TRIP RESET BUTTON FOR A VEHICLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

• US 20140348332A1
• Filed: 05/22/2013
• Published: 11/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: BLACKMER, STEPHEN C., LIBURDI, STEVEN A.
• Application Number:
  US13/899,702
• Publication Number:
  US 20140348332A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/56
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/128 Axially displaceable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/141 Activation of instrument input devices by approaching fingers or pens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/146 Instrument input by gesture
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/148 Instrument input by voice
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/48 Sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/693 Cover plate features
• 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 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/04 Structural association of microphone with electric circuitry therefor in deaf-aid sets H04R25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/004 for microphones H04R29/007 takes precedence

Abstract

An instrument panel for a vehicle that includes a housing, a microphone and an actuator. The microphone is configured to detect a characteristic sound in the housing. The actuator is coupled to the housing, and the actuator is configured to emit the characteristic sound into the housing when actuated.

Claims

1. An instrument panel for a vehicle, said instrument panel comprising:

a housing; and

a microphone configured to detect a characteristic sound in the housing; and

an actuator coupled to the housing, said actuator configured to emit the characteristic sound into the housing when actuated.

2. The instrument panel in accordance with claim 1, wherein the actuator is designated to be a trip-meter reset button.

3. The instrument panel in accordance with claim 1, wherein the housing defines a lens portion, and the actuator is located on the lens portion.

4. The instrument panel in accordance with claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a snap dome.

5. The instrument panel in accordance with claim 4, wherein the actuator includes a stem configured to actuate the snap dome when the stem is pressed.

6. The instrument panel in accordance with claim 1, wherein the microphone includes a pressure sensor configured to detect the characteristic sound.

7. The instrument panel in accordance with claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to emit a first sound when the actuator is pressed, and emit a second sound distinct from the first sound when the actuator is released.