Indication display unit for vehicles

• US 5,059,956 A
• Filed: 09/05/1989
• Issued: 10/22/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Iino, Tadashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/402,404
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 340/705, 340/980, 350/174, 353/13, 353/14
• US Class Current: 345/7
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• 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 35/53 Movable instruments, e.g. slidable

Abstract

An indication display unit for vehicles according to the present invention includes a reflecting member having a reflecting surface directed to a driver'"'"'s seat, and an indicating device having an indicating surface directed to the reflecting surface of the reflecting member. Information concerning driving operation of the vehicle indicated on the indicating surface is projected directly or indirectly through a reflecting mirror to the reflecting member so as to be visually observed by the driver by way of the reflection thereon. The invention also includes a drive mechanism for shifting the position of the reflecting member in upward or downward to adjust the height thereof and a solenoid for pivotally shifting the reflecting mirror, when it is used, in response to the movement of the reflecting member for reflecting the information in the most effective angle toward the driver in accordance with the vehicle speed. The present invention provides an effect of indirect visual observation of the image indicated by the indicator always in a preferable state.

Claims

1. An indication display unit for a vehicle comprising:

an indicating means provided on a steering column for indicating driving information of the vehicle;

a reflecting means provided at a dashboard for reflecting information indicated by said indicating means from a surface of said indicating means to a driver, said reflecting means including a first shaft protruding from at least one lateral end thereof and a second shaft provided at an upper portion; and

a drive mechanism for shifting a position of said reflecting means in an upward and downward direction to adjust a height thereof for reflecting said information at an effective angle toward the driver in accordance with a vehicle speed, said drive mechanism includes

a drive motor that rotates in accordance with the vehicle speed,

a male threaded rod that transmits the rotation of the motor, and

an elevation means having

a female threaded portion to be engaged with said male threaded rod,

a hole to be engaged with said first shaft of said reflecting means, and

a guide means formed with a guide slot having an open upper end, said second shaft to be engaged with said guide slot of said guide means when said drive mechanism moves said reflecting means in said downward direction.

2. An indication display unit for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive mechanism is provided at a dashboard side.

3. An indication display unit for a vehicle as claimed in claim 2 further comprises;

a manual switch for manually adjusting the height of said reflecting means.

7. An indication display unit for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein said motor is connected to a CPU which is further connected to a vehicle speed sensor.

8. An indication display unit for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein said drive mechanism can be switched from an automatic drive mode to a manual drive mode.

4. An indication display unit for vehicle comprising:

an indicating means for indicating driving information of the vehicle;

a first reflecting means, provided at a dashboard, for reflecting information indicated by said indicating means from a surface of said indicating means to a driver, said first reflecting means includes a first shaft protruding from at least one lateral end thereof and a second shaft provided at an upper portion;

a drive mechanism for shifting a position of said first reflecting means in an upward and downward direction to adjust a height thereof for reflecting said information at an effective angle toward the driver in accordance with a vehicle speed, said drive mechanism includes

a drive motor that rotates in accordance with the vehicle speed,

a male threaded rod that transmits the rotation of the motor, and

an elevation means having

a female threaded portion to be engaged with said male threaded rod,

a hole to be engaged with said first shaft of said first reflecting means, and

a guide means formed with a guide slot having an open upper end, said second shaft to be engaged with said guide slot of said guide means when said drive mechanism moves said first reflecting means in said downward direction; and

a second reflecting means having surface face toward the surface of said indicating means and a surface of said first reflecting means, wherein information indicated by said indicating means is reflected toward said first reflecting means.

5. An indication display unit for a vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein said indicating means is provided at a dashboard side, whereas said second reflecting means is provided at a hand column side.

6. An indication display unit for a vehicle as claimed in claim 5 further comprises;

a manual switch for manually adjusting the height of said first reflecting means.