DESC:Technical Field

[001] The present subject matter relates generally to mounting and integration of wireless communication capability into an instrument cluster of a vehicle. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present subject matter relates to mounting and integration of a wireless communication device capable of geolocating the vehicle and displaying its geographic position on a display screen in real time.

Background

[002] Wireless communication has been the backbone of human progress and development in the post second world war era. With the ability to send digital data packets wirelessly, the range of interconnected products, and features therein have increased manifold, and so has the need and desire for the same. Connectivity, while travelling in one’s personal vehicle has been a difficult problem to solve over the years. Presently, four wheeled vehicles come equipped with hands free communication devices that are independent, or are networked with the user’s mobile phone or any other electronic communication device.
[003] Features such as real time tracking of electronic devices is available on multiple electronic platforms in recent times. Mobile phones, tablets, and computers all come equipped with the circuitry and the programming necessary for the same. Such platforms have been developed for vehicles as well. Four wheeled vehicles come equipped with such features, either integrated in the vehicle’s electronic systems itself or through the temporary networking of a mobile device with the vehicle’s electronic systems. Such features however, are still a challenge for the manufacturers of two wheeled and three wheeled vehicles. The challenge for two-wheeler manufacturers primarily arises due to the constraint of available space, and mounting points of antennae. Antennae need to be mounted in a closed space protected from natural elements, in close proximity to the central processing unit in the instrument cluster/ speedometer, and should not be obstructed by any metallic surfaces on any sides. Another challenge is the size and cost of such a device that would have to be installed if it was installed far away from the central processing unit of the vehicle, so that it would have to use an active antenna, which would be cost intensive.
[004] Generally, instrument cluster in vehicles, except in four wheelers, do not have any wireless communication feature. Such vehicles require an additional telematics unit to be located in the vehicle with additional mounting arrangements and constraints on its location in the vehicle. Some two wheeled vehicles have features wherein a mobile device can interface with the vehicle’s electronics systems. However, the two wheeled vehicles generally do not have electronic systems and antennae for real time geolocation of the vehicle and the display of such information on the vehicle’s instrument cluster. The primary concern with such electronic systems in two wheelers is their mounting and integration into the vehicle’s instrument cluster, as such instrument clusters are tightly packed and do not contain the space necessary. More specifically, the concern with such electronic systems is the mounting of the antenna is used. An active antenna can be mounted at a distance from the instrument cluster, but would need more instrumentation, namely a power source, a signal amplifier, and a longer connecting cable to the processing unit, and would be cost intensive compared to the passive antenna setup. A passive antenna on the other hand, in the absence of a signal amplifier would necessarily have to be mounted close to the processing unit. It wouldn’t require the additional components necessary for an active antenna, and would be cost effective.
[005] Such antenna has to be mounted in such a manner so that it has a clear line of sight towards the atmosphere, unobstructed by any planar metallic element facing towards the receiving surface. The display unit, and other elements in the instrument cluster is usually covered in a metallic surface, primarily aluminium to ease the dissipation of heat from the TFT’s (Thin Film Transistors) in the display unit. Additional heat is also generated by the processor, and similar heat dissipating methodology has to be implemented there as well. In bigger size display, excessive heat is generated due to multiple processors and PCB’s (Printed Circuit Board), which can dissipate heat up to 10 W. It can therefore be said that there are multiple metallic surfaces within the instrument cluster of the two wheeled vehicles. Such metallic surfaces act as a barrier to any antenna, making the mounting of the antenna near the processing unit, within the instrument cluster a challenge.
[006] Mounting the antenna separately from the instrument cluster would require connecting cables which would be above the impedance threshold to use a passive antenna. Also, separate non-metallic housing casing has to be implemented within the body panels of the two wheeled vehicle to protect the antenna from natural elements.

Summary of the Invention

[007] In existing vehicles, the telematics unit is used to track the vehicle. The instrument cluster does not display the geolocation to the driver from the telematics unit. The instrument cluster is generally only equipped with Bluetooth connectivity to communicate with a mobile device of the driver or a user. However, there is a need to compute and render the maps with the geolocation of the vehicle on the instrument cluster itself. In order to achieve this, there is a need to mount the geolocation device as close to the instrument cluster as possible. Moreover, calculating the location of the vehicle on the instrument cluster as well as the mobile device of the user will only be a redundancy. Additionally, existing vehicles are often capable of displaying maps without the capability of showing real time traffic conditions and the location of the vehicle itself. Over the air update to the vehicles is a very complex and cost intensive process.
[008] It is therefore an objective of the present invention is to an instrument cluster with an antenna located within the enclosure of the instrument cluster. The invention further aims to provide a mounting for an antenna which is suitable for commonization across various instrument clusters of varying dimensions in two wheelers.
[009] This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described below, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
[0010] In an aspect, an instrument cluster for a vehicle is disclosed. The instrument cluster comprising: a first cover; a display unit, the display unit is attached to the first cover; a second cover, the second cover to the first cover; wherein, the first cover is capable of accommodating one or more electronic components.
[0011] In an embodiment, one or more heat sink is integrated with the second cover.
[0012] In an embodiment, the first cover is configured to have an inner periphery, the inner periphery having a plurality of structural ribs, wherein the display unit is disposed within the space between the inner periphery, and the second cover is attached to the first cover.
[0013] In an embodiment, the first cover is configured to have one or more grooves between the at least one structural rib and another structural rib of the plurality of structural ribs in the first cover.
[0014] In an embodiment, the first cover is configured to accommodate electronic components within the at least one groove in the periphery.
[0015] In an embodiment, the at least one PCB antenna is capable of being press fit into the at least one groove, such that a line of sight of a receiving side of the antenna towards atmosphere is not obstructed by any metallic planar surfaces.
[0016] In an embodiment, the at least one antenna is connected to the at least one PCB main processing unit, the connection is enabled by one or more co-axial cable communicatively connected to the PCB main processing unit using a UFL plug and connector.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] The details are described with reference to an embodiment of the mounting of an antenna in the instrument cluster of a two wheeled vehicle along with the accompanying diagrams. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference similar features and components.
[0018] Figure 1 (a) exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of the instrument cluster.
[0019] Figure 1 (b) exemplarily illustrates an exploded perspective view of electronic parts constituting the instrument cluster.
[0020] Figure 2(a) exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of the rear of a first cover , wherein it houses the metallic fins for the heat sink and associated parts therein
[0021] Figure 2(b) exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of the first cover disposed on the display unit, with the at least one PCB main processing unit disposed on the first cover
[0022] Figure 3 exemplarily illustrates a cross-sectional planar view of the instrument cluster along the plane perpendicular to the plane along defined by the top surface of the display unit.
[0023] Figure 4 exemplarily illustrates the connection between an at least one PCB antenna unit and the at least one PCB main processor unit.

Detailed Description
[0024] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following description thereof, set out hereunder.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, an instrument cluster comprising a display unit, a first cover, a central processing unit, a processor unit for one or more antennae, and a second cover.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first cover and the second cover are plastic parts.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first cover and the second cover are configured to have at least one structural ribs.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first cover is configured to have an inner periphery defined by the boundary of the at least one structural ribs which is defined by the shape of the display unit, which is housed within the periphery and the second cover is disposed on the first cover.
[0029] In another embodiment of the present invention, the first cover is configured to have a groove between the at least one structural rib and at least another one structural rib on the first cover.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first cover is configured to accommodate electronic components within the inner periphery so defined by at least one structural ribs on the first cover, and the second cover.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first cover and the second cover are sealed by means of sealant, and the second cover is configured to have a groove filled with sealant at a periphery of the second cover and the first cover includes a projection at a periphery, the projection is configured to be accommodated in the groove.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first cover is configured with one or more slots to accommodate one or more electronic components within the periphery.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the area outside the inner periphery defined by the at least one structural ribs does not have any metallic planar elements disposed towards the first cover.
[0034] In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the second cover is configured with one or more cut outs to accommodate one or more fins of the heat sink.
[0035] In another embodiment of the invention, the one or more fins is made of a metal and the second cover is a plastic part.
[0036] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the antenna is configured to be housed within the groove so formed by the structural ribs in the first cover.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one PCB is used as the main processing unit, for display and for processing of information. Another one of the at least one PCB may be used by an array of one or more antennae for easy connectivity to the at least one main processing unit PCB.
[0038] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the first cover is configured to have at least one structural ribs, and a groove within the space between two such at least one structural ribs, such that the PCB containing the at least one antenna can be housed within the groove.
[0039] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the at least one antenna is connected to the at least one main processing unit PCB using at least one co-axial cable which is connected to the at least main processing unit PCB by a UFL plug and connector.
[0040] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the impedance value of the electronic circuitry between the antenna and the at least one main processing unit PCB is not greater than Fifty Ohm.
[0041] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the size and components of the at least one main processor PCB does not change with the size of the display unit.
[0042] In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the size of the display unit could vary between five inches in diagonal length to twenty-five inches in diagonal length.
[0043] In a further embodiment, the instrument cluster may connect to a plurality of wireless fidelity (WiFi) network as it travels to determine its geolocation.
[0044] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to mounting of an antenna in the instrument cluster of a two wheeled vehicle along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the present embodiments. The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. 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.
[0045] Figure 1 (a) exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of the instrument cluster (100). The instrument cluster (100) has a first cover (104) and a second cover (106) that are attached to each other such that all the electronic components of the instrument cluster (100) are disposed in the space between the first cover (104) and the second cover (106). Figure 1 (a) shows the first cover (104) to which a glass panel of the display unit (102) is attached. The first cover (104) is a plastic member and the glass panel is an antiglare protective screen protecting a display screen of the display unit. The display screen and the glass panel are rectangular in shape with bezel around extending till periphery of the plastic cover member.
[0046] Figure 1 (b) exemplarily illustrates an exploded perspective view of electronic parts constituting the instrument cluster (100). In the present embodiment, the instrument cluster (100) is placed in an instrument panel (not shown) of a two-wheeled vehicle (not shown). The vehicle can be a two wheeled or a three wheeled vehicle. The instrument cluster (100) houses electronic components comprising the display unit (102), at least one PCB main processing unit (108), the at least one PCB antenna unit (128), one first cover (104) and one second cover (106). Heat sinks are enmoulded in the second cover (106) and the metallic fins (116) for the heat are visible outside on the second cover (106). The at least one PCB main processing unit (108) and other electronic components are housed beneath the heat sink elements. The first cover (104) is disposed on the display unit (102). The second cover (106) is disposed on the first cover (104). The first cover (104) is configured to accommodate one or more electronic components (108, 128), on a rear surface and a display screen of the display unit (112) on a front surface. In the present embodiment, the first cover (104) has one or more cut-outs (140) shown in Fig. 1 for dissipation of heat from the display unit (102) and the at least one PCB (108) to the heat sinks. The rest of the areas in the first cover (104) are not open and have a backing member with mounting slots (124) for the PCB (108) and other associated electronic components.
[0047] Figure 2(a) exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of the rear of the instrument cluster with the second cover (106) partially removed. Figure 2(b) exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of the first cover integrated with the display unit, with PCB main processing unit (108) disposed on the first cover (104). The cut-outs (140) are vertically aligned to the heat sink metallic fins (116) to facilitate easier dissipation of heat from the display unit (102) and its associated components and the PCB main processing unit.
[0048] In an embodiment, the first cover (104) is configured to have at least one structural ribs (134) defining an inner periphery (132) within the area of the first cover (104).
[0049] In another embodiment, between two sets of the structural ribs (134) in the first cover, grooves (130) are formed, such that the groove (130) houses the at least one PCB antenna (128). The PCB antenna (128) is disposed in the groove (130) by means of press fit between the two at least one structural ribs. The PCB antenna (128) is disposed so that the receiving side of the antenna (128) is faced towards the display unit (102), so that there are no metallic planar surfaces interfering the line of sight between the antenna and the atmosphere. The antenna (128) when positioned in the groove is exposed to sky without any hindrance/interfacing components, such as the display screen (102) or heat sinks. In an embodiment, the GPS antenna (128) may be positioned in the grooves in the periphery of the first cover (104) in a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation as shown in Fig. 2(b).
[0050] In another embodiment of the present invention, the first cover is configured to have the grooves (130) on all sides of the inner periphery. The at least one PCB antenna is disposed in one of the slots so that the receiving side of the antennae (128,144) are faced towards the first cover so that there are no metaling planar surfaces obstructing the line of sight of the antenna towards the atmosphere. This allows commonization of the PCB antenna across first covers and display units of different sizes. The antenna PCB is press fit on the slot formed by the grooves and the at least one structural rib.
[0051] In an embodiment, the at least one PCB main processing unit is connected to the at least one PCB antenna with SubMiniature Version A (SMA) connectors, and with the touch and display unit (102) by Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC).
[0052] Fig. 3 exemplarily illustrates the cross-sectional view of the instrument cluster, section taken along X-X’ as shown in Figure 1 (a).
[0053] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first cover (104) and the second cover (106) are sealed by means of sealant, and the second cover (106) is configured to have a groove (130) filled with sealant at a periphery of the second cover (106) and the first cover (104) includes a projection at a periphery, the projection is configured to be accommodated in the groove (130).
[0054] In an embodiment, the at least one PCB antenna (128) is disposed off press fit in the slot created by the groove between two structural ribs in the first cover (104), and is held in place by the assembly of the instrument cluster (100). The receiving end of the antenna (128) is faced towards the first cover (104), wherein there are no metallic obstructions between the antenna (128) and the atmosphere.
[0055] The at least one openings (140) on the first cover removes barriers between the display unit and the at least one heat sinks(116).
[0056] Fig. 4 exemplarily illustrates the connection between the PCB antenna unit (128) and the PCB main processor unit (108).
[0057] In an embodiment, the PCB antenna unit (128) disposed in the first cover (104) is connected to the at least one PCB main processing unit (108) using at least one co-axial cable (146) which is connected to the at least one PCB main processing (108) unit by a UFL plug and connector(148).
[0058] In another embodiment, the antenna for the purpose of geolocation (144) is disposed on the first cover (104) separately from the PCB antennae unit (128) as given in previous embodiments, and is press fit into at least one of the grooves on the first cover (104). The antenna (128) is connected to the PCB main processing unit (108) using at least one co-axial cable which is connected to the PCB main processing unit (108) by a UFL plug and connector.
[0059] In an embodiment, the impedance value of the electronic circuitry between the antenna (128) and the main processing unit PCB (108) is not greater than Fifty Ohm.
[0060] In an embodiment, the top cover (104) has cut sections on the left and the right side of the main processing unit PCB (108) and the antennae PCB (128) to reduce material of the top cover (104) and accessibility of the connectors of the display unit (102) with the instrument cluster (100) PCB. In another embodiments, processing the data from the antennae (128) to delineate the maps can also be done by the main processing unit PCB (108).
[0061] In an embodiment, the display unit (102) is optically bonded with soda lime glass in order to provide a better viewing experience and to avoid internal reflections. Optical bonding eliminates the gap between the display and the external glass cover.
[0062] In light of the above-mentioned advantages and the technical advancements provided by the disclosed method and system, the claimed steps as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed steps enable the above-mentioned solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Further, the claimed steps clearly bring an improvement in the functioning of the system itself as the claimed steps provide a technical solution to a technical problem.
List of reference numerals
100: Instrument Cluster
102: Display unit
104: First cover
106: Second cover
108: One or more PCB
110: One or more heat sink
112: Display
114: Glass cover for the display unit
116: One or more fins
118: Connector
124: One or more slots
126: One or more fastening means
128: NFC-GPS PCB antenna
130: Groove
132: Periphery
134: One or more structural ribs
136: Extended heat sink
138: One or more fastening means
140: One or more openings
142: Processor
144: GPS Patch Antenna
146: Co-axial Cable
148: UFL plug and Connector
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. An instrument cluster (100) for a vehicle, the instrument cluster (100) comprising:
a first cover (104);
a display unit (102), the display unit (102) is attached to the first cover (104);
a second cover (106), the second cover (106) to the first cover (104);
wherein, the first cover (104) is capable of accommodating one or more electronic components (108, 128).
2. The instrument cluster (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more heat sink (110) is integrated with the second cover (106).
3. The instrument cluster (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cover (104) is configured to have an inner periphery, the inner periphery having a plurality of structural ribs (114), wherein the display unit (102) is disposed within the space between the inner periphery, and the second cover (106) is attached to the first cover (104).
4. The instrument cluster (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first cover (104) is configured to have one or more grooves (130) between the at least one structural rib (134) and another structural rib of the plurality of structural ribs (114) in the first cover (104).
5. The instrument cluster (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first cover (104) is configured to accommodate electronic components (128) within the at least one groove (130) in the periphery (132).
6. The instrument cluster (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one PCB antenna (128) capable of is press fit into the at least one groove (130), such that a line of sight of a receiving side of the antenna (128) towards atmosphere is not obstructed by any metallic planar surfaces.
7. The instrument cluster (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one antenna (128, 144) is connected to the at least one PCB main processing unit (108, 142), the connection is enabled by one or more co-axial cable (146) communicatively connected to the PCB main processing unit (108, 142) using a UFL plug and connector (148).