Bar graph implementation with a paddle-style pointer

Abstract

A pointer device, an instrument cluster, and a display for an instrument cluster are described herein. The pointer device includes a pointer with a stem and paddle. The instrument cluster includes a technique to display a bar graph based interface with a mechanically driven pointer. The display allows for a dual representation employing multiple pointers, with one pointer dedicated to a dial-based display, and another pointer dedicated to a bar graph display.

Claims

1. An instrument cluster display, comprising: a first surface facing a viewer of the instrument cluster, comprising: a first portion with a dial-based display; a second portion with a bar graph display; and and a first pointer device and a second pointer device, the first pointer device and the second pointer device rotating around a same axis, the second pointer device comprising: a stem; a pivot portion integrally attached to a first side of the stem, and equipped to attach to a pointer driving mechanism; and a paddle attached to a second side of the stem; the paddle being wider than the stem in a first direction; wherein the second portion includes an opening to visibly display a portion of one of the paddle; wherein the first portion and the second portion are each provided with a mechanically rotatable elements to indicate a present status, and the first pointer device is disposed on the first surface of the instrument cluster, and the second pointer device is disposed on a second surface of the instrument cluster, the second surface opposing the first side.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The detailed description refers to the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to like items, and in which:

(2) FIGS. 1(a) and (b) illustrate an example mechanical gauge and a digital gauge according to a conventional implementation.

(3) FIG. 2 is an example of a pointer device according to an embodiment disclosed herein.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an instrument cluster portion incorporating the pointer according to an exemplary embodiment.

(5) FIGS. 4(a) and (b) illustrate an example side-view and front-view of the instrument cluster portion with an applique.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) The invention is described more fully hereinafter with references to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It will be understood that for the purposes of this disclosure, at least one of each will be interpreted to mean any combination the enumerated elements following the respective language, including combination of multiples of the enumerated elements. For example, at least one of X, Y, and Z will be construed to mean X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more items X, Y, and Z (e.g. XYZ, XZ, YZ, X). Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same drawing reference numerals are understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. The relative size and depiction of these elements may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

(7) As explained in the Background section, various gauge implementations may be employed in an instrument cluster. Conventionally, the gauges have been implemented via the mechanical gauge 100 discussed above. In recent times, digital gauges 170 are becoming more common.

(8) However, one disadvantage with a digital gauge 170 is that it may be cost prohibitive to implement. Digital gauges 170 require implementing a display system in an instrument cluster. This implementation may be expensive, and complicatedespecially if all the other elements in the instrument cluster are mechanical. Thus, although a consumer or a group of consumers may prefer a bar graph presentation (as shown in FIG. 1(b))the implementation may be frustrated due to cost and complexity.

(9) Disclosed herein is a bar graph implementation with a paddle-style pointer. By employing the aspects disclosed herein, an instrument cluster may realize a fully mechanical implementation, while presenting the information in a manner customarily reserved for digital representations of information. Thus, a manufacturer of consumer electronics may provide a more aesthetically pleasing interface, while achieving cost savings and an easier implementation.

(10) FIG. 2 is an example of a pointer device 200 according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The pointer device 200 is shown as a stand-alone device, however, as explained in detail in other portions of this disclosure, the pointer device 200 may be implemented with various interfaces and instrument clusters disclosed herein.

(11) The pointer device 200 includes a stem 210, a pivot 220, and a paddle 230. The pointer device 200 may be implemented with various materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art in pointer manufacturing.

(12) The pivot 220 is configured to attach to a rotatable driving element, for example a stepper motor. Thus, when the pivot 220 is bolted on to the driving element, the pivot 220 may facilitate a motion in a clockwise or counter-clockwise fashion.

(13) The stem 210 is similar to stems employed with conventional pointer devices. The stem 210 may be longer in the direction in which the pointer device 200 is pointing towards.

(14) On the edge of the stem, on a side directly opposite of the pivot 220, is a paddle 230. The paddle 230 is a substantially rectangular shaped extension of the stem 210. The paddle 230 may be attached separately to the stem 210, or integrally formed with the stem 210 (as shown).

(15) As shown, the paddle 230 is rectangular. However, other shapes and sizes may be implemented, such as two substantially rectangular portions 231 and 232 as shown in a second version of the pointer device 201.

(16) In both examples, the paddles 230 (or 231/232) are significantly longer in the X direction shown.

(17) FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an instrument cluster portion 300 incorporating the pointer 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, the instrument cluster portion 300 is shown without an applique, thereby allowing the internal portions of the instrument cluster portion 300 to be shown. The instrument cluster portion 300 includes a speedometer 310 and a fuel gauge 330.

(18) The speedometer 310 includes a pointer 311 and indicia 312. The speedometer is coupled to a speed sensor associated with the vehicle, and a motor associated with a concentric dual stepper motor 320 is configured to control the pointer 311 based on the present speed of the vehicle.

(19) The fuel gauge 330 includes indicia 331, and a bar graph opening 335. The bar graph opening 335 includes a transparent window to allow an operator of the vehicle to observe the present status of the fuel supply. As shown in FIG. 3, the bar graph opening 335 has a portion that is not populated with any sort of portion of the paddle (340) and a portion that is (350).

(20) The concentric dual stepper motor 320 is also configured to rotate the pointer 200 based on the available fuel supply. Thus, if the fuel supply is increased, the pointer 200 is rotated in a counter-clockwise manner, thereby increasing the space devoted to portion 350, and decreasing the space devoted to portion 340. Conversely, if the fuel supply is lessened, the opposite occurs.

(21) FIGS. 4(a) and (b) illustrate an example side-view and front-view of the instrument cluster portion 300 with an applique 400. An applique 400 is a paint that covers the transparent portions or plastic portions of an instrument cluster. The applique 400 is a finishing layer, and prevents the operator from seeing anything on the instrument cluster portion 400 other than the indicia 312 and 331, and the elements place above the applique 400, on a surface opposing the vehicle's operator or passenger.

(22) As shown in FIG. 4(a), the pointer 311 is situated on top of the applique 400. This allows the vehicle's operator and passenger to view the pointer 311 as it gets adjusted to conform with a current speed of the vehicle.

(23) Referring to FIG. 4(b), the front-view of the instrument cluster portion 300 is shown with the applique 400 applied. The major contrast between FIG. 4(b) and FIG. 3 is that the pointer 200s stem 210 and pivot 220 are not shown, and the portions of the paddle 230 that are not encompassing the bar graph opening 340 are also not shown.

(24) Not shown, the pointer 200 may be equipped with a counter weight to help balance the extra weight and size associated with the paddle 230.

(25) Thus, employing the concepts disclosed herein, an instrument cluster may implement a mechanical driven bar graph indication. The aspects described herein illustrate an example of a speedometer and a fuel gauge combined together. However, various instrument cluster information displays may be substituted based on an implementer's preference.

(26) It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.