Claims:1. A display system (200) for a vehicle (100) comprising:
an instrument cluster (201) mounted on a front portion of said vehicle (100);
one or more display units (202,203) on said instrument cluster (201) to display one or more parameters;
a controller (204) to enable said one or more display units (202,203) to display one or more parameters, and
wherein said controller (204) enables selection of a high power display unit (202) or a low power display unit (202) of said one or more display unit (202,203), and
said controller (204) displays a grouped set of said one or more parameters based on one or more predetermined conditions on at least said one or more selected display unit (202,203).
2. The display system (200) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more parameters are a first type parameters and a second type parameters.
3. The display system (200) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said high power display unit (202) displays said one or more first type parameters and said low power display unit (203) displays said one or more second type parameters.
4. The display system(200) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined conditions are a display resolution, an ambient light intensity, a safety factor, a refresh rate, an angle of sight, an aesthetic appeal, a reflectivity property of a material.
5. The display system (200) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said first type parameters are a safety critical parameters, a high resolution, one or more parameters coinciding with a line of sight, an ambience light independent parameters, a high refresh rate and said second type parameters are a safety independent parameters, an ambience light dependent parameter, a low refresh rate, an aesthetics based parameters and a low resolution parameters.
6. The display system (200) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said high power display unit (202) is a combination of one or more of a TFT, an LCD, an OLED and an AMOLED technology based displays and said low power display unit (203) are one or more electrophoretic displays.
7. The display system(200) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller (204) is connected to a vehicle controller (260) to receive one or more vehicular parameters.
8. The display system(200) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller (204) is connected to a communication module (205) to receive one or more non-vehicular parameters from a wireless communication device (206) or a cloud server (207).
9. A display unit (202,203) on said instrument cluster(201) configured to display one or more parameters; comprising
a common backlight source (240) to illuminate said one or more display unit (202,203) in a low light condition;
a controller (204) to enable said one or more display units (202,203) to display one or more parameters, and
wherein said controller (204) enables selection of a high power display unit (202) or a low power display unit (202) of said one or more display unit (202,203), and
said controller (204) displays a grouped set of said one or more parameters based on one or more predetermined conditions on at least said one or more selected display unit (202,203).
10. A method of displaying one or more parameter in an instrument cluster (201) of a vehicle (100) comprising the steps of:
switching ON the vehicle (100);
performing a self-check process (302) by a vehicle controller (260);
grouping of one or more parameters based on atleast one or more predetermined conditions by a controller (204);
selecting a display unit (202,203) from a high power display unit (202) or a low power display unit (203) by said controller (204); and
displaying a grouped set of parameters on selected said display unit (202,203) based on one or more predetermined conditions. , Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter generally relates to a vehicle. The present subject matter specifically but not exclusively relates to a display system for a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, Instrument clusters are a series of gauge and indicators that are grouped together in a shell or case in a unified form. Instrument clusters are often used with vehicles or other machinery to convey information to a rider or the operator of that machinery. For example, instrument clusters are often used to display vehicle speed, engine temperature, fuel level, engine oil level, etc.
[0003] Traditional instrument cluster which are of analog type often include multiple pointer needles, which are movable in circular direction to point at different portions of a meter or the gauge in order to convey information to the rider or to the operator of the machine having instrument cluster. The pointer needles are often illuminated or the background light of the instrument cluster gets illuminated when the ignition or head lights are activated, in order to enhance the visibility at low luminescence time of the day.
[0004] Instrument clusters are mainly housed in between the steering handle of the vehicle or upstream of the steering wheel so that it is convenient for the vehicle rider to see the data reflected on the instrument cluster from time to time.
[0005] Modern day automobiles have digital instrument cluster display which apart from the basic details as mentioned above, also show variety of information and are added with more complex feature gauges and tell-tales such as turn indicators, gearshift position indicator, low oil pressure, low tire pressure, light controls, automotive navigations system etc. In recent times, the display unit of the instrument cluster has become versatile and it can display traditional information like vehicular parameters and also navigation maps, video etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The detailed description is described with reference to an embodiment of a saddle type scooter along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0007] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0008] Fig. 2 illustrates a display system in the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0009] Fig. 3 illustrates a common backlight source in the display system in the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00010] Fig. 4 illustrates a method of displaying one or more parameters on a display system of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0001] Automobile manufacturers have experimented with various kinds of displays in the instrument cluster which not only has the functional aspect of displaying the information to the rider but also have features which appeals the customer’s eyes, improves human comfort, reduces ocular stress and gives great viewing experience.
[00011] As the technologies are evolving with time, state of the art vehicles includes various other drive features in order to provide several information in one display and the information to be displayed can be chosen by the user by allowing addition or removal of the type of information to be displayed on the digital screen. The instrument cluster should be able to give information beyond the conventional vehicle parameters that are displayed. Latest technologies have gone beyond providing features which are essential to operate the vehicle effectively. Several technologies are added to attract the customer and all the added technologies are integrated to provide quality product. While there is a perennial challenge of indicating variety of information to the user, there is a challenge of being able to do it within the compact space of the vehicle and the comfortable cone of vision of the rider without causing undue distraction or stress. Overload of information can lead to potential safety risk. Hence it is important to prioritise the parameters as essential or desirable. Manufacturers are trying to optimize different ways to maximise the information to be enabled for display while balancing the need of right information at right time based on user request or requirements.
[00012] A display unit in the instrument cluster can be based on either single technology or combination of two or more technologies defined and functioning for pre defined purposes. The State-of-the-Art provides TFT (Thin film transistor), LCD (Liquid crystal display), OLED (Organic light-emitting diode) and AMOLED (Active-matrix organic light emitting diode) technologies currently used in the display units of the instrument cluster. The display unit receives control signal from a controller in the vehicle instrument cluster and based on the control signal vehicle parameters are displayed accordingly on the display units. Although, the above-mentioned technologies in a display unit provide attractive visuals however there are several problems which cannot be neglected. The above-mentioned technologies used in the display unit of the instrument cluster require constant power supply to enable a driver to receive the information related to vehicle parameters or other non-vehicular parameter/information like SMS, incoming call etc. Also, these display units are prone to poor visibility due to factors like reflectivity, angle of sight etc. But at the same time, it is not feasible to completely replace the above-mentioned technology based on certain disadvantages.
[00013] Since, the future of mobility involves electric vehicles, hence it becomes additionally important to incorporate components, which do no consume high power as each component in an electric vehicle is dependent on a battery and any addition to the existing load such as power consuming display units can further quicken the process of battery discharging. With continuous challenge of improving energy efficiency of vehicles be it gasoline based or electrical or hybrid, manufacturers pursue every possible way to minimise the energy loads on the vehicle which includes electrical loads from various electrical and electronic devices on the vehicle. Hence, it is an object of the present subject matter to provide a display system for a vehicle comprising an instrument cluster, mounted on a front portion of the vehicle which overcomes the above stated problems and other problems in the state of the art. The instrument cluster of the display system has one or more display units and each of said one or more display unit to display one or more parameters. The display units are so configured that each unit is a cluster of one or more low or high magnitude of power consumption displays. The parameters displayed on the display unit can be both vehicular and non-vehicular. The parameters which are not essential but desirable, are displayed on a display unit which does not consume power continuously and the essential parameters are displayed on the display unit which draws power supply constantly, especially when the vehicle is in running condition or when the vehicle is switched ON. Similarly, based on one or more predetermined conditions the parameters are grouped in a set, in certain categories and displayed on a low power display and a high power display unit respectively.
[00014] Further, the parameters displayed on the display unit are based on one or more predetermined conditions. The parameters are first type parameters and second type parameters. Both first type parameters and second type parameters include vehicular as well as non-vehicular parameters. The first type parameters comprising safety critical parameters, high resolution requiring parameters, parameters coinciding with a line of sight, ambience light independent parameters, and high refresh rate parameters etc. The second type parameters comprising safety independent parameters, ambience light dependent parameter, low refresh rate parameters, aesthetics based parameters and low resolution parameters etc.
[00015] Another embodiment of the present subject matter provides display units comprising a high power display unit and a low power display unit. The high power display unit displays first type parameters and the low power display unit displays second type parameters. So, depending on the predetermined condition, the controller of the display system decides which parameter to be displayed on the type of display unit. The parameters are categorized and grouped on the basis of predetermined condition and the same gets displayed on a specific type of display unit.
[00016] Another embodiment of the present subject matter provides the high power display unit, which can be combination of one or more of the TFT, LCD, OLED and AMOLED technologies which requires constant power supply to display a parameter. The low power display unit is an electrophoretic display which does not require constant power to display a parameter.
[00017] Another embodiment of the present subject matter is to provide a method of displaying one or more parameter in the display unit of the instrument cluster in which the parameters are grouped based on at least one or more predetermined conditions by a controller. After grouping the parameters (including the vehicular and non-vehicular parameters) into first type parameters and second type parameters, the controller selects at least a display unit (either a high power display unit or a low power display unit) to display the grouped parameters based on the predetermined conditions.
[00018] The exemplary embodiments detailing features regarding the aforesaid and other advantages of the present subject matter will be described hereunder with reference to an embodiment of a two wheeled saddle type motorcycle along with the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present invention will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. Further, it is to be noted that terms “upper”, “down”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “forward”, “rearward”, “downward”, “upward”, “top”, “bottom”, “exterior”, “interior” and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of the two wheeled vehicle with a driver riding thereon. Furthermore, arrows wherever provided in the top right corner of figure(s) in the drawings depicts direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein an arrow F denotes front direction, an arrow R indicates rear direction, an arrow T denotes upward direction, an arrow D denotes downward direction, an arrow R denotes right side, and an arrow L denotes left side. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[00019] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle (100) illustrated, has a schematically shown frame assembly (105) (shown in dotted line). In the present embodiment, the frame assembly (105) is step-through type that includes a head tube (105A), and a main frame (105B) extend rearwardly downward from an anterior portion of the head tube (105A). The main frame (105B) extends inclinedly rearward to a rear portion of the vehicle (100).
[00020] The vehicle (100) includes one or more prime movers that are connected to the frame assembly (105). In the present implementation, one of the prime movers is an internal combustion (IC) engine (115) mounted to the frame assembly (105). In the depicted embodiment, the IC engine (115) is mounted to a structural member (135) that is pivoted to the frame assembly (105). In one embodiment, the structural member (135) is a rigid member made of metal. The vehicle (100) also includes another prime mover, which is an electric motor (120). In a preferred embodiment, the electric motor (120) is hub mounted to one wheel of the vehicle (100). In another embodiment, more than one electric motor is mounted to wheels of the vehicle. In the depicted embodiment, the vehicle (100) includes at least two-wheels and the electric motor (120) is hub mounted to the rear wheel (125) of the vehicle. A front wheel (110) is rotatably supported by the frame assembly (105) and is connected to a handle bar assembly (130) that enables manoeuvring of the vehicle (100).
[00021] Further, the vehicle (100) includes a high capacity on-board battery (not shown) that drives the electric motor (120). The high capacity battery may include one or more high capacity battery packs or one or more low capacity cells. The high capacity battery can be disposed at a front portion, a rear portion, or at the centre of the vehicle (100). The high capacity battery is supported by the frame assembly (105) and the vehicle (100) includes plurality of body panels, mounted to the frame assembly (105) for covering various components of the vehicle (100). The plurality of panels includes a front panel (140A), a leg shield (140B), an under-seat cover (140C), and a left and a right side panel (140D). A glove box may be mounted to a leg shield (140B).
[00022] A floorboard (145) is provided at the step-through portion defined by the main frame (105B). A seat assembly (150) is disposed rearward to the step-through portion and is mounted to the main frame (105B). The seat assembly (150) that is elongated in a longitudinal direction F-R of the vehicle (100) enables the user to operate the vehicle in a saddle ride-type posture. One or more suspension(s) connect the wheels (110), (125) to the vehicle (100) and provide comfortable ride. The vehicle (100) comprises of plurality of electrical and electronic components including a headlight (155A) movably supported on a head tube (105A), a taillight (155B), a starter motor (not shown), a horn etc. A housing of the headlight (155A) and housing of the instrument cluster can be plastic welded for seamless finish. Also, the vehicle (100) includes a master control unit (not shown) that takes control of the overall operation of the vehicle (100) including the function of the IC engine (115), the electric motor (120), charging of the batteries from a magneto/integrated starter generator (ISG), driving of loads by the magneto/ISG, charging of the high capacity batteries by the electric motor operating in generator mode, and any other operations associated with the operation of the vehicle (100).the vehicle (100) can be a two-wheeled saddle type or a three wheeled vehicle.
[00023] Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a display system (200) in a vehicle (100). The display system (200) comprises an instrument cluster (201) with one or more display units (202,203). The instrument cluster (201) is provided with a mode button (not shown) and set button (not shown) to access different modes and setting time. Simultaneous pressing of mode and set button functions as a reset of the instrument cluster (201).
[00024] Further, the display units (202,203) are a high power display unit (202) (202) and a low power display unit (203). The high power display unit (202) may be combination of one or more of a TFT, LCD, OLED and AMOLED technology based displays. The high power display unit (202) requires constant power supply from a power source (250) such as a battery in order to display any parameter (vehicular parameter or non-vehicular parameter). Also, in order to view the displayed parameter on the high power display unit (202), a backlight power is required which is essential factor when the ambience light intensity is low.
[00025] Further, the low power display unit (203) comprises one or more electrophoretic displays, which is low power technology and does not need constant power supply for its functioning. The electrophoretic display uses power only when there is change in the content/parameter being displayed and then it retains the content even without the power supply. The electrophoretic display does not require back lighting all the time specially if there is a presence of ambient light.
[00026] A controller (204) is connected to a vehicle controller (204) to receive vehicular parameters such as fuel level, speed, distance travelled etc. A communication module (205) provided in the instrument cluster (201) of the vehicle (200) is connected to the controller (204). The controller (204) receives non-vehicular parameters from the communication module (205). The non-vehicular parameters can be incoming call alert, date and time, SMS alert etc. The communication module (205) in the instrument cluster (201) can communicate with a wireless communication device (206) directly through short range communication such as WiFi, Bluetooth®. The communication module (205) can also send and receive data indirectly to and from the wireless device (206) through a cloud server (207) via long range communication such as GPRS using a subscriber identity module (SIM). The parameters, both vehicular as well as non vehicular, are catogorized and grouped by the controller (204) based on one or more predetermined conditions viz. display resolution, ambient light intensity, safety factor (the parameters with high priority have the high safety factor), refresh rate, angle of sight, aesthetic aspect (can be decided by the user), reflectivity property of the display unit etc. Based on these predetermined factors the controller (204) segregates the parameters into first type parameter to be displayed on high power display unit (202) and second type parameter to be displayed on low power display unit (203).
[00027] Based on the predetermined condition the first type parameters comprise of speed, malfunction alert, high resolution requiring parameters such as navigation maps, further parameters coinciding with a line of sight which eliminate any eye strain, then ambience light independent parameters which need backlight for visibility while driving the vehicle (speed, turn signal lamps indicator), and high refresh rate parameters (speed, navigation, driving mode, GPS maps, face time video calls). The turn signal lamp has a floating LED light guide within front turn signal lamp housing. The LED light source is hidden by a bezel which is a part of the turn signal lamp housing (not shown).
[00028] The second type parameters comprise of safety independent parameters (date, time, fuel level), ambience light dependent parameter (number of the vehicle), low refresh rate parameters (fuel level, number of laps, date and day, temperature), aesthetics based parameters (any logo or picture) and low resolution parameters (SMS icon, incoming call icon) etc. Since, the second type parameters are not high priority parameters, hence these parameters can also be configured by the driver to be shown on low power display unit (203). Due to the low refresh rate of the second type parameter, the second type parameter does not need constant update and hence segregated and projected on low powered display unit like electrophoretic displays. This helps in reducing the consumption of battery power. For example, the temperature (of the location) does not changes frequently and the electrophoretic display draws power only during the instance of updating process of the temperature value or the temperature representation. The electrophoretic display can retain the value even if the battery supply from the vehicle gets disconnected. Only when the value is changed then during the process of changing, the battery power is utilised.
[00029] A driver can also choose which parameter needs to be shown in a display unit but the controller (204) checks for the priority of the parameter and may override the selection of the user to conserve battery. If the there are two low priority parameters e.g. one is a vehicle number and another is temperature or day-date-time, then the controller (204) allows the driver to choose according to driver’s wish and displays on the display unit otherwise a high priority parameter such as a speed of the vehicle cannot be swapped with a low priority parameter.
Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a common backlight source in the instrument cluster (201) of the display system (200) in the vehicle (100) as per an embodiment. The high power display unit (202) and the low power display unit (203) display one or more parameters which may or may not depend on the ambient light. So, to make the parameters visible during low light condition, a common backlight is provided which allows the parameters to be visible in both low light condition and high light condition. The instrument cluster (201) is provided with a common back light source (240) which illuminates both the display units (202,203). The low power display unit (203) which does not need a back light during high light condition can use the common backlight source (240) to enable the driver to see the parameters during the low light conditions also.

[00030] Fig. 4 illustrates a method of displaying one or more parameters on a display system (200) of a vehicle (100). When the vehicle (100) is started in step 301, the vehicle (100) under goes a self-check process in step 302, the self check process runs one or more firmwares, stored in the controller (204) and the vehicle controller (260) including the diagnostics operation to check the proper functioning of all the components in the vehicle (100) including the instrument cluster (201). During the self checking process the controller (204) in the instrument cluster (201) checks for the parameters which need to be displayed on the display units (202,203). The controller (204) of the instrument cluster (201) checks for any malfunction related to the displaying of the parameters in step 303. The malfunction of the parameter can be related to the abnormal values for parameters, wrong listing of the priority of the parameters etc. If any such malfunction is found, then in step 304, the controller (204) eliminates such malfunctions by rearranging the priority, categorizing and does grouping of the parameters based on predetermined conditions . After the grouping of the parameter is done then at step 305, the configuration is stored in the controller (204). In step 306, additional parameters can be added by the driver if permitted by the display space. If the driver does not add any parameter then the configured parameters, after self check process, gets displayed at step 310. Otherwise, in step 307, the driver can add parameters and apply the settings. If parameters are added by the rider, then in step 308, the controller (204) again checks and compares the parameters based on predetermined conditions and updates the settings. In step 309, the settings gets stored in a memory of the controller (204) and in step 310, the controller (204) selects a display unit (202,203) configuration based on predetermined condition and then displays the grouped parameters accordingly at step 310.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

vehicle (100)
frame member (105)
head tube (105A)
main frame (105B)
engine (115)
structural member (135)
electric motor (120)
rear wheel (125)
handle bar assembly (130)
front panel (140A)
leg shield (140B)
under-seat cover (140C)
right side panel (140D)
seat assembly (150)
wheels (110), (125)
headlight (155A)
taillight (155B)
display system(200)
instrument cluster (201)
display unit (202,203)
high power display unit (202)
low power display unit (203)
controller (204)

communication module (205)
wireless communication device (206)
cloud server (207)
a power source (250)
vehicle controller 260