Instrument cluster mask with tell-tales
An instrument cluster includes a cluster mask having a tell-tale formed therein, wherein the tell-tale includes an indicia window representing an alert to a user of the instrument cluster; and a light source for emitting light through the indicia window of the tell-tale.
1. An instrument cluster comprising:
a cluster mask having a tell-tale formed therein, wherein the tell-tale includes an indicia window representing an alert to a user of the instrument cluster; and
a light source for emitting light through the indicia window of the tell-tale.
2. The instrument cluster according to claim 1 , wherein variations in a depth of the cluster mask provide a three dimensional appearance to the instrument cluster.
3. The instrument cluster according to claim 1 , wherein the cluster mask includes at least one instrument gauge viewing window.
4. The instrument cluster according to claim 3 , wherein the tell-tale is formed adjacent the at least one instrument gauge viewing window of the cluster mask.
5. The instrument cluster according to claim 1 , wherein the cluster mask includes a film disposed over at least one surface thereof, the film providing a “hidden” effect to the tell-tale.
6. The instrument cluster according to claim 1 , further comprising a controller in electrical communication with the light source for controlling an illumination thereof.
7. The instrument cluster according to claim 6 , wherein the controller includes a programmable component for programming a processing function and a control function associated with the controller.
8. The instrument cluster according to claim 1 , wherein the light source is mounted on a circuit board.
9. An instrument cluster comprising:
an appliqué having a plurality of graphical representations and indicia to communicate a vehicle condition to an operator thereof;
a cluster mask disposed adjacent the appliqué, the cluster mask having a tell-tale formed therein, wherein the tell-tale includes an indicia window representing an alert to a user of the instrument cluster; and
a light source for emitting light through at least one of the appliqué and the indicia window of the tell-tale.
10. The instrument cluster according to claim 9 , wherein variations in a depth of the cluster mask provide a three dimensional appearance to the instrument cluster.
11. The instrument cluster according to claim 9 , wherein the cluster mask includes at least one instrument gauge viewing window.
12. The instrument cluster according to claim 11 , wherein the tell-tale is formed adjacent the at least one instrument gauge viewing window of the cluster mask.
13. The instrument cluster according to claim 9 , wherein the cluster mask includes a film disposed over at least one surface thereof, the film providing a “hidden” effect to the tell-tale.
14. The instrument cluster according to claim 9 , further comprising a controller in electrical communication with the light source for controlling an illumination thereof.
15. The instrument cluster according to claim 9 , wherein the light source is mounted on a circuit board.
16. An instrument cluster comprising:
a circuit board to provide support and electrical intercommunication between various components of the instrument cluster;
an appliqué having a plurality of graphical representations and indicia to communicate a vehicle condition to an operator thereof, wherein the appliqué is disposed adjacent the circuit board;
a cluster mask disposed adjacent the appliqué, the cluster mask including a plurality of tell-tales formed therein, wherein each of the tell-tales includes an indicia window representing an alert to a user of the instrument cluster; and
a light source for emitting light through at least one of the appliqué and the indicia window of at least one of the tell-tales.
17. The instrument cluster according to claim 16 , wherein variations in a depth of the cluster mask provide a three dimensional appearance to the instrument cluster.
18. The instrument cluster according to claim 16 , wherein the cluster mask includes a film disposed over at least one surface thereof, the film providing a hidden effect to at least one of the tell-tales.
19. The instrument cluster according to claim 16 , further comprising a controller in electrical communication with the light source for controlling an illumination thereof.
20. The instrument cluster according to claim 16 , wherein the cluster mask includes at least one instrument gauge viewing window and the tell-tales are circumferentially disposed around the at least one instrument gauge viewing window of the cluster mask.