Ignition key for a vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

An ignition key (9) for a vehicle (1) and a vehicle (1) having a passenger compartment (5) and at least one component (9; 10; 14) which is opaque and non-reflective and has at least one wall (15) visible to an occupant of the passenger compartment (5). The component (9; 10; 14) can optionally be an ignition key (9) having at least one electrochromic film (16) covering the wall (15) and an electric circuit (17). The component (9; 10; 14) can have very wide dimensions while also being extremely light, extremely flexible, particularly impact resistant, and have very low electric power consumption.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This utility model application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102024000016762, filed on July 19, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This utility model relates to a vehicle equipped with a component that can change its appearance and an ignition key for the vehicle. That is, the vehicle is equipped with a component that can change its external appearance in order to convey a certain type of information to the driver or passengers in a simple, quick and intuitive way. Background Technology

[0004] Typically, inside a vehicle, light indicators (on or off) or digital screens (fully programmable) are used to convey some type of information to the driver or passengers. However, light indicators are relatively small and not very noticeable, so changes in their status are not always quickly noticed by the driver or passengers; while digital screens are relatively fragile (fragile), quite bulky, and require a considerable amount of power to operate, making it impossible to insert too many digital screens inside a vehicle, and inserting digital screens into battery-powered portable components (such as ignition keys) is not straightforward.

[0005] Patent application FR3073468A1 describes the structure of a vehicle passenger compartment equipped with a digital screen that is at least partially covered by an electrochromic film that can alternately present a translucent or opaque state.

[0006] Patent application WO2020025085A1 describes a vehicle component that includes a display element (i.e., a digital screen) covered by a surface layer that becomes transparent when activated.

[0007] Patent US7702434B2 describes a vehicle screen that is at least partially covered by a decorative layer that may be alternately opaque or transparent. Utility Model Content

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a vehicle equipped with a variable appearance component and an ignition key for the vehicle. This variable appearance component does not have the aforementioned disadvantages, and is simple to manufacture and cost-effective.

[0009] This objective is achieved by a vehicle comprising a passenger compartment and at least one component that is opaque and non-reflective, has no controllable screens for displaying information, and has at least one wall visible to the occupants of the passenger compartment, the wall always having only a single, unchanging appearance.

[0010] The vehicle's components include:

[0011] At least one electrochromic film covering the wall; and

[0012] A circuit connected to opposite ends of the electrochromic film and configured to apply a voltage to the electrochromic film when necessary to change the optical properties of the electrochromic film.

[0013] In one embodiment, applying a voltage to the electrochromic film changes the transparency of the electrochromic film.

[0014] In one embodiment, the electrochromic film is transparent when there is no voltage and becomes opaque when there is a voltage.

[0015] In one embodiment, the electrochromic film is opaque when there is no voltage and becomes transparent when there is voltage.

[0016] In one embodiment, the wall has at least one graphic symbol disposed below the electrochromic film.

[0017] In one embodiment, applying a voltage to the electrochromic film changes the transparency of the electrochromic film, making the graphic symbol visible or hidden.

[0018] In one embodiment, the graphic symbol is hidden when there is no voltage and becomes visible when there is voltage, and vice versa.

[0019] In one embodiment, the component includes two different electrochromic films that can be controlled individually and independently, with each electrochromic film covering only a portion of the wall.

[0020] In one embodiment, the component is an ignition key.

[0021] In one embodiment:

[0022] The passenger compartment includes a steering wheel with a centrally located airbag chamber, the front of which is sealed by an openable cover; and

[0023] The component is the cover of the airbag chamber of the steering wheel.

[0024] In one embodiment, the component is a decorative panel of the passenger compartment.

[0025] The present invention further provides an ignition key for a vehicle; the ignition key is opaque and non-reflective, has no controllable screen for displaying information, and has at least one wall that always has only a single, unchanging appearance.

[0026] The ignition key includes:

[0027] At least one electrochromic film covering the wall; and

[0028] A circuit connected to opposite ends of the electrochromic film and configured to apply a voltage to the electrochromic film when necessary to change the optical properties of the electrochromic film.

[0029] In one embodiment, applying a voltage to the electrochromic film changes the transparency of the electrochromic film.

[0030] In one embodiment:

[0031] The wall has at least one graphic symbol disposed below the electrochromic film; and

[0032] Applying a voltage to the electrochromic film changes its transparency, thus making the graphic symbols visible or hidden.

[0033] In one embodiment, the graphic symbol is hidden when there is no voltage and becomes visible when there is voltage, and vice versa. Attached Figure Description

[0034] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, in which:

[0035] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a road vehicle manufactured according to this utility model;

[0036] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a dashboard of a vehicle on the road, with some parts removed for clarity;

[0037] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the exterior variable parts of a road vehicle, particularly the ignition key;

[0038] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the electronic control circuit of the electrochromic film in the middle component;

[0039] Figure 5 and Figure 6 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of two different aspects of the middle component;

[0040] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of two different aspects of another variable-appearance component, specifically the steering wheel airbag chamber cover;

[0041] Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 This is another variable appearance component, specifically a schematic diagram of three different aspects of the decorative panel on the central channel. Detailed Implementation

[0042] exist Figure 1 In the reference numeral 1, the term generally indicates an electric road vehicle (particularly a car) having two front wheels 2 (which may be driven or driven wheels) and two rear wheels 3 (driven wheels).

[0043] The road vehicle 1 includes a pure electric powertrain system 4, which consists of only one or more electric motors connected to the rear wheels 3 (and possibly also to the front wheels 2).

[0044] The road vehicle 1 includes a passenger compartment 5, which is disposed between the two front wheels 2 and the two rear wheels 3. The front of the passenger compartment 5 is provided by a dashboard 6 located below the windshield 7 (e.g., Figure 2 (As shown) defines and accommodates (at least) two seats, which are provided by a central aisle 8 (as shown) arranged along the longitudinal axis of symmetry of vehicle 1 (i.e., passenger compartment 5). Figure 2 (As shown) are separated from each other.

[0045] according to Figure 2 As shown, vehicle 1 includes (at least one) ignition key 9, which, among other functions, is configured to authorize the initiation of operation of road vehicle 1 (i.e., the so-called "ignition" of powertrain system 4), that is, to authorize road vehicle 1 to move under the thrust of powertrain system 4. Ignition key 9 includes an electronic device (typically a transponder) that can be queried remotely (i.e. without direct contact) and contains an encrypted security code.

[0046] The top of the central tunnel 8 is defined by a generally horizontal decorative panel 10. Within the decorative panel 10 is a chamber 11 configured to receive and contain the ignition key 9, and a shift controller 12 disposed through the decorative panel 10 and close to the chamber 11.

[0047] Passenger compartment 5 accommodates one pair of seats ( Figure 2 (Not shown in the image): The left-hand seat is dedicated to the driver and is positioned in front of the steering wheel 13, which is equipped with an airbag. In the event of a frontal or oblique collision (i.e., an obstacle at a 30° angle to the direction of travel of the vehicle 1), the airbag functions to prevent the driver's torso and head from violently impacting the steering wheel 13 and rigid components of the vehicle body located in front of the driver, such as the frame pillars or the windshield 7. The airbag includes a chamber located in the central hub of the steering wheel 13, and the front of the chamber is closed by a cover 14 shaped to open spontaneously under the thrust of the airbag when it inflates.

[0048] according to Figure 3 As shown, the ignition key 9 is an opaque (i.e., it does not allow light radiation to pass through, and its transparency coefficient is zero) and non-reflective (i.e., it cannot reflect light like a mirror) component of the road vehicle 1. The ignition key 9 is parallelepiped in shape with a rectangular cross-section and has an upper wall 15 (wall 15) opposite to the lower wall located in the chamber 11; wall 15 is always visible to the occupants (driver or passenger) of the passenger compartment 5.

[0049] Component 9 includes an electrochromic film 16 (partially or entirely) covering the upper wall 15; this electrochromic film 16 is capable of changing its optical properties in response to electrical stimulation. Furthermore, component 9 includes a circuit 17 (such as...). Figure 4 As shown, circuit 17 is connected to opposite ends of electrochromic film 16 and configured to apply voltage to electrochromic film 16 when necessary to change the optical properties of electrochromic film 16.

[0050] Applying a voltage to the electrochromic film 16 changes its transparency, making it transparent so that objects underneath can be seen, or making it opaque so that objects underneath can be hidden.

[0051] According to one possible embodiment, the electrochromic film 16 is transparent when there is no voltage and becomes opaque when a voltage is applied; that is, in this embodiment, the electrochromic film utilizes PDLC (“Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal”) technology, which distributes nematic liquid crystals within a polymer compound deposited between two polyester films. Nematic liquid crystals are electro-oriented, having a cylindrical or elliptical shape (one of their three axes differs from the other two), and this property is the basis for the anisotropic behavior of these materials. Applying an electric field causes the liquid crystal molecules to align in an ordered manner, allowing light to pass through the electrochromic film 16 undisturbed (without deflection), thus presenting the transparent electrochromic film 16 to our eyes. After the electric field is removed, the liquid crystal molecules return to a disordered / random state, and the light is thus repeatedly deflected (diffused) by the molecules, preventing our eyes from reconstructing an image of objects behind the electrochromic film 16 (in its semi-transparent state).

[0052] According to another embodiment, the electrochromic film 16 is opaque when there is no voltage and becomes transparent when there is voltage. That is, in this embodiment, the electrochromic film 16 utilizes PNLC (“Polymer Network Liquid Crystal”) technology.

[0053] according to Figure 4As shown, circuit 17 includes two electrodes 18 connected to opposite ends of electrochromic film 16; a battery 19; and a switch 20 configured to connect / disconnect power from battery 19 to electrodes 18 (i.e., to / from opposite ends of electrochromic film 16). Switch 20 is controlled by control unit 21, which, among other functions, determines the required level of transparency of electrochromic film 16 and thus the required appearance of the upper wall 15 of ignition key 9.

[0054] according to Figure 3 As shown, at least one graphic symbol 22 is (printed or pasted) on the upper wall 15 of the ignition key 9, and the graphic symbol 22 is disposed below the electrochromic film 16: when the electrochromic film 16 is transparent, the graphic symbol 22 is visible through the electrochromic film 16 (e.g., Figure 5 As shown), when the electrochromic film 16 is opaque, the graphic symbol 22 is obscured (hidden) by the electrochromic film 16 (as shown). Figure 6 (As shown). Therefore, by controlling the transparency of the electrochromic film 16, the graphic symbol 22 disposed beneath the electrochromic film 16 can be hidden or displayed; in other words, applying a voltage to the electrochromic film 16 changes its transparency, thereby making the graphic symbol 22 visible or hidden. Depending on the technology used in the electrochromic film 16, the graphic symbol 22 may be hidden when there is no voltage and become visible when there is voltage (PDLC technology), or the graphic symbol 22 may be hidden when there is voltage and become visible when there is no voltage (PNLC technology).

[0055] The graphic symbol 22 (shown schematically in the accompanying drawings) may include at least one pattern, at least one text, or a combination of both.

[0056] exist Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, the component coupled to the electrochromic film 16 and configured with the graphic symbol 22 is the ignition key 9.

[0057] exist Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the alternative embodiment shown, the component coupled to the electrochromic film 16 and configured with the graphic symbol 22 is the cover 14 of the airbag chamber of the steering wheel 13. Figure 7 The cover 14 is shown when the electrochromic film 16 is transparent, thus revealing the graphic symbol 22. Figure 8 The cover 14 is shown when the electrochromic film 16 is opaque, thus concealing the graphic symbol 22.

[0058] exist Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 11In a further embodiment shown, the component coupled to the electrochromic film 16 and configured with the graphic symbol 22 is the decorative panel 10 (or a portion of the decorative panel 10). In this embodiment, the decorative panel 10 is configured with two different electrochromic films 16, which can be controlled individually and independently, each electrochromic film 16 covering only a portion of the wall 15 (in particular, the two electrochromic films 16 are arranged side by side and cover the wall 15 in a complementary manner). According to other embodiments, the wall 15 may be covered by three, four or more different electrochromic films 16, which can be controlled individually and independently. Figure 7 The decorative panel 10 is shown when both electrochromic films 16 are transparent, allowing all the graphic symbols 22 to be seen. Figure 10 The decorative panel 10 is shown when one electrochromic film 16 is transparent and the other electrochromic film 16 is opaque, so that only part of the graphic symbol 22 is visible. Figure 11 The decorative panel 10 is shown when both electrochromic films 16 are opaque, at which point all graphic symbols 22 are hidden.

[0059] Obviously, an embodiment is also provided in which the component with electrochromic film 16 is not provided with graphic symbol 22. Therefore, when electrochromic film 16 is transparent, the surface decoration of the component can only be seen through electrochromic film 16.

[0060] In all the foregoing embodiments, it is obvious that the component coupled to the electrochromic film 16 is not configured with any (digital) controllable screen for displaying information; that is, the component coupled to the electrochromic film 16 cannot change its own external appearance on its own, and the change of its external appearance can only be achieved by controlling the electrochromic film 16 (the electrochromic film 16 can show or hide the wall 15 below).

[0061] Furthermore, in all the aforementioned embodiments, the wall 15 covered by the electrochromic film 16 always has only one unchanging appearance; that is, the wall 15 covered by the electrochromic film 16 is passive and cannot change its external appearance autonomously. Changes in its external appearance can only be achieved by controlling the electrochromic film 16 (the electrochromic film 16 can show or hide the wall 15 underneath).

[0062] The embodiments described herein can be combined with each other.

[0063] The application of the electrochromic film 16 to the visible wall of a vehicle component described above can be advantageously applied to any type of road vehicle (e.g., automobile or motorcycle) as well as any type of off-road vehicle.

[0064] The aforementioned road vehicle 1 has numerous advantages.

[0065] First, the aforementioned road vehicle 1 has at least one appearance-variable component (i.e., capable of changing its appearance, possibly also displaying or hiding graphic symbols 22). This appearance-variable component can have a very wide size (and thus be particularly conspicuous and immediately visible), while also being extremely lightweight (the electrochromic film 16 weighs only a few grams per square decimeter) and having very low power consumption (the electrochromic film 16 essentially utilizes the directional effect of an electric field, with current circulation being almost negligible). In other words, to obtain a component capable of changing its external appearance on command, it is known to use a digital screen, but such a digital screen is by no means bulkier, heavier, and more energy-intensive than the electrochromic film 16.

[0066] Furthermore, the electrochromic film 16 is extremely flexible, thus it can adapt to very different and particularly complex shapes, and the electrochromic film 16 is particularly impact resistant; therefore, the electrochromic film 16 can be easily applied to multiple components of the road vehicle 1, allowing the aesthetics of the components to be changed according to orders, especially for conveying information to the occupants of the road vehicle 1 in a simple, fast and intuitive way.

[0067] List of reference numerals

[0068] 1. Road vehicles;

[0069] 2. Front wheels;

[0070] 3. Rear wheels;

[0071] 4. Powertrain system;

[0072] 5. Passenger cabin;

[0073] 6. Dashboard;

[0074] 7. Windshield;

[0075] 8. Central passageway;

[0076] 9. Ignition key;

[0077] 10. Decorative panels;

[0078] 11 chambers;

[0079] 12. Gear shift controller;

[0080] 13. Steering wheel;

[0081] 14. Cover;

[0082] 15 wall / upper wall;

[0083] 16. Electrochromic film;

[0084] 17. Circuits;

[0085] 18 electrodes;

[0086] 19 batteries;

[0087] 20 switches;

[0088] 21. Control unit;

[0089] 22. Graphic symbols.

Claims

1. A vehicle (1) comprising a passenger compartment (5) and at least one component (9; 10; 14) that is opaque and non-reflective, is not configured with any controllable screen for displaying information, and has at least one wall (15) visible to occupants of the passenger compartment (5), the wall (15) always having only a single, unchanging appearance; The vehicle (1) is characterized in that, The components (9; 10; 14) Includes: At least one electrochromic film (16) covering the wall (15); and A circuit (17) is connected to opposite ends of the electrochromic film (16) and configured to apply a voltage to the electrochromic film (16) when necessary to change the optical properties of the electrochromic film (16).

2. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Applying a voltage to the electrochromic film (16) will change the transparency of the electrochromic film (16).

3. The vehicle (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The electrochromic film (16) is transparent when there is no voltage and becomes opaque when there is voltage.

4. The vehicle (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The electrochromic film (16) is opaque when there is no voltage and becomes transparent when there is voltage.

5. The vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The wall (15) has at least one graphic symbol (22) disposed below the electrochromic film (16).

6. The vehicle (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, Applying a voltage to the electrochromic film (16) changes the transparency of the electrochromic film (16) to make the graphic symbol (22) visible or hidden.

7. The vehicle (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The graphic symbol (22) is hidden when there is no voltage and becomes visible when there is voltage, and vice versa.

8. The vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The components (9; 10; 14) include two different electrochromic films (16) that can be controlled individually and independently, each of the electrochromic films (16) covering only a portion of the wall (15).

9. The vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The components (9; 10; 14) are ignition keys (9).

10. The vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The passenger compartment (5) is equipped with a steering wheel (13) with an airbag chamber at its center, the front of which is closed by an openable cover (14); and The component (9; 10; 14) is the cover (14) of the airbag chamber of the steering wheel (13).

11. The vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The components (9; 10; 14) are the decorative panels (10) of the passenger compartment (5).

12. An ignition key (9) for a vehicle (1); the ignition key (9) is opaque and non-reflective, has no controllable screen for displaying information, and has at least one wall (15) that always has only a single, unchanging appearance. The ignition key (9) is characterized in that it comprises: At least one electrochromic film (16) covering the wall (15). as well as A circuit (17) is connected to opposite ends of the electrochromic film (16) and configured to apply a voltage to the electrochromic film (16) when necessary to change the optical properties of the electrochromic film (16).

13. The ignition key (9) according to claim 12, characterized in that, Applying a voltage to the electrochromic film (16) will change the transparency of the electrochromic film (16).

14. The ignition key (9) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that: The wall (15) has at least one graphic symbol (22) disposed below the electrochromic film (16); and Applying a voltage to the electrochromic film (16) changes the transparency of the electrochromic film (16), thereby making the graphic symbol (22) visible or hidden.

15. The ignition key (9) according to claim 14, characterized in that, The graphic symbol (22) is hidden when there is no voltage and becomes visible when there is voltage, and vice versa.

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