Patent Application
20070063830
The present invention relates, generally, to vehicle instrumentation clusters, and more particularly to an apparatus for optional relocation of the vehicle driver information systems.
Typically, motor vehicles are equipped with instrument panels and instrument clusters, which are designed to present various electrical and mechanical instruments that provide information on a status of the vehicle. These various instruments are typically arranged as a set or sets of gauges, dials, and display screens.
Generally, the instrument cluster is embedded in a similar location on a instrument panel or console, and contained inside of a module or package. However, this arrangement creates complexity and cost to manufacture as instrument panel tooling needs to be created to support a manufactured vehicle model and changed with new design iterations.
The instrument cluster is typically configured in a predetermined arrangement before leaving a manufacturing plant, whether as standard or as a purchaser pre-selected equipment of the vehicle. However, car enthusiasts have been known to seek post-manufacturing instrumentation that indicate or emphasize particular vehicle parameters, such as parameters that are relevant to racing or to off-road situations.
The location of the instrument cluster is strategically paramount so as to be visible to a vehicle operator and readable while the vehicle is in motion. This location of the instrument panel vehicle operator has traditionally been positioned just below the operator's line of sight on the road ahead through the front windshield, and as part of the dashboard or instrument panel. However, this instrument cluster has generally been partially obstructed from the operator's view by the steering wheel, positioned between the operator and the instrument panel.
Moreover, the operator's eyes can require adjustment time when shifting attention from the road ahead to the instrument cluster, and vice-versa. This adjustment of the operator's eyes between the road ahead and the instrument cluster can increase in difficulty and in time when the outside light is sensibly different than the light inside the vehicle. This repeated shifting of attention and refocusing of eyes can reduce the safe operation of the vehicle.
Accordingly, there exists a need to adapt the location of the instrument cluster that minimizes the complexity and cost needed for the manufacturing tooling and assembly/service related to the integration of vehicle driver information systems into the instrument cluster, and reduces the operator's distraction from the driving operation of the vehicle.
The present invention is defined by the appended claims. This description summarizes some aspects of the present embodiments and should not be used to limit the claims.
One object is to disclose an information display assembly for an automotive vehicle. The information display assembly has an instrument cluster, and a mounting unit. The mounting unit supports the instrument cluster at a forward location of an interior of the vehicle selectable by an operator.
One advantageous feature is that the instrument cluster is orientable with respect to the mounting unit for optimal viewing by the operator.
Another advantageous feature of the mounting unit is configured to hold the adjusted position of the instrument cluster until readjusted by the operator.
Another still advantageous feature is that the instrument cluster has at least one display instrument that is partially transparent to minimize an interference with a forward line of sight of the operator.
Illustrative and exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below with reference to and in conjunction with the figures.
The invention, including its construction and method of operation, is illustrated diagrammatically in the drawings, in which:
While the present invention may be embodied in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
In this application, the use of the disjunctive is intended to include the conjunctive. The use of definite or indefinite articles is not intended to indicate cardinality. In particular, a reference to “the” object or “a” object is intended to denote also one of a possible plurality of such objects.
Turning now to the drawings, and particularly to
The information display assembly 10 is adapted to be positioned at a forward internal location of the vehicle. As shown in
Referring now to
The instrument cluster 11 may be configured such that displays 20, 21 and 22 are partially transparent through a thickness of their respective geometries so as to minimize an interference with the line of sight of the operator. As such, in addition to plastic or glass front viewing covers, the transparent displays 20, 21 and 22 may include sheets of transparent material covering a corresponding central back opening of the displays 20, 21 and 22. The transparent material may also be plastic or glass.
The displays 20, 21, and 22 can be illuminated so as to be visible and readable in the dark, during night driving for example. The illumination of the displays 20, 21 and 22 may be provided via a light source (not shown), such as a light bulb or other means, provided through or in a radial side or edge opening (not shown) of the display housing or a central opening (not shown) of a back cover 23. Light emitted by the light source travels in the respective display 20, 21 and 22, and may be reflected throughout the interior of the respective display 20, 21 and 22.
Referring now to
The support mount 17 is adapted to be easily be mounted or installed and relocated onto an alternate location of the windshield 16 as shown in
Alternately, the support mount 17 may be positioned in proximity of one of four edges of a frame pillar (not shown) of front windshield 16. A left edge or a right edge, the A-pillar, of windshield 16 may be particularly of interest to racing enthusiasts. Support mount 17 may be mounted to trim covers (not shown) of any of the four edges of windshield 16. The trim covers are typically made of a plastic material, but may be metal or any other suitable material. Moreover, instrument cluster 11 may be located on the exterior of the vehicle. As such, support mount 17 may be mounted externally to the A-pillar, an engine hood or a cowl (not shown).
Now referring to
Alternately, a housing 42 may be provided to embed the instrument cluster 11 on the top surface of the center console 41, to create a fluid visual continuity between the instrument panel 40 and the center console 41, for example. The housing 42 and the information display assembly 10 may be manufactured as separate parts or as integral unit. In either manufactured situation, the information display assembly 10 remains versatile and is able to accept various combinations of displays that individually indicate or emphasize particular vehicle parameters. The information display assembly 10 may be altered or recombined by acquiring alternate displays.
As discussed above in regard to positioning instrument cluster 11 onto the exterior of the vehicle, an external housing (not show) may also be provided to embed instrument cluster 11 on the top of the engine hood, cowl or a-pillar to create either a fluid visual continuity or contrasting image between the instrument panel 11 and the exterior of the vehicle. The external housing and the information display assembly 10 may be manufactured as separate parts or as integral unit. In either manufactured situation, the information display assembly 10 remains versatile and is able to accept various combinations of displays that individually indicate or emphasize particular vehicle parameters. The information display assembly 10 may be altered or recombined by acquiring alternate post-manufacturing displays. Moreover, car enthusiasts may seek customized external instrumentation and corresponding housing so as to emphasize vehicle's designs.
Accordingly, improved space economizing support for information displays visible by the operator and passengers in the vehicle is provided. The mounting units introduced are provided with ease of manufacture, service or alteration of the displays. Moreover, the operator or user may reposition information displays to the vehicle's windshield or instrument panel and to re-orient them for optimal viewing.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described, it should be understood that the invention is not so limited, and modifications may be made without departing from the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, and all devices that come within the meaning of the claims, either literally or by equivalence, are intended to be embraced therein.
