DESC:CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This Application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 202241029878 filed on 24-May-2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to instrument clusters in vehicles and more particularly, to a universal instrument cluster assembly compatible for all types of vehicle engines. More specifically, to the universal instrument cluster assembly which is adapted to provide predefined color illumination based on type of the vehicle engine.
BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, vehicles are provided with a plurality of gauges for measuring different parameters. For example, vehicles include multiple gauges such as, but not limited to, a temperature gauge, a tachometer, a fuel ratio gauge, a voltmeter, an oil pressure gauge, etc. Tachometers are used for measuring rotational speed of the vehicle’s engine. The tachometer also displays the rotation speed of the engine in revolutions per minute (RPM) on an analogue dial. The analogue dial could be calibrated with a plurality of markings and readings for representing speed ranges of the vehicle.
[003] Typically, a conventional instrument cluster assembly (200), as shown in fig.1a) includes a dial surface (D) and a pointer (P) which is moved by a motor to indicate an operating parameter on the dial surface. The dial surface acts as a display panel with markings and characters of various gauges, such as a speedometer, tachometer and hydraulic gauge, displaying information on various conditions and operations of vehicle. Currently, numerous tachometers are separately available for diesel and petrol engines. Tachometers used for petrol engines are not applicable for diesel engines. Red band range of the petrol engine tachometer is different from red band range of the diesel engine tachometer. For example, the red band range for the diesel engine tachometer is 5000 revolutions per minute (rpm) to 7000 rpm (as shown in fig. 1a). While the red band range for the petrol engine tachometer is 5500 (rpm) to 7000 rpm, (as shown in fig. 1b). Therefore, original equipment manufacturers (OEM) are required to manufacture separate tachometers for the petrol engine and the diesel engine, thereby resulting in increased manufacturing cost and difficulty in maintaining inventory for such tachometers. Further, designing and manufacturing of separate tachometers are required for various designs and configurations of the engine.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a universal instrument cluster compatible for all types of vehicle engines, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a universal instrument cluster compatible for all types of vehicle engines.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the universal instrument cluster for the vehicle engine, wherein the vehicle engine is one of a petrol engine, a diesel engine, a compressed natural gas (CNG) engine and a multi-fuel engine.
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the universal instrument cluster which is reliable and is inexpensive.
[008] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the universal instrument cluster which eliminates a need of manufacturing separate instrument clusters for the petrol engine, the diesel engine, the compressed natural gas (CNG) engine and the multi-fuel engine, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and maintaining a separate inventory for different engines.
[009] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the universal instrument cluster which can be configured to selectively represent red bands for one of the petrol engine, the diesel engine, the compressed natural gas (CNG) engine and the multi-fuel engine.
[0010] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the universal instrument cluster which is provided in communication with an electronic control unit to analyze a feature code in End–Of-Line (EOL) of the vehicle to select the red band corresponding to the type of vehicle engine.
[0011] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the universal instrument cluster which eliminates a need for manufacturing different types of applique for different types of vehicle engines.
[0012] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0014] Fig. 1a depicts a conventional diesel engine cluster which represents a red band range from 5000 rpm to 7000 rpm;
[0015] Fig. 1b depicts a conventional petrol engine cluster which represents a red band range from 5500 rpm to 7000 rpm;
[0016] Fig. 2a depicts a front view of a mounting member of a universal instrument cluster, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0017] Fig. 2b depicts a front view of the mounting member having a PCB installed on an upper surface of the mounting member, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0018] Fig. 3 is a schematic of the universal instrument cluster assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0019] Fig. 4 is a flowchart depicting a method of providing a universal instrument cluster assembly compatible for all types of vehicle engines, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0021] The embodiments herein achieve a universal instrument cluster compatible for all types of vehicle engines. Further, the embodiments herein achieve the universal instrument cluster compatible for one of a petrol engine, a diesel engine, a compressed natural gas (CNG) engine and a multi-fuel engine thereby making the management of inventory easier. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve the universal instrument cluster which eliminates the need of manufacturing separate instrument clusters for different types of vehicle engines. Additionally, the embodiments herein achieve the universal instrument cluster which can be configured to selectively represent red bands for the petrol engine and the diesel engine. Moreover, the embodiments herein achieve the universal instrument cluster which is provided in communication with an electronic control unit to analyze a feature code in End–Of-Line (EOL) of the vehicle to select the red band corresponding to the type of vehicle engine. Referring now to the drawings Figs 2a through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0022] Fig. 2a depicts a front view of a mounting member (102) of a universal instrument cluster (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The universal instrument cluster assembly (100) includes a dial surface (not shown), a pointer (not shown), a mounting member (102), a light emitting assembly (not shown), a first light emitting source (104) and a second light emitting source (106), as shown in fig. 2b), a printed circuit board (112), and a controller (114), (as shown in fig. 3). The pointer (not shown) is moved by a motor (not shown) to indicate an operating parameter on the dial surface. The light emitting assembly (not shown) is disposed below the dial surface. The light emitting assembly is provided below the dial surface such that the light emitting assembly illuminates the dial surface and the pointer.
[0023] Fig. 2b depicts a front view of the mounting member (102) having a PCB (112) installed on an upper surface of the mounting member (102), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Further, the mounting member (102) defines a plurality of apertures (110), as shown in fig. 2a) and a cavity (108) at predetermined positions. Further, the mounting member (102) is formed such that each aperture (110) is adapted to accommodate a light source (not shown) of the light emitting assembly (not shown). In an embodiment, the PCB (112) is attached below the mounting member (102). The PCB (112) includes the light sources, the first light emitting source (104) and the second light emitting source (106) which are electrically connected to a battery (not shown) through the controller (114). The light sources, the first light emitting source (104) and the second light emitting source (106) of the PCB (112) are exposed to the dial surface through the aperture (110) and cavity (108) of the mounting member (102). The second light emitting source (106) is located near the first light emitting source (104).
[0024] Fig. 3 is a schematic of the universal instrument cluster assembly (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Further, the instrument cluster assembly (100) is provided in communication with the controller (114) which is adapted to control the functions of the instrument cluster assembly (100). The controller (114) is configured to selectively activate one of the first light emitting source (104) and the second light emitting source (106) based on the type of vehicle engine. Further, the controller (114) communicates with an engine control unit (ECU) of the vehicle whereby, the controller (114) determines the type of engine based on at least one feature code stored internally within a cluster memory unit (116) or electrically erasable programable read-only memory (EEPROM)) of the ECU of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the controller (114) is configured to determine whether the engine is one of a petrol engine, a diesel engine, a CNG engine or/and a multi-fuel engine based on the feature code stored in the cluster memory unit (116). The feature code is different for each type of vehicle engine.
[0025] In an embodiment, the universal instrument cluster assembly (100) can be configured to be the diesel engine cluster in which the controller (114) is configured to switch OFF the second light emitting source (106) and switch ON the first light emitting source (104) to indicate red light. Further, in an embodiment, the universal instrument cluster assembly (100) can be configured to be a petrol engine cluster in which the controller (114) is configured to switch OFF the first light emitting source (104) and switch ON the second light emitting source (106) to indicate a white light. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, each of the first light emitting source (104) and the second light emitting source (106) is considered to be a light emitting diode (LED). In an embodiment, a software control is provided to select different red bands according to types of vehicle engines.
[0026] Fig. 4 is a flowchart depicting a method (300) of providing a universal instrument cluster assembly (100) compatible for all types of vehicle engines, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The method (300) of providing a universal instrument cluster assembly (100) compatible for all types of vehicle engines is disclosed. The method (300) includes providing a mounting member (102) having a plurality of apertures (110) and at least one cavity (108) at predetermined positions (at step 302). Further, the method (300) includes positioning a PCB (112) below the mounting member (102) (at step 304). Furthermore, the method (300) includes installing a first light emitting source (104) and a second light emitting source (106) in the PCB (112) such that the first light emitting source (104) and the second light emitting source (106) are exposed to the dial surface from the cavity (108) (at step 306). Additionally, the method (300) includes communicating, by a controller (114) with the first light emitting source (104) and the second light emitting source (106) through the PCB (112) (at step 308). Moreover, at step (310), the method (300) includes determining, by the controller (114), type of vehicle engine by analyzing a feature code stored internally within a cluster memory unit (116) or EEPROM) of a vehicle ECU. At step (312), the method (300) includes activating, by the controller (114), one of the first light emitting source (104) and the second light emitting source (106) based on determined type of vehicle engine.
[0027] The method step (312) includes switching OFF the second light emitting source (106) by the controller (114), and switching ON the first light emitting source (104) by the controller (114) to indicate red light on determining the vehicle engine is a diesel engine. Further, the method step (312) includes, switching OFF the first light emitting source (104) by the controller (114), and switching ON the second light emitting source (106) by the controller (114) to indicate white light on determining the vehicle engine is a petrol engine.
[0028] The technical advantages of the universal instrument cluster (100) are as follows. The universal cluster assembly (100) eliminates the need of manufacturing separate clusters for petrol engine, diesel engine, compressed natural gas (CNG) engine and multi-fuel engine thereby making the management of inventory easier. The universal cluster assembly (100) is reliable and is inexpensive. The universal cluster can be configured for selective predefined color illumination to represent red bands of petrol engine, diesel engine, compressed natural gas (CNG) engine and multi-fuel engine. The universal cluster reduces cost and testing time. The universal cluster assembly (100) facilitates a reduction from 2 applique to 1 applique.
[0029] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:We claim,
1. A universal instrument cluster assembly (100) for a vehicle, said universal instrument cluster assembly (100) having a dial surface, a pointer, a light emitting assembly, a controller (114), and a printed circuit board (PCB) (112), said universal instrument cluster assembly (100) comprising:
a mounting member (102), wherein said mounting member (102) defines a plurality of apertures (110) and at least one cavity (108) at predetermined positions, wherein said PCB (112) is attached below said mounting member (102);
a first light emitting source (104); and
a second light emitting source (106), wherein said first light emitting source (104) and said second light emitting source (106) are installed on said PCB (112) and are exposed to said dial surface through said cavity (108),
wherein,
said controller (114) is configured to selectively activate one of said first light emitting source (104) and said second light emitting source (106) through said PCB (112) based on a type of vehicle engine.
2. The universal instrument cluster assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller (114) is configured to determine the type of vehicle engine by analyzing a feature code stored internally within a cluster memory unit (116) or EEPROM) of a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU), wherein said feature code is different for each type of vehicle engine, wherein said vehicle engine is one of a petrol engine, a diesel engine, a compressed natural gas (CNG) engine and a multi-fuel engine.
3. The universal instrument cluster assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first light emitting source (104) and said second light emitting source (106) are at least light emitting diode (LED) of predetermined color;
said first color light emitting source (104) is at least a red color LED;
said second color emitting source (106) is at least a white color LED;
said universal instrument cluster assembly (100) can be configured to be a diesel engine cluster in which said controller (114) is configured to switch OFF said second light emitting source (106) and switch ON said first light emitting source (104) to indicate red light; and
said universal instrument cluster assembly (100) can be configured to be a petrol engine cluster in which said controller (114) is configured to switch OFF said first light emitting source (104) and switch ON said second light emitting source (106) to indicate a white light.
4. The universal instrument cluster as claimed in claim 1, wherein said printed circuit board (PCB) (112) is disposed below said light emitting assembly, wherein each light source of said light emitting assembly is secured to said PCB (112), wherein each of said light source, said first light emitting source (104) and said second light emitting source (106) are electrically connected to said controller (114) through said PCB (112)
5. A method (300) of providing a universal instrument cluster assembly (100) compatible for all types of vehicle engines, said method (300) comprising:
providing a mounting member (102) having a plurality of apertures and at least one cavity (108) at predetermined positions;
positioning a PCB (112) below said mounting member (102);
installing a first light emitting source (104) and a second light emitting source (106) on said PCB (112) such that said first light emitting source (104) and said second light emitting source (106) are exposed to a dial surface from said cavity (108);
determining, by said controller (114), type of vehicle engine by analyzing a feature code stored internally within a cluster memory unit (116) or EEPROM of a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU); and
activating, by said controller (114), one of said first color light emitting source (104) and said second color light emitting source (106) through said PCB (112) based on determined type of vehicle engine.
6. The method (300) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said activating, by said controller (114), one of said first color light emitting source (104) and said second color light emitting source (106) through said PCB (112) based on determined type of vehicle engine includes,
switching OFF said second light emitting source (106) by said controller (114), and switching ON said first light emitting source (104) by said controller (114) to indicate red light on determining the vehicle engine is a diesel engine.
7. The method (300) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said activating, by said controller (114), one of said first color light emitting source (104) and said second color light emitting source (106) through said PCB (112) based on determined type of vehicle engine includes,
switching OFF said first light emitting source (104) by said controller (114), and switching ON said second light emitting source (106) by said controller (114) to indicate white light on determining the vehicle engine is a petrol engine.
8. The method (300) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first light emitting source (104) is at least a red color LED;
said second light emitting source (106) is at least a white color LED; and
said first color light emitting source (104) and said second color light emitting source (106) are electrically connected to said controller (114) through PCB (112)