Illuminated display device

Abstract

Use of an illuminated display device (2) in a motor vehicle, wherein the illuminated display device (2) comprises the following: - a light source (4) for emitting (30) light rays (6), - a conductive layer (8) for receiving and transmitting (32) the light rays (6), - at least one transfer element (10) for receiving and forwarding (34) the light rays (6), - a cover layer (12) for receiving and coupling out (36) the light rays (6) along a coupling direction (R), wherein the light source (4) is located at an end face (14a) of the conductor layer (8) and the transition element (10) is arranged between the cover layer (12) and the conductor layer (8) in such a way that the light rays (6) can be transmitted from the conductor layer (8) to the transition element (10) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the coupling direction (R) in order to illuminate the cover layer (12) indirectly through the conductor layer (8) via the transition element (10), wherein a printed circuit board (18) is provided for supplying voltage and current, wherein a reflective layer (16) is provided, wherein the reflective layer (16) is at least partially arranged directly adjacent to the conductor layer (8) and the transition element (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an illuminateable display device and a method for illuminating a display device.

[0002] Illuminated display devices are known from the prior art. German patent application DE 10 2014 112 470 A1 relates to an accessory component for a motor vehicle, comprising a carrier, a composite film, and a light source. The composite film is arranged on the carrier and has a light-guiding layer, a diffusing layer, and two layers of lacquer, so that light rays generated by the light source are coupled into the composite film and the visible side of the accessory component can be illuminated by means of the composite film.

[0003] The publication DE 10 2016 204 622 A1 relates to a lighting device for a vehicle, comprising a light source for emitting light rays, a light guide layer for guiding the light rays from the light source between a top and a bottom of the light guide layer and a reflector layer for reflecting the light rays, wherein the light source for emitting the light rays is designed into the light guide layer and the reflector layer is arranged adjacent to the light guide layer under the bottom.

[0004] The publication DE 10 2015 203 971 A1 relates to a lighting device for a vehicle, comprising at least one light emitter connected to a light transmission means, a partially translucent upper layer, wherein the light transmission means is essentially flat and includes an area with at least one optical structure which deflects light towards the upper layer.

[0005] Document US 5,856,855 relates to an illumination system comprising an optical waveguide made of an optically transparent material with an exit face and a plurality of end faces, and a light source arranged opposite at least one of the end faces and through which light can be coupled into the end face of the optical waveguide.

[0006] Keyboards are known from US 2011 / 0278147A1, US 2009 / 0128496A1, US 5034602A, and US 2009 / 0242370A1. An illuminated push button is known from DE 1221707A.

[0007] A disadvantage of the aforementioned prior art is, in particular, that the areas to be illuminated are generally backlit directly. This can lead to uneven illumination due to defects in the light guide, and symbols or images to be illuminated may not be visible to the desired extent. It is therefore the object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages described above; in particular, the object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated display device that ensures reliable and high-quality illumination in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0008] The foregoing problem is solved by using an illuminated display device in a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1 and by a motor vehicle according to claim 8. Further features and details will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Technical features disclosed with respect to the device according to the invention also apply in connection with the method according to the invention and vice versa, so that the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention is always or can always be made reciprocally. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

[0009] The illuminated display device according to the invention comprises a light source for emitting light rays, a conductor layer for receiving and transmitting the light rays, at least one transfer element for receiving and transmitting the light rays, and a cover layer for receiving and extracting the light rays along an extraction direction. The illuminated display device according to the invention is further characterized in that the light source is arranged at an end face of the conductor layer and the transfer element is arranged between the cover layer and the conductor layer such that the light rays can be transmitted from the conductor layer to the transfer element in a manner substantially perpendicular to the extraction direction, in order to illuminate the cover layer indirectly via the conductor layer and the transfer element.

[0010] The illuminated display device in question is used in a motor vehicle. It is also conceivable that the display device could be used in other areas, such as switches in home applications, like light switches in apartments or switches on tools or machines, or the like.

[0011] With regard to the arrangement of the transfer element, the transfer element is, according to the invention, arranged at least partially directly on the cover layer as well as at least partially directly on the conductor layer, in particular partially inserted or integrated into the conductor layer and thus guarantees, in combination with the arrangement of the light source according to the invention, the possibility of a substantially perpendicular transmission of the light rays emitted by the light source from the conductor layer to the transfer element and thus an indirect illumination of the cover layer by the conductor layer via the transfer element.

[0012] Indirect lighting, as used here, refers to the transmission of light rays via a transmitter, in this case a transition element. Preferably, the illuminated display device is designed such that the top layer is arranged at the top, and the conductor layer is arranged beneath it. At least one transition element is arranged between the top layer and the conductor layer, preferably at least partially integrated into the conductor layer. It is understood that, in addition to one transition element, several, preferably a plurality, transition elements can be arranged within the illuminated display device. Likewise, several conductor layers can be provided within an illuminated display device, which are then advantageously arranged directly one above the other.

[0013] In the context of the invention, an outfeed direction is understood to be the direction in which the light rays emitted by the light source are coupled out of or exit the cover layer.

[0014] Within the scope of the invention, it has been recognized that with the aid of an illuminated display device according to the invention, in particular by a transmission of light rays from a conductor layer to at least one transfer element in a substantially perpendicular direction to the coupling direction (R), a high-quality, in particular a particularly uniform illumination is ensured in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0015] With regard to a particularly versatile illuminated display device, the invention provides that the cover layer is formed in the form of at least one keycap, which preferably enables an input process. Preferably, the cover layer is formed in the form of a plurality, in particular a multiplicity, of keycaps. Here, the keycaps preferably have a transparent and an opaque area, the transparent area advantageously being in the form of a display element, such as a symbol, a letter, a number, or the like. The cover layer can preferably be made of a plastic, in particular at least partially of polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, or the like.The transparent area can preferably be incorporated into the top layer by means of a chemical reaction, for example an etching process or in the form of laser irradiation or the like.

[0016] With regard to simple, cost-effective, and energy-saving illumination of the illuminated display device, the invention further provides that the light source is in the form of an LED. The LED can advantageously be formed at least partially from an element of the fourth or fifth main group, in particular at least partially from the elements gallium and / or silicon. Preferably, the light source can emit light of a specific wavelength range, in particular light in the range of 610–760 nm and / or 590–610 nm and / or 570–590 nm and / or 500–570 nm and / or 450–500 nm and / or 400–450 nm. Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that more than one, preferably a plurality, LEDs are provided, which then preferably emit light of different wavelength ranges, in particular light of different colors.For example, at least one LED can be provided per conductor layer, preferably emitting different colored light. Furthermore, the specific design of the LEDs used can be tailored to the specific requirements. For instance, the LEDs used can be in the form of DIP LEDs, SMD LEDs, high-power LEDs, COB LEDs, OLEDs, or similar designs, and a combination of differently designed LEDs is also conceivable.

[0017] In a particularly small and compact arrangement, the conductor layer can also be formed as a foil light guide. Due to its flexible structure, a foil light guide also allows for a particularly versatile design of the display device. For a simple construction and effective coupling of the light into the conductor layer, the conductor layer can also be provided with lateral decoupling points for coupling the light beams.

[0018] Particularly in the context of an embodiment of the illuminated display device in the form of an additional input device, it is conceivable that the transfer element is designed in the form of a key plunger. An embodiment of the transfer element in the form of a key plunger promises a compact and space-saving design, especially in a display and input device preferably combined with keys, since the key plungers already provided can perform the function, as intended by the invention, of transmitting the light rays to the surface layer. For this purpose, the transfer element(s) can preferably also be made of a plastic, in particular a plastic with high light conductivity, such as glass fiber materials, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonates, or the like.

[0019] As part of a particularly small and compact design, a printed circuit board (PCB) is provided for power supply and current transmission. In addition to supplying power and current to the display device, the PCB can also be used for the mechanical mounting of the individual components of the display device. For this purpose, the PCB is advantageously located at the bottom, as a base element, or similar.

[0020] With a view to particularly effective and low-loss illumination, a reflective layer is further provided, wherein the reflective layer is at least partially arranged directly adjacent to the conductor layer and the transition element. The reflective layer is specifically designed to reflect stray light, which it then reflects and thus directs back to the conductor layer and / or the transition element(s). To enable effective return of the stray light, the reflective layer is preferably arranged between the circuit board and the conductor layer and / or the transition element. A material with particularly high light reflectivity can be used for this purpose. It can also be provided that the material of the reflective layer is adapted to the light source used.is adapted to the light sources used. This ensures, for example, that the material used has a particularly high reflectivity in the wavelength range emitted by the light source.

[0021] According to the present arrangement, the conductor layer and / or the transition element preferably has a transition area for guiding the light rays, wherein the transition area is arranged at the interface between the conductor layer and the transition element. The transition area arranged at the interface between the conductor layer and the transition element is preferably cylindrical and uniformly distributed around the transition element(s).

[0022] With a view to controlling the emitted light and thus achieving uniform and intense illumination, the invention further provides for radiation guide devices to guide the light beams. These radiation guide devices can, for example, be in the form of opaque cover films or coatings, markings, or the like, and are preferably arranged in the transition area. An arrangement of radiation guide devices is particularly advantageous in an embodiment with two or more conductor layers, preferably arranged directly one above the other. In such an embodiment, the flow guide devices can be used, in particular, for color coding or...Lighting separation is achieved by illuminating the two or more superimposed conductor layers with different colored LEDs, and by controlling the coupling of the radiation into the transition elements at the individual transition areas through the arrangement of the radiation guide devices. In this way, color coding or lighting separation is possible without the need for separate LEDs on the individual transition elements.

[0023] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an illuminated display device as described above.

[0024] Furthermore, a method for illuminating an illuminateable display device is also disclosed. This method comprises the steps of emitting light rays by means of a light source, receiving and transmitting the light rays to at least one transfer element by means of a conductor layer, receiving and transmitting the light rays to a cover layer by means of the at least one transfer element, and receiving and extracting the light rays along an extraction direction (R) by means of the cover layer. The method for illuminating an illuminateable display device is characterized in that the transmission of the light rays to at least one transfer element is essentially perpendicular to the extraction direction (R) in order to illuminate the cover layer indirectly via the conductor layer and the transfer element.The method according to the invention thus offers the same advantages as already described in detail with regard to the illuminated display device according to the invention. Within the framework of well-controlled guidance of the emitted light and the associated uniform and intense illumination, the invention further provides that the light rays are coupled out and forwarded to the transition element only via the transition area arranged at an interface between the conductor layer and the transition element. Such controlled coupling and forwarding of the light can be achieved in particular via the radiation guide devices described above, arranged at the interface between the conductor layer and the transition element. Color coding or other visualization can also be achieved via these radiation guide devices.Lighting separation is achieved by directing the light from different colored LEDs accordingly.

[0025] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination.

[0026] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a sectional view of an illuminated display device according to a first embodiment along a longitudinal section, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a top view of the lower part of the illuminated display device according to the invention Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a sectional view of the upper part of the illuminated display device according to the invention Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a sectional view of a part of the illuminated display device according to a second embodiment according to the invention, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the individual steps of a method according to the invention for illuminating an illuminable display device.

[0027] The figures use identical reference symbols for the same technical characteristics.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an illuminated display device 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention, along a longitudinal section. The illuminated display device 2 comprises a light source 4 for emitting 30 light rays 6, a conductor layer 8 for receiving and transmitting 32 the light rays 6, three adjacent transfer elements 10 for receiving and transmitting 34 the light rays 6, and a cover layer 12 for receiving and extracting 36 the light rays 6 along an extraction direction R. The cover layer 12 is formed in the form of three adjacent keycaps, each having a transparent area 9, which can be, for example, in the form of a display element such as a symbol, a letter, a number, or the like.The cover layer 12 can be formed, in particular, from a plastic, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, or the like. Furthermore, the illuminated display device 2 according to the invention comprises a reflective layer 16 arranged below the conductor layer 8 and a printed circuit board 18 arranged below the reflective layer 16. The reflective layer 16 is designed, in particular, to reflect scattered light, which is reflected by the reflective layer 16 and thus forwarded to the conductor layer 8 and / or to the transition element 10(s) to ensure effective utilization of the light source 4. A material with particularly high light reflectivity can be used for this purpose.In particular, the material of the reflective layer 16 may be adapted to the light source(s) 4 used and thus preferably exhibits a particularly high reflectivity in the wavelength range emitted by the light source 4. The circuit board 18 also serves, in particular, to supply power and conduct current to the light sources 4. In addition to supplying power and conducting current to the display device 2, the circuit board 18 may also be used for the mechanical mounting of the individual components of the display device 2.

[0029] Thanks to the arrangement of the illuminated display device 2 according to the invention, with a light source 4 arranged on the end face 14a of the conductor layer 8 and an arrangement of the transition elements 10 between the cover layer 12 and the conductor layer 8, it is possible to transmit the light rays 6 from the conductor layer 8 to the transition element 10 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the coupling direction R, in order to illuminate the cover layer 12 indirectly via the conductor layer 8 and the transition element 10. Thanks to the indirect illumination via the transition elements 10 according to the invention, it is particularly possible to ensure high-quality, and especially uniform, illumination of the illuminated display device 2.

[0030] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a top view of the lower part of the illuminated display device 2 according to the invention. Fig. 1. The lower part of the illuminated display device 2 comprises the conductor layer 8 and the transition elements 10, which are at least partially integrated into the conductor layer 8. The transition elements 10, which are cylindrical in shape, and / or the conductor layer 8 comprise transition areas 20 arranged at the interface 22 between the conductor layer 8 and the transition elements 10, in which the light rays 6 are transmitted from the conductor layer 8 to the transition elements 10.The light rays 6 coupled into the conductor layer 8 by two light sources 4 preferably formed as LEDs at an end face 14a arranged perpendicular to the head face 14b are advantageously distributed first uniformly over the conductor layer 8 before being passed on to the transition elements 10 at the transition areas 20, so that structural defects of the conductor layer 8 do not lead to individual elements of the illuminateable display device 2 being illuminated unevenly.

[0031] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a sectional view of the upper part of the illuminated display device 2 according to the invention. Fig. 1. The cover layer 12, which is formed in the present case in the form of three adjacent keycaps, comprises - as already described above - a transparent area 9, which may preferably be formed in the form of a symbol, a letter, a number or the like and may be illuminated accordingly by the transmission of the light emitted by the light source 4 via the transfer elements 10.

[0032] Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a sectional view of a part of the illuminated display device 2 according to a second embodiment. In this second embodiment, the illuminated display device 2 additionally comprises radiation guide devices 24 arranged in the transition areas 20 for guiding the light rays 6 emitted by the light sources 4. The flow guide devices 24 can be in a state 28a open to the transition elements 10 or in a state 28b closed to the transition elements 10, so that the arrangement and specific design of the flow guide devices 24 allow for controllable guidance of the light rays 6. The flow guide devices 24 can, for example, be designed in the form of opaque cover films, coatings, paints, or the like.In combination with the arrangement of different colored light sources 4, for example, light of a first color 6a and light of a second color 6b can be emitted into two or more than two superimposed conductor layers 8 and selectively coupled out in transition areas 20 by means of the flow guide devices 24 and passed on to the transition elements 10 arranged there, so that in this way color coding or illumination separation is possible without the arrangement of a large number of separate light sources 4.

[0033] Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of the individual steps of a method according to the invention for illuminating an illuminable display device 2.

[0034] In the process according to the invention, light rays 6 are first emitted 30 by means of a light source 4, before in a subsequent step the light rays 6 are received and passed on 32 to at least one transfer element 10 by means of a conductor layer 8 preferably formed in the form of a foil light guide.

[0035] After the absorption and transmission 32 of the light rays 6 to at least one transfer element 10, in a third step of the method according to the invention the absorption and transmission 34 of the light rays 6 to a cover layer 12 takes place by means of the at least one transfer element 10.

[0036] Subsequently, in a fourth step of the present procedure, the recording and extraction 36 of the light rays 6 along an extraction direction R is provided by means of the cover layer 12.

[0037] According to the present method, the light rays 6 are directed 32 to at least one transfer element 10 essentially perpendicular to the coupling direction R in order to illuminate the cover layer 12 indirectly via the conductor layer 8 through the transfer element 10.

[0038] In accordance with the invention, to ensure well-controlled guidance of the light 6 emitted by the light source(s) 4 and the associated uniform, intense illumination, the light rays 6 are coupled out and forwarded to the transition elements 10 only at the transition areas 20 arranged at an interface 22 between the conductor layer 8 and the transition elements 10. Such controlled coupling and forwarding 32 of the light can be achieved, in particular, via radiation guide devices 24 arranged in the transition areas 20 for guiding the light rays 6, which can also be used for color coding or illumination separation.

[0039] By means of the illuminated display device 2 in question or by means of the method for illuminating an illuminated display device 2 in question, it is particularly possible to ensure high-quality illumination, in particular uniformly intense illumination of a display device 2, in a simple and cost-effective manner. Reference symbol list 2 Illuminated display device 4 light sources 6 light rays 6a Light of a first color 6b Light of a second color 8 conductor layer 10 Transfer element 12 Top layer 14 pages 14a Front 14b Header 16 Reflective layer 18 circuit boards 20 Transfer area 22 Interface 24 Radiation guidance device 28 Alignment 28a open orientation 28b closed alignment 30 Emitting light rays 32. Absorption and transmission of light rays 34. Absorption and transmission of light rays 36. Receipt and extraction of light rays R coupling direction

Claims

[1] Use of an illuminated display device (2) in a motor vehicle, wherein the illuminated display device (2) comprises the following: - a light source (4) for emitting (30) light rays (6), - a conductive layer (8) for receiving and transmitting (32) the light rays (6), - at least one transfer element (10) for receiving and forwarding (34) the light rays (6), - a cover layer (12) for receiving and coupling out (36) the light rays (6) along a coupling direction (R), wherein the light source (4) is located at an end face (14a) of the conductor layer (8) and the transition element (10) is arranged between the cover layer (12) and the conductor layer (8) in such a way that the light rays (6) can be transmitted from the conductor layer (8) to the transition element (10) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the coupling direction (R) in order to illuminate the cover layer (12) indirectly through the conductor layer (8) via the transition element (10), wherein a printed circuit board (18) is provided for supplying voltage and current, wherein a reflective layer (16) is provided, wherein the reflective layer (16) is at least partially arranged directly adjacent to the conductor layer (8) and the transition element (10). [2] Use of an illuminated display device (2) in a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by , that the top layer (12) is formed in the form of at least one keycap. [3] Use of an illuminated display device (2) in a motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the light source (4) is in the form of an LED. [4] Use of an illuminated display device (2) in a motor vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the conductor layer (8) is formed in the form of a foil light guide. [5] Use of an illuminated display device (2) in a motor vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the transfer element (10) is formed in the form of a key plunger. [6] Use of an illuminated display device (2) in a motor vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the conductor layer (8) and / or the transition element (10) has a transition area (20) for the transmission of the light rays (6), wherein the transition area (20) is arranged at the interface (22) between the conductor layer (8) and the transition element (10). [7] Use of an illuminated display device (2) in a motor vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that radiation guiding devices (24) are provided for guiding the light rays (6). [8] Motor vehicle comprising an illuminated display device (2), wherein the illuminated display device (2) comprises the following: - a light source (4) for emitting (30) light rays (6), - a conductive layer (8) for receiving and transmitting (32) the light rays (6), - at least one transfer element (10) for receiving and forwarding (34) the light rays (6), - a cover layer (12) for receiving and coupling (36) the light rays (6) along a coupling direction (R), wherein the light source (4) is located at an end face (14a) of the conductor layer (8) and the transfer element (10) is arranged between the cover layer (12) and the conductor layer (8) in such a way that the light rays (6) can be transmitted from the conductor layer (8) to the transfer element (10) in a manner substantially perpendicular to the coupling direction (R) in order to illuminate the cover layer (12) indirectly via the transfer element (10) through the conductor layer (8), wherein a circuit board (18) is provided for supplying voltage and current, wherein a reflective layer (16) is provided, wherein the reflective layer (16) is arranged at least partially directly adjacent to the conductor layer (8) and the transfer element (10). [9] Motor vehicle according to claim 8, characterized by, that the top layer (12) is formed in the form of at least one keycap. [10] Motor vehicle according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by , that the light source (4) is in the form of an LED. [11] Motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims 8 to 10, characterized by , that the conductor layer (8) is formed in the form of a foil light guide. [12] Motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims 8 to 11, characterized by , that the transfer element (10) is formed in the form of a key plunger. [13] Motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims 8 to 12, characterized by , that the conductor layer (8) and / or the transition element (10) has a transition area (20) for the transmission of the light rays (6), wherein the transition area (20) is arranged at the interface (22) between the conductor layer (8) and the transition element (10). [14] Motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims 8 to 13, characterized by , that radiation guiding devices (24) are provided for guiding the light rays (6).

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