Indicating instrument

• US 6,624,749 B1
• Filed: 05/26/2000
• Issued: 09/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Winterkorn, Horst
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/579,807
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 340/461, 340/462, 340/980, 340/995, 340/905, 340/425.5, 340/945, 340/815.4, 701/1, 701/29, 345/636, 345/30
• US Class Current: 340/461
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/122 Instrument input devices with reconfigurable control functions, e.g. reconfigurable menus
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1515 Reconfigurable dials
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/33 Illumination 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 35/20 Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/211 producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images
• 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 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10

Abstract

In an indicating instrument (1) intended for a motor vehicle, a plurality of display levels (2, 3, 4) partially superposed on one another permit a display at staggered depths. As a result, not only three-dimensional forms of display but also a preferred arrangement of the essential information according to the operating conditions can be provided on the first display level (2). For unproblematical exchange or later retrofitting, the display levels (2, 3, 4) fixed in a housing of the display instrument (1) a plug-in connection (11). The indicating instrument (1) can consequently be adapted to individual requirement in a simple way.

Claims

1. An indicating instrument for a motor vehicle having at least two display levels, the first display level being at least partially superposed on the second display level and wherein an at least partially transparent state is settable for the first display level, wherein at least the first display level (2) is exchangeably connected to the indicating instrument (1).

2. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exchangeable display level (2, 3, 4) is fixable on the indicating instrument (1) by means of a plug-in connection (11).

3. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixing of the display level (2, 3, 4) in the indicating instrument (1) at the same time also,establishes electrical contact of the display level (2, 3, 4).

4. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicating instrument (1) is provided for automatic detection of the display level (2, 3, 4) respectively used.

5. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein Activation of the display levels (2, 3, 4) takes place in dependency on one another.

6. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicating instrument (1) is provided for receiving further display levels (2, 3, 4).

7. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display level (2) facing a motor vehicle occupant also has at the same time an operator interface intended for the motor vehicle occupant.

8. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicating instrument (1) has an exchangeable control unit.

9. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicating instrument (l) has an exchangeable housing (10).

10. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fixing of the display level (2, 3, 4) in the indicating instrument (1) at the same time also establishes electrical contact of the display level (2, 3, 4).

11. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein a control unit identifies the respective displays (2, 3, 4) and adapts a control program thereto.

12. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the desired display level (2, 3, 4) is freely selectable based upon the current operating conditions of the vehicle.

13. The indicating instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein each respective display level includes at least one indication for presenting information to an operator of the vehicle.