Integrating Brake Assist Indicator into Vehicle Speedometer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display devices in motor vehicles, particularly commercial vehicles, become cluttered and confusing due to the separate display of information from the Bremsomat function, making it difficult for drivers to quickly and accurately interpret the relationship between set and actual speeds, and wasting display space.

Innovation Solution

Integrating the Bremsomat speed display into the speedometer, using a marking element or alphanumeric value on the speed display scale, allowing for a space-saving and intuitive representation of the Bremsomat target speed in relation to the actual speed, with visual differentiation from the cruise control target speed, and activating or changing the display during adaptive braking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the Bremsomat function information is displayed separately in the instrument cluster, then the driver can see the target speed, but the display becomes cluttered and difficult to interpret

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddisplay complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the Bremsomat speed indicator with the speedometer by integrating the marker element directly onto the speedometer scale. This merging of previously separate display elements eliminates the cluttered appearance while maintaining complete information display, as the target speed is now shown at its logical position on the speed scale rather than in a separate location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The speedometer is enhanced to serve multiple functions: it displays the current vehicle speed through the scale and pointer, and simultaneously displays the Bremsomat target speed through the integrated marker element. This multi-functionality allows a single display element to provide both speed information and target speed guidance without requiring additional separate displays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If multiple display elements are added to show Bremsomat and cruise control information, then all speed information is visible, but the driver has to scan different areas and takes time to understand the relationship between speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidinformation comprehension time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the Bremsomat marker with the speedometer scale, the patent places the target speed information directly at its logical position on the speed scale. This allows the driver to comprehend the relationship between current speed and target speed instantly by viewing a single integrated display, eliminating the need to scan between separate display areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by placing the Bremsomat marker element specifically at the position on the speedometer scale that corresponds to the target speed. This localized placement provides immediate visual context for the driver, showing exactly where the target speed falls on the speed scale without requiring the driver to search or interpret relationships between separate displays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of information

If the Bremsomat speed indicator is displayed outside the speedometer scale, then the speed information is complete, but display space is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddisplay space utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the Bremsomat speed indicator with the speedometer by placing the marker element directly on the speedometer scale. This integration eliminates wasted display space by utilizing the existing speedometer area, while still providing complete Bremsomat speed information through the marker's position on the scale.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3409526B1Display device of a driver assistance system for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP3409526B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3409526B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a display device of a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle, comprising a display surface and a control unit coupled to the display surface for controlling a display on the display surface. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, with such a display device. The display device comprises a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle, comprising a display surface (2) and a control unit (3) coupled to the display surface for controlling a display on the display surface (2). The control unit (3) is configured to display a speed indicator (10) on the display surface (2) to show the instantaneous speed of the motor vehicle. The control unit (3) is further configured to display a brake assist speed indicator (8; 9) to show a set target speed of the brake assist function when a brake assist function is activated.In this case, the brake assist speed indicator is integrated into the speedometer.