Modular building block instrument cluster

• US 20070188023A1
• Filed: 02/10/2006
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Paskaramoorthy, Rebecca, Kraus, Karen
• Application Number:
  US11/352,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20070188023A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/828 Mounting or fastening exchangeable modules
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/50 Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle B60K35/231 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10

Abstract

A modular instrument cluster for a motor vehicle including a self-contained hub adapted to be mounted within the instrument panel. The self-contained hub contains a plurality of displays for displaying information to a driver of the vehicle and further includes a communications interface to allow communication between the self-contained hub and other assemblies within the vehicle. At least one peripheral module is removably mounted to the self-contained hub. The peripheral module also contains at least one display for displaying information to a driver of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A modular instrument cluster for a motor vehicle comprising:

a self-contained hub adapted to be mounted within the instrument panel, the hub including at least one display configured to provide information to a driver of the vehicle;

at least one peripheral module removably mounted to the hub at a connection interface, the peripheral module including at least one display configured to provide information to the driver of the vehicle; and

wherein the connection interface electro-mechanically connects the hub to the peripheral module.

2. The modular instrument cluster of claim 1, wherein the display of the hub is one of a speedometer, an odometer, a warning symbol array, a fuel gauge, a turn signal indicator, an oil pressure gauge, an engine temperature gauge, and a tachometer.

3. The modular instrument cluster of claim 1 wherein the display of the peripheral module is one of a speedometer, an odometer, a warning symbol array, a fuel gauge, a turn signal indicator, an oil pressure gauge, an engine temperature gauge, and a tachometer.

4. The modular instrument cluster of claim 1 wherein the hub further includes at least one control device.

5. The modular instrument cluster of claim 4 wherein the control device is a switch configured to allow the operator of the vehicle to selectively activate a component of the vehicle.

6. The modular instrument cluster of claim 4 wherein the control device is a switch configured to allow the operator of the vehicle to selectively activate one of the headlights, the windshield wipers, the temperature setting of a climate control system, the fan speed of a climate control system, and radio controls.

7. The modular instrument cluster of claim 1 wherein the peripheral module further includes at least one control device.

8. The modular instrument cluster of claim 7 wherein the control device is a switch configured to allow the operator of the vehicle to selectively activate a component of the vehicle.

9. The modular instrument cluster of claim 8 wherein the control device is a switch configured to allow the operator of the vehicle to selectively activate one of the headlights, the windshield wipers, the temperature setting of a climate control system, the fan speed of a climate control system, and radio controls.

10. The modular instrument cluster of claim 1 wherein the connection interface provides a mechanical and an electrical connection between the hub and the peripheral module.

11. The modular instrument cluster of claim 10 wherein the hub includes a controller adapted to provide a control signal to the display of the peripheral module.

12. The modular instrument cluster of claim 11 wherein the electrical connection between the peripheral module and the self-contained hub further includes a third conductor to accommodate a communications interface.

13. The modular instrument cluster of claim 10 wherein the connection interface is a ramp lock connector.

14. The modular instrument cluster of claim 1 wherein the displays on the hub and the peripheral module are one of digital and analog displays.