Ultra-Thin Backlighting System Using Dual Function VF Display

A backlighting system which utilizes a VF Display as the light source allows electro-mechanical instrument clusters to have a laminated construction that reduces their depth to approximately 20% of existing E/M clusters. The VFD light source may contain digital data and/or telltale segments to provide combined functions and reduced cost while tremendously improving quality and reliability.

The light distribution system is designed to virtually eliminate lighting development and prototyping leadtime by allowing graphics and pointers to be indiscriminately moved within the cluster without affecting brightness and uniformity. Standardized lighting systems are easily achieved while still maintaining aesthetic flexibility. The backlighting system was developed to utilize flexible, manufacturing processes that allow multiple instrument cluster designs or families to be produced on the same assembly line.