Abstract:
An instrument panel display pointer having an electronic display and range display. The electronic display rotates with the pointer allowing the pointer to point to a face cover that is mounted to the base. The face cover has values that in one example are indicative of a range of values. Examples of value range would include vehicle speed, RPMs, gallons or liters of fuel remaining, etc. The electronic display is used to display a number which indicates a more precise value, while the pointer indicates a value within a range of values shown on the face of the cover. As the pointer rotates with the ring gear to a different speed, the electronic display pointer also changes the value shown on the electronic display.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is related to an instrument panel display pointer providing both range and digital displays. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In the field of automotive instrumentation, there is typically an instrument display panel located around the steering wheel. The instrument display panel typically contains several gauges or electronic displays that indicate various vehicle conditions such as vehicle speed, rotations per minute (RPM), temperature, oil pressure, fuel, etc. The type of display is usually either an electronic display showing a numeric or graphical image value relating to one of the aforementioned parameters. Another type of display involves a range gauge type of display where there is a range of values and a pointer that points to a specific value. For example, for engine speed, a gauge or a dial shows a number value or range of speeds going from zero to one hundred sixty kilometers per hour with various speed increments in between. A pointer then moves along the range of values indicating the current speed value. In an electronics display, a speedometer would show or display a numerical value for the exact speed that the vehicle is traveling without any indication of the range of values on a gauge. 
         [0003]    The same can be true for a tachometer, fuel level indicator, or other displays. In a tachometer for example, an electronic display will state what the precise RPM is a given point of time, while a range type of gauge will use a needle that shows the approximate RPM value within a range of values. While knowing an exact numerical value is helpful as provided by an electronic display, it is also helpful to know where the numerical value falls within a specific range for a given vehicle gauge as provided by an analog display. It is therefore desirable to provide a vehicle instrument panel display pointer that provides both range and electronic or digital displays for a certain parameter. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to an instrument panel display pointer having a base with at least three mounts connected to the base. Each of the three mounts has two discs connected to a shaft and spaced apart to create a channel for receiving a ring gear that is held by the three mounts and rotatably connected to the base. The ring gear is connected to a motor that is also connected to the base. Activation of the motor rotates the ring gear thereby moving a pointer that is formed on the ring gear. Also connected to the ring gear is an electronic display that has a display panel. A flexible cable is connected at a first end to the electronic display and is configured to rotate with the ring gear. The flexible cable is connected at a second end to a printed circuit board that is connected to the base and supplies electrical signals and power to the electronic display in order to cause a value to be displayed on the electronic display. The electronic display rotates with the pointer allowing the pointer to point to a face cover that is mounted to the base. The face cover has values that in one example are indicative of a range of values. Examples of value ranges would include vehicle speed, RPMs, gallons or liters of fuel remaining, etc. The electronic display is used to display a number which indicates a more precise value, while the pointer indicates a value within a range of values shown on the face of the cover. As the pointer rotates with the ring gear to a different location, the electronic display also changes the value shown on the electronic display. 
         [0005]    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 
         [0006]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front plan view of the instrument panel display pointer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a second front plan view of the instrument panel display pointer in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an exploded side perspective view of the instrument panel display pointer in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the instrument panel display pointer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    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. 
         [0012]    Referring now to the drawings and with specific reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , an instrument panel display pointer  10  is shown. The instrument panel display pointer  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  includes a face cover  12  and ring cover  14 . The face cover  12  has several different indicia displayed thereon. In the particular embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the instrument panel display pointer  10  is part of a speedometer which shows a range display  21  of kilometers per hour (kph) ranging from 0 to 160, with increments of twenty kph being shown. The face cover  12  also includes a left and right turn signal  16  and a number of other lights  18  including a low fuel, low tire pressure, fasten seatbelt, ABS, and high beam indicator lights. 
         [0013]    A pointer  20  is movable in a circumferential direction around the face cover  12  and points to a specific value located between 0 kph to 160 kph. The instrument panel display pointer also has an electronic display  22  located adjacent the pointer  20 . The electronic display  22  indicates a specific value number that increases, which is indicative of the exact speed of the vehicle. As the pointer  22  moves from a first location as shown in  FIG. 1 , where the pointer  20  is pointing at an area that is approximately 10 kph, the electronic display  22  displays a number ten. In  FIG. 2 , the pointer  20  is pointing to a value just above 80 kph, at which time the electronic display shows an exact speed value of 82 kph. As demonstrated by the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the instrument panel display pointer  10  provides a user with an indication of a range of values (e.g., minimum and maximum speed values for the vehicle), while also providing a digital value for the speed, which is an exact value. This allows users of the instrument panel display pointer to get a feel for what range they are operating in using the pointer  20  and range display  21 , while also being able to see an exact number on the electronic display  22 . 
         [0014]    The instrument panel display pointer  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is particularly helpful in a speedometer application where a driver may want to instantly know their exact speed and can quickly look at the electronic display  22  instead of having to look at the pointer  20  and then use additional logic to determine exactly what speed the pointer  20  is at. The instrument panel display pointer  10  further provides the advantage of allowing a driver to quickly glimpse at the range display  21  and see where the pointer  20  is located within the range to provide a rough idea of the vehicle speed without having to focus on the number shown on the electronic display  22 . While the instrument panel display pointer  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , show a speedometer embodiment of the invention and is within the scope of this invention for the instrument panel display pointer  10  to be modified to be used in applications other than a speedometer. For example, the instrument panel display pointer  10  can be a fuel gage, tachometer, oil pressure indicator, engine temperature indicator, or any other suitable gauge connected to the vehicle. 
         [0015]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded side perspective view of the various components of the instrument panel display pointer  10  connected to an external Electronic Control Unit (ECU)  66  in accordance with the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the instrument panel display pointer  10  has a base  24  which is shown to have a circular cylindrical shape. The base  24  may be made out of metal; however, in the present embodiment of the invention, the base  24  is formed of light weight plastic material. A motor  26  is connected to the base  24 . The motor  26  may be a stepper motor having a shaft  28  and pinion gear  30  having teeth  32  formed thereon. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the base  24  has mounts  34 ,  34 ′ formed on an edge surface of the base  24 . Each of the mounts  34 ,  34 ′ has two discs  36 ,  38  connected by a shaft  40 , which is connected to the base  24 . The two discs  36 ,  38  are on the shaft  40  to form a channel  42 . A ring gear  44  is rotatably connected to the base  24  and is held to the base  24  by the mounts  34 ,  34 ′. The ring gear  44  is configured to rotate within the channel  42  of the mounts  34 ,  34 ′. The present embodiment of the invention shows at least three mounts  34 ,  34 ′, however, depending on the size of the ring gear  44 , it is within the scope of this invention for there to be a greater or lesser number of mounts  34 ,  34 ′ that are used to hold the ring gear. 
         [0017]    For assembly purposes, one of the three mounts  34 ′ is connected to a spring loaded pivot arm  46 . The spring loaded pivot arm  46  includes an arm  48  connected to the base  24  using a pivot point connection  50 . A spring  52 , or any suitable resilient member, is connected between the arm  48  and the base  24  to bias the mount  34 ′ and arm  48  toward engagement with the ring gear  44  when the ring gear is placed within the channel  42 . During assembly, the spring loaded pivot arm  46  is moved away from the housing allowing for the ring gear  44  to be slid into position, and then the spring  52  urges the mount  34  and arm  48  to engage the ring gear  44 . 
         [0018]    The ring gear  44  has an inner edge  54  and outer edge  56 . In the present embodiment of the invention, teeth  58  are formed on the outer edge of the ring gear  44  and are configured to engage with teeth  32  of the pinion gear  30 , so that when the motor  26  is actuated, the shaft  28  rotates the pinion gear  30  thereby causing the pinion gear  30  to rotate and translate the rotative force from the pinion gear  30  to the ring gear  44  through the meshed engagement of teeth  32  with teeth  58 . While the teeth  58  are formed on the outer edge  56  of the ring gear  44 , it within the scope of this invention for the teeth  44  to be formed on the inner edge  54 , thereby reversing the connection of the pinion gear  30  with the ring gear  44  so that the pinion gear  30  contacts teeth on the inner edge  54  and not the outer edge  56 . 
         [0019]    The pointer  20  is formed on the inner edge  54  of the ring gear  44  and extends toward the center of the ring gear  44 . Activation of the motor  26  rotates the ring gear  44  causing the pointer  20  to move when the ring gear is rotated. Adjacent the tip of the pointer  20  is a mount surface  60  that is configured to receive the electronic display  22 . The electronic display  22 , when connected at the mount  60 , rotates with the ring gear  44  when the ring gear  44  rotates. The electronic display  22  includes a screen capable of displaying a selectable value, such as the kilometer per hour number shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . This is accomplished using a liquid crystal display; however, it is within the scope of this invention for other types of displays to be used, including, but not limited to organic light emitting diodes (OLED), light emitting diodes (LED), or other suitable displays. 
         [0020]    In order to control the number or value displayed on the electronic display  22 , a flexible cable  62  is connected to the electronic display  22  at a first end and to a circuit board  64  at a second end. The circuit board  64  is connected to the base  24 ; however, it is possible for the circuit board  64  to not be connected to the base. The circuit board  64  supplies power and control signals through the flexible cable  62  to the electronic display  22 , causing the electronic display  22  to display a value. In the present embodiment of the invention, the first end of the flexible cable  22  is connected to the electronic display  22  through the mount  60  on the ring gear  44 . However, it is within the scope of this invention for the flexible cable  62  to be connected directly to the electronic display  22  without passing through the mount  60  on the ring gear. 
         [0021]    In another aspect of the invention, instrument panel display pointer  10  has an engine control unit  66  (ECU) electrically connected to the circuit board  64 . The ECU  66  is connected to other vehicle systems and controls the value and power signals sent to the circuit board  64 . 
         [0022]    The instrument panel display pointer  10  also includes the face cover  12 , which has a number of different indicia, including a number value range  21 , left and right turn signals  16 , and other indicia  18 . In another aspect of the invention, shown in  FIG. 3 , a second side  13  of the face cover  12  has writing, which allows the face cover to be flipped and reversed for other uses. For example, the second side  13  may have miles per hour (mph) number value ranges shown, while the first side has the kilometers per hour (kph) as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . If the instrument panel display pointer  10  will be used in a region where miles per hour (mph) will be used instead of kilometers per hour (kph), the face cover  12  can be flipped so that the second side  13  is located directly beneath the pointer  20 . The instrument panel display pointer  10  also has a ring cover  14  that circumscribes a portion of the ring gear  44  so that only the pointer  20  and electronic display  22  are seen when the instrument panel display pointer  10  is operating. 
         [0023]    The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.