Combination instrument panel of vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a combination instrument panel of a vehicle. The combined instrument panel of the vehicle can comprise a segment code type liquid crystal display screen which is provided with a first area and a second area, and the first area is used for displaying various instrument information of the vehicle; the camera is arranged behind the second area of the segment code type liquid crystal display screen and is used for shooting a driver; the controller is configured to control the second area of the segment code type liquid crystal display screen so that the second area can selectively transmit light.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle's instrument cluster, and more particularly to a vehicle's instrument cluster capable of concealing an in-vehicle camera. Background Technology

[0002] The New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP), created by an independent non-profit organization, aims to assess the safety performance of automobiles. NCAP encourages vehicle manufacturers to incorporate more advanced safety features, such as driver monitoring systems, into new vehicles to improve safety and reduce traffic accidents.

[0003] Driver monitoring systems can monitor the driver's behavior and status. To this end, driver monitoring systems include in-cabin cameras (ICCs) installed in the vehicle's cockpit.

[0004] In-vehicle cameras can capture, record, and analyze information such as the driver's actions, posture, and facial expressions in real time. By recognizing behaviors such as driver fatigue, distraction, yawning, and closed eyes, alerts or warnings can be issued when the driver is fatigued or distracted, thereby reducing the risk of accidents. Alternatively, by detecting the driver's posture and movements, it can assess whether they are correctly using a seatbelt, whether they are using a mobile phone while driving, and provide corresponding warnings and suggestions. In addition, in-vehicle cameras can also be used for human-machine interaction in vehicle control systems. For example, drivers can operate the vehicle control system through gestures and eye movements, thereby improving the convenience and safety of operation.

[0005] Typically, in-vehicle cameras are placed in locations visible to the driver, such as the A-pillar, rearview mirror, or steering wheel. However, visible in-vehicle cameras can negatively impact the cleanliness and aesthetics of the vehicle's cockpit.

[0006] The information disclosed in the background section of this invention is intended only to enhance the understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a combined instrument panel for a vehicle that can solve the aforementioned problems existing in the prior art.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, one aspect of the present invention provides a combined instrument panel for a vehicle, which may include: a segment LCD display, a camera, and a controller. The segment LCD display has a first area and a second area. The first area is used to display various instrument information of the vehicle. The camera is arranged behind the second area of ​​the segment LCD display for capturing images of the driver. The controller is configured to control the second area of ​​the segment LCD display to selectively transmit light to the second area.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the camera may be an infrared camera.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the camera can be a visible light camera. The controller can be configured to control a second area of ​​the segment liquid crystal display screen, thereby allowing light to pass through the second area when the camera is in operation.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the camera can be an infrared and visible light camera. The controller can be configured to control a second area of ​​the segment liquid crystal display screen, thereby allowing light to pass through the second area when the camera is operating in visible light mode.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the combined instrument panel may further include: a cover glass disposed in front of the segment liquid crystal display screen.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle having a combined dashboard according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating a combined dashboard of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 To show along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken from line A-A';

[0016] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating the concealment effect of infrared and visible light cameras according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating the concealment effect of an infrared camera according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale, but rather illustrate various features that are presented in a slightly simplified manner to explain the basic principles of the invention. In the accompanying drawings of this invention, the same reference numerals denote the same or equivalent parts of the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this specification is not intended to limit the invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments thereof, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0020] In the following description, various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a combined dashboard of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 To show along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken from the A-A' line.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle's instrument cluster can display various instruments, such as a speedometer showing the vehicle's current speed, a tachometer showing the engine speed, an odometer showing the total mileage traveled, a fuel gauge showing the remaining fuel level, a temperature gauge showing the engine coolant temperature, warning lights indicating vehicle system malfunctions or abnormalities (such as engine malfunction, brake system malfunction, airbag malfunction, etc.), a turn signal indicator showing the vehicle's left or right turn signal, a headlight indicator showing the status of the high beams, low beams, and fog lights, a tire pressure monitoring system indicator showing the vehicle's tire pressure, and so on.

[0023] Figure 2 The structure of the vehicle's combined instrument panel is shown in detail. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle's instrument panel may include: a cover glass 10, a segment LCD display 20, and a camera 30.

[0024] The cover glass 10 can be positioned on the outermost side of the instrument cluster. Figure 2 (The far left), used to protect the segment-type LCD display 20.

[0025] Segment LCD displays are non-dot-matrix LCD displays composed of multiple independent liquid crystal display areas, each capable of displaying characters or graphics independently. Segment LCD displays offer advantages such as low power consumption, long lifespan, and low cost.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the segment-type liquid crystal display screen 20 may be arranged behind the cover glass 10. For example... Figure 1As shown, the segment LCD display 20 may include a first area 21 and a second area 22. The first area 21 can be used to display various instrument information of the vehicle. The second area 22 can be arranged in a position on the segment LCD display 20 where instrument information is not displayed. The shape and size of the second area 22 can be set according to the shape and size of the camera 30.

[0027] The camera 30 can be positioned behind the second area 22 of the segment LCD display 20. Here, the camera 30 can be an in-vehicle camera used to capture images of the driver. The camera 30 can be an infrared camera, a visible light camera, or at least one of an infrared and a visible light camera.

[0028] An infrared camera is a camera equipped with an imaging sensor in the infrared band. This sensor can sense light signals in the infrared band (e.g., 780nm to 1200nm) and convert them into electrical signals. A visible light camera is a camera equipped with an imaging sensor in the visible light band. This sensor can sense light signals in the visible light band (e.g., 400nm to 780nm) and convert them into electrical signals. An infrared and visible light camera is a camera that simultaneously possesses imaging sensors in both the infrared and visible light bands.

[0029] Infrared cameras produce better image quality than visible light cameras in poor lighting conditions (e.g., at night), while visible light cameras produce better image quality than infrared cameras in good lighting conditions (e.g., during the day). Infrared-visible light cameras combine the advantages of both, ensuring good image quality regardless of lighting conditions.

[0030] The segment LCD display 20 can be attached to the cover glass 10 via adhesive 40, and the camera 30 can be attached to the segment LCD display 20 via adhesive 40. Preferably, the adhesive 40 can be an optically clear adhesive (OCA) and / or an optically clear resin (OCR) with high light transmittance.

[0031] Furthermore, the vehicle's instrument cluster may include a controller (not shown). The liquid crystal display (LCD) works by adjusting its transmittance by changing the alignment of liquid crystal molecules under the influence of an electric field. When energized, the liquid crystal molecules align in an orderly manner, allowing light to pass through; when de-energized, the liquid crystal molecules align randomly, preventing light from passing through. Therefore, the controller can control the transmittance of the segment LCD display 20 by controlling the electric field. Here, transmittance refers to transmittance in the visible light band. Although visible light cannot pass through the liquid crystal molecules of the LCD when the power is off, infrared light can still pass through them.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the controller can control the second region 22 of the segment liquid crystal display screen 20 to selectively transmit light. Furthermore, the controller can control other areas of the first region 21, except for those displaying instrument information, to be opaque, thereby better concealing the camera 30 arranged in the second region 22.

[0033] Specifically, when the camera 30 is an infrared camera, the controller can be configured to control the second area 22 of the segment LCD display 20 to make the second area 22 opaque. The opacity of the second area 22 means that visible light cannot pass through it, making the camera 30, located behind the second area 22, invisible to the driver. In other words, the camera 30 is not visible when viewed from outside the instrument cluster. This achieves the effect of completely concealing the camera 30. Simultaneously, infrared light can still pass through the second area 22, allowing the camera 30 to capture images normally.

[0034] When the camera 30 is a visible light camera, the controller can be configured to control the second area 22 of the segment LCD display 20 differently depending on the operating state of the camera 30. When the camera 30 is not in operation, the controller can be configured to control the second area 22 of the segment LCD display 20 to make the second area 22 opaque. This achieves the effect of completely hiding the camera 30. When the camera 30 is in operation, the controller can be configured to control the second area 22 of the segment LCD display 20 to make the second area 22 transparent. This allows the camera 30 to record normally. Preferably, the transmittance of the second area 22 can be 20-25%.

[0035] In the state where the second area 22 is transparent, although it is not possible to completely hide the camera 30, the area outside the aperture of the camera 30 appears black due to the small aperture of the camera 30, thus partially hiding the camera 30.

[0036] When the camera 30 is an infrared and visible light camera, the controller can be configured to control the second area 22 of the segment LCD display 20 differently depending on the operating mode of the camera 30. When the camera 30 operates in infrared mode (e.g., at night), the controller can be configured to control the second area 22 of the segment LCD display 20 to make the second area 22 opaque. This achieves the effect of hiding the camera 30. When the camera 30 operates in visible light mode (e.g., during the day), the controller can be configured to control the second area 22 of the segment LCD display 20 to make the second area 22 transparent. This ensures that the camera 30 can record normally while partially hiding the camera 30.

[0037] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating the concealment effect of infrared and visible light cameras according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 3 This illustrates the concealment effect of camera 30 when it is operating in visible light mode and the controller allows light to pass through the second area 22, in the case where camera 30 is both an infrared and visible light camera. Figure 3 As shown, although the second area 22 is translucent, it is still possible to partially conceal the camera 30. If the camera 30 is operating in infrared mode, it can be completely concealed.

[0039] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating the concealment effect of an infrared camera according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 4 This illustrates the concealment effect of camera 30 when it is an infrared camera, and the controller makes the second area 22 opaque. Figure 4 As shown, the second area 22 is opaque, which can completely hide the camera 30.

[0041] Compared to placing the in-vehicle camera in a position visible to the driver, the combined dashboard of the vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can hide the in-vehicle camera, keeping the vehicle cockpit clean and aesthetically pleasing.

[0042] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the combined dashboard of a vehicle can achieve the effect of completely or partially hiding the in-vehicle camera while ensuring that the in-vehicle camera can take pictures normally.

[0043] The foregoing description of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention is for illustrative and descriptive purposes. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed, and it will be apparent that various modifications and variations can be made in accordance with the foregoing teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described to explain the specific principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to implement and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the invention, as well as their different alternatives and modifications. The scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A combined instrument panel for a vehicle, comprising: A segment LCD display screen has a first area and a second area, wherein the first area is used to display various instrument information of the vehicle. A camera, positioned behind the second area of ​​the segment LCD display, is used to photograph the driver; as well as A controller configured to control a second area of ​​the segment LCD display to selectively transmit light through the second area.

2. The combined instrument panel of the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The camera is an infrared camera.

3. The combined instrument panel of the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The camera is a visible light camera. The controller is configured to control the second area of ​​the segment LCD display so that the second area is transparent when the camera is working.

4. The combined instrument panel of the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The camera is an infrared and visible light camera. The controller is configured to control the second area of ​​the segment LCD display so that the second area is transparent when the camera is operating in visible light mode.

5. The combined instrument panel of the vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: A cover glass is disposed in front of the segment LCD display screen.

6. A vehicle having a combined instrument panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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