TWI557397B - Meter pointer structure for preventing light leakage - Google Patents

Description

Anti-leakage meter pointer structure

The invention relates to a light leakage prevention meter pointer structure, in particular to a light leakage prevention meter pointer structure which is directly directed to a pointer for illumination display.

In the prior art, various automobiles and locomotives use instruments to display indications such as driving speed, gasoline usage, and vehicle temperature, so as to clearly identify the state of the vehicle. In the daytime or in a well-lit area, the position indicated by the pointer can be clearly seen. In the night or in the dark, the assistance of the light is needed to clearly see the position indicated by the pointer on the meter.

As shown in the first and second figures, there is a conventional instrument illumination structure including a base 11, an instrument panel 12, a light-emitting component 13, a pointer 14, a cap 15 and a motor 16, wherein the light-emitting component 13 can be an LED (light-emitting diode) or the like that can generate a light source, and the light-emitting element 13 generates a light source, and the light source is projected upward and around, and is projected upward to the pointer 14 and can be used by the pointer 14 The light transmission function shows bright light.

However, since the pointer 14 and the cap 15 are engaged with each other, as shown in FIG. 2, a gap is easily generated between the pointer 14 and the cap 15, and when the light-emitting element 13 is lit, the light-emitting element 13 is The light source will leak through the gap between the pointer 14 and the cap 15, thus causing the pointer 14 The problem of light leakage; in order to overcome the above problem, the manufacturer usually applies a color coating on each of the upper surface 141 and the two side surfaces 142 of the pointer 14 to alleviate the leakage of the pointer 14. However, since it is necessary to simultaneously apply the color coating on the upper surface 141 and the two side surfaces 142 to reduce the light leakage, the manufacturing time and production cost of the pointer 14 are relatively increased.

Therefore, it is necessary to provide an improved leak-proof meter pointer structure to solve the problems of the conventional technology.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a light leakage meter pointer structure, which utilizes at least a part of the two notched edges of the cap to cover the upper light guiding surface of the needle body, thereby reducing the light leakage of the needle body and eliminating the two side guides of the needle body. Processing requirements for glossy coatings.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a light leakage meter pointer structure, which is disposed on an instrument panel. The light leakage meter pointer structure includes a pointer shaft, a needle body and a cap; the pointer shaft is disposed on the instrument panel. The needle body extends from one end of the pointer shaft and includes an upper light guiding surface and two side light guiding surfaces respectively located at two sides; the cap has two notched edges and is located between the two notched edges And a through hole, wherein at least a portion of the two notch edges cover the upper light guiding surface of the needle body.

In an embodiment of the invention, each of the notch edges has a projection covering the upper light guiding surface of the needle body.

In an embodiment of the invention, the edge of the protrusion is arcuate, rectangular or cut.

In an embodiment of the invention, a spacing distance between the two notch edges is less than a width of the needle body.

In an embodiment of the invention, the needle body further comprises at least one coating applied to the upper light guiding surface.

In an embodiment of the invention, a top surface of the cap is flat or higher than the upper light guiding surface of the needle body.

In an embodiment of the invention, the pointer shaft is hollow.

In an embodiment of the invention, the cap is made of an opaque material.

In an embodiment of the invention, the light leakage meter pointer structure further comprises a card block disposed on the pointer shaft, the cap having a card slot for the card block to be stuck together.

In an embodiment of the invention, the block has at least one perforation, and the cap further has at least one pin for inserting into the perforation.

As described above, the present invention covers at least a portion of the two notched edges of the cap to cover the upper light guiding surface of the needle body, so that the light source can only be seen from directly above the upper light guiding surface of the needle body, thereby reducing the The problem of lateral leakage of the needle body can effectively overcome the situation of the conventional pointer leakage; at the same time, since the leakage condition of the needle body has been alleviated, the needle body can also be dispensed with the conventional application on both sides of the pointer. The process of overcoating a color coating can reduce manufacturing costs and increase efficiency.

11‧‧‧Base

12‧‧‧Dashboard

13‧‧‧Lighting elements

14‧‧‧ pointer

141‧‧‧ upper surface

142‧‧‧ side surface

15‧‧‧ cap

16‧‧‧Motor

100‧‧‧Anti-leakage meter pointer structure

2‧‧‧ pointer shaft

3‧‧‧ needle

31‧‧‧Upper glossy

32‧‧‧ side light guide

33‧‧‧ Coating

4‧‧‧Cap

41‧‧‧ Notched edge

411‧‧‧protrusion

42‧‧‧through hole

43‧‧‧ card slot

44‧‧‧Latch

45‧‧‧ top surface

5‧‧‧ card block

51‧‧‧Perforation

52‧‧‧Upper Department

53‧‧‧ Lower Order

6‧‧‧Motor

7‧‧‧Lighting elements

W1‧‧‧ separation distance

W2‧‧‧Width

1 is a top view of a conventional meter illumination structure; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional meter illumination structure; and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the leak prevention meter pointer structure according to the present invention; ; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of the leak-proof meter pointer structure according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another preferred embodiment of the leak-proof meter pointer structure according to the present invention; and Figure 6 is A cross-sectional view of still another preferred embodiment of the leak-proof meter pointer structure according to the present invention; and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of still another preferred embodiment of the leak-proof meter pointer structure in accordance with the present invention.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more <RTIgt; Furthermore, the directional terms mentioned in the present invention, such as upper, lower, top, bottom, front, rear, left, right, inner, outer, side, surrounding, central, horizontal, horizontal, vertical, longitudinal, axial, Radial, uppermost or lowermost, etc., only refer to the direction of the additional schema. Therefore, the directional terminology used is for the purpose of illustration and understanding of the invention.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, a preferred embodiment of the structure of the leak-proof meter pointer of the present invention is provided on an instrument panel (see Fig. 1) of a vehicle body, and the leak-proof meter pointer structure 100 includes a pointer shaft 2, a needle body 3, a cap 4 and a card block 5. The detailed construction, assembly relationship and operation principle of each component will be described in detail below.

Continuing with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the pointer shaft 2 is disposed on a motor 6 of the instrument panel (see Fig. 1); in the present embodiment, the pointer shaft 2 is hollow and can be tightly fitted. Fixed on the rotating shaft of the motor 6, the motor 6 drives the pivoting of the pointer shaft 2, and one side of the motor 6 is provided with a light-emitting element 7. In the embodiment, the light-emitting element 7 is a light-emitting diode. (Light Emitting Diode, LED).

Continuing with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the needle body 3 extends from one end of the pointer shaft 2, and the needle body 3 includes an upper light guiding surface 31, two side light guiding surfaces 32 and a coating layer 33; The two side light guiding surfaces 32 are respectively located on two sides of the upper light guiding surface 31; the two side light guiding surfaces 32 are opposite to each other; the coating layer 33 has a color and only needs to be coated on the upper light guiding surface 31; In this embodiment, the two side light guiding surfaces 32 are not coated with any color coating and are light transmissive.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the cap 4 has two notch edges 41 and a through hole 42 between the two notch edges 41, wherein at least a portion of the two notch edges 41 cover the upper portion of the needle body 3. a light guiding surface 31, and a spacing distance W1 between the two notch edges 41 is smaller than a width of the needle body 3 (see FIG. 3); in addition, a top surface 45 of the cap 4 is flat or higher than the width The upper light guiding surface 31 of the needle body 3, that is, the top surface 45 may be higher than the upper light guiding surface 31, or the top surface 45 is in the same plane as the upper light guiding surface 31; in this embodiment, the cap The cover 4 is made of an opaque material, and each of the notch rims 41 has a protruding portion 411. The protruding portions 411 of the two notched edges 41 respectively cover the opposite sides of the upper light guiding surface 31 of the needle body 3. The side edges, and the edges of the projections 411 are rectangular. The protrusion 411 has a span (width) of the through hole 42 smaller than a width of the upper light guiding surface 31 of the needle body 3.

With reference to the third and fourth figures, the card block 5 is disposed on the pointer shaft 2 and is connected to the needle body 3. The cap 4 has a card slot 43 for the card block 5 The card block 5 has two through holes 51, and the cap 4 further has two pins 44 for inserting into the two through holes 51, respectively, which is illustrated in the embodiment. The perforation 51 and the latch 44 are respectively provided in two, but in other embodiments, one or more may be provided, which is not limited by the content disclosed in the embodiment; in addition, in this embodiment, The block 5 has a stepped shape and has an upper step portion 52 and a lower step portion 53 formed on the lower step portion 53.

According to the above configuration, when the light-emitting element 7 is lit, the light source of the light-emitting element 7, that is, the direction of the needle body 3 and the cap 4 (from bottom to top) is emitted, due to the pointer shaft 2 and the card block 5 The light source penetrates the pointer shaft 2 and the card block 5 and enters the needle body 3, wherein the protrusions 411 cover the upper light guiding surface 31 of the needle body 3, respectively. With respect to the two side edges, the light source is transmitted from directly above the upper light guiding surface 31 of the needle body 3 (as indicated by an arrow), and the problem of light leakage from the side of the needle body 3 is no longer generated, which can effectively overcome the problem. In addition, since the light leakage of the needle 3 has been alleviated, the needle body 3 can also eliminate the conventional process of applying a color coating on the two side surfaces 142 of the pointer, thereby Reduce manufacturing costs and increase efficiency.

As described above, in the present invention, at least a portion of the two notch edges 41 cover the upper light guiding surface 31 of the needle body 3, so that the light source can only be seen from directly above the upper light guiding surface 31 of the needle body 3. The problem of lateral leakage of the needle 3 is reduced, so that the conventional pointer leakage can be effectively overcome; at the same time, since the light leakage of the needle 3 has been alleviated, the needle 3 can also be dispensed with the conventional pointer. The two side surfaces 142 are each coated with a color coating process, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and improving efficiency.

Referring to FIG. 5, another preferred embodiment of the structure of the leak-proof meter pointer of the present invention is similar in structure to the above embodiment. The leak-proof meter pointer structure 100 also includes a pointer shaft 2 and a needle body 3. And a cap 4, and the same component name and figure number are used substantially. The difference in this embodiment is that each notch edge 41 has a protruding portion 411, and the protruding portions 411 of the two notched edges 41 respectively cover the needle. The opposite side edges of the upper light guiding surface 31 of the body 3, and the edges of the protruding portions 411 have an arc shape. The arcuate projection 411 also has a span (width) of the through hole 42 smaller than the width of the upper light guiding surface 31 of the needle 3.

With the above design, it is possible to provide not only another embodiment of the present invention, Moreover, the edges of the protrusions 411 have an arc shape, which can also reduce the wear of the needle body 3 and the cap 4 when combined; and the upper guide of the needle body 3 is covered by at least a part of the two notch edges 41. The light surface 31 allows the light source to be permeable only from directly above the upper light guiding surface 31 of the needle body 3, thereby reducing the problem of lateral leakage of the needle body 3, thereby effectively overcoming the situation of conventional pointer bleed; At the same time, since the light leakage of the needle body 3 has been alleviated, the needle body 3 can also eliminate the conventional process of applying a color coating on the two side surfaces 142 of the pointer, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and improving efficiency.

Referring to FIG. 6, another preferred embodiment of the structure of the leak-proof meter pointer of the present invention is similar in structure to the above embodiment. The leak-proof meter pointer structure 100 also includes a pointer shaft 2 and a needle body 3. And a cap 4, and the same component name and figure number are used substantially. The difference of this embodiment is that the cross section of the through hole 42 is tapered from bottom to top, and the top of the through hole 42 has a circular arc surface. And matching the upper light guiding surface 31 which also has a circular arc surface. In addition, each of the notch edges 41 of the through hole 42 also has a protruding portion 411, and the protruding portions 411 of the two notched edges 41 respectively cover opposite side edges of the upper light guiding surface 31 of the needle body 3, The edges of the protrusions 411 may be rectangular or arcuate. The projection 411 also makes the span (width) of the through hole 42 smaller than the width of the upper light guiding surface 31 of the needle body 3. The arcuate projection 411 also has a span (width) of the through hole 42 smaller than the width of the upper light guiding surface 31 of the needle 3.

Referring to FIG. 7, another preferred embodiment of the structure of the leak-proof meter pointer of the present invention is similar in structure to the above embodiment. The leak-proof meter pointer structure 100 also includes a pointer shaft 2 and a needle body 3. And a cap 4, and the same component name and figure number are used substantially. The difference of this embodiment is that each notch edge 41 of the through hole 42 also has a protruding portion 411, and the protruding portions of the two notched edges 41 411 respectively covers the opposite side edges of the upper light guiding surface 31 of the needle body 3, and the edges of the protruding portions 411 are cut.

With the above design, the cross section of the through hole 42 is tapered from the bottom to the top and the projections 411 are designed such that the needle body 3 is combined in the cap 4 by lateral movement, thereby providing In another embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the protrusions 411 of the two notch edges 41 cover the upper light guiding surface 31 of the needle body 3, so that the light source can only be guided from the needle body 3. The light surface 31 is directly exposed above, and the problem of lateral leakage of the needle body 3 is reduced, so that the conventional pointer light leakage can be effectively overcome; at the same time, since the light leakage of the needle body 3 has been alleviated, the needle body 3 It is also possible to dispense with the conventional process of applying a color coating on each of the two side surfaces 142 of the pointer, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and improving efficiency.

The present invention has been disclosed in its preferred embodiments, and is not intended to limit the invention, and the present invention may be modified and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of protection is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application.

100‧‧‧Anti-leakage meter pointer structure

2‧‧‧ pointer shaft

3‧‧‧ needle

31‧‧‧Upper glossy

32‧‧‧ side light guide

33‧‧‧ Coating

4‧‧‧Cap

41‧‧‧ Notched edge

411‧‧‧protrusion

42‧‧‧through hole

45‧‧‧ top surface

5‧‧‧ card block

51‧‧‧Perforation

52‧‧‧Upper Department

53‧‧‧ Lower Order

6‧‧‧Motor

7‧‧‧Lighting elements

W1‧‧‧ separation distance

W2‧‧‧Width

Claims (9)

An anti-leakage meter pointer structure is disposed on an instrument panel. The anti-leakage meter pointer structure comprises: a pointer shaft disposed on a motor of the instrument panel; a needle body extending from one end of the pointer shaft and including An upper light guiding surface and two side light guiding surfaces respectively located on the two sides; a cap having two notch edges and a through hole between the two notch edges, wherein at least a part of the two notch edges cover the needle body The upper light guiding surface; and a card block disposed on the pointer shaft, the cap has a card slot for the card block to be stuck together. The anti-leakage meter pointer structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the notch edges has a convex portion covering the upper light guiding surface of the needle body. The anti-leakage meter pointer structure according to the second aspect of the patent application, wherein the edge of the protrusion is arc-shaped, rectangular or cut. The anti-leakage meter pointer structure according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the two notch edges is smaller than a width of the needle body. The leak-proof meter pointer structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the needle body further comprises at least one coating layer coated on the upper light guiding surface. The leak-proof meter pointer structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a top surface of the cap is flat or higher than an upper light guiding surface of the needle body. According to the anti-leakage meter pointer structure of the first aspect of the patent application, wherein the pointer shaft is hollow. The leak-proof meter pointer structure according to the first aspect of the patent application, wherein the cap is made of an opaque material. The anti-leakage meter pointer structure according to claim 1, wherein the card block has at least one through hole, and the cap further has at least one latch for inserting into the through hole.