Measuring device cluster arc lighting

Abstract

A vehicle dashboard includes a gauge cluster configured to display data. A vehicle dashboard also includes a lighting arc from the driver's perspective. The lighting arc extends at least partially around the gauge cluster and creates a sightline across one or more light-emitting diode (LED) elements. The lighting arc is configured to represent a vehicle system operating parameter. A motor vehicle is also provided, including an engine configured to generate torque, a vehicle cabin, and the vehicle dashboard.

Description

[0001] The present description concerns a measuring instrument cluster with arc illumination for a motor vehicle dashboard.

[0002] A dashboard (also known as an instrument panel) is a control panel located within the center console of a vehicle. Typically positioned directly in front of the driver, the dashboard generally includes gauges that visually display vehicle information, such as vehicle speed and powertrain-related data, and controls for vehicle operation. In a motor vehicle, a dashboard may group analog and / or digital gauges in a gauge cluster positioned behind and oriented to be seen through the vehicle's steering wheel. Some dashboards include head-up displays to project selected vehicle information onto the vehicle's windshield in front of the driver.

[0003] DE 10 2008 037 977 A1 describes a display device for a vehicle with a display that is mounted or can be mounted in the vehicle's interior. The display device according to the invention is characterized by a lighting device with which illumination surrounding the display can be generated, and a control device for controlling the illumination generated by the lighting device. Furthermore, the invention relates to an operating device with such a display device. Finally, the invention relates to a method for displaying information by means of a display device with a display that is mounted or can be mounted in the vehicle's interior. The method according to the invention is characterized in that a lighting device generates illumination surrounding the display.

[0004] DE 10 2013 012 703 A1 describes a lighting device for a given instrument panel of a vehicle, which instrument panel has at least one instrument for displaying a state variable of the vehicle, with a light source and a light guide into which light from the light source is coupled and guided, wherein the light guide has a predefined light emission area through which light exits the light guide, wherein the light guide is designed to surround the given instrument panel at least partially, and the light emission area is designed such that the light emitted by the light guide, in a state installed as intended on the given instrument panel, shines mainly in a direction away from the instrument.

[0005] DE 10 2015 225 066 A1 describes a display with an illuminated decorative strip that at least partially surrounds the display when viewed from above, wherein the decorative strip itself is made of opaque material or is opaquely coated and at least partially forms a light-guiding channel in the cross-section of the decorative strip, which is open in the direction of an observer of the display, and which transitions in the direction opposite to the observer into a chamber with a light source, such that light from the light source is emitted through the channel in the direction of an observer of the display.

[0006] DE 10 2006 036 982 A1 describes a vehicle display device for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is equipped with an environment detection device designed to detect an object in the vehicle's environment, to determine an optimal direction of travel for the vehicle depending on the object detected in the environment, and to provide a corresponding sensor signal, wherein the vehicle display device arranged in the vehicle has a display area for which a left half and a right half can be defined for a viewer, and wherein the vehicle display device has a first light element in the left half and a second light element in the right half and is designed to activate the first light element and / or the second light element depending on the sensor signal, so that a direction of travel corresponding to the determined optimal direction of travel is displayed by the vehicle display device (10).Furthermore, a corresponding procedure for displaying driving direction information on a vehicle display device is described.

[0007] DE 11 2016 001 889 T5 describes a lightbar warning system for a vehicle's steering wheel. The system comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light guide, and at least one light source located adjacent to the light guide. The LCD and the light guide have arc-shaped surfaces that follow part of the steering wheel's rim. Light emitted from the light source is transmitted through the light guide and outside its area to the inner surface of the LCD located adjacent to the light guide. The light is emitted by parts of the LCD that are activated for illumination by an LCD driver. The LCD can display various types of warnings to the operator, including, for example, blind spot warnings, forward collision proximity warnings, and lane departure warnings.

[0008] Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a system that provides vehicle operating information to the driver and thereby improves safety during operation.

[0009] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claim. An instrument panel according to the invention for a vehicle cabin comprises a measuring instrument cluster configured to display data. The vehicle instrument panel also comprises an illumination arc from the perspective of a driver. The illumination arc extends at least partially around the measuring instrument cluster and creates a sightline across one or more light-emitting diode (LED) elements. The illumination arc is configured to display a vehicle system operating parameter. The vehicle instrument panel further comprises an instrument cowl configured to accommodate an instrument bezel. The measuring instrument cluster is then arranged within the instrument bezel. The illumination arc follows a circumference of the instrument bezel, which generally surrounds the measuring instrument cluster.The vehicle includes a powertrain, a Sport operating mode, an Economy (ECO) operating mode, and a Comfort operating mode. The illumination arc is configured to represent a speedometer, which is configured to display the vehicle's engine operating speed in Sport mode, a charging system indicator in ECO mode, and a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) status indicator in Comfort mode. Furthermore, a progression of the illumination arc relative to or following the perimeter of the instrument bezel is configured to represent the intensity of operation of the displayed system, mode, or parameter.

[0010] From the driver's perspective, the instrument cluster can be located behind the vehicle's steering wheel or in a center stack near the center line of the vehicle cabin.

[0011] From the driver's perspective, the measuring instrument cluster and the illumination arc can be located on different instrument levels. The illumination arc can protrude from a lower instrument level through the instrument level of the measuring instrument cluster.

[0012] Alternatively, the measuring instrument cluster and the illumination arc can be arranged on a common instrument plane.

[0013] The lighting arc can be configured to represent the operation of the vehicle's direction indicators.

[0014] The lighting arc can be configured to display the vehicle's blind spot warning.

[0015] The lighting arc can be configured to create ambient lighting.

[0016] Each of the LED elements can be configured to provide a red-green-blue (RGB) color spectrum.

[0017] It also describes a motor vehicle with a drive unit configured to generate torque, a vehicle cabin, and the vehicle dashboard described above.

[0018] The above-mentioned features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages of the present description, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiment(s) and the best way(s) for carrying out the described disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the accompanying claims. Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a representative motor vehicle positioned relative to a road surface according to the description. Fig. 2 is a schematic close-up view of the passenger cabin of the in Fig. 1 of the vehicle shown, which represents a vehicle dashboard with a measuring instrument cluster and an illumination arc extending at least partially around the measuring instrument cluster to represent a vehicle system operating parameter, as described. Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the measuring instrument cluster located within the Fig. 2 instrument bezel shown, which represents an embodiment of the illumination arc representing the operation of a vehicle system parameter, as described. Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the measuring instrument cluster located within the Fig. 2 instrument bezel shown, which represents another embodiment of the illumination arc representing the operation of a vehicle system parameter, as described.

[0019] Referring to the drawings, where the same reference numerals in the different views refer to the same components, states Fig. Figure 1 schematically represents a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 is generally characterized by a vehicle body 12 surrounded by an external environment 14. The vehicle body 12 defines a vehicle interior or passenger compartment 16 configured to accommodate a driver and passenger(s), generally in a seated position. The vehicle body 12 comprises a left section 12-1, a right section 12-2, a front section 12-3, and a rear section 12-4. The vehicle body 12 may also include a variety of side doors, such as a left front door 18-1, a right front door 18-2, a left rear door 18-3, a right rear door 18-4, and a tailgate 18-5 (at the rear section 12-4) to provide access to the vehicle compartment 16.

[0020] The vehicle 10 also includes a powertrain 20 configured to generate vehicle propulsion. The powertrain 20 includes a drive unit, such as an internal combustion engine (IC) 20-1, one or more electric or traction motors 20-2, and / or a fuel cell (not shown), configured to generate output torque, and may include a transmission assembly 20-3, such as a simple or multi-stage automatic transmission, to transmit drive unit torque to at least some of the road wheels 22. The vehicle 10 may therefore be configured as a plug-in electric vehicle (PEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), or conventionally powered by an IC motor. The vehicle 10 also includes an energy storage device 21, such as an electrochemical battery or a multi-cell rechargeable energy storage system.: rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), which is configured to supply electrical energy to various systems as well as the IC motor 20-1, the electric motor(s) 20-2 and / or the fuel cell. The vehicle 10 also typically includes friction brakes (not shown) arranged on the road wheels 22, into which a vehicle brake actuator 24, such as a brake pedal located inside the vehicle cabin 16, engages.

[0021] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle 10 additionally includes a vehicle mode selector 26, such as a gearshift lever, configured to switch the powertrain 20 between vehicle drive modes, e.g., driving, individual forward gear ranges, or reverse, and vehicle park, configured to lock the vehicle drive mode and hold the vehicle in a stationary state. The vehicle mode selector 26 is located inside the vehicle cabin 16 within easy reach of the driver, such as near a steering wheel 28. The vehicle 10 may also include a turn signal indicator 30 located near the steering wheel 28. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle 10 further includes a vehicle key 32, such as a physical key, a smart key (shown), or a radio transmitter. The vehicle key 32 is configured to allow the driver to activate the powertrain 20, as well as auxiliary vehicle systems, such as infotainment 36 and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) 38.

[0022] The vehicle 10 also includes an instrument panel 40, which is located inside the cabin 16. The instrument panel 40 includes a gauge cluster 42, which is configured to display data to the driver. The vehicle instrument panel 40 may additionally include an instrument cowl 44, which is configured to accommodate an instrument bezel 46. As shown in the Fig. As shown in Figures 2-4, the measuring instrument cluster 42 can be arranged within the instrument housing 46. With further reference to Fig. Figure 2 shows that the instrument panel 40 also includes a lighting arc 50. As shown, the lighting arc 50 is arranged to generally curve, arch, and / or sweep around the gauge cluster 42. From the driver's perspective, the lighting arc 50 extends at least partially around the gauge cluster 42. The lighting arc 50 creates a sight strip across one or more light-emitting diode (LED) elements 52 with varying properties, such as color, intensity, and progression. Each of the LED elements 52 can be configured to provide a red-green-blue (RGB) color spectrum.

[0023] The properties of the illumination arc 50 are configured to represent or indicate an operating parameter 54 of a selected vehicle system. At least some of the vehicle systems with respective parameters represented by the illumination arc 50 may include the powertrain 20, the energy storage device 21, infotainment 36, and the HVAC 38. As shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the illumination arc 50 can generally follow the perimeter of the instrument bezel 46, thereby providing a functional environment for the gauge cluster 42 and also serving as ambient lighting for the cabin 16. The progression of the illumination arc 50 relative to or following the perimeter of the instrument bezel 46 can be configured to represent the intensity of operation of the depicted system, mode, or parameter. From the driver's perspective, the instrument cluster 44 can be located behind the steering wheel 28. Alternatively, the instrument cluster 44 can be located in a center stack 55 on one side of the steering wheel 28 and near a display control panel of the infotainment system 36. As shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the center stack 55 is arranged near a center line X of the vehicle cabin 16.

[0024] In the embodiment of the system with the instrument cluster 44 arranged behind the steering wheel 28, the measuring instrument cluster 42 and the illumination arc 50 can be arranged on different instrument levels from the driver's perspective, e.g. a higher level 42-1 and a lower level 50-1 (in Fig. 4 shown). In such an embodiment, the illumination arc 50 can project from the lower instrument plane 50-1 (generally hidden from the driver's view) through the higher instrument plane 42-1 of the measuring instrument cluster 42 and thereby produce a glowing effect. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. Figure 3 shows that the measuring instrument cluster 42 and the illumination arc 50 are arranged on a common instrument surface, such as on level 42-1.

[0025] Vehicle 10 also includes an electronic control unit 56 (in the Fig. 1 and Fig. (2 shown). The electronic control unit 56 can be a central processing unit (CPU) or a body control module (BCM) configured to receive data signals from various vehicle sensors and to manage the operation of vehicle systems. In particular, the electronic control unit 56 is in operational communication with the powertrain 20, the energy storage device 21, the vehicle brake actuator 24, the vehicle mode selector 26, the vehicle key 32, and the auxiliary systems, such as infotainment 36 and HVAC 38. The electronic control unit 56 can be in operational communication with such vehicle systems and sensors via a data network, e.g., a controller area network (CAN bus), located in the vehicle 10.

[0026] The electronic control unit 56 includes a memory 56A, which is tangible and non-volatile. The memory 56A can be a writable medium involved in providing computer-readable data or process instructions. Such a medium can take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile and volatile media. Non-volatile media used by the electronic control unit 56 can include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent storage media. Volatile media of any memory 56A of the control unit can include, for example, dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), which can represent main memory. Such instructions can be transmitted through one or more transmission media, including coaxial cable, copper wire, and fiber optic cable, including the wires comprising a system bus coupled to the vehicle systems.

[0027] The memory 56A of the electronic control 56 can also include a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, another magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, a DVD, another optical medium, etc. The electronic control 56 can be equipped with a high-speed primary clock, the necessary analog-to-digital (A / D) and / or digital-to-analog (D / A) circuits, input / output circuitry and devices, and suitable signal conditioning and / or buffer circuits. Algorithms required by or accessible to the electronic control 56, generally specified by reference numeral 58, can be stored in memory 56A and executed automatically to provide the necessary functionality for operating the vehicle 10, including the lighting arc 50.

[0028] In particular, the electronic control unit 56 can be programmed with different vehicle operating modes, such as a sport operating mode 60-1, an economy (ECO) operating mode 60-2, and a comfort operating mode 60-3. The electronic control unit 56 can also be programmed, for example, using algorithm(s) 58, to regulate the operation of the lighting arc 50 in order to represent the operating state of various vehicle systems in specific operating modes 60-1, 60-2, and 60-3. For example, as shown in Fig. 3 shown, the electronic control 56 commands the lighting arc 50 to display a speedometer configured to show an operating speed of the drive unit, such as the vehicle's IC motor 20-1 in Sport mode 60-1, a charging system status or charge status indicator of the vehicle's energy storage device 21 in ECO mode 60-2, and an HVAC system 38 operating status indicator in Comfort mode 60-3.

[0029] The electronic control unit 56 can also command or be configured to receive driver input (generally indicated by reference sign 62), such as via the infotainment 36 screen, which adjusts the illumination arc 50 to display the operation of the vehicle's direction indicators, which correspond to a selected position of the direction indicator 30 (in Fig.4 shown). The illumination arc 50 can be similarly adjusted to represent the operation of the vehicle's emergency lighting. Similarly, the electronic control 56 can receive a driver input 62 for the illumination arc 50 to represent the vehicle's blind spot warning (area near the vehicle that is outside the driver's line of sight). The blind spot warning can indicate a signal generated by a vehicle sensor, such as a camera or ultrasonic sensor (not shown), that detects the presence of an obstacle or obstruction in the vehicle's blind spot. The progression of the illumination arc 50 relative to or following the perimeter of the instrument bezel 46 can represent the strength of the generated signal. The illumination arc 50 can be used for advanced driver assistance systems (e.g.,: advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) notifications are used, for example for autonomous driving.

[0030] The illumination arc 50 can also be used to display information relayed from the infotainment system via the screen 36, such as the volume level generated through the vehicle's audio speakers when the volume is changed. The operation or switching of the vehicle system represented by the illumination arc 50 can be coordinated with an audible sensory indicator 64 generated by the electronic control 56, such as an audible alarm and / or a visual display using the infotainment screen 36 indicating the current selection. The electronic control 56 can be programmed to return to the display of the same system by the illumination arc 50 after the operation of the vehicle 10 has been sampled and re-sampled, or to restart in a default selection on each subsequent restart.

[0031] Overall, the illumination arc 50 can be used as an additional measuring or alarm feature to display functional attributes of selected vehicle systems. This can increase the driver's awareness of the operating status of the relevant systems. The illumination arc 50 can also be used to enhance the ambiance of the vehicle cabin. It can be used to display various system parameters for different vehicle operating modes and can be selectively programmed by the driver. The illumination arc 50 can be integrated into the vehicle instrumentation, positioned directly in front of the driver or in a center stack. The illumination arc 50 can be generated using LED elements that cover a full color range in the RGB spectrum.

Claims

[1] Dashboard (40) for a cabin (16) of a vehicle (10), the dashboard (40) comprising: a measurement cluster (42) configured to display data; an illumination arc (50), from the perspective of a vehicle operator (10), which extends at least partially around the measuring instrument cluster (42), generates a sightline over at least one light-emitting diode (LED) element (52) and is configured to represent a vehicle system operating parameter; and an instrument hood (44) configured to accommodate an instrument enclosure (46), wherein the measuring instrument cluster (42) is arranged within the instrument enclosure (46); wherein the illumination arc (50) follows a circumference of the instrument surround (46); wherein the vehicle (10) includes a drive unit (20-1, 20-2) and a Sport operating mode (60-1), an Economy (ECO) operating mode (60-2) and a Comfort operating mode (60-3), and wherein the illumination arc (50) is configured to display a speedometer configured to show an operating speed of the engine (20-1) of the vehicle (10) in Sport operating mode (60-1), a charging system indicator in ECO operating mode (60-2), and a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) status indicator in Comfort operating mode (60-3); and wherein a progression of the illumination arc (50) is configured relative to the extent of the instrument enclosure (46) to represent an intensity of operation of the depicted system, mode or parameter. [2] Dashboard (40) according to claim 1, wherein, from the perspective of the driver, the instrument cowl (44) is arranged behind a steering wheel (28) of the vehicle (10) or in a central stack (55) near a center line (X) of the vehicle cabin (16). [3] Dashboard (40) according to claim 1, wherein, from the perspective of the driver, the measuring instrument cluster (42) and the illumination arc (50) are arranged on different instrument planes (42-1, 50-1) and wherein the illumination arc (50) projects from a lower instrument plane (50-1) through the instrument plane (42-1) of the measuring instrument cluster (42). [4] Dashboard (40) according to claim 1, wherein the measuring instrument cluster (42) and the illumination arc (50) are arranged on a common instrument plane (42-1). [5] Dashboard (40) according to claim 1, wherein the lighting arc (50) is configured to represent the operation of the direction indicators (30) of the vehicle (10). [6] Dashboard (40) according to claim 1, wherein the lighting arc (50) is configured to provide a blind spot warning for the vehicle (10). [7] Dashboard (50) according to claim 1, wherein the lighting arc (50) is configured to produce ambient lighting.

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