Instrument_Cluster_And_Infotainement.pptx
- 1. Instrument Cluster (Vehicle Dashboard) - Chandu - Abhishek
- 2. Agenda ● What is an Instrument cluster ? ● Common Symbols & Their Significance ● Clusters for Different Vehicles ● Different type of clusters for different type of vehicles. ● Why There Are Different Types of Clusters for Different Types of Vehicles? ● Can Three-Wheeler Clusters Be Used in Two-Wheelers ● Different Types of Instrument Clusters ● Analog Clusters ● Digital Clusters ● Hybrid Clusters ● New Trends in Instrument Clusters ● Augmented Reality Dashboards ● Role of Embedded Systems ● What Does "Android-Based Cluster" Mean? ● Why is Android used in a cluster ● What Software Is Used in Car Touchscreens ● Summary
- 3. What is an Instrument cluster ● An instrument cluster is the main control panel located behind the steering wheel. ● It displays real-time vehicle information such as: 1. Speed 2. Engine RPM 3. Fuel level 4. Engine temperature 5. Warning lights ● Also called dashboard, gauge cluster, or driver information panel.
- 4. Common Symbols & Their Significance
- 5. How are symbols classified in Instrument clusters 1. Color-Based Classification (Urgency): Color Meaning Driver Action Examples 🔴 Red Serious Warning / Danger Stop immediately / repair Oil pressure, Brake failure 🟠 Amber Caution / System Alert Check soon Check engine, ABS, TPMS 🟢 Green System Active / Normal Informational Turn signals, Cruise control 🔵 Blue Information / Status No action required High beam, Cold engine ⚪ White Notification (New vehicles) Optional or advisory Lane Assist, Speed Sign
- 6. ISO Symbol Standards: ● Many vehicle symbols follow ISO 2575 (International Organization for Standardization), which standardizes dashboard icons globally for consistency across manufacturers and regions Manufacturer-Specific vs Universal Symbols: ● Universal symbols: Common across most vehicles (e.g., oil pressure light). ● Manufacturer-specific symbols: Proprietary or advanced features (e.g., advanced driver assist systems), may differ between brands like Tesla, BMW, or Toyota. ISO 2575 – Road vehicles — Symbols for controls, indicators and tell-tales ● Used internationally ● Defines standard shapes, colors, and meanings
- 7. How RPM is Measured and Displayed 1. Sensing the RPM (Crankshaft Position) ● Sensor Used: Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP sensor) ● Type: Typically Hall-effect sensor or magnetic reluctance sensor ● Function: Detects tooth patterns on a rotating wheel (reluctor ring) attached to the crankshaft. ● Every time a tooth passes, it generates a pulse. 2. Signal Generation ● The sensor produces a pulse train proportional to the rotation speed of the crankshaft. ● The number of pulses per second is counted by the ECU (Engine Control Unit). For example: If the crankshaft has a 36-tooth ring and 720 pulses are received in one second, Then: RPM = (Pulses per second × 60) / Number of teeth = (720 × 60) / 36 = 1200 RPM
- 8. Crank shaft
- 9. 3. ECU Processing ● The ECU reads the pulses and calculates the RPM in real-time. ● RPM = (Number of pulses / Time interval) × Calibration constant ● The value is converted into digital data and sent to the instrument cluster over: ○ CAN Bus (Controller Area Network) ○ Or LIN Bus in simpler vehicles 4. Embedded System in Instrument Cluster ● The embedded MCU/SoC receives RPM data. ● Processes it using display logic (scaling, needle position, font, graphics). ● Updates either: ○ A physical analog needle using a stepper motor (older design) ○ A digital display using a TFT/LCD (modern clusters)
- 10. 5. Display to Driver a. Analog Cluster ● RPM is displayed via a moving needle on a circular dial. ● Labeled in x1000 (RPM) — for example, 1 = 1000 RPM, 6 = 6000 RPM. ● Driven by a stepper motor controlled by the cluster MCU. b. Digital or TFT Cluster ● Displays a bar graph, digital number, or animated needle. ● More customizable: changes color or style dynamically.
- 11. Clusters for Different Vehicles ● 2-Wheeler: Speedometer, Odometer, Fuel gauge, Indicator lights, sometimes digital trip meters. ● 3-Wheelers: Basic speed, fuel level, battery indicator, gear indicator. ● Cars: Full analog/digital display, tachometer, advanced alerts, infotainment integration. ● Trucks: RPM, engine temperature, air pressure, brake condition, heavy-duty alerts
- 12. Different type of clusters for different type of vehicles
- 13. Why There Are Different Types of Clusters for Different Types of Vehicles? Clusters (instrument panels) vary between vehicles because each type of vehicle has different needs, user expectations, functions, and price points. ● Two-Wheelers: Compact, essential data only ● Three-Wheelers: Basic info, cost-effective ● Cars (4-wheelers): More complex features ● Trucks/Buses: Fleet & load info, durability. It depends on: ● Different Functionality Requirements ● Cost & Market Segment ● User Expectations ● Hardware & Electrical System Differences ● Safety & Regulatory Requirements
- 14. Can Three-Wheeler Clusters Be Used in Two-Wheelers From a purely technical standpoint, yes, a three-wheeler cluster can be adapted for a two-wheeler, if: ● The wiring, voltage, and signal types match ● The sensor inputs (speed, fuel, indicators) are compatible ● There’s room to physically install it Why It's Not Advisable: ● Three-wheelers often use different types of speed sensors, gear indicators, or fuel sensors than two- wheelers ● Three-wheeler clusters are usually larger and boxer, designed for dashboards rather than handlebars. Three-wheeler clusters are designed for lower speeds and often simplified layouts. When It Might Be Acceptable: ● In DIY projects or budget vehicle conversions ● For prototyping ● In low-speed custom vehicles (e.g., electric scooters or personal projects)
- 15. Different Types of Instrument Clusters ❖ Analog Clusters: 1. Mechanical dials and needles 2. Used in basic and older models ❖ Digital Clusters: 1. LCD/TFT/OLED screens 2. Fully customizable interface ❖ Hybrid Clusters: Combines analog gauges with digital screen (e.g., central digital display)
- 16. Analog Clusters Analog Clusters refer to traditional, physical instrument panels that use mechanical gauges, dials, and needles to display key information—commonly found in vehicles, airplanes, and older machinery. An Analog Cluster typically includes: ● Speedometer ● Tachometer (RPM) ● Fuel gauge ● Temperature gauge ● Oil pressure and battery indicators Each uses mechanical or electromechanical components to show real-time values via moving needles over marked scales.
- 17. Digital Clusters Digital Clusters are fully electronic instrument panels that use LCD, OLED, or LED screens to display dynamic information such as speed, RPM, navigation, and alerts—all in one customizable, digital interface. A Digital Cluster replaces traditional analog gauges with a digital screen, often offering: ● Speedometer and tachometer ● Navigation maps ● Media controls ● Advanced driver-assist displays (ADAS) ● Customizable themes or layout
- 18. Hybrid Clusters Hybrid Clusters combine elements of analog and digital displays in a single instrument panel. You’ll typically find a physical analog speedometer or tachometer flanked by digital screens that show customizable information like navigation, alerts, or multimedia. A Hybrid Cluster is a transitional design that merges the familiarity of analog dials with the flexibility of digital screens. Common features include: ● Analog speedometer or RPM gauge ● Central digital screen (TFT or LCD) ● Digital sections for: ○ Fuel economy ○ Navigation prompts ○ Media info ○ Driver assistance alerts
- 19. New Trends in Instrument Clusters Trend Description Fully Digital Dashboards Customizable themes, map integration HUD (Head-Up Display) Info projected on windshield AI-based Driving Assistant Integration Like in Tesla and BMW Augmented Reality Dashboards e.g., Mercedes MBUX with AR nav OTA (Over-the-Air) Updates New features via software Voice-based Interaction Amazon Alexa / Google Assistant integration
- 20. Augmented Reality Dashboards An Augmented Reality (AR) display in vehicles is a digital visual system that overlays virtual information (graphics, text, or navigation cues) directly onto the real-world view seen by the driver — usually through the windshield (AR Head-Up Display) or a digital screen (like a smart cluster or infotainment).
- 21. Fully digital cockpit HUD (Heads Up Display)
- 22. Role of Embedded Systems Embedded Systems Handle: 1. Input Signals: Speed sensor, fuel sensor, engine temperature, ABS sensors, etc. Processing Unit (ECU): Microcontroller or processor interprets sensor data. Converts input into readable outputs for the display. 2. Output Signals: illuminates warning lights. Updates speedometer/tachometer. Sends alerts to infotainment or mobile app. Embedded systems make real-time processing possible for accuracy, safety, and reliability.
- 23. What Does "Android-Based Cluster" Mean? An Android-based cluster refers to a digital instrument cluster in a vehicle that runs on Android OS (not to be confused with Android Auto). It's a customized version of Android tailored for the vehicle’s display behind the steering wheel—showing speed, fuel, battery status, navigation, alerts, and more. An Android-based cluster can display: ● Speedometer & Tachometer ● Battery charge / fuel levels ● Turn-by-turn navigation (Google Maps) ● Driving modes (e.g., Sport, Eco) ● ADAS notifications (lane keeping, collision warnings) ● Media & phone info ● Custom themes or layouts
- 24. When is Android Used in a Cluster? Android is used when: ● The cluster is touch-enabled or has rich multimedia features ● OEM wants app-level experiences ● Tight integration with infotainment and cloud services is required
- 25. What Software Is Used in Car Touchscreens Most Common Operating Systems in Cars: 1. QNX (by BlackBerry) 2. Android Automotive OS 3. Linux (Custom Builds) 4. Windows Embedded 5. Apple CarPlay / Android Auto Features used in Car touch screens: ● Touch Interface: Simplifies control, modern UX ● Embedded OS (QNX, Android): Runs vehicle infotainment safely ● OTA Capable: Updates features without dealer visit ● UI Frameworks: Build fast, beautiful, and responsive screens
- 26. Summary ● Instrument clusters are crucial for driver awareness and safety ● Vary across 2W, 3W, cars, and trucks based on needs ● Technology is moving from analog to intelligent digital systems ● Embedded systems are the brain behind cluster functionality
- 27. THANK YOU