Display device and motor vehicle with such a display device

Abstract

Display device for displaying information comprising a three-dimensional body (1) which is constructed from a curved surface element (11), wherein lighting elements (9) are arranged on one side of the surface element (11), and wherein a lateral surface (2) formed by the surface element (11) is inclined in the direction of the volume enclosed by the three-dimensional body (1), characterized in that the luminous elements (9) are arranged on the inside of the lateral surface (2) formed by the surface element (11) in parallel rows on the circumference of the lateral surface (2) of the three-dimensional body (1), wherein each row has the same number of luminous elements (9).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a display device and a motor vehicle with such a display device.

[0002] From WO 2013 089392 A1, a display device embodied as a three-dimensional body is known. The shape of the three-dimensional body is described as a surface element joined at its ends. The surface element is a rectangle, so that joining the ends together forms a cylindrical display. Light elements are arranged on the surface element to display information.

[0003] The disclosure DE102009045452A1 discloses a device arranged around a user's head consisting of several flat screen elements.

[0004] EP2857239A1 discloses a sun protection system comprising a display on a vehicle roof, wherein the transparency of the display is variable.

[0005] EP3266632B1 discloses a display unit that can be arranged on any transparent pane, whereby a visual barrier is created by displaying opaque pixels.

[0006] Disclosure US20100208065A1 discloses a conical element with one or more displays assigned to its outer surface. A display on the display appears on a page assigned to a user.

[0007] Disclosed in German Patent Application DE102016107995A1 is a display device for overhead installation, wherein the occupancy status of parking spaces is displayed. The display device is designed in the shape of a truncated cone, with the display surface arranged on the outer side of the truncated cone.

[0008] From the disclosure DE102006007285A1 a visualization system with essentially flat displays for arrangement on an aircraft ceiling is known.

[0009] The disclosure DE102016120317A1 discloses a display device for displaying information comprising a three-dimensional cylindrical body constructed from a curved surface element, wherein lighting elements are arranged on an outer side of the cylindrical body.

[0010] The disadvantage of the display device known from the prior art is that, in an overhead arrangement, the displayed overall image cannot be seen from one position and the user's gaze falls on the display surface at an angle, which reduces the recognizability of the information.

[0011] The object of the invention is to further develop the prior art in such a way that an overhead arrangement of the display device enables the entire display content to be captured by a viewer located at a position below the display and that existing images can be transferred to rows and columns of the display as easily as possible.

[0012] The object is achieved by a display device having the features of claim 1 and a motor vehicle according to claim 6. The dependent claims define preferred and advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] In the display device according to the invention, a lateral surface of the three-dimensional body is inclined in the direction of the volume enclosed by the three-dimensional body. As a result, the three-dimensional body tapers, and the lateral surface tapers conically. The lateral surface is preferably closed, so that a volume is completely enclosed. Alternatively, the lateral surface can also be open due to its design; the enclosed volume is then understood to be the volume only partially enclosed by the open lateral surface. The shape of the three-dimensional body described as a surface element can be made from a surface element joined or brought together at its ends or from a one-piece element. In contrast to a solid body, the surface element is understood to be an element, in particular with a curved surface, which has a thickness within the meaning of the application.The surface element has a thickness of preferably 1 to 10 mm, depending on the material used. When the display device is installed with a 360° circumferential surface above or below the eye level of the viewer, the inclination of the display surface formed by the surface advantageously avoids an unfavorable oblique viewing angle. According to the invention, the lighting elements are arranged in parallel rows on the circumference of the surface of the three-dimensional body, with each row having the same number of lighting elements. The three-dimensional body created by the surface element joined together at two ends has a surface area inclined towards the inside of the three-dimensional body, i.e. in the direction of the at least partially enclosed volume. The lighting elements are arranged in rows on the circumference of the surface and each have a different circumference due to the inclination of the surface.Using the example of a truncated cone, the rows of light-emitting elements are arranged in parallel at different diameters and at a predetermined distance. Due to the equal number of light-emitting elements per row, the light-emitting elements are spaced further towards the base than towards the top surface of the truncated cone. In other words, the resolution of the light-emitting elements on the outer surface is lower in the area of ​​the base than in the area of ​​the top surface, which is smaller than the base. Images originally displayed on rectangular screens can advantageously be transferred to the display device according to the invention without extensive conversion of pixel values. Furthermore, the light-emitting elements are arranged on the inside of the outer surface of the three-dimensional body formed by the surface element. This arrangement advantageously enables the display device to be arranged overhead.In this case, an observer looks from below at the surfaces of the three-dimensional body bearing the luminous elements, with the circumference of the body's lateral surface decreasing with increasing distance from the observer. The display device effectively surrounds one or more observers, with the surface element bearing the luminous elements tilted toward the observer(s).

[0014] In a further embodiment, the three-dimensional body at least partially has the contour of a cone or truncated cone. The contour of a cone or truncated cone can be represented by a surface element of simple geometry. Within the scope of the present disclosure, a cone or truncated cone has a circular, oval, or a base surface with any desired line. The edge lines of the surface element can be formed such that the cone or truncated cone has a base or top surface complementary to a fastening geometry, for example, a roof geometry of a vehicle roof.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the lighting elements are covered by a transparent component on the side opposite the surface element. The transparent component is designed to complement the side of the surface element bearing the lighting elements or to the envelope of the surface of the lighting element. The lighting elements shine through the transparent component. The transparent component faces a viewer, so that information can be read while looking at the transparent component. The transparent component preferably has a rigid structure so that the lighting elements arranged on the surface element are supported. The surface element or the lighting elements can be connected to the transparent component using various fastening methods, for example by gluing, magnetic holders, clamps, welding, etc.Advantageously, the surface element can have a flexible structure due to the support provided by the transparent rigid components, which simplifies the application of the lighting elements.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the transparent component is transparent or opaque. A transparent component allows an unobstructed view of the luminous elements, which enables sharp reproduction of the information, particularly when the luminous elements are arranged closely spaced. If the luminous elements are spaced further apart, an opaque component prevents the spaces between the luminous elements from being recognized. In the context of the application, an opaque component is understood to mean a slightly milky component that nevertheless allows the information displayed by the luminous elements to be recognized.

[0017] In a modified embodiment, the light-emitting elements are individual light-emitting diodes, either LEDs or organic light-emitting diodes made of organic semiconducting materials, so-called OLEDs. Light-emitting diodes are arranged closely spaced on a surface element and can be individually controlled, allowing information to be transmitted and read via the images generated by the diodes. Organic light-emitting diodes can be manufactured cost-effectively using thin-film technology and, like LEDs, applied to a preferably flexible surface element as a carrier material.

[0018] A vehicle according to the invention comprises a display device which is arranged on a ceiling of the vehicle interior in such a way that the outer surface inclined towards the enclosed volume of the three-dimensional body opens towards the interior of the vehicle. By looking upwards at the lighting elements inclined towards them, the passengers in the vehicle according to the invention receive information in an unobstructed 360° panoramic view. Preferably, the opening on the side of the three-dimensional body formed by the surface element facing the vehicle surroundings is closed with a transparent cover. The cover is designed, for example, as a dome and illuminates the interior with natural light. The brightness of the lighting elements for displaying the information is changed depending on the brightness of the natural light.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the lighting elements of the display device can be controlled by a control unit in such a way that information relating to an object in the vehicle's surroundings can be positioned on the display device independently of vehicle movement in relation to the object. For example, when the vehicle drives past a point of interest, the information about the point of interest is shown on the side of the display device facing this point. For this purpose, the position on the display device at which the information is to be displayed is determined from the vehicle's GPS data and the GPS data of the point of interest. The lateral surface, which extends 360° and is formed by the surface element carrying the lighting elements, enables information to be displayed on the display device so that it is positioned facing a point of interest, regardless of the vehicle's position.When looking at an object in the vehicle environment, a viewer receives information related to the object on the side of the surface of the display device facing the object.

[0020] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, in which at least one exemplary embodiment is described in detail—possibly with reference to the drawing. Described and / or illustrated features may form the subject matter of the invention alone or in any meaningful combination, possibly also independently of the claims, and may, in particular, also be the subject of one or more separate applications. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0021] Showing: Fig. 1 a display device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a section AA through the display device from Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a view of a surface element of the display device carrying luminous elements from Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a development of the surface element from Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 a motor vehicle with a display device made of Fig. 1.

[0022] According to Fig. 1 shows a display device 3 according to the invention comprising a three-dimensional body 1. The three-dimensional body 1 has the shape of a hollow truncated cone, with lighting elements for displaying information directed towards the volume of the truncated cone enclosed by the lateral surface 2. In the application shown, the display device 3 is arranged above viewers 4. The display device 3 transmits information to the viewers 4 in a 360° panoramic view, with the display surface of the display device 3 formed by the lateral surface 2 being inclined towards the viewers 4. The panoramic view makes it possible to display information associated with objects 7 in the surroundings. Additional information about an object 7 located in the viewing direction 5 of the viewer 4 can be displayed on the display device 3 in the viewing direction 5 of the viewer 4. Fig. 2 shows the structure of the display device 3 from Fig. 1 in section AA. Illuminants 9 designed as light-emitting diodes are arranged on a surface element 11. For production, the light-emitting diodes 9 are applied to conductor tracks of a flat surface element 11. In a subsequent step, the flexible surface element 11 is converted into the desired shape, ie in the present case into the shape of a truncated cone, so that the surface element 11 forms the conically tapered outer surface 2 of the truncated cone. For support, the flexible surface element 11 is supported on the side of the LEDs 9 on a transparent component 13. The view of an observer 4 falls in the arrangement according to Fig. 1 through the transparent component 13 onto the LEDs 11.

[0023] In Fig. Figure 3 shows the lateral surface 2 formed by the flexible surface element 11 in the shape of a truncated cone. The LEDs 9 are arranged on the inside of the surface element 11. The LEDs 9 are each arranged in parallel rows along a diameter of the truncated cone. Each row has the same number of LEDs 9.

[0024] In an exemplary development of the lateral surface 2 of a truncated cone according to Fig. Figure 4 shows an arrangement of LEDs 9. The rows 17 of LEDs 9 are arranged on equidistant circular arcs of varying diameters. The LEDs 9 are aligned radially relative to a center point of the circular arcs. The same number of LEDs 9 is arranged on each circular arc, allowing direct display of image material designed for rectangular screens without conversion.

[0025] The Fig.5 shows a vehicle 18 with a display device 3 according to the invention. The display device 3 is integrated into a vehicle roof 19 so that passengers (not shown) located in the interior 22 can look from below onto the inside of the lateral surface 2 of the display device 3, which is designed, for example, as a truncated cone and to which the lighting elements or the light-emitting diodes 9 are assigned. The display device 3, which is open at the top, is covered with a glass dome 21, creating a bright spatial feeling. Depending on the brightness of the surroundings, the brightness of the light-emitting diodes 9 can be changed so that information is easily legible for the passengers or viewers. A control unit 23 controls the display device 3 such that information is aligned with an object in the vehicle's surroundings, regardless of vehicle movement.The vehicle 18 is, for example, an autonomously driving or a public vehicle, the display device 3 entertains the passengers with information or provides additional information about sights along the route.

Claims

[1] Display device for displaying information comprising a three-dimensional body (1) which is constructed from a curved surface element (11), wherein lighting elements (9) are arranged on one side of the surface element (11), and wherein a lateral surface (2) formed by the surface element (11) is inclined in the direction of the volume enclosed by the three-dimensional body (1) characterized by , that the luminous elements (9) are arranged on the inside of the lateral surface (2) formed by the surface element (11) in parallel rows on the circumference of the lateral surface (2) of the three-dimensional body (1), wherein each row has the same number of luminous elements (9). [2] Display device according to claim 1, characterized by that the three-dimensional body (1) has at least partially the contour of a cone or a truncated cone. [3] Display device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the lighting elements (9) are covered by a transparent component (13) on the side opposite the surface element (11). [4] Display device according to claim 3, characterized by that the transparent component (13) is transparent or opaque. [5] Display device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the lighting elements (9) are designed as organic or LED light-emitting diodes. [6] Vehicle with a display device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the display device is arranged or integrated on a vehicle roof (19) in such a way that the lateral surface (2) inclined towards the inside of the three-dimensional body (1) opens towards the interior (22) of the vehicle. [7] Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized bythat the lighting elements (9) of the display device can be controlled by a control unit (23) in such a way that information relating to an object (7) in the vehicle environment can be positioned on the side of the display device facing the object (7) independently of vehicle movement.

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