Mechanically reconfigurable instrument cluster

• US 9,573,469 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2014
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Bianchi, Andrew, Cramer, Dale O., Albanese, Alexander, Channey, Royce Duchante, Farell, James Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, John Q
• Assistant Examiner(s): King, Rodney P
• Application Number:
  US14/496,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20160089979A1
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 701/49
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1515 Reconfigurable dials
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/197 Blocking or enabling of input functions
• 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 35/20 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 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/29 Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/53 Movable instruments, e.g. slidable
• 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: B60K 35/81 for controlling displays
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/18 yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable padded linings associated with the steering column B60R21/05
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/28 Structurally-combined illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display

Abstract

A mechanically reconfigurable instrument cluster is provided. The mechanically reconfigurable instrument cluster includes a first display portion to display information of a first type, the first display portion includes a stem about the first display portion'"'"'s axis driven by a motor; a second display portion to display information of a second type, the second display portion being configured to move in an inward and outward direction.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a mechanically reconfigurable instrument cluster, comprising:

a mode change receiver to receive a signal indicating a change from a first mode to a second mode, or the second mode to the first mode;

a current mode detector to detect whether the mechanically reconfigurable instrument cluster is in the first mode or the second mode;

a new mode decider to determine whether a new mode is a first mode or the second mode based on the received signal or the detection; and

a new mode transmitter to communicate the new mode to the mechanically reconfigurable instrument cluster, wherein the instrument cluster comprises;

a first display portion to display information of a first type, the first display portion includes a stem about the first display portion'"'"'s axis driven by a motor;

a second display portion to display information of a second type, the second display portion being configured to move in an inward and outward direction, wherein in response to a signal instructing a transformation from the first mode to the second mode, the first display portion rotates about the axis, and the second display portion moves inward or outward.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first display portion rotates about the axis before the second display portion is moves inward or outward.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the first display portion is a mechanical gauge, and the second display portion is a digital display.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the second mode is instigate from a transition to a non-autonomous driving mode to an autonomous driving mode.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first mode pertains to a control of a vehicle.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the second mode pertains to a display of information via the second display portion.