Gauge cluster arc lighting
An instrument panel for a vehicle cabin includes a gauge cluster configured to display data. A vehicle instrument panel also includes a lighting arc, from the perspective of an operator of the vehicle. The lighting arc extends at least partially around the gauge cluster and generates a visual strip via one or more light emitting diode (LED) elements. The lighting arc is configured to represent a vehicle system operating parameter. A motor vehicle having an engine configured to generate torque, a vehicle cabin, and the vehicle instrument panel is also provided.
1 . An instrument panel for a cabin of a vehicle, the instrument panel comprising:
a gauge cluster configured to display data; and
a lighting arc, from a perspective of an operator of the vehicle, extending at least partially around the gauge cluster, generating a visual strip via at least one light emitting diode (LED) element, and configured to represent a vehicle system operating parameter;
wherein:
the vehicle includes a powerplant and a sport operating mode, an economy (ECO) operating mode, and a comfort operating mode; and
the lighting arc is configured to represent a tachometer configured to display a working speed of the vehicle's engine in the sport operating mode, a charge system indicator in the ECO operating mode, and a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) state indicator in the comfort operating mode.
2 . The instrument panel according to claim 1 , further comprising a binnacle configured to house an instrumentation bezel, and wherein the gauge cluster is arranged within the instrumentation bezel.
3 . The instrument panel according to claim 2 , wherein the lighting arc follows a perimeter of the instrumentation bezel.
4 . The instrument panel according to claim 2 , wherein, from the perspective of the vehicle operator, the binnacle is arranged behind a steering wheel of the vehicle or in a center stack near a centerline of the vehicle cabin.
5 . The instrument panel according to claim 2 , wherein, from the perspective of the vehicle operator, the gauge cluster and the lighting arc are arranged on distinct instrumentation planes, and wherein the lighting arc projects from a lower instrumentation plane through the instrumentation plane of the gauge cluster.
6 . The instrument panel according to claim 1 , wherein the gauge cluster and the lighting arc are arranged on a common instrumentation plane.
7 . The instrument panel according to claim 1 , wherein the lighting arc is configured to represent operation of the vehicle's turn signals.
8 . The instrument panel according to claim 1 , wherein the lighting arc is configured to represent a blind spot warning for the vehicle.
9 . The instrument panel according to claim 1 , wherein the lighting arc is configured to generate ambiance lighting.
10 . A motor vehicle comprising:
a powerplant configured to generate torque;
a sport operating mode, an economy (ECO) operating mode, and a comfort operating mode;
a vehicle cabin; and
a vehicle instrument panel arranged inside the cabin; wherein the vehicle instrument panel includes:
a gauge cluster configured to display data; and
a lighting arc, from a perspective of an operator of the vehicle, extending at least partially around the gauge cluster, generating a visual strip via at least one light emitting diode (LED) element, and configured to represent a vehicle system operating parameter;
wherein the lighting arc is configured to represent a tachometer configured to display a working speed of the vehicle's engine in the sport operating mode, a charge system indicator in the ECO operating mode, and a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) state indicator in the comfort operating mode.
11 . The motor vehicle according to claim 10 , wherein:
the vehicle instrument panel additionally includes a binnacle configured to house an instrumentation bezel;
the gauge cluster is arranged within the instrumentation bezel; and
the lighting arc follows a perimeter of the instrumentation bezel.
12 . The motor vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein, from the perspective of the vehicle operator, the binnacle is arranged behind a steering wheel of the vehicle or in a center stack near a centerline of the vehicle cabin.
13 . The motor vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein, from the perspective of the vehicle operator, the gauge cluster and the lighting arc are arranged on distinct instrumentation planes, and wherein the lighting arc projects from a lower instrumentation plane through the instrumentation plane of the gauge.
14 . The motor vehicle according to claim 10 , wherein the gauge cluster and the lighting arc are arranged on a common instrumentation plane.
15 . The motor vehicle according to claim 10 , wherein the lighting arc is configured to represent operation of the vehicle's turn signals.
16 . The motor vehicle according to claim 10 , wherein the lighting arc is configured to represent a blind spot warning for the vehicle.
17 . The motor vehicle according to claim 10 , wherein the lighting arc is configured to generate ambiance lighting.
18 . A motor vehicle comprising:
a powerplant configured to generate torque;
a vehicle cabin; and
a vehicle instrument panel arranged inside the cabin; wherein the vehicle instrument panel includes:
a gauge cluster configured to display data; and
a lighting arc, from a perspective of an operator of the vehicle, extending at least partially around the gauge cluster, generating a visual strip via at least one light emitting diode (LED) element, and configured to represent a vehicle system operating parameter;
wherein:
the vehicle instrument panel additionally includes a binnacle configured to house an instrumentation bezel;
the gauge cluster is arranged within the instrumentation bezel; and
the lighting arc follows a perimeter of the instrumentation bezel; and
wherein:
from the perspective of the vehicle operator, the gauge cluster and the lighting arc are arranged on distinct instrumentation planes; and
the lighting arc projects from a lower instrumentation plane through the instrumentation plane of the gauge cluster.