Instrument cluster arrangements for vehicles

Abstract

An information display system for a vehicle is provided. The information display system includes a steering wheel including a ring portion and a upper opening region within the ring portion, an instrument cluster arrangement positioned forward of the steering wheel and including one or more gauges positioned such that at least a portion of the one or more gauges is visible through the upper opening region of the steering wheel, a holder configured to receive a handheld device, the holder being positioned adjacent to the one or more gauges such that the handheld device being placed on the holder is visible through the upper opening region, and an electronic control unit configured to communicate with the handheld device positioned in the holder to display information associated with the vehicle on the handheld device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An information display system for a vehicle, comprising:
 a steering wheel comprising a ring portion and a upper opening region;   an instrument cluster arrangement positioned forward of the steering wheel and comprising:
 one or more gauges positioned such that at least a portion of the one or more gauges is visible through the upper opening region of the steering wheel; and 
 a holder configured to receive a handheld device, the holder being positioned adjacent to the one or more gauges such that when the handheld device is placed on the holder the handheld device is visible through the upper opening region; and 
   an electronic control unit comprising:
 one or more processors; and 
 a non-transitory memory storing computer readable and executable instructions which, when executed by the processors, cause the electronic control unit to communicate with the handheld device positioned in the holder to display information associated with the vehicle on the handheld device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The information display system of  claim 1 , wherein the steering wheel includes one or more operator controls for sending an instruction to the handheld device. 
     
     
         3 . The information display system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the one or more operator controls is communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit; and   the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processors, further cause the electronic control unit to send a signal for changing a display mode of the handheld device in response to one of the one or more operator controls being actuated.   
     
     
         4 . The information display system of  claim 1 , wherein the holder is rotatable. 
     
     
         5 . The information display system of  claim 1 , wherein the holder comprises a plurality of arms engaging with the handheld device. 
     
     
         6 . The information display system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processors, further cause the electronic control unit to communicate with the handheld device via Bluetooth. 
     
     
         7 . The information display system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processors, further cause the electronic control unit to start communicating with the handheld device when the instrument cluster arrangement detects a presence of the handheld device. 
     
     
         8 . The information display system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processors, further cause the electronic control unit to send an instruction for operating an application on the handheld device to display the information associated with the vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The information display system of  claim 1 , wherein the instrument cluster arrangement comprises a sensor detecting a presence of the handheld device on the holder based on a signal from the sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The information display system of  claim 9 , wherein the sensor is a proximity sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The information display system of  claim 9 , wherein the sensor is a weight sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The information display system of  claim 1 , wherein positions of the one or more gauges are adjustable. 
     
     
         13 . The information display system of  claim 1 , wherein the information associated with the vehicle comprises at least one of speed information, fuel gauge information, headlight indicator information, oil pressure information, air pressure information, voltmeter information, turn signal indicator information, cruise control indicator information, fuel economy information, outside temperature information, navigation information, fuel economy information, speed limit information, and information on media. 
     
     
         14 . The information display system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processors, further cause the electronic control unit to send a signal for restricting a predetermined application on the handheld device when the instrument cluster arrangement detects a present of the handheld device. 
     
     
         15 . The information display system of  claim 14 , wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processors, further cause the electronic control unit to send a signal for withdrawing the restriction when the electronic control determines that a speed of the vehicle is zero. 
     
     
         16 . The information display system of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic control unit communicates with the handheld device via a USB connection. 
     
     
         17 . The information display system of  claim 1 , wherein the instrument cluster arrangement comprises a charger for charging the handheld device wirelessly. 
     
     
         18 . An information display system for a vehicle, comprising:
 a steering wheel comprising a ring portion and a upper opening region; and   an instrument cluster arrangement positioned forward of the steering wheel and comprising:
 a first gauge having a first fixing member on a portion of a boundary of the first gauge; and 
 a second gauge having a second fixing member on a portion of a boundary of the second gauge, 
 wherein the first fixing member and the second fixing member are configured to hold a handheld device placed between the first and second gauges, and the first and second gauges are positioned such that when the handheld device is placed between the first and second gauges the handheld device is visible through the upper opening region; and 
   an electronic control unit comprising:
 one or more processors; and 
 a non-transitory memory storing computer readable and executable instructions which, when executed by the processors, cause the electronic control unit to communicate with the handheld device positioned between the first and second gauges to display information associated with the vehicle on the handheld device. 
   
     
     
         19 . The information display system of  claim 18 , wherein positions of the first gauge and the second gauge are adjustable. 
     
     
         20 . The information display system of  claim 18 , wherein the instrument cluster arrangement comprises a horizontal support for supporting a bottom of the handheld device.