Display device for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Motor vehicle (10) with a display device (20), wherein the display device (20) comprises a carrier element (22) and several controllable light elements (24) arranged inhomogeneously on the carrier element (22), wherein the light elements (24) arranged on the carrier element (22) form a main display area (30) with a main light element density and an edge display area (40) with an edge light element density, wherein the edge light element density is smaller than the main light element density, wherein - the support element (22) is made of a transparent material; and - the several controllable lighting elements (24) are each of the same size; characterized by the fact that the display device (20) is designed, at least in the main display area (30), as a touch-sensitive screen comprising a transparent cover element (50) arranged on the several controllable light elements (24); and an environmental element (16) adjoins the edge display area (40) of the display device (20), on which no controllable light elements (24) are arranged and which is designed as a transparent element; wherein the transparent cover element (50) is designed as a cover glass plate or cover film and is made of the same material as the support element (22) and the adjacent transparent element.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a display device for a motor vehicle, wherein the display device comprises a carrier element and several controllable light elements arranged inhomogeneously on the carrier element, the light elements arranged on the carrier element forming a main display area with a main light element density and an edge display area with an edge light element density, the edge light element density being lower than the main light element density. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with such a display device.

[0002] A transparent display device in a motor vehicle is typically made of individual transparent organic light-emitting diodes, so-called T-OLEDs (transparent organic light-emitting devices). However, the screen area of ​​such a display device typically has a transmittance of only 30 to 40 percent, whereas an area adjacent to the display device, such as a glass element surrounding the display, can have a transmittance of up to 100 percent. This results in a sharp transition at the outer edge of the display device between the screen area and the surrounding glass element.

[0003] US Patent 9,244,339 B2 discloses a display device with a screen that has a non-homogeneous pixel density and thus a varying resolution density within the screen. The pixel density is higher in the central area of ​​the screen than in the peripheral area. Due to the variable pixel density, the screen described here includes pixels with different pixel sizes, which means that while the pixel density varies, the luminance does not. The pixels simply become coarser towards the edge, and the described "hard transition" remains at the edge.

[0004] German patent DE 10 2016 218 916 A1 discloses a trim panel for a vehicle interior comprising a top layer and a masking layer. The masking layer can include a transparent area and a transition area, the transition area being located between the transparent area and an opaque area.

[0005] DE 20 2017 103 355 U1 describes a vehicle interior with a display screen. The display screen has a pixel matrix and is configured to assume an active and an inactive information display state. The vehicle interior also includes a layer of a translucent material that serves to make the display screen transparent in its inactive state.

[0006] DE 197 08 610 A1 discloses a pixel-matrix display device for information presentation in transport systems using organic light-emitting elements. In this device, a pixel-matrix display made of transparent organic light-emitting elements can be integrated into a windshield.

[0007] US 2018 / 0040676 A1 discloses a display device comprising two pixel areas, each containing multiple pixels, with one pixel area having more subpixels per pixel than the other. The display device may be installed in a vehicle.

[0008] German patent DE 10 2018 220 689 A1 discloses a display device for a motor vehicle with at least one first display area and a second display area separate from the first. The first display area has a first number of light elements with a first light element density. The second display area has a second number of light elements, lower than the first, with a second light element density.

[0009] However, the display devices described here are each designed as self-contained components that, especially when switched off, are clearly distinguishable from the surrounding environment in the interior of the motor vehicle.

[0010] The object of the invention is to provide a solution by means of which a display device integrated into an environment is provided for a motor vehicle.

[0011] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0012] The invention is based on the understanding that a screen is particularly conspicuous and difficult to integrate into the interior of a motor vehicle without an abrupt optical transition to the surrounding environment. This transition is especially pronounced with transparent screens integrated into a transparent environment. This transparent environment is, for example, a glass element or a plastic element. The transition between an edge region of the display device and, for example, a transparent element surrounding the display device should therefore allow for a gradual or dynamic optical transition to the transparent element.Such a transition can be implemented, for example, by means of a spatially variable density of light elements within the display device, also known as variable pitch. This means that in the peripheral area, a background located behind the display device can be partially or completely visible through the display device. This implies that in a given area, the closer the area is to the edge of the display device, the more background is visible. The background can be formed by the aforementioned transparent element.

[0013] The motor vehicle according to the invention has a display device. The display device comprises a carrier element and several controllable light elements. The several controllable light elements are arranged inhomogeneously on the carrier element, the light elements arranged on the carrier element forming a main display area with a main light element density and an edge display area with an edge light element density. Light element density is understood here to be the number of light elements per unit area of ​​a carrier element surface, for example, the number of light elements on an area of ​​one centimeter by one centimeter (1 cm²). 2The multiple controllable lighting elements are, for example, individual LEDs positioned at predetermined intervals on the carrier element. The density of the edge lighting elements is lower than the density of the main lighting elements. This means that more lighting elements are arranged on the same surface in the main display area than in the edge display area. The edge display area is arranged relative to the main display area in such a way that it at least partially surrounds it and, in particular, completely surrounds or frames the main display area, which is preferably located centrally on the display device.In an elongated display device, the main display area could, for example, be centrally located and extend from an upper edge perpendicular to a longitudinal dimension of the display device to a corresponding lower edge running parallel to the upper edge, whereas the peripheral areas are arranged laterally to the main display area in the longitudinal direction of the display device. In this example, the main display area is surrounded on two opposite sides by the respective peripheral display areas and, on its other two opposite sides, extends without a peripheral display area to an outer edge of the display device or is also surrounded by a peripheral display area there.

[0014] The support element of the display device is made of a transparent material. For example, the support element is made of glass or a transparent plastic. The support element, without any light elements mounted on it, therefore has a transmission coefficient of more than 30 percent, preferably more than 50 percent, up to 100 percent.

[0015] According to the invention, the multiple controllable lighting elements are also designed to be of the same size. The density of the edge lighting elements is therefore not lower than the density of the main lighting elements because larger elements are used there, but because a greater distance is maintained between the individual lighting elements, resulting in fewer lighting elements per unit area of ​​the support element than in the main display area. Thus, there are fewer lighting elements per unit area in the edge display area than in the main display area, thereby creating a transition zone between the main display area and the areas of the vehicle's interior surrounding the display device, such as the adjacent transparent element.The multiple controllable lighting elements can each be individually controlled, allowing, for example, mood information to be conveyed by activating individual lighting elements in the perimeter display area and / or the main display area. This can be used to send calming or encouraging light pulses to a vehicle user, which gradually fade or weaken towards the edges. It is also advantageous that, due to the uniform size of the lighting elements, only one type of lighting element is required for the display device. This means that manufacturing only one type of lighting element is sufficient to produce the entire display device, thus keeping production costs low.

[0016] The invention provides that the display device is designed as a touch-sensitive screen, at least in the main display area. The main display area is thus designed, for example, as a touchscreen or touchpad. This enables intuitive and easy operation if the display device is also designed as a control device. For example, the display device can be designed to display multimedia content, such as a film. By designing at least the main display area as a touch-sensitive screen, the displayed multimedia content can be controlled by means of a control element displayed, for example, in the main display area. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to design a touch-sensitive screen in the area of ​​the edge display, so that, for example, an operating element can be positioned and operated in the edge display area.This provides a multifunctional display device for a motor vehicle, which is both a display device and an operating device.

[0017] The display device according to the invention has the advantage that it can be integrated into a background surface without a visually noticeable transition area. The operating edge, i.e., the outer edge of the display device, is not rigid, but rather extended by the edge display area, which borders the main display area, over a width of, for example, more than one centimeter, preferably more than three centimeters, so that the main display area and, for example, an adjacent transparent element blend seamlessly and smoothly into one another by means of the edge display area. This is because a smooth transition from the main display area to the surroundings of the display device in the interior of the vehicle can be achieved by means of the variable density of the luminaire elements. For example, the display device can be surrounded by an element made of glass, plastic, or another transparent material.The support element can, for example, be made of the same transparent material as the surrounding transparent element. In the edge display area, only some of the multiple controllable light elements are now arranged, so that more and more of the support element's surface is visible. This ultimately ensures that the main display area is no longer perceived as a clearly visible, separate component in the vehicle, but rather is harmoniously integrated into its surroundings.

[0018] The edge display area of ​​the display device is bordered by an ambient element on which no controllable lighting elements are arranged and which is designed as a transparent element.

[0019] The invention provides that the touch-sensitive screen comprises a transparent cover element arranged on the multiple controllable light elements. This transparent cover element is made of the same material as the support element and the adjacent transparent element. This enhances the integration of the display device into the interior of the vehicle, since both the surface of the main display area and the edge display area, as well as the adjacent element, are made of the same material. Consequently, the seamless transition between the display device and the surrounding environment is further enhanced, and / or the integration of the screen into the environment is made transparent and therefore unobtrusive.This makes it possible, for example, to arrange glass objects, which can also be described as glass sculptures, in the interior of the motor vehicle, into which the described display device is integrated in such a way that it is visually unobtrusive in the surroundings.

[0020] According to the invention, the transparent cover element is designed as a cover glass plate or cover film. For example, a preferably touch-sensitive cover film and / or a preferably touch-sensitive cover glass plate can be arranged on the display device, covering the support element with the multiple controllable light elements arranged thereon. This achieves, particularly when the environment of the display device, i.e., the adjacent transparent element, is also made of glass, as a cover glass plate is selected as the cover element, resulting in a complete fusion of the display device with the glass plate surrounding the display device.

[0021] The invention also includes embodiments that offer additional advantages.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the display device has semi-transparent areas only where the multiple controllable light elements are located. These areas each have a transmittance between 40 percent and less than 100 percent. Due to the choice of a transparent material for the support element, the transmittance is reduced compared to the support element only in those areas on the surface of the display device where at least one of the multiple controllable light elements is actually positioned. A transmittance of up to 100 percent is possible wherever neither the main display area nor individual light elements of the edge display area are located.This ensures that, depending on the chosen density of the edge lighting element, a higher degree of transmission is achieved in the edge display area than in the main display area, thus enabling the described harmonious transition between the main display area, via the edge display area, to the surrounding transparent element.

[0023] In an alternative embodiment of the display device, it can also be provided that it comprises not only a main display area and a perimeter display area, but, for example, two main display areas with a portion of the perimeter display area positioned between them. Ultimately, the display device includes portions with the main luminaire density as well as areas surrounding these areas, at least partially, with a lower luminaire density, i.e., with the perimeter luminaire density. The arrangement of the luminaires can therefore be adapted to any design of the support element, making any sculptural, transparent support element possible.

[0024] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the edge display area comprises a first sub-area and at least a second sub-area, wherein the first sub-area is arranged closer to the main display area and has a higher density of edge luminaires than the at least second sub-area. It is therefore possible for the density of the edge luminaires to vary within the edge display area. The density of the edge luminaires decreases with increasing distance from the main display area. The closer a considered area of ​​the edge display area is to the main display area, the more luminaires are arranged there, and consequently, the higher the density of the edge luminaires in that area.For example, any number of such sub-areas of the edge display area can be distinguished, allowing for a continuous decrease in edge lighting element density from the main display area to the outer edge of the display device. This makes it possible, for instance, to achieve a color change near the main display area in the edge display area by appropriately controlling the respective lighting elements. This can occur from, for example, a main display area currently illuminated primarily in green to a white ambient color that shines through the transparent element surrounding the display device. This is because, for example, a continuous color gradient from a green tone of the main display area to the white tone of the surroundings is set by controlling the lighting elements in the edge display area.

[0025] However, it may still be possible to select an edge lighting element density in a sub-area of ​​the second sub-area that corresponds to the edge lighting element density in the first sub-area of ​​the edge display area. This allows, for example, a suitable arrangement of the display device in the vehicle to create a path of lighting elements leading from the vehicle's start-stop button to the main display area. This path is illuminated, for instance, temporarily when the start-stop button is activated. For example, a light signal can travel along this path of lighting elements from the start-stop button to the main display area when the button is activated, triggering the activation of the display device's touchscreen, which then switches on and illuminates.It is therefore possible to represent an information flow between individual components of the vehicle, for example between the start-stop button and the display device, by means of a suitably selected local light element density. This supports the simple, intuitive operation of the display device and other operating devices in the vehicle interior for the user.

[0026] Another embodiment of the invention provides that in at least a second sub-area, the transmittance of the display device is greater than in the first sub-area, and the transmittance in the first sub-area is greater than in the main display area. In other words, the reduction in the density of the luminaire elements towards the outer edge of the display device, as described above, results in an increase in the transmittance towards the outer edge of the display device. This is because the controllable luminaire elements each reduce the local transmittance, whereas wherever no controllable luminaire elements are arranged, the transmittance is up to 100 percent.This ultimately makes it possible, even when the display device is switched off, to adapt to the surrounding transparent element, as the main display area with its reduced transmittance appears to transition seamlessly into the transparent area of ​​the adjacent element with its significantly higher transmittance. This results in the optical integration of the display device into its environment within the vehicle.

[0027] Another embodiment of the invention provides that the display device is curved, at least in some areas. Curved in this context refers to a deformation of the support element with the light elements mounted on it, with a radius of curvature of one to ten centimeters. For example, the display device can be arranged in the backrest of a front seat of a motor vehicle and adapt, at least in the area of ​​the edge display, to a curved shape of the backrest. Consequently, the display device also allows for deformed or uneven geometries, which may be chosen for design or practical-technical reasons within the vehicle's interior.The display device can therefore be integrated particularly advantageously into the given environment, for example the transparent element in the interior of the motor vehicle, since it can be designed in any desired shape.

[0028] Another embodiment of the invention provides that the multiple light-emitting elements are designed as individual micro-light-emitting diodes, i.e., as so-called micro-LEDs, and / or organic light-emitting diodes, i.e., as so-called OLEDs. This allows these individual small light-emitting elements to form a continuous-appearing surface even with a high light-emitting element density, as is the case in the main display area, but also to be arranged individually in the edge display area. This enables the realization of a seamless and smooth transition of the display device from the main display area to the outer edge display area.

[0029] According to the invention, a motor vehicle is also provided with a display device as described above. This display device is arranged in the interior of the motor vehicle. It is located in a center console, in the backrest of a front seat, in a windshield, and / or in a trim panel. Furthermore, the display device can be arranged between two A-pillars of the motor vehicle and / or in a door of the motor vehicle. The preferred embodiments and their advantages presented in connection with the display device according to the invention apply accordingly, where applicable, to the motor vehicle according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention are not described again here.

[0030] The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle.

[0031] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments.

[0032] The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention described. This is illustrated by: Fig. 1. A schematic representation of a vehicle interior with a display device; and Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a display device for a motor vehicle.

[0033] The exemplary embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention, which can be considered independently of one another and each further develops the invention independently. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0034] In the figures, identical reference symbols denote functionally equivalent elements.

[0035] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 10, specifically the interior 12 of the motor vehicle 10 from the perspective of a rear seat. Therefore, the respective backrests 15 of two front seats 14 of the motor vehicle 10 are shown. The motor vehicle 10 includes a display device 20, which is arranged in one of the backrests 15. The display device 20 comprises a main display area 30 and, to the sides of the main display area 30, respective portions of a peripheral display area 40. In this example, a multimedia function is activated on the main display area 30, which is designed as a touch-sensitive screen, and therefore a scene from a film is displayed.

[0036] The display device 20 comprises several controllable light elements 24, which are arranged inhomogeneously on the display device 20. These individual light elements 24 are all the same size and are designed, for example, as micro-light-emitting diodes (micro-LEDs). However, the light element density differs between the main display area 30 and the edge display area 40. A corresponding main light element density in the main display area 30, which describes a number of light elements 24 per area of, for example, one centimeter by one centimeter, is greater than an edge light element density, which describes a light element density in the edge display area 40. For this reason, in Fig. 1 individual light elements 24 can be seen in the edge display area 40, whereas due to the high density of the main light elements in the main display area 30 a continuous flat screen is sketched.

[0037] Adjacent to the edge display area 40, a surrounding element 16 borders the display device 20. This surrounding element 16 is designed as a transparent element and, in this example, is made of glass. Alternatively, the surrounding element 16 can be made of transparent plastic. The surrounding element 16 is separated from the display device 20 by the outer edge 41. This outer edge 41 is defined by a dashed line. Fig. Figure 1 is shown. Outside the area of ​​the display device 20 bounded by the outer edge 41, no controllable lighting elements 24 are arranged.

[0038] Where the multiple controllable light elements 24 are arranged, the display device 20 has respective semi-transparent sub-areas, each with a transmittance between 40 percent and less than 100 percent. In the area of ​​the surrounding element 16, the transmittance is typically 100 percent.

[0039] The display device 20 is also curved, at least in part, at the edge display area 40. Such a curved area 26 is in Fig. 1 is also sketched.

[0040] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a more detailed sketch of the display device 20. It is clear that the display device 20 comprises a support element 22 and the light elements 24 arranged on the support element 22. The edge display area 40 is subdivided into, for example, a first sub-area 42 and a second sub-area 44. A symbolic dividing line 43 between the first sub-area 42 and the second sub-area 44 is also shown in Figure 2. Fig.2 is sketched as a dashed line. The first sub-area 42 is located closer to the main display area 30 and has a higher density of edge-lit elements than the second sub-area 44. Thus, there are significantly more luminaires 24 per area in the first sub-area 42 than in the second sub-area 44. The display device 20 can comprise more than two such sub-areas 42, 44 in the edge display area 40, so that, for example, a continuous decrease in edge-lit element density from the first sub-area 42 to a final sub-area is possible. In this example, the final sub-area is the second sub-area 44. In at least one of the second sub-areas 44, the transmittance of the display device 20 is greater than in the first sub-area 42. Furthermore, the transmittance in the first sub-area 42 is greater than in the main display area 30.This results from the fact that the 24 lighting elements are arranged with different densities, which affects the local transmittance.

[0041] The display device 20, which is designed as a touch-sensitive screen, the touch-sensitive screen extending either only over the main display area 30 or over the main display area 30 and the edge display area 40, also has a cover element 50 arranged on the multiple controllable light elements 24. This transparent cover element 50 can be designed as a cover glass plate or as a cover film. Alternatively, instead of being configured as micro light-emitting diodes, the multiple controllable light elements 24 can be configured as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs).

[0042] Alternative mounting positions within the vehicle interior 12 include, for example, in a center console of the vehicle 10, in a windshield of the vehicle 10, and / or in a trim panel. This trim panel may, for example, be located in a door of the vehicle 10. The display device 20 may also be located between two A-pillars of the vehicle 10. Alternatively, the display device 20 may be located on an interior trim panel of a fixed or movable roof of the vehicle 10.

[0043] Overall, the examples show how the invention enables the realization and provision of a transparent micro-OLED display with variable pitch, i.e., with variable distance between the individual light elements 24.

[0044] The idea here is that the transparent display device 20 is created by means of the light elements 24, which are designed as micro-light-emitting diodes. Each light element 24 is individually controlled. This makes it possible to create a smooth transition between 100% transparent surfaces, which therefore have a transmission coefficient of up to 100%, and only partially transparent surfaces, which, for example, have a transmission coefficient between 40% and 100%. For this purpose, for example, the surrounding element 16 made of glass can be arranged on the backrest 15 of the front seat 14. Its shape and attachment are made of 100% transparent glass. However, where the individually controllable light elements 24 are arranged, the transmission coefficient is lower.The display device 20 may have a switchable film, i.e., a cover film, and / or a cover glass plate for improved black levels. This makes it possible to arrange glass objects or glass sculptures in the vehicle interior 12 that are at least partially equipped with the display device 20. The glass sculpture allows for better integration of the display device 20 with the surrounding element 16, as well as with, for example, a control panel of the vehicle 10 or the backrest 15 of the front seat 14. Where there is no display device 20, the transmission coefficient is 100 percent. Furthermore, wherever the display device 20 is not arranged, highly deformed geometries are possible, which are suitable for connections to other interior elements.Overall, the use of the multiple controllable lighting elements 24 enables a fast and particularly bright design of the display device 20, which can also take on any shape and is energy-saving.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (10) with a display device (20), wherein the display device (20) comprises a carrier element (22) and several controllable light elements (24) arranged inhomogeneously on the carrier element (22), wherein the light elements (24) arranged on the carrier element (22) form a main display area (30) with a main light element density and an edge display area (40) with an edge light element density, wherein the edge light element density is smaller than the main light element density, wherein - the support element (22) is made of a transparent material; and - the several controllable lighting elements (24) are each of the same size; characterized by , that the display device (20) is designed, at least in the main display area (30), as a touch-sensitive screen comprising a transparent cover element (50) arranged on the several controllable light elements (24); and an environmental element (16) adjoins the edge display area (40) of the display device (20), on which no controllable light elements (24) are arranged and which is designed as a transparent element; wherein the transparent cover element (50) is designed as a cover glass plate or cover film and is made of the same material as the support element (22) and the adjacent transparent element. [2] Motor vehicle (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the display device (20) has partial transparent sub-areas only where the multiple controllable light elements (24) are arranged, each having a transmission level between 40 percent and less than 100 percent. [3] Motor vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the edge display area (40) comprises a first sub-area (42) and at least a second sub-area (44), wherein the first sub-area (42) is arranged closer to the main display area (30) and has a greater edge luminaire element density than the at least one second sub-area (44). [4] Motor vehicle (10) according to claims 2 and 3, wherein in at least a second sub-area (44) the transmission coefficient of the display device (20) is greater than in the first sub-area (42) and the transmission coefficient in the first sub-area (42) is greater than in the main display area (30). [5] Motor vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the display device (20) is curved at least in part in the edge display area (40). [6] Motor vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the multiple light elements (24) are designed as micro light-emitting diodes and / or organic light-emitting diodes. [7] Motor vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the display device (20) is arranged at at least one of the following positions in a vehicle interior (12) of the motor vehicle (10): - in a center console; - in a backrest (15) of a front seat (14); - in a windshield; - in a trim panel.

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