Dashboard Indicator Illuminated Needle Optical Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing instrument panel indicator modules face issues with dust ingress, reduced space for gear trains and electromagnetic components, and inefficient heat dissipation due to internal light guides, leading to performance losses and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A dashboard indicator module featuring a stepper motor with a printed circuit and an external light source, using a monolithic transparent light guide with a collimating skirt and mirror-polished surfaces to direct light coaxially to the needle, minimizing internal components and optimizing space while reducing light pollution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light guide is integrated inside the motor housing, then the space available for gear train and electromagnetic components is reduced, but the illumination function is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the illumination system from the motor housing by placing the light source on an external printed circuit board and using a light guide that transmits light from outside the motor housing to the needle. This segmentation allows the motor housing to maintain its full volume for mechanical components while achieving illumination through an external optical path.
2Illumination intensity
If the light source is placed inside the motor housing, then the illumination is achieved, but dust particles can enter through the opening at the front face, causing performance loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source from the motor housing and places it on an external printed circuit board. The light guide transmits light through the housing without requiring an opening at the front face, thus maintaining the sealed structure and preventing dust particle ingress while achieving illumination.
3Device complexity
If the light source is confined inside the motor housing, then the illumination structure is compact, but heat dissipation becomes inefficient and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a light guide as an intermediary to transmit light from an externally mounted light source through the motor housing to illuminate the needle. This allows the light source to be positioned outside the housing where heat dissipation is more efficient, while the light guide maintains the compact appearance and illumination function.
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 enhances illumination stability, mechanical strength, and reduces light pollution, maintaining performance while minimizing the motor's size and heat dissipation challenges, thus improving overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an optical guide transmitting the light produced by the source up to the rear frontal opening of the motor
Implementation Method 2
mirror-polished surfaces to direct light coaxially to the needle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a dashboard indicator module including an electrical actuator (1), capable of driving an illuminated needle (3), and a printed circuit (5) supporting at least one light source (6). Said actuator (1) has electrical connections attached onto the printed circuit (5). The light source (6), for illuminating the needle (3), is placed in an area located outside the area covered by the actuator (1) and comprises an optical guide (8) that transmits the light produced by the light source (6) up to the rear frontal opening of the actuator (1) and is coaxial, on one hand, with the hollow shaft of the output wheel of said actuator intended for receiving said illuminated needle or, on the other hand, with the transparent (translucent or lightly tinted) shaft of the output wheel (1) intended for receiving said illuminated needle (3). Said optical guide (8) comprises a means for transmitting a directional beam, coaxial to the shaft of said illuminated needle (3).