Abstract: A disclosed instrument cluster includes dial gauges with an illuminated pointer including light reflecting features for uniformly distributing light within the pointer. The light deflecting structure directs light toward tip of the pointer by reflecting the light of each of the first and second sides. The light deflecting structure provides the desired distribution of luminescence by directing light toward the sides surfaces of the pointer.

Abstract: An illuminated gauge assembly includes a top surface of a light housing that includes a scale and a light guide that extends through the light housing for distributing light onto the surface of the top surface. A single light source is disposed below the light housing and directs through the light guide onto the top surface of the light housing.

Abstract: A gauge provides information indicative of vehicle speed and includes a pointer that moves relative to the scale to indicate a current measured the vehicle parameter. A tell tale housing is supported above and spaced apart from the gauge face. A main circuit board supports light emitting devices such as LEDs that are turned on or off to illuminate the corresponding tell tale. A light guide is supported within the tell tale housing and directs light from the LED to the at least one tell tale spaced apart from the main circuit board and the main gauge surface.

Abstract: An illuminated instrument cluster utilizes a single light emitting diode to backlight the entire dial surface. The LED is aligned with a light guide then directs light into a cavity of a light housing. The cavity includes a surface that reflects light upwardly onto a back surface of the dial face to provide the desired illumination.

Abstract: A disclosed instrument cluster includes dial gauges with an illuminated pointer including light reflecting features for uniformly distributing light within the pointer. The light deflecting structure directs light toward tip of the pointer by reflecting the light of each of the first and second sides. The light deflecting structure provides the desired distribution of luminescence by directing light toward the sides surfaces of the pointer.

Abstract: An example vehicle instrument panel includes a control panel having illuminated buttons formed with an illuminatable decorative surface. The disclosed decorative surface includes a translucent layer disposed between a background layer and a graphic layer. Material is removed from the background layer to reveal the underlying translucent and graphic layers. The depth within which material is removed is determined to fall within a thickness of the translucent layer such that any variation in depth is accommodated within the translucent layer.

Abstract: An instrument cluster assembly includes a pointer assembly that generates a pointer image that moves along the scale to point to a portion of the scale that corresponds with the measured parameter. The pointer assembly projects the pointer image such that a solid pointer is not required and therefore does not obstruct any portion of the dial face. The pointer image tracks along the oval shape of the scale without the limitations imposed on a physical pointer rotated about a fixed central axis.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument cluster lens assembly for achieving a desired smoked lens effect in a vehicle instrument panel includes a first layer having an associated polarizing orientation for transforming incident light into polarized light having a first orientation that corresponds to the polarizing orientation. A second layer receives the polarized light and shifts the first orientation of the polarized light to a second orientation that is different than the first orientation. A surface receives the polarized light from the second layer and at least partially reflects the polarized light in a direction toward the second layer. The second layer shifts the second orientation of the polarized light to a third orientation that is different from the polarizing orientation of the first layer to prevent the polarized light from being transmitted to a vehicle occupant.

Abstract: An instrument cluster includes a gauge with selectively and visually variable features to communicate vehicle information to a vehicle operator. A border is illuminatable by colored LED assemblies to provide an indication of the range of a vehicle operating condition. A pointer assembly is also selectively illuminatable to provide a visual reference of a specific operating condition that is responsive and varies depending on a specific current operating condition. A digital display within the gauge includes telltales that are also selectively illuminatable and visually variable, responsive to specific operating conditions to communicate not only a problem or an issue with a specific feature but also a range or magnitude of alert to the vehicle operator.

Abstract: An illuminated gauge assembly includes a top surface of a light housing that includes a scale and a light guide that extends through the light housing for distributing light onto the surface of the top surface. A single light source is disposed below the light housing and directs through the light guide onto the top surface of the light housing.

Abstract: An instrument display includes a light source that selectively emits light and a light guide that receives the light. One or more optical coating layers are disposed on the light guide. The light guide has a first index of refraction, and the optical coating layer or layers have a second index of refraction that is greater than the first index of refraction of the light guide. The optical coating layer or layers reduce glare from ambient light and increase the light transmitting performance of the light guide.

Abstract: A pointer assembly includes the pointer and hub that are both illuminatable. The hub includes a main portion with a concave surface. A reflector is partially received within a slot through the concave surface and is supported on top of the hub. The reflector includes a reflective surface that directs light onto the concave surface. Light from a light source is directed by separate reflective surfaces on the pointer and the reflector to illuminate both the hub and the pointer.

Abstract: An example light guide assembly for illuminating a display of an instrument cluster includes a light receiving portion, a light propagating portion and a reflective surface between the light receiving portion and the light propagating portion. The light receiving portion extends along a first axis, and the light propagating portion extends along a second axis which is transverse to the first axis. The reflective surface includes a stepped surface transverse to the reflective surface.

Abstract: An illuminated instrument cluster utilizes a single light emitting diode to backlight the entire dial surface. The LED is aligned with a light guide then directs light into a cavity of a light housing. The cavity includes a surface that reflects light upwardly onto a back surface of the dial face to provide the desired illumination.

Abstract: A light distributing assembly for a vehicle instrument panel includes a light source that emits light in a first direction. A first surface that is transverse to the first direction receives the light and changes the direction of the light to a second direction. A vehicle instrument panel housing having a second surface receives the light from the first surface and reflects a portion of the reflected light toward a vehicle display surface to illuminate the vehicle display surface.

Abstract: An example light guide assembly for illuminating a display of an instrument cluster includes a light receiving portion, a light propagating portion and a conical surface positioned between the light receiving portion and the light propagating portion. An exterior surface of the light propagating portion includes a plurality of lobes that uniformly illuminate the display as light propagates from the light receiving portion to the conical surface and through the light propagating portion.

Abstract: An instrument cluster assembly includes an outer gauge that is disposed about an inner gauge. The inner gauge is flood lit and the outer gauge is back lit. A single light guide assembly receives light from a plurality of light source exposed about an outer perimeter of the outer gauge. Light directed through the light guide is emitted through a light emitting edge to illuminate the inner gauge. Light traveling from the light source through the light guide is uniformly transmitted through a curved transition portion to back light the outer gauge assembly.

Abstract: A disclosed vehicle instrument panel includes a control panel having illuminated buttons formed with an illuminatable decorative surface. The disclosed decorative surface includes a translucent layer disposed between a background layer and a graphic layer. Material is removed from the background layer to reveal the underlying translucent and graphic layers. The depth within which material is removed is determined to fall within a thickness of the translucent layer such that any variation in depth is accommodated within the translucent layer.

Abstract: A vehicle display includes two colored light sources that are operatively connected to a circuit board. Each of the two colored light sources emits a colored light that mixes to form a desired color of display light that illuminates a vehicle graphic. The desired color of display light is within a predetermined color tolerance. The vehicle display achieves a small size without incurring added expenses associated with using more than two light sources.

Abstract: A light guide assembly for illuminating an instrument surface includes a continuous curved transition portion for uniformly directing and transmitting light from a light source to a backlight surface of the instrument surface. The curved shape of the transition portion is tailored to transmit a desired amount of light into the backlight portion and a desired amount outwardly against a back surface of the instrument surface.