Display system and motor vehicle having a display system

Abstract

The invention relates to a display system (10) comprising a display device (20) and a housing (16) having a housing interior (22) for at least partially receiving the display device (20). A screen carrier (26) of the display device (20) is designed for receiving a screen (24) and comprises a first carrier section (28) having a first inherent rigidity and a second carrier section (30) having a second inherent rigidity which is reduced relative to the first inherent rigidity. The carrier sections (28, 30) overlap at least partially within an overlap region (41) in such a way that an overlap portion (42) of the second carrier section (30) overlaps the first carrier section (28) such that, in the case of the screen (24) being received, a front side of the first carrier section (28) and a back side of the screen (24) facing the front side are spaced apart from one another by the overlap portion (42).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a display system comprising a display device and a housing, wherein the display device may be at least partially housed within the housing. The display device further includes a screen for displaying content to an observer, wherein the screen size can be adjusted to suit the observer's needs by at least partially housing the display device within the housing. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having such a display system. Background Technology

[0002] With technological advancements, particularly in relation to semi-autonomous or fully autonomous vehicles, there is a growing trend towards larger screens or displays in passenger cabins, designed to provide observers with a variety of content and information. This includes not only information related to driving and / or the vehicle, such as current speed and / or route data (navigation data), but also entertainment products such as games and / or movies. This results in the screen or monitor size not always being optimally matched to the content being displayed. Consequently, information that could be displayed on a relatively small surface may be shown on an excessively large monitor or screen, potentially obstructing the observer's view of traffic conditions. Conversely, choosing a smaller screen to avoid this outcome may result in situations where, for example, movies cannot be displayed at the desired image size. Therefore, there is a need for display devices with screens of variable size.

[0003] Display devices having variable-sized screens for motor vehicles or other transport vehicles are known from DE 10 2014 006 338 A1 and DE 101 15 050A1, respectively. The screens are stored in a manner that allows them to be moved outward from the housing into the passenger compartment. Because the described screens are flexible or bendable, mechanical support element assemblies must be provided to mechanically support the respective screens. The support element assemblies are guided or dragged along with the respective screens during displacement. A disadvantage of the described display devices is that the respective support element assemblies have movable parts and are therefore prone to wear.

[0004] DE 10 2019 206 935 A1 discloses an assembly consisting of a monitor stand and a flexible display, which can be mounted in a housing. The assembly has sufficient inherent rigidity along its entire surface to prevent it from bending backward during touch operation. However, the assembly can be mounted in a flexible manner within the housing because the screen stand has a cutout on the back side that allows bending about a standard axis. However, the more rigid assembly suffers higher wear due to bending, particularly at the connection between the monitor stand and the display. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a size-adjustable and wear-resistant display for motor vehicles.

[0006] The stated objective is achieved through the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous improvements of the invention are described through the dependent claims, the following description, and the accompanying drawings.

[0007] The present invention provides a display system comprising a display device and a housing having an inner cavity. This inner cavity is designed to at least partially receive the display device. That is, the display device can be at least partially housed within the inner cavity. In motor vehicles, the housing, together with the display system, is mounted, for example, in an area of ​​the dashboard and preferably flush with its surface.

[0008] The display device includes a screen bracket and a screen, wherein the screen is preferably designed to be flexible or bendable, such as a flexible OLED display or “electronic paper” (OLED - organic light-emitting diode). Such a flexible display can, in principle, be installed in a particularly space-saving manner.

[0009] The screen bracket has multiple bracket segments or bracket parts with different inherent rigidities. More specifically, the screen bracket has a first bracket segment with a first inherent rigidity and a second bracket segment with a second inherent rigidity, wherein the inherent rigidity of the second bracket segment is reduced relative to the inherent rigidity of the first bracket segment. The second inherent rigidity can be reduced by 30% to 70% relative to the first inherent rigidity. Preferably, the second inherent rigidity is 50% of the first inherent rigidity. In other words, the screen bracket preferably has half the inherent rigidity in the region of the second bracket segment compared to the region within the first bracket segment. The difference in inherent rigidity can be defined by the different materials of the two bracket segments and / or by structural features. Thus, the first bracket segment can be made of a metal or metal-plastic-composite material with high inherent rigidity, such as aluminum or aluminum-polymer-composite material or carbon composite material. The second bracket segment can be made at least partially of rubber or other flexible or elastic material. In principle, all particularly elastic plastics, such as polyamide (PA), can be considered as materials.

[0010] The inherent rigidity is selected such that the display device can move out of and into the housing cavity through the housing opening, at least in the region of the second support section, in a curved manner, such as along a circular track or a wavy line, along the direction of movement. Preferably, the curvature in the region of the housing opening is invisible to the naked eye to an observer, such as a passenger.

[0011] The support segments form a common receiving surface for receiving the screen on their front side facing the observer, wherein the screen, in the received state, at least partially covers the first and second support segments. In other words, the flexible display can be at least partially bonded to the two support segments because the support segments preferably form a continuous, flush-extending receiving surface. The thickness of the layer consisting of the screen support and the screen is preferably between 0.5 cm and 1 cm, particularly between 0.6 cm and 0.9 cm, and especially preferably 0.75 cm. Here, the size ratio of the two support segments is preferably 40:60 or 50:50 (first support segment: second support segment, respectively).

[0012] According to the invention, two support segments overlap at least partially, or possibly completely, within an overlapping area along the receiving surface formed therethrough. This overlap is designed such that the overlapping portion of the second support segment at least partially overlaps the first support segment. In other words, the softer or more flexible or less rigid portion of the two support segments overlaps with the more fixed or more rigid support segment on its front side, for example, using an overlapping portion formed in the form of a tongue. This allows, in the received screen, the front side of the rigid first support segment and the front-facing back side of the screen to be spaced apart or separated from each other by the tongue or the overlapping portion of the softer support segment, or to clamp the overlapping portion therebetween.

[0013] The layered structure described, consisting of a support segment with increased inherent rigidity, an overlapping portion with relatively reduced inherent rigidity, and a screen, advantageously achieves at least partial mechanical decoupling between the rigid first support segment and the screen. This is because the overlapping portion of the flexible second support segment can absorb or compensate for shear forces that may occur between the rigid support segment and the screen. This results in an improved connection between the screen and the screen support, particularly in flexible display devices where increased shear forces may occur between the screen and the screen, compared to known technologies. Consequently, the screen does not easily detach from the screen support, thereby reducing the susceptibility of the display system to wear compared to known technologies. Simultaneously, the two support segments are reliably connected to each other within the overlapping area.

[0014] The invention also includes embodiments that provide additional advantages.

[0015] One embodiment proposes that the first and second support segments are bonded and / or threaded together within an overlapping area, wherein a gap of a predetermined width is maintained between the bottom side of the first support segment and the opposite end side of the second support segment, wherein the width is determined such that the support segments can be angled relative to each other in a predetermined manner. In other words, the two support segments are not directly adjacent to each other along the direction of movement. In this case, the bottom side of the first support segment and the end side of the second support segment will be in contact or in direct contact at any time. The embodiment described herein proposes that a gap is maintained between the two support segments, such that the two support segments, fixed to each other only by a connection within the overlapping area, can move relative to each other. This mobility is particularly evident in the fact that the two support segments are angled relative to each other about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement when the display device is moved into and out of the housing. In other words, the overlapping portion can function as a thin-film hinge between the support segments. With the achievable angle, the display device can be installed in the housing cavity in a space-saving manner. The shear forces that occur when the screen bracket and the screen are at an angle are effectively buffered, absorbed, or compensated by the overlapping portion.

[0016] Another embodiment proposes that the second support segment at least partially has a honeycomb structure and / or slat structure on its back side, wherein the honeycomb and / or slats extend along the second support segment in such a way that the second support segment can be rolled up about an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement. The honeycomb and / or slats can extend along the back side of the second support segment at a constant spacing. This achieves uniform bendability throughout the second support segment. However, the honeycomb and / or slats can also have different spacings from adjacent honeycomb and / or slats, thereby creating zones along the second support segment with increased and decreased bendability. This allows for advantageously pre-setting of the roll-up and unfolding properties of the second support segment when it is inserted into and removed from the housing, without the need for external guiding elements. Depending on the honeycomb geometry, bending around multiple different axes, which extend parallel or non-parallel to each other, can also be achieved.

[0017] It is also possible to consider that the overlapping portion of the second support segment and the remaining portion of the second support segment are formed of different materials, wherein the inherent rigidity and / or elasticity of the overlapping portion is determined by or largely by the material, and the inherent rigidity and / or elasticity of the remaining portion of the second support segment is determined by or largely by the structure through honeycomb and / or slats.

[0018] Another embodiment proposes that the display device is received or mounted in a bent manner, at least partially, particularly in the region of the second support section, and pre-tensioned within the housing cavity by bending, wherein the pre-tension is released when the display device straightens upon removal from the housing, or is released by straightening. The advantage of this is that the display device automatically straightens or flattens upon removal from the housing. In other words, no external guiding mechanism is required for straightening, which further reduces the susceptibility of the display system to wear.

[0019] The screen is preferably designed as a flexible and / or touch-sensitive display or touch display for displaying pixel-based content. This has the advantage of allowing the use of a wide variety of screens, which can be rolled, bent, and / or angled together with the screen stand.

[0020] Another embodiment proposes that the housing has a fixed support segment extending outward from the housing cavity in the area of ​​the housing opening, wherein the upper edge of the screen bracket is substantially flush with the upper edge of the support segment in a first viewing position and at least partially protrudes beyond the upper edge of the support segment in at least one additional viewing position, wherein in at least one additional viewing position the first bracket segment and / or the second bracket segment are mechanically supported outside the housing cavity by the support segment. In other words, the display system preferably has a support segment or support element that extends along the direction of movement from the housing opening away from the housing cavity and is designed to mechanically support the display device outside the housing when it is at least partially removed from the housing cavity. The support element is designed as a fixed support element, which may be designed, for example, as a support plate or support arm or an assembly consisting of at least two support arms. The support element may also be designed as a support wedge that extends along the direction of movement from the housing opening away from the housing cavity. The design as a fixed support element additionally reduces the wear susceptibility of the entire display system.

[0021] An advantageous improvement proposes that the screen bracket at least partially overlaps the support segment in each viewing position, at least in the region of the first bracket section. In other words, the entire screen bracket preferably cannot be further moved into the housing until its upper edge is flush with the upper edge of the support segment. Alternatively, the entire screen bracket cannot be further moved out of the housing if the first bracket section still at least partially overlaps the support segment. In the case of maximum displacement, the rigid first bracket section and a portion of the flexible second bracket section are preferably mechanically supported by the support segment. This advantageously improves the stability of the display device. Mechanical support also allows for seamless operation of the screen in the region of the flexible second bracket section upon each touch or contact without causing it to bulge or bend away.

[0022] A preferred improvement proposes that the support section and the screen bracket are coupled to each other by means of a linear guide element or a telescopic guide element, wherein the screen bracket is guided by the linear guide element as it moves between viewing positions, and / or wherein, particularly in the aforementioned maximum displacement position, the remaining guide length of the linear guide element overlaps with the end region of the second bracket section, thereby preventing the first bracket section from bending when operated by an observer, such as through touch. This further improves the stability of the display system. The linear guide element or telescopic guide element can, for example, be formed in the form of a drawer-type guide, wherein the guide rail of the drawer-shaped assembly extends along the first bracket section, and a corresponding drawer slide is arranged at the support section.

[0023] The bending or breakage of the first support section can be prevented, additionally or alternatively, by a stop element disposed on the back side at the transition between the first and second support sections. The stop element can be formed such that it mechanically engages and locks with each other at the transition between the first and second screen support sections when bending begins.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, the linear guide element can be designed as a pair consisting of a clamp and a recess, wherein the clamp at least partially surrounds or encloses the screen bracket. Particularly preferably, the first bracket segment in this case has a laterally elongated guide portion as a recess, into which the lateral legs of the described clamp engage. This advantageously ensures that the screen bracket does not tilt or jam as it shifts along the direction of movement. This is particularly advantageous when the screen bracket moves to the aforementioned maximum out-of-position. The clamp is preferably movable together with the first bracket segment.

[0025] One improvement proposes that at least one stop is formed by at least one braking element of the linear guide element, which prevents the display device from moving beyond a predetermined extent. For example, a mechanical stop can be provided as a braking element in the described drawer-type guide.

[0026] Preferably, the display system has a swing mechanism for moving the display device. The swing mechanism is preferably designed to move the display device between a first viewing position and at least one other viewing position according to a control signal. This control signal may, for example, be associated with the display content. In other words, the control device, such as a motor vehicle control device, may be designed to generate a control signal based on the size of the display content to be displayed, as required by the display device, and to transmit this control signal to the display system.

[0027] The swing mechanism can be arranged within the housing cavity and designed to continuously move the display device from a first viewing position to at least one other viewing position according to a control signal and hold it there. The swing mechanism may, for example, have a central drive unit and a swing arm. Preferably, the swing arm can be connected to the drive unit at a first end and to the bottom region of the display device at a second end opposite to the first end.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, the display device can be driven by a rotating roller within the housing cavity.

[0029] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle having a display system.

[0030] The present invention also includes an improved version of a motor vehicle according to the invention, having the features already described in conjunction with an improved version of a display system according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding improved version of the motor vehicle according to the invention will not be described again here.

[0031] The motor vehicle according to the present invention is preferably designed as an automobile, particularly as a passenger car or commercial vehicle, or as a bus or motorcycle.

[0032] The present invention also includes feature combinations of the described embodiments. Therefore, the present invention also includes the following implementations, each having a plurality of feature combinations of the described embodiments, provided that these implementations are not described as mutually exclusive. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The embodiments of the present invention are described below. Wherein:

[0034] Figure 1 A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a display system in a motor vehicle is shown;

[0035] Figure 2 A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the display device of the display system is shown, which has a screen bracket and a screen;

[0036] Figure 3 A schematic detail view of the back transition section between the first support section and the second support section is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the embodiments, the components described are individual, independent features of the present invention, and these features also independently improve the present invention. Therefore, this disclosure should also include feature combinations different from the feature combinations of the illustrated embodiments. Furthermore, the embodiments can also be supplemented by other features among the features already described in the present invention.

[0038] In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote elements that have the same function.

[0039] Figure 1 A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a display system 10 in a motor vehicle 12 is shown. The display system 10 may be arranged or installed in the area of ​​the dashboard or panel of the motor vehicle 12. Preferably, the display system 10 is mounted within the motor vehicle 12 in such a way that the display system is within the field of vision of an observer 14 (shown schematically in this view).

[0040] The display system 10 includes a housing 16 that is flush with the surface of the dashboard of the vehicle 12, thereby giving the observer 14 the impression that the housing 16 is integrally formed with the dashboard. The housing 16 has a housing opening 18 through which the display device 20 of the display system 10 can pass along the direction of movement 11 into the housing cavity 22 and move out of the housing cavity.

[0041] The display device 20 includes a screen 24, which can be mounted on a screen bracket 26. The screen bracket 26 can be formed in multiple parts, particularly in two parts, and can have a first bracket portion or bracket section 28 and a second bracket portion or bracket section 30. For a detailed description of the screen bracket 26, reference is made to [reference needed - likely a specific document or document]. Figure 2 Detailed images.

[0042] Figure 1 The display device 20 is shown in a first viewing position, wherein components of the display device 20, namely the second support segment 30 and the screen 24, are received in a partially bent manner within a housing cavity 22. The bendability of the second support segment 30 can be structurally generated by slats 44 that can extend substantially parallel to each other along the back side of the second support segment 30. To achieve the bend within the housing cavity 22, a screen support 26 can be guided there along a guide element. Alternatively, the bend can be maintained by the inner wall of the housing.

[0043] In order to enable the display device 20 to move back and forth between various viewing positions, a swing mechanism having a central drive unit 32 and a swing arm 34 can be disposed in the housing cavity 22. It is conceivable that the control device of the vehicle 12 can transmit the corresponding signals to the swing mechanism, which then manipulates the drive unit 32 to establish the screen size required for displaying the corresponding display content.

[0044] To prevent the display device 20 from tilting as it moves along the direction of motion 11 between viewing positions, a guide element can be provided. The linear guide element can consist of a clamp 36 and a recess 38, wherein the clamp 36 can engage with the recess 38, which can be formed within the first support section 28. Alternatively, the linear guide element can be configured as a drawer slide.

[0045] Furthermore, the housing 16 may have a support section 40 that mechanically supports the display device 20 on the back side away from the observer 14. A continuous or flush display 24 is provided on the front side facing the observer 14, which may be an OLED display bonded to the entire screen bracket 26.

[0046] Figure 2 A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a display device 20 is shown, which includes a screen support 26 comprising two support segments 28 and 30. A flexible screen 24 is exemplarily bonded to the two support segments 28 and 30.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the two support segments 28 and 30 overlap within the overlap region 41 in such a way that the overlapping portion 42 of the second support segment 30 is arranged or clamped between the first support segment 28 and the screen 24. Since the second support segment 30 preferably has an inherently lower rigidity and / or higher elasticity relative to the first support segment 28, mechanical decoupling between the first support segment 28 and the screen 24 can be achieved by means of the overlapping portion 42, which advantageously affects the stability and wear resistance of the connection between the screen 24 and the screen support 26. Therefore, shear forces that may occur, for example, when the display device 20 bends, between the screen support 26 or between the first support segment 28 and the screen 24 can be compensated for by the elastic overlapping portion 42.

[0048] Figure 3 A schematic detail view of the back side of the screen support 26 is shown. Multiple slats 44 extending substantially parallel to each other can be arranged along the back side of the second support section 30. The slats 44 can help to give the second support section 30 increased flexibility relative to the first support section 28. Alternatively, a honeycomb structure, which allows bending around multiple different axes, can be provided instead of the slats 44 or attached to the slats 44. A stop element 46 can be provided at the transition between the support sections 28 and 30 to prevent the first support section 28 from bending backward relative to the second support section 30 during touch operation.

[0049] The present invention proposes the use of flexible displays or screens, along with motion mechanisms or screen supports, in motor vehicles, where different display sizes can be displayed in a structurally space-optimized manner. Here, the first portion of the display, preferably always visible to the driver or observer at a specific size. Exemplarily, a second portion, located at the first portion of the display, can be moved out of the area of ​​the vehicle's panel or dashboard via a motion mechanism when needed. This allows for a larger total display area.

[0050] The motion mechanism can consist of two parts: the first part can be a straight in-and-out motion section (e.g., a linear guide section) that allows the first part of the display to move up and down. The second part can be flexible and can be rolled up in an invisible area. The second part can be removed when needed. In this case, the second part forms a flat display surface with the first part in both partially and completely removed states. This can be achieved steplessly.

[0051] The component therefore preferably has a portion that is always visible and cannot be moved in. This portion can display a base screen (OLED) that enables basic operation. Furthermore, this portion can include a support structure that enables touch operation and can be moved out of the housing in one direction by a linear guide element. A flexible support can be seamlessly coupled to the support structure, which can be mounted in a flexible manner within the housing. The flexible display (OLED) can be fixed (e.g., bonded) not only to the rigid support structure but also to the flexible support. The flexible element can be pushed out / removed from the housing by means of a drive mechanism and, together with the rigid structural elements, forms a straight, touch-operable display surface. The complete display can be used in the removed state.

[0052] The described components enable touch operation of the display. This is achieved, exemplarily, through a support segment on a plane throughout the area of ​​the flexible display.

[0053] In summary, this example demonstrates how to provide a size-adjustable display device with a flexible display that operates with minimal wear and tear for use in motor vehicles.

Claims

1. A display system (10) comprising a display device (20) and a housing (16), the housing having a housing cavity (22) for at least partially receiving the display device (20), wherein, The display device (20) includes a screen bracket (26) and a screen (24), wherein the screen bracket (26) has a first bracket section (28) with a first inherent rigidity and a second bracket section (30) with a second inherent rigidity reduced relative to the first inherent rigidity, wherein the display device (20) is capable of bending along the direction of movement (11) through the housing opening (18) in at least the region of the second bracket section (30) to move out of and into the housing cavity (22), wherein the bracket sections (28, 30) form a common receiving surface for receiving the screen (24) with their front sides facing the observer (14), wherein the screen (24) at least partially covers the first bracket section (28) and the second bracket section (30) in the received state. Its features are, The support segments (28, 30) overlap at least partially within the overlapping area (41) along the receiving surface in such a way that the overlapping portion (42) of the second support segment (30) overlaps the first support segment (28), so that when the screen (24) is received, the front side of the first support segment (28) and the back side of the screen (24) facing the front side are spaced apart from each other by the overlapping portion (42). The first support segment (28) and the second support segment (30) are bonded and / or threaded together within the overlapping area (41), wherein a gap of a predetermined width is maintained between the bottom side of the first support segment (28) and the end side of the second support segment (30), wherein the width is determined in such a way that the support segments (28, 30) can be angled relative to each other in a predetermined manner.

2. The display system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second support segment (30) has at least partially a honeycomb structure and / or slats (44) on the back side, wherein the honeycomb and / or slats (44) extend along the second support segment (30) in such a way that the second support segment (30) can be curled about an axis that extends substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement (11).

3. The display system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The display device (20) is received and pre-tightened in a bent manner within the housing cavity (22), wherein the pre-tightening is released when the display device (20) straightens upon removal from the housing (16).

4. The display system (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The display device (20) is received in a bent manner and pre-tightened within the housing cavity (22) in the region of the second bracket section (30), at least in part.

5. The display system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The screen (24) is designed as a flexible and / or touch-sensitive display.

6. The display system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The housing (16) has a fixed support section (40) extending outward from the housing cavity (22) in the region of the housing opening (18), wherein the upper edge of the screen bracket (26) is substantially flush with the upper edge of the support section (40) in a first viewing position and at least partially protrudes from the upper edge of the support section (40) in at least one other viewing position, wherein in said at least one other viewing position the first bracket section (28) and / or the second bracket section (30) are mechanically supported outside the housing cavity (22) by the support section (40).

7. The display system (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The screen bracket (26) overlaps at least partially with the support segment (40) in each of the observation positions, at least in the region of the first bracket segment (28).

8. The display system (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The support section (40) and the screen bracket (26) are coupled to each other by means of a linear guide element, wherein the screen bracket (26) is guided by the linear guide element when moving between observation positions, and / or wherein the remaining guide length of the linear guide element overlaps with the end side region of the second bracket section (30), thereby preventing the first bracket section (28) from bending when operated by the observer (14).

9. The display system (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that, At least one stop is formed by at least one braking element of the linear guide element, the at least one stop preventing the display device (20) from moving beyond a predetermined degree.

10. A motor vehicle (12) having a display system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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