Instrument cluster arc illumination

Abstract

Instrument cluster arc illumination is disclosed. A vehicle dashboard for a vehicle cabin includes an instrument cluster configured to display data. From the perspective of an operator of the vehicle, the vehicle dashboard further includes an illumination arc. The illumination arc extends at least partially around the instrument cluster and generates a visual band via one or more light-emitting diode (LED) elements. The illumination arc is configured to exhibit a vehicle system operating parameter. A motor vehicle is also provided having an engine configured to generate torque, a vehicle cabin, and a vehicle dashboard.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an instrument cluster having arc lighting for a motor vehicle dashboard. Background Technology

[0002] An instrument panel (also known as a dashboard) is a control panel located within the center console of a vehicle. Typically positioned directly in front of the vehicle operator, the instrument panel generally includes instruments for visually displaying vehicle information (e.g., vehicle speed and powertrain-related data) and controls for vehicle operation. In motor vehicles, the instrument panel may group analog and / or digital instruments into a cluster of instruments located at the rear and arranged so that they are visible through the vehicle's steering wheel. Some instrument panels incorporate a head-up display to project selected vehicle information onto the windshield in front of the operator. Summary of the Invention

[0003] An instrument panel for a vehicle cabin includes an instrument cluster configured to display data. From the perspective of the vehicle operator, the instrument panel also includes an illumination arc. The illumination arc extends at least partially around the instrument cluster and generates visual stripes via one or more light-emitting diode (LED) elements. The illumination arc is configured to display vehicle system operating parameters.

[0004] The vehicle dashboard may additionally include a compass cabinet configured to house an instrument cluster hood. The instrument cluster can then be arranged within the instrument cluster hood.

[0005] The illumination arc can follow the perimeter of the instrumentation front cover, generally surrounding the instrument cluster.

[0006] From the perspective of the vehicle operator, the compass cabinet can be located behind the steering wheel or in the center console near the center line of the vehicle cabin.

[0007] From the vehicle operator's perspective, the instrument cluster and illumination arc can be arranged on different instrumentation planes. The illumination arc can be projected from the lower instrumentation plane through the instrumentation plane of the instrument cluster.

[0008] Alternatively, instrument clusters and illumination arcs can be arranged on a common instrumentation plane.

[0009] The vehicle may include a powertrain, a sport operating mode, an economy (ECO) operating mode, and a comfort operating mode. The illumination arc may be configured to display a tachometer, which is configured to show the engine operating speed in sport operating mode, a charging system indicator in ECO operating mode, and a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) status indicator in comfort operating mode.

[0010] The lighting arc can be configured to display the vehicle's turning signal.

[0011] The illumination arc can be configured to display blind spot warnings for the vehicle.

[0012] The lighting arc can be configured to generate ambient lighting.

[0013] Each of the LED elements can be configured to provide a red-green-blue (RGB) color spectrum.

[0014] A motor vehicle is also disclosed, comprising: a power unit configured to generate torque; a vehicle compartment; and the vehicle dashboard described above.

[0015] The features and advantages described above, as well as other features and advantages of this disclosure, will readily become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and preferred modes for carrying out the described disclosure, when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, a dashboard for a vehicle cabin includes:

[0017] The instrument cluster is configured to display data; and

[0018] An illumination arc, extending at least partially around the instrument cluster from the perspective of the vehicle operator, generates a visual strip via at least one light-emitting diode (LED) element and is configured to display vehicle system operating parameters.

[0019] In one aspect of the invention, the instrument panel also includes a compass cabinet configured to house an instrumentation front cover, wherein an instrument cluster is arranged within the instrumentation front cover.

[0020] In one aspect of the invention, the illumination arc follows the perimeter of the instrumentation front cover.

[0021] In one aspect of the invention, from the perspective of the vehicle operator, the compass cabinet is arranged behind the vehicle's steering wheel or in the center console near the centerline of the vehicle's cabin.

[0022] In one aspect of the invention, from the perspective of the vehicle operator, the instrument cluster and the illumination arc are arranged on different instrumentation planes, and the illumination arc is projected from the lower instrumentation plane through the instrumentation plane of the instrument cluster.

[0023] In one aspect of the invention, the instrument cluster and the illumination arc are arranged on a common instrumentation plane.

[0024] In one aspect of the invention, the vehicle includes a power unit and a sport operating mode, an economy (ECO) operating mode, and a comfort operating mode, and wherein the illumination arc is configured to display a tachometer, which is configured to display the engine operating speed of the vehicle in the sport operating mode, a charging system indicator in the ECO operating mode, and a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) status indicator in the comfort operating mode.

[0025] In one aspect of the invention, the illumination arc is configured to display the operation of a vehicle's turning signal.

[0026] In one aspect of the invention, the illumination arc is configured to display a blind spot warning for a vehicle.

[0027] In one aspect of the invention, the illumination arc is configured to generate ambient lighting.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, a motor vehicle includes:

[0029] The power unit is configured to generate torque;

[0030] Vehicle compartments; and

[0031] The vehicle dashboard is located inside the cabin; the vehicle dashboard includes:

[0032] The instrument cluster is configured to display data; and

[0033] An illumination arc, extending at least partially around the instrument cluster from the perspective of the vehicle operator, generates a visual strip via at least one light-emitting diode (LED) element and is configured to display vehicle system operating parameters.

[0034] In one aspect of the invention, wherein:

[0035] The vehicle dashboard additionally includes a compass cabinet and is configured to house the instrumentation front cover;

[0036] The instrument cluster is arranged inside the instrumentation front cover; and

[0037] The lighting arc follows the perimeter of the instrumentation hood.

[0038] In one aspect of the invention, from the perspective of the vehicle operator, the compass cabinet is arranged behind the vehicle's steering wheel or in the center console near the centerline of the vehicle's cabin.

[0039] In one aspect of the invention, from the perspective of the vehicle operator, the instrument cluster and the illumination arc are arranged on different instrumentation planes, and the illumination arc is projected from the lower instrumentation plane through the instrumentation plane of the instruments.

[0040] In one aspect of the invention, the instrument cluster and the illumination arc are arranged on a common instrumentation plane.

[0041] In one aspect of the invention, the vehicle additionally includes a sport operating mode, an economy (ECO) operating mode, and a comfort operating mode, and wherein the illumination arc is configured to display a tachometer, the tachometer being configured to display the operating speed of the vehicle's power unit in the sport operating mode, a charging system indicator in the ECO operating mode, and a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) status indicator in the comfort operating mode.

[0042] In one aspect of the invention, the illumination arc is configured to display the operation of a vehicle's turning signal.

[0043] In one aspect of the invention, the illumination arc is configured to display blind spot warnings for the user's vehicle.

[0044] In one aspect of the invention, the illumination arc is configured to generate ambient lighting.

[0045] According to another aspect of the present invention, a motor vehicle comprises:

[0046] The power unit is configured to generate torque;

[0047] Vehicle compartments; and

[0048] The vehicle dashboard is located inside the cabin; the vehicle dashboard includes:

[0049] The instrument cluster is configured to display data; and

[0050] An illumination arc, extending at least partially around the instrument cluster from the perspective of the vehicle operator, generates a visual strip via at least one light-emitting diode (LED) element and is configured to display vehicle system operating parameters;

[0051] in:

[0052] The vehicle dashboard additionally includes a compass cabinet and is configured to house an instrument cluster hood; the instrument cluster is arranged within the instrument cluster hood; and

[0053] The lighting arc follows the perimeter of the instrument cluster hood; and

[0054] in:

[0055] From the perspective of the vehicle operator, the instrument clusters and lighting arcs are arranged on different instrumentation planes or on a common instrumentation plane. Attached Figure Description

[0056] Figure 1It is a schematic illustration of a representative motor vehicle positioned relative to the road surface according to this disclosure.

[0057] Figure 2 Based on this disclosure Figure 1 The schematic close-up view of the passenger compartment of the vehicle shown in the figure illustrates the vehicle's dashboard, which has: an instrument cluster; and an illumination arc that extends at least partially around the instrument cluster to display the vehicle's system operating parameters.

[0058] Figure 3 It is arranged in accordance with this disclosure. Figure 2 The schematic illustration of the instrument cluster within the instrumentation hood shown depicts one embodiment of an illumination arc displaying the operating parameters of the vehicle system.

[0059] Figure 4 It is arranged in accordance with this disclosure. Figure 2 The schematic illustration of the instrument cluster within the instrumentation hood shown depicts another embodiment of an illumination arc displaying the operating parameters of the vehicle system. Detailed Implementation

[0060] The embodiments described herein are intended to serve as examples. Other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. Additionally, the appended... Figure 1 The descriptions are generally illustrative and not necessarily to scale. Some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show detail of a particular component. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but are merely a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to apply this disclosure in diverse ways.

[0061] Certain terms may be used in the following description for reference purposes only and are therefore not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as “above” and “below” refer to orientation in the accompanying drawings in which the reference is made. Terms such as “front,” “rear,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “tail,” “side,” “up,” “down,” “top,” and “bottom” describe the orientation and / or position of a part or element within a frame of reference that is clear and consistent, but arbitrary, by reference to the text describing the part or element in question and the associated drawings.

[0062] Furthermore, terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used to describe separate components. Such terms may include the words specifically mentioned above, their derivatives, and words with similar meanings, and are used descriptively in the figures, and do not imply a limitation on the scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Additionally, the teachings may be described herein in reference to functional and / or logical block components and / or various processing steps. It should be understood that such block components may include several hardware, software, and / or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions.

[0063] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout several views. Figure 1 Vehicle 10 is schematically depicted. Vehicle 10 is generally characterized by a vehicle body 12 surrounded by an external environment 14. Vehicle body 12 defines an interior or passenger compartment 16 configured to accommodate, for example, a vehicle operator or driver and one or more passengers in a seated position. Vehicle body 12 includes a left side section 12-1, a right side section 12-2, a front section 12-3, and a rear section 12-4. Vehicle body 12 may also include multiple side doors, such as a left front door 18-1, a right front door 18-2, a left rear door 18-3, and a right rear door 18-4, as well as a tailgate 18-5 (at the rear section 12-4), for access to and from vehicle compartment 16.

[0064] Vehicle 10 also includes a powertrain 20 configured to generate vehicle propulsion. Powertrain 20 includes a power unit configured to generate output torque, such as an internal combustion (IC) engine 20-1, one or more electric or traction motors 20-2, and / or a fuel unit (not shown), and may include a transmission assembly 20-3 (e.g., a single-speed or multi-speed automatic transmission) to transmit the power unit torque to at least some of the road wheels 22. Vehicle 10 can therefore be configured as a plug-in electric vehicle (PEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), or conventionally powered by an IC engine. Vehicle 10 also includes: an energy storage device 21, such as an electrochemical battery or a multi-cell rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), configured to supply various systems; and the IC engine 20-1; one or more electric motors 20-2; and / or a fuel unit with electric power. The vehicle 10 typically also includes a friction brake (not shown), which is disposed at the road wheel 22 and engaged by a vehicle brake actuator 24 (such as a brake pedal disposed inside the vehicle compartment 16).

[0065] As in Figure 2As shown, vehicle 10 additionally includes a vehicle mode selector 26, such as a gear shift lever, configured to shift powertrain 20 between vehicle propulsion modes (e.g., driving, a single forward gear range, or reverse) and vehicle parking modes configured to prevent vehicle propulsion and keep the vehicle stationary. Vehicle mode selector 26 is located within the vehicle compartment 16, conveniently accessible to the vehicle operator, such as near the steering wheel 28. Vehicle 10 may also include a turn signal switch 30 arranged near the steering wheel 28. Figure 2 As shown, vehicle 10 further includes vehicle key 32, such as a physical key, a smart key (shown), or a remote control (fob) transmitter. Vehicle key 32 is configured to allow the vehicle operator to activate powertrain 20 and auxiliary vehicle systems, such as infotainment 36 and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) 38.

[0066] Vehicle 10 also includes an instrument panel 40 disposed within compartment 16. Instrument panel 40 includes an instrument cluster 42 configured to display data to the vehicle operator. Vehicle instrument panel 40 may additionally include a compass cabinet 44 configured to house an instrumentation hood 46. (As in...) Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the instrument cluster 42 can be arranged within the instrumentation front cover 46. (Continue referring to...) Figure 2 The instrument panel 40 also includes an illumination arc 50. As shown, the illumination arc 50 is arranged in a generally curved, arched, and / or bend shape around the instrument cluster 42. From the perspective of the vehicle operator, the illumination arc 50 extends at least partially around the instrument cluster 42. The illumination arc 50 generates a visual stripe with varying characteristics, such as color, intensity, and gradation, via one or more light-emitting diode (LED) elements 52. Each of the LED elements 52 can be configured to provide a red-green-blue (RGB) color spectrum.

[0067] The illumination arc 50 is configured to display or indicate operating parameters 54 of the selected vehicle system. At least some of the vehicle systems having the corresponding parameters displayed by the illumination arc 50 may include the powertrain 20, energy storage device 21, infotainment 36, and HVAC 38. (As in...) Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the illumination arc 50 generally follows the perimeter of the instrument cluster 46, thus providing functional surround lighting for the instrument cluster 42 and also serving as ambient lighting for the cabin 16. The gradient of the illumination arc 50 relative to or following the perimeter of the instrument cluster 46 can be configured to indicate the intensity of operation of the displayed system, mode, or parameters. From the vehicle operator's perspective, the compass cabinet 44 can be positioned behind the steering wheel 28. Alternatively, the compass cabinet 44 can be positioned in the center console 55, to one side of the steering wheel 28 and close to the display / control panel of the infotainment system 36. (As shown in...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the diagram, the center console 55 is positioned near the centerline X of the vehicle compartment 16.

[0068] In an embodiment of a system having a compass cabinet 44 positioned behind the steering wheel 28, from the vehicle operator's perspective, the instrument cluster 42 and the illumination arc 50 can be arranged on different instrumentation planes, for example, in ( Figure 4 (As shown in the diagram) on the higher plane 42-1 and the lower plane 50-1. In such an embodiment, the illumination arc 50 can be projected from the lower instrumentation plane 50-1 (generally hidden from the operator's view) through the higher instrumentation plane 42-1 of the instrument cluster 42, and through which a luminous effect is generated. Alternatively, as in Figure 3 As shown, the instrument cluster 42 and the illumination arc 50 can be arranged on a common instrumentation surface, such as on plane 42-1.

[0069] Vehicle 10 also includes (in Figure 1 and Figure 2 The electronic controller 56 is shown in the diagram. The electronic controller 56 may be a central processing unit (CPU) or a main control module (BCM) configured to receive data signals from various vehicle sensors and manage the operation of the vehicle system. Specifically, the electronic controller 56 communicates operationally with the powertrain 20, energy storage device 21, vehicle brake actuator 24, vehicle mode selector 26, vehicle key 32, and auxiliary systems (such as infotainment 36 and HVAC 38). The electronic controller 56 may communicate operationally with such vehicle systems and sensors via a data network (e.g., a controller area network (CAN bus)) arranged in the vehicle 10.

[0070] The electronic controller 56 includes tangible and non-transitory memory 56A. Memory 56A may be a recordable medium that participates in providing computer-readable data or processing instructions. Such media can take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile and volatile media. Non-volatile media used by the electronic controller 56 may include, for example, optical discs or magnetic disks and other persistent storage. The volatile media of each of the controller's memories 56A may include, for example, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) that can constitute main memory. Such instructions may be transmitted by one or more transmission media, including coaxial cables, copper wiring, and optical fibers, including wiring that includes a system bus coupled to the vehicle system.

[0071] The memory 56A of the electronic controller 56 may also include floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, other magnetic media, CD-ROMs, DVDs, other optical media, etc. The electronic controller 56 may be equipped with a high-speed master clock, necessary analog-to-digital (A / D) and / or digital-to-analog (D / A) circuits, input / output circuits and devices (I / O), and appropriate signal conditioning and / or buffering circuits. Algorithms required by or accessible by the electronic controller 56, generally indicated by reference numeral 58, may be stored in the memory 56A and automatically executed to provide the required functions for operating the vehicle 10 (including the lighting arc 50).

[0072] Specifically, the electronic controller 56 can be programmed with different vehicle operating modes, such as Sport operating mode 60-1, Eco operating mode 60-2, and Comfort operating mode 60-3. The electronic controller 56 can be further programmed, for example, using one or more algorithms 58, to adjust the operation of the lighting arc 50 to display the operating states of various vehicle systems under specific operating modes 60-1, 60-2, and 60-3. For example, as in... Figure 3 As shown, the electronic controller 56 can command the illumination arc 50 to indicate the tachometer, which is configured to display the operating speed of the power unit (such as the vehicle's IC engine 20-1) in Sport mode 60-1, the charging system status or charging status indicator of the vehicle's energy storage device 21 in ECO mode 60-2, and the operating status indicator of the HVAC system 38 in Comfort mode 60-3.

[0073] The electronic controller 56 can also be commanded or configured to, for example, receive input from the vehicle operator (generally identified by reference numeral 62) via the infotainment 36 screen, set the illumination arc 50 to display the turning signal of the vehicle corresponding to the selected position of the turn signal switch 30 (in... Figure 4(As shown in the diagram). The illumination arc 50 can be similarly configured to indicate unexpected operation of the vehicle for emergency lighting purposes. Similarly, the electronic controller 56 can receive input 62 from the vehicle operator for use in the illumination arc 50 to indicate blind spot warnings (areas near the vehicle that are outside the operator's line of sight). Blind spot warnings can indicate signals generated by vehicle sensors (such as cameras or ultrasonic sensors (not shown)) that detect the presence of objects or obstacles in the vehicle's blind spots. The intensity of the generated signal can be indicated by a gradient of the illumination arc 50 relative to or following the perimeter of the instrument cluster hood 46. The illumination arc 50 can be used for advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) notifications, such as for autonomous driving.

[0074] The illumination arc 50 can also be used to display information transmitted from the infotainment system via screen 36, such as volume levels generated via the vehicle's audio speakers when the volume is changed. The operation or switching of the vehicle system displayed by the illumination arc 50 can be coordinated with auditory sensory indicators 64 (such as auditory alarms) generated by the electronic controller 56 and / or visual displays using the infotainment 36 screen (indicating the current selection). The electronic controller 56 can be programmed to return to the display provided by the illumination arc 50 of the same system after vehicle 10 operation has been interrupted and reactivated, or it can be programmed to restart with each subsequent restart in the default selection.

[0075] Overall, the illumination arc 50 can be used as a supplementary instrument or alarm feature to display the functional attributes of selected vehicle systems. The illumination arc 50 can thereby increase the operator's understanding of the operating status of the subject system. The illumination arc 50 can also be used to enhance the atmosphere of the vehicle cabin. The illumination arc 50 can be used to display different system parameters for different vehicle operating modes and can be selectively programmed by the vehicle operator. The illumination arc 50 can be included in the vehicle instrument cluster directly in front of the driver or in the center console. The illumination arc 50 can be generated by LED elements covering the full color range of the RGB spectrum.

[0076] The detailed description and accompanying drawings support and describe this disclosure, but the scope of the disclosure is limited only by the claims. While some best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claimed disclosure have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the disclosure as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features of the embodiments shown in the drawings or the various embodiments mentioned in this description are not necessarily to be construed as embodiments independent of each other. Rather, it is possible that each of the features described in one of the examples of embodiments may be combined with one or more other desired features from other embodiments to produce other embodiments not described in the text or with reference to the drawings. Thus, such other embodiments fall within the framework of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An instrument panel for a vehicle compartment, the instrument panel comprising: The instrument cluster is configured to display data; and An illumination arc, extending at least partially around the instrument cluster from the perspective of the vehicle operator, generates a visual strip via at least one light-emitting diode (LED) element and is configured to display vehicle system operating parameters.

2. The instrument panel of claim 1, further comprising a compass cabinet configured to receive an instrumentation front cover, wherein an instrument cluster is arranged within the instrumentation front cover.

3. The instrument panel of claim 2, wherein the illumination arc follows the perimeter of the instrumentation hood.

4. The instrument panel as claimed in claim 2, wherein, from the perspective of the vehicle operator, the compass cabinet is located behind the vehicle's steering wheel or in the center console near the centerline of the vehicle's cabin.

5. The instrument panel of claim 2, wherein, from the perspective of the vehicle operator, the instrument cluster and the illumination arc are arranged on different instrumentation planes, and wherein the illumination arc is projected from the lower instrumentation plane through the instrumentation plane of the instrument cluster.

6. The instrument panel of claim 1, wherein the instrument cluster and the illumination arc are arranged on a common instrumentation plane.

7. The instrument panel of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a power unit and a Sport operating mode, an Eco (ECO) operating mode, and a Comfort operating mode, and wherein the illumination arc is configured to display a tachometer, the tachometer being configured to display the engine operating speed of the vehicle in Sport operating mode, a charging system indicator in ECO operating mode, and a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) status indicator in Comfort operating mode.

8. The instrument panel of claim 1, wherein the illumination arc is configured to display the vehicle's turning signal operation.

9. The dashboard of claim 1, wherein the illumination arc is configured to display blind spot warnings for the vehicle.

10. The dashboard of claim 1, wherein the illumination arc is configured to generate ambient lighting.

Images