Display device for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Display device (20) for a motor vehicle (10), 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 display device (20) is designed as a touch-sensitive screen, at least in the main display area (30); - the support element (22) has two support element areas (26) which are arranged at an angle (27) to each other, wherein a cove (28) is formed between the two support element areas (26) and the several lighting elements (24) are arranged on the two support element areas (26) and the cove (20); - the display device (20) is designed to display a touch-operable control element (34) at least in the main display area (30) in the groove (28); and - the several controllable lighting elements (24) are each of the same size; characterized in that - the light elements (24) in the edge display area (40) are coated with a translucent layer of paint.

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 thereby form 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 also relates to a motor vehicle with such a display device.

[0002] A display device in a motor vehicle is typically installed as a component independent of its surroundings within the vehicle's interior. This results in an abrupt, and therefore visually "hard," transition at the outer edge of the display device from the screen area to, for example, a surrounding cover or frame. The screen area of ​​the display device is usually flat or may at least have a curved section.

[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 10 2013 226 225 A1 discloses a control element for a vehicle. Surfaces of the control element can be designed to be touch-sensitive. The control element can be arranged below a display area of ​​a display device as part of this display device in a center console of the motor vehicle.

[0006] German patent DE 10 2016 225 232 A1 discloses an operating device with a control knob, the control knob being either mounted on or integrated into a screen. The control knob is surrounded by a pixel matrix of the screen.

[0007] However, the display devices with integrated controls 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 vehicle.

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a solution by means of which a display device for a motor vehicle that can be integrated into an environment is provided.

[0009] 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.

[0010] The invention is based on the understanding that a flat screen in a display device provides the user with no tactile feedback or haptic orientation aid. This can lead to inaccuracies, particularly when operating the device while driving, especially if the screen is a touch-sensitive screen, i.e., a so-called touchscreen. To guide or hold a user's finger to a specific area of ​​the screen, enabling them to operate a touch-sensitive control element without visual monitoring, a curved screen with a concave area at the fold is suitable, for example. The user can feel the area of ​​such a concave area, making such a display device easy to operate, even blindly.However, such a curved screen is particularly noticeable and difficult to integrate into a vehicle's interior without creating an abrupt visual transition to the surrounding environment. The transition between an edge of the display and, for example, a surrounding cover element (such as one made of wood) should therefore allow for a gradual or dynamic visual transition to the cover element. Such a transition can be achieved, for example, by using a variable density of light elements within the display, also known as variable pitch. This means that in the edge area, a background located behind the display can be partially or completely visible through the display. Consequently, the closer an area is to the edge of the display, the more background will be visible.The background can be formed by the aforementioned cover element.

[0011] The display device according to the invention for a motor vehicle therefore comprises a carrier element and several controllable light elements. The several controllable light elements are arranged inhomogeneously on the carrier element, wherein the light elements arranged on the carrier element form 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.

[0012] The display device is now designed as a touch-sensitive screen, at least in the main display area. At least the main display area is thus designed, for example, as a touchscreen or touchpad. For this purpose, a touch-sensitive cover film and / or a touch-sensitive cover glass plate is arranged on the display device, covering the support element with the several controllable light elements arranged on it.

[0013] The support element of the display device itself comprises two support element sections arranged at an angle to each other, with a concave groove formed between them. The multiple light elements are arranged on the two support element sections and the concave groove. The concave groove has a radius of, for example, half a centimeter to five centimeters. The angle between the two support element sections can be, for example, between 110 degrees and 150 degrees. Thus, in this example, the two support element sections are arranged at an obtuse angle to each other, with no perceptible edge between them, but rather the rounded area of ​​the concave groove. The support element sections themselves can be flat or curved, with any curvature being less than that of the concave groove.

[0014] The display device is designed to show a touch-operated control element, such as a graphic slider or a graphic button, at least in the main display area and specifically within the groove. The control element can be displayed precisely in the section of the display device where the groove runs within the main display area, allowing the user to locate and operate it by touch. The control element can also extend the entire length of the groove, thus projecting into the edge display area of ​​the device.

[0015] The display device according to the invention has the advantage that, due to the shape of the support element with its formed concave groove, it provides haptic support when operating the control element. Furthermore, the operating edge, i.e., the outer edge of the display device, is not rigid, but rather extends over a width of, for example, several centimeters by means of the edge display area, which borders the main display area. This allows the main display area and, for example, an adjacent cover element to blend seamlessly and smoothly into one another via the edge display area. This is because a smooth, gradual, or stepped transition from the main display area to the surrounding area of ​​the display device in the vehicle interior can be achieved using the variable density of the light elements. For example, the display device can be surrounded by a cover element made of plastic, wood, leather, or another material.The support element can, for example, be made of the same material as the cover 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 harmoniously integrated into its surroundings. Furthermore, the placement of the control element in the recess makes the display device particularly easy and intuitive to use.

[0016] According to the invention, the multiple controllable lighting elements are all 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. Consequently, there are significantly fewer lighting elements in the edge display area than in the main display area, thus 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 cover element.The multiple controllable lighting elements can each be individually controlled, so that, for example, mood information can be used to send calming or encouraging light impulses to a user of the vehicle by controlling the individual lighting elements in the edge display area and / or in the main display area.

[0017] Furthermore, according to the invention, the light-emitting elements at the edge of the display area are coated with a translucent layer of paint. For example, if the display device is surrounded by brown wood, the light-emitting elements at the edge of the display area can be painted brown so that, when switched off, they blend into the brown wood. However, as soon as they are switched on, these light-emitting elements illuminate, allowing the effects described above to continue, such as a color gradient from a currently displayed dominant color in the main display area to the brown color of the surrounding wood, achieved by appropriately controlling the respective light-emitting elements. This results in a particularly discreet and elegantly designed display device.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the support element and the lighting elements can be made transparent, at least in the edge display area. This also ensures that when the display device is switched off, i.e., particularly when the main display area is switched off, the cover element in the vicinity of the display device is not interrupted by conspicuous, for example, black, lighting elements, but rather it is not initially visually apparent that parts of the display device are still present there.

[0019] The invention also includes embodiments that offer additional advantages.

[0020] In one 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 support element possible.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control element is designed as a slider and / or a virtual toggle switch. Thus, an intuitively operable control element is arranged in the area of ​​the concave display, at least in the area of ​​the main display. The slider can be operated, for example, by touching a sliding control element and can be used, for example, to control the volume function of a multimedia device in the vehicle and / or the zoom function of a navigation system in the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the control element can also be designed as the virtual toggle switch, meaning that at least one button is displayed in the area of ​​the concave display, which can be activated, for example, by tapping it with the user's hand.Both the slider and the virtual rocker switch bar are particularly easy and intuitive to use, and their arrangement in the groove makes them easy for the user to feel and therefore intuitive to operate.

[0022] As an embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the display device is designed to provide haptic feedback, at least in the main display area within the concave, depending on the touch. In addition to the touch-sensitive screen, electronic feedback in the form of a vibration can be generated in the concave area upon touch, thus providing the user with additional semantic support for the intuitive operation of the control element. Overall, this facilitates blind operation of the control element on the display device.

[0023] Furthermore, one embodiment of the invention provides that the angle between the two support element areas is greater than zero degrees and less than 180 degrees. The two support element areas can thus be arranged at an acute or obtuse angle to each other. An arrangement of the two support element areas with an angle between 80 and 100 degrees is particularly preferred because, in such an arrangement, a kind of step or edge of a control strip is imitated in the area of ​​the concave groove, which enhances the intuitive usability of the display device, and in particular the control element of the display device.

[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 brown ambient color, which is the color of the cover element surrounding the display device. This is because, for example, a continuous color gradient from the green tone of the main display area to the brown tone of the cover area 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 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 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.

[0027] In one embodiment, it is also provided that the multiple light elements are at least partially arranged in respective recesses of the support element. For example, it may be provided that the light elements in the first sub-area of ​​the edge display area are arranged in individual recesses such that they protrude higher from the support element than the respective light elements in the second sub-area of ​​the edge display area, which are arranged in deeper recesses, so that, particularly at the edge of the display device, i.e., in the area of ​​the second sub-area of ​​the edge display area, the light elements arranged on the support element are hardly perceptible to the user.This makes the transition from the display device to the surrounding area barely perceptible to the vehicle user, thus supporting the seamless-seeming transition from the main display area to the surrounding area adjacent to the display device.

[0028] 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. For example, the display device is arranged in a center console, between two A-pillars of the motor vehicle, in a trim panel, and / or in a door of the motor vehicle.

[0029] The preferred embodiments and their advantages presented in connection with the display device according to the invention apply accordingly, insofar as 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 depicts a motor vehicle 10, specifically its interior 12. The motor vehicle 10 can be switched on or off by pressing a start-stop button 14. The motor vehicle 10 includes a display device 20, which is located in a section of the center console of the motor vehicle 10. 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, the current route guidance for the motor vehicle 10 is displayed on the main display area 30, which is designed as a touch-sensitive screen. Below this route guidance display, a control element 34 in the form of a slider is shown, which can be operated by touch. This control element 34 is located in a section of the main display area 30, where the main display area is folded, thus forming a kind of edge to the main display area 30.

[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 given 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] The individual lighting elements 24 can each be controlled separately. For example, if the vehicle 10 is started by manually pressing the start / stop button 14, a lighting effect can be generated. This effect involves a light signal traveling along a light path 25, in which numerous lighting elements 24 are arranged and which leads from the start / stop button 14 to the main display area 30. This can, for example, animate the vehicle 10 being switched on by pressing the start / stop button 14, thus also activating a display in the main display area 30. When the vehicle 10 is switched off at the start / stop button 14, the lighting elements 24 in the main display area 30 can, for example, first be switched off, and then a reverse light signal travels from the main display area 30 to the start / stop button 14 to animate the vehicle 10 being switched off.

[0038] 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 support element 22 has two support element areas 26, which are arranged at an angle 27 of greater than zero degrees and less than 180 degrees to each other. A concave groove 28 is formed between the two support element areas 26, which also includes several light elements 24. The light elements 24 are thus arranged both on the two support element areas 26 and in the area of ​​the concave groove 28.The control element 34 is arranged in the area of ​​the concave groove 28, such that the display device 20 comprises a control element area 32 in which this control element 34, which can be operated by touch, can be arranged arbitrarily, i.e. either only in the area of ​​the main display area 30 or, for example, additionally or exclusively in the area of ​​the edge display area 40. Alternatively or additionally to the one in . Fig. The control element 34, as outlined in Figure 1, can be designed as a virtual toggle switch bar. At least in the main display area 30, haptic feedback to a touch, such as a vibration, can also be provided in the control element area 32.

[0039] In Fig. Figure 2 also makes it clear that the edge display area 40 is further subdivided into, for example, a first sub-area 42 and a second sub-area 44. A dividing line 43 between the first sub-area 42 and the second sub-area 44 is represented as a line of circular rings in Fig. Figure 2 is sketched. 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.

[0040] As an alternative to being configured as micro light-emitting diodes, the multiple controllable light elements 24 can also be configured as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The individual light elements 24 can also be arranged in recesses of the carrier element 22. Particularly in the edge display area 40, the individual light elements 24 can be coated with a translucent colored layer, which, for example, corresponds to the color of a cover element in the vicinity of the display device 20. This makes it possible for the light elements 24, at least those arranged in the outer edge display area 40, to be difficult for a user of the motor vehicle 10 to see, and thus appear invisible, even when the display device 20 is switched off.

[0041] Overall, the examples show a micro light-emitting diode display, that is, a micro light-emitting diode display device, with a dynamically flowing transition between a sharp control element area 32, that is, a sharp slider area, and flatter display surfaces in the area of ​​the flat support element areas 26.

[0042] Display devices 20 made of micro-light-emitting diodes are themselves composed of individual light-emitting diodes, that is, individual light elements 24, which are mounted on the carrier element 22. The carrier element 22, however, can be freely shaped and, in principle, assume any form. A bent edge of such a carrier element 22 can serve as a haptic reference for the control element 34, such as a slider, that is, a sliding control, and / or a virtual toggle switch bar. Parameters that can be set with the control element 34 can, for example, influence the flatter display area adjacent to the control element area 32. For example, a slider can be used to fast-forward or rewind a film displayed on the main display area 30.

[0043] The carrier element 22 can also be an application, for example, made of wood, plastic, carbon, glass, fabric, and / or metal. Due to the high density of the main light source, the main display area 30 resembles a conventional display, i.e., a conventional screen. However, the main display area 30 does not have a hard edge where the pixels abruptly end. Instead, the density of the light source, i.e., the pixel density, gradually decreases as one moves from the main display area 30 into the edge display area 40. The operational advantages of arranging the control element 34 in the control element area 32 are thus facilitated by a smooth, gradual transition between the main display area 30 and the edge display area 40, leading to a seamless transition to the surrounding environment and thus to the application of the motor vehicle 10.In addition, two main display areas 30 can be provided, whereby the lighting elements 24 in the edge display area 40 can act as a kind of bridge between the two main display areas 30.

[0044] This also results in distinguishing features with regard to other vehicle interior designs and new design freedoms for display devices 20, since in principle any design of the display device 20 around the control element area 32 is possible. For example, several support element areas 26 and thus several concave grooves 28 are possible, so that the display device 20 can be adapted to a vehicle interior design. The edge display area 40 also enables an improvement between an active and a passive sub-area of ​​the display device 20, whereby the edge display area 40 of the display device 20 in the motor vehicle 10 is to be understood as the passive area.This is achieved by attaching several adjustable lighting elements 24 to the carrier element 22 with variable distances, so that the various described main lighting element densities and edge lighting element densities are achieved.

Claims

[1] Display device (20) for a motor vehicle (10), 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 display device (20) is designed as a touch-sensitive screen, at least in the main display area (30); - the support element (22) has two support element areas (26) which are arranged at an angle (27) to each other, wherein a concave groove (28) is formed between the two support element areas (26) and the several lighting elements (24) are arranged on the two support element areas (26) and the concave groove (20); - the display device (20) is designed to display a touch-operable control element (34) at least in the main display area (30) in the groove (28); and - the several controllable lighting elements (24) are each of the same size; characterized by , that - the light elements (24) in the edge display area (40) are coated with a translucent layer of paint. [2] Display device (20) according to the preceding claim, wherein the control element (34) is designed as a slider and / or a virtual toggle switch bar. [3] Display device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the display device (20) is designed to provide haptic feedback depending on touch, at least in the main display area (30) in the groove (28). [4] Display device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle (27) between the two support element areas (26) is greater than zero degrees and less than 180 degrees. [5] Display device (20) 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 higher edge luminaire element density than the at least one second sub-area (44). [6] Display device (20) 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] Display device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the multiple light elements (24) are arranged at least partially in respective recesses of the carrier element (22). [8] Motor vehicle (10) with a display device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the display device (20) is arranged in a vehicle interior (12) of the motor vehicle (10).

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