A flexible lighting system includes a printed circuit board, a flexible multiple electrical conductor strip, a light source, and a flexible light conductor. The light source is mounted on the flexible multiple electrical conductor strip and is electrically connected to the printed circuit board by the flexible multiple electrical conductor strip. The flexible light conductor is mounted on the flexible multiple electrical conductor strip to conduct light from the light source. A component, such as, a gauge can have a display with a graphical element that is illuminated or backlit by the flexible light conductor.

The disclosure relates to a combination indicating instrument, and has as its object to devise a hybrid combination display instrument for displaying information in a motor vehicle in a manner so as to provide a homogeneous and smooth transition between an analog display region and a digital display region within the hybrid combination display instrument. Also included for guiding the light generated by the light source, is a light guiding device, which has a first surface facing away from the viewer (viewing individual), and a second surface facing toward the viewer.

The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus and method for transitioning content between multiple displays. The apparatus includes two or more displays disposed within a vehicle cockpit, where the two or more displays include a first display and a second display. The content, in the form of an image, is displayed on the first display. The first display is disposed adjacent to the second display with a gap formed therein. One or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) are disposed within the gap and one or more lightguides are disposed adjacent to the LEDs and within the gap. The LEDs and lightguides are designed to emit or radiate light corresponding to the image such that the image appears to be blended between the displays when the image shifts between displays, and gives the illusion that the image moved from one display to the other.

A steering wheel includes an indicator. The indicator includes a light source that emits light and a light guide. The light guide includes an outer surface and an end opposing the light source. The light emitted from the light source enters the end of the light guide, and some of the light is emitted from the outer surface.

An instrument panel meter including a flexible face and a pointer. The flexible face includes indicators configured to convey information to a user regarding operation of the vehicle. The pointer is beneath the flexible face, and is movable between an inactive position and an active position. In the inactive position, the pointer does not stretch the flexible face. In the active position, the pointer does stretch the flexible face at or proximate to one of the indicators so as to convey information to the user regarding operation of the vehicle.

An assembly includes a light guide having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end has a light-emitting diode package coupled thereto. The assembly may include another light guide, also having a proximal end and a distal end, with a light-emitting diode package coupled to the proximal end. A light housing may be included that defines a cavity therein, wherein at least a portion of the first and second light guides including the distal ends are disposed in the cavity. Further, a dial face may be included that is disposed adjacent to the first and second light guides and the light housing, wherein each of the first and second light guides are configured to illuminate the dial face. In some variations, flexible printed circuit boards are attached to and electrically connected with the light-emitting diode packages.

A lighting unit for a display apparatus for use in a motor vehicle is disclosed herein. The lighting unit includes a light transmitting panel configured to transmit light rays through to a viewing side of a display apparatus; and at least one light source operable to emit light rays across a breadth of the light transmitting panel. the light transmitting panel further comprises a reflector foil sheet applied to at least two sides of the light transmitting panel with no air gaps therebetween. A vehicle display for mounting within an interior of a motor vehicle comprising such a lighting unit, and a method of optimizing light rays for illuminating a display apparatus for use in a motor vehicle is also disclosed.

A vehicle display assembly includes a light source and a flexible light guide configured to emit light therefrom. The assembly may include a steering wheel assembly to which the flexible light guide is operably coupled. The vehicle display assembly may be configured to emit light in at least first, second, and third colors. For example, the vehicle display assembly may be configured to illuminate the flexible light guide in the first color in a first mode, in the second color in a second mode, and in the third color in a third mode.

A display apparatus is disclosed, which includes a display unit, an opening member, a light source, a light transmission member, and a buffer having a buffer main portion and a light block portion. The buffer main portion is held between the display unit and the light transmission member. The light block portion protrudes from the buffer main portion along an opposing surface of the light transmission member opposing the display unit, and covers a reached region of the opposing surface to which a direct light from the light source toward an opening of the opening member reaches.

The present invention relates to a lighting device for a button, in which light incident into a light guide is prevented from leaking to a spacing clearance between a button unit and a light guide by a reflection layer, thereby enabling a lighting through the light guide to shine cleanly and uniformly to the outside.