An integrated instrument and automobile

Abstract

This application provides an integrated instrument cluster and vehicle, relating to the technical field of truck and construction machinery vehicle equipment. It includes: an instrument cluster body, a display screen, buttons, a microphone, a USB interface, and an Ethernet communication interface mounted on the instrument cluster body. The Ethernet communication interface supports remote software rewriting of the instrument cluster. The integrated instrument cluster connects to a mobile phone via the USB interface and a USB cable to mirror the mobile phone on the display screen. The buttons include an ESC button, an OK button, up / down buttons, and left / right buttons. These buttons are used to switch instrument cluster menus, control multimedia, and answer / hang up calls. The integrated instrument cluster in this solution has control buttons that can independently control the instrument cluster menu and multimedia switching, enabling remote software rewriting and mobile phone mirroring functions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of trucks, construction machinery, and vehicle equipment, and in particular to an integrated instrument and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] The automotive instrument cluster is the core device for centrally displaying the vehicle's operating status. It primarily monitors and provides feedback on the working conditions of various systems. Its core functions include real-time display of vehicle speed, engine speed, fuel level, coolant temperature, and other basic data, and it uses indicator lights and warning lights to indicate faults or abnormal conditions. The automotive multimedia control panel is where you control the car's audio system and other comfort and entertainment features.

[0003] In existing technologies, most instrument clusters and multimedia control systems are currently two independent components, controlled separately, or integrated into a smart cockpit domain controller. However, both independent control and integrated smart cockpit domain controllers suffer from high costs and technical redundancy, making them unsuitable for vehicle types such as trucks or construction machinery that require low costs and basic entertainment functions. Existing technologies also include instrument clusters integrating multimedia functions. Patent application number CN202322235168 discloses a multi-functional instrument cluster, specifically disclosing a TFT display screen installed within the instrument cluster body. The instrument cluster body also includes a PCB board integrating a radio antenna interface, connectors, and a USB connector. This multi-functional instrument cluster integrates a multimedia amplifier chip and a Bluetooth chip circuit. However, this patent has drawbacks, including the inability to switch instrument menus and multimedia-related functions, the inability to remotely rewrite and upgrade software, and the lack of smartphone mirroring functionality. Utility Model Content

[0004] The present invention aims to at least solve the aforementioned technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the first aspect of the present invention proposes an integrated instrument, the integrated instrument comprising:

[0005] The instrument body includes a display screen, buttons, a microphone, a USB interface, and an Ethernet communication interface mounted on the instrument body; the Ethernet communication interface is used to support remote software flashing of the instrument.

[0006] The integrated instrument is connected to the mobile phone via the USB interface and USB cable to mirror the mobile phone on the display screen.

[0007] The buttons include an ESC button, an OK button, an up / down switch button, and a left / right switch button; the buttons are used to switch instrument menus, control multimedia, and answer / hang up calls.

[0008] Optionally, the instrument body has a built-in BT / WiFi chip to support the integrated instrument to connect to a mobile phone via BT / WiFi, so as to map the mobile phone on the display screen and realize Bluetooth calls.

[0009] Optionally, the instrument body is provided with an IO input / output interface.

[0010] Optionally, the instrument body also has a built-in video analysis chip.

[0011] Optionally, the instrument body also incorporates a tuner chip.

[0012] Optionally, the instrument body also incorporates an Audio DSP audio processing chip and an AMP power amplifier chip.

[0013] The second aspect of this utility model provides an automobile including an integrated instrument as described in the first aspect.

[0014] The advantages of an integrated instrument cluster and vehicle are as follows: The instrument cluster integrates control buttons, independently controlling the instrument menu and multimedia switching, without relying on external control unit components. This results in a simple and low-cost system, and the instrument cluster is easily adaptable to different vehicle models. The instrument cluster communicates with the vehicle's central intelligent gateway via in-vehicle Ethernet, enabling remote software rewriting. Users can choose to upgrade immediately or during off-peak hours, making the process simple and easy. Furthermore, this solution achieves interconnection between the instrument cluster and mobile phones via wireless or wired connections. The integrated instrument cluster allows for mobile phone mirroring, enabling the use of navigation map applications and third-party audio functions on the instrument cluster. This fully utilizes the rich entertainment and map resources of mobile phones, reducing the system complexity of the instrument cluster and enhancing the driving experience for passengers. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 A front view of an integrated instrument provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal circuitry of the integrated instrument in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the rear structure of the integrated instrument in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the integrated instrument in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0019] The components are as follows: 1-Instrument body, 2-Front panel, 3-Display screen, 4-Buttons, 401-ESC button, 402-OK button, 403-Up / Down switch button, 404-Left / Right switch button, 5-Microphone, 6-Rear housing, 701-Power connector, 702-Radio antenna connector, 703-USB connector, 704-Signal connector, 8-PCB, 9-Display screen bracket, 10-SOC central processing chip, 11-MCU microcontroller, 12-BT / WiFi chip, 13-Video parsing chip, 14-Flash memory, 15-Ethernet chip, 16-Power management chip, 17-CAN communication chip, 18-LIN communication chip, 19-Display screen, 20-USB hub, 21-MIC microphone, 22-Speaker, 23-Audio DSP audio processing chip, 24-Tuner chip, 25-EEPROM memory, 26-AMP power amplifier chip. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0021] This utility model embodiment provides an integrated instrument, such as Figure 1 As shown, the integrated instrument includes:

[0022] The instrument body 1 includes a display screen 3, buttons 4, a microphone 5, a USB interface, and an Ethernet communication interface mounted on the instrument body 1; the Ethernet communication interface is used to support remote flashing of the instrument software.

[0023] The integrated instrument is connected to the mobile phone via the USB interface and USB cable to reflect the mobile phone on the display screen 3.

[0024] The button 4 includes an ESC button 401, an OK button 402, an up / down switch button 403, and a left / right switch button 404; the button 4 is used to switch instrument menus, control multimedia, and answer / hang up phone calls.

[0025] Specifically, the integrated instrument cluster includes a front panel 2, which also incorporates a built-in automotive Ethernet chip 15. In addition to the instrument cluster, there is a vehicle manufacturer's cloud platform, and a central intelligent gateway is also present in the vehicle. This central intelligent gateway has network connectivity and can implement TBOX (Telematics Box) functionality. After the instrument cluster software is redeveloped as needed, the cloud platform remotely pushes the instrument cluster update package to the central intelligent gateway via 4G / 5G wireless network communication technology. The central intelligent gateway parses the update package and transmits it to the instrument cluster via the automotive Ethernet. Upon receiving the update package, the instrument cluster performs its own software upgrade.

[0026] The integrated instrument in this embodiment of the utility model also has a mobile phone mapping function. Specifically, the instrument is connected to a mobile phone via a USB interface and a USB cable, and mobile phone mapping is achieved through a wired connection.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the instrument body 1 has a built-in BT / WiFi chip 12, which supports the integrated instrument to connect to a mobile phone via BT / WiFi, so as to map the mobile phone on the display screen 3 and realize Bluetooth calls.

[0028] Specifically, BT stands for Bluetooth. In this embodiment of the invention, it can also be connected to the integrated instrument via Bluetooth + WiFi, thereby enabling wireless mirroring of the mobile phone.

[0029] After mirroring the phone onto display screen 3, navigation map applications and third-party audio functions from the phone can be used on the instrument panel, making full use of the phone's rich entertainment and map resources, reducing the system complexity of the instrument panel, and improving the driving experience for passengers.

[0030] Normally, the multi-function steering wheel buttons in a vehicle communicate via CAN, enabling functions such as switching instrument panel menus, switching multimedia audio sources, answering / hanging up Bluetooth calls, and adjusting volume. However, some trucks and construction machinery vehicles lack multi-function steering wheel buttons. For these vehicles, this embodiment integrates four buttons on the instrument panel 2: ESC button 401, OK button 402, up / down switch button 403, and left / right switch button 404, to achieve instrument panel menu switching and entertainment control functions. Additionally, button 4 can also be used to answer and hang up calls. When controlling the instrument panel, a short press of ESC button 401 exits the current menu and returns to the previous page. When controlling multimedia using the ESC button 401, a short press hangs up the call if a Bluetooth call comes in, and a short press pauses playback if multimedia is playing. Double-clicking the OK button 402 switches between controlling the instrument and controlling multimedia. The default setting is multimedia control. In this state, multimedia control can be achieved by using the ESC button 401, the up / down toggle button 403, the left / right toggle button 404, or a short press of the OK button 402. To control the instrument, double-click the OK button 402 to switch to instrument control mode, and then control the instrument using the same buttons. When controlling the instrument using the OK button 402, a short press confirms the selected menu item. When controlling multimedia using the OK button 402, a short press answers the Bluetooth call if a call comes in, and continues playback if multimedia is playing. The up / down switch button 403 is used to control the instrument panel and multimedia system. When controlling the instrument panel, a short press of the up / down switch button 403 cycles the instrument panel menu downwards or selects a menu item. Double-clicking the up / down switch button 403 cycles the instrument panel menu upwards or selects a menu item. When controlling the multimedia system, a short press of the up / down switch button 403 switches to the next track, and double-clicking the up / down switch button 403 switches to the previous track. The left / right switch button 404, when controlling the instrument panel, cycles the instrument panel menu to the right with a short press, and double-clicking the left / right switch button 404 cycles the instrument panel menu to the left. When controlling the multimedia system, a short press of the left / right switch button 404 cycles through the audio source: radio → Bluetooth music → USB music → radio. Of course, for vehicles with multi-function steering wheel buttons, these four buttons can also be integrated into the front panel 2 of the instrument cluster.

[0031] The integrated instrument cluster also features a radio and speaker functions, with a radio antenna interface and a speaker interface located on the instrument cluster body 1. The display screen 3 of the integrated instrument cluster can also display a reversing camera image; specifically, the video data captured by the reversing camera is transmitted to the instrument cluster for display. The instrument cluster body 1 of the integrated instrument cluster also includes a CAN communication interface, a LIN communication interface, a power ground interface, and a vehicle power interface.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the instrument body 1 is provided with an IO input / output interface.

[0033] Internal wiring of integrated instruments, such as Figure 2 As shown, refer to Figure 2 The integrated instrument incorporates a SOC (System on Chip) central processing chip 10, a BT / WiFi chip 12, a Flash memory 14, an Ethernet chip 15, a power management chip 16, a CAN communication chip 17, a LIN communication chip 18, an MCU (Micro Control Unit) microcontroller 11, a USB HUB hub 20, an EEPROM memory 25, a display screen 19, a MIC microphone 21, and a speaker 22.

[0034] For example, the following chips are selected: R7F702301BFABG-C chip as MCU microcontroller 11, CQ8733B chip as BT / WiFi chip 12, BY25Q256FS chip as Flash memory 14, YT8512H chip as Ethernet chip 15, R7F702301BFABG-C chip as power management chip 16, TJA1044 chip as CAN communication chip 17, SIT1021 chip as LIN communication chip 18, SPD107 chip as USB HUB hub 20, and GT24C16B chip as EEPROM memory 25.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the instrument body 1 also incorporates a video analysis chip 13.

[0036] Reference Figure 2 The instrument panel 1 incorporates a built-in video analysis chip 13. For example, an ARK7116M chip can be selected as the video analysis chip 13. The reversing camera transmits the rear view of the vehicle to the video analysis chip 13 via CVBS signals for image analysis, and then transmits the image to the SOC central processing chip 10 for communication analysis. The video analysis chip 13 and the SOC central processing chip 10 transmit signals using the BT656 data format. For example, the SOC central processing chip 10 can be an ARK1688.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the instrument body 1 also incorporates a tuner chip 24.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the instrument body 1 also incorporates an Audio DSP audio processing chip 23 and an AMP power amplifier chip 26.

[0039] Reference Figure 2 The instrument body 1 has a built-in tuner chip 24, an audio DSP audio processing chip 23, and an AMP power amplifier chip 26. For example, the SI4755 chip is selected as the tuner chip 24, the BD37033FV chip is selected as the audio DSP audio processing chip 23, and the TDA7388 chip is selected as the AMP power amplifier chip 26.

[0040] Specifically, the BT / WiFi chip 12 is electrically connected to the SOC central processing chip 10 and communicates via an SDIO interface. The mobile phone connects wirelessly and via Bluetooth to the instrument through the BT / WiFi chip 12. The video parsing chip 13, Flash memory 14, Ethernet chip 15, Display screen 19, USB hub 20, microphone 21, speaker 22, power management chip 16, MCU microcontroller 11, and audio DSP audio processing chip 23 are all electrically connected to the SOC central processing chip 10. The SOC central processing chip 10 and the display screen 19 use LVDS low-voltage differential signal transmission to transmit the display image. The USB HUB 20 and the SOC central processing chip 10 use the USB universal serial bus protocol. The SOC central processing chip 10 drives the built-in speaker 22 to play sound through PWM pulse width modulation signal. The SOC central processing chip 10 and the MCU microcontroller 11 use the UART communication protocol. The SOC central processing chip 10 and the Audio DSP audio processing chip 23 use the I2S communication protocol. The SOC central processing chip 10 drives the Audio DSP audio processing chip 23 through the Audio_L / R channel. The power management chip 16, CAN communication chip 17, LIN communication chip 18, Audio DSP audio processing chip 23, tuner chip 24, and EEPROM memory 25 are all electrically connected to the MCU microcontroller 11. The MCU microcontroller 11 communicates with the Audio DSP audio processing chip 23 using the I2C communication protocol, and the MCU microcontroller 11 and the tuner chip 24 communicate via the SPI serial peripheral interface bus technology.

[0041] Both the AMP power amplifier chip 26 and the tuner chip 24 are electrically connected to the audio DSP audio processing chip 23. The instrument realizes radio functionality through the tuner chip 24 and the audio DSP audio processing chip 23. Specifically, the audio DSP audio processing chip 23 drives the AMP power amplifier chip 26 to play multimedia audio sources.

[0042] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the rear structure of the integrated instrument cluster. The rear housing 6 houses connectors, specifically including a power connector 701, a radio antenna connector 702, a USB connector 703, and a signal connector 704. The power connector 701 has 32 pins, and the radio antenna connector 702 has 2 pins for receiving radio signals. The USB connector 703 is a standard USB Type-A interface. An external USB port is located elsewhere on the vehicle's dashboard, and the USB Type-A port connects to the external USB port via a USB cable. When a USB flash drive is plugged into the external USB port, the instrument cluster can read the music stored on it. When a mobile phone USB cable is plugged into the external USB port, the instrument cluster can connect to a mobile phone, enabling phone mirroring via a wired connection. The signal connector 704 has 32 pins.

[0043] Figure 4 The diagram shows the assembly structure of the integrated instrument. The instrument can be obtained by sequentially assembling the front panel 2, display screen 3, PCB 8, display screen bracket 9, and rear housing 6.

[0044] In summary, in this embodiment of the utility model, the instrument panel integrates control buttons, independently controlling the instrument menu and multimedia switching, without relying on external control unit components. The system is simple, low-cost, and easily adaptable to different vehicle models. The instrument panel communicates with the vehicle's central intelligent gateway via in-vehicle Ethernet, enabling remote software rewriting. Users can choose to upgrade immediately or during off-peak hours, without affecting daily vehicle operation. Furthermore, no specialized equipment or expertise is required from the operator, making it simple and easy to use. The instrument panel connects to a mobile phone via wireless or wired connection, enabling mobile phone mirroring. Navigation map applications and third-party audio functions can be used on the instrument panel, fully utilizing the rich entertainment and map resources of the mobile phone, reducing the system complexity of the instrument panel, and improving the driving experience for passengers.

[0045] This utility model embodiment also provides an automobile, including the integrated instrument as proposed in this utility model embodiment.

[0046] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An integrated instrument, characterized in that, include: The instrument body, the display screen, buttons, microphone, USB interface and Ethernet communication interface mounted on the instrument body; The Ethernet communication interface is used to support remote flashing of instrument software; The integrated instrument is connected to the mobile phone via the USB interface and USB cable to mirror the mobile phone on the display screen. The buttons include an ESC button, an OK button, an up / down switch button, and a left / right switch button; the buttons are used to switch instrument menus, control multimedia, and answer / hang up phone calls.

2. The integrated instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, The instrument body has a built-in BT / WiFi chip, which supports the integrated instrument to connect to a mobile phone via BT / WiFi, so as to mirror the mobile phone on the display screen and realize Bluetooth calls.

3. The integrated instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, The instrument body is equipped with IO input / output interfaces.

4. The integrated instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, The instrument body also has a built-in video analysis chip.

5. The integrated instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, The instrument body also has a built-in tuner chip.

6. The integrated instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, The instrument body also incorporates an Audio DSP audio processing chip and an AMP power amplifier chip.

7. A car, characterized in that, Including the integrated instrument as described in any one of claims 1-6.

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