INSTRUMENT INDICATOR NEEDLE DEVICE PROVIDING VISUAL INDICATION OF INSTANTANEOUS FUEL ECONOMY

• US 20170050520A1
• Filed: 08/18/2015
• Published: 02/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Huelke, David, Smitterberg, Eric Axel
• Application Number:
  US14/829,221
• Publication Number:
  US 20170050520A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/174 Economic driving
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/188 Displaying information using colour changes
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/698 Pointers of combined instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/6992 Light conducting pointers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/174 Economic driving
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/188 Displaying information using colour changes
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/698 Pointers of combined instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/6992 Light conducting pointers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• 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: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

A device is provided for the purpose of displaying the instantaneous fuel economy of a motor vehicle. That device includes an indicator having indicia on a fascia and an indicator needle. That indicator needle includes an outline which contrasts with the fascia and a plurality of differently-colored segments. The controller determines the instantaneous motor vehicle fuel economy and illuminates the plurality of differently-colored segments to provide a visual indication of instantaneous motor vehicle fuel economy.

Claims

1. A device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an instrument including indicia on a fascia and an indicator needle, said indicator needle including an outline that contrasts with said fascia and a plurality of different colored segments; and

a controller for determining instantaneous motor vehicle fuel economy and illuminating said plurality of different colored segments to provide a visual indication of instantaneous motor vehicle fuel economy to an operator.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of different colored segments are provided within said outline.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said plurality of different colored segments includes a first segment having a first color, a second segment having a second color and a third segment having a third color wherein said first color, said second color and said third color are all different.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said first color is green, said second color is yellow and said third color is red.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said fascia is white and said outline is black.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said instrument is a speedometer.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein said instrument is a tachometer.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein said instrument is a fuel gauge.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of different colored segments includes a first segment having a first color, a second segment having a second color and a third segment having a third color wherein said first color, said second color and said third color are all different.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said first color is green, said second color is yellow and said third color is red.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said fascia is white and said outline is black.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein said instrument is a speedometer.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said instrument is a tachometer.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said instrument is a fuel gauge.

15. A motor vehicle incorporating the device of claim 1.

16. A method of displaying instantaneous fuel economy on an instrument of a motor vehicle, comprising:

providing an indicator needle of said instrument with an outline that contrasts with a fascia of said instrument and a plurality of different colored segments; and

illuminating said plurality of different colored segments in different ways in order to give a visual indication of instantaneous fuel economy of said motor vehicle.

17. The method of claim 16 including locating said plurality of different colored segments within said outline on said indicator needle.

18. The device of claim 17, including providing a green segment, a yellow segment and a red segment.

19. An instantaneous fuel economy display system, comprising:

an indicator needle for an instrument, said indicator needle including an outline having a color, contrasting with a fascia of the instrument, and a plurality of different colored segments within said outline for indicating instantaneous fuel economy.

20. The instantaneous fuel economy display system of claim 19 further including a controller for determining instantaneous motor vehicle fuel economy and illuminating said plurality of different colored segments to provide a visual indication of instantaneous motor vehicle fuel economy to an operator.