Reconfigurable instrument cluster

• US 7,731,374 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2006
• Issued: 06/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US Incorporated (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US Incorporated (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Takato, Kenichi
• Primary Examiner(s): TON, ANABEL
• Application Number:
  US11/583,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20070090939A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,328 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 362/23, 362 26- 30
• US Class Current: 362/26
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1515 Reconfigurable dials
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/33 Illumination features
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/6985 with only part of pointer being visible
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• 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 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 13/12 Graduation
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2213/20 Gauges having a single pointer and two or more scales
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/00 Indicating measured values
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133528 Polarisers

Abstract

An illuminated gauge for a vehicle instrument panel includes a single LCD having at least a first display configuration and a second display configuration different from the first display configuration. A pointer is selectively actuatable to operate within one of the first and the second display configurations. A selector is used to switch between the first and second display configurations.

Claims

1. An illuminated gauge for an instrument cluster comprising:

a single liquid crystal display (LCD) including at least a first display configuration and a second display configuration different from the first display configuration;

at least one polarizer adjacent said single LCD wherein said at least one polarizer includes an elimination area;

a pointer to be driven by a power source for movement relative to said single LCD, said pointer being selectively actuatable to operate within one of said first and said second display configurations, and wherein said pointer extends to a distal end that indicates desired vehicle information in one of said first and second display configurations, said distal end being aligned with said elimination area; and

a selector to be actuatable to switch between said first and said second display configurations.

2. The illuminated gauge according to claim 1 wherein said pointer includes a single arm having a first portion coupled to the power source and a second portion indicating desired vehicle information in one of said first and second display configurations.

17. The illuminated gauge according to claim 1 wherein said at least one polarizer comprises a first polarizer positioned on one side of said single LCD and a second polarizer positioned on an opposite side of said single LCD.

18. The illuminated gauge according to claim 17 wherein said second polarizer includes an elimination area overlapping the elimination area of the first polarizer and through which the distal end of said pointer is visible.

19. The illuminated gauge according to claim 1 wherein said pointer comprises a single arm having a first portion coupled to the power source and extending to said distal end, and wherein the elimination area is formed adjacent an outer peripheral edge of the LCD with the other of said first and said second display configurations being located inwardly of the elimination area.

20. The illuminated gauge according to claim 19 including a printed circuit board, at least one light source supported by said printed circuit board, and a light guide that guides light from said at least one light source to illuminate said pointer.

3. An illuminated gauge for an instrument cluster comprising:

a single liquid crystal display (LCD) including at least a first display configuration and a second display configuration different from the first display configuration;

a pointer to be driven by a power source for movement relative to said single LCD, said pointer being selectively actuatable to operate within one of said first and said second display configurations, and wherein said pointer includes a single arm having a first portion coupled to the power source and a second portion indicating desired vehicle information in one of said first and second display configurations;

a selector to be actuatable to switch between said first and said second display configurations; and

at least one polarizer positioned immediately adjacent said single LCD.

4. The illuminated gauge according to claim 3 wherein said at least one polarizer includes a hole through which said second portion of said pointer is visible.

5. The illuminated gauge according to claim 3 wherein said at least one polarizer comprises a first polarizer positioned on one side of said single LCD and a second polarizer positioned on an opposite side of said single LCD.

6. The illuminated gauge according to claim 5 wherein said first and said second polarizers include first and second holes, respectively, that are aligned with each other and through which said second portion of said pointer is visible.

7. The illuminated gauge according to claim 6 wherein each of said first and second polarizers includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface opposite said first planar surface, with a respective one of said first and second holes extending entirely through said first and second polarizers from said first planar surface to said second planar surface.

8. An illuminated gauge for an instrument cluster comprising:

a single liquid crystal display (LCD) including at least a first display configuration and a second display configuration different from the first display configuration;

a pointer to be driven by a power source for movement relative to said single LCD, said pointer being selectively actuatable to operate within one of said first and said second display configurations;

a printed circuit board, at least one light source supported by said printed circuit board, and a light guide that guides light from said at least one light source to illuminate said pointer and said single LCD; and

a selector to be actuatable to switch between said first and said second display configurations.

9. The illuminated gauge according to claim I wherein said first display configuration comprises a display for a first type of vehicle information in a first set of units of measure and said second display configuration comprises a display for the first type of vehicle information in a second set of units of measure different than the first set of units of measure.

10. The illuminated gauge according to claim 9 wherein said single LCD includes a third display configuration that displays a second type of vehicle information different than said first type of vehicle information.

11. An illuminated gauge for an instrument cluster comprising:

a single liquid crystal display (LCD) including at least a first display configuration and a second display configuration different from the first display configuration;

a pointer movable relative to said single LCD, said pointer being selectively actuatable to operate within one of said first and said second display configurations;

at least one polarizer positioned immediately adjacent said single LCD

a printed circuit board supporting said pointer;

a power source that drives said pointer;

at least one light source supported by said printed circuit board;

a light guide that guides light from said at least one light source to illuminate said pointer and said single LCD; and

a selector to be actuatable to switch between said first and said second display configurations.

12. The illuminated gauge according to claim 11 wherein said pointer comprises a single arm having a first portion coupled to said power source and a second portion indicating desired vehicle information in one of said first and second display configurations.

13. The illuminated gauge according to claim 12 wherein said at least one polarizer comprises a first polarizer positioned on one immediate side of said single LCD and a second polarizer positioned on an opposite immediate side of said single LCD.

14. The illuminated gauge according to claim 13 wherein said first and said second polarizers include first and second elimination areas, respectively, that are aligned with each other and through which said second portion of said pointer is visible.

15. The illuminated gauge according to claim 11 wherein said first display configuration comprises vehicle information displayed with a first set of units of measure and said second display configuration comprises the vehicle information displayed with a second set of units of measure different from said first set of units of measure.

16. The illuminated gauge according to claim 11 wherein the vehicle information comprises a first type of vehicle information and including a third display configuration that comprises a second type of vehicle information that is displayed simultaneously with the first type of vehicle information.