IP Library Granted Patent US 9,574,913
Granted Patent B2
US 9,574,913 · App. 14/506,215 · Granted Feb 21, 2017

Dial plate structure and automotive meter

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,574,913
App. No.
14/506,215
Granted
Feb 21, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A dial plate structure of a vehicular combination meter includes a dial plate; a light guide disposed back side of the dial plate, the light guide receiving light from a three-dimensional scale light source incident upon a proximal end side thereof; three-dimensional scale marks protruding and disposed on a distal end side of the light guide, the three-dimensional scale marks protruding from through holes perforated in the dial plate; a dimming white print formed on the back surface of the dial plate; and a hard coat clear print formed on the back surface of the dial plate so as to cover at least portions of the dimming white print opposed to the three-dimensional scale marks.

Claims (14)

1. A dial plate structure comprising:

a dial plate;

a light guide disposed back side of the dial plate, the light guide receiving light from a light source incident upon a proximal end side thereof;

a three-dimensional design portion protruding and disposed on a distal end side of the light guide, the three-dimensional design portion protruding from a through hole perforated in the dial plate;

a print layer formed on the back surface of the dial plate, the print layer coloring light propagating in the dial plate; and

a transparent protective layer formed on the back surface of the dial plate so as to cover at least a portion of the print layer opposed to the three-dimensional design portion.

2. The dial plate structure according to claim 1 , wherein the transparent protective layer is disposed also on an area corresponding to a design portion formed on the dial plate.

3. An automotive meter comprising:

the dial plate structure according to claim 2 .

4. An automotive meter comprising:

the dial plate structure according to claim 1 .

5. The dial plate structure according to claim 1 , wherein there is no light blocking print layer located between the light guide and the dial plate.

6. The dial plate structure according to claim 1 , further comprising partially transparent print layer void portions on the bottom surface of the dial plate, and wherein the transparent protective layer protrudes into the partially transparent print layer void portions.

7. The dial plate structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a light blocking print layer formed on at least one portion of the top surface of the dial plate.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Jun 5, 2023
From: YAZAKI CORPORATION
To: YAZAKI CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 063845/0802 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 6, 2014
From: MOCHIZUKI, YASUFUMI
To: YAZAKI CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 033891/0058 →