A speedometer display is disclosed having a front, opaque indicator dial upon which are provided numeric and scale mark indication which are constructed of transparent, parallel fiber optic bundles extending transversely through the opaque display. Parallel to and behind the display, a light interrupter plate having a reflective surface adjacent the fiber optic bundles is rotationally attached to the speedometer needle shaft for rotation. Immediately behind and parallel to this interrupter plate is a color filter segment plate having a plurality of color filters which are back illuminated by artificial illumination means. The speedometer marks and numbers corresponding to speeds to the right of a given speedometer needle position are illuminated by reflected ambient light transmitted through the fiber optic bundles and reflected from the interrupter plate. Those marks and numbers to the left of the speedometer needle are illuminated by transmitted back light which passes through the filter segments and illuminates the back portion of the numeric and mark fiber optic bundles as they are uncovered by rotation of the interrupter plate. The provision of a plurality of filter elements allows progressive color coding of each segment to indicate varying degrees of operator caution as the rate shown increases.
A display device includes having a display unit which comprises a scale with graphic information and an indicator element which can be aligned as a function of at least one input parameter with a position of the scale. In order to ensure a better readability particularly in the case of small display devices, the display of the graphic information is changed in an area around the momentary position of the indicator element in comparison to a normal display.
A speedometer face plate assembly that incorporates a border of light transmitting segments above the speed indicating numerals is disclosed. Each of the segments is a different color. The colored segments are lighted from behind as the speed changes so that colored light is visible both peripherally and directly to the driver. Each color is associated with a specific speed increment so that once the driver becomes familiar with this speedometer face plate assembly, he or she will be aware of the speed traveled according to the color of the light and will not have to look directly at the speedometer as frequently as is currently necessary. In addition to the colored light transmitting border, there may also be a colored light transmitting section under the numerals or at another area on the speedometer face to further enhance the colored light effect. This speedometer face plate assembly contributes to increasing driving safety.
In an instrument cluster for motor vehicles with a variable-color display, with which at least two different measured variables and/or operating states of the motor vehicle can be represented in analog and/or digital form, when a value of a measured variable is overshot or a certain operating state of the motor vehicle is entered, the color and/or brightness of representation of more than one measured value displayed and/or operating state displayed are changed.
Speed limit indicators and methods for determining speed, the relevant speed limit, and displaying same make it easy for the driver of a vehicle to compare his current speed with the legal limit for the location in which he is traveling. This eliminates the need for the driver to take his eyes off the road to look for speed limit signs, thereby reducing the chance of an accident, and resolves any confusion that might exist as to what the current legal limit is. An audible warning of excessive speed reduces the amount of time the driver needs to spend examining the speedometer.
This invention provides an instrument device including: a dial having scale marks; a pointer pointing the scale marks and provided in front of the dial; a light source provided behind the dial and supplying light to the pointer to cause the pointer to emit light; and a cover provided in front of the pointer, the scale marks and the pointer being visually confirmed through the cover, wherein a reflection member is provided at a part of the cover corresponding to a rotation center of the pointer; a reflection part is provided on the dial; and the reflection part is illuminated with light emitted from the pointer and light reflected and scattered by the reflection member after being emitted from the pointer.
