In an orthographic drawing, what do phantom views illustrate?

Phantom views in orthographic drawings serve the specific purpose of illustrating alternate positions of parts. These views are represented using dashed lines and are essential for conveying how a component may appear or function when it is in a different position from its normal, or operational, state. This is particularly important in engineering and mechanical design, where understanding the movement and interaction of components can be crucial to the efficacy and safety of the overall assembly.

By showing alternate positions, phantom views help to clarify the relationship between moving parts and can provide a clearer concept of how components interact, helping technicians and engineers make informed decisions regarding design, assembly, and maintenance. This is why they are distinct from other types of views that primarily focus on showing elevation, sectional cuts, or all visible aspects of an object. These functions serve different critical roles in technical drawings, but the specific role of depicting alternate positions is uniquely served by phantom views.