Instrument display system

• US 4,687,072 A
• Filed: 01/07/1986
• Issued: 08/18/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Komuro, Katsusuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Love, John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McGiehan, Donn
• Application Number:
  US06/817,787
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 180/219, 340/705, 340/753, 340/754, 340/765, 340/784, 340/87, 340/89, 340/97, 340/98
• US Class Current: 180/219
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1523 Matrix displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/20 Optical features of instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/336 Light guides
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/34 Backlit symbols
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/349 Adjustment of brightness
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• 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 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/654 the user being the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/656 the user being a passenger
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 50/225 Mounting arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/01 Electric circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/04 Structural and physical details of display devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/02 Flexible displays
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/10 Automotive applications
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3406 Control of illumination source illumination devices structurally associated with liquid crystal cells G02F1/1336
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/36 using liquid crystals

Abstract

A system for a motorcycle to display various vehicle monitoring readings having a lightweight liquid crystal plate element mounted on the vehicle front within easy view of the motorcycle operator and a control unit for the plate element mounted closer to the motorcycle'"'"'s center of stability. Also incorporated into the system is the provision for rear illumination, by sunlight or by illumination lamp, of such a liquid crystal plate element. An adjustable shielding member mounted on such a liquid crystal plate element assists the motorcycle operator in reducing glare on the display surface of such a plate element.

Claims

1. A display system for a motorcycle having a vehicle body front including a steering handle system, comprising

a liquid crystal display unit comprising a plate element and having a lower end;

said steering handle system comprising a handle cover mounted on a steering handle;

said lower end being installed on said handle cover in front of said steering handle, said liquid crystal display unit being in an upright position extending into the field of view of the motorcycle operator;

said liquid crystal display unit and said plate element being transparent, providing an unobstructed view forwardly of the motorcycle for observation therethrough by the motorcycle operation; and

a control unit mounted on said motorcycle separated from said plate element and being under said handle cover adjacent the center of the steering handle; and

an electrical connection between said plate element and said control unit.

2. The display system of claim 1 further comprising

a cover member mounted on the top of said plate element and extending downwardly toward the front of said motorcycle.

3. The display system of claim 1 wherein said plate element includes a flexible transparent plate of plastic enclosing liquid crystal.

4. The display system of claim 1 wherein said plate element is mounted to the steering handle system.

5. The display of claim 1 wherein said plate element is mounted forwardly of the steering handle system on the motorcycle.

6. The display system of claim 1 wherein said plate element is constructed and arranged on the motorcycle to receive ambient light on both sides of said plate element.

7. A liquid crystal display system for a motorcycle, comprising

a liquid crystal plate element having a display surface facing the rear of the motorcycle and a light transmitting open back surface;

a semitransparent reflecting plate mounted on the rear of said liquid crystal plate element;

a frame holding said liquid crystal plate element and said semitransparent reflecting plate on the motorcycle;

a shielding member mounted on top of said liquid crystal plate element pivotally supported by said frame about an axis transverse to the motorcycle.

8. The liquid crystal display of claim 7 wherein said shielding member is pivotally mounted so as to selectively extend in a vertical position above said plate and in a horizontal position rearwardly.

9. The liquid crystal display system of claim 7 further comprising a night illumination lamp mounted so as to direct light toward the back of said plate element.

10. The liquid crystal display system of claim 7 wherein said display system is mounted inside a fairing on the motorcycle and further comprises light conductive plate fitting into said fairing opposite said back of said plate element.

11. The liquid crystal display system of claim 8 wherein said night illumination lamp is mounted in said shielding member such that said lamp is directed toward said back surface of said liquid crystal plate element when said shielding member is in the vertical position.

12. A liquid crystal display system for a motorcycle, comprising

a liquid crystal plate element having a display surface and a back surface, said display surface facing to the rear of the motorcycle and said liquid crystal plate element being arranged on the motorcycle to recieve ambient light on said back surface thereof;

a semi-transparent reflecting plate mounted at said back surface of said liquid crystal plate element;

a control unit mounted below said plate element on the motorcycle;

an electrical connection between said plate element and said control unit; and

a frame holding said liquid crystal plate element and said semi-transparent reflecting plate and having a visor extending above said display system toward the rear of the motorcycle.

13. A liquid crystal display system for a motorcycle having a fairing, said motorcycle comprising

a liquid crystal plate element having a display surface and a back surface, said display surface facing to the rear of the motorcycle and said liquid crystal plate element being arranged on the motorcycle to receive ambient light on said back surface thereof;

a control unit mounted below said plate element on the motorcycle;

an electrical connection between said plate element and said control unit; and

a translucent plate fitted into the fairing opposite the back surface of said liquid crystal plate element.