Abstract: Light bar assemblies configured to be mounted to a rim of a steering wheel of a vehicle are disclosed. The light bar assemblies can include components of a driver monitoring system. The light bar assembly includes two shells defining or surrounding the rim and a wrapping surrounding the two shells. A portion of the wrapping is tucked into a slot disposed between the two shells forming a slit. A lens comprises a visible light transmissive portion and an IR light transmissive portion.

Abstract: Wraps for a steering wheel and methods of wrapping a steering wheel with an integrated light bar assembly are disclosed. The light bar assembly is configured to be mounted to a rim of a steering wheel of a vehicle. The light bar assemblies can include components of a driver monitoring system. The light bar assembly includes two shells defining or surrounding the rim and a wrapping surrounding the two shells. A portion of the wrapping is tucked into a slot disposed between the two shells forming a slit. A lens is disposed within the slit and pinched by the wrapping to prevent leakage of light around the lens.

Abstract: Light bar assemblies configured to be mounted at a rim of a steering wheel of a vehicle are disclosed. The light bar assemblies can include components of a driver monitoring system. The light bar assembly includes a PCB bar having a plurality of visible and infrared LEDs and a LED driver. The PCB bar is coupled to a support plate of an outer shell surrounding the PCB bar. The support plate transfers heat generated by the LEDs and LED driver away from the PCB bar.

Abstract: Light bar assemblies configured to be mounted to a rim of a steering wheel of a vehicle are disclosed. The light bar assemblies can include components of a driver monitoring system. The light bar assembly includes two shells defining or surrounding the rim and a wrapping surrounding the two shells. A portion of the wrapping is tucked into a slot disposed between the two shells forming a slit. A lens is disposed within the slit and pinched by the wrapping to prevent leakage of light around the lens.

Abstract: An instrument cluster assembly mounts within a vehicle dashboard. An opening is defined within the dashboard provides for mounting of an instrument cluster assembly. The example instrument cluster assembly includes a top surface that corresponds with the top surface of the dashboard to provide a completed top visible surface when in a completed assembled condition. The instrument cluster assembly includes a first gauge and a second gauge separated by an open space therebetween. A bi-vision display is mounted in the open space between the first and second gauges. The bi-vision display generates a virtual image that is viewed by the operator between the first and second gauges.

Abstract: An instrument cluster assembly mounts within a vehicle dashboard. An opening is defined within the dashboard provides for mounting of an instrument cluster assembly. The example instrument cluster assembly includes a top surface that corresponds with the top surface of the dashboard to provide a completed top visible surface when in a completed assembled condition. The instrument cluster assembly includes a first gauge and a second gauge separated by an open space therebetween. A bi-vision display is mounted in the open space between the first and second gauges. The bi-vision display generates a virtual image that is viewed by the operator between the first and second gauges.

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: 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 pointer assembly for a gauge scale having an outer periphery includes a pointer that moves about a periphery of the gauge scale and is illuminated by a light guide. The light guide is disposed on a plane below the pointer and the gauge scale. The light guide includes at least two LEDs that are disposed adjacent first and second ends of the light guide. The light guide also includes a plurality of reflective elements. The plurality of reflective elements is disposed in sets that are orientated with regard to each of the LEDs. The reflective elements provide for the transmission and direction of light within the light guide into the guide body portion of the pointer.

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: 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: 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 instrument display for a vehicle comprises a first light guide (14) in communication with a first light source (18). (FIG. 1A). The first light guide (14) directs light to a first instrument mark (22). A second light guide receives light from a second light source (34). The second light guide (26) is spaced from the first light guide (14) and directs light to a second instrument mark (24). A support (42) connects the first light guide (14) and the second light guide (26) and limits light transmission between the first light guide (14) and the second light guide (26).

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: 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: 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 instrument cluster assembly includes a first instrument cluster graphic and a second instrument cluster graphic. The second instrument cluster graphic is superimposed on the first instrument cluster graphic.

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: 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 a first instrument cluster graphic and a second instrument cluster graphic. The second instrument cluster graphic is superimposed on the first instrument cluster graphic.