Claims:I/We claim:
1. A system for a digital speedometer in a vehicle (100) comprises: 1
an engine (102) of the vehicle (100); 2
a crankshaft wheel (104) that is attached to the engine (102) of the vehicle (100); 3
a vehicle speed sensor (106) that is used to detect the speed of rotation of the crankshaft 4 wheel (104); 5
a control unit (108); 6
an instrument cluster unit (110); and 7
a power supply unit (120) that is connected to the control unit (108) and the instrument 8 cluster unit (110). 9
2. The control unit (108) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to: 1
receive a signal that is detected by the vehicle speed sensor (106); 2
process the signal in a predefined form that is a current speed value; and 3
sends the current speed values to an instrument cluster unit (110). 4
3. The instrument cluster unit (110) as claimed in claim 1 comprising of: 1
a digital speedometer (112) that comprises a plurality of LED segment blocks (114A-C) that 2 are used for displaying units, tens, and hundredth places of speed indication; and 3
an instrument cluster controller (116) and its communication module (117) that are 4 configured to: 5
receive the current speed values from the control unit (108) that is detected by the 6 vehicle speed sensor (106); 7
acquire through the communication module (117) the zonal speed limit to be used or 8 acquire a pre-set speed limit value for selecting as the threshold of the speed limit; 9
use the pre-set speed limit value if there are no zonal speed limit settings acquired 10 through the communication module; 11
9
fixing three range of speed threshold range values, namely low, alert, and exceeded for 12 comparing with the actual speed received; 13
compare the selected threshold of speed limit with the current speed values received 14 and allocate the actual range to which the actual speed belongs; 15
selects the plurality of LED segment blocks (114A-C) in the digital speedometer (112) 16 based on the threshold range values; and 17
enables the individual LED segments in the plurality of LED segment blocks (114A-C) 18 that are selected based on the actual speed value range with the chromatic variation of 19 illumination based on the decision if the actual speed is low, alert, or exceeded ranges for 20 comparing with the actual speed received; and 21
a plurality of driver circuits (118A-N) that amplifies the signals from the instrument cluster 22 controller (116) and sends it to the digital speedometer (112). 23
4. The pre-set speed limit value as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pre-set speed value limit is 1 selected one each for normal mode, economy mode, and high-speed mode limits for the vehicle 2 selected by the user. 3
5. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the individual LED segments in the plurality of 1 LED segment blocks (114A-C) are polychromatic type. 2
6. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the instrument cluster controller (116) selects the 1 plurality of LED segment blocks (114A-C) in the digital speedometer (112) for the display of 2 units, tens, and hundredth places of speed indication based on the threshold range values. 3
7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle speed sensor (106) may be integrated 1 directly with the instrument cluster unit (110). 2
8. A method for a digital speedometer for a vehicle (100) comprises: 1
detecting, using a vehicle speed sensor (106), the speed of rotation of a crankshaft wheel 2 (104) of an engine (102); 3
10
receiving, using a control unit (108), a signal that comprises the speed of rotation of a 4 crankshaft wheel (104) from the vehicle speed sensor (106); 5
processing, using the control unit (108), the signal that is received from the vehicle 6 speed sensor (106) into a predefined form; 7
sending, using the control unit (108), a current speed value that is processed to an 8 instrument cluster unit (110); 9
receiving, using an instrument cluster controller (116), the current speed values from 10 the control unit (108) that is detected by the vehicle speed sensor (106); 11
acquiring, using a communication module (117), the zonal speed limit to be used or a 12 pre-set speed limit value for selecting as the threshold of the speed limit; 13
determining, using the instrument cluster controller (116), an actual range to which the 14 actual speed pertains by comparing the current speed values with the threshold of the speed limit 15 that is selected for selecting and enabling the plurality of LED segment blocks (114A-C); 16
selecting, using the instrument cluster controller (116), the plurality of LED segment 17 blocks (114A-C) in the digital speedometer (112) based on the defined speed mode value; and 18
enabling, using the instrument cluster controller (116), the individual LED segments in 19 the plurality of LED segment blocks (114A-C) that are selected based on the actual speed value 20 range with the chromatic variation of illumination. 21
Dated February 5, 2022
Signature:
Name: Arjun Bala Karthik
IN/PA No.1021 , Description:DIGITAL SPEEDOMETERWITH COLOR-CHANGING ILLUMINATION
BASED ON VEHICLE SPEED
BACKGROUND
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention is generally related to a vehicle cluster, and more 5 specifically, vehicle cluster panels for displaying vehicle speed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle's Instrument Cluster displays important vehicle operation data to the driver, such as vehicle speed, fuel level, engine RPM and the status of various vehicular systems. Visual indicators such as needle gauges, digital readouts, and 10 lighted symbols are commonly used to convey this information. The speedometer is usually the Instrument Cluster's primary focus.
[0003] Most of today's instrument clusters are made up of needle gauges powered by stepper motors. All of the warning lights and displays, as well as these gauges, are housed in a single instrument cluster module. Most of these gauges are controlled by a processor, 15 which makes decisions about what to display based on data from a variety of systems. Most modern instrument clusters also include a digital multi-display that can be changed by the driver's inputs to show various vehicle information and allow the driver to change various settings.
[0004] In comparison to analog instrument clusters, digital instrument clusters that 20 visualize data with a display have many advantages. Depending on the drive mode, the data displayed can be changed (e.g., highway, off-road). This reduces driver distraction by displaying only the information that the driver requires in this situation. Furthermore, features that allow the user to select which information is displayed can be implemented.
[0005] In recent years, the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) has been used as the digital 25 instrument cluster. In particular, the driver can determine the driving speed based on the speed indicated by the instructions displayed on the speedometer on the LCD-based instrument cluster, which has a mediating function to inform the driver of the vehicle's speed and prevent overspeeding. Furthermore, because it provides a monochromic vision to the driver, this may increase the risk of overspeeding due to a lack of awareness of the 30 speedometer.
[0006] Hence, there is a necessity for a system that accurately determines the vehicle's speed and visually warns the driver when the vehicle exceeds the legally stated speed limit.
2
SUMMARY
[0007] In view of the aforementioned, an embodiment herein that provides a digital speedometer for a vehicle cluster is described as part of this specification set. A system for a digital speedometer in a vehicle includes a crankshaft wheel that is attached to an engine of the vehicle. A vehicle speed sensor in the vehicle is used to detect the speed of rotation 5 of the crankshaft wheel. A control unit in the vehicle is configured to receive, process, and send a detected signal from the vehicle speed sensor to an instrument cluster. The instrument cluster in the vehicle includes a digital speedometer with one or more LED segment blocks that are used for displaying units, tens, and hundredth places of speed indication. An instrument cluster controller is configured to receive and compare the signal from the control 10 unit, and based on the comparison outcome (i.e. defined speed mode value), select and enable one or more LED segment blocks with a chromatic variation of illumination in the digital speedometer. The comparison outcome is defined by a predefined speed mode limit, which includes normal, economic, and high-speed mode limits.
[0008] The present invention emphasizes the necessity of visually alerting a vehicle 15 driver to an over-speed or legally stated speed limit, as well as precisely determining the vehicle's speed. This enables the driver to drive the vehicle more safely, avoiding any accidents or other high-risk unsafe activities.
[0009] With reference to the following description, these and other aspects of the current subject matter will be better understood. This summary is provided to introduce a 20 selection of concepts in a simplified form, in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the claimed subject matter's scope.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 25
[0010] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a digital speedometer for the vehicle according to an embodiment herein;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a digital speedometer for a vehicle of FIG. 1 30 according to an embodiment herein;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method of indicating a speed in the digital speedometer for the vehicle of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein; and
3
[0014] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate an exemplary demonstration of the digital speedometer for a vehicle in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] The embodiments described herein, and their various features and advantageous details, are explained in considerable detail with reference to the non-limiting embodiments 5 illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted to avoid obscuring the embodiments described herein. The examples provided herein are provided solely to facilitate an understanding of how the embodiments described herein may be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments described 10 herein. As a consequence, the examples should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.
[0016] As mentioned, there is still a need for a system that accurately measures the vehicle's speed and visually alerts the driver when the vehicle exceeds the legally stated speed limit is required. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 15 through 4, where similar reference characters consistently represent corresponding aspects throughout the figures, preferred embodiments are illustrated.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a digital speedometer for the vehicle cluster according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The digital speedometer for vehicle 100 includes an engine 102 of the vehicle 100, a crankshaft wheel 104 of the 20 engine 102, a vehicle speed sensor 106 of the vehicle 100, a control unit 108 of the vehicle 100, an instrument cluster unit 110 of the vehicle 100, a digital speedometer 112 of the instrument cluster unit 110, a plurality of LED segment blocks 114A-C of the digital speedometer 112, an instrument cluster controller 116 of the instrument cluster unit 110, a plurality of driver circuits 118A-N of the instrument cluster unit 110, a communication 25 module 117 of the instrument cluster unit 110 and a power supply unit 120 of the vehicle 100. The crankshaft wheel 104 is attached to engine 102 of vehicle 100, and the vehicle speed sensor 106 is used to detect the speed of rotation of the crankshaft wheel 104. In an embodiment, the vehicle speed sensor 106 may be integrated directly (i.e. as illustrated by line 130) with the instrument cluster unit 110. The detected speed is sent to the control unit 30 108 via communication protocols such as I2C, SPI, and so on.
[0018] The control unit 108 is configured to (i) receive a signal that is detected by the vehicle speed sensor 106, (ii) process the signal in a predefined form i.e. current speed value, and (iii) send the current speed values to the instrument cluster unit 110 via communication protocols such as CAN, LIN, etc. The digital speedometer 112 of the instrument cluster unit 35
4
110 includes a plurality of LED segment blocks 114A-C that are used for displaying units 114A, tens 114B, and hundredth 114C places of speed indication and an individual LED segments in the plurality of LED segment blocks 114A-C are polychromatic type.
[0019] The instrument cluster controller 116 and the communication module (117) of the instrument cluster unit 110 is configured to (i) receive the current speed values from the 5 control unit 108 that is detected by the vehicle speed sensor 106, (ii) acquire through the communication module 117 the zonal speed limit to be used or acquire a pre-set speed limit value for selecting as the threshold of the speed limit, (iii) use the pre-set speed limit value if there are no zonal speed limit settings acquired through the communication module, (iv) fixing three range of speed threshold range values, namely low, alert, and exceeded for 10 comparing with the actual speed received, (v) compare the selected threshold of speed limit with the current speed values received and allocate the actual range to which the actual speed belongs, (vi) selects the plurality of LED segment blocks 114A-C in the digital speedometer 112 based on the threshold range values, and (vii) enables the individual LED segments in the plurality of LED segment blocks (114A-C) that are selected based on the actual speed 15 value range with the chromatic variation of illumination based on the decision if the actual speed is low, alert, or exceeded ranges for comparing with the actual speed received. The pre-set speed value limit is selected one each for normal mode, economy mode, and high-speed mode limits for the vehicle selected by the user. The instrument cluster controller 116 selects the plurality of LED segment blocks 114A-C in the digital speedometer 112 for the 20 display of units, tens, and hundredth places of speed indication based on the threshold range values.The plurality of driver circuits 118A-N amplifies the signals from the instrument cluster controller 116 and sends them to the digital speedometer 112. The power supply unit 120 is connected to the control unit 108 and the instrument cluster unit 110 for providing sufficient power. 25
[0020] In an embodiment, the instrument cluster unit 110 includes a communication module 117 that connects to the vehicle driver mobile module, which serves as the vehicle internet module. In one embodiment the communication module can be a Bluetooth module. The vehicle internet module obtains the defined speed limit for the instrument cluster controller 116 using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) (e.g.NavIC, GPS, etc.) 30 via IoT/IoV based on the real-time zonal-based speed limit. The instrument cluster controller 116 then processes this speed limit with the current speed value of the vehicle, after that the defined speed value is displayed on the speedometer with chromatic illumination variation. In another embodiment, the zonal speed limits can be picked up by the communication module 117 (e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc,.) paired with other GNSS-based 35
5
data devices. In yet another embodiment the communication link with the GNSS system could be through any other point-to-point communication system.
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a digital speedometer 112 for a vehicle of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The digital speedometer 112 is integrated into the instrument cluster unit 110 in the vehicle100, along with fuel indication, 5 and the status of various vehicular applications.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method of indicating a speed in the digital speedometer 112 for the vehicle 100 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. At step 302, detecting the speed of rotation of a crankshaft wheel 104 of an engine 102 using a vehicle speed sensor 106. At step 304, receiving a signal that 10 includes the speed of rotation of a crankshaft wheel 104 from the vehicle speed sensor 106 using a control unit 108. At step 306, processing the signal that is received from the vehicle speed sensor 106 into a predefined form using the control unit 108. At step 308, sending a current speed value that is processed to an instrument cluster unit 110 using the control unit 108. At step 310, receiving the current speed values from the control unit 108 that is detected 15 by the vehicle speed sensor 106 using an instrument cluster controller 116.
[0023] At step 312, acquiring, using a communication module 117, the zonal speed limit to be used or a pre-set speed limit value for selecting as the threshold of the speed limit At step 314, determining an actual range to which the actual speed pertains by comparing the current speed values with the threshold of the speed limit that is selected which could be 20 fixed threshold or actual speed limit for the zonal road the vehicle is transitting as picked up by the GNSS for selecting and enabling the plurality of LED segment blocks 114A-C using the instrument cluster controller 116. At step 314, selecting the plurality of LED segment blocks 114A-C in the digital speedometer 112 based on the defined speed mode value from the compared result between the predefined speed mode limit or actual speed limit for the 25 zonal road the vehicle is transitting as picked up by the communication module 117 and the current speed value using the instrument cluster controller 116. The instrument cluster controller 116 selects the plurality of LED segment blocks 114A-C in the digital speedometer 112 for the display of units, tens, and hundredth places of speed indication based on the defined speed mode value.The speed limit value is divided into three ranges of 30 speed threshold ranges, namely low, alert, and exceeded for comparing with the actual speed received.
[0024] At step 316, enabling the individual LED segments in the plurality of LED segment blocks 114A-C in the digital speedometer 112 that are selected based on the actual speed value range with the chromatic variation of illumination using the instrument cluster 35
6
controller 116 through the plurality of driver circuit 118A-N for each of the three ranges. In an embodiment, the chromatic variation in illumination can also be accompanied by voice synthesis if opted by the user of the vehicle.
[0025] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate an exemplary demonstration of the digital speedometer for a vehicle cluster in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present 5 subject matter. In an embodiment, the instrument cluster unit 110 in vehicle 100 has predefined speed mode limits, such as the normal mode with a speed limit of 0-50km/hr and a color speed indication of an amber, the economy mode with a speed limit of 51-80km/hr and a color speed indication of green, and the high-speed mode with a speed limit of ≥80km/hr and a color speed indication of red.When vehicle 100 begins to move on the road, 10 the vehicle speed sensor 106 detects the speed of the crankshaft wheel 104 of the engine 102 and sends the detected speed to the control unit 108 via communication protocols such as I2C, SPI, and so on. After that, the control unit 106 processes the detected speed into a predefined form, i.e., the current speed value, and sends it to the instrument cluster controller 116 via communication protocols such as CAN, LIN, etc. 15
[0026] The instrument cluster controller 116 in the instrument cluster has received the current speed value and compared it to the predefined speed mode limit, then provides the defined speed mode value to select and enable the plurality of LED segment blocks 114A-C in the digital speedometer 112 through the plurality of driver circuits 118A-N. When the instrument cluster controller 116 selects and enables the plurality of LED segment blocks 20 114A-C with a chromatic variation of illumination in the digital speedometer 112 based on the comparison outcome, if the vehicle travels at a speed limit of 0-50km/hr, the speedometer displays the amber color indication, indicating that the vehicle is in the normal mode of the predefined speed mode limit, as shown in FIG. 4A; alternatively, if the vehicle 100 travels at a speed limit of 51-80km/hr, the speedometer displays the green color 25 indication, indicating that the vehicle is in the economy mode, as illustrated in FIG. 4B; otherwise, if the vehicle travels at a speed limit of ≥80km/hr, the speedometer displays the red color indication, indicating that the vehicle is in the high-speed mode, as illustrated in FIG. 4C.
[0027] The aforementioned description of the specific embodiments will sufficiently 30 reveal the various aspects of the embodiments herein that others can readily modify and/or adapt such specific embodiments for various applications using current knowledge, and thus such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be understood within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It should be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is intended to describe rather than limit. 35
7
While the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments can be modified within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
8