Vehicle Instrument Panel Pointer Presence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle instrument panel assemblies with mechanical pointers can cause annoyance or interfere with the operator's visibility at night if the pointer falls off due to collisions, improper servicing, or manufacturing defects, as the light source may remain active and shine unnecessarily.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle instrument panel assembly equipped with a sensor, such as Hall effect devices or a light detector, that detects the presence of a magnet on the pointer, coupled with a controller to turn off the light source if the pointer is not properly mounted on its shaft, ensuring the light source is only active when the pointer is correctly positioned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the light source is always active to illuminate the pointer, then the pointer is always visible, but the light source causes annoyance and interferes with the operator's visibility when the pointer is missing
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a sensor to detect the presence of the pointer and provides feedback to the controller, which then controls the light source accordingly. When the sensor detects that the pointer is present, the light source is activated to illuminate the pointer. When the pointer is absent, the light source is turned off to prevent operator annoyance and visibility interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor continuously monitors the pointer's presence in advance before the light source is activated. This preliminary detection ensures that the light source is only turned on when the pointer is actually present, preventing the harmful effect of unnecessary light emission before it can occur.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a sensor is added to detect pointer presence, then unnecessary light emission is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical detection mechanisms with a simpler sensor-based detection system. The sensor, which can be a magnetic sensor or optical sensor, detects the pointer's presence through non-contact means, eliminating the need for complex mechanical switches or physical contact detectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor serves multiple functions: it detects the pointer's presence, determines the pointer's position, and provides this information to the controller for both illumination control and display accuracy. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate detection systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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
Prevents unnecessary light emission and interference with the operator's visibility by automatically turning off the light source when the pointer falls off, maintaining safe driving conditions at night.
Implementation Method 1
A vehicle instrument panel assembly equipped with a sensor, such as Hall effect devices or a light detector, that detects the presence of a magnet on the pointer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A vehicle instrument panel assembly (10) includes a light source (12), a pointer (16), and a sensor (30). The light source (12) is configured to emit light from a display surface (14) of the assembly (10). The pointer (16) overlies the display surface (14) and is movable about an axis (18) to an angle (20) to point to indicia (22) on the display surface (14). The pointer (16) defines a hub portion (24) and a needle portion (26) that extends from the hub portion (24). The hub portion (24) overlies the light source (12) and includes a light-guide (28) that guides light from the light source (12) into the needle portion (26) whereby the needle portion (26) is illuminated. The sensor (30) is located proximate to the hub portion (24). The sensor (30) is configured to detect that the pointer (16) is present regardless of the angle (20) of the pointer (16).