FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a display device for indicating measured values of operational parameters of an automotive vehicle.
The present invention relates generally to a display device and most particularly to an improved display system having at least one dial. Such display devices are typically referred to as a dash or instrument panel. The display device includes a display panel and a cover.

The display panel has a numerous displaying portions and may have adjacent portion which do not display any information. The device includes a transparent cover positioned or overlaid in front of the display device and element portions positioned in or adjacent to image displaying portions of the device. The element/s is so selected to attract and focus the eye on the desired portion / or portions of the display. The shape and configuration of the element may be so selected as desired. The non-displaying portion is utilized for mounting objects for increasing the aesthetic values to the panel.

PRIOR ART

An automotive vehicle has operational parameters like vehicle speed, engine speed, oil pressure, quantum of fuel in the fuel tank that are measured continuously during the running of the vehicle by analogue measuring instruments. The measured values are displayed on devices mounted conveniently on the handle bar or instrument console of the automotive vehicle.

A display device essentially comprises a measuring dial graduated in unit values of the parameter to be indicated and provided with a transparent material cover to protect the device from dirt/moisture etc. An actuating means such as a rotor is disposed in a cavity at a suitable location of the dial. The rotor is actuated in response to the change in the value of the parameter that is measured by the device. A pointer needle mounted on the rotor is disposed above the dial within the transparent cover. The pointer rotates with the rotor and indicates the value of the parameter on the dial. A plurality of lamps may be provided below the dial that is conveniently made up of a translucent material, for illumination and depiction of the values in low ambient lighting.

There have been many ideas in the prior art to create different designs to make instrument console more visually attractive to the vehicle rider. One of such designs uses a dial that has markings of units or decorative / aesthetic elements in two dimensional form, for example, coloured chemical treatment or a painted surface or a printed dial etc.

The invention primarily aims achieve improved decorative features to make the display simple, clear yet more attractive than existing in the prior art or to otherwise provide a useful alternative to the prior art.

Applicant has tried to make the display device more useful and visually more aesthetic and attractive by including a three dimensional arrangement of decorative elements within the visible area of dial.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a display device of an automotive vehicle comprising a dial that includes wherein a three dimensional arrangement (also referred to as a raised element) is disposed within the visible area of the dial to make the display device more easily visible and decorative with a different/improved aesthetic look.

Preferably, the three dimensional arrangement is disposed anywhere on the visible surface of the dial.

Preferably, the three dimensional arrangement is disposed under the needle pointer.

Preferably, the three dimensional arrangement comprises material that is opaque, translucent or transparent or any combination thereof.

The following is a detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is top and sectional view of a display device for indicating measured values of operational parameter of an automotive vehicle according one of the prior arts.

Figure 2 is sectional view of a display device for indicating measured values of operational parameter of an automotive vehicle according other prior art.

Figure 3 is top view of a display according to one of the embodiment of invention.

Figure 4 is sectional view of a display according to another embodiment of invention.

Figure 5 is any other embodiment according to invention.

The display device 1 as illustrated in figure 1 comprises a dial 2 graduated to indicate the units of values to be depicted. For instance, in case speed of the automotive vehicle is to be indicated, the dial is graduated in units of kilometers per hour or miles per hour; in case engine speed of the vehicle is to be indicated, the dial is graduated in units of RPM (revolutions per minute), or in case level or quantity of fuel in the fuel tank of the vehicle is to be indicated, the dial may be graduated, for example, as empty, half, full. A transparent cover 3 (lens) is disposed over the dial. The cover is made of a transparent material such as
acrylic or polycarbonate. The cover is fixed to housing 4. A needle (pointer) 5 is rotatably mounted on the actuating element (rotor) 6. These arrangements are well known and do not need detail explanation. The housing is mounted on the handlebar (not shown) of a 2 wheeler vehicle or dashboard (not shown) of a 3 wheel or 4 wheel vehicle by securing screws (not shown) through a suitable fastening arrangement.

The display device as illustrated in figure 2 comprises a two needle arrangement. The device is provided with a housing 10, a printed dial 11, needle pointers 12 and 20 connected to actuating means (rotors) 19 and 21 respectively, a backlit arrangement 18, a transparent lens 13, a bezel 14 mounted on the printed dial. The inner edges 15 of bezel 14 are disposed /placed inside the printed dial and outer edges 16 are fixed between the transparent cover (lens) 13 and housing 10. The bezel is normally made up of an opaque material. The bezel is provided to form a secondary layer in vertical direction for making the device decorative/attractive.

In figures 3 and 4, the display device according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a housing 101, a printed dial 102, a transparent cover (lens) 103, a needle pointer 104, a back lighting arrangement 105, a sensing/actuating arrangement 106 and raised elements 108 made of opaque material. The raised elements are disposed of within the visible portion of printed dial i.e. inner and outer edges of the elements are lying within the visible portion of the printed dial and mounted under the needle/pointer. The element/s are three dimensional object/s disposed on the printed dial giving a different/attractive aesthetic look. The material of the element can be opaque or transparent or combination thereof.

Alternatively, the element/s can be provided outside the needle movement area. The mounting/fitment of elements on the printed dial can be achieved by different methods such as sticking, hot fusing etc. Alternatively, the element can be formed as an integral part of the dial by processes like thermoforming or by other similar processes. Also, the elements can be of different shapes like circular, elliptical etc to impart an aesthetic look to the display.
Similarly, according to another embodiment, a three dimensional structure/layer of an opaque material can be formed/mounted with in the visible portion of the printed dial under the needle/pointer or outside the needle movement area.

Figure 5 illustrates details of this embodiment of the invention, according to which a disc (111) of opaque material is fitted inside the visible portion of printed dial (102). The disc (111) can be fitted to printed dial (102) by using suitable fastening arrangement (112) or can be glued to the printed dial using a known material.

According to one of the embodiment as illustrated in figure 4, the elements (108) are provided with lugs (110). These lugs may be fitted on the printed dial (102) by using a known process such as hot fusing.

The various other parts of the display device and their functioning have not been explained in detail as this is not necessary for understanding of the invention.

According to the invention, the three dimensional element/s and layers are provided on the visible printed area of the dial to produce an attractive/decorative look to display device. The display device of the invention is, therefore, simple in design and construction.

According to the invention preferably the cover is mounted on to the housing which forms the rear side of the display device. Irrespective of the embodiment generally the cover is transparent. However, various embodiments are possible as few of which are detailed below.

In one of the embodiments the cover is transparent.

In another embodiment the element is fitted under the needle.

In another embodiment the element is fitted beyond the needle.

In another embodiment the element is a three dimensional object.

In another embodiment the element is a two dimensional object.

In another embodiment a plurality of elements are positioned.

In another embodiment the dial is coloured.

Depending upon the choice of parameters selected for elements like the shape, configuration, size, colour and effects, various display panels can be achieved for the dials. Furthermore, other configuration may be used to achieve desired effects on the panel for example painted, printed, embossed raised elements, etc. The variation in numerous shaping, sizing & fitting the raised elements may be attempted as possible within the scope of accommodating the element between the visible area of the dial and the cover. However, it can also be attempted to position the raised element on the cover.

The display device as per the invention is easy to make and maintain. Further, needing only plastic cover and elements to achieve the object, the weight of the device is also attempted to be reduced. The display of the present invention can be produced or assembled through many kinds of conventional methods. The coupling of the cover to the panel is also done by known conventional methods. The coupling of the elements on to the dial is also done by known conventional methods. However, though the display device the method of assembling the display device as described and illustrated is simple yet it distinctively novel and non obvious.

The number, shape and configuration of the element is not limited by the description. Some of them have been herein described and illustrated however it is to be understood that many of the modifications and variations can be attempted and made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

WE CLAIM:

1. A vehicle instrument display having a display housing for mounting on a vehicle and a display panel to accommodate display of at least one printed dial with a needle located above the printed dial, said needle being rotatably responsive to a vehicle parameter, wherein the display panel comprises a three dimensional element between the display panel and the needle.

2. An instrument display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the needle sweeps above the three dimensional element in operation.

3. An instrument display as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the three dimensional element is a fixed element for decoration or aesthetic effect.

4. A display device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein the said element is accommodated within the limited space between the display panel and the needle.

5. A display device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein the said element is of any shape, size or configuration capable of being accommodated on the dial.

6. A display device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein the said element is a three dimensional object.

7. A display device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein the said element is transparent, translucent, opaque, fluorescent or combinations thereof.

8. A display device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein a portion of the display in the vicinity of the inner part of the dial is opaque and another portion of the dial distal from the inner portion is non-opaque and the element is positioned at the boundary between such opaque and non-opaque portions.

9. A display device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims accommodating plurality of said three dimensional elements arranged at different layers from the display panel.

10. A display device as substantially explained with reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5.

11. A vehicle comprising a display device as claimed in claim 1.