Abstract: A gauge assembly includes a dial face including a plurality of printed indicia. A plurality of illuminable chaplet tick marks extend through openings in the dial face. The dial face includes dark outlines around a perimeter of each of the openings for reducing a luminance of each of the chaplet tick marks. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gauge assembly includes a dial face with a scale indicative of a vehicle operating parameter. The dial face includes an opening proximate the scale and an illuminable tick mark that extends through the opening in the dial face with the tick mark being larger than the opening.

Abstract: A pointer assembly for a vehicle instrument panel includes a pointer arm, a cap, and a shroud. The pointer arm includes a platform portion disposed about an axis or rotation and an arm portion extending outward from the platform portion. The platform portion includes an illuminable perimeter. The cap is secured to the platform portion of the pointer arm inside of the illuminable perimeter. The shroud is secured to the platform portion of the pointer arm outside of the illuminable perimeter, and the illuminable perimeter is visible between an outer perimeter of the cap and an inner perimeter of the shroud.

Abstract: A gauge assembly includes a gauge surface including at least one graphic, which may be a plurality of graphics defining a scale in a generally circular pattern on the gauge surface. The gauge surface has a viewable side. A light guide has a main body portion disposed adjacent to the gauge surface and corresponding to the shape of the gauge surface. The light guide has a plurality of raised tick marks extending from the main body portion. Each tick mark is viewable via a viewing side of the gauge surface. The light guide includes ends that curve away from the gauge surface to receive light. The light guide is configured to provide illumination to the illuminable graphic(s) and the plurality of tick marks.

Abstract: An illuminated pointer for a vehicle instrument cluster provides a more uniform light by propagating light from a source, through an elongate, light-transmitting prism formed to have multiple, inclined light-reflecting surfaces. Each surface being at a different angle, reflects light at a slightly different angle producing a corresponding number of refracted light maxima along the length of the prism. A more uniform refracted light is produced.

Abstract: A gauge assembly includes a gauge surface and a light guide. The gauge surface includes a concave surface having an illuminable scale. The light guide forms a geometric shape corresponding to the concave surface of the gauge surface. The light guide has ends that curve away from the gauge surface to receive light.

Abstract: A dial assembly is provided that includes a dial surface including a flat surface and a plurality of lines formed on the flat surface projected from a 3D object that generate a 3D appearance. One or more light sources illuminate each of the lines of the plurality of lines. A method of forming a dial assembly is also provided. The method includes dividing a subject 3D dial with a plurality of equidistant planes and projecting edges of the planes onto a flat dial surface to form a plurality of lines to generate a 3D appearance on the flat dial surface.

Abstract: An instrumentation gauge for a vehicle includes a single piece light guide divided into multiple sections by an opaque light guide insert. The single piece light guide includes at least one telltale graphic printed on a surface of the light guide in each of the light guide sections. When light is communicated into a given section of the light guide, the light scatters on the telltale graphic causing the graphic to be illuminated and distinguishable from a same or similar colored background.

Abstract: A gauge assembly having a pointer arm extending away from a hub is supported for movement about an axis to indicate a current vehicle condition. This is accomplished when the pointer points to a specific location and telltales on the gauge surface. The pointer arm has a pointer arm viewing surface with one or more clear portions and one or more illuminated portions along the length of the pointer arm viewing surface. The pointer arm further includes one or more raised steps formed on a bottom surface of the pointer arm located opposite the viewing surface of the pointer arm. The one or more raised steps is aligned with the one or more illuminated portions and the one or more raised steps have a reflective surface for reflecting light through the one more illuminated portions on the viewing surface.

Abstract: An instrumentation gauge for a vehicle includes a single piece light guide divided into multiple sections by an opaque light guide insert. The single piece light guide includes at least one telltale graphic printed on a surface of the light guide in each of the light guide sections. When light is communicated into a given section of the light guide, the light scatters on the telltale graphic causing the graphic to be illuminated and distinguishable from a same or similar colored background.

Abstract: A pointer arm for a gauge of a motor vehicle is provided. The pointer arm includes first and second light reflecting surfaces and an an arm portion extending from the first and second light reflecting surfaces. The pointer arm may be supported for rotation about an axis of rotation relative to a scale, and a shroud may be used to support the pointer arm. A cap may be supported on the pointer arm. The cap may include a pin extending into an opening within the pointer arm. The light reflecting surfaces are configured to propagate light around the opening and through the pointer arm.

Abstract: A pointer assembly for a gauge is disclosed and includes a pointer including a pointer arm extending from a pointer base and a crown attached to the pointer body including an illuminatable ring. A cap is mounted over the pointer and the crown and includes a first slot revealing the illuminatable ring and a second slot revealing a portion of the pointer arm.

Abstract: An instrumentation gauge for a vehicle includes a single piece light guide divided into multiple sections by an opaque light guide insert. The single piece light guide includes at least one telltale graphic printed on a surface of the light guide in each of the light guide sections. When light is communicated into a given section of the light guide, the light scatters on the telltale graphic causing the graphic to be illuminated and distinguishable from a same or similar colored background.

Abstract: An instrumentation gauge for a vehicle includes a single piece light guide divided into multiple sections by an opaque light guide insert. The single piece light guide includes at least one telltale graphic printed on a surface of the light guide in each of the light guide sections. When light is communicated into a given section of the light guide, the light scatters on the telltale graphic causing the graphic to be illuminated and distinguishable from a same or similar colored background.

Abstract: A gauge assembly having a pointer arm extending away from a hub is supported for movement about an axis to indicate a current vehicle condition. This is accomplished when the pointer points to a specific location and telltales on the gauge surface. The pointer arm has a pointer arm viewing surface with one or more clear portions and one or more illuminated portions along the length of the pointer arm viewing surface. The pointer arm further includes one or more raised steps formed on a bottom surface of the pointer arm located opposite the viewing surface of the pointer arm. The one or more raised steps is aligned with the one or more illuminated portions and the one or more raised steps have a reflective surface for reflecting light through the one more illuminated portions on the viewing surface.

Abstract: An instrumentation gauge for a vehicle includes a single piece light guide divided into multiple sections by an opaque light guide insert. The single piece light guide includes at least one telltale graphic printed on a surface of the light guide in each of the light guide sections. When light is communicated into a given section of the light guide, the light scatters on the telltale graphic causing the graphic to be illuminated and distinguishable from a same or similar colored background.

Abstract: An instrumentation gauge for a vehicle includes a single piece light guide divided into multiple sections by an opaque light guide insert. The single piece light guide includes at least one telltale graphic printed on a surface of the light guide in each of the light guide sections. When light is communicated into a given section of the light guide, the light scatters on the telltale graphic causing the graphic to be illuminated and distinguishable from a same or similar colored background.

Abstract: A pointer arm for a gauge of a motor vehicle is provided. The pointer arm includes first and second light reflecting surfaces and an an arm portion extending from the first and second light reflecting surfaces. The pointer arm may be supported for rotation about an axis of rotation relative to a scale, and a shroud may be used to support the pointer arm. A cap may be supported on the pointer arm. The cap may include a pin extending into an opening within the pointer arm. The light reflecting surfaces are configured to propagate light around the opening and through the pointer arm.

Abstract: A gauge assembly includes a gauge surface forming a gauge surface curve and a pointer assembly. The pointer assembly includes a pointer having a curved portion that corresponds with the gauge surface curve. The pointer has one or more light reflecting surfaces. The pointer is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation relative to the gauge surface. The light reflecting surface(s) is disposed along the axis of rotation of the pointer, and the light reflecting surface(s) is configured to reflect light through the pointer and against side walls of the pointer.

Abstract: A gauge assembly includes a gauge surface and a light guide. The gauge surface includes a concave surface having an illuminable scale. The light guide forms a geometric shape corresponding to the concave surface of the gauge surface. The light guide has ends that curve away from the gauge surface to receive light.