Display device for a vehicle

• US 5,594,415 A
• Filed: 03/24/1995
• Issued: 01/14/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tamapack Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Tamapack Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Yamada, Masao, Ishikawa, Masaaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US08/409,523
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 340/439, 340/441, 340/463, 340/466-469, 340/478, 340/479, 340/459, 340/465, 340/464, 340/488, 340/489, 340/461, 340/975, 340/984, 200/61.89, 200/61.29, 273/442, 273/351, 273/371, 273/378, 273/379, 273/86 R, 273/433, 273/434, 273/438, 434/62, 434/65, 434/45, 434/47, 434/69, 434/30
• US Class Current: 340/467
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/444 with indication of the braking strength or speed changes, e.g. by changing shape or intensity of the indication B60Q1/1407, B60Q1/442, B60Q1/447 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/54 for indicating speed outside of the vehicle

Abstract

A sensor for detecting the degree of the operation of the accelerator in an automobile is provided and the display apparatus for expanding shrinking the display detection of the sensor is provided in the automobile so that the display apparatus can be observed from the outside. A apparatus for detecting the number of rotation of engine and the depressing degree of the brake pedal also provided. The number of the engine and the depressing degree of the brake pedal as well as operation degree of the accelerator pedal is displayed inside the car and outside the car by using the light emitting display apparatus. Apparatus for detecting the running speed of vehicle and the apparatus for detecting the acceleration and the deceleration of the vehicle are provided a plurality of different meaningful of character strings are displayed outside the vehicle in accordance with the detection status of the detecting apparatus to that the running status of the automobile is displayed. Based on the detecting apparatus for detecting the rotation direction of the clockwise direction or the anti-clockwise direction of the handle and the degree of the rotation is also detected by the detectors which can be observed from outside of the car and the moving running direction of the vehicle can be displayed.

Claims

1. An accelerator operation magnitude display apparatus, comprising:

a sensor that senses a magnitude of operation of an accelerator pedal, including a status in which said accelerator pedal is not operated, and at least one status in which the accelerator pedal is operated, without any mechanical movement of said sensor accompanying a mechanical movement of said accelerator pedal; and

means for indicating said magnitude of operation of said accelerator pedal based upon an output from said sensor.

2. An accelerator operation magnitude display apparatus, comprising:

a sensor that senses a magnitude of operation of an accelerator pedal, including a status in which said accelerator pedal is not operated, and at least one status in which the accelerator pedal is operated, without any mechanical movement of said sensor accompanying a mechanical movement of said accelerator pedal; and

means for indicating said magnitude of operation of said accelerator pedal based upon an output from said sensor.

3. An operation status display apparatus, comprising:

a sensor that senses a magnitude of operation of an accelerator pedal, including a status in which said accelerator pedal is not operated, and at least one status in which said accelerator pedal is operated, without any mechanical movement of said sensor accompanying a mechanical movement of said accelerator pedal;

means for indicating said magnitude of operation of said accelerator pedal based upon an output from said sensor; and

a parallel resonance circuit, wherein a signal corresponding to said magnitude of operation of said accelerator pedal is outputted by said sensor.

4. The vehicle operation status display apparatus of claim 3, wherein said parallel resonance circuit comprises a coil and a capacitor, said coil being magnetically coupled to said accelerator pedal is outputted by said sensor.

5. An accelerator operation status display apparatus comprising:

a sensor that senses a magnitude of operation of an accelerator pedal, including a status in which said accelerator pedal is not operated, and at least one status in which said accelerator pedal is operated;

means for indicating said magnitude of operation of said accelerator pedal based upon an output from said sensor;

means for converting reciprocating movement of said accelerator pedal to rotational movement; and

a rotary encoder for outputting a signal designating a rotational displacement of said means for converting.

6. The vehicle operation status display apparatus of claim 5, wherein said sensor comprises a rack and pinion arrangement.

7. An accelerator operation status display apparatus comprising:

a sensor that senses a magnitude of operation of an accelerator pedal, including the status in which said accelerator pedal is not operated, and at least one status in which said accelerator pedal is operated;

means for indicating said magnitude of operation of said accelerator pedal based on an output from said sensor;

an oscillation body for producing ultrasonic waves, said oscillation body oriented to direct the ultrasonic waves towards said accelerator pedal for reflection therefrom; and

an oscillation sensing body for receiving ultrasonic waves reflected from said accelerator pedal.

8. An accelerator operation status display apparatus comprising:

a sensor that senses a magnitude of operation of an accelerator pedal, including a status in which said accelerator pedal is not operated, and at least one status in which the accelerator pedal is operated;

means for indicating said magnitude of operation of said accelerator pedal based upon an output from said sensor;

an elastic member connected between said accelerator pedal and a structure which is fixed with respect to movement of said accelerator pedal; and

a strain sensor which detects a strain condition of said elastic member and outputs a signal which is indicative of said strain condition as well as indicative of the position of said accelerator pedal.

9. An accelerator operation status display apparatus comprising:

a sensor that senses a magnitude of operation of an accelerator pedal, including the status in which said accelerator pedal is not operated, and at least one status in which the accelerator pedal is operated;

means for indicating said magnitude of operation of said accelerator pedal based upon an output from said sensor;

a plate pivotally supported by a support member and having pivotal ends on opposite sides of said support member, said support member being attached to a structure which is fixed with respect to movement of said accelerator pedal;

a wire connected to one of said pivotal ends of said plate;

a spring connected to an end of said wire which is opposite in end of said wire which is connected to said one pivotal end of said plate; and

a variable resistor connected with said spring near said connection of said spring with said end of said wire;

wherein said accelerator pedal engages the other of said pivotal ends opposite said one of said pivotal ends so that depression of said accelerator pedal pivots said plate, which in turn extends said spring and varies a resistance value of said variable resistor.