Display device for vehicles with parameter-determinable virtual images

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display device (1) for a vehicle, the display device comprising a first display surface (2) and a second display surface (3), the first display surface (2) being translucent and designed to create a virtual image obtained by reflecting an image generated by a display source (6), the second display surface (3) being visible through the first display surface (2), the display device (1) comprising a first display mode in which at least one first piece of information is displayed on the first display surface (2) and at least one piece of second information is displayed on the second display surface (3), characterized in that the display device further comprises a second display mode in which the at least one first piece of information and the at least one piece of second information are displayed on the second display surface (3) and the display source (6) is turned off.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention claims priority to French application 2013800, filed on December 21, 2020, the contents of which (text, drawings and claims) are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a display device for vehicles, and more particularly to a combination instrument. Background Technology

[0003] In the field of motor vehicles, it is customary to display information to the users of the vehicle (e.g., the driver). For this purpose, modern vehicles increasingly include at least one typically flat and rectangular digital panel integrated into the dashboard. Thus, it is known that display devices can create virtual images obtained by reflecting an image generated by a first digital panel onto a partial reflector arranged in the driver's field of vision, with a second display source (e.g., a second digital panel or a conventional dashboard) arranged behind the partial reflector and visible to the driver. International patent application WO2005018976 describes such a device.

[0004] This display device offers new possibilities for displaying and highlighting information for the driver, improving ergonomics and driver-managed information. In fact, the display device has two display surfaces, one arranged behind the other, which can display a virtual image that appears to float in front of the other. However, the use of virtual images is not always satisfactory. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a solution for adapting the display of a combination instrument used to provide virtual images.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention relates to a display device for a vehicle, the display device comprising different first and second display surfaces, the first display surface being semi-transparent and designed to create a virtual image obtained by reflecting an image generated by a display source, the second display surface being visible through the first display surface, the display device comprising a first display mode in which at least one first piece of information is displayed on the first display surface and at least one piece of second information is displayed on the second display surface, characterized in that the display device further comprises a second display mode in which the at least one first piece of information and the at least one piece of second information are displayed on the second display surface and the display source is turned off.

[0007] By means of this invention, the display device is adapted by displaying all information on a two-dimensional plane (the second display surface) in a second display mode. Furthermore, the illumination (the display source) that produces a three-dimensional effect is stopped so as not to provide undesirable reflective effects.

[0008] When these effects are deemed undesirable by the user (e.g., during visual fatigue or nighttime driving), the present invention can benefit from displaying all information without three-dimensional effects in a second display mode.

[0009] Advantageously, the display source is a digital screen.

[0010] Advantageously, the first display surface is a semi-transparent sheet.

[0011] Advantageously, the second display surface is a digital screen.

[0012] Advantageously, the first information corresponds to the speed of the vehicle.

[0013] Advantageously, the second information is selected from: speed limit value, an indicator related to the speed regulator.

[0014] The present invention also relates to a vehicle that includes a display device according to the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] - Figure 1 A display device in a first display mode according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically;

[0017] - Figure 2 A display device in a second display mode according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Figure 1 A display device 1 (also referred to as an instrument cluster) for a vehicle is shown. The device 1 includes different first display surfaces 2 and second display surfaces 3.

[0019] The first display surface 2 is semi-transparent and designed to create virtual images, which are obtained by reflecting an image generated by the display source 6.

[0020] The second display surface 3 is visible through the first display surface 2.

[0021] exist Figure 1In this embodiment, display source 6 is a first digital screen. First display surface 2 is a translucent sheet. Second display surface 3 is a second digital screen. The first digital screen and the second digital screen are substantially perpendicular to each other. The translucent sheet forms a substantially 45-degree angle with respect to the first digital screen.

[0022] The display device 1 includes a first display mode in which at least one first piece of information is displayed on a first display surface 2 and at least one second piece of information is displayed on a second display surface 3.

[0023] In this example, the first information corresponds to the vehicle's speed. This speed is 110 km / h. This speed is displayed on display source 6. The image of the speed is reflected by the translucent sheet and displayed to the driver's eyes as a virtual image.

[0024] The second information includes: speed limit value (here 130) and indicators related to the speed regulator (here 135).

[0025] The display device 1 further includes a second display mode in which the at least one first piece of information and the at least one second piece of information are displayed on the second display surface 3 and the display source 6 is turned off.

[0026] Figure 2 The display device 1 is shown in a second display mode. The display source 6 is off and the speed is no longer displayed. The speed is now displayed on the second display surface 3. The user perceives the same information.

[0027] The first information is arranged on the second display surface 3 so as to appear in substantially the same location as when the first information is displayed in the first mode, but the first information is displayed in the same manner as other information.

Claims

1. A display device (1) for a vehicle, the display device comprising a first display surface (2) and a second display surface (3), the first display surface (2) being translucent and designed to create a virtual image obtained by reflecting an image generated by a display source (6), the second display surface (3) being visible through the first display surface (2), the display device (1) comprising a first display mode in which at least one first piece of information is displayed on the first display surface (2) and at least one piece of second information is displayed on the second display surface (3), characterized in that, The display device further includes a second display mode in which at least one first piece of information and at least one second piece of information are displayed on the second display surface (3) and the display source (6) is turned off.

2. The display device (1) for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The display source (6) is a digital screen.

3. The display device (1) for a vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first display surface (2) is a semi-transparent sheet.

4. The display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The second display surface (3) is a digital screen.

5. The display device (1) for a vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first piece of information corresponds to the speed of the vehicle.

6. The display device (1) for a vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The second piece of information is selected from: speed limit value, an indicator related to the speed regulator.

7. A vehicle comprising a display device according to any one of the preceding claims.

Images