Display device, motor vehicle having a display device, and method for operating a display device

Abstract

The invention relates to a display device (14), preferably a display device (14) of a motor vehicle (10), comprising: a flexible display surface element (16) having a display surface; and an adjustment device (30), comprising a clamping element (20) arranged so as to be movable in a first adjustment direction (22) and configured as a rod, a restoring element (26) arranged on the clamping element (20), and a deflecting element (24) configured as a rod. A first side of the display surface element (16) is arranged along the length of the clamping element (20). A second side of the display surface element (16), which is opposite the first side, is connected to the clamping element (20) via the restoring element (26), so that the surface of the display surface element (16) is curved and has a curved region. The length of the deflection element (24) extends in the same direction as the clamping element (20), the deflection element (24) extends within the curved portion of the curved display surface element and is arranged so as to be movable in a second adjustment direction (28) in order to change the distance between the deflection element (24) and the clamping element (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device, i.e., an apparatus, an apparatus component, or an apparatus assembly designed to display display content. The display device comprises a flexible display surface element having a display surface for displaying display content. The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle having such a display device. Background Art

[0002] Displays are increasingly being incorporated into vehicles and becoming design elements. The goal is to provide displays that are as large as possible, with sizes that can be varied depending on the application, such as manual or automated driving. The goal is also to arrange the displays in an attractive manner.

[0003] Firstly, installation space, but also, for example, legal restrictions limit the possible size and position of permanently installed, rigid displays.

[0004] DE 101 15 050 A1 describes a display device, in particular for a vehicle, which comprises a flat screen and a positioning mechanism by means of which the flat screen can be moved into a desired viewing position.

[0005] DE 41 28 663 A1 describes a dashboard having a screen for displaying information and a keypad for calling up this information and for entering data.

[0006] EP 1 637 387 A1 discloses a display device for a vehicle, which comprises a display for displaying data of an application program to a vehicle user and a pivot mechanism for moving the display between at least two positions.

[0007] The height of the display surface of a display device according to the prior art is changed by extending or expanding the display surface. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to increase the dynamics when the size of the display surface is changed.

[0009] The present invention is based on the idea of ​​extending a display surface element, such as a display, not only in one direction, thereby increasing its height, but also in a second direction, namely, in width, to increase the display surface. For this purpose, a flexible display surface element, such as a flexible OLED screen, is used. The display's flexibility is used to extend the display. A first kinematic mechanism extends the display surface element, such as the entire display unit, and thereby adjusts the display height. In the initial position, i.e., in a position where the available display surface is smaller than in the panoramic position, the display surface element is not rolled up. Instead, it is clamped or extended using a second kinematic mechanism and a restoring element, such as a spring.

[0010] The display width can thus be adjusted. The entire unit offers the possibility of freely adjusting the display surface size and form factor between a minimum and a maximum size. Advantageously, different display surface sizes can be provided—that is, adjusted—using simple kinematic mechanisms. Implementing this principle requires relatively little space.

[0011] A display device according to the present invention, preferably for a motor vehicle, includes a flexible display surface element having a display surface for displaying display content. A flexible display surface element is understood to be a component designed as a display surface that is not rigid but rather movable, i.e., bendable and / or elastic and / or rollable and / or unfoldable. The display surface element can preferably be designed as a screen, for example, as a screen with organic light-emitting diodes ("OLEDs").

[0012] The display device includes an adjustment device having or including: a clamping element configured as a rod and arranged so as to be movable in a first adjustment direction; a reset element arranged on the clamping element; and a deflection element configured as a rod. Preferably, the clamping element can be arranged to be movable only in the first adjustment direction.

[0013] An adjusting device is understood to be a mechanical and / or electrical component that can perform a directed movement and can also be referred to as a kinematic mechanism. The adjusting device has a deflection element for moving the clamping element, for example, a cable, a Bowden cable, a hydraulic device, a guide rail and / or an electric motor.

[0014] A clamping element is understood to be a component for holding or gripping the display screen element, i.e., the display screen element can be clamped, clipped, or glued into it, for example; this helps to support the display screen element in a taut manner. For example, the clamping element can be moved or pulled in a first adjustment direction.

[0015] The restoring element is a component or assembly which is designed to exert a restoring force on the display surface element, ie it can be or include a spring, a bellows or an elastic band, for example.

[0016] The first side of the display panel element is arranged or supported, preferably fixed, over the length of the clamping element. Preferably, the first side can be arranged along the length of the clamping element. The second side of the display panel element, which is opposite the first side, is connected to the clamping element via a reset element, so that the surface of the display panel element is curved and forms a bending area. The bending area is the area in which the flat display panel element is turned over, i.e., bent. The bending area is thus formed by a curved or wrinkle-free turned display panel element, i.e., the bending area is the area in which the surface of the display panel element forms a bend. Preferably, the display panel element is bent only once without wrinkles, i.e., without curling.

[0017] The length of the deflection element extends primarily in the same direction as the clamping element, preferably in the same direction. The length of the deflection element thus has the same orientation as the clamping element. The deflection element extends within the curvature or "inner bend" of the curved display surface element and is arranged to be movable in a second adjustment direction, so that the adjustment device is designed to change the spacing between the deflection element and the clamping element. Preferably, the second adjustment direction extends perpendicularly to the first adjustment device. The deflection element can, for example, be moved or pulled in the second adjustment direction.

[0018] The restoring element exerts a restoring force on the display surface element toward the clamping element. In the initial position, in which the distance between the clamping element and the deflecting element is smaller than in the panoramic position, the display surface element is tensioned by the restoring element just as in the panoramic position. Therefore, the display content of the display surface element is clearly visible in both positions, since the display surface element is tensioned in both positions. However, in the panoramic position, the width and, preferably, the height visible to the vehicle occupants are greater, for example.

[0019] The advantages described above are achieved. The display surface element does not fold or wrinkle, or hardly at all, so that the material is protected and wrinkles do not interfere with the display of the display content. The size of the surface available for displaying the display content can be infinitely adjusted.

[0020] Preferably, the second adjustment direction can extend perpendicularly to the first adjustment direction and / or perpendicularly to the extension of the steering element. In addition to the height, the width of the display surface and thus the panoramic display format can be adjusted. This format is particularly useful in motor vehicles, for example, because the space above the dashboard is limited and because the panoramic display format is very useful for, for example, movies.

[0021] The flexible display surface element can be bent around the deflection element only once without wrinkles. This allows the display surface element to be unfolded. In contrast to retractable display surface elements, no drive is required to roll up and unfold the display surface element. This means that dirt cannot be rolled onto the display surface element and thereby reach other areas of the display surface element. This significantly reduces the probability of folding when changing between the initial position and the panoramic position.

[0022] Ideally, the display device may include a control device designed to generate a control signal based on a set / configured usage mode, such as the usage mode of the display device, which describes the adjustment of the clamping element in a first adjustment direction and the adjustment of the steering element in a second adjustment direction. Preferably, the generated control signal describes the simultaneous adjustment of the clamping element and the steering element. Thus, an initial position and a panoramic position can be provided for different applications.

[0023] A control device is understood to be a device, a device group or a device component that is designed and arranged to receive and evaluate signals and to generate control signals. The control device can be designed, for example, as a control chip or a controller.

[0024] The generated control signal can describe a change between an initial position of the display surface element and a panoramic position, in which the distance between the deflection element and the clamping element of the display surface element is greater than in the initial position. Preferably, the set usage mode, i.e., the current or user-selected usage mode, can be a driving mode of the motor vehicle.

[0025] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a motor vehicle comprising an embodiment of the display device according to the present invention. The above-mentioned advantages are also achieved. The motor vehicle according to the present invention is preferably designed as an automobile, in particular a passenger car or truck, or as a bus or motorcycle.

[0026] The display surface element and the adjustment device can preferably be arranged at least partially in the corridor of the interior trim in the initial position, i.e., at least partially sunk into the corridor. The clamping element and the deflecting element can each extend vertically or substantially vertically, i.e., substantially along the vertical axis of the vehicle. When changing between the initial position and the panoramic position, the control device can cause the adjustment device to move the clamping element vertically and the deflecting element horizontally.

[0027] The term interior trim is understood here to mean an element of the interior decoration of a motor vehicle. The interior trim can preferably be a control panel, an air scoop or an instrument panel of a motor vehicle.

[0028] The above-mentioned object is also achieved, while achieving the advantages already mentioned, by a method for operating an embodiment of a display device according to the invention, preferably a display device according to an embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, wherein the control device:

[0029] - determining a set usage mode, preferably a set usage mode of the motor vehicle, in particular a current driving mode or a driving mode selected by the user; and

[0030] Depending on the set usage mode, a control signal is generated which describes an adjustment of the clamping element in a first adjustment direction, an adjustment of the deflection element in a second adjustment direction, preferably a simultaneous adjustment of the clamping element and the deflection element.

[0031] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the display device can be a display device of a motor vehicle, wherein the set usage mode is a set driving mode; preferably, the control device sets the panoramic position of the display surface element in the automated driving mode. Depending on the driving mode, the display surface can be adjusted as needed. In automated driving, where the display device also plays an important role in entertainment, a particularly large area can be provided for, for example, movies. In manual or partially automated driving, a smaller display surface can be set, on which, for example, important driving data can be displayed and the maximum possible view through the windshield can be achieved.

[0032] The present invention also includes a control device for a motor vehicle, which is designed to perform the method according to the present invention. The control device can be configured, for example, as a control chip or a controller. The control device includes a processor device, which is designed to perform embodiments of the method according to the present invention. To this end, the processor device can include at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one FPGA (field programmable gate array) and / or at least one DSP (digital signal processor). The processor device can also include program code, which is designed to perform embodiments of the method according to the present invention when executed by the processor device. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor device.

[0033] The present invention also includes improvements of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the method according to the invention, and the control device according to the invention, which have the features already described in conjunction with the improvements of the display device according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding improvements of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the method according to the invention, and the control device according to the invention will not be described again here.

[0034] The present invention also includes combinations of features from the described embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The following describes an embodiment of the present invention. To this end, it is shown:

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic diagram shows an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention, wherein the display surface element is in an initial position;

[0037] Figure 2 A further schematic diagram of this embodiment is shown, wherein the display surface element is in the initial position;

[0038] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of this exemplary embodiment is shown in a top view, wherein the display surface element is in the initial position;

[0039] Figure 4 A further schematic diagram shows this embodiment, wherein the display surface element is in the panoramic position; and

[0040] Figure 5 A further schematic illustration of this exemplary embodiment is shown in a top view, wherein the display surface element is in the panoramic position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the embodiments, the various components described in the embodiments are individual, independently considered features of the present invention, and these features also independently improve the present invention. Therefore, the present disclosure also includes feature combinations that differ from the feature combinations of the illustrated embodiments. In addition, the embodiments may also be supplemented by other features from the already described features of the present invention.

[0042] In the figures, the same reference numerals respectively denote elements with the same function.

[0043] Figure 1 The principle of the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention is schematically illustrated with the aid of a first embodiment. Figure 1 The view in the cockpit of a motor vehicle 10 , for example a bus or a passenger car, is schematically shown.

[0044] Figure 1 An interior trim part 12 is shown schematically in a top view, which may in particular be an instrument panel or a control panel, or alternatively, for example, a center console or an armrest. Figure 1 The display device 14 shown in FIG is shown here by way of example in a rest position in which the display surface element 16 can be at least partially retracted into the passage 18 of the interior trim 12, wherein, for example, the upper quarter or upper third of the display surface element 16 can be exposed and thus visible. If the display device 14 is not required, the display surface element 16 can, for example, be completely retracted into the passage 18.

[0045] In one variant, the display panel element 16 can be adjusted in the initial position or clamped position to the width of the corridor 18. To expand in the second, horizontal adjustment direction 28, the display panel element 16 can then be completely moved out of the corridor 18, for example, and then the deflection element 24 can be adjusted along the vehicle transverse axis, i.e., in the second adjustment direction 28. Alternatively, as shown in the figures, the width of the corridor can be designed so that the display panel element 16 is also adapted in terms of width to the panoramic position. Lines A and B here highlight the width of the display panel element 16 in the clamped position.

[0046] In the initial position, which can also be referred to as the clamping position, the width visible to the user can be adjusted to the width of the shaft or smaller.

[0047] The display surface element 16 can be, for example, a screen with organic light emitting diodes (OLED). Suitable flexible displays are known to those skilled in the art from the prior art. Figure 1 In the top view of FIG, the display surface element can be connected to the clamping element 20 on the driver's side, for example, by being glued, clamped or clipped to the clamping element, wherein the clamping element 20 can be designed as a rod and can be connected to the clamping element 20 by means of a guide rail ( Figure 1 The first adjustment direction 22 (not shown) is movable along the vertical axis of the vehicle. To this end, the clamping element 20 can have, for example, a clamp, a fixing support or a mechanism for clamping the display surface element 16. The display surface element 16 is fixedly held on the clamping element 20.

[0048] The display panel element 16 is Figure 1 In the example shown, the guide element 16 is bent or rolled once around the rod-shaped deflection element 24, preferably only once and placed around the deflection element 24 without wrinkles. The deflection element 24 can be, for example, a rod made of metal or plastic, which can preferably be designed as a roller with a radius of ten millimeters, for example. The side of the display surface element 16 that is opposite the side that is fixedly held on the clamping element 20 is connected to the clamping element 20 via a reset element 26. In order to Figure 1 The display is clearer. Figure 1 in (and in Figure 2 and Figure 4 Middle) The reset element 26 is not shown.

[0049] To illustrate the side arrangement of the opposite sides on the clamping element 20, Figure 3 A top view is shown in which the restoring element 26 can be designed, for example, as a spring, an elastic band, or a bellows. The restoring element is thus an elastically deformable element for tensioning the display surface element 16, which keeps the display surface element 16 tensioned. The restoring element 26 can therefore also be referred to as an "elastic element."

[0050] Figure 3 The prestressed or reset state of the flexible display surface element 16 is shown, as well as the course of the second adjustment direction 28. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in , this second adjustment direction is preferably perpendicular to the first adjustment direction 22, i.e., extends along the width of the vehicle. In the variant of the display device 14 shown in the figures, the clamping element 20 and the deflecting element 24 can also be arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner, i.e., for example, the clamping element 20 is arranged on the passenger side relative to the display surface element 16, and the deflecting element 24 is arranged on the driver side relative to the display surface element.

[0051] The clamping element 20 and the deflecting element 24 can be components of an adjusting device 30. In summary, the adjusting device 30 can preferably have two linear drives, in which the height is adjusted by means of a movement of the clamping element 20 and the width is adjusted by a movement of the deflecting element 24. Figure 1 and Figure 2 1 and 2. In FIG. 1 , first the movement of the clamping element 20 and then the adjustment of the height are shown. Optionally, when the clamping element 20 moves, the deflection element 24 can also move upwards together.

[0052] Figure 2 The display device 14 is shown at a point in time when the display surface element 16 has been further extended. An optional control device 32, such as a controller of the motor vehicle 10 or a control chip of the display device 14, can control the adjusting device 30. A data communication connection 34 is schematically shown for this purpose, which can be, for example, a wireless data communication connection, such as a WLAN connection, or, for example, a data bus of the motor vehicle 10. While the data communication connection 34 is schematically shown here only as being connected to the steering element 24, it could also be connected to a central chip of the adjusting device 30, which could then control the linear movement of the clamping element 20 and the steering element 24. For this purpose, the adjusting device 30 could, for example, include an electric motor. The optional control device 32 could, for example, include a processor device 35 and / or a data memory 36, on which, for example, program code for executing the method according to the present invention could be stored.

[0053] If the display surface element 16 is adjusted according to the current driving mode of the motor vehicle 10, the control device 32 can receive (method step S1) and evaluate corresponding signals, for example, from a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle 10 and, for example, when determining an autonomous driving driving mode (S2), generate control signals for operating the kinematic mechanism (S3). The control device 32 can then transmit the generated control signals to the regulating device 30 (S4). In the manual driving mode, for example, the initial position can then be reset in which the display surface element 16 can display driving data, such as speed, odometer reading and fuel tank fill level (see Figure 1 ).

[0054] Figure 4 The view in the cockpit is shown, wherein the display surface element 16 is already in the panoramic position. Figure 4 The movement of the display surface element 16 in the direction of the Y axis, ie along the vehicle transverse axis or the second adjustment direction 28, is shown when it is widened into the panoramic position, which can also be referred to as the unfolded position. Figure 4 Not shown, but can be Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the double arrow C shows the widening distance compared to the initial position (clamping position).

[0055] In the panoramic position, the display surface element 16 can have a width ratio of, for example, 16:9. This aspect ratio can also be maintained in the initial position by combining height and width adjustment. In other words, the visible area of ​​the display surface element 16 can be dynamically enlarged and reduced.

[0056] Figure 5 The top view shows that the left side of the display panel element 16 is held fixedly on the holding element 20 during unfolding and is unfolded, for example, when a deflection element 24 of the display panel element 16 performs a rolling movement and the restoring element 26 is pulled over its length.

[0057] The display surface element 16 is therefore under high stress and is pulled by the restoring element 26 toward the clamping element 20 when the deflection element 24 is moved again toward the clamping element 20 .

[0058] In summary, these embodiments illustrate how a resizable and / or resizable display can be provided by the present invention.

[0059] In another embodiment, a display element 16, such as a display, is used that can be arbitrarily enlarged and / or reduced both in height and width. For example, a flexible display with kinematics for extension and corresponding kinematics for expansion and return mechanisms is used for example.

[0060] For example, the exemplary flexible display is firmly clamped on one side, and the other side of the display can be clamped and tensioned on the same clamping element 20 , eg, a clamping part, for example, by means of a spring, eg, as a restoring element 26 .

[0061] In particular, for widening, for example, simple guide rollers are used as deflection elements 24 and a return element 26 , such as a return unit, and the flexibility of the exemplary display is also utilized.

[0062] The system can be moved in and out continuously, expanded to its maximum size, and freely adapted to any desired size.

[0063] It also advantageously results in that different display sizes can be provided. The kinematics used are simple.

Claims

1. A display device (14), comprising: a flexible display surface element (16) having a display surface for displaying display content; and an adjusting device (30) comprising a clamping element (20) arranged so as to be movable in a first adjusting direction (22) and designed as a rod, a restoring element (26) arranged on the clamping element (20) and a deflecting element (24) designed as a rod; in: - a first side edge of the display surface element (16) is arranged along the length of the holding element (20), A second side of the display panel element (16) opposite the first side is connected to the holding element (20) via a restoring element (26), so that the surface of the display panel element (16) is curved and has a curved region, and - The length of the deflection element (24) extends in the same direction as the clamping element (20), the deflection element (24) extends within the curved portion of the curved display surface element and is arranged so as to be movable in a second adjustment direction (28) in order to change the distance between the deflection element (24) and the clamping element (20).

2. The display device (14) according to claim 1, characterized in that The second adjustment direction (28) is perpendicular to the first adjustment direction (22) and / or perpendicular to the extension of the deflection element (24).

3. The display device (14) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The flexible display surface element (16) is bent only once, without wrinkles, around the deflection element (24).

4. The display device (14) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: A control device (32) is designed to generate a control signal as a function of the set usage mode, the control signal describing the adjustment of the clamping element (20) in a first adjustment direction (22) and the adjustment of the deflection element (24) in a second adjustment direction (28).

5. The display device (14) according to claim 4, characterized in that The control signal describes the simultaneous adjustment of the clamping element (20) and the deflecting element (24).

6. The display device (14) according to claim 4, characterized in that The generated control signal describes a change between an initial position of the display surface element (16) and a panoramic position in which the distance between the deflection element (24) and the clamping element (20) of the display surface element (16) is greater than in the initial position.

7. The display device (14) according to claim 4, characterized in that The adjusted usage mode is the driving mode of the motor vehicle (10).

8. A motor vehicle (10) having a display device (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The motor vehicle (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that The display surface element (16) and the adjustment device (30) are arranged at least partially in the corridor (18) of the interior trim (12) in the initial position, so that the clamping element (20) and the deflection element (24) respectively extend vertically; wherein, when changing between the initial position and the panoramic position, the control device (32) prompts the adjustment device (30) to move the clamping element (20) vertically and the deflection element (24) horizontally.

10. A method for operating a display device (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: Control device (32): - determining the adjusted usage pattern (S2), and - generating a control signal (S3) in dependence on the set usage mode, which control signal describes the adjustment of the clamping element (20) in a first adjustment direction (22) and the adjustment of the deflection element (24) in a second adjustment direction (28).

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The control signal describes the simultaneous adjustment of the clamping element (20) and the deflecting element (24).

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that The method is used to operate a display device (14) of a motor vehicle (10) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the adjusted usage mode is a set driving mode; wherein the control device (32) adjusts the display surface element (16) to a panoramic position in the autonomous driving driving mode.

Images