Multi-function display meter system for a motorcycle

• US 6,407,663 B1
• Filed: 06/26/1998
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Polaris Industries Incorporated (Polaris Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polaris Industries Incorporated (Polaris Inc.)
• Inventors: Huggett, Jeffery W.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US09/105,520
• Time in Patent Office: 1,453 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/427, 340/432, 340/438, 340/459, 340/461, 340/441, 200/61.54, 701/29, 180/90, 362/473, 362/474
• US Class Current: 340/461
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/11 Instrument graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/11 Graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• 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 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/12 Motorcycles, Trikes; Quads; Scooters
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/14 Handlebar constructions, or arrangements of controls thereon, specially adapted thereto hand controls per se B62K23/02

Abstract

A multi-function display meter system for a motorized vehicle such as a motorcycle. The display system has a microprocessor-based controller that stores a value for each of a plurality of predetermined indication modes. A mode switch may be used to select one of the indication modes for display on a display unit, and a set switch may be used to set the value of at least one of the indication modes when that mode is selectively displayed. On a vehicle with handlebars, the mode and set switch are conveniently located on opposite handlebars. One of the indication modes may be a hi-beam icon brightness level whose level may be set when it is the selected mode. The system may also include a sensor that senses information related to the vehicle, such as the electrical system voltage level and whether the engine is running. When the electrical system voltage level is the selected mode, the display unit displays both the electrical system voltage level and an indication whether this level is the battery voltage or the alternator voltage based upon whether the engine is running.

Claims

1. A motorcycle comprising:

a chassis carrying a straddle-type seat which is sufficiently narrow to be straddled by a rider;

front and rear wheels mounted to the chassis, and left and right handlebars connected to the front wheel for steering the front wheel; and

a multi-function display system, comprising;

a controller having stored therein a value for each of a plurality of predetermined indication modes;

a display unit driven by the controller for displaying the value of a selected mode;

a mode switch operatively connected to the controller and mounted on one of the handlebars, the mode switch being operable to select one of the indication modes as the selected mode; and

a set switch operatively connected to the controller and mounted on the other handlebar, the set switch being operable to set the value of at least one of the indication modes when it is the selected mode.

2. The motorcycle of claim 1, further comprising a sensor operatively connected to the controller for sensing information related to the motorcycle, and wherein at least one of the indication modes has a value based on the sensed information.

3. The motorcycle of claim 1, wherein the set switch sets the value of at least one of the indication modes when it is the selected mode without affecting the value of any other of the indication modes.

18. The motorcycle of claims 1, 4, 8, or 14, wherein the display unit displays an indication of which of the indication modes is the selected mode.

19. The motorcycle of claims 1, 4, 8, or 14, wherein the display unit comprises a liquid crystal display, indicator icons, a speedometer, and a tachometer.

20. The motorcycle of claims 1, 4, 8, or 15, wherein the display unit comprises a liquid crystal display which displays the value of the selected mode.

21. The motorcycle of claims 1, 4, 8, or 14, wherein the plurality of predetermined indication modes comprises odometer, trip odometer, clock, backlight level, hi-beam icon brightness level, fuel level, and electrical system voltage level, and diagnostics.

4. A motorcycle comprising:

a chassis carrying a straddle-type seat which is sufficiently narrow to be straddled by a rider;

front and rear wheels mounted to the chassis, and left and right handlebars connected to the front wheel for steering the front wheel; and

a multi-function display system mounted on the motorcycle, comprising;

a controller having stored therein a value for each of a plurality of predetermined indication modes, one indication mode being a hi-beam icon brightness level;

a display unit driven by the controller for displaying the value of a selected mode;

a mode switch operatively connected to the controller, the mode switch for selecting one of the predetermined indication modes as the selected mode; and

a set switch operatively connected to the controller, the set switch for setting the value of the hi-beam icon brightness level when it is the selected mode.

5. The motorcycle of claim 4, wherein the display unit comprises a hi-beam icon having a brightness level, and wherein setting the value of the hi-beam brightness level indication mode adjusts the brightness level of the hi-beam icon display.

6. The motorcycle of claim 4, wherein the set switch sets the value of at least one of the indication modes when that indication mode is the selected mode.

7. The motorcycle of claim 6, wherein the set switch sets the value of the hi-beam icon brightness level when it is the selected mode without affecting the value of any other of the indication modes.

8. A motorcycle comprising:

a chassis carrying a straddle-type seat which is sufficiently narrow to be straddled by a rider;

front and rear wheels and an engine mounted to the chassis, and left and right handlebars connected to the front wheel for steering the front wheel; and

a multi-function display system mounted on the motorcycle, comprising;

a controller having stored therein a value for each of a plurality of predetermined indication modes, one indication mode being an electrical system voltage level;

a sensor operatively connected to the controller and which senses information related to the vehicle, the sensor for sensing the value of the electrical system voltage level;

a display unit driven by the controller for displaying the value of a selected mode; and

a mode switch operatively connected to the controller, the mode switch being operable to select one of the predetermined indication modes as the selected mode, whereby the display unit displays the value of the electrical system voltage level when it is the selected mode.

9. The motorcycle of claim 8, wherein the value of the electrical system voltage level displayed by the display unit is a digital numeric value.

10. The motorcycle of claim 8, wherein the display unit is a liquid crystal display, and wherein the electrical system voltage level is displayed on the liquid crystal display.

11. The motorcycle of claim 8, wherein the controller determines whether the engine is running based on sensed information.

12. The motorcycle of claim 11, wherein the electrical system voltage level is a battery voltage level when the engine is not running and an alternator voltage level when the engine is running.

13. The motorcycle of claim 12, wherein the display unit displays an indication whether the electrical system voltage level is the battery voltage or the alternator voltage when the electrical system voltage level is the selected mode.

14. A motorcycle comprising:

a chassis carrying a straddle-type seat which is sufficiently narrow to be straddled by a rider;

front and rear wheels and an engine mounted to the chassis, and left and right handlebars connected to the front wheel for steering the front wheel; and

a multi-function display system mounted on the motorcycle, comprising;

a sensor for sensing information related to the motorcycle;

a controller having stored therein a plurality of predetermined indication modes, one indication mode being an electrical system voltage level, the electrical system voltage level being a vehicle battery voltage level if the engine is not running and being a vehicle alternator voltage level if the engine is running, the controller operatively connected to the sensor and for determining whether the engine is running based on sensed information;

a mode switch operatively connected to the controller, the mode switch for selecting one of the indication modes as a selected mode; and

a display unit driven by the controller, the display unit displaying an indication whether the electrical system voltage level is the battery voltage or the alternator voltage when the electrical system voltage level is the selected mode.

15. The motorcycle of claim 14, wherein the controller is adapted for storing a value for each of the indication modes, the sensor for sensing the value of the electrical system voltage level, and the display unit for displaying the value of the selected mode.

16. The motorcycle of claim 15, wherein the display unit displays the value of the electrical system voltage level digitally when the electrical system voltage level is the selected mode.

17. The motorcycle of claim 14, wherein the sensor comprises a crank position sensor for sensing revolutions of the engine.

22. A motorized vehicle, comprising:

a chassis carrying a straddle-type seat which is sufficiently narrow to be straddled by a rider, the chassis including left and right handlebars for steering the vehicle; and

a multi-function display system, comprising;

a controller having stored therein a value for each of a plurality of predetermined indication modes;

a display unit driven by the controller for displaying the value of a selected mode;

a mode switch operatively connected to the controller and mounted on one of the handlebars, the mode switch being operable to select one of the indication modes as the selected mode; and

a set switch operatively connected to the controller and mounted on the other handlebar, the set switch being operable to set the value of at least one of the indication modes when it is the selected mode.

23. The motorized vehicle of claim 22, wherein the set switch sets the value of at least one of the indication modes when it is the selected mode without affecting the value of any other of the indication modes.

24. A motorized vehicle, comprising:

a chassis carrying a straddle-type seat which is sufficiently narrow to be straddled by a rider, the chassis including left and right handlebars for steering the vehicle; and

a multi-function display system mounted on the motorcycle, comprising;

a controller having stored therein a value for each of a plurality of predetermined indication modes, one indication mode being a hi-beam icon brightness level;

a display unit driven by the controller for displaying the value of a selected mode;

a mode switch operatively connected to the controller, the mode switch for selecting one of the predetermined indication modes as the selected mode; and

a set switch operatively connected to the controller, the set switch for setting the value of the hi-beam icon brightness level when it is the selected mode.

25. The motorized vehicle of claim 24, wherein the display unit comprises a hi-beam icon having a brightness level, and wherein setting the value of the hi-beam brightness level indication mode adjusts the brightness level of the hi-beam icon display.

26. A motorized vehicle, comprising:

a chassis carrying a straddle-type seat which is sufficiently narrow to be straddled by a rider, the chassis having an engine and including left and right handlebars for steering the vehicle; and

a multi-function display system mounted on the motorcycle, comprising;

a controller having stored therein a value for each of a plurality of predetermined indication modes, one indication mode being an electrical system voltage level;

a sensor operatively connected to the controller and which senses information related to the vehicle, the sensor for sensing the value of the electrical system voltage level;

a display unit driven by the controller for displaying the value of a selected mode; and

a mode switch operatively connected to the controller, the mode switch being operable to select one of the predetermined indication modes as the selected mode, whereby the display unit displays the value of the electrical system voltage level when it is the selected mode.

27. A motorized vehicle, comprising:

a chassis carrying a straddle-type seat which is sufficiently narrow to be straddled by a rider, the chassis having an engine and including left and right handlebars for steering the vehicle; and

a multi-function display system mounted on the motorcycle, comprising;

a sensor for sensing information related to the motorcycle;

a controller having stored therein a plurality of predetermined indication modes, one indication mode being an electrical system voltage level, the electrical system voltage level being a vehicle battery voltage level if the engine is not running and being a vehicle alternator voltage level if the engine is running, the controller operatively connected to the sensor and for determining whether the engine is running based on sensed information;

a mode switch operatively connected to the controller, the mode switch for selecting one of the indication modes as a selected mode; and

a display unit driven by the controller, the display unit displaying an indication whether the electrical system voltage level is the battery voltage or the alternator voltage when the electrical system voltage level is the selected mode.

28. A motorcycle comprising:

a chassis carrying a straddle-type seat which is sufficiently narrow to be straddled by a rider;

front and rear wheels and an engine mounted to the chassis, and left and right handlebars connected to the front wheel for steering the front wheel; and

a multi-function display system, comprising;

a controller having stored therein a value for each of a plurality of predetermined indication modes, one indication mode being a hi-beam icon brightness level, another indication mode being an electrical system voltage level, the electrical system voltage level being a vehicle battery voltage level if the engine is not running and being a vehicle alternator voltage level if the engine is running;

a sensor operatively connected to the controller and being operable to sense information related to the vehicle, the controller for determining whether the engine is running based on sensed information, the sensor being operable to sense the value of the electrical system voltage level;

display unit driven by the controller for displaying the value of a selected mode, the display unit displaying an indication whether the electrical system voltage level is the battery voltage or the alternator voltage when the electrical system voltage level is the selected mode;

a mode switch operatively connected to the controller and mounted on one of the handlebars, the mode switch being operable to select one of the indication modes as the selected mode; and

a set switch operatively connected to the controller and mounted on the other handlebar, the set switch being operable to set the value of at least one of the indication modes when it is the selected mode.