Mannesmann Vdo Ag

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Vdo Adolf Schindling Ag

Continental Automotive Gmbh

Gerhard Friepes

Bernd Ludewig

Stephan Zech

Gerhard Wesner

Bernward Kneer

Wolfgang Balsfulland

Hermann Haas

Patrik Hurth

Gunter Urlaub

Axel Förster

A pointer instrument for a motor vehicle includes a pointer drive for deflecting a carrier body. A pointer which is visible in an indication is provided on the carrier body. An optical waveguide element is arranged on that side of the carrier body which is remote from an observer. Light from at least one light source is introduced into the optical waveguide element which extends along the movement path of the pointer. Light emerging from the optical waveguide element enters into the pointer and/or the carrier body, and the pointer is formed such that it is illuminated by light emerging from the optical waveguide element.

Pointer instrument

In a display unit there is provided a front instrument panel ( ) for inscription with symbols ( ), which have an opaque portion ( ) enclosed by a transparent portion ( ), a so-called island. This opaque portion ( ) is applied to a transparent backing ( ) and fitted into an opening ( ), made in the front instrument panel ( ) to correspond to the contour of the symbol ( ), at a distance from an edge region ( ) of the opening ( ). Use of the backing ( ) makes it possible to dispense with connecting cross-pieces between the island and the front instrument panel ( ). Furthermore, a process for producing the front instrument panel ( ) intended for the display unit is provided, in which process firstly the opening ( ) is made by punching and the backing ( ) is formed by film-insert molding a transparent plastic behind the front instrument panel ( ).

Display unit with a front instrument panel and process for producing such a front instrument panel

In a pointer instrument ( ), a pointer drive ( ) is used to deflect a pointer ( ) arranged on a supporting element ( ). The supporting element ( ) is shaped essentially like a circular ring and is mounted by bearing points ( ) equally distributed over its circumference. The central area of the pointer instrument ( ) is therefore free of apertures and, as a result, permits the arrangement of a display ( ), for example an LCD display, which can be read irrespective of the angular position of the pointer ( ).

A receptacle has an inset and a housing for the fastening of an LCD screen. The screen has contact surfaces and consists, at least in part, of a plastic injection molding. Plastic springs which are formed by molding on the inset prestress the LCD screen against the housing, and thus fasten it in the receptacle. In this connection, a heat-sealing foil at the same time is prestressed against the contact surfaces of the LCD screen and against the contact surfaces of a plate.

Receptacle

Growing community of inventors

Bad Nauheim, Germany

Gerhard Friepes