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Earlier this week we learned of several new patents awarded to GM for adaptive aerodynamic technologies that may be headed to future models of the Corvette. From that deep dive in the USPTO, we also learned of a new patent application being sought by the automaker which also may have some applications in future Corvette models as well.
The patent application from GM is titled Adaptive Instrument Cluster and again the drawings for the application show the dash of the C7 Corvette.
According to the patent document, the electronic dash displays that include the speedometer, tachometer, coolant and oil temperatures and other data on an automobile’s instrument cluster are designed to be viewable through an opening in the steering wheel. However, that data can be obscured up to 50% as the driver turns the steering wheel.
An Adaptive Instrument Cluster is designed so that key information from the instruments are repositioned on the electronic display as the driver turns the steering wheel, thereby keeping some the data from the dash viewable within the steering wheel’s opening.
The patent application says that during normal driving, the turning of the steering wheel can briefly obscure the instrument cluster. However, during performance driving activities such as high-performance driving education (HPDE), the viewing of data is more important to the driver. The application also states an adaptive display would have use in autonomous vehicle operations where the information needs to be viewable by the operator under all conditions.
The Adaptive Instrument Cluster is said to have a controller that monitors the angle of the steering wheel and then repositions the instruments on the electronic display so that at least one instrument remains viewable within an opening formed within the steering wheel.
The three illustrations below shows the electronic display through the steering wheel as represented by an oval. As the steering wheel is turned to the left, the instruments also shift to the left and are oriented so that it still displays the key information through the steering wheel opening. Finally, the third drawing shows an extreme steering wheel angle with the dash display is repositioned to show through two different openings in the steering wheel.
Bad idea... as a racer myself you learn the locations of your key data and it becomes muscle memory to check at certain times/places on track, in the turns are not where I'm looking anyway. If the data is moving around it will be hard to track.
Its one one of my complaints with the variable display on the C7. The redline moves depending on drive mode and it makes muscle memory drag racing harder for me... in a C5 I know exactly where to glance down. Yes I know you can fix it for one display in all drive modes.
I’m sure that GM will allow the feature to be disabled under the cluster settings
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Cars are getting overly complex... no wonder the average person needs a self-driving car sooner than later.
Personally, I like my display to stay in place. As devil's advocate though, this reminds me of an F1 steering wheel. Except more technological and "pretty" for road use. The dash info is on the steering wheel for an F1 driver. However, I believe F1 places it there because there really isnt much material to put a dash behind the steering wheel. Probably not necessarily advantageous being on the moving steering wheel.
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
Originally Posted by CitznFish
Put the instrument cluster IN the steering wheel. Problem solved.
That's what I was thinking too. Not sure I'd like the dynamic display in the IPC - seems that as the data moved around, that movement might catch my eye and cause a momentary distraction. However, the competitive professional driver would most likely become acclimated.
As devil's advocate though, this reminds me of an F1 steering wheel. Except more technological and "pretty" for road use. The dash info is on the steering wheel for an F1 driver. However, I believe F1 places it there because there really isnt much material to put a dash behind the steering wheel. Probably not necessarily advantageous being on the moving steering wheel.
For F1, everything on the car is about packaging and its effect on aerodynamics.
Putting it in the middle of the steering wheel is just the most efficient way to go.
It could be a leap forward, a real innovation. For me, I had to get used to HUD. Wasn't always looking at the display. It finally happened, slowly. Numbers and icons moving around tho could be disconcerting for some, or distracting.
As to putting it in the steering wheel a la F1, that was necessity-driven. The farther my eyes flicker from the windshield, the worse it is for me. Again, this is just me---F1 drivers have far quicker reflexes than most drivers.
I'll be the contrarian here. I think it could be helpful. I'm open to new ideas. I'd have to try it out. I am tired of the tachometer being blocked by the steering wheel when it is turned, which can be a good portion of the time.
I love my HUD (just wish it had turn signals in it) and I'm not really interested in this idea at all. I don't want things moving around on my IP. If I were given a choice of this technology or Blind side/Cross Traffic....I would choose Blind Side/Cross Traffic a 100 to 1 over a gauge cluster that moved.
I'll be the contrarian here. I think it could be helpful. I'm open to new ideas. I'd have to try it out. I am tired of the tachometer being blocked by the steering wheel when it is turned, which can be a good portion of the time.
I don't think it benefits a driver. I have no idea whether the steering wheel blocks the IP when I am on track or even turning on the street. When the car is in a turn I am looking as far forward as I can see so the car goes where I want it to go. Just like when throwing a ball, you look where you want the ball to go. When driving a car you look where you want the car to go not at the IP, the end of the hood or 100 ft in front. The eyes are up and you have a wide screen vision of what is going on around you and the car just seems to go where your eyes are focused. If you are looking at the IP while turning unless at less than walking speed you are eventually going to run into something you don't want to run into.
As to putting it in the steering wheel a la F1, that was necessity-driven. The farther my eyes flicker from the windshield, the worse it is for me. Again, this is just me---F1 drivers have far quicker reflexes than most drivers.
Bad idea... as a racer myself you learn the locations of your key data and it becomes muscle memory to check at certain times/places on track, in the turns are not where I'm looking anyway. If the data is moving around it will be hard to track.
Its one one of my complaints with the variable display on the C7. The redline moves depending on drive mode and it makes muscle memory drag racing harder for me... in a C5 I know exactly where to glance down. Yes I know you can fix it for one display in all drive modes.
agreed. Also why I wish paddles were fixed on steering column
08-16-2018, 02:16 PM
The ME might have an adaptive instrument cluster
with the thread consensus. It's silly. You shouldn't be looking at the IP mid corner anyway.
