IP Library › Patent Application 11352030
Patent Application
App. No. 11/352,030

Modular building block instrument cluster

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
11/352,030
Abstract

A modular instrument cluster for a motor vehicle including a self-contained hub adapted to be mounted within the instrument panel. The self-contained hub contains a plurality of displays for displaying information to a driver of the vehicle and further includes a communications interface to allow communication between the self-contained hub and other assemblies within the vehicle. At least one peripheral module is removably mounted to the self-contained hub. The peripheral module also contains at least one display for displaying information to a driver of the vehicle.

Claims (17)

1 . A modular instrument cluster for a motor vehicle comprising:

a self-contained hub adapted to be mounted within the instrument panel, the hub including at least one display configured to provide information to a driver of the vehicle;

at least one peripheral module removably mounted to the hub at a connection interface, the peripheral module including at least one display configured to provide information to the driver of the vehicle; and

wherein the connection interface electro-mechanically connects the hub to the peripheral module.

2 . The modular instrument cluster of claim 1 , wherein the display of the hub is one of a speedometer, an odometer, a warning symbol array, a fuel gauge, a turn signal indicator, an oil pressure gauge, an engine temperature gauge, and a tachometer.

3 . The modular instrument cluster of claim 1 wherein the display of the peripheral module is one of a speedometer, an odometer, a warning symbol array, a fuel gauge, a turn signal indicator, an oil pressure gauge, an engine temperature gauge, and a tachometer.

4 . The modular instrument cluster of claim 1 wherein the hub further includes at least one control device.

5 . The modular instrument cluster of claim 4 wherein the control device is a switch configured to allow the operator of the vehicle to selectively activate a component of the vehicle.

6 . The modular instrument cluster of claim 4 wherein the control device is a switch configured to allow the operator of the vehicle to selectively activate one of the headlights, the windshield wipers, the temperature setting of a climate control system, the fan speed of a climate control system, and radio controls.

7 . The modular instrument cluster of claim 1 wherein the peripheral module further includes at least one control device.

8 . The modular instrument cluster of claim 7 wherein the control device is a switch configured to allow the operator of the vehicle to selectively activate a component of the vehicle.

9 . The modular instrument cluster of claim 8 wherein the control device is a switch configured to allow the operator of the vehicle to selectively activate one of the headlights, the windshield wipers, the temperature setting of a climate control system, the fan speed of a climate control system, and radio controls.

10 . The modular instrument cluster of claim 1 wherein the connection interface provides a mechanical and an electrical connection between the hub and the peripheral module.

11 . The modular instrument cluster of claim 10 wherein the hub includes a controller adapted to provide a control signal to the display of the peripheral module.

12 . The modular instrument cluster of claim 11 wherein the electrical connection between the peripheral module and the self-contained hub further includes a third conductor to accommodate a communications interface.

13 . The modular instrument cluster of claim 10 wherein the connection interface is a ramp lock connector.

14 . The modular instrument cluster of claim 1 wherein the displays on the hub and the peripheral module are one of digital and analog displays.

Assignments (11)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Jun 9, 2014
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: VISTEON CORPORATION; VC AVIATION SERVICES, LLC; VISTEON ELECTRONICS CORPORATION; VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; VISTEON INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; VISTEON GLOBAL TREASURY, INC.; VISTEON EUROPEAN HOLDINGS, INC.; VISTEON SYSTEMS, LLC; VISTEON INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, INC.
Reel/Frame 033107/0717 →
RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY AGAINST SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS ON REEL 025241 FRAME 0317 Recorded Apr 26, 2011
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: VISTEON CORPORATION; VC AVIATION SERVICES, LLC; VISTEON ELECTRONICS CORPORATION; VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; VISTEON INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; VISTEON GLOBAL TREASURY, INC.; VISTEON EUROPEAN HOLDING, INC.; VISTEON SYSTEMS, LLC; VISTEON INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, INC.
Reel/Frame 026178/0412 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 19, 2010
From: VISTEON CORPORATION; VC AVIATION SERVICES, LLC; VISTEON ELECTRONICS CORPORATION; VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; VISTEON INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; VISTEON GLOBAL TREASURY, INC.; VISTEON EUROPEAN HOLDING, INC.; VISTEON SYSTEMS, LLC; VISTEON INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 025241/0317 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT (REVOLVER) Recorded Oct 19, 2010
From: VISTEON CORPORATION; VC AVIATION SERVICES, LLC; VISTEON ELECTRONICS CORPORATION; VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; VISTEON INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; VISTEON GLOBAL TREASURY, INC.; VISTEON EUROPEAN HOLDINGS, INC.; VISTEON SYSTEMS, LLC; VISTEON INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 025238/0298 →
RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY AGAINST SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 022732 FRAME 0263 Recorded Oct 6, 2010
From: WILMINGTON TRUST FSB
To: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 025095/0451 →
RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY AGAINST SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 022974 FRAME 0057 Recorded Oct 6, 2010
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
To: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 025095/0711 →
ASSIGNMENT OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2009
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 022974/0057 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded May 26, 2009
From: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST FSB, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 022732/0263 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2009
From: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK
Reel/Frame 022368/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ADDRESS OF THE ASSIGNOR. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 017574 FRAME 0307. Recorded Mar 28, 2007
From: KRAUS, KAREN M.; PASKARAMOORTHY, REBECCA
To: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 019081/0722 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2006
From: KRAUS, KAREN M.; PASKARAMOORTHY, REBECCA
To: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 017574/0307 →