Automobile Instrument Dial with Radial Light Guide Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automobile instruments lack sufficient decorative performance despite improved visibility through illumination, as the current design does not effectively enhance visual appeal.
Innovation Solution
An automobile instrument design featuring a dial with a facing member having transparent light guide portions radially arranged around the circumference, illuminated by a second light source, combined with a slanted portion on the dial to create a floating effect for characters, enhancing both visibility and decorative performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the dial and ring member are simply illuminated by light sources, then visibility is improved, but decorative performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The facing member is segmented into multiple transparent light guide portions radially arranged around the dial circumference. Each light guide portion can be independently illuminated by the second light source, creating distinct decorative light beams that enhance visual appeal while maintaining visibility functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the instrument are provided with different lighting characteristics: the first light source provides general illumination for visibility, while the second light source creates localized decorative effects through the transparent light guide portions. The slanted portion also creates local visual interest by making characters appear to float
2Device complexity
If a slanted portion is added to create a floating effect for characters, then decorative performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slanted portion introduces a curved or angled surface geometry to the dial, creating the visual effect of floating characters. This geometric modification can be achieved through standard molding techniques for plastic components, balancing aesthetic enhancement with manufacturing feasibility
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design significantly improves decorative performance by creating a visually appealing effect that draws attention to the dial, with enhanced visibility of characters and improved lighting control, allowing for varied color indications and simplified structure.
Implementation Method 1
A light source 160 for the dial irradiating the dial 120 with light is arranged at the lower side of the dial 120. The light sources 160, 161, 162 are formed of a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Implementation Method 2
A second light source configured to emit light to the transparent light guide portions
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of transparent light guide portions radially arranged respectively from an end of the circumference of the dial at intervals in a circumferential direction of the dial
Data Source
AI summary
An automobile instrument (1) includes: a dial (4); an indicator (11) configured to rotate on the dial (4); a facing member (14) configured to surround a circumference of the dial (4) and comprising a plurality of transparent light guide portions (35) radially arranged respectively from an end of the circumference of the dial (4) at intervals in a circumferential direction of the dial (4); a first light source (17) configured to irradiate the dial (4) with light; and a second light source (19) configured to emit light to the transparent light guide portions (35).