METER DISPLAY DEVICE FOR VEHICLE

• US 20160093209A1
• Filed: 07/22/2015
• Published: 03/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kawasaki Motors
• Original Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: MATSUMURA, Norikazu
• Granted Patent: US 9,715,828 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/188 Displaying information using colour changes
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/191 Highlight information
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/33 Illumination features
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/332 Light emitting diodes
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/341 Illumination of dials
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/695 Dial features
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/154 Combined instruments with analogue meters and additional displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/188 Displaying information using colour changes
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/191 Highlight information
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/193 for improving awareness
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/33 Illumination features
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/332 Light emitting diodes
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/341 Illumination of dials
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/695 Dial features
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/215 characterised by the combination of multiple visual outputs, e.g. combined instruments with analogue meters and additional displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/29 Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
• 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: B60K 37/02 Arrangement of instruments arrangement of lighting devices for dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 13/28 with luminescent markings
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/002 : giving both analog and numerical indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/08 : using a common indicating element for two or more variables
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 : having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G12B 11/02 : Scales; Dials
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/17 : Operational modes, e.g. switching from manual to automatic mode or prohibiting specific operations

Abstract

The invention provides a meter display device for a vehicle having improved visibility of indicated contents. A meter display device includes a pointer having a pointer position changed by shifting in a predetermined array direction in accordance with a continuously changing vehicle state to indicate the vehicle state, a dial having a plurality of numeral indicating portions configured to indicate the vehicle state at different levels, aligned at intervals in the array direction, and individually change lighting modes, and a controller configured to change the lighting modes of the plurality of numeral indicating portions in accordance with the vehicle state.

Claims

1. A meter display device for a vehicle comprising:

a pointer body having a pointer position changed by shifting in a predetermined array direction in accordance with a continuously changing vehicle state to indicate the vehicle state;

a display plate having a plurality of index portions configured to indicate the vehicle state at different levels, aligned at intervals in the array direction, and individually change lighting modes; and

a controller configured to change the lighting modes of the plurality of index portions in accordance with the vehicle state while the vehicle is traveling.

2. The meter display device for vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the plurality of index portions has index values indicating the vehicle state, and

the controller differentiates a lighting mode of an index value group including a corresponding index value to the vehicle state and aligned on a first side in the array direction with respect to the corresponding index value and a lighting mode of an index value group aligned on a second side in the array direction with respect to the corresponding index value.

3. The meter display device for vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the controller differentiates a lighting mode of a corresponding index portion to the vehicle state and the lighting modes of the index portions other than the corresponding index portion.

4. The meter display device for vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the controller brings the lighting modes of the plurality of index portions into lighting modes different from lighting modes of the plurality of index portions before the condition is satisfied.

5. The meter display device for vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

upon providing a set value in response to a setting command of a driver, the controller changes the lighting modes of the plurality of index portions in accordance with the setting command.

6. The meter display device for vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the set value relates to the vehicle state, and the controller brings the lighting modes of the plurality of index portions into the same lighting modes as lighting modes of the plurality of index portions upon the vehicle state having a vehicle state value reaching the set value during travel when the setting command reaches the set value.

7. The meter display device for vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the vehicle state relates to rotational speed of a driving source,

the pointer body has a rotation center and is angularly displaced about the rotation center in accordance with the rotational speed,

the array direction is equal to a circumferential direction around the rotation center,

the plurality of index portions includes numeral indicating portions aligned in the array direction, and

the numeral indicating portions correspond to the pointer position indicating the rotational speed.

8. A meter display device for a vehicle comprising:

a pointer body having a pointer position changed by shifting in a predetermined array direction in accordance with a continuously changing vehicle state to indicate the vehicle state; and

a display plate having a plurality of index portions configured to indicate the vehicle state at different levels, aligned at intervals in the array direction, and individually change lighting modes.