Patent attributes
An indicating instrument includes a stepping motor, a speed-reducing gear mechanism, an indicating needle, a stopper mechanism and an initializing unit. A position which the indicating needle indicates when turned by a preset angle relative to a position which the indicating needle indicates when turning of the indicating needle is mechanically stopped with the stopper mechanism is taken as a graduation-starting position. The initializing unit is to drive the stepping motor to turn the indicating needle toward the indicating needle-stopped position; after stoppage of the turning of the needle, to drive the stepping motor to turn the needle away from the needle-stopped place where the turning of the needle is mechanically stopped with the stopper mechanism, thereby to turn the needle beyond the graduation-starting position, and thereafter to drive the stepping motor to turn the needle toward the stopper mechanism; and to return the needle to the graduation-starting position and stop the needle there.
