Multi-functional display for tachometer

• US 8,055,419 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2007
• Issued: 11/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jianhao Meng
• Original Assignee: Jianhao Meng
• Inventors: Meng, Jianhao
• Primary Examiner(s): Keith; Jack W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Khatib; Rami
• Application Number:
  US11/829,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20090030584A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,565 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/35, 701/36, 701/51, 701/54, 701/61, 701/64, 701/70, 701/99, 701/200, 701/211, 701/213, 701/66, 701/93, 701/94, 701/95, 701/100, 701/105, 701/123, 477/97, 340/425.5, 340/438, 340/439, 340/441, 340/456, 340/459, 340/461, 340/815.4, 340/670, 116/57, 116 621- 624, 116/252, 116/299, 362/489, 362/491, 322/31, 74/12, 73/13.7, 734/88, D10/98
• US Class Current: 701/64
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2063/426 with means for advising the driver for proper shift action, e.g. prompting the driver with allowable selection range of ratios
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/42 Ratio indicator devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/08 Arrangements of scales, pointers, lamps or acoustic indicators, e.g. in automobile speedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/10 for indicating predetermined speeds

Abstract

A novel display apparatus and method that enables the operator to shift gears smoothly on motor vehicles is described. The display shows engine revolutions per minute (RPM) at various traveling speeds for any gears all in one dial. The display may also show shifting paths for different driving styles. The static version of the display may be overlaid on top of existing tachometer. The dynamic version of display runs on portable devices with Global Positioning System (GPS) will show optimal RPM and shift indicator continuously. Further, the dynamic display is wireless networked to provide real-time driving instructions.

Claims

1. A two dimensional graphical display for indicating optimal shifting RPM of a motor vehicle engine from a current gear to a desired gear comprising:

a tachometer having a face plate and a pointer that rotates in a clockwise direction as the engine RPM increases;

concentric arcs on the face of the face plate that represent different gears; and

multiple Archimedean spirals overlaying the concentric arcs on the face plate;

wherein when the current RPM of the engine pointer overlays the intersection of the concentric arc of a first gear with an Archimedean spiral then the intersection of that Archimedean spiral with the concentric arc of the next higher gear is the optimal shifting RPM of the next higher gear; and

wherein each Archimedean spiral indicates a constant vehicle speed.

2. The graphical display of claim 1 wherein a set of Archimedean spirals indicate multiple shifting paths for economy driving.

3. The graphical display of claim 1 wherein a set of Archimedean spirals indicate multiple shifting paths for performance driving.

4. The graphical display of claim 1 wherein a set of Archimedean spirals indicate multiple shifting paths for racing driving.

5. The graphical display of claim 1 wherein a first set of Archimedean spirals indicate multiple shifting paths for economy driving;

a second set of Archimedean spirals indicate multiple shifting paths for performance driving; and

a third set of Archimedean spirals indicate multiple shifting paths for racing driving.

6. The graphical display of claim 1 wherein the concentric arcs that represent different gears and the multiple spirals that overlay the concentric arcs are printed on transparency and overlaid on top of the tachometer.

7. A method for indicating optimal shifting RPM of a motor vehicle engine from a current gear to a desired gear with a two dimensional display comprises:

providing a tachometer having a face plate and a pointer that rotates in a clockwise direction as the engine RPM increases;

providing concentric arcs on the face of the face plate that represent different gears; and

overlaying multiple Archimedean spirals on the concentric arcs on the face plate;

wherein when the current RPM of the engine pointer overlays the intersection of the concentric arc of a first gear with an Archimedean spiral then the intersection of that Archimedean spiral with the concentric arc of the next higher gear is the optimal shifting RPM of the next higher gear; and

wherein each Archimedean spiral indicates a constant vehicle speed.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein a set of Archimedean spirals

indicate multiple shifting paths for economy driving.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein a set of Archimedean spirals indicate multiple shifting paths for performance driving.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein a set of Archimedean spirals indicate multiple shifting paths for racing driving.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein a first set of Archimedean spirals indicate multiple shifting paths for economy driving;

a second set of Archimedean spirals indicate multiple shifting paths for performance driving; and

a third set of Archimedean spirals indicate multiple shifting paths for racing driving.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein the concentric arcs that represent different gears and the multiple spirals that overlay the concentric arcs are printed on transparency and overlaid on top of the tachometer.