Abstract:
A dashboard for a tactical vehicle having a driver position and a passenger position. The dashboard includes a plurality of panels removably attached together to form a dashboard having a plurality of displays and warning lights viewable from the driver position to provide information for the driver of a vehicle. One of the panels is located in front of the vehicle driver position and has a driver instrument cluster.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 11/430,462 filed on May 9, 2006, the substance of which is incorporated herein by reference, and the benefit of which is hereby claimed. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to the vehicle art, and, more particularly to tactical truck system dashboards. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0003]    The following patents and published applications relate to the subject matter of the present invention; 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 82,501 dated Nov. 11, 1930; 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 100,173 dated Jun. 23, 1936; 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 156,455 dated Dec. 13, 1939; 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 209,957 dated Jun. 23, 1968; 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 339,786 dated Sep. 28, 1993; 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 378,585 dated Mar. 25, 1997; 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 395,030 dated Jun. 9, 1998; 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 397,977 dated Sep. 8, 1998; 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 413,095 dated Aug. 24, 1999; 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 423,434 dated Apt. 25, 2000; 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. D427,613 dated July, 2000; 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. D439,556 S dated Mar. 27, 2001; 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. D440,924 S dated Apr. 24, 2001; 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. D449,263 dated October, 2001; 
         [0018]    U.S. Pat. No. D480,029 S dated Sep. 30, 2003; 
         [0019]    U.S. Pat. No. D489,301 S dated May 4, 2004; 
         [0020]    U.S. Pat. No. D493,395 dated July, 2004; 
         [0021]    U.S. Pat. No. D494,518 S Aug. 17, 2004; 
         [0022]    U.S. Pat. No. D501,811 dated February 2006; 
         [0023]    U.S. Pat. No. D 514 , 995  dated February, 2006; 
         [0024]    U.S. Pat. No. D515,487 dated February, 2006; 
         [0025]    U.S. Pat. No. D534,468 S dated Jan. 2, 2007 discloses a design for a dashboard; 
         [0026]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,621 dated Dec. 29, 1992; 
         [0027]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,655 dated Nov. 9, 1993; 
         [0028]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,585 dated Apr. 28, 1998; 
         [0029]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,756 dated Apr. 6, 1999; 
         [0030]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,227 dated May, 1999; 
         [0031]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,141 dated August 2000; 
         [0032]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,519 dated April, 2002; 
         [0033]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,593 dated July, 2002; 
         [0034]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,215 dated December 2003; 
         [0035]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,307,549 dated December 2007; 
         [0036]    U.S. Published Appln, No. 2005/0280524 dated December 2005; 
         [0037]    EP publication 0 083 701 A2 published Jul. 20, 1983 for a dashboard having in modular elements; 
         [0038]    German 39 2 678 dated Aug. 9, 1990 discloses a vehicle dashboard arrangement; 
         [0039]    EP publication 0 433 524 A1 published Jun. 26, 1991, is for an information panel for a driver and a storage compartment; and 
         [0040]    EP 0 607 585 A1 published Jul. 27, 1994, discloses a dashboard for vehicles having a body at the base of the windshield and supports a set of indicating instruments and warning devices and controls. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0041]    The present invention restructures the dashboard components of tactical vehicles to better accommodate and/or reduce the driver and passenger interface and/or workload. 
         [0042]    There is a desire for a basic tactical truck systems utility vehicle which is a 4×4 wheeled vehicle which incorporates features needed to support the requirements of a combat system. There are several types of such vehicles that are desired, one of which is a command and control vehicle. Such vehicles will be operating on primary and secondary roads, trails and off road ground conditions. They are to be capable of fording water and operating in temperature from basic cold to basic hot conditions. With appropriate adjustment they are to be capable of operating in extreme cold conditions and to be capable of traveling through deep water, such as streams. Also, the vehicle may have a companion trailer which it tows and which performs differing functions depending upon the type of activity being conducted. 
         [0043]    The present invention provides for rapid combat egress from a tactical vehicle. Egress from a combat vehicle, especially during combat, is different than egress from a non-combat vehicle. In combat, a soldier may need to obtain egress within a three second period. Accomplishing this presents certain difficulties. One of these is the equipment that a soldier is wearing during combat, one being a protective vest which may contain protective plates made of material such as ceramic. Also, such a vest has pockets to carry extra ammunition. Further there is padding inside the vest. This adds 1 and ½ inches or more to the body perimeter. During combat, the soldier/driver may need to quickly leave the vehicle, but could be delayed in doing this due in part to the position of the steering column. The steering column, according to the present invention is arranged to be tilted up and away from the driver and this can be for example at an upward angle of 20 degrees. 
         [0044]    In the command and control type vehicle, there needs to be a provision for a driver and a command person and thus a dashboard that provides information to each of them to allow them to perform their designated functions. The present invention provides a dashboard having three primary sections. The first section is on the driver&#39;s side and provides the usual types of displays and controls typically found in commercial and military vehicles. An example of these functions are speed and rpm as well as fuel levels and the conditions of the hydraulic system and the tires. The next section, which is the third section, is on the side of the vehicle next to the command position and the middle or second section is between the first and third sections. The middle section is visible to and usable by both the driver, commander and the gunner if the vehicle is equipped for a gunner. 
         [0045]    The dials, gauges and other displays as well as the controls, which can be push buttons or sliders or gear shifts, depending upon the functions desired, are provided in the three sections of the dashboard. These sections can be configured depending on the mission profile and those control options that are required by function, which can be driven by the requirements of that particular truck variant. The present invention provides a vehicle dashboard system that has incorporated standard and new advance vehicle operational controls as well as looking at crew logical workload sharing and related ergonomics. It provides a vehicle dashboard system that can be configured to incorporate different controls that are required depending on different utility variant configuration. 
         [0046]    The present invention together with the above and other advantages may best be understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings, wherein: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0047]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 2  is an isometric diagrammatic view of the dashboard embodiment shown in  FIG. 1   
           [0049]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0050]      FIG. 4  is an isometric diagrammatic view of the second embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0051]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0052]      FIG. 6  is an isometric diagrammatic view of the third embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0053]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the dashboard of the first embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0054]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the dashboard of the second embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
           [0055]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the dashboard of the third embodiment of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
           [0056]      FIG. 10  is an isometric diagrammatic view of another embodiment of the dashboard as viewed from the driver&#39;s side (left). 
           [0057]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view similar to  FIG. 10 , but taken from a position in the middle of the front seat of the vehicle. 
           [0058]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view similar to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , but taken from the command position. 
           [0059]      FIG. 13  is a diagrammatic view of the driver&#39;s front view panel of the  FIG. 10  embodiment. 
           [0060]      FIG. 14  is a diagrammatic view of the driver&#39;s front functions panel of the  FIG. 10  embodiment. 
           [0061]      FIG. 15  is a diagrammatic view of the driver&#39;s left display panel of the  FIG. 10  embodiment. 
           [0062]      FIG. 16  is a diagrammatic view of the driver&#39;s right display panel of the  FIG. 10  embodiment. 
           [0063]      FIG. 17  is a diagrammatic view of the driver&#39;s side view panel of the  FIG. 10  embodiment. 
           [0064]      FIG. 18  is a diagrammatic view of the common area instrument cluster panel of the  FIG. 10  embodiment. 
           [0065]      FIG. 19  is a diagrammatic view of the commander&#39;s side instrument panel of the  FIG. 10  embodiment. 
           [0066]      FIG. 20  is a diagrammatic view of the commander&#39;s front instrument panel including a retractable map table/keyboard tray of the  FIG. 10  embodiment. 
           [0067]      FIG. 21A  is a diagrammatic view of the retractable map table with integrated keyboard in its retracted position of the  FIG. 10  embodiment. 
           [0068]      FIG. 21B  is a view similar to  FIG. 21A  with the map table in its usable position of the  FIG. 10  embodiment. 
           [0069]      FIG. 21C  is a view similar to  FIG. 21B  with the top shutter of the slide moved back to provide access to the keyboard of the  FIG. 10  embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0070]    The present invention provides a dashboard for a tactical truck systems utility vehicle. The dashboard is configurable depending upon the functions desired for the vehicle. There are various types of vehicles, such as trucks for moving equipment or personnel, trucks with a gun mount for a gunner, ambulances or other medical type of vehicles, and the like. The dashboard arrangement can be configured to fit properly with the overall vehicle configuration and the mission profile. 
         [0071]    Embodiments one, two and three of FIGS.,  1 - 9 , are described below, and it should be noted that not all of the elements shown in the drawings have numbered parts in each figure. 
         [0072]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a first embodiment of such a dashboard  10  which includes a driver section  12 , a middle section  14 , and a command section  16 . 
         [0073]      FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  7  show the driver&#39;s instrumentation cluster  202 , a stop, run and start switch  204 , a keypad assembly  96 , AC and heat air vents  140 , master vehicle light switch  74 , camera control station  206 , a transmission shifter  208 , vehicle diagnostic port  210 , switched 12V DC outlet  212 , AC and heat vent  140 , remote radio interface  214 , DAGR  216 , commander interface terminal  218 , switched 110v AC outlet  220 , switched 24v DC outlet  222 , vehicle intercom control panel  224 , AC/Heater control panel or cab climate control panel  174 , brake switches  128  (which can be pneumatic), a keyboard  188  for the commander interface terminal  218 , winch receptacle interface  226 , and assorted vehicle switches  228 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  which shows a driver  258  seated and the pedals  248  mounted to the dashboard  10 , as well as the pivoted steering column  252 . The steering column is pivoted at a pivot point where there is a handle  254  with an extending lever  256  for unlocking the steering column  252  so that it can be moved to the upward position. There is a steering wheel  258  which is mounted to be movable toward and away from the driver. The set of pedals  248  mounted to the dashboard are adjustable. 
         [0075]      FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  8  show a second embodiment of such a dashboard  10  which includes a driver section  12 , a middle section  14 , and a command section  16 . 
         [0076]    These figures show the driver&#39;s instrumentation cluster  202 , a stop, run and start switch  204 , a camera control station  206 , a keypad assembly  96 , master vehicle light switch  74 , a transmission shifter  208 , vehicle diagnostic port  210 , switched 12V DC outlet  212 , AC and heat vent  140 , commander interface terminal or operational display unit  218 , auxiliary display unit (ADU)  230 , switched 110v AC outlet  220 , switched 24v DC outlet  222 , vehicle intercom control panel  224 , brake switches  128  (which can be pneumatic), a keyboard  188  for the operational display unit  218  and/or for the auxiliary display unit  230 , winch receptacle interface  226 , assorted vehicle switches  228 , and assorted radios  232 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the second embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  which shows the cab without a driver and the pedals  248  mounted to the dashboard  10 , as well as the pivoted steering column  252 . The steering column is pivoted at a pivot point where there is a handle (not shown) with an extending lever (not shown) for unlocking the steering column  252  so that it can be moved to the upward position. There is a steering wheel  258  which is mounted to be movable toward and away from the driver. The set of pedals  248  mounted to the dashboard are adjustable. 
         [0078]      FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  9  show a third embodiment of such a dashboard  10  which includes a driver section  12 , a middle section  14  and a command section  16 . 
         [0079]    These figures show the driver&#39;s instrumentation cluster  202 , a stop, run and start switch  204 , a keypad assembly  96 , a master vehicle light switch  74 , a transmission shifter  208 , a vehicle diagnostic port  210 , commander interface terminal or operational display unit  218 , an auxiliary display unit (ADU)  230 , a keyboard  188  for the operational display unit  28  and/or for the auxiliary display unit  230 , vehicle intercom control panel  224 , a keyboard receptacle  236 , intercom receptacles  238 , assorted radios  232 , switched 12v DC outlets  212 , switched 24v DC outlets  222 , switched 110v AC outlets  220 , an HVAC unit  234 , distributive power modules  240 , trailer brake controller  242 , computer module (NCS)  244 , brake switches  128  (which can be pneumatic), winch receptacle interface  226 , and assorted vehicle switches  228  and main disconnect switch  246 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the third embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  which shows the cab without a driver and the pedals  248  mounted to the dashboard  10 , as well as the pivoted steering column  252 . The steering column is pivoted at a pivot point where there is a handle  254  with an extending lever  256  for unlocking the steering column  252  so that it can be moved to the upward position. There is a steering wheel  258  which is mounted to be movable toward and away from the driver. The set of pedals  248  mounted to the dashboard are adjustable. 
         [0081]      FIGS. 10-21C  shown another embodiment of the invention. 
         [0082]    The controls are designed and logically grouped based on functional relationship and ergonomics. For example, the vehicle mobility functions are co-located on one keypad, and utility functions are grouped into another switch console, and the like. This grouping of functions maximizes head up operations. This enables the crew to effectively accomplish all required control tasks, maximize head-up operation, and optimize sequential operation which reduces the operator overall workloads. 
         [0083]    Controls are back lit where appropriate and provide touch sensory feedback when actuated. The controls associated with the display are either mounted on the display bezel or are mounted under the display like the keyboard and joystick. Controls are designed and logically grouped based on functional relationship with consideration to operator ergonomics. This grouping of functions maximizes head up operations as well as providing for the sharing of workloads between crew members. 
         [0084]    There is a driver instrumentation cluster (DIC) which includes gauges that display fuel level, engine coolant temperature, engine oil pressure, engine tachometer, speedometer/odometer, air pressure for primary and secondary tank, air filter gauge, brake warning (indicating light), park brake status (indicating light) and battery percent of charge. 
         [0085]    The DIC warning lights include engine temperature, headlight high beam, emergency brake status, ABS error,—left and right turn signal, wait to start, stop engine, check engine and transmission, air filter, brake warning, roll over warning for the UV and CT, Tow CT and others. 
         [0086]    The DIC not only lights the correct warning lights, but has a built in audible alarm for low oil pressure, high coolant temp, park brake set, low fuel, low battery charge, low air pressure (primary and secondary) tanks, and others. The vehicle uses the Master Vehicle Light Switch (MVLS) for lighting controls. The emergency flasher switch is located on the utility keypad assembly, which is located to the right of the driver. 
         [0087]    The gauges in the DIC are color coded to indicate safe, cautious and/or dangerous ranges. The gauges are oriented in such a way so that when the needles are pointing straight up, all indications are in the green or desirable operation range. This enables he driver a simple quick glance to verify that vehicle is operating in the desirable range. 
         [0088]    The displays are mounted to be minimally intrusive into the crew space and the controls permit adjustment of contrast and brightness and the display supports blackout mode. The displays are touch screen as well as keyboard driven and the keyboards fold or slide out of the way when not needed. The displays are night-vision compatible. 
         [0089]    In one embodiment, the display controls are located on the display bezel and the hand does not obscure the display when the bezel key is pressed. The keyboard and joystick are located below the display thereby providing an open view of the screen when these controls are in use. 
         [0090]    Dashboard controls are located in clusters around the appropriate crew station, As an example, the driver has controls to shift the vehicle, control the vehicle height (CTIS) and other driver aids. The commander station has access to IT applications, radio control, DVE video display, and it can also act as a control station for the optional remote control weapons system. 
         [0091]    Emergency messages are displayed in the message area of the driver cluster or on the vehicle management display located on the console to the right of the driver. The commander can monitor the vehicle management application from the commander&#39;s work station. 
         [0092]    All controls are directly in front of the user of the display with the exception of the vehicle management display that is mounted to the right of the driver&#39;s position on the central console. The driver can get an acceptable viewing angle with minimal parallax error by sitting fully back in the seat. 
         [0093]    From a pushbutton on the driver&#39;s utility keypad, a request is sent out via a databus to the suspension controller. The suspension controller performs the calculation and provides the center of gravity (CG) and axle-load information via the databus to the DIC for display on the LCD display in a text format and recorded in the vehicle management system (VMS) software. Optionally, the vehicle management software can be enhanced to provide this information in a graphical format if it is useful for the operator. 
         [0094]    A receptacle is placed on the dashboard to allow the connection of the winch handheld control device. Once the winch handheld device is connected, the operator is allowed to extend and or retract the winch cable regardless of which end of the vehicle the winch is installed. 
         [0095]    Another example of the DIC is a display showing the percent of charge remaining in the Hybrid batteries. This information is monitored via the Hybrid Control Module and is communicated via a network to the DIC. In addition to a gauge on the DIC the percent of charge is displayed on the LCD that is located in front of the driver. All of the vehicle&#39;s J1939 data bus traffic is monitored via the VMS software. 
         [0096]    Directly in front of the driver is the driver&#39;s front view panel  18  (see  FIGS. 10-13 ) which includes two main driver displays  20  and  22  which provide the driver with basic information such as the vehicle speed display  24  and next to it is the fuel gauge  26 . At the bottom of the primary displays  20  and  22  are a plurality of additional driver gauges  28  of various types. (See  FIGS. 14-16 ) There is an RPM display  34  on the left display panel  20 . Below the RPM display  34  there is an engine temperature gauge  36  and next to it is an oil pressure gauge  38 . On the right display panel  22  and below the speed display  24  and fuel gauge  26 , there are a transmission temperature gauge  40 , a battery volts gauge  42  and an air pressure gauge  44   
         [0097]    In addition to the gauges, the main driver displays  20  and  22  (see  FIGS. 15-16 ) also have two banks of warning light including a first bank of warning lights  30  and a second bank of warning lights  32 . The first bank of warning lights  30  include the following: jumper status  46 , high beam  48 , roll over UV  50 , roll over CT  52 , potable water  54 , wait to start  56 , generator  58 , electric motor  60 , tow CT  62  and tow legacy CT  64 . The second bank of warning lights  32  include the following: ABS failure light  66 , park brake engage light  68 , brake warning light  70  and air filter light  72 . 
         [0098]    Examples of the utility of such lights are provided, for example, by the ABS failure light  66 . The ABS built in test results are provided to the crew in that the ABS fault indicator light  66  is on the driver&#39;s side of the dashboard and it turns red during the test and under fault conditions and turns off when the test is complete with no errors found. 
         [0099]    There is a master vehicle light switch MVLS  74  to the left of the driver&#39;s front view panel  18  below which is the keyless start switch  76 . (See  FIG. 11 ) The MVLS  74  has the following buttons/switches: B.O. marker  78 , All Off  80 , Stop Light  82 , Ser. Drive  84 , Panel Brt.  86 , Park  88 , Panel Dim  90 , B.O. Drive  92  and Enter  94 . All indicators and gauges are illuminated in service mode. The MVLS has a Panel Bright button  86  and a Panel Dim button  90 . The vehicle driver has control using these control buttons as to the illumination level in any driving condition. This includes all dashboard components, i.e., MVLS  74  LEDs, Utility Keypad  96 , Mobility Keypad, EATON PBSDC and the DIC. An appendix is attached showing some of the functions and conditions of the parts of the Utility Keypad and the Mobility Keypad. 
         [0100]    There is a utility keypad  96  located to the right of the driver&#39;s right display panel  22  (see  FIG. 11 ). This utility keypad  96  has the following; Hybrid mode  98 , Pre-EV mode  100 , Electric vehicle mode  102 , Emergency flashers  104 , Backup alarm override  106 , Reset fuel cutoff  108 , vehicle strobe  110 , work lights  112 , spare  114 , Fording  116 , CG &amp; axle calc  118  and master override  120 . 
         [0101]    Functionally related controls and displays include the start switch, the Master Vehicle Light Switch (MVLS), the mobility and utility keypads, the Collision Warning System (CWS) and the transmission controller. The start switch is the same as is used on the HMMWV and is ordered from left to right as ENG STOP, RUN; START. The MVLS is a new blackout lighting control switch that is standard for many vehicles in the tactical wheeled vehicle fleet, and has 9 keys ordered from left to right and top to bottom as B.O. MARKER, ALL OFF, STOP LIGHT, B.O. DRIVE, ENTER, SER. DRIVE, PANEL DIM, PARK, PANEL BRT. The Mobility Keypad pushbuttons are arranged in a matrix of 4 rows by 3 columns, and ordered from left to right and top to bottom as ON-ROAD, HARD PACK SNOW/ ICE, (blank/ spare), MODERATE OFF-ROAD, DEEP MUD, DEEP SAND, LOW RANGE, TOW - NEUTRAL, HIGH RANGE, MIN RIDE HEIGHT, MAX RIDE HEIGHT, EMERGENCY RESET. The Utility Keypad pushbuttons are arranged in a matrix of 4 rows by 3 columns, and ordered from left to right and top to bottom as HYBRID MODE, PRE-EV MODE, ELECTRIC VEHICLE MODE, PARK BRAKE, VEHICLE STROBE, BACKUP ALARM OVERRIDE, VEHICLE JUMP START, FORDING, CG &amp; AXLE CALC., WORK LIGHTS, RESET FUEL CUTOFF, HILL DEFENSE. The CWS controls and displays consist of 2 units. The Driver Display Unit is located on the driver&#39;s front dashboard to indicate blockage in front of the vehicle, and a Side Sensor display is located on the driver&#39;s right side dashboard panel to indicate blockage on the right side of the vehicle. The vehicle transmission control panel is arranged vertically in 2 columns. The first column is ordered from top to bottom as APG, SERVICE, SHIFT UP, SHIFT DOWN. The second column is ordered from top to bottom as ePTO, R (reverse), N (neutral), D (drive), MANUAL. 
         [0102]    The Start switch  122  is below the MVLS  74 . The Collision Warning System (CWS) DDU  124  is above the utility keypad  96 . There is an air filter display  126  adjacent the utility keypad  96 . There are brake switches  128  under the utility keypad  96 . 
         [0103]    There is a driver&#39;s side view panel  130  (see  FIG. 14 ) which includes a collision warning system SSD  132 , an EATON transmission controller  134 , a mobility keypad  136  a lateral control  138  and an air vent (or AC and heat vent)  140 . The mobility keypad includes: On-road  142 , hard pack snow/ice  144 , moderate off-road  146 , deep mud  148 , deep sand  150 , spare  152 , low range  154 , tow-neutral  156 , high range  158 , Minimum ride height  160 , maximum ride height  162  and emergency deflate  164 . 
         [0104]    There is a common area instrument cluster panel  166  (see  FIG. 15 ) which includes a vehicle management display  172 , a cab climate control panel, a winch control receptacle, a vehicle intercom controller  178 , a bank of convenience outlets for 12 and 24 VDC and  110  VAC, and a vehicle intercom controller receptacles bank  182 . 
         [0105]    There is a commander&#39;s front instrument panel  168  (see  FIG. 17 ) and a commander&#39;s side instrument panel  170  (see  FIG. 16 ). The commander&#39;s front instrument panel includes an EPLR (enhanced position location reporting system) URO (user remote option)  184 , a retractable map table with integrated keyboard, a FBCB2 (Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below which provides situational awareness and command and control to the lowest tactical echelons. It facilitates a seamless flow of battle command information across the battlespace, and interoperates with external command and control and sensor systems, such as ATCCS. The end result is a vertical and horizontal integration of the digital battlespace and the brigade-and-below tactical unit levels) display panel for commander information  190  and an air vent  186 .  FIGS. 18A ,  18 B and  18 C show the integrated map table  188  in various positions. The integrated map table/keyboard assembly  188  is mounted so it can slide in and out to provide a shutter panel  192  which can be used as a map/writing table. When the table is slid out in addition to being used as a writing table, the shutter panel  192  can be slid while the table remains out, and there is a keyboard  194  which is located inside the table and which is then accessible. 
         [0106]    The commander&#39;s side instrument panel  170  includes a remote SINCGARS radio interface  196  and an air vent  198 . (SINCGARS is a single channel ground and airborne radio system which is a recent family of VHF-FM combat net radios which provide the primary means of command and control for infantry, armor and artillery units. They are used with VRCUs (vehicle remote control unit) which permit remote control of single or dual SINCGARS radios in vehicular applications. Using this reduces vehicle cabin space and weight claims issues in support of the SINCGARS radio installation. SINCGARS is a new family of VHF-FM combat net radios which provides the primary means of command and control for Infantry, Armor and Artillery Units. SINCGARS is designed on a modular basis to achieve maximum commonality among the various ground and airborne system configurations. 
         [0107]    There are a plurality of fresh air vents such as vents  140  in the driver&#39;s side panel and  198  in the commander&#39;s side panel. In addition there are a plurality of defrost vents  200  along the top and side of the dashboard as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 7 and 9 . 
         [0108]    The present invention provides:
       improved ergonomics for 5% to 95% of the soldiers and includes reach and visibility of instruments from all seating positions;   compact, higher density instrument cluster, with improved readability and lighter weight, lower cost;   smaller size, due to cab reductions, compressed more user information per square foot, and size reduced by 25%;   lighter weight structure by 25%, and modular structure to reduce install and repair time by a factor of two;   modular structure which adapts to build variations and errors in construction by using internal adjustments and attachment features;   increased density of equipment included, faster remove and replace (5 minutes on average any component), improved operator protection (cover on the dash bottom) during a blast event;   ergonomic improvements include wider range of reach, natural location of functions;   incorporates additional functions, improve adjustable (mechanical slots) pedal placement, dead pedal for off-road driving, natural steering location for ergonomic center line, improved comfort curve;   combat egress for steering column, up angle of 20 degrees, allows soldier with combat vest and gun clips (ammo) to exit quickly with weapon.   lower part of dash is cut away for soldier&#39;s knees to allow exiting with wheel up position.   all parts of dash moved closer to soldier to remove need for lean forward reach; and   incorporated high volume HVAC for legs, chest, front glass to improve ergonomics and reduce cabin temperatures and increase combat comfort zone operation.       
 
         [0121]    The dashboard in the second and third embodiments is built like a wing with a set of ribs and skin, provides manufacturing simplicity, simple installation, R&amp;R of damaged pieces, improved access to components and wiring behind the dash; 
         [0122]    The dashboard wing structure is stronger due to increased strength from interlocked elements which transfer stresses across the whole unit into the cab cowl and firewall. 
         [0123]    It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are simply illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various and other modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.