second scale of numbers  30  is generally non-identifiable during operation in the first mode. Once the speed of the vehicle exceeds a limit of the first scale of numbers  22 , the motor  50  quickly advances the pointer  14  to a position corresponding to a beginning of the second scale of numbers  30 . In the example shown, once vehicle speed surpasses 90 MPH (break point), the pointer  14  quickly is advanced by the motor  50  to a position corresponding to 90 MPH on the second scale of numbers  30 . In one example, the pointer  14  may be quickly advanced in a clockwise direction to the beginning of the second scale of numbers  30 . Alternatively, the pointer  14  may return to the beginning of the second scale of numbers  30  by rotating counter-clockwise. At this time, the second scale of numbers may be illuminated by the second series of light sources  72 . During operation in the second mode, the first series of light sources  66  are not illuminated. As a result, the first scale of numbers  22  is generally non-identifiable during operation in the second mode. Because of the overlap described above, the pointer  14  would return to operation in the first mode (first scale of numbers  22 ) when vehicle speed drops below 80 MPH.  
         [0022]     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , a gauge  80  constructed in accordance to additional features will be described. For illustrative purposes, like components will be referred to with like reference numerals. The gauge  80  is similar to the gauge  12  except the locations of the first and second scales of numbers  22  and  30  are reversed. Explained further, the first scale of numbers  22  are located radially outboard relative to the second scale of numbers  30 . The functionality of the gauge  80  is similar to that described with respect to gauge  12 . In one example, only the first scale of numbers  22  are illuminated during operation in the first mode while only the second scale of numbers  30  are illuminated during operation in the second mode.  
         [0023]     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a gauge  90  constructed in accordance to additional features will be described. Again, for illustrative purposes, like components will be referred to with like reference numerals. The gauge  90  is similar to the gauge  12  illustrated in  FIG. 1  however, a second scale of numbers  92  provides numerals in a reverse sequence. Specifically, the second scale of numbers  92  increase in a counterclockwise direction around the dial  20 . While the first range of numerals  22  are depicted inboard of the second range of numerals  92 , it is appreciated that they may be reversed.  
         [0024]     Operation of the gauge  90  will now be described. The pointer  14  is operable to rotate around the dial  20  through the first mode while corresponding to the first scale of numbers  22 . In one example, the first scale of numbers  22  may be illuminated by the first series of light sources  66  during operation in the first mode. Once the speed of the vehicle exceeds a limit of the first scale of numbers  22 , the pointer  14  begins to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. At this time, the second scale of numbers  92  may be illuminated by the second series of light sources  72  while the first series of light sources  66  are not illuminated.  
         [0025]     While the invention has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings with reference to various embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. For example, while the drawings and related discussion are specifically directed toward a radial dial, the same may be applied to a scale of numbers arranged in another pattern, such as linear. In addition, while the specific examples relate to a pair of scales of numbers, more scales may be provided. In this way, three or more radially offset scales of numerals may be arranged on the dial. Furthermore, the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that features, elements and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise above. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any embodiments falling within the foregoing description and the appended claims.