A display device for a vehicle includes: a dial plate having an indicator portion corresponding to vehicle information on a viewing side; an image display panel disposed on a back side of the dial plate opposite to the viewing side to luminescently display an image; and a light transmissive display plate that includes a reflective portion disposed on the viewing side of the dial plate to reflect a light from a light source to the viewing side. A region of the dial plate, which faces the image display panel, is set to have a light transmission property to transmit the image of the image display panel through the region of the dial plate.

There is provided a display device (1) including a display (30), a decorative portion (50) which covers an outer circumferential portion of the display, and a light detector (70) which is provided in contact with or in proximity to the decorative portion and is configured to detect an amount of light guided by the decorative portion.

An interchangeable face gauge structure for automobile gauges comprises a gauge body, a face gauge, a retainer ring and an outer cover. The gauge body and outer cover are combined by means of assembling, which causes the outer cover to be dismountable from and re-mountable on the gauge body. The face gauge is additionally mounted on the surface of the light directing panel on the gauge body, which allows the face gauge to be replaceable with one of the type to the liking of the user after the outer cover is dismounted from the gauge body, improving the variability and visual effect of the gauge body. Further, with the convenience of the outer cover being easily mountable on the gauge body, the user is allowed to replace and mount parts by themselves, adding to the practicality of the structure.

A display device includes a display section that displays a pointer rotating around a rotation center provided in an end side and pointing to a part on a speed scale with the other end and a shadow portion displayed next to the pointer and having display density smaller than that of the pointer. A rotation center of the shadow portion is separated from the rotation center of the pointer by a certain distance. This configuration provides a display device that can implement a novel display feature.

An analog gauge includes a pointer attached to a post and overlying and rotating relative to a substrate to indicate a first vehicle operating condition. A cap may be disposed on the pointer and opposite the substrate and over the post, with a first coil of electrically conductive material disposed therein. A light source may be mounted to the pointer and in electrical communication with the first coil. A second coil of electrically conductive material may provide power to the first coil via non-contact coupling. A stepper motor may cause the pointer to rotate. The second coil may be formed as a trace in a metal layer of a printed circuit board disposed beneath the substrate. The light source may cause the pointer to be illuminated. Alternatively, the light source may cause an applique in the cap to illuminate as a telltale icon, indicating a second vehicle operating condition.

A method of calibrating and controlling a gauge, to which a stepper motor is applied in a cluster of hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), includes: receiving information corresponding to an operation state of an electric motor from a certain controller; and controlling a gauge angle indicated by a needle of the gauge to correspond to a target gauge angle indicated by the received information. The step of controlling includes: setting a dropping flag when the target gauge angle is lower than a previous gauge angle; and calibrating the target gauge angle to drop by a reference angle when the target gauge angle corresponds to an angle value that is different from a lowest point of the gauge while setting the dropping flag.

A computing device may implement a method for optimizing data display placement within display units. The method includes obtaining dimensions of an available display area within a display unit, and determining an irregular shape representative of the available display area based on the dimensions. The method further includes generating a second shape that is representative of a data display, wherein the second shape is smaller than the irregular shape, and translating the second shape within the irregular shape until the second shape is at a location within the irregular shape. All edges of the second shape are contained within the irregular shape at the location. The method further includes rendering the data display at the location within the available display area.

An irregular shape display having a hole according to the present disclosure may insert a cylinder-shaped guide member with the same material as that of a light guide plate within a hole to reduce a luminance difference between the front and the back of the hole, thereby improving a dark portion in the vicinity of the hole. Furthermore, the present disclosure may attach a reflection sheet to an upper portion of the guide member to block light leaked out between the light guide plate and the guide member.

A display device, for a hybrid vehicle for displaying an output relating to traveling of the hybrid vehicle, includes a first region and a second region. The first region indicates the output in a first mode in which an internal combustion engine is stopped and the vehicle travels using an electric motor. The second region indicates the output in a second mode in which the internal combustion engine is operated to travel. The first region includes a third region positioned close to the second region and indicating the output at which the internal combustion engine possibly starts up.

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.