Meter driving device

Details Meter driving device Meter driving device

1998-04-29

2001-01-23

Horabik, Michael (Department: 2735)

Communications: electrical

Continuously variable indicating

With meter reading

C307S010100, C340S517000, C340S488000, C340S315000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06177878

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a vehicular meter driving device and, more particularly, to integration of electronic component units other than the meter.
BACKGROUND ART
In a vehicle, various electronic components and devices, such as illuminated key entry system, defogger timer, seat belt warning system, light turning-off reminding warning system, key takeout reminding warning system, power door lock, and keyless entry system, are independently installed and distributed. These electronic components are electrically connected with a meter unit mounted in front of the driver's seat. The electronic components are controlled by system means such as a microcomputer incorporated in the meter unit in accordance with a program previously stored in a ROM of the meter unit. The state of the vehicle detected by the electronic components is displayed on the meter unit if necessary (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 203553/1995.)
Integration of the distributed independent electronic components is considered as means for achieving cost reduction. The combination of the required electronic components differs according to the vehicular specifications for specific climatic areas or the vehicle grade. Therefore, if electronic components are integrated simply according to the combination, then the number of variations increases. Consequently, large cost reduction cannot be expected.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 276571/1994 discloses a multiplexed transmission device for a vehicular electric system. This multiplexed transmission device is separate from electronic components, unlike the prior art device. Since these two kinds of systems can be separately developed and manufactured, it is possible to prevent the electronic components and the multiplexed transmission device from increasing in total number. Even with this structure, however, the number of variations described above cannot be sufficiently decreased.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The above object is achieved in accordance with the teachings of the invention by a meter driving device comprising electronic component units and attach-and-detach means for attaching and detaching a meter unit to and from the electronic component units that are fabricated by classifying electronic parts other than the meter unit into plural integrated electronic component units. A control portion for controlling the electronic component units and a power supply portion for electrically energizing the electronic component units are mounted in the meter unit. The electronic component units is controlled and electrically energized via the attach-and-detach means. The number of variations can be reduced greatly. This can greatly contribute to a decrease in the cost.
In another feature of the invention, identification means are mounted which permit the electronic component units described above to identify the kinds of the electronic component units by itself. Therefore, any special operation is not necessary in production lines. This immensely contributes to simplification of the process.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4119948 (1978-10-01), Ward et al.
patent: 5154617 (1992-10-01), Suman et al.
patent: 0 871 015 (1998-10-01), None
patent: 2 276 038 (1994-09-01), None
patent: 4-39531 (1992-09-01), None
patent: 6-276571 (1994-09-01), None
patent: 6-276644 (1994-09-01), None
patent: 7-047869 (1995-02-01), None
patent: 7-47869 (1995-02-01), None
patent: 7-096774 (1995-04-01), None
patent: 7-96774 (1995-04-01), None
patent: 7-203553 (1995-08-01), None

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