Patent Application
20080164865
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to display systems for automotive vehicles.
2. Discussion
A vehicle may include an engine operatively connected with at least one wheel to drive the wheel and thus move the vehicle.
A driver of an automotive vehicle may desire feedback on vehicle performance. Vehicle speed and engine speed may be parameters that influence vehicle performance.
Embodiments of the invention may take the form of a display system for an automotive vehicle. The system includes a sensor arrangement configured to determine a state of the vehicle and a display including indicia indicative of the state of the vehicle. The system also includes an indicator element associated with the display and operatively connected with the sensor arrangement such that the indicator element indicates the state of the vehicle by its position relative to the indicia. The indicator element translates in a first direction as the state of the vehicle increases, if the state of the vehicle is less than a first predetermined threshold, rotates as the state of the vehicle increases, if the state of the vehicle is greater than the first predetermined threshold and less than a second predetermined threshold, and translates in a second direction as the state of the vehicle increases, if the state of the vehicle is greater than the second predetermined threshold.
Embodiments of the invention may take the form of a speedometer system for an automotive vehicle. The system includes a display including indicia indicative of vehicle speed and an indicator element associated with the display and configured to indicate vehicle speed by its position relative to the indicia. The system also includes a looped belt attached with the indicator element and configured to cause the indicator element to translate in a first direction as vehicle speed increases, if the vehicle speed is less than a first predetermined vehicle speed, to rotate as the vehicle speed increases, if the vehicle speed is greater than the first predetermined vehicle speed and less than a second predetermined vehicle speed, and translate in a second direction as the vehicle speed increases, if the vehicle speed is greater than the second predetermined vehicle speed.
Embodiments of the invention may take the form of a tachometer system for an automotive vehicle having an engine. The system includes a display including indicia indicative of engine speed and an indicator element associated with the display and configured to indicate engine speed by its position relative to the indicia. The system also includes a looped belt attached with the indicator element and configured to cause the indicator element to translate in a first direction as engine speed increases, if the engine speed is less than a first predetermined engine speed, to rotate as the engine speed increases, if the engine speed is greater than the first predetermined engine speed and less than a second predetermined engine speed, and translate in a second direction as the engine speed increases, if the engine speed is greater than the second predetermined engine speed.
While exemplary embodiments in accordance with the invention are illustrated and disclosed, such disclosure should not be construed to limit the claims. It is anticipated that various modifications and alternative designs may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
Speedometer 14 includes speed markings 18, which indicate vehicle speed, speed bar 20, belt 22, and pulleys 24. Speed bar 20 is mechanically connected, at its base, with belt 22 which forms a continuous loop around pulleys 24. By moving belt 22 in the counterclockwise (or clockwise) direction, as indicated by the arrows, speed bar 20 moves around speedometer 14 depending on the vehicle speed as will be explained below. Speedometer 14 also includes designated range 26 which, for example, can visually indicate undesirable speeds for vehicle 12.
Tachometer 16 includes tach markings 28, tach bar 30, belt 32, and pulleys 34. Tach bar 30 is mechanically connected with belt 32 which forms a continuous loop around pulleys 34. Tach bar 30, belt 32, and pulleys 34 are configured to operate in a manner similar to that described with reference to speed bar 20, belt 22, and pulleys 24. Tachometer 16 also includes designated range 36 which, for example, may indicate undesirable speeds for engine 38 of vehicle 12.
In some alternative embodiments, speed bar 20 and tach bar 30 may not be mechanically connected with belts 22, 32 respectively. Rather, belts 22, 32 may each have a magnetic feature, e.g., magnet, and bars 20, 30 may each have a magnetic feature, e.g., magnet, such that, for example, as the magnetic feature of belt 22 moves, speed bar 20 moves in response around display system 10. In other alternative embodiments, system 10 may lack belts 22, 32. Bars 20, 30, instead, may be connected to respective tracks each defining a path for the movement of bars 20, 30. Other configurations are also contemplated.
Engine speed sensor 38 of engine 39 and vehicle speed sensor 40 are in communication with controller 42 via, for example, a car area network. Vehicle speed sensor 40 senses vehicle speed, in any conventional fashion, and communicates the vehicle speed information to controller 42. Engine speed sensor 38, likewise, senses engine speed, in any conventional fashion, and communicates the engine speed information to controller 42.
Controller 42, e.g., processors and associated control motors, is operatively connected with pulleys 24, 34, such that pulleys 24 will move counterclockwise as vehicle speed increases and clockwise as vehicle speed decreases. Likewise, pulleys 34 will move clockwise as engine speed increases and counterclockwise as engine speed decreases.
In the embodiment of
Display system 10 may include fewer or more indicators, e.g., engine temperature, ambient temperature, etc.
While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
