Adaptive Instrument Cluster Steering Angle Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing instrument clusters in vehicles are often obscured by the steering wheel, particularly during turns, reducing the viewability of critical information for the operator, especially during performance driving or autonomous vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive instrument cluster that repositions depicted instruments on an electronic display in response to the steering wheel angle, ensuring at least one instrument remains viewable through the steering wheel opening at various angles, using a controller that receives data on the steering wheel angle and partitions the display accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the steering wheel includes various interfaces and airbag restraint systems with larger rims, then the operator can control vehicle systems without removing hands from the steering wheel, but the opening for viewing the instrument cluster is reduced and poorly positioned during turns
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument cluster display dynamically repositions instrument depictions based on detected steering wheel angles. The controller adjusts the position of speedometer, tachometer, and other instrument depictions in real-time as the steering wheel rotates, ensuring instruments remain viewable through the steering wheel opening regardless of turn position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameters of instrument depictions on the display based on steering wheel angle inputs. When the steering wheel rotates to different angles, the controller modifies the screen coordinates and display positions of various instruments to maintain visibility through the steering wheel opening.
2Ease of operation
If the instrument cluster is positioned behind the steering wheel for normal viewing, then the operator can observe instruments during most driving activity, but up to fifty-percent of the instrument cluster may be obscured as often as forty-seven percent of the time during normal driving
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument cluster display dynamically repositions instrument depictions based on detected steering wheel angles. The controller adjusts the position of speedometer, tachometer, and other instrument depictions in real-time as the steering wheel rotates, ensuring instruments remain viewable through the steering wheel opening regardless of turn position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from steering wheel angle sensors to continuously adjust instrument cluster display positions. The controller receives real-time angle data and automatically repositions instruments to maintain optimal visibility, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to steering wheel position changes.
3Reliability
If a fixed instrument cluster display is used, then the system is simple and reliable, but instruments become obscured during turns and autonomous vehicle operation
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument cluster display dynamically repositions instrument depictions based on detected steering wheel angles. The controller adjusts the position of speedometer, tachometer, and other instrument depictions in real-time as the steering wheel rotates, ensuring instruments remain viewable through the steering wheel opening regardless of turn position.
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive instrument cluster for a vehicle actively repositions during driving so that at least one or more depicted instruments remain viewable at most steering wheel angles. The instrument cluster may include an electronic display on which one or more instruments are depicted during vehicle operation. An instrument cluster controller receives data representative of the steering wheel angle, and responsive thereto repositions the represented instruments on the electronic display so that at least one instrument remains viewable within an opening formed within the steering wheel.