Analog display having electroluminescent pointer
US5697322A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 1996 |
| Grant date | Dec 16, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 30, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S116/36
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An analog display includes a dial and a movable EL pointer positioned adjacent the dial for indicating a measured value. The pointer is an elongated EL lamp having a conductive pin extending through one end of the lamp and about which the lamp pivots. The pin is mechanically secured to the lamp and is electrically connected to the front electrode of the lamp. A hole larger than cross-sectional diameter of the pin is formed in the rear electrode and in the phosphor layer to prevent the pin from shorting the front electrode to the rear electrode. A conductive spring rests on the pin to provide electrical power to the front electrode. Power is supplied to the rear electrode either through a conductive ferrule attached to the rear electrode or through a resilient wiper. The wiper can be attached to the pointer or to the face of the dial. For plural pointers, concentric conductive pins are used with a sliding contact for the rear electrodes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.