A metallic decorative part for a vehicle display device includes a substrate body molded with synthetic resin, a metal thin film formed of metal and deposited on a surface of the substrate body, and a ridge that is formed with different surfaces intersecting at a surface of the metal thin film in conformity with a shape of the surface of the substrate body. The ridge is formed such that a curvature radius of a corner that forms an apex of the ridge is greater than 0 and equal to or smaller than 28.0 m.

A metallic decorative part for a vehicle display device includes a substrate body molded from a synthetic resin, a metal thin film that is formed of metal and deposited on a surface of the substrate body, and a plurality of grooves deposited on a surface of the metal thin film in accordance with a shape of the surface of the substrate body. The grooves are formed so that a width is larger than 0 and equal to or smaller than 3.0 m, and a height is larger than 0 and equal to or smaller than 1.0 m. Accordingly, the metallic decorative part for a vehicle display device can properly secure a metallic texture recognized by a viewer with a configuration in which the metal thin film is deposited on the surface of the substrate body made of resin.

A frame member of an instrument cluster assembly. The frame member includes a base portion, a first wing extending from a first side of the base portion, and a second side of the base portion that is opposite to the first side. A display overlapping portion extends from the base portion between the first side and the second side, and is configured to be mounted to a display area of a dial sheet that the frame member is coupled to. The first wing is configured to restrict bending of the dial sheet that the frame member is coupled to.

A light guide device, comprising a light entrance part for receiving luminous radiation from a light source placed in front of it, and a light exit part configured for emitting the luminous radiation according to a distributed illumination pattern. The device includes: a first light guide member comprising a central light transmitting portion, on an end of which the light entrance part is formed, and a support portion connected to the central light transmitting portion and arranged concentrically therewith, anda second light guide member comprising a shaft portion removably coupled to an end of the central light transmitting portion of the first light guide member, opposite to the light entrance part, and a light distributing portion connected to the shaft portion, on which the light exit part is formed.

A light guide device, comprising a light entrance part for receiving luminous radiation from a light source placed in front of it, and a light exit part configured for emitting the luminous radiation according to a distributed illumination pattern. The device includes: a first light guide member comprising a central light transmitting portion, on an end of which the light entrance part is formed, and a support portion connected to the central light transmitting portion and arranged concentrically therewith, anda second light guide member comprising a shaft portion removably coupled to an end of the central light transmitting portion of the first light guide member, opposite to the light entrance part, and a light distributing portion connected to the shaft portion, on which the light exit part is formed.

A seamless instrument cluster is provided herein, and a method for providing a seamless instrument cluster as well. The seamless instrument cluster includes an antireflective (AR) film. The AR films may be provided with an airgap disposed between. Also discussed herein is providing an instrument cluster with an applique with a fade pattern. The aspects disclosed herein may be implemented with an instrument cluster employing a neutral density (ND) filter situated between an antiglare surface on a front layer of the applique and a rear layer of an ink.

A backlight assembly for a gauge of an automotive display panel and a method of illuminating a gauge of an automotive display panel is provided. The backlight assembly includes a lightpipe having a U-shaped configuration and a reflective dish surrounding the lightpipe. The lightpipe and the reflective dish are disposed on a mounting plate of the gauge above a liquid crystal display (LCD). Additionally, the backlight assembly includes one or more top firing light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed adjacent to the lightpipe. The LEDs emit light to the lightpipe which in turn transmits light to the reflective dish. The reflective dish reflects back or disperses the light evenly to illuminate the graphic applique of the gauge.

A vehicle instrument panel assembly includes a light source, a pointer, and a sensor. The light source is configured to emit light from a display surface of the assembly. The pointer overlies the display surface and is movable about an axis to an angle to point to indicia on the display surface. The pointer defines a hub portion and a needle portion that extends from the hub portion. The hub portion overlies the light source and includes a light-guide that guides light from the light source into the needle portion whereby the needle portion is illuminated. The sensor is located proximate to the hub portion. The sensor is configured to detect that the pointer is present regardless of the angle of the pointer.

An instrument cluster for a motor vehicle includes a dial surface having a plurality of indicia located thereon. A pointer contacts the dial surface and is configured to rotate with respect to the dial surface. Piezoelectric material is disposed on one of the dial surface and the pointer. The piezoelectric material is configured to deform due to contact between the pointer and the dial surface.

In a display control device, in accordance with speed limit information input from an input unit, a control unit senses change in a speed limit of a road where a vehicle travels and after that, in accordance with vehicle information input from the input unit, determines whether or not whether necessity to increase conspicuity of notification of the change in the speed limit. When it is determined that the necessity is high, a display unit is caused to switch display on a display medium from a first presentation image to a second presentation image that indicates a second speed limit by a first switching method. When it is determined that the necessity is not high, the display of the first presentation image is switched to the display of the second presentation image by a second switching method different from the first switching method.