Motor vehicle display device for interior of motor vehicle, motor vehicle comprising at least one motor vehicle display device, and method for operating motor vehicle display device

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle display device (10) for the interior of a motor vehicle, comprising a flat transparent display screen (12) having a display surface (14), on the surface of the display screen (12) opposite the display surface (14) a transmissivity-variable switchable layer (22) is arranged. On the side of the switchable layer (22), a planar light guide (26) is arranged at a distance from the switchable layer (22) by means of the cavity (24), the planar light guide (26) being arranged to radiate light from the at least one light source in the direction of the transparent display screen (12) via the exit surface (30). The planar light guide (26) comprises at least one interface (28) for at least one light source, the at least one interface (28) being arranged at a periphery of the planar light guide (26).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle display device for the interior space of a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle including at least one motor vehicle display device, and a method for operating the motor vehicle display device. Background Technology

[0002] In order to display at least one piece of information in a motor vehicle, especially in the interior space of a motor vehicle (hereinafter referred to as the vehicle interior space), it can be stipulated that at least one motor vehicle display device (hereinafter referred to simply as a display device) be provided in the motor vehicle. Various display devices with different functions are known from the prior art.

[0003] Document DE 10 2022 205 083 A1 provides an example of a display device for vehicles, wherein the display device has a display panel and backlighting. The backlighting is provided by reflectors with multiple cavities having a reflective design and light sources arranged in the cavities respectively. A disadvantage of this device is that the display device is not transparent.

[0004] This drawback can be overcome by using a transparent display screen, as known from the prior art, for example, for augmented reality glasses and / or head-up displays, as a display device. A transparent display screen is characterized by its ability to display at least one piece of information on its surface, but also to be viewed through the transparent display screen. As an example, document DE 31 20 601 A1 is cited, which discloses a transparent display screen as a display device for motor vehicles; however, the construction and / or function of the transparent display screen are not limited to those disclosed in the cited document.

[0005] A disadvantage of transparent displays, especially those based on LEDs (light emitting diodes) or OLEDs (organic LEDs) as known from the prior art, is the inability to generate dark pixels and / or black pixels, which are produced in non-transparent displays, for example, by the absence of light (i.e., in non-transparent displays, dark or black pixels can be generated, for example, by not generating light for the pixels), because in transparent displays, light elements are displayed against a transparent background. Dark pixels and / or black pixels can be understood as pixels that do not emit light, within the limits of technical feasibility, so that, for example, black elements can be displayed on the display. The problem of generating dark pixels and / or black pixels can be solved, for example, by using a darkening layer behind the transparent display. However, this will reduce the transparency of the display, i.e., transmittance, which describes the ratio of light transmitted through the display and / or display device to incident light. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a display device that is as transparent as possible, but is still able to display black pixels and / or dark pixels.

[0007] This objective is achieved through the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous improvements of the invention will be described through the dependent claims, the following description, and the accompanying drawings.

[0008] As a solution, the present invention includes a motor vehicle display device for the interior space of a motor vehicle (vehicle interior space), which is also referred to below as a display device. The display device includes a surface-type transparent display screen / monitor (hereinafter, the transparent display screen is also referred to as a display screen) having a display surface. The display surface is particularly arranged to present content to be presented by the display device. This means, for example, that content to be presented on the display device for at least one occupant of the vehicle is presented on the display surface of the display device, and / or is visible to at least one occupant of the motor vehicle on the display surface of the display device. This particularly means that the display surface is the surface of the display device facing at least one occupant. In the present context, "surface-type" means that the dimension in at least one illustrated direction, preferably in a direction perpendicular to the display surface, is smaller than the dimension in a direction perpendicular to the illustrated direction. The dimension in the illustrated direction is particularly significantly smaller, for example, at most 10%, particularly at most 1%, and preferably at most 0.1% of the dimension in the direction perpendicular to the illustrated direction.

[0009] A switchable layer with variable and / or adjustable transmittance is arranged on the surface of the display screen opposite to the display surface, i.e., particularly on the back side of the display surface and / or on the surface of the transparent display screen opposite to the orientation of the display surface. Switchable layers are known in the prior art, and can be glass and / or thin films. As glass, the switchable layer is also known as smart glass and / or switchable glass. In particular, the switchable layer is preferably a colorable layer, such as a thin film and / or glass, whose transmittance and / or light transmittance can be changed, for example, by applying voltage and / or by changing the light ratio and / or by heating. With the switchable layer, dark pixels and / or black pixels can be achieved on the display screen by reducing the transmittance of the switchable layer, thereby enabling, in particular, the creation and / or adjustment of a darker and / or blacker background behind the transparent display screen.

[0010] On the switchable layer side, a surface light guide / light conductor (hereinafter also referred to as a light guide) is arranged spaced apart from the switchable layer by a cavity. The cavity can have a thickness between 1 cm and 30 cm, particularly between 5 cm and 20 cm. This means that the maximum spacing between the switchable layer and the light guide can be 30 cm, particularly 20 cm and / or at least 1 cm, particularly at least 2 cm, preferably at least 5 cm. The cavity is particularly filled with air and / or gas. This particularly means that the surface light guide, due to the cavity, will not touch and / or contact the display screen and / or the switchable layer, and / or will only touch and / or contact the display screen and / or the switchable layer in sub-regions of the light guide. The advantage provided by the cavity is that the heat from the light guide and / or the transparent display screen and / or the surface layer can be dissipated particularly efficiently, thus preventing overheating and thereby preventing display device malfunctions. In addition to or instead of this, the use of cavities can make the interior space of a vehicle appear larger, especially when the display is closed, because it is not the display itself but the surface arranged behind the cavity and / or light guide that defines, and appears to define, the interior space of the vehicle.

[0011] A planar light guide is arranged to radiate light from at least one light source toward a transparent display screen via an exit surface. The planar light guide includes at least one interface for the at least one light source, wherein the at least one interface is disposed at the periphery of the planar light guide. This means that at least one interface for introducing light into the planar light guide is disposed at at least one side of the light guide. The side of the planar light guide is particularly different from the exit surface. Additionally, the side may be different from the back surface opposite to the exit surface and / or have an orientation opposite to the exit surface. The side has particularly a smaller surface area than the exit surface and / or is perpendicular to the exit surface. Therefore, the light guide is arranged to transport light from at least one light source, particularly introduced laterally and / or at at least one side of the light guide, within the light guide and output via the exit surface. Light can be reflected at least once within the light guide, for example, on the inner surface of the light guide, such as on the inner side of the back surface and / or the inner side of the exit surface. Light can be coupled out of the light guide through microstructures at the surface of the light guide. Alternatively, light can be arranged to propagate parallel to the exit surface through the light guide, particularly before reaching at least one scattering center, and then be scattered from the light guide through that scattering center. The light passes through the light guide, particularly in a direction different from the direction of the minimum dimension of the light guide. The light guide is particularly arranged such that it is at least partially parallel to the arrangement of the display screen and / or at least at one point the direction of the minimum dimension of the light guide is the same as the direction of the minimum dimension of the display screen. The shape of the light guide particularly conforms to the shape of the display screen.

[0012] The light guide is specifically arranged such that light exits through the display screen with a switchable layer from a side opposite to the display surface and / or opposite to at least one occupant of the vehicle. This enables backlighting of the display screen. An advantage of this backlighting is that it makes the transmittance of the transparent display screen with the switchable layer appear higher, thus allowing at least one occupant to see, in particular, the interior space surface located behind the transparent display screen and the switchable layer, which can be positioned behind the transparent light guide, much better and / or more clearly. This is achieved, in particular, by the display screen with the switchable layer, when the backlighting is activated, more light passes through the light guide than when it is deactivated, thereby improving the visibility of the background behind the transparent display screen with the switchable layer. This effect is similar to that of sunglasses, where the lenses are more transparent in sunlight than in the absence of sunlight. Since the transmittance of the transparent display screen with the switchable layer is less than that of the transparent display screen, backlighting is especially significant.

[0013] Especially in the case of transparent light guides, the arrangement of at least one interface at the periphery of the light guide allows the interior space surface behind the light guide to be seen through the display screen. This is particularly important because at least one light source is not directly viewed when viewing the display device. The vehicle interior space can appear larger because the interior space can be seen particularly well through the display screen, especially when the display screen is not in use and / or not activated.

[0014] Viewing through a display screen is particularly good when light from at least one light source is transmitted via a light guide and / or when the switchable layer has the highest possible transmittance.

[0015] The present invention also includes improvements that provide additional advantages.

[0016] One improvement includes a cavity that is open at least one side of the display and / or along at least one edge of the display, particularly at all sides and / or along all edges except one edge. The sides and / or edges of the display can be defined by the edges of the display surface. The shape of the display can be, for example, based on a rectangle. In the plane containing the display surface, the cross-section of the cavity can have the same and / or similar shape as the display. In a plane perpendicular to the plane containing the display surface, the cavity can be defined as structurally unseparated from the rest of the vehicle interior space, particularly from the air within the rest of the vehicle interior space. Generally, a cavity that is open at at least one side and / or along at least one edge means that the cavity is structurally unseparated from the rest of the vehicle interior space at at least one side and / or along at least one edge.

[0017] The open cavity allows for air exchange between the cavity and the rest of the vehicle's interior space. This enables particularly efficient heat dissipation from the display screen and / or light guides, thus providing overheat protection for them. Additionally or alternatively, the cavity can be used as a storage solution, such as for mobile terminal devices (especially smartphones) and / or paper and / or notepads and / or wallets.

[0018] One improvement includes a transparent light guide. Specifically, it is transparent on all sides. The light guide is particularly transparent in the direction of its minimum size and / or in the direction of the transparent display screen's minimum size. This transparency of the light guide specifically means that it transmits at least 70%, especially at least 80%, and preferably at least 90% of the incident light. The transparency of the light guide provides the advantage of allowing the background, such as the interior space surface, of the light guide to be seen through the transparent display screen with a switchable layer and through the light guide itself. This can, for example, make the vehicle interior space appear larger, and / or allow information and / or images to be displayed behind the display device, and / or create a seamless transition between the display device and the vehicle interior space where the display device is located.

[0019] One improvement involves dividing the switchable layer into multiple independently operable regions, particularly strip-shaped regions. This specifically means that the transmittance of the display with the switchable layer can be adjusted independently within these regions. Therefore, some areas of the display can have higher transmittance than other areas. Consequently, the display surface of the display device can have areas that allow the display device to be transparent and areas that do not allow transparency and / or produce black pixels and / or dark pixels. This specifically means that areas with different transmittances can be provided.

[0020] The strip shape is particularly advantageous because it allows for the provision of means for controlling independently operable areas only on one side of the display, especially perpendicular to the strip direction. The means for control is particularly capable of applying a voltage to a controllable layer, which is a layer whose transmittance changes when a voltage is applied but remains constant when no voltage is applied.

[0021] One improvement includes at least one planar light guide having multiple light guide layers, each light guide layer having at least one interface for its respective at least one light source. This specifically means that the multiple light guide layers are stacked and / or arranged side-by-side in the direction of minimum size of the light guide and / or in the direction emanating from the light guide toward a display screen having a switchable layer, wherein each light guide layer is transparent in its respective direction of minimum size. Each light guide layer has its own at least one interface, so that each light guide layer is arranged to receive light input from its respective at least one light source. Therefore, the light radiated from each light guide layer toward the display screen can be individually adjusted. In particular, the light guide structure composed of multiple light guide layers enables the superposition of the amount of light emitted from each light guide layer toward the display screen.

[0022] In particular, if different light guide layers have different brightness distributions emitting light towards the display screen, the brightness distribution across the entire display screen can be individually adjusted due to the individual and / or separate controllability achievable through the individual interfaces of each light guide layer, especially when the display screen is not activated and / or when the transmittance of the display screen with the switchable layer is as high as possible, i.e., especially when the transmittance of the switchable layer is as high as possible. Additionally or alternatively, each light guide layer can emit light of a different color by correspondingly selecting a light source, thereby providing color selection for the backlight illumination of the display screen in a cost-effective manner.

[0023] When light guide layers are arranged side-by-side, it is advantageous to achieve different intensities of backlight illumination in different areas of the display screen. Backlight illumination specifically refers to background illumination, that is, illumination that shines onto an object, such as the display screen, from behind. This is particularly a very simple and / or cost-effective solution for achieving different backlight illumination intensities in different areas of the display screen.

[0024] One improvement includes a planar light guide comprising multiple light guide layers. Among these multiple light guide layers, at least one diffuser layer is arranged to uniformly radiate light from at least one light source across the entire exit surface. This specifically means that the diffuser layer has a constant brightness distribution across its entire exit surface. The diffuser layer can be designed, for example, as a volume diffuser, as is known in the prior art. A volume diffuser is a transparent component in which scattering centers are embedded. This means that scattering centers exist within the volume of the volume diffuser, and light within the volume diffuser and / or light reaching the scattering centers within the volume diffuser is scattered at the scattering centers. The scattering centers can be, for example, bubbles (Lufteinschlüsse). The diffuser layer is particularly designed as a volume diffuser, in which case the scattering centers are uniformly distributed within the diffuser layer. The uniform distribution of scattering centers within the diffuser layer can be understood as follows: for any two volume units of equal size, the number of scattering centers differs by at most 10%, particularly by at most 5%, and / or the distance between two adjacent scattering centers differs by at most 5% compared to the average distance between two scattering centers in the diffuser layer. Attached to or instead of this, the diffusion layer can have microstructures distributed across its entire exit surface, particularly uniform microstructures, to uniformly couple light out of the light guide. The microstructures reduce the reflection coefficient at the light guide surface. The advantage of the diffusion layer is uniform backlight illumination of the display.

[0025] Additionally, among the plurality of light-conducting layers, at least one molding layer has a scattering center in a predetermined sub-region of the molding layer, such that the molding layer is arranged such that light from at least one light source is radiated only through the exit surface in at least one predetermined sub-region. Light is radiated particularly in the radiation region of the exit surface, which is a predetermined sub-region that images and / or projects onto the exit surface, especially in the direction of minimum size of the light guide and / or in the illustrated direction. This means that the scattering center is arranged only in at least one predetermined sub-region or is arranged more concentrated in at least one predetermined sub-region than in the rest of the light guide, such that, for example, at least 70%, especially at least 80%, preferably at least 90% of the radiated light is scattered and / or radiated through the radiation region in at least one predetermined sub-region. Additionally or alternatively, it may be specified that the microstructure is located only within the radiation region.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, at least one forming layer may have microstructures in a predetermined radiation region of the exit surface, such that the forming layer is arranged to radiate light from at least one light source only in the predetermined radiation region. This means that light is guided within the forming layer by total internal reflection at at least one inner surface of the forming layer. The inner surface is the inner surface of the light guide. If light reaches the inner side of the exit surface in a region without microstructures, the amount of light coupled out of the light guide is less than the amount coupled out if light reaches the inner side of the exit surface in the predetermined radiation region. In particular, at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, of the light propagating within the light guide and reaching the inner side of the exit surface in a region without microstructures is totally internally reflected. Therefore, more light is coupled out of the light guide, especially in regions with microstructures on the exit surface, compared to regions without microstructures.

[0027] The advantage of using a molding layer is that it allows for backlighting of the display screen by radiating light in the shape of fixed symbols and / or fixed information and / or by light in the shape of fixed symbols and / or fixed information. This enables the transmission of information, for example, through the backlighting of the display screen.

[0028] The advantage of combining at least one diffusion layer and at least one molding layer is that it enables uniform backlighting of the display screen, thereby making the display screen appear uniformly transparent, and / or allowing a more transparent shape corresponding to the shape of at least one predefined sub-region to be displayed on a display screen that would otherwise appear less transparent. Information can be transmitted, for example, through this more transparent shape.

[0029] As another solution, the invention includes a motor vehicle comprising at least one motor vehicle display device, wherein the back side of a surface light guide, opposite to its emitting surface, is disposed on a particularly opaque interior space surface within the vehicle's interior space. This means that the vehicle's interior space has at least one interior space surface, such as a portion of the vehicle's dashboard, on which the surface light guide is mounted with its back side. The back side of the light guide is particularly oriented opposite to and / or away from the display screen's emitting surface. The resulting advantage is that the interior space surface can be seen when viewed through a transparent display screen with a switchable layer and through the light guide, thereby creating a seamless transition, particularly between the vehicle's interior space and the display device.

[0030] The improved design for motor vehicles includes a display screen that is fixed only along one side and / or one edge, with the remainder of the display screen suspended. This specifically means that the display screen is fixed only along one side, and the rest of the display screen is freely positioned and / or suspended within the vehicle's interior space. This allows for the formation of an open cavity at at least one side and / or one edge of the display screen. The suspended portion of the display screen enables particularly efficient heat dissipation for at least one component of the display device, such as the display screen and / or light guide and / or switchable layer. Additionally or alternatively, additional storage space can be provided between the transparent display screen with the switchable layer and the light guide. This storage space can, for example, store mobile terminal devices, particularly smartphones and / or smartwatches, and / or notepads and / or notebooks.

[0031] The improvement scheme for motor vehicles includes having a display screen with a switchable layer smaller than the size of a planar light guide in the vehicle height direction. Specifically, it can be specified that the lower side and / or edge of the display screen and light guide in the vehicle height direction are arranged at the same height and / or at the same value in the vehicle height direction. Furthermore, it can be specified that only the lower portion of the display screen in the vehicle height direction is backlit by the light guide, while the upper portion of the display screen in the vehicle height direction is not backlit by the light guide.

[0032] The display screen with a switchable layer is arranged in the vehicle such that, on the switchable layer side, only the switchable layer exists in a sub-region of the display screen, and only a vehicle glass, which separates the vehicle's interior space from its exterior space, is spaced apart from the switchable layer. This sub-region of the display screen is preferably positioned higher in the vehicle's height direction than another area of ​​the display screen that can be backlit by a light guide. A key feature of this sub-region is that, on the switchable layer side, no light guide is arranged in this sub-region; that is, no backlighting is provided for this sub-region. Alternatively, instead of a light guide, a vehicle glass may be arranged, and the distance between the vehicle glass and the display screen may be less than or greater than the distance between the display screen and the light guide in another backlit area of ​​the display screen.

[0033] The advantage of this improved solution is that, in the sub-region, the vehicle's external space and / or at least a portion of it can be seen through the display screen, the switchable layer, and the vehicle glass, especially when the switchable layer is in a state with the highest possible transparency, and / or when the switchable layer transmits at least 30%, and particularly at least 50%, of the incident light. Therefore, an effect similar to that of head-up displays known in the prior art can be achieved, the difference being that, in another backlit area of ​​the display screen, the interior space surface, rather than the vehicle's external space, i.e., the vehicle environment, can be seen.

[0034] Vehicle glass is preferably the windshield and / or front and / or side windows of a motor vehicle. The external space of a vehicle is at least a part of the motor vehicle environment.

[0035] An improvement to the motor vehicle includes at least one display element / display section on the interior space surface of the vehicle, arranged to display the same information, particularly continuously displayed on the display screen when it is off, as when the display screen is in use. This means that the information, particularly continuously displayed on the display screen when it is active, is displayed on the interior space surface and / or the interior space surface by the display element at least when the display screen is deactivated and / or inactive. The advantage is that this information can be continuously provided and / or retrieved. The display element may be, for example, a clock. The information may be, for example, current weather information, time information, date information, and / or information about the quality of connection with external devices and / or external stations.

[0036] The improved vehicle design includes a control unit that displays first content on a screen and projects second content onto the interior surface of the vehicle using at least one projector. The entire visible display is a superposition of the first and second content. This means that the overall visible display is composed of the first content displayed on the screen and the second content projected onto the interior surface. Therefore, a three-dimensional effect in the visible display is achieved.

[0037] To ensure the second display content is correctly positioned relative to the first display content, so that the first and second display contents appear to be correctly matched and / or positioned relative to each other from the perspective of at least one occupant, it may be stipulated that the head position of at least one occupant is determined by at least one interior space camera. Alternatively or additionally, if the occupant is the driver of the motor vehicle, a display device adjustable by the driver, such as a head-up display, may be used to determine the driver's head position.

[0038] A visible display combining the first and second display contents can be used, for example, when information needs to be displayed on a background with other information, such as when the current location is displayed on a map during navigation.

[0039] The present invention also includes an improved version of the motor vehicle according to the invention, which has the features already described in conjunction with the improved version of the motor vehicle display device according to the invention. Therefore, the corresponding improved version of the motor vehicle according to the invention will not be described again here.

[0040] As another solution, the present invention includes a method for operating a vehicle display device having at least one light source and / or a method for operating a vehicle having a vehicle display device and preferably at least one light source. The method includes displaying output content on the display surface of a transparent display screen, for which a switchable layer is arranged on a surface of the transparent display screen opposite to the display surface, through which at least a localized darkening of the display surface is achieved when adjusted to a first transmittance. When the switchable layer is adjusted to a second transmittance greater than the first transmittance, the light transmittance of the vehicle display device and / or the display screen having the switchable layer is increased and / or the apparent transparency of the vehicle display device and / or the display screen having the switchable layer is increased by radiating light via planar light guides arranged spaced apart from the switchable layer on the switchable layer side, emanating from the display screen. This means that the transmittance of the switchable layer can be changed and / or adjusted, and different effects can be achieved depending on the set transmittance. At the first transmittance, the percentage of light incident on the switchable layer that passes through the switchable layer is small, thus providing a darker surface behind the transparent display screen compared to the second transmittance. Therefore, it is particularly possible to produce and / or present darker pixels. Conversely, with the second transmittance, it is possible to achieve apparent transparency of the display screen and / or display device, that is, to see and / or perceive more clearly the internal space surface behind the display device and / or the surface behind the transparent display screen with a switchable layer.

[0041] An improved version of the method includes, when no content is displayed on the display screen and / or only on a portion of the display screen and / or on at least a portion of the display screen, displaying content that does not require a dark background and / or a black background, using light from a planar light guide radiating source and / or enabling at least one area of ​​the switchable layer to have a second transmittance. Therefore, apparent transparency of the display screen can be achieved at least in the cases and / or areas where the background should be visible, particularly interior space surfaces and / or a portion of the vehicle's exterior space, and / or at least in the cases and / or areas where it is not necessary to use dark pixels and / or black pixels to provide a dark background and / or a black background for presenting information.

[0042] For application cases or situations that may arise in the method but are not explicitly described herein, it may be specified that the method outputs error reports and / or requests for user feedback, and / or sets default settings and / or predetermined initial states.

[0043] The present invention also includes improvements to the method according to the invention, which have features described in conjunction with improvements to the motor vehicle and / or the motor vehicle display device according to the invention. Therefore, corresponding improvements to the method of the invention will not be described further herein.

[0044] As an alternative solution, the present invention also includes a computer-readable storage medium containing program code that, when executed by a computer or computer network, causes the computer or computer network to perform an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The storage medium may be provided at least partially as a non-volatile data memory (e.g., flash memory and / or SSD solid-state drive) and / or at least partially as a volatile data memory (e.g., RAM random access memory). The storage medium may be arranged in a computer or computer network. However, the storage medium may also operate, for example, as a so-called application store server and / or cloud server on the Internet. A processor circuit having, for example, at least one microprocessor may be provided via the computer or computer network. The program code may be provided as binary code and / or assembly code and / or source code of a programming language (e.g., C) and / or program scripts (e.g., Python). The computer-readable storage medium may alternatively be implemented as a signal having computer-readable data, such as a time-varying voltage signal and / or a radio signal.

[0045] The present invention also includes a control device for a vehicle display device. This control device may have a data processing device or a processor device (processor circuitry) arranged to perform embodiments of the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the processor device may have 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). As a microprocessor, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphical Processing Unit), or NPU (Neural Processing Unit) may be used accordingly. Furthermore, the processor device may have program code arranged to implement embodiments of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor device. The program code may be stored in the data memory of the processor device. The processor device may, for example, be based on at least one circuit board and / or at least one SoC (System on Chip).

[0046] The present invention also covers combinations of features of the described embodiments. Therefore, the present invention also covers implementations having combinations of features of a plurality of non-mutually described embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0047] The embodiments of the present invention are described below. Wherein:

[0048] Figure 1 A schematic cross-section of an embodiment of the vehicle display device according to the present invention is shown;

[0049] Figure 2 A schematic cross-section of an embodiment of the vehicle display device according to the present invention is shown;

[0050] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the motor vehicle display device according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0051] The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the embodiments, the described components are individual, independently viewable features of the present invention, and these features also independently improve the present invention. Therefore, this disclosure should also cover combinations different from the combinations of features shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, the described embodiments can be supplemented by other features among the already described features of the present invention.

[0052] In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote elements that have the same function.

[0053] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a motor vehicle display device 10 is shown. The motor vehicle display device 10, hereinafter also referred to as display device 10, includes a transparent display screen 12 (also referred to as display screen 12), which includes a display surface 14. The display surface 14 may be the surface of the display screen 12 facing the vehicle occupant 16 (represented by the eyes) when the display device 10 is integrated into a vehicle. The display surface 14 is particularly perpendicular to a drawn direction 18, wherein the drawn direction 18 is the direction of the minimum dimension of the display screen 12. Content and / or information perceptible to, for example, at least one occupant 16 can be displayed on the display surface 14.

[0054] A switchable layer 22 is arranged on a surface opposite to the display surface 14, for example, on the back side 20 of the display screen 12 opposite to the display surface 14. The transmittance of this switchable layer is variable and / or adjustable. This means that the amount of light incident on the switchable layer 22 can be adjusted to pass through the switchable layer 22 and further propagate into the display screen 12. To change the transmittance of the switchable layer, the switchable layer 22 may, for example, have a control device that applies a predetermined voltage for a predetermined duration upon receiving a predetermined signal.

[0055] like Figure 3As exemplarily and schematically shown, the switchable layer 22 can be divided into multiple regions 222 that can be manipulated independently of each other, and these regions can be adjusted independently of each other. Therefore, different transmittances can be assigned to the regions of the display screen 12 having the switchable layer 22 that correspond to the different independently manipulateable regions 222 of the switchable layer 22.

[0056] On the side of the switchable layer 22 of the display screen 12, light guides 26 are arranged spaced apart by cavities 24. Each light guide 26 includes at least one interface 28 (two interfaces are exemplarily shown in this example), arranged to connect to at least one light source. Light from at least one light source can be introduced into the light guide 26 through at least one interface 28.

[0057] The light guide 26 can be designed as a volume diffuser, meaning that it can have multiple scattering centers within a transparent volume, where light propagating within the volume can be scattered. By scattering light at the scattering centers, the direction of light propagation can be changed, thus allowing light to exit from the light guide 26.

[0058] The light guide 26 can be designed so that the scattering centers are distributed throughout the entire light guide 26, especially uniformly, thereby achieving uniform light radiation. This specifically means that the amount of light emitted from the light guide 26 per unit time is the same at every point on the exit surface 30 (corresponding to the surface of the light guide 26 facing the display screen 12)—preferably within a predetermined error range. This thus achieves uniform backlight illumination of the display screen 12.

[0059] Additional to or alternative to this, it may be specified that scattering centers exist only in a predetermined sub-region of the light guide 26, and / or that the number of scattering centers in the predetermined sub-region of the light guide is greater than the number of scattering centers in the remaining regions of the light guide 26. This means that more light propagating in the light guide 26 is scattered in the predetermined sub-region, thereby emitting more light from the light guide 26 in a predetermined radiation region than from the remaining exit surface 30. This predetermined radiation region may be the projection of the predetermined sub-region onto the exit surface 30.

[0060] Alternatively or supplementing this, the effect of emitting more light from the light guide 26 in a predetermined radiation region than from the other emission surfaces 30 can be achieved by means of microstructures provided in a predetermined radiation region on the exit surface 30 of the light guide 26. The microstructures are arranged to increase the probability of light emanating from the light guide 26.

[0061] like Figure 2As exemplarily shown, the light guide 26 may include a plurality of light guide layers 261, 262, at least one of which, light guide layer 261, uniformly distributes light from the light guide layer 261 onto the emission surface 30 for emission. This at least one light guide layer 261 may be referred to as a diffusion layer. Attached to or alternatively, at least another light guide layer 262, which may be referred to as a shaping layer, outputs more light per unit area within a predetermined radiation region than in the remaining region of the emission surface 30.

[0062] Each of the light guide layers 261 and 262 may have at least one separate interface 28 for connecting at least one light source, for example, for individual operation.

[0063] Instead of multiple optical guide layers 261, 262, optical guide 26 may include only one optical guide layer 261, 262, as exemplarily in Figure 1 As shown in the image.

[0064] At least one interface 28 for connecting at least one light source is disposed on the periphery of the light guide 26. This specifically means that at least one interface 28 is disposed on a side of the light guide 26 and / or the light guide layers 261, 262 that is different from the exit surface 30 of the light guide 26 and different from the back surface 32 of the light guide 26 that is opposite to the exit surface 30.

[0065] Specifically, it can be specified that the light source is not arranged on the back 32 of the light guide 26, so that when the light guide 26 is transparent, especially along the illustrated direction 18, the interior space surface 34 can be seen through the light guide 26, especially through the display screen 12, the switchable layer 22 and the light guide 26, for example by the vehicle occupant 16. The interior space surface 34 can be the surface in the vehicle interior space where the light guide 26 is installed.

[0066] A cavity 24 exists between the light guide 26 and the display screen 12 having a switchable layer 22. The cavity 24 may have at least one opening 36, thereby enabling air exchange between the air in the cavity 24 and the air outside the cavity 24. In order for the cavity 24 to have an opening 36, the cavity 24 may be open along at least one edge and / or one side 38, 381, 382, ​​383 of the display screen 12.

[0067] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 The opening 36 of the cavity 24 is shown exemplarily, and the cavity 24 is open at least along the upper edge and / or top side 38, 381 of the display screen 12. Figure 3 In addition, the cavity is open at least along the side edges and / or sides 38, 382, ​​383 of the display screen 12.

[0068] The opening 36 of the cavity 24 can be achieved in such a way that the display screen 12 is structurally separated from other elements and / or components, particularly from all other elements and / or components, along at least one edge and / or at least one side 38, 381, 382, ​​383, of the vehicle interior space where the display device 10 is installed and / or has the display device 10. In particular, it can be specified that the display screen 12 is fixed only along one side and / or one edge 40, while the rest of the display screen 12 is suspended, as shown in the figures, particularly as... Figure 3 As shown (because) Figure 1 and Figure 2 These are cross-sections of the display device 10.

[0069] like Figure 2 As exemplarily shown, it can be specified that in a motor vehicle including at least one display device 10, the size of the light guide 26 along the vehicle height direction 42 is smaller than the size of the display screen 12 having the switchable layer 22 along the vehicle height direction 42. Therefore, the display screen 12 can be divided into two regions 441, 442 (in... Figure 2 The example shown is divided into an upper region 441 and a lower region 442: the upper region 441, which is exemplarily in Figure 2 The upper region 442 is located above the lower region 442 in the vehicle height direction, and no backlighting is generated in the upper region; the lower region 442, which is exemplarily located above the lower region 442, is located above the lower region 442 in the vehicle height direction. Figure 2 The lower region 442 is located below the upper region 441 in the vehicle height direction, and backlighting is generated in the lower region. In particular, the lower region 442 is adjacent to the lower end of the display screen 12, which is obtained by the bottom side and / or the lower edge 40, and / or the upper region 441 is adjacent to the upper end of the display screen 12, which is obtained by the top side and / or the upper edges 38, 381.

[0070] The lower region 442 is characterized in that the light guide 26 is arranged to cover / cover the entire lower region 442 in the direction shown, facing the side of the display screen 12 where the switchable layer 22 is located. This means that a straight line extending parallel to the shown direction 18 from any point on the display screen 12 within the lower region 442 will intersect the light guide 26 after the cavity 24. Therefore, backlighting of the lower region 442 can be achieved.

[0071] The upper region 441 is characterized in that, on the side of the switchable layer 22 of the display screen 12, only the vehicle glass 46 is provided, spaced apart from the switchable layer; that is, there is no light guide 26. This means that, starting from any point in the lower region 442 of the display screen 12, a straight line extending parallel to the illustrated direction 18 on the side of the switchable layer 22 of the display screen 12 intersects the switchable layer 22 and then intersects the vehicle glass 46. An intermediate space 48 can exist between the switchable layer 22 and the vehicle glass 46. Therefore, when viewing the upper region 441 of the display screen 12 from the illustrated direction 18, especially if the display screen 12 and the switchable layer 22 have sufficient transmittance, it is possible to view through the vehicle glass 46.

[0072] It can be specified that, instead of or supplementing the information displayed on the display screen 12, the same and / or supplementary and / or additional information is displayed on the internal space surface 34. For this purpose, the display device 10 may include at least one projector that projects the same and / or supplementary and / or additional information onto the internal space surface 34. Alternatively or supplementing this, it can be specified that the internal space surface 34 includes at least one display element / display section that displays the information continuously displayed on the display screen 12 when the display screen 12 is deactivated, thereby enabling the information to be provided independently of the state of the display screen 12.

[0073] The following describes particularly preferred embodiments:

[0074] Light guides in the form of transparent thin films are known in the prior art, arranged as backlights for displays. The light guides can have a maximum thickness of 2 mm, and more particularly a maximum thickness of 1 mm. Light can be transmitted within the light guide by total internal reflection, with light entering the light guide through at least one interface, particularly at the edges of the light guide. Light can be selectively coupled out of the light guide through microstructures at the surface and / or exit surface.

[0075] It can be specified that the targeted coupling of light from the light guide only occurs in a predetermined radiation region, which is a sub-region of the exit surface of the light guide. This allows for the presentation of at least one illuminated symbol and / or at least one illuminated graphic and / or at least one illuminated structure.

[0076] The light guide can be transparent when closed, i.e., it transmits at least 80%, preferably 90%, of the incident light. The at least one illuminated symbol and / or at least one illuminated graphic and / or at least one illuminated structure are invisible when the light guide is not conducting light.

[0077] The light guide can be mounted and / or laminated onto the interior space surface (lining) located behind the transparent display screen. A gap formed by a cavity exists specifically between the light guide and the transparent display screen. This gap can be between 5 cm and 30 cm.

[0078] Transparent displays, as known in the prior art, are not completely transparent, especially when a switchable layer is provided, which allows adjustment of the transmittance of the display. The switchable layer can be a PDLC layer, as known in the prior art. The switchable layer can be adjusted between opaque and partially transparent. The switchable layer can be used to create a black background because transparent displays cannot produce high contrast.

[0079] A light guide may have multiple light guide layers, such as a light guide layer for planar illumination and / or backlight illumination of a display screen and / or a light guide layer for presenting at least one symbol and / or at least one graphic and / or at least one structure.

[0080] The surface of the interior space can be illuminated by a light guide installed behind the display screen, making it visible through a transparent display screen with a switchable layer.

[0081] The advantages of this display device include a large area and / or uniform and / or fine and / or enhanced transparency of the illumination. Additionally or alternatively, interior surfaces are more clearly visible, allowing the display to be better integrated into the interior and / or vehicle interior space. Additionally or alternatively, the display does not feel like an unwanted object. Additionally or alternatively, when the display is off, instead of seeing a black surface as in other displays known in the prior art, the interior surfaces behind the display are visible. Therefore, the vehicle interior and / or interior space feels more spacious and open. Additionally or alternatively, the light guide is translucent and / or transparent when off, allowing the materials below, especially interior surfaces, to be seen. Additionally or alternatively, the lighting can be selectively turned on and off.

[0082] In summary, these examples demonstrate how luminescent films and / or light guides can be provided on the interior and / or interior space surfaces behind a transparent display to enhance the display's transparency.

Claims

1. A vehicle display device (10) for the interior space of a motor vehicle, the vehicle display device comprising a transparent display screen (12) having a display surface (14), wherein, A switchable layer (22) with variable transmittance is arranged on the surface of the display screen (12) opposite to the display surface (14). Its features are, On the side where the switchable layer (22) is located, a surface light guide (26) is arranged at a distance from the switchable layer (22) through a cavity (24). The surface light guide (26) is arranged to radiate light from at least one light source toward a transparent display screen (12) via an exit surface (30). The surface light guide (26) includes at least one interface (28) for at least one light source, wherein the at least one interface (28) is arranged at the periphery of the surface light guide (26).

2. The motor vehicle display device (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The cavity (24) is open on at least one side of the display screen (12) and / or along at least one edge (38) of the display screen, especially on all sides except one side and / or on all edges except one edge (38).

3. The motor vehicle display device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The light guide (26) is transparent.

4. The motor vehicle display device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The switchable layer (22) is divided into multiple regions (222) that can be manipulated independently of each other, especially the strip-shaped region.

5. The motor vehicle display device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one planar light guide (26) has multiple light guide layers (261, 262), each light guide layer having at least one interface (28) for at least one light source of its own.

6. The motor vehicle display device (10) according to claim 5, wherein, In the plurality of optical guide layers (261, 262): At least one diffusion layer is arranged to uniformly radiate the light from the at least one light source onto the entire exit surface (30), and At least one molding layer has a scattering center in at least one predetermined sub-region of the molding layer and / or has a microstructure in a predetermined radiation region of the exit surface (30), such that the molding layer is arranged to radiate light from the at least one light source only in the at least one predetermined sub-region and / or in the predetermined radiation region.

7. A motor vehicle comprising at least one motor vehicle display device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The back side (32) of the surface light guide (26) opposite to the emitting surface (30) is arranged on the particularly opaque interior space surface (34) of the vehicle interior space.

8. The motor vehicle according to claim 7, wherein, The display screen (12) is fixed only along one side and / or along one edge (40), and the rest of the display screen (12) is suspended.

9. The motor vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, In the vehicle height direction, the size of the display screen (12) having the switchable layer (22) is smaller than the size of the surface light guide (26). The display screen (12) having the switchable layer (22) is arranged in the vehicle such that, on the side where the switchable layer (22) is located, only the switchable layer (22) is provided in a sub-region of the display screen (12), and only a vehicle glass (46) exists spaced apart from the switchable layer, which separates the vehicle interior space from the vehicle exterior space.

10. The motor vehicle according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein, The interior space surface (34) of the motor vehicle includes at least one display element, which is arranged to display the same information as that displayed on the display screen (12) when the display screen (12) is off, especially continuously displayed information.

11. The motor vehicle according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein, The control device of the motor vehicle is arranged to display a first display content on the display screen (12) and project a second display content onto the interior space surface (34) of the motor vehicle by at least one projector, wherein the entire visible display content is a superposition of the second display content and the first display content.

12. A method for operating a motor vehicle display device (10) having at least one light source according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and / or a method for operating a vehicle having a motor vehicle display device (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein, The output content is displayed on the display surface (14) of the transparent display screen (12). To this end, a switchable layer (22) is provided on the surface of the transparent display screen (12) opposite to the display surface (14). Through the switchable layer, when the transmittance is adjusted to a first level, at least a local darkening of the display surface (14) is achieved. When the switchable layer (22) is adjusted to a second transmittance greater than the first transmittance, the light transmittance of the vehicle display device (10) and / or the display screen (12) having the switchable layer (22) is increased and / or the apparent transparency of the vehicle display device (10) and / or the display screen (12) having the switchable layer (22) is increased by radiating light from the display screen (12) via a surface light guide (26) arranged spaced apart from the switchable layer (22) on the side where the switchable layer (22) is located.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, When no content is displayed on the display screen (12), and / or When content that does not require a dark background and / or black background is displayed only on a portion of the display screen (12) and / or at least a portion of the display screen (12), The light from the radiant light source is radiated through the planar light guide (26), and / or at least one region of the switchable layer (22) has a second transmittance.

Images