Instrument cluster

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Instrument cluster in the Fiat Punto 176 with indicator lights
3-digital instrument cluster in Mercedes-Benz model series 222 S63 AMG

As the instrument cluster (short for Combined instrument, English instrument cluster ) is called the instrument cluster in motor vehicles ( cars , trucks , motorcycles , etc.), from the assembly of the speedometer , odometer , tachometer , fuel gauge , coolant temperature gauge and warning lights such. B. for the direction indicator (blinker) exists.

Instrument cluster technology

Digital fluorescence instrument cluster from a Dodge 600 BJ 1984, which was also available with Electronic Voice Alert .

While these used to be mechanical displays and later electrical displays, today they are mostly small computers. With the introduction of microprocessors and microcontrollers , (graphics-capable) LC displays became possible. The latest display option was the head-up display , which first appeared in the cockpit of aircraft around 1980 . For better readability there are still pointer instruments, but they are driven by processor -controlled stepper motors. The instrument cluster is connected to the vehicle's CAN bus as a control unit (the U22C bus was a historical, now meaningless forerunner; the K line is also used). This is done in order to obtain the necessary information for display from the connected control devices such as B. to collect the engine control , anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability program (ESP).

Functions

General

Functions that are often taken over by the instrument cluster are display of the time - also with DCF77 synchronization, display of the outside temperature - often combined with ice warning, distance warning with graphic display, on-board computer functionality, control of the tachograph on the tachometer , oil level display , participation in the Implementation of the immobilizer as well as evaluation of the information on engine load and route (in simpler versions only the latter) in order to notify the driver that an inspection is due . In addition to the display and indicator lights, there are usually also acoustic output options, for example for warning tones or as audible feedback from the indicator function. These possibilities vary greatly from one vehicle manufacturer to the next, as well as the equipment variants within a model series, from simple basic to comfort versions.

The instrument clusters have recently been expanded to include vehicle navigation , multimedia applications and emergency call options. The development of the instrument cluster is closely linked in Germany with Continental AG (formerly VDO ) and Robert Bosch , in France with Jaeger, in Great Britain with Lucas and with the US Delphi Automotive , which also has German branches.

In the 1990s, as a non-noble for the bright digital displays, but upscale decor and Tuning - gimmick the word "mice cinema" in dealing spoke treasure .

Black panel

Using the so-called “black panel technology”, the warning and indicator lights distributed across the individual round instruments are only visible when the ignition is switched on or in the event of a fault.

With digitally controlled pointer instruments, the pointer is moved over the entire scale during such a test.

literature

  • Karl-Heinz Dietsche, Thomas Jäger, Robert Bosch GmbH: Automotive pocket book. 25th edition. Friedr. Vieweg & Sohn, Wiesbaden 2003, ISBN 3-528-23876-3 .

Web links

Commons : instrument clusters  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. “You only have to steer yourself” . In: Electronics . No. 22 , October 31, 1985.
  2. https://www.badische-zeitung.de/auto-mobilitaet-1/maeusekino-in-modernen-zeiten--151499934.html