Vehicle display lighting device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In response to the foregoing challenges, applicants have developed an innovative vehicle display lighting device for a vehicle display having a display dial.
The display dial has a front surface, an outer circumference and at least one indicator pointer spaced from the front surface.
In accordance with the present invention, the lighting device includes a light emitting assembly arranged along the outer circumference of the display dial in front of the front surface.
The light emitting assembly directs lights across at least the front surface of the display dial.
The lighting device also includes a control assembly for controlling the operation of the light emitting assembly.
In accordance with the present invention, it is contemplated that the light emitting assembly may include one or more light sources for emitting light, and a transmitting assembly for radiating the light from the light source across at least the front surface of the display dial.
The transmitting assembly is positioned adjacent the outer circumference of the display dial.
The transmitting assembly may include a light guide ring positioned adjacent the outer circumference of the display dial.
The light from the light sources is transmitted through the light guide ring.
The light guide ring may include a coating on at least one surface to direct light from the light source inwardly to the center of the front surface.
It is contemplated that the light guide ring may direct light only across the front surface of the display dial.
With this arrangement, the light guide ring is positioned adjacent the outer circumference between the front surface and the indicator pointer.
It is also contemplated that the light guide ring may direct light across the front surface of the display dial and the indicator pointer.
With this arrangement, the light guide ring may be positioned adjacent the outer circumference in front of the front surface and the indicator pointer.
Alternatively, the light guide ring may positioned adjacent the outer circumference such that the light guide ring extends from the front surface to a point in front of the indicator pointer