Pit road display

• US 7,877,172 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2009
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auto Meter Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: John Timothy Sullivan, Steve Parks
• Inventors: Parks, Steve, Sullivan, John Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli; Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US12/511,630
• Publication Number:
  US 20090287372A1
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/11 Instrument graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/151 Instrument output devices for configurable output
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/167 Vehicle dynamics information
• 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 35/22 Display screens
• 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 35/60 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: G01D 11/28 Structurally-combined illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 3/08 with provision for safeguarding the apparatus, e.g. against abnormal operation, against breakdown

Abstract

Instruments or gauges arranged to provide feedback detectable by the peripheral vision of a driver when vehicle operating parameters, such as engine speed, temperature, pressure, and voltage, are in a critical range, include one or more of the following types of instruments or gauges and/or features: (a) a tachometer that not only includes a primary numeric display, but also a secondary display made up of a plurality of discrete lights of different colors, the colors indicating whether the engine speed of a vehicle is within a relatively narrow range of engine speeds acceptable for the roadway leading from a race track to service areas, known as “pit road,” the high and low limits of the range being adjustable to meet pit road requirements at different tracks; (b) an instrument or gauge having a background that illuminates to indicate critical sensor readings; (c) an instrument or gauge having improved handling of sensor abnormalities to prevent false readings; (d) a non-linear analog gauge for a motor vehicle having a higher resolution in a particular range of interest, and a lower resolution outside that range; and (e) a boost pressure gauge that facilitates entry of gear information for use in traction control. The instruments or gauges of the invention are suitable for use in racing vehicles that meet standards established by NASCAR.

Claims

1. A pit road display for inclusion in a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of lights arranged to be successively illuminated, each of said lights having multiple colors;

setpoint establishing means for establishing lower and upper setpoints, and an intermediate setpoint indicative of an optimal engine speed; and

controller means for causing said plurality of lights to be successively illuminated at a first color when an engine speed is between the lower and intermediate setpoints, and to be successively illuminated at a second color when said engine speed is between the intermediate and upper setpoints, said illumination being carried out in a progressive manner, as follows;

said plurality of lights are dark when the engine speed is below the lower setpoint;

above the lower setpoint, a first of the plurality of lights is illuminated at a first color;

as the engine speed increases above the lower set point, neighboring ones of the plurality of lights are illuminated at the first color in a progressive sequence until the intermediate set point is reached, all of the lights are illuminated at the first color;

upon exceeding the intermediate set point, all of the lights are again dark, followed by illumination of the first of the plurality of lights at the second color and illumination of the neighboring ones of the plurality of lights in a progressive sequence until the upper set point is reached,

wherein said upper setpoint represents a pit road speed limit and said intermediate set point represents an optimal pit road speed for a particular raceway.

2. A pit road display as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display further includes an additional setpoint, and said controller means causes said plurality of lights to be successively illuminated at a third color when said engine speed is between said upper and additional setpoints.

3. A pit road display as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of lights include a plurality of tri-color LEDs.

4. A pit road display as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of lights are arranged to provide a secondary shift point display when said vehicle is operated at racing speeds.