Patent ID: 6179429
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: B60Q

Abstract:
An automotive vehicle instrument cluster, comprising:a transparent light guide having a generally planar front surface, at least one light socket, and at least one dial socket, the light socket and the dial socket each having an axis generally normal to said generally planar front surface;a dial support means received in the dial socket for rotation about the dial socket axis;a transparent dial mounted on the support means for rotational movement therewith;a light source arranged within the light socket for directing light into the light guide; andmeans for directing light received from the light source to the light receiving surface of the dial, including:a lens arranged adjacent the light source and within the light from the light source and transmitting the light with a predetermined spread angle toward the dial socket; anda plurality of deflection means intermediate the lens and the dial socket, each of the deflection means having a reflective surface and a longitudinal axis, each reflective surface angled a predetermined degree with respect to said generally planar front surface and angled a predetermined degree with respect to each other reflective surface longitudinal axis, for redirecting the light received from the lens to the dial;wherein the light socket is a concavo-convex light socket wherein the convex portion functions as the lens.