IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,573,469
Granted Patent B2
US 9,573,469 · App. 14/496,960 · Granted Feb 21, 2017

Mechanically reconfigurable instrument cluster

Inventors: Andrew Bianchi (Northville, MI); Dale O. Cramer (Royal Oak, MI); Alexander Albanese (Ypsilanti, MI); Royce Duchante′ Channey (Ann Arbor, MI); James Paul Farell (Canton, MI)
Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
B60K37/02G06F3/14G06F3/1423B60K2350/106B60K2350/352B60K2350/405
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,573,469
App. No.
14/496,960
Granted
Feb 21, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A mechanically reconfigurable instrument cluster is provided. The mechanically reconfigurable instrument cluster includes a first display portion to display information of a first type, the first display portion includes a stem about the first display portion's axis driven by a motor; a second display portion to display information of a second type, the second display portion being configured to move in an inward and outward direction.

Claims (10)

1. A system for controlling a mechanically reconfigurable instrument cluster, comprising:

a mode change receiver to receive a signal indicating a change from a first mode to a second mode, or the second mode to the first mode;

a current mode detector to detect whether the mechanically reconfigurable instrument cluster is in the first mode or the second mode;

a new mode decider to determine whether a new mode is a first mode or the second mode based on the received signal or the detection; and

a new mode transmitter to communicate the new mode to the mechanically reconfigurable instrument cluster, wherein the instrument cluster comprises: a first display portion to display information of a first type, the first display portion includes a stem about the first display portion's axis driven by a motor; a second display portion to display information of a second type, the second display portion being configured to move in an inward and outward direction, wherein in response to a signal instructing a transformation from the first mode to the second mode, the first display portion rotates about the axis, and the second display portion moves inward or outward.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the first display portion rotates about the axis before the second display portion is moves inward or outward.

3. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the first display portion is a mechanical gauge, and the second display portion is a digital display.

4. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the second mode is instigate from a transition to a non-autonomous driving mode to an autonomous driving mode.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the first mode pertains to a control of a vehicle.

6. The system according to claim 5 , wherein the second mode pertains to a display of information via the second display portion.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2014
From: CRAMER, DALE O.; FARELL, JAMES PAUL; CHANNEY, ROYCE DUCHANTE'; ALBANESE, ALEXANDER; BIANCHI, ANDREW
To: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 033865/0232 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 26, 2014
From: CRAMER, DALE O.; FARELL, JAMES PAUL; CHANNEY, ROYCE DUCHANTE'; ALBANESE, ALEXANDER; BIANCHI, ANDREW
To: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 033824/0825 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160089979A1 · Mar 31, 2016