Display device and motor vehicle with a display device

Abstract

Display device (10) for displaying pixel-based display content (16), comprising a flexible screen assembly (12) and at least one pivoting mechanism, wherein the pivoting mechanism is configured to move the screen assembly (12) depending on a control signal between a stowing position in which the screen assembly (12) is stowed in a housing (14) bent along a circular arc and a usage position in which the screen assembly (12) protrudes at least partially from the housing (14), wherein the at least one pivoting mechanism has a motor (38) and a pivoting arm (40), wherein the pivoting arm (40) is rotatably mounted at one end on a foot section (30) of the screen assembly (12) and pivotably mounted at an opposite end about an axis of rotation and is designed to receive a respective torque (42) from the motor (38) and thereby move the foot section (30) along the arc of a circle whose radius corresponds to a length of the pivoting arm (40) and thereby alternately push the screen assembly (12) into the operating position and pull it into the stow position along a displacement direction (34), wherein at least one pivoting mechanism is arranged inside the housing (14) and is designed to move the screen assembly (12) continuously from the stow position to at least one intermediate position depending on the control signal and to hold it there.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a display device for displaying pixel-based display content, comprising a flexible screen assembly and at least one pivoting mechanism. The respective pivoting mechanism is designed to move the screen assembly, depending on a control signal, between a stowed position in which the screen assembly is bent along a circular arc and stowed in a housing, and a working position in which the screen assembly protrudes at least partially from the housing.

[0002] A flexible display device within the meaning of the invention is understood to be a bendable display device. In other words, the display device as a whole can be bent. A flexible display surface or display layer of such a display device can, for example, be realized by a film and / or film layer arrangement and is therefore bendable. A flexible support layer for such a display device can exhibit structural and / or material flexibility. Pixel-based display content is display content composed of individual pixels, which can be displayed, for example, on an OLED-based (OLED - organic light-emitting diode) or TOLED-based (transparent OLED) display surface.

[0003] Display devices with flexible screen arrangements are generally known. The arrangement of a respective flexible screen in a storage and a usage position is also known from the prior art.

[0004] For example, EP 1 637 387 A1 discloses a display device for a vehicle, comprising a flexible display. The display device also includes a housing and a stabilizing mechanism for the display designed as a scissor-frame. A disadvantage of this design is that, in a stowed position, the elements of the scissor-frame must necessarily protrude beyond the edge of the display, resulting in increased installation space requirements.

[0005] DE 101 15 050 A1 describes a display device, particularly for vehicles. The described display device has a flat screen made of flexible material. When moved into a viewing position, the screen is curved and transported over a roller. In a freestanding viewing position, the screen is designed to assume a predetermined shape without restricting its flexibility. A disadvantage of the roller guide is that when designing a new model with different dimensions, varying the screen's radius of curvature is extremely complex, as all parts connected to the roller must be redesigned. Furthermore, roller transport inevitably leads to increased wear on the back of the screen.

[0006] German patent DE 10 2014 016 323 A1 also describes a display device for a motor vehicle with a flexible display unit and an adjustment mechanism. Here, too, the display unit is designed to be moved from a stowed position to a working position. In doing so, it is bent, so that a display surface of the device is curved in the working position. The curved display surface has the disadvantage that, in some cases, the displayed content may be distorted, and the display surface is not easily visible to all vehicle occupants.

[0007] EP 3 107 083 B1 describes a flexible screen unit that can be stored in a housing by being coiled up in a spiral. The screen unit is moved by a scissor-grid-like lifting module.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of providing a display device that makes it possible to set different display area sizes, whereby the display device should have a small installation space requirement and should be adaptable to changing installation space conditions without great design effort.

[0009] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described by the dependent patent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0010] The invention provides a display device for displaying pixel-based content. The device comprises a flexible screen assembly and at least one pivoting mechanism. The pivoting mechanism is configured to move the screen assembly between a storage position and an operating position in response to a control signal. According to the invention, the screen assembly is stored in a housing in the storage position, bent along a circular arc. In the operating position, the screen assembly protrudes at least partially from the housing. In other words, the screen assembly is not visible from the outside when stored in the housing, while in the operating position, at least a portion of the screen assembly is visible because it protrudes from the housing. Thus, the screen assembly exhibits a curvature in the storage position.The curvature can follow an external shape of the housing, which can be constant or variable. The screen assembly may be designed to have one, two, or generally several swivel mechanisms. The use of multiple swivel mechanisms is suitable for enabling the movement of a large and / or heavy screen assembly.

[0011] According to the invention, the at least one swivel mechanism comprises a motor and a swivel arm. A motor can, for example, be an electric motor connected to an external power supply. The swivel arm is rotatably mounted at one end, i.e., at a terminal end, on a base of the screen device and pivotably mounted at the opposite end about an axis of rotation. The swivel arm can be elongated or rod-shaped and have two opposing end regions. These two end regions can be the two ends of the swivel arm. Thus, one end of the swivel arm is rotatably mounted on a base of the screen device.In other words, one end of the swivel arm is positioned in the area of ​​the monitor assembly that, in the operating position where the monitor assembly protrudes at least partially from the housing as described, is closest to the housing or remains within the housing. The rotatable bearing allows the swivel arm end to roll or twist along the base of the monitor assembly. The opposite end of the swivel arm is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation, for example, on the motor or on a gearbox that connects the swivel arm to the motor. The mounting can therefore be direct, for example, on a motor shaft, or indirect, for example, via a gear arrangement in a gearbox.

[0012] The swivel arm is designed to receive torque from the motor and thereby move the base along an arc whose radius corresponds to the length of the swivel arm. This movement alternately extends (extends) the display unit into its operating position and retracts it into its stowed position, depending on the swivel arm's direction of rotation. In other words, torque from the motor is transferred to the swivel arm, causing it to pivot. This torque is then transmitted to the base of the display unit as a pushing or pulling force. This torque transmission, or directed force transmission, from the motor to the base of the display unit alternately extends it out of the housing into its operating position and retracts it into its stowed position.The direction of rotation of the motor's torque alternates between two opposite directions.

[0013] The provided swivel mechanism with motor and swivel arm offers the advantage that different installation space requirements can be accommodated by replacing a single component, namely the swivel arm. The length of the swivel arm directly determines the radius of the arc for the storage position. Furthermore, the swivel mechanism allows the screen assembly to be connected to the swivel arm only at specific points. This avoids the full-surface stress on the back of the screen assembly, as would occur, for example, with a roller guide. The invention also offers the advantage that the screen assembly can be bent along the arc, thus saving space during storage.

[0014] As previously stated, the display device is designed to have a housing. According to the invention, at least one pivoting mechanism is arranged inside the housing and is designed to continuously move the screen assembly from its stowed position to at least one intermediate position, depending on the control signal, and hold it there. In other words, the screen assembly is designed to assume and hold any number of positions, or a predetermined number of steps, between its stowed position and its fully extended or fully extended operating position. Thus, there are multiple extension steps or positions, i.e., two or more than two. This offers the advantage that a specific screen size can be produced or adjusted as needed. The housing can completely or partially enclose the at least one pivoting mechanism and the screen assembly.The housing preferably has a slot through which the screen assembly is pushed from the storage position to the operating position or an intermediate position and pulled back into the storage position in the opposite direction.

[0015] The invention also includes embodiments that offer additional advantages.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the display device comprises a carrier layer and a display layer, which are connected to each other to form a flexible layered assembly. Preferably, the carrier layer is provided with indentations on its back side. In other words, the carrier layer preferably has indentations on a surface facing away from the display layer. According to the described embodiment, the carrier layer is designed to be curved, wherein the indented surface, in a curved position, has a smaller radius of curvature than the surface connected to the display layer and opposite the indented surface. In other words, the carrier layer is preferably provided with a back-side structure. The structure can have indentations and / or ribs. The indentations and / or ribs advantageously extend along the back side of the carrier layer in a direction perpendicular to a direction of displacement.The direction of movement is the direction in which the screen assembly is pushed and pulled to move it into its operating or storage position. The indentations and / or ribs provide the advantage of structural flexibility or pliability in the support layer, while the material from which the support layer is formed can inherently possess rigidity. This inherent rigidity advantageously prevents the entire screen assembly from tipping over or warping in its operating position, eliminating the need for additional stabilizing elements.

[0017] The bond between the substrate and the display layer can be achieved, for example, by an adhesive layer. An adhesive layer offers the advantage that the adhesive has damping properties and can absorb shear forces, thus compensating for or absorbing relative movement between the substrate and the display layer. However, the bond between the substrate and the display layer can also be achieved in any other suitable manner.

[0018] It can be designed so that the display unit is mechanically pre-tensioned in a curved position when stowed, and mechanically relaxed and straight or flat when in use. In other words, the display unit is fixed in a curved position within the housing by an external force. This external force can be exerted on the display unit, for example, by the housing wall and / or a roller and / or lateral guide rails. In the use position, i.e., when partially extended from the housing, this force no longer acts, and the display unit can assume a straight or flat shape. This has the advantage that no additional components are required to straighten the display unit when it is removed from the housing.The straightening or uprighting of the screen assembly occurs automatically as the force holding it in a bent position is released when the screen assembly exits the housing. However, additional guide elements may also be provided at the housing exit to assist in straightening or uprighting the screen assembly.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the display device comprises a touch-sensitive sensor layer. In other words, the display layer of the display device has a touch-sensitive sensor layer arranged on the display layer. The display device can therefore generally be a touchscreen. In other words, the display device is preferably a touchscreen, wherein touches on the display device can be detected by means of the touch-sensitive sensor layer, which is also flexible, and converted into corresponding control signals.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment, the display device has at least one length-variable or length-adjustable stabilizing element. The stabilizing element is connected to the screen assembly at a first end and rotatably mounted about a pivot axis at an opposite second end. The stabilizing element is designed to adjust its length to the respective position when the screen assembly is moved between its stowed and operating positions. Furthermore, the stabilizing element is designed to support the screen assembly against a force acting along the pivot axis. In other words, moving the screen assembly between its stowed and operating positions causes the length-variable stabilizing element to be automatically extended and retracted alternately.For this purpose, the stabilizing element is preferably arranged with one end at an end of the screen unit opposite its base, i.e., at the top edge of the screen unit. Preferably, the length-variable stabilizing element is designed as a passive element. As a passive element, it moves along with the screen unit. However, it is also possible for the length-variable stabilizing element to be designed as an active element, which can actively assist the movement of the screen unit by means of its own drive. This can be advantageous for a particularly large and / or heavy screen unit. In general, the stabilizing element offers the advantage that the screen unit is stabilized against a pressure force acting on the screen surface and can thus be used as a touchscreen user interface.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment, the stabilizing element is guided in an elongated slot in the front region of the screen assembly, either perpendicular or oblique to the direction of movement of the screen assembly described above. Preferably, the first end region of the stabilizing element can slide along the elongated slot. This offers the advantage that the screen assembly can be stored in a particularly space-saving manner. To ensure reliable sliding of the stabilizing element along the elongated slot when the screen assembly is moved and to prevent tilting, it must be ensured that the stabilizing element does not slide beyond a predetermined point within the elongated slot. This can be achieved, for example, by a mechanical or magnetic stopper arranged in the elongated slot.

[0022] According to an advantageous further development, the slot has a roof shape. In other words, the slot is not arranged parallel to an upper edge of the screen assembly, but comprises two segments that meet at a vertex. The stabilizing element slides along one segment or leg of the roof-shaped slot in the first end region. This has the advantage of effectively preventing the aforementioned tilting and eliminating the need for the stopper in the slot.

[0023] In a particularly advantageous further development, the stabilizing element is designed as a telescopic arm. Such a telescopic arm can consist of two or more sections that can be extended and retracted telescopically to achieve variable length of the stabilizing element. This offers the advantage that the stabilizing element can be stored in a particularly space-saving manner.

[0024] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with an embodiment of the display device according to the invention.

[0025] 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.

[0026] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments.

[0027] The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention described. This is illustrated by: Fig. 1 a schematic front view of a display device according to the invention in a position of use; Fig. 2 a schematic rear view of a display device according to the invention in its operating position; Fig. 3 a schematic side view of a screen setup; Fig. 4 a schematic side view of a display device according to the invention in a stowed position; Fig. 5 a schematic side view of a display device according to the invention in a position of use; Fig. 6 a schematic rear view of a display device according to the invention in a stowed position with the stabilizing elements folded in and retracted; and Fig. 7 a schematic rear view of a display device according to the invention in a position of use with the stabilizing elements unfolded and extended.

[0028] 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 that can be considered independently of one another. Each of these features further develops the invention independently and can therefore be regarded as part of the invention, either individually or in combinations other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by other features of the invention already described.

[0029] In the figures, identical reference symbols denote functionally equivalent elements.

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 shows a display device 10 according to the invention, comprising a screen assembly 12 and a housing 14. In the Fig. Figure 1 shows a front view of the display device 10, and pixel-based display content 16 is also shown. The display device 10 can be installed in a motor vehicle, for example, in an instrument panel. The housing 14 can be recessed in a trim panel, and the screen unit 12 can be extended through a slot in the housing 14 into the interior of the motor vehicle. During a journey, the extended portion of the screen unit 12 can be varied in several stages to adjust the size of the visible screen surface of the screen unit 12 to suit the requirements and / or driving mode.

[0031] Fig. Figure 2 shows a rear view of a display device 10 according to the invention. In addition to the features associated with Fig. The components described in section 1 are shown. Fig. 2 Two stabilizing elements 18, each of the stabilizing elements 18 being designed as a telescopic arm. Each of the stabilizing elements 18 is connected at a first end region A to an end region 22 of the screen device 12.

[0032] Fig. Figure 3 shows a side view detail of a screen assembly 12. The screen assembly 12 has a carrier layer 24, a display layer 26 and a connecting layer 28 between the two.

[0033] In the embodiment shown here, the bonding layer 28 is implemented as an adhesive layer. The carrier layer 24 has an end region 22 and a foot region 30. A notched region 32 is arranged between the end region 22 and the foot region 30. In the embodiment shown here, the notched region 32 has indentations and ribs. The indentations and ribs run obliquely or perpendicularly along the back side of the carrier layer 24 with respect to a displacement direction 34. Thus, the carrier layer 24 is flexible in the notched region 32, while in the end region 22 and foot region 30, the carrier layer 24 exhibits high inherent stiffness.

[0034] Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of a display device 10 according to the invention, wherein the screen assembly 12 is located in a curved stowable position in the housing 14. With reference to the information related to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. The 3 described components show Fig. Figure 4 shows the screen assembly 12, which is stowed in a housing 14 in a curved arc. In the embodiment shown here, a pivoting mechanism with a motor 38 and a pivoting arm 40 is shown inside the housing 14. The pivoting arm 40 is rotatably mounted at one end on the base 30 of the screen assembly 12. Furthermore, the pivoting arm 40 is configured to receive a torque 42 from the motor 38. For this purpose, the pivoting arm 40 can, for example, either be rigidly connected to the shaft of the motor 38 and thus receive the torque 42, or the pivoting arm 40 can be connected to the motor 38 via a gear arrangement to receive the torque 42. The pivot axis of the pivoting arm 40 is fixed relative to the housing 14. In the embodiment shown here, the screen assembly 12 is stowed in a curved position within the housing 14, resulting in a mechanical preload in the screen assembly 12.

[0035] Fig. 5 shows, with reference to the information related to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. The components described in Section 4 represent an embodiment of the display device 10 according to the invention, wherein, in the embodiment shown here, the screen assembly 12 is in a service position that is at least partially extended from the housing 14. By leaving the housing 14, the force acting on the screen assembly 12 through the housing 14, which mechanically pre-tensioned the screen assembly 12 within the housing 14, ceases. In the embodiment shown here, the screen assembly 12 is in a working position that is at least partially extended from the housing 14. Fig. In the operating position shown in section 5, the screen device 12 can therefore straighten itself automatically.

[0036] The Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows rear views of the display device 10 according to the invention. Fig. 6 and Fig. In the embodiments shown in Figure 7, the display device 10 has two stabilizing elements 18, each designed as a telescopic arm with variable length. In a respective first end region A, each of the stabilizing elements 18 is arranged in an elongated hole 44 located in the front region 22 of the screen device 12. The respective end regions A can, for example, be inserted into the elongated hole 44 with a pin. The stabilizing elements 18 are connected to a respective second end region B, arranged opposite the respective first end region A, about respective rotation axis elements 46 (see Figure 7). Fig. 7) rotatably mounted. The pivot axis elements 46 are each connected to a connecting element 48 (see Fig. 7) Fixedly connected to the housing 14. Each pivot element 46 can be designed as a rod or pin to transmit a force acting parallel to the pivot axis of the stabilizing elements 18 to the housing 14. The stabilizing elements 18 cannot thus tilt.

[0037] Will now, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, when the screen assembly 12 is moved in the direction of movement 34 from the stowed position to the operating position, the stabilizing elements 18 are moved out of the in Fig. The stabilizing elements 18 are extended from their rest position shown in Figure 6 into a stabilizing position. During this process, their respective first end regions A slide apart along the elongated slot 44. In a fully extended operating position, the angle α must not exceed 90°. To prevent this angle from being exceeded, mechanical and / or magnetic stoppers (not shown) can be arranged at corresponding positions within the elongated slot 44. According to one possible embodiment, the elongated slot 44 can also be designed with a roof-like shape to prevent the stabilizing elements 18 from tilting within the slot 44, even without stoppers. The described roof-shaped elongated slot 44' is illustrated in the dashed line.

[0038] The Fig. 6 and Fig.Figure 7 shows how the stabilizing elements 18 according to the invention constructively prevent a dead position or self-blocking and at the same time ensure smooth operation.

[0039] Displays and screen systems are increasingly finding their way into vehicles and are becoming design elements. The aim is to present the largest possible displays, and their size should be variable depending on the use case (i.e., as needed, e.g., manual or piloted driving). Furthermore, there is a desire to showcase displays in an attractive way. Fixed, rigid displays significantly influence the architecture of a dashboard.

[0040] Above all, the available space, but also laws (JAMA - Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association), limit the possible size and position of permanently installed, rigid displays in the vehicle.

[0041] The proposal involves the use of a flexible display and a kinematic system (i.e., a swiveling mechanism) that can display different display sizes in the vehicle while optimizing installation space.

[0042] When not in use (i.e., in a stowed position), the entire display is housed in a cassette (i.e., a single casing). The entire unit (i.e., the display device) can be considered a self-contained system. This means that all mechanical and electrical components function without any additional parts. Therefore, the unit can be installed in various locations within the vehicle (dashboard, seats, etc.) and also functions outside of the vehicle's standard geometry (with an external power supply).

[0043] The display can be extended continuously via a suitable drive (i.e., a motor). For example, the drive pushes the rear end of the screen unit (i.e., the base of the screen assembly) out of the cassette and retracts it again. In every position, the kinematics (i.e., the swivel mechanism) provide a stable state that allows for touch operation. This is achieved on the one hand by a flexible support structure (i.e., a carrier layer with inherent rigidity and a notched area) and additionally by a rotary / sliding guide kinematic system located behind the display (i.e., the arrangement of length-variable stabilizing elements in an elongated slot). A certain rotation angle (e.g., 80°) must not be exceeded, otherwise self-locking (i.e., tilting) will occur. At the upper end (i.e., in the front area) of the flexible support structure is an approximately...A 30 mm long, inflexible section to which part of the kinematics is attached. It is also conceivable that the rotary / thrust guide kinematics have an additional, supporting drive.

[0044] The flexible display is attached to the front of the flexible support structure, for example by gluing. The adhesive has damping properties and can absorb certain shear forces to compensate for relative movements between the support structure and the display.

[0045] The invention offers several advantages. Firstly, the kinematics are mechanically simple and therefore require little maintenance. Additionally, the display device requires minimal installation space. The presentation (staging) of the display device in the vehicle is attractively implemented. Display sizes are adjustable as needed, and touch operation is possible in any position.

[0046] Overall, the examples show how the invention can provide a display device that enables the production of variable screen sizes, with touch operation possible at each set screen size, and which takes up as little space as possible when stowed away.

Claims

[1] Display device (10) for displaying pixel-based display content (16), comprising a flexible screen assembly (12) and at least one pivoting mechanism, wherein the pivoting mechanism is configured to move the screen assembly (12) depending on a control signal between a stowing position in which the screen assembly (12) is stowed in a housing (14) bent along a circular arc and a use position in which the screen assembly (12) protrudes at least partially from the housing (14), wherein the at least one pivoting mechanism has a motor (38) and a pivoting arm (40), wherein the pivoting arm (40) is rotatably mounted at one end on a foot section (30) of the screen assembly (12) and pivotably mounted at an opposite end about an axis of rotation and is designed to receive a respective torque (42) from the motor (38) and thereby move the foot section (30) along the arc of a circle whose radius corresponds to a length of the pivoting arm (40) and thereby alternately push the screen assembly (12) into the operating position and pull it into the stow position along a displacement direction (34), wherein at least one pivoting mechanism is arranged inside the housing (14) and is designed to move the screen assembly (12) continuously from the stow position to at least one intermediate position depending on the control signal and to hold it there. [2] Display device (10) according to claim 1 wherein the screen device (12) has a carrier layer (24) and a display layer (26) which are connected to each other to form a flexible layer composite, wherein the carrier layer (24) is provided with indentations on its surface facing away from the display layer (26) and is designed to be curved, wherein the indented surface has a smaller radius of curvature than the surface connected to the display layer (26). [3] Display device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen device (12) is mechanically pre-tensioned in a bent position in the stowing position and is mechanically relaxed and thus straight in the use position. [4] Display device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen device (12) has a touch-sensitive sensor layer. [5] Display device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one length-variable stabilizing element (18) which is connected to the screen device (12) in a first end region (A) and is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis (46) in an opposite second end region (B) and is designed to adapt its length to the respective position when the screen device (12) is moved between the storage position and the operating position and to support the screen device (12) against a force acting along the rotation axis (46). [6] Display device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the stabilizing element (18) is guided in an elongated hole (44) arranged perpendicular or oblique to the displacement direction (34) of the screen device (12) opposite the foot area (30). [7] Display device (10) according to claim 6, wherein one section of the elongated hole (44) has a roof shape. [8] Display device (10) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the stabilizing element (18) is designed as a telescopic arm. [9] Motor vehicle with a display device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images