WO2017191496A1 - Integrated light emitting diodes head-up cluster - Google Patents

Integrated light emitting diodes head-up cluster Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017191496A1
WO2017191496A1 PCT/IB2016/052588 IB2016052588W WO2017191496A1 WO 2017191496 A1 WO2017191496 A1 WO 2017191496A1 IB 2016052588 W IB2016052588 W IB 2016052588W WO 2017191496 A1 WO2017191496 A1 WO 2017191496A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vehicle
instrument cluster
head
instrument
light
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IB2016/052588
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ling Chih TENG
Yu Wu
Yen Nie LIM
Jianbo ZHAO
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Aumovio Germany GmbH
Original Assignee
Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH filed Critical Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH
Priority to PCT/IB2016/052588 priority Critical patent/WO2017191496A1/en
Publication of WO2017191496A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017191496A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K35/00—Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
    • B60K35/20—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
    • B60K35/21—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor using visual output, e.g. blinking lights or matrix displays
    • B60K35/23—Head-up displays [HUD]
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K35/00—Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
    • B60K35/20—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
    • B60K35/28—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K35/00—Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
    • B60K35/20—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
    • B60K35/28—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
    • B60K35/285—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver for improving awareness by directing driver's gaze direction or eye points
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K35/00—Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
    • B60K35/60—Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/01—Head-up displays
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/01—Head-up displays
    • G02B27/0101—Head-up displays characterised by optical features
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K2360/00—Indexing scheme associated with groups B60K35/00 or B60K37/00 relating to details of instruments or dashboards
    • B60K2360/16—Type of output information
    • B60K2360/167—Vehicle dynamics information
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K2360/00—Indexing scheme associated with groups B60K35/00 or B60K37/00 relating to details of instruments or dashboards
    • B60K2360/16—Type of output information
    • B60K2360/178—Warnings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K2360/00—Indexing scheme associated with groups B60K35/00 or B60K37/00 relating to details of instruments or dashboards
    • B60K2360/16—Type of output information
    • B60K2360/179—Distances to obstacles or vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K2360/00—Indexing scheme associated with groups B60K35/00 or B60K37/00 relating to details of instruments or dashboards
    • B60K2360/20—Optical features of instruments
    • B60K2360/33—Illumination features
    • B60K2360/332—Light emitting diodes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K2360/00—Indexing scheme associated with groups B60K35/00 or B60K37/00 relating to details of instruments or dashboards
    • B60K2360/20—Optical features of instruments
    • B60K2360/33—Illumination features
    • B60K2360/334—Projection means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K2360/00—Indexing scheme associated with groups B60K35/00 or B60K37/00 relating to details of instruments or dashboards
    • B60K2360/20—Optical features of instruments
    • B60K2360/33—Illumination features
    • B60K2360/336—Light guides

Definitions

  • the present application relates to an improved vehicle.
  • the application relates to an improved instrument cluster display for a vehicle.
  • a vehicle with the active safety system receives a collision warning when the vehicle is too close to another ve- hicle.
  • the active safety system also provides a lane departure warning when the vehicle is too close to a lane boundary of a road or is crossing the lane boundary of the road.
  • These warnings are usually shown on a display of an instrument cluster or on a head-up display of the vehicle so as to alert a driver of the vehicle to take actions to avoid a collision with the other vehicle.
  • EyeSight driver-assist system for a Subaru vehicle. This system provides visual warnings, which are shown as different colours of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) light rays, which are reflected from a windshield of the vehicle.
  • LEDs Light Emitting Diodes
  • an instrument cluster for a vehicle . It is believed that an instrument cluster can be improved by integrating the instrument cluster with a head-up display unit .
  • the head-up display being integrated with the instrument dis- play cluster can be provided at a low cost.
  • an already existing instrument cluster can be modified to include the head-up display.
  • the head-up display being integrated with the instrument display cluster can thus be provided at a low cost .
  • the individual head-up display is expensive, which can deter its implementation.
  • the application provides an improved instrument cluster for displaying one or more vehicle parameters of a vehicle.
  • the vehicle is used for transporting goods and people.
  • the vehicle parameters include a speed of the vehicle, a rota- tional speed of an engine of the vehicle, or a separation distance between the vehicle and a person or an object, such as another vehicle.
  • the vehicle parameter can also refer to a distance of the vehicle from a lane boundary marking of a road .
  • the instrument cluster includes a vehicle communication bus terminal, a computing processor, an instrument cluster gauge, and a head-up display unit.
  • the vehicle communication bus terminal is adapted for receiving at least one vehicle parameter signal .
  • the vehicle communication bus terminal is provided for connecting to a vehicle communication bus for receiving the vehicle parameter signal .
  • the communication bus usually refers to a Controller Area Net- work (CAN) bus of the vehicle.
  • CAN Controller Area Net- work
  • the computing processor is adapted for receiving vehicle pa- rameter signal and for generating an instrument cluster display signal according to the vehicle parameter signal .
  • the instrument cluster gauge is adapted for displaying the instrument cluster display signal to a driver.
  • the gauge can re- fer to a needle, which rotates for displaying the display signal .
  • the head-up display unit includes a light source element and a head-up light-guide element.
  • the computing processor is adapted to activate the light source element to emit at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle parameter signal .
  • the head-up light -guide element then transports the head-up light ray from the light source element to an optical combiner for reflecting to the driver.
  • the head-up light-guide element transports the light ray by means of total internal reflection without essentially any light refraction to the optical combiner.
  • the optical combiner is adapted for redirecting the light ray such that the driver can see an image of the reflected light ray as well as viewing the road and other vehicles .
  • the instrument cluster also includes a single electronic integrated printed circuit board.
  • the vehicle communication bus terminal, the computing processor, and the light source element are provided on the single integrated printed circuit board.
  • the arrangement of the electronic integrated printed circuit board together with the optical combiner advantageously provides a low cost head-up display arrangement . Because of the provision of the electronic components on the same printed circuit board, the cost of providing the head-up display is not costly. This is often less expensive than an instrument cluster with a separate head-up display unit.
  • an existing instrument cluster printed circuit board can be easi- ly modified to include a light source element for making the integrated printed circuit board.
  • the head-up light -guide element of the instrument cluster can be adapted for transporting the head-up light ray to a part of a windscreen of the vehicle, which serves as the optical combiner. This allows for easy implementation as well as low im- plementation cost.
  • the instrument cluster can also include an inclined clear panel optical combiner.
  • This clear panel optical combiner allows easy implementation of a head-up display arrangement without using the windscreen of the vehicle. This is especially useful when the inclination of the windscreen of the vehicle is not suitable for use.
  • the light source element can include a plurality of light emitting diodes.
  • the light emitting diodes provides several advantages compared with other light source elements. They have low power consumption, long operating life time, and small size.
  • the light source element can be provided on a first major side of the electronic integrated printed circuit board while the vehicle communication bus terminal and the computing processor can be provided on a second major side of the electronic integrated printed circuit board. The first side is opposite to the second side. Most components are already provided on the second major side. This allows the light source element to be easily mounted on one side of an existing instrument cluster printed circuit board where there are few electronic components mounted.
  • the electronic integrated printed circuit board can be adapted for positioning below a top surface of a dashboard of the vehicle.
  • the head-up light-guide element can then be adapted for positioning below a light emitting aperture of the top surface of the dashboard of the vehicle.
  • the application also provides an improved instrument cluster unit for a vehicle.
  • the instrument cluster unit includes at least one instrument cluster sensor and an improved instrument cluster, which is described above.
  • the instrument cluster sensors are adapted for providing at least one vehicle instrument parameter signal .
  • the vehicle in- strument parameter signal can refer to a vehicle speed or to a vehicle engine rotational speed.
  • the instrument cluster includes a computing processor, an instrument cluster gauge, and a head-up display unit.
  • the computing processor is adapted for generating an instrument cluster display signal according to the vehicle instrument parameter signal while the instrument cluster gauge is adapted for displaying the instrument cluster display signal to a driver.
  • the head-up display unit includes a light source element and a head-up light-guide element.
  • the computing processor then activates the light source element for emitting at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle instrument parameter signal.
  • the head-up light-guide element later transports the head-up light ray to an optical combiner for reflecting to the driver.
  • the instrument cluster sensor can include a speedometer sensor, which is adapted for measuring a speed of the vehicle.
  • the instrument cluster sensor can also comprise a tachometer sensor, which is adapted for measuring a rotational speed of an engine of the vehicle.
  • the application also provides an improved vehicle, which includes an above-mentioned instrument cluster unit .
  • the instrument cluster unit comprises an instrument cluster gauge and a head-up display unit .
  • the instrument cluster gauge is adapted for displaying an instrument cluster display signal, which is generated according to a vehicle instrument pa- rameter signal.
  • the head-up display unit then provides at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle instrument parameter signal .
  • the application also provides an improved active safety system for a vehicle.
  • the active safety system comprises at least one active safety sensors and an instrument cluster, which is described above.
  • the active safety sensors are adapted for providing at least one vehicle safety parameter signal.
  • the instrument cluster comprises a computing processor and a head-up display unit.
  • the computing processor is adapted to activate the light source element for emitting at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle safety parameter signal.
  • the head-up light-guide element later transports the head-up light ray to an optical combiner for reflecting to the driver .
  • the computing processor can be adapted for generating an instrument cluster display signal according to the vehicle safety parameter signal.
  • the instrument cluster can also include an instrument cluster gauge for displaying the instrument cluster display signal to a driver.
  • the active safety sensor can include a lane boundary camera, which is adapted to provide an image of a road with lane boundary marking.
  • the active safety sensor can also include a vehicle collision avoidance radar sensor, which is adapted for measuring a distance between the vehicle and an object or a person.
  • the application also provides a vehicle with an above- mentioned improved active safety system.
  • the active safety system comprises a head-up display unit for providing at least one head-up light ray according to a vehicle safety parameter signal .
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an active safety sys- tern with an instrument display cluster for a vehicle
  • Fig. 2 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the instrument display cluster of Fig. 1,
  • Fig. 3 illustrates a windscreen of the vehicle, which re- fleets an LED first light dot that is emitted from the instrument display cluster of Fig. 2, the first light dot acts as a lane departure visual warning,
  • Fig. 4 illustrates the windscreen of the vehicle, which reflects an LED second light dot that is emitted from the instrument display cluster of Fig. 2, the second light dot acts as a lane departure visual warning,
  • Fig. 5 illustrates the windscreen of the vehicle, which reflects an LED third light dot that is emitted from the instrument display cluster of Fig. 2, the third light dot acts as a collision visual warning,
  • Fig. 6 illustrates the windscreen of the vehicle, which reflects three LED light dots that are emitted from the instrument display cluster of Fig. 2, the three light dots act as a collision visual warning,
  • Fig. 7 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a variant of the instrument display cluster of Fig. 2 with a clear panel optical combiner
  • Fig. 8 illustrates the clear panel optical combiner of the instrument display cluster of Fig. 7, which reflects a LED light dot that acts as a visual warning.
  • Some parts of the embodiment have similar parts.
  • the similar parts may have the same names or similar part numbers.
  • the de- scription of one similar part also applies by reference to another similar parts, where appropriate, thereby reducing repetition of text without limiting the disclosure.
  • Fig. 1 shows an electronic arrangement for a vehicle.
  • the electronic arrangement includes an active safety system 1, an integrated instrument cluster 10, and a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus 20.
  • the CAN bus 20 is electrically connected to the integrated instrument display cluster 10, and to the active safety system 1.
  • the active safety system 1 includes a safety system computing processor 9, one or more lane boundary cameras 5, and a plurality of vehicle collision avoidance radar sensors 7.
  • the safety system computing processor 9 is electrically connected to the lane boundary camera 5, and to the vehicle collision avoidance radar sensors 7.
  • the safety system computing processor 9 is also communicatively connected to the CAN bus 20.
  • the integrated instrument cluster 10 includes an instrument cluster arrangement with a head-up display arrangement.
  • the integrated instrument arrangement includes an instrument sensor module 4, an electronic printed circuit board (PCB) 15, and an instrument display module 21.
  • the PCB 15 is communicatively connected to the instrument display module 21 and to the CAN bus 20.
  • the instrument sensor module 4 is communicatively connected to the CAN bus 20.
  • the instrument sensor module 4 includes a speedometer sensor 11 and a tachometer sensor 12.
  • the speedometer sensor 11 and the tachometer sensor 12 are electrically connected to the CAN bus 20.
  • the electronic PCB 15 includes an instrument display computing processor 3 and a CAN bus terminal 19.
  • the instrument display computing processor 3 is electrically connected to the CAN bus terminal 19, which is connected to the CAN bus 20. Referring to Fig.
  • the instrument display module 21 includes a speedometer 26, a tachometer 28, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 24 as well as a gauge display panel cover 37, which is shown in Fig. 2.
  • the speedometer 26, the tachometer 28, and the LCD 24 are electrically connected to the instrument display computing processor 3 of the electronic PCB 15.
  • the head-up display arrangement includes a head-up light source 22 and a head-up light-guide unit 25.
  • the light source 22 includes three red Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) , three green LEDs, and three orange LEDs .
  • LEDs Light Emitting Diodes
  • the light source 22 is mounted on a first ma- jor surface 15a of the PCB 15 while the CAN bus terminal 19 and the instrument display computing processor 3 are mounted on a second major surface 15b of the PCB 15, which is opposite to the first major surface 15a.
  • the light-guide unit 25 has an elongated body with two ends, namely a light receiving end 27 and a light emitting end 29. The light receiving end 27 is placed close to the light source 22.
  • the light-guide unit 25 is made of a clear optical material , such as Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) resin and Polycar- bonate (PC) .
  • PMMA Poly Methyl Methacrylate
  • PC Polycar- bonate
  • the light-guide unit 25 can include one or more light guides.
  • a dashboard 13 is provided in a front part of the vehicle and is provided below a windscreen 30.
  • the dashboard 13 has a top surface 17 with a light emitting aperture 33.
  • the instrument display cluster 10 is mounted as a part of the dashboard 13 of a vehicle, wherein the PCB 15, the light-guide light source 22, and the light- guide unit 25 are placed below the top surface 17 of the dashboard 13.
  • a longitudinal axis of the light-guide unit 25 is also directed vertically while the light emitting end 29 of the light-guide unit 25 is placed below the dashboard aperture 33.
  • the first major surface 15a of the PCB 15 is facing the windscreen 30 while the second major surface 15b of the PCB 15 is facing the gauge display panel cover 37.
  • the lane boundary cameras 5 are placed at a front part of the vehicle.
  • the vehicle collision avoidance radar sensors 7 are placed around the vehicle .
  • a driver uses the vehicle to transport goods and peo- pie.
  • the lane boundary camera 5 acts to capture visual images of a road, which is provided with lane boundary markings .
  • the lane boundary camera 5 then transmits the captured visual images to the safety system computing processor 9.
  • the safety system computing processor 9 If the safety system computing processor 9 detects that the vehicle is separated from the lane boundary by less than a de- termined minimum lane separation distance, the safety system computing processor 9 generates a lane departure warning signal and transmits it to the CAN bus 20. In other words, the safety system computing processor 9 issues the lane departure warning signal when it detects that the vehicle is close to departing from its lane.
  • the vehicle collision avoidance radar sensors 7 serves to measure a separation distance of the vehicle from an external object, such as another vehicle or person, using radio waves.
  • the vehicle collision avoidance radar sensors 7 then transmit the separation distance measurement to the safety system computing processor 9. If the safety system computing processor 9 detects that the vehicle is separated from the object by less than a predetermined minimum object separation distance, the safety system computing processor 9 then generates a vehicle collision warning signal and then transmits it to the CAN bus 20. In other words, the safety system computing processor 9 issues the vehicle collision warning signal when it detects that the vehicle is going to collide with the object.
  • the CAN bus 20 serves to carry the respective warning signal to the CAN bus terminal 19 of the instrument display cluster 10.
  • the CAN bus terminal 19 then sends the respective warning signal to the instrument display computing processor 3 for treatment .
  • the instrument display computing processor 3 later treats the respective warning signal and then sends a corresponding instrument warning display signal to the LCD display 24.
  • the LCD display 24 then shows the instrument warning display signal to a driver of the vehicle .
  • the instrument warning display signal can be displayed as an image or text.
  • the instrument display computing processor 3 activates the LEDs of the light source 22 according the respective warning signal.
  • the energised LEDs then emit light rays 35, which later travel to the light receiving end 27 of the light-guide unit 25.
  • the light-guide unit 25 later directs the light rays 35 from the light receiving end 27 to the light emitting end 29. Put differently, the light-guide unit 25 acts a means to transport the light rays 35 from the light receiving end 27 to the light emitting end 29 via means of essentially total internal reflection. The light rays 35 are not refracted during the transportation.
  • the light rays 35 then travel through the light emitting end 29 and pass the aperture 33 of the top surface 17 of the dashboard 13.
  • the light rays 35 travel to a predetermined reflection area of the windscreen 30.
  • the light rays 35 are then reflected from the windscreen 30 and travels to eyes of the driver of the vehicle for alerting the driver.
  • the driver views images of the energised LEDs at eye level and also viewing the road and other vehicles.
  • the driver can view the road and other vehicles while also viewing the images from the energised LEDs, which provide indications of the warning signal.
  • the images of the warning signal is placed an eye level, which does not require the driver to change his direction of viewing the road and other vehicles.
  • the windscreen 30 serves as an optical combiner for directing the light rays 35 from the light source 22 to eyes of the driver while allowing light rays from objects, which are outside the vehicle, to travel to eyes of the driver.
  • the driver afterward responds accordingly to the warning sig- nal .
  • Fig. 3 shows one example, wherein the safety system computing processor 9 of the active safety system 1 detects that the vehicle is moving too close to the lane boundary. The safety system computing processor 9 then transmits a lane departure warning signal to the instrument display computing processor 3 via the CAN bus 20. The instrument display computing processor 3 afterward energies one orange LED of the light source 22 according to the lane departure warning signal . The energised orange LED then emits orange light rays 35, which later travel to the light-guide unit 25. The light-guide unit 25 afterward directs the orange light rays 35 to the predetermined reflection area of the windscreen 30.
  • the orange light rays 35 then reflect from the windscreen 30 and travel to eyes of the driver of the vehicle.
  • the driver views the light rays 35 of one orange LED.
  • the driver later reacts accordingly.
  • the instrument display computing processor 3 also treats the lane departure warning signal and then sends a corresponding lane departure instrument warning display signal to the LCD display 24.
  • the LCD display 24 then shows the lane departure instru- ment warning display signal to the driver of the vehicle.
  • Fig. 4 shows another example, wherein the safety system computing processor 9 of the active safety system 1 detects that the vehicle is crossing the lane boundary. The safety system computing processor 9 then transmits a lane crossing warning signal to the instrument display computing processor 3 via the CAN bus 20. The instrument display computing processor 3 afterward energizes one red LED, according to the lane crossing warning signal. The instrument display computing processor 3 also treats the lane crossing warning signal and then sends a corresponding lane crossing instrument warning display signal to the LCD display 24.
  • Fig. 5 shows a further example, wherein the safety system computing processor 9 of the active safety system 1 detects that the moving vehicle is within a first predetermined minimum collision avoidance range from a vehicle in front .
  • the safety system computing processor 9 then transmits a first vehicle collision warning signal to the instrument display computing processor 3 via the CAN bus 20.
  • the instrument display computing processor 3 afterward one red LED according to the first vehicle collision warning signal.
  • the instrument display com- puting processor 3 also treats the first vehicle collision warning signal and then sends a corresponding vehicle collision instrument warning display signal to the LCD display 24.
  • Fig. 6 shows another example, wherein the safety system compu- ting processor 9 of the active safety system 1 detects that the moving vehicle is within a second predetermined minimum collision avoidance range from a vehicle in front .
  • the safety system computing processor 9 then transmits a second vehicle collision warning signal to the instrument display computing processor 3 via the CAN bus 20.
  • the instrument display computing processor 3 afterward energizes three red LEDs , according to the second vehicle collision-warning signal.
  • the instrument display computing processor 3 also treats the second vehicle collision warning signal and then sends a corresponding vehi- cle collision instrument warning display signal to the LCD display 24.
  • the safety system computing processor 9 can other warning signals, such as blind spot monitoring.
  • the head-up display arrangement can then show corresponding warning signals .
  • the light source 22 can have different numbers of LEDs and different types of LEDs depending on cost and application needs .
  • the speedometer sensor 11 acts to measure a speed of the vehicle.
  • the speedometer sensor 11 then transmits the speed measurement data to the CAN bus terminal 19 via the CAN bus 20.
  • the CAN bus terminal 19 later transmits it to the instrument display computing processor 3.
  • the instrument dis- play computing processor 3 afterward generates a speedometer display signal according to the received speed measurement data and then sends the speedometer display signal to the speedometer 26 for displaying the speed measurement data to a driver of the vehicle .
  • the speedometer can include a speedometer needle or a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or a LED display for showing the speed measurement data.
  • the tachometer sensor 12 serves to measure a rotational speed of an engine shaft of the vehicle.
  • the tachometer sensor 12 then transmits the rotational speed measurement data to the CAN bus terminal 19 via the CAN bus 20.
  • the CAN bus terminal 19 then transmits it to the instrument display compu- ting processor 3.
  • the instrument display computing processor 3 later generates a tachometer display signal according to the received rotational speed measurement data and then sends the tachometer display signal to the tachometer 28 for displaying the rotational speed measurement data to the driver.
  • Fig. 7 shows a variant of the instrument cluster 10 of Fig. 2.
  • Fig. 7 shows a further instrument cluster 10a.
  • the instrument display cluster 10a and the instrument cluster 10 have similar parts.
  • the parts of the instrument clusters 10 and 10a are also connected in similar manner.
  • the instrument display cluster 10a includes a clear panel optical combiner 50, which placed at a predetermined inclination.
  • the clear panel optical combiner 50 is placed near to a light-guide unit 25a of the instrument display cluster 10a.
  • the clear panel optical combiner 50 is also placed within sight of the driver.
  • the clear panel optical combiner 50 is adapted to receive light rays 35a from the light-guide unit 25a and to reflect the received light rays 35a towards eyes of the driver, thereby providing a head-up display for the driver as shown in Fig. 8.
  • the driver can also view the road and other vehicles while viewing images from the optical combiner 50.
  • the images from the optical combiner 50 are placed at an eye level such that the driver does not need to change his direction of viewing the road and other vehicles.
  • the images of the warning signal is placed an eye level, which does not require the driver to change his direction of viewing the road and other vehicles.
  • the head-up display arrangement is integrated with an infotainment head unit of the vehicle.
  • the head-up display arrangement is in- tegrated with a secondary display, such as a touch screen for displaying additional information, for example phone calls and virtual gauges, of the vehicle.
  • a secondary display such as a touch screen for displaying additional information, for example phone calls and virtual gauges, of the vehicle.
  • the instrument cluster 10 provides several benefits.
  • the head-up display arrangement of the instrument cluster can advantageously be provided at a low cost.
  • An instrument cluster arrangement, which is integrated with a head-up display arrangement is often less expensive than an instrument cluster arrangement with a separate head-up display arrangement .
  • an existing instrument cluster arrangement can easily be modified to include a head-up display arrangement at a low cost .
  • this instrument cluster can have small size for easier implementation, since the light source and the light guide can be placed next to the PCB of the instrument cluster.
  • the driver can view important visual warnings of the head-up display arrangement while keep focusing on the road condition. In other words, the driver does not need to change his view direction for looking at the important visual warnings.
  • An instrument cluster for a vehicle comprising
  • a vehicle communication bus terminal for receiving at least one vehicle parameter signal
  • a processor being adapted for generating an instrument cluster display signal according to the vehicle parameter signal ,
  • a head-up display unit comprising
  • the processor activates the light source element for emitting at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle parameter signal
  • a head-up light -guide element being adapted for transporting the head-up light ray to an optical combiner for reflecting to the driver,
  • the instrument cluster further comprises a single integrated printed circuit board, wherein the vehicle communication bus terminal, the processor, and the light source element are provided on the single integrated printed circuit board.
  • the head-up light-guide element is adapted for transporting the head-up light ray to an optical combiner, wherein a part of a windscreen of the vehicle serves as the optical combiner.
  • instrument cluster according to item 1, wherein the instrument cluster further comprises a clear panel optical combiner.
  • the light source element comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.
  • the light source element is provided on a first side of the integrated printed circuit board while the vehicle communication bus terminal and the processor are provided on a second side of the integrated printed circuit board, wherein the first side is opposite to the second side.
  • the integrated printed circuit board is adapted for positioning below a top surface of a dashboard of the vehicle .
  • the instrument cluster according to item 6 wherein the head-up light-guide element is adapted for positioning below an aperture of the top surface of the dashboard of the vehicle .
  • An instrument cluster unit for a vehicle comprising
  • At least one instrument cluster sensor for providing at least one vehicle instrument parameter signal
  • instrument cluster according to one of the above- mentioned items, the instrument cluster comprising
  • a processor being adapted for
  • a head-up display unit comprising a light source element, wherein the processor activates the light source element for emitting at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle instrument parameter signal, and a head-up light -guide element being adapted for transporting the head-up light ray to an optical combiner for reflecting to the driver.
  • the instrument cluster unit according to item 8 wherein the instrument cluster sensor comprises a speedometer sensor .
  • instrument cluster unit according to item 8, wherein the instrument cluster sensor comprises a tachometer sensor .
  • a vehicle comprising
  • an instrument cluster unit according to one of the items 8 to 10, the instrument cluster unit comprising an instrument cluster gauge for displaying an instrument cluster display signal, which is generated according to a vehicle instrument parameter signal, and
  • a head-up display unit for providing at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle instrument parameter signal.
  • An active safety system for a vehicle comprising
  • At least one active safety sensors for providing at least one vehicle safety parameter signal
  • a processor and a head-up display unit comprising
  • the processor activates the light source element for emitting at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle safety parameter signal
  • a head-up light -guide element being adapted for transporting the head-up light ray to an optical combiner for reflecting to the driver.
  • the processor is adapted for generating an instrument cluster display signal according to the vehicle safety parameter signal and
  • the instrument cluster further comprises an instru- ment cluster gauge for displaying the instrument cluster display signal.
  • the active safety sensor comprises a lane boundary camera .
  • the active safety sensor comprises a vehicle collision avoidance radar sensor.
  • an active safety system according to one of the items 12 to 15, the active safety system comprising
  • a head-up display unit for providing at least one head-up light ray according to a vehicle safety parameter signal .

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Abstract

The application provides an instrument cluster for a vehicle. The instrument cluster comprises a vehicle communication bus terminal for receiving at least one vehicle parameter signal, a processor for generating an instrument cluster display signal according to the vehicle parameter signal, an instrument cluster gauge for displaying the instrument cluster display signal, and a head-up display unit. The head-up display unit comprises a light source element and a head-up light-guide element. The processor is adapted to activate the light source element for emitting at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle parameter signal. The head-up light-guide element is adapted for transporting the head-up light ray to an optical combiner for reflecting to the driver. The instrument cluster further comprises a single integrated printed circuit board. The vehicle communication bus terminal, the processor, and the light source element are provided on the single integrated printed circuit board.

Description

INTEGRATED LIGHT EMITTING DIODES HEAD-UP CLUSTER
The present application relates to an improved vehicle. In particular, the application relates to an improved instrument cluster display for a vehicle.
Many vehicles are currently equipped with an active safety system. A vehicle with the active safety system receives a collision warning when the vehicle is too close to another ve- hicle. The active safety system also provides a lane departure warning when the vehicle is too close to a lane boundary of a road or is crossing the lane boundary of the road. These warnings are usually shown on a display of an instrument cluster or on a head-up display of the vehicle so as to alert a driver of the vehicle to take actions to avoid a collision with the other vehicle. One example of such an active safety system is called EyeSight driver-assist system for a Subaru vehicle. This system provides visual warnings, which are shown as different colours of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) light rays, which are reflected from a windshield of the vehicle.
It is an object of this application to provide an improved instrument cluster for a vehicle . It is believed that an instrument cluster can be improved by integrating the instrument cluster with a head-up display unit .
The head-up display being integrated with the instrument dis- play cluster can be provided at a low cost. In practise, an already existing instrument cluster can be modified to include the head-up display. The head-up display being integrated with the instrument display cluster can thus be provided at a low cost . This is different from other instrument display cluster, which includes a separate head-up display. The individual head-up display is expensive, which can deter its implementation.
The application provides an improved instrument cluster for displaying one or more vehicle parameters of a vehicle. The vehicle is used for transporting goods and people. Examples of the vehicle parameters include a speed of the vehicle, a rota- tional speed of an engine of the vehicle, or a separation distance between the vehicle and a person or an object, such as another vehicle. The vehicle parameter can also refer to a distance of the vehicle from a lane boundary marking of a road .
The instrument cluster includes a vehicle communication bus terminal, a computing processor, an instrument cluster gauge, and a head-up display unit. The vehicle communication bus terminal is adapted for receiving at least one vehicle parameter signal . The vehicle communication bus terminal is provided for connecting to a vehicle communication bus for receiving the vehicle parameter signal . The communication bus usually refers to a Controller Area Net- work (CAN) bus of the vehicle. The CAN bus allows the computing processor and other electronic devices of the vehicle to communicate with each other.
The computing processor is adapted for receiving vehicle pa- rameter signal and for generating an instrument cluster display signal according to the vehicle parameter signal .
The instrument cluster gauge is adapted for displaying the instrument cluster display signal to a driver. The gauge can re- fer to a needle, which rotates for displaying the display signal .
The head-up display unit includes a light source element and a head-up light-guide element.
The computing processor is adapted to activate the light source element to emit at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle parameter signal .
The head-up light -guide element then transports the head-up light ray from the light source element to an optical combiner for reflecting to the driver. The head-up light-guide element transports the light ray by means of total internal reflection without essentially any light refraction to the optical combiner. The optical combiner is adapted for redirecting the light ray such that the driver can see an image of the reflected light ray as well as viewing the road and other vehicles .
The instrument cluster also includes a single electronic integrated printed circuit board. The vehicle communication bus terminal, the computing processor, and the light source element are provided on the single integrated printed circuit board.
The arrangement of the electronic integrated printed circuit board together with the optical combiner advantageously provides a low cost head-up display arrangement . Because of the provision of the electronic components on the same printed circuit board, the cost of providing the head-up display is not costly. This is often less expensive than an instrument cluster with a separate head-up display unit. For example, an existing instrument cluster printed circuit board can be easi- ly modified to include a light source element for making the integrated printed circuit board.
Several additional features can be provided.
The head-up light -guide element of the instrument cluster can be adapted for transporting the head-up light ray to a part of a windscreen of the vehicle, which serves as the optical combiner. This allows for easy implementation as well as low im- plementation cost.
The instrument cluster can also include an inclined clear panel optical combiner. This clear panel optical combiner allows easy implementation of a head-up display arrangement without using the windscreen of the vehicle. This is especially useful when the inclination of the windscreen of the vehicle is not suitable for use.
The light source element can include a plurality of light emitting diodes. The light emitting diodes provides several advantages compared with other light source elements. They have low power consumption, long operating life time, and small size. The light source element can be provided on a first major side of the electronic integrated printed circuit board while the vehicle communication bus terminal and the computing processor can be provided on a second major side of the electronic integrated printed circuit board. The first side is opposite to the second side. Most components are already provided on the second major side. This allows the light source element to be easily mounted on one side of an existing instrument cluster printed circuit board where there are few electronic components mounted. The electronic integrated printed circuit board can be adapted for positioning below a top surface of a dashboard of the vehicle. The head-up light-guide element can then be adapted for positioning below a light emitting aperture of the top surface of the dashboard of the vehicle.
The application also provides an improved instrument cluster unit for a vehicle. The instrument cluster unit includes at least one instrument cluster sensor and an improved instrument cluster, which is described above.
The instrument cluster sensors are adapted for providing at least one vehicle instrument parameter signal . The vehicle in- strument parameter signal can refer to a vehicle speed or to a vehicle engine rotational speed.
The instrument cluster includes a computing processor, an instrument cluster gauge, and a head-up display unit.
The computing processor is adapted for generating an instrument cluster display signal according to the vehicle instrument parameter signal while the instrument cluster gauge is adapted for displaying the instrument cluster display signal to a driver.
The head-up display unit includes a light source element and a head-up light-guide element. The computing processor then activates the light source element for emitting at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle instrument parameter signal. The head-up light-guide element later transports the head-up light ray to an optical combiner for reflecting to the driver. The instrument cluster sensor can include a speedometer sensor, which is adapted for measuring a speed of the vehicle.
The instrument cluster sensor can also comprise a tachometer sensor, which is adapted for measuring a rotational speed of an engine of the vehicle.
The application also provides an improved vehicle, which includes an above-mentioned instrument cluster unit .
The instrument cluster unit comprises an instrument cluster gauge and a head-up display unit . The instrument cluster gauge is adapted for displaying an instrument cluster display signal, which is generated according to a vehicle instrument pa- rameter signal. The head-up display unit then provides at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle instrument parameter signal .
The application also provides an improved active safety system for a vehicle.
The active safety system comprises at least one active safety sensors and an instrument cluster, which is described above. The active safety sensors are adapted for providing at least one vehicle safety parameter signal.
The instrument cluster comprises a computing processor and a head-up display unit. The computing processor is adapted to activate the light source element for emitting at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle safety parameter signal. The head-up light-guide element later transports the head-up light ray to an optical combiner for reflecting to the driver . The computing processor can be adapted for generating an instrument cluster display signal according to the vehicle safety parameter signal.
The instrument cluster can also include an instrument cluster gauge for displaying the instrument cluster display signal to a driver. The active safety sensor can include a lane boundary camera, which is adapted to provide an image of a road with lane boundary marking.
The active safety sensor can also include a vehicle collision avoidance radar sensor, which is adapted for measuring a distance between the vehicle and an object or a person.
The application also provides a vehicle with an above- mentioned improved active safety system. The active safety system comprises a head-up display unit for providing at least one head-up light ray according to a vehicle safety parameter signal .
Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an active safety sys- tern with an instrument display cluster for a vehicle ,
Fig. 2 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the instrument display cluster of Fig. 1,
Fig. 3 illustrates a windscreen of the vehicle, which re- fleets an LED first light dot that is emitted from the instrument display cluster of Fig. 2, the first light dot acts as a lane departure visual warning,
Fig. 4 illustrates the windscreen of the vehicle, which reflects an LED second light dot that is emitted from the instrument display cluster of Fig. 2, the second light dot acts as a lane departure visual warning,
Fig. 5 illustrates the windscreen of the vehicle, which reflects an LED third light dot that is emitted from the instrument display cluster of Fig. 2, the third light dot acts as a collision visual warning,
Fig. 6 illustrates the windscreen of the vehicle, which reflects three LED light dots that are emitted from the instrument display cluster of Fig. 2, the three light dots act as a collision visual warning,
Fig. 7 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a variant of the instrument display cluster of Fig. 2 with a clear panel optical combiner and
Fig. 8 illustrates the clear panel optical combiner of the instrument display cluster of Fig. 7, which reflects a LED light dot that acts as a visual warning.
In the following description, details are provided to describe embodiments of the application. It shall be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without such details.
Some parts of the embodiment have similar parts. The similar parts may have the same names or similar part numbers. The de- scription of one similar part also applies by reference to another similar parts, where appropriate, thereby reducing repetition of text without limiting the disclosure.
Fig. 1 shows an electronic arrangement for a vehicle. The electronic arrangement includes an active safety system 1, an integrated instrument cluster 10, and a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus 20. The CAN bus 20 is electrically connected to the integrated instrument display cluster 10, and to the active safety system 1. The active safety system 1 includes a safety system computing processor 9, one or more lane boundary cameras 5, and a plurality of vehicle collision avoidance radar sensors 7. The safety system computing processor 9 is electrically connected to the lane boundary camera 5, and to the vehicle collision avoidance radar sensors 7. The safety system computing processor 9 is also communicatively connected to the CAN bus 20. The integrated instrument cluster 10 includes an instrument cluster arrangement with a head-up display arrangement.
The integrated instrument arrangement includes an instrument sensor module 4, an electronic printed circuit board (PCB) 15, and an instrument display module 21. The PCB 15 is communicatively connected to the instrument display module 21 and to the CAN bus 20. The instrument sensor module 4 is communicatively connected to the CAN bus 20. The instrument sensor module 4 includes a speedometer sensor 11 and a tachometer sensor 12. The speedometer sensor 11 and the tachometer sensor 12 are electrically connected to the CAN bus 20. The electronic PCB 15 includes an instrument display computing processor 3 and a CAN bus terminal 19. The instrument display computing processor 3 is electrically connected to the CAN bus terminal 19, which is connected to the CAN bus 20. Referring to Fig. 1, the instrument display module 21 includes a speedometer 26, a tachometer 28, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 24 as well as a gauge display panel cover 37, which is shown in Fig. 2. The speedometer 26, the tachometer 28, and the LCD 24 are electrically connected to the instrument display computing processor 3 of the electronic PCB 15.
The head-up display arrangement includes a head-up light source 22 and a head-up light-guide unit 25.
The light source 22 includes three red Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) , three green LEDs, and three orange LEDs . As better seen in Fig. 2, the light source 22 is mounted on a first ma- jor surface 15a of the PCB 15 while the CAN bus terminal 19 and the instrument display computing processor 3 are mounted on a second major surface 15b of the PCB 15, which is opposite to the first major surface 15a. The light-guide unit 25 has an elongated body with two ends, namely a light receiving end 27 and a light emitting end 29. The light receiving end 27 is placed close to the light source 22. The light-guide unit 25 is made of a clear optical material , such as Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) resin and Polycar- bonate (PC) .
In general, the light-guide unit 25 can include one or more light guides. During production of a vehicle, a dashboard 13 is provided in a front part of the vehicle and is provided below a windscreen 30. The dashboard 13 has a top surface 17 with a light emitting aperture 33. As better seen in Fig. 2, the instrument display cluster 10 is mounted as a part of the dashboard 13 of a vehicle, wherein the PCB 15, the light-guide light source 22, and the light- guide unit 25 are placed below the top surface 17 of the dashboard 13. A longitudinal axis of the light-guide unit 25 is also directed vertically while the light emitting end 29 of the light-guide unit 25 is placed below the dashboard aperture 33.
The first major surface 15a of the PCB 15 is facing the windscreen 30 while the second major surface 15b of the PCB 15 is facing the gauge display panel cover 37. The lane boundary cameras 5 are placed at a front part of the vehicle. The vehicle collision avoidance radar sensors 7 are placed around the vehicle .
In use, a driver uses the vehicle to transport goods and peo- pie.
Referring to the active safety system 1, the lane boundary camera 5 acts to capture visual images of a road, which is provided with lane boundary markings . The lane boundary camera 5 then transmits the captured visual images to the safety system computing processor 9.
If the safety system computing processor 9 detects that the vehicle is separated from the lane boundary by less than a de- termined minimum lane separation distance, the safety system computing processor 9 generates a lane departure warning signal and transmits it to the CAN bus 20. In other words, the safety system computing processor 9 issues the lane departure warning signal when it detects that the vehicle is close to departing from its lane.
The vehicle collision avoidance radar sensors 7 serves to measure a separation distance of the vehicle from an external object, such as another vehicle or person, using radio waves. The vehicle collision avoidance radar sensors 7 then transmit the separation distance measurement to the safety system computing processor 9. If the safety system computing processor 9 detects that the vehicle is separated from the object by less than a predetermined minimum object separation distance, the safety system computing processor 9 then generates a vehicle collision warning signal and then transmits it to the CAN bus 20. In other words, the safety system computing processor 9 issues the vehicle collision warning signal when it detects that the vehicle is going to collide with the object.
The CAN bus 20 serves to carry the respective warning signal to the CAN bus terminal 19 of the instrument display cluster 10. The CAN bus terminal 19 then sends the respective warning signal to the instrument display computing processor 3 for treatment . The instrument display computing processor 3 later treats the respective warning signal and then sends a corresponding instrument warning display signal to the LCD display 24. The LCD display 24 then shows the instrument warning display signal to a driver of the vehicle . The instrument warning display signal can be displayed as an image or text.
At the same time, the instrument display computing processor 3 activates the LEDs of the light source 22 according the respective warning signal. The energised LEDs then emit light rays 35, which later travel to the light receiving end 27 of the light-guide unit 25.
The light-guide unit 25 later directs the light rays 35 from the light receiving end 27 to the light emitting end 29. Put differently, the light-guide unit 25 acts a means to transport the light rays 35 from the light receiving end 27 to the light emitting end 29 via means of essentially total internal reflection. The light rays 35 are not refracted during the transportation.
The light rays 35 then travel through the light emitting end 29 and pass the aperture 33 of the top surface 17 of the dashboard 13.
After this, the light rays 35 travel to a predetermined reflection area of the windscreen 30. The light rays 35 are then reflected from the windscreen 30 and travels to eyes of the driver of the vehicle for alerting the driver.
The driver views images of the energised LEDs at eye level and also viewing the road and other vehicles. The driver can view the road and other vehicles while also viewing the images from the energised LEDs, which provide indications of the warning signal. In other words, the images of the warning signal is placed an eye level, which does not require the driver to change his direction of viewing the road and other vehicles.
In effect, the windscreen 30 serves as an optical combiner for directing the light rays 35 from the light source 22 to eyes of the driver while allowing light rays from objects, which are outside the vehicle, to travel to eyes of the driver.
The driver afterward responds accordingly to the warning sig- nal .
Several examples of the energised LEDs are described below. Fig. 3 shows one example, wherein the safety system computing processor 9 of the active safety system 1 detects that the vehicle is moving too close to the lane boundary. The safety system computing processor 9 then transmits a lane departure warning signal to the instrument display computing processor 3 via the CAN bus 20. The instrument display computing processor 3 afterward energies one orange LED of the light source 22 according to the lane departure warning signal . The energised orange LED then emits orange light rays 35, which later travel to the light-guide unit 25. The light-guide unit 25 afterward directs the orange light rays 35 to the predetermined reflection area of the windscreen 30. The orange light rays 35 then reflect from the windscreen 30 and travel to eyes of the driver of the vehicle. The driver then views the light rays 35 of one orange LED. The driver later reacts accordingly. The instrument display computing processor 3 also treats the lane departure warning signal and then sends a corresponding lane departure instrument warning display signal to the LCD display 24. The LCD display 24 then shows the lane departure instru- ment warning display signal to the driver of the vehicle.
Fig. 4 shows another example, wherein the safety system computing processor 9 of the active safety system 1 detects that the vehicle is crossing the lane boundary. The safety system computing processor 9 then transmits a lane crossing warning signal to the instrument display computing processor 3 via the CAN bus 20. The instrument display computing processor 3 afterward energizes one red LED, according to the lane crossing warning signal. The instrument display computing processor 3 also treats the lane crossing warning signal and then sends a corresponding lane crossing instrument warning display signal to the LCD display 24. Fig. 5 shows a further example, wherein the safety system computing processor 9 of the active safety system 1 detects that the moving vehicle is within a first predetermined minimum collision avoidance range from a vehicle in front . The safety system computing processor 9 then transmits a first vehicle collision warning signal to the instrument display computing processor 3 via the CAN bus 20. The instrument display computing processor 3 afterward one red LED according to the first vehicle collision warning signal. The instrument display com- puting processor 3 also treats the first vehicle collision warning signal and then sends a corresponding vehicle collision instrument warning display signal to the LCD display 24.
Fig. 6 shows another example, wherein the safety system compu- ting processor 9 of the active safety system 1 detects that the moving vehicle is within a second predetermined minimum collision avoidance range from a vehicle in front . The safety system computing processor 9 then transmits a second vehicle collision warning signal to the instrument display computing processor 3 via the CAN bus 20. The instrument display computing processor 3 afterward energizes three red LEDs , according to the second vehicle collision-warning signal. The instrument display computing processor 3 also treats the second vehicle collision warning signal and then sends a corresponding vehi- cle collision instrument warning display signal to the LCD display 24.
In general, the safety system computing processor 9 can other warning signals, such as blind spot monitoring. The head-up display arrangement can then show corresponding warning signals . The light source 22 can have different numbers of LEDs and different types of LEDs depending on cost and application needs . Referring to the speedometer sensor 11, it acts to measure a speed of the vehicle. The speedometer sensor 11 then transmits the speed measurement data to the CAN bus terminal 19 via the CAN bus 20. The CAN bus terminal 19 later transmits it to the instrument display computing processor 3. The instrument dis- play computing processor 3 afterward generates a speedometer display signal according to the received speed measurement data and then sends the speedometer display signal to the speedometer 26 for displaying the speed measurement data to a driver of the vehicle .
The speedometer can include a speedometer needle or a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or a LED display for showing the speed measurement data. Similarly, the tachometer sensor 12 serves to measure a rotational speed of an engine shaft of the vehicle. The tachometer sensor 12 then transmits the rotational speed measurement data to the CAN bus terminal 19 via the CAN bus 20. The CAN bus terminal 19 then transmits it to the instrument display compu- ting processor 3. The instrument display computing processor 3 later generates a tachometer display signal according to the received rotational speed measurement data and then sends the tachometer display signal to the tachometer 28 for displaying the rotational speed measurement data to the driver.
Fig. 7 shows a variant of the instrument cluster 10 of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 shows a further instrument cluster 10a. The instrument display cluster 10a and the instrument cluster 10 have similar parts. The parts of the instrument clusters 10 and 10a are also connected in similar manner. The instrument display cluster 10a includes a clear panel optical combiner 50, which placed at a predetermined inclination. The clear panel optical combiner 50 is placed near to a light-guide unit 25a of the instrument display cluster 10a. The clear panel optical combiner 50 is also placed within sight of the driver.
In use, the clear panel optical combiner 50 is adapted to receive light rays 35a from the light-guide unit 25a and to reflect the received light rays 35a towards eyes of the driver, thereby providing a head-up display for the driver as shown in Fig. 8. At the same time, the driver can also view the road and other vehicles while viewing images from the optical combiner 50. The images from the optical combiner 50 are placed at an eye level such that the driver does not need to change his direction of viewing the road and other vehicles.
In other words, the images of the warning signal is placed an eye level, which does not require the driver to change his direction of viewing the road and other vehicles.
In a different embodiment, the head-up display arrangement is integrated with an infotainment head unit of the vehicle.
In another embodiment, the head-up display arrangement is in- tegrated with a secondary display, such as a touch screen for displaying additional information, for example phone calls and virtual gauges, of the vehicle.
The instrument cluster 10 provides several benefits. The head-up display arrangement of the instrument cluster can advantageously be provided at a low cost. An instrument cluster arrangement, which is integrated with a head-up display arrangement is often less expensive than an instrument cluster arrangement with a separate head-up display arrangement .
Furthermore, an existing instrument cluster arrangement can easily be modified to include a head-up display arrangement at a low cost .
Additionally, this instrument cluster can have small size for easier implementation, since the light source and the light guide can be placed next to the PCB of the instrument cluster.
The driver can view important visual warnings of the head-up display arrangement while keep focusing on the road condition. In other words, the driver does not need to change his view direction for looking at the important visual warnings.
The embodiments can also be described with the following lists of features or elements being organized into an item list. The respective combinations of features, which are disclosed in the item list, are regarded as independent subject matter, respectively, that can also be combined with other features of the application.
1. An instrument cluster for a vehicle, the instrument cluster comprising
a vehicle communication bus terminal for receiving at least one vehicle parameter signal,
a processor being adapted for generating an instrument cluster display signal according to the vehicle parameter signal ,
an instrument cluster gauge for displaying the instrument cluster display signal, and
a head-up display unit comprising
a light source element, wherein the processor activates the light source element for emitting at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle parameter signal, and
a head-up light -guide element being adapted for transporting the head-up light ray to an optical combiner for reflecting to the driver, wherein
the instrument cluster further comprises a single integrated printed circuit board, wherein the vehicle communication bus terminal, the processor, and the light source element are provided on the single integrated printed circuit board.
The instrument cluster according to item 1, wherein the head-up light-guide element is adapted for transporting the head-up light ray to an optical combiner, wherein a part of a windscreen of the vehicle serves as the optical combiner.
The instrument cluster according to item 1, wherein the instrument cluster further comprises a clear panel optical combiner.
The instrument cluster according to one of the above- mentioned items, wherein
the light source element comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes. The instrument cluster according to one of the above- mentioned items, wherein
the light source element is provided on a first side of the integrated printed circuit board while the vehicle communication bus terminal and the processor are provided on a second side of the integrated printed circuit board, wherein the first side is opposite to the second side.
The instrument cluster according to one of the above- mentioned items, wherein
the integrated printed circuit board is adapted for positioning below a top surface of a dashboard of the vehicle .
The instrument cluster according to item 6 , wherein the head-up light-guide element is adapted for positioning below an aperture of the top surface of the dashboard of the vehicle .
An instrument cluster unit for a vehicle, the instrument cluster unit comprising
at least one instrument cluster sensor for providing at least one vehicle instrument parameter signal,
an instrument cluster according to one of the above- mentioned items, the instrument cluster comprising
a processor being adapted for
generating an instrument cluster display signal according to the vehicle instrument parameter signal,
an instrument cluster gauge for displaying the instrument cluster display signal, and
a head-up display unit comprising a light source element, wherein the processor activates the light source element for emitting at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle instrument parameter signal, and a head-up light -guide element being adapted for transporting the head-up light ray to an optical combiner for reflecting to the driver.
The instrument cluster unit according to item 8, wherein the instrument cluster sensor comprises a speedometer sensor .
The instrument cluster unit according to item 8, wherein the instrument cluster sensor comprises a tachometer sensor .
A vehicle comprising
an instrument cluster unit according to one of the items 8 to 10, the instrument cluster unit comprising an instrument cluster gauge for displaying an instrument cluster display signal, which is generated according to a vehicle instrument parameter signal, and
a head-up display unit for providing at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle instrument parameter signal.
An active safety system for a vehicle, the active safety system comprising
at least one active safety sensors for providing at least one vehicle safety parameter signal, and
an instrument cluster according to one of the items 1 to 7, the instrument cluster comprising
a processor, and a head-up display unit comprising
a light source element, wherein the processor activates the light source element for emitting at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle safety parameter signal, and
a head-up light -guide element being adapted for transporting the head-up light ray to an optical combiner for reflecting to the driver. 13. The active safety system according to item 12, wherein the processor is adapted for generating an instrument cluster display signal according to the vehicle safety parameter signal and
the instrument cluster further comprises an instru- ment cluster gauge for displaying the instrument cluster display signal.
14. The active safety system according to item 12 or 13,
wherein
the active safety sensor comprises a lane boundary camera .
15 The active safety system according to item 12 or 13,
wherein
the active safety sensor comprises a vehicle collision avoidance radar sensor.
16 vehicle comprising
an active safety system according to one of the items 12 to 15, the active safety system comprising
a head-up display unit for providing at least one head-up light ray according to a vehicle safety parameter signal . Although the above description contains much specificity, this should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but merely providing illustration of the foreseeable embodiments. The above stated advantages of the embodiments should not be construed especially as limiting the scope of the embodiments but merely to explain possible achievements if the described embodiments are put into practice. Thus, the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the claims and their equivalents, rather than by the examples given.
REFERENCE NUMBERS
1 active safety system
3 instrument display computing processor
4 instrument sensor module
5 lane boundary camera
7 vehicle collision avoidance radar sensor
9 safety system computing processor
10 instrument cluster
10a instrument cluster
11 speedometer
12 tachometer
13 dashboard
15 printed circuit board
15a major surface
15b major surface
17 top surface
19 CAN bus terminal
20 CAN bus
21 instrument display module
22 light source
24 liquid crystal display
25 light-guide unit
25a light-guide unit
26 speedometer
28 tachometer
27 light receiving end
29 light emitting end
30 windscreen
33 aperture
35 light rays
35a light rays
37 gauge display panel cover
42 light dot
45 light dot light dot
light dot
clear panel optical combiner light dot

Claims

An instrument cluster for a vehicle, the instrument cluster comprising
a vehicle communication bus terminal for receiving at least one vehicle parameter signal,
a processor being adapted for
generating an instrument cluster display signal according to the vehicle parameter signal ,
an instrument cluster gauge for displaying the instrument cluster display signal, and
a head-up display unit comprising
a light source element, wherein the processor activates the light source element for emitting at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle parameter signal, and
a head-up light -guide element being adapted for transporting the head-up light ray to an optical combiner for reflecting to the driver, wherein
the instrument cluster further comprises a single integrated printed circuit board, wherein the vehicle communication bus terminal, the processor, and the light source element are provided on the single integrated printed circuit board.
The instrument cluster according to claim 1, wherein the head-up light-guide element is adapted for transporting the head-up light ray to an optical combiner, wherein a part of a windscreen of the vehicle serves as the optical combiner.
The instrument cluster according to claim 1, wherein the instrument cluster further comprises a clear panel optical combiner.
The instrument cluster according to claim 1, wherein the light source element comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.
The instrument cluster according to claim 1, wherein the light source element is provided on a first side of the integrated printed circuit board while the vehicle communication bus terminal and the processor are provided on a second side of the integrated printed circuit board, wherein the first side is opposite to the second side.
The instrument cluster according to claim 1, wherein the integrated printed circuit board is adapted for positioning below a top surface of a dashboard of the vehicle .
The instrument cluster according to claim 6, wherein the head-up light-guide element is adapted for positioning below an aperture of the top surface of the dashboard of the vehicle .
An instrument cluster unit for a vehicle, the instrument cluster unit comprising
at least one instrument cluster sensor for providing at least one vehicle instrument parameter signal,
an instrument cluster according to claim 1, the instrument cluster comprising
a processor being adapted for
generating an instrument cluster display signal according to the vehicle instrument parameter signal, an instrument cluster gauge for displaying the instrument cluster display signal, and
a head-up display unit comprising
a light source element, wherein the processor activates the light source element for emitting at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle instrument parameter signal, and a head-up light -guide element being adapted for transporting the head-up light ray to an optical combiner for reflecting to the driver.
9. The instrument cluster unit according to claim 8, wherein the instrument cluster sensor comprises a speedometer sensor .
10. The instrument cluster unit according to claim 8, wherein the instrument cluster sensor comprises a tachometer sen- sor . 11. A vehicle comprising
an instrument cluster unit according to claim 8, the instrument cluster unit comprising
an instrument cluster gauge for displaying an instrument cluster display signal, which is generated according to a vehicle instrument parameter signal, and
a head-up display unit for providing at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle instrument parameter signal.
12. An active safety system for a vehicle, the active safety system comprising
at least one active safety sensors for providing at least one vehicle safety parameter signal, and an instrument cluster according to claim 1, the instrument cluster comprising
a processor, and
a head-up display unit comprising
a light source element, wherein the processor activates the light source element for emitting at least one head-up light ray according to the vehicle safety parameter signal, and a head-up light -guide element being adapted for transporting the head-up light ray to an optical combiner for reflecting to the driver.
The active safety system according to claim 12, wherein the processor is adapted for generating an instrument cluster display signal according to the vehicle safety parameter signal and
the instrument cluster further comprises an instrument cluster gauge for displaying the instrument cluster display signal.
The active safety system according to claim 12, wherein the active safety sensor comprises a lane boundary camera .
The active safety system according to claim 12, wherein the active safety sensor comprises a vehicle collision avoidance radar sensor.
A vehicle comprising
an active safety system according to claim 12, the active safety system comprising
a head-up display unit for providing at least one head-up light ray according to a vehicle safety parameter signal .
PCT/IB2016/052588 2016-05-06 2016-05-06 Integrated light emitting diodes head-up cluster Ceased WO2017191496A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2016/052588 WO2017191496A1 (en) 2016-05-06 2016-05-06 Integrated light emitting diodes head-up cluster

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2016/052588 WO2017191496A1 (en) 2016-05-06 2016-05-06 Integrated light emitting diodes head-up cluster

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2017191496A1 true WO2017191496A1 (en) 2017-11-09

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