Land vehicles – Suspension modification enacted during travel – Riding or suspension height
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-18
2001-07-17
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Suspension modification enacted during travel
Riding or suspension height
C280S006157, C701S036000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260859
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to user interfaces for control systems of vehicles and is particular suited to a user interface for a vehicle suspension control system.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
It is known to provide a vehicle with a control system in which the user must make a manual selection between different modes of operation. One example of such a system is an air suspension system and its modes may be defined at least in part by ride height.
Some of the modes in such systems are mutually exclusive and confusion can arise if the user cannot readily identify which modes are actually available for selection and which one or more of the modes have already been selected or are inhibited from selection.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved user interface for a vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided an interface for a control system of a vehicle, the interface including a mode selection means for manual selection between a plurality of operating modes of the control system, a display symbol dedicated to each of the modes, and control means arranged to determine which of the modes are available for selection and which are not, and to illuminate the symbols corresponding to the available modes and not the symbols corresponding to the modes which are not.
Preferably the control means is arranged, during operation of the control system, to monitor aspects of the operation of the vehicle which determine the availability of the modes, and to illuminate the symbols corresponding to any modes which become available, and to cease illumination of the symbols corresponding to any modes which cease to be available.
Preferably each symbol is substantially secret until illuminated.
Desirably the mode selection means comprises a plurality of switch means each of which is associated with a respective one of the symbols and is operable for selection of the mode associated with that symbol. Each switch means can comprise, for example, a simple push button, or a rotary or toggle switch. Alternatively the mode selection means could, for example, comprise a single rotary switch or sliding switch with a number of positions corresponding to the various modes.
Preferably each of the switch means is capable of illumination independently of its associated symbol, and, when one of the modes has been selected using the corresponding switch means, that switch means is arranged to flash until the selected mode has been entered.
Preferably each of the switch means is also operable to de-select the associated mode, each of the switch means is capable of illumination independently of its associated symbol, and, when one of the modes has been de-selected using the corresponding switch means, that switch means is arranged to flash until another mode has been entered.
Preferably, when the control system has entered one of the modes, the associated switch means is illuminated substantially constantly so as to act as a status indicator for the said selected mode.
Preferably each switch means is arranged to be operatively disconnected from the control system when its associated symbol is not illuminated.
The control system could be a suspension control system in which the modes involve the use of different ride height settings for the vehicle, such as a high setting for high speed travel, a normal level, and a low level for easy access. It could alternatively be a power train control system which is operable in several modes such as economy mode, sport mode, towing mode etc. The invention is also applicable to a control system for a large number of vehicle parameters which allows grouping of settings of the various parameters into ‘modes’. For example the suspension, power train, steering response can all collectively by controlled by the selection of sporting, comfort, economy or normal modes. Such a system is described for example in GB2273580.
The present invention further provides an interface for a control system of a vehicle, the control system having a plurality of operating modes, wherein the interface includes a mode selection mechanism for manual selection between said modes, a display symbol dedicated to each of the modes, and a controller arranged to determine which of the modes are available for selection and which are not, and to illuminate the symbols corresponding to the available modes and not the symbols corresponding to the modes which are not.
The present invention further provides a vehicle including a control system and an interface according to the invention.
The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5037119 (1991-08-01), Takehara et al.
patent: 5269557 (1993-12-01), Butsuen et al.
patent: 5324067 (1994-06-01), Kallenbach et al.
patent: 5913525 (1999-06-01), Schneider et al.
patent: 2273580 (1994-06-01), None
patent: 2313211 A (1997-11-01), None
patent: 6-144277 (1994-05-01), None
patent: PCT/GB97/01393 (1997-05-01), None
Dixon Christopher David
Smith David Philip
Davis & Bujold P.L.L.C.
Dickson Paul N.
Rover Group Limited
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