Gauge cluster arc lighting
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsDakota Rosell, Joseph Mitchell, Joel B. Thompson, Justin Klotz, Kaelan S. Goff
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An instrument panel for a vehicle cabin includes a gauge cluster configured to display data. A vehicle instrument panel also includes a lighting arc, from the perspective of an operator of the vehicle. The lighting arc extends at least partially around the gauge cluster and generates a visual strip via one or more light emitting diode (LED) elements. The lighting arc is configured to represent a vehicle system operating parameter. A motor vehicle having an engine configured to generate torque, a vehicle cabin, and the vehicle instrument panel is also provided.
Claims18
An instrument panel for a cabin of a vehicle, the instrument panel comprising:
- a gauge cluster configured to display data;
- and
- a lighting arc, from a perspective of an operator of the vehicle, extending at least partially around the gauge cluster, generating a visual strip via at least one light emitting diode (LED) element, and configured to represent a vehicle system operating parameter;
- wherein:
- the vehicle includes a powerplant and a sport operating mode, an economy (ECO) operating mode, and a comfort operating mode;
- and
- the lighting arc is configured to represent a tachometer configured to display a working speed of the vehicle's engine in the sport operating mode, a charge system indicator in the ECO operating mode, and a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) state indicator in the comfort operating mode.
A motor vehicle comprising:
- a powerplant configured to generate torque;
- a sport operating mode, an economy (ECO) operating mode, and a comfort operating mode;
- a vehicle cabin;
- and
- a vehicle instrument panel arranged inside the cabin;
- wherein the vehicle instrument panel includes:
- a gauge cluster configured to display data;
- and
- a lighting arc, from a perspective of an operator of the vehicle, extending at least partially around the gauge cluster, generating a visual strip via at least one light emitting diode (LED) element, and configured to represent a vehicle system operating parameter;
- wherein the lighting arc is configured to represent a tachometer configured to display a working speed of the vehicle's engine in the sport operating mode, a charge system indicator in the ECO operating mode, and a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) state indicator in the comfort operating mode.
A motor vehicle comprising:
- a powerplant configured to generate torque;
- a vehicle cabin;
- and
- a vehicle instrument panel arranged inside the cabin;
- wherein the vehicle instrument panel includes:
- a gauge cluster configured to display data;
- and
- a lighting arc, from a perspective of an operator of the vehicle, extending at least partially around the gauge cluster, generating a visual strip via at least one light emitting diode (LED) element, and configured to represent a vehicle system operating parameter;
- wherein:
- the vehicle instrument panel additionally includes a binnacle configured to house an instrumentation bezel;
- the gauge cluster is arranged within the instrumentation bezel;
- and
- the lighting arc follows a perimeter of the instrumentation bezel;
- and
- wherein:
- from the perspective of the vehicle operator, the gauge cluster and the lighting arc are arranged on distinct instrumentation planes;
- and
- the lighting arc projects from a lower instrumentation plane through the instrumentation plane of the gauge cluster.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.