IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,173,527
Granted Patent B2
US 10,173,527 · App. 15/056,258 · Granted Jan 8, 2019

Meter cluster seal

Inventors: Thomas Horton (White Lake, MI); Timothy Fridley (Farmington, MI)
Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
B60K35/00B60K37/02B60K37/04G01D11/26B60K2350/2078B60K2350/40
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,173,527
App. No.
15/056,258
Granted
Jan 8, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A meter cluster includes a meter trim assembly and a combination meter. The meter trim assembly includes a meter cluster lid, a meter ring with a groove, and a seal portion having a connecting portion disposed within the groove to couple the seal portion to the meter ring. The combination meter has a transparent display cover disposed relative to the meter ring so as to form a gap between the meter ring and the transparent display cover. The seal portion is arranged to block transmission of light from a first portion of the meter cluster to a second portion of the meter cluster.

Claims (46)

1. A meter cluster comprising:

a meter trim assembly including,

a meter cluster lid,

a meter ring with a groove, and

a seal portion having a connecting portion disposed within the groove to couple the seal portion to the meter ring; and

a combination meter having a transparent display cover disposed relative to the meter ring so as to form a gap between the meter ring and the transparent display cover,

the seal portion being arranged to contact the transparent display cover and block transmission of light from a first portion of the meter cluster to a second portion of the meter cluster.

2. The meter cluster according to claim 1 , wherein

the meter ring includes a partition wall that surrounds a gauge, the partition wall extending outward so as to be adjacent to an outer surface of the transparent display cover.

3. The meter cluster according to claim 2 , wherein

the combination meter includes a dividing wall that surrounds the gauge and extends towards the meter ring such that a distal end of the dividing wall is situated adjacent to an inner surface of the transparent display cover.

4. The meter cluster according to claim 2 , wherein

the seal portion includes a sealing section that is compressed between the partition wall and the outer surface of the transparent display cover.

5. The meter cluster according to claim 4 , wherein

the sealing section is configured to be compressed so as to form a substantially uniform cross section.

6. The meter cluster according to claim 4 , wherein

the sealing section is substantially cylindrical.

7. The meter cluster according to claim 4 , wherein

the sealing section is hollow.

8. The meter cluster according to claim 7 , wherein

a wall of the sealing section is thinner than any dimension of the connecting portion.

9. The meter cluster according to claim 4 , wherein

the sealing section has a width that is greater than a width of the connecting portion.

10. The meter cluster according to claim 4 , wherein

the sealing section is configured to be inserted into a gap defined by the meter ring and a transparent display cover.

11. The meter cluster according to claim 1 , wherein

the connecting portion includes a barb configured to be inserted into an opening in the meter ring.

12. The meter cluster according to claim 1 , wherein

the seal portion is arcuately shaped such that the seal portion extends along a peripheral contour of the meter ring.

13. The meter cluster according to claim 12 , wherein

the arcuately shaped seal portion is configured to occupy at least 45° of radial coverage about a circumference of the meter ring.

14. The meter cluster according to claim 1 , wherein

the connecting portion includes a protrusion that has a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the first portion so as to couple the connecting portion to the meter ring.

15. The meter cluster according to claim 1 , wherein

the seal portion is configured to reduce contact between the meter ring and a transparent display cover.

16. The meter cluster according to claim 1 , wherein

the connecting portion is configured to snap fit into an opening in the meter ring.

17. A meter cluster comprising:

a meter trim assembly including,

a meter cluster lid,

a meter ring with a groove, and including a partition wall that surrounds a gauge, and

a seal portion having a connecting portion disposed within the groove to couple the seal portion to the meter ring; and

a combination meter having a transparent display cover disposed relative to the meter ring so as to form a gap between the meter ring and the transparent display cover,

the partition wall of the meter ring extending outward so as to be adjacent to an outer surface of the transparent display cover,

the seal portion including a sealing section that is compressed between the partition wall and the outer surface of the transparent display cover, and

the seal portion being arranged to block transmission of light from a first portion of the meter cluster to a second portion of the meter cluster.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2019
From: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 049119/0523 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 4, 2016
From: HORTON, THOMAS; FRIDLEY, TIMOTHY
To: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 037898/0170 →
Continuity (2)
Division 14291642 · May 30, 2014
Related Publication 20160176293A1 · Jun 23, 2016