Bi-Color Pointer Arm for Vehicle Instrument Gauges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing instrument cluster gauges in vehicles often struggle to provide clear and readable information, especially under high ambient light conditions, due to the lack of coloration on pointers, which can make it difficult for operators to monitor essential vehicle conditions like speed, RPM, and engine temperature.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a bi-color pointer arm constructed of clear material with a translucent first and second color on its top surface, combined with a light guide and LED light source, ensures the pointer is visible through tinted lenses and enhances aesthetic appeal by creating a bi-color effect, while maintaining readability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a clear pointer material with no coloration is used, then the pointer construction is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the pointer becomes difficult to read under high ambient light conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepointer manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidpointer readability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies translucent color coatings (first and second colors) to different regions of the pointer arm to enhance visibility and readability under various ambient light conditions. The color application is done through coating processes that maintain the clear material base while adding optical properties for better information transmission to the operator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Ease of manufacture

If a single color coating is applied to the pointer, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the aesthetic appeal and information differentiation are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating process simplicityVSAvoidaesthetic appeal and information differentiation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different translucent colors to different regions of the pointer arm (first color in first region, second color in second region). This local differentiation enhances aesthetic appeal and can provide additional information coding while still using a relatively simple coating process applied to specific zones rather than the entire pointer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution effectively addresses the readability issue under various lighting conditions and enhances the aesthetic appeal of the instrument cluster gauges, ensuring operators can easily monitor vehicle conditions without the gauges being washed out by ambient light.

Implementation Method 1

the top surface is coated with at least a first translucent color in a first region and a second translucent color in a second region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission and filtration: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 2

a pointer arm constructed of a clear material, the pointer arm includes a top surface facing away from the appliqué, and the top surface is coated with at least a first translucent color

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTranslucency:

Data Source

PatentUS9200930B2Dual color pointer arm for an instrument gauge

Publication Date: 2015.12.01 AUMOVIO SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A dual colored pointer arm for an instrument gauge constructed of a clear material and having a coated bi-color top surface.