Foldable, rollable display for a vehicle

Abstract

A deployable, rollable display for a vehicle comprises a vehicle component with at least one surface. A guide rail is provided in the at least one surface. A screen deployment element is selectively displaceable through the at least one surface and along the guide rail. A rollable display is wound onto the screen deployment element.

Description

introduction

[0001] The present invention relates to the technology of foldable displays or indicators and in particular to a foldable, rollable indicator for a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1, as is known in essence from WO 2021 / 035 962 A1.

[0002] Furthermore, US 10 696 162 B2 discloses a display with a guide rail provided in a surface, wherein the display is movable through and along the guide rail.

[0003] Vehicles feature one or more screens that provide information to the driver and, in some cases, passengers. Typically, these screens are positioned directly in front of the operator or driver, as in an instrument cluster, and in some cases between the driver and front passenger, as in an infotainment system. Displays may also be provided in other areas of a vehicle, for example, to show movies to passengers in the rear seats.

[0004] Often, there isn't enough space to display all the desired information on a single instrument cluster, and sometimes an infotainment system display can be difficult for the driver to see. Route information, contacts, and preferences may therefore be hard for the driver and front passenger to find, select, and / or view. Positioning an infotainment screen that is accessible and visible to both driver and passenger is challenging. Therefore, it's desirable to provide a display that is easily adjustable, movable, and reconfigurable to deliver the information needed to operators / drivers and passengers. Summary

[0005] According to the invention, a deployable, rollable display for a vehicle is presented, characterized by the features of claim 1.

[0006] In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include the nonlinear guide rail having an oval shape.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include the guide rail comprising a substantially linear part and a non-linear part.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include the screen unfolding element comprising a first post and a second post that is movable along the guide rail relative to the first post in order to unwind the display.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include both the first post and the second post being slidable along the guide rail.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include the second visible surface being perceptible through the first visible surface.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include the at least one surface being a top surface.

[0012] Furthermore, a vehicle with a body that defines a passenger compartment is described. A component is arranged in the passenger compartment. The component has at least one surface. A guide rail is provided in the at least one surface. A screen deployment element is selectively displaceable through the at least one surface and along the guide rail. A rollable display is wound onto the screen deployment element.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include the guide rail being essentially linear.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include the guide rail being non-linear.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include the guide rail comprising a substantially linear part and a non-linear part.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include the screen unfolding element comprising a first post and a second post that is movable along the guide rail relative to the first post in order to unwind the display.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include both the first post and the second post being slidable along the guide rail.

[0018] In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include the rollable display having a first visible surface and a second visible surface.

[0019] In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include the at least one surface being a top surface.

[0020] In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include the at least one surface comprising a first surface defining an upper surface and a second surface defining a lower surface.

[0021] The above features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages of the invention, are readily apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Further features, advantages and details are presented in the following detailed description only as examples, with the detailed description referring to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 represents a vehicle with a foldable, rollable display according to an example; Fig. 2 represents a vehicle component with a guide rail for the unfoldable, rollable display according to an example; Fig. 3. An element for screen deployment that extends through a surface of the vehicle component on the guide rail, as shown in an example; Fig. 4 represents the deployable, rollable display along a section of a non-linear part of the guide rail according to an example; Fig. 5 the unfoldable, rollable display completely around the non-linear part of the guide rail according to an example; Fig. 6 represents the deployable rollable display on a central part of the essentially linear part of the guide rail according to an example; Fig. 7 represents the deployable rollable display displaced along the substantially linear part of the guide rail according to an unlimited example; Fig. 8 the deployable rollable display which extends through an upper surface of the component, as shown in an example; Fig. 9 the deployable rollable display which extends through a lower surface of the component, as illustrated by an example; and Fig. Figure 10 represents a block diagram illustrating a control system for the deployable rollable display according to an unlimited example. Detailed description

[0023] The following description is by its very nature merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or uses. It should be understood that in the drawings, corresponding reference numerals denote identical or corresponding parts and features. As used herein, the term "module" refers to a processing circuit arrangement that may include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (common, dedicated, or as a group), memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and / or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.

[0024] A vehicle 10 according to an example is in Fig. Figure 1 is shown in general terms. The vehicle 10 comprises a body 12 mounted on a chassis (not shown) which carries a plurality of wheels, generally designated by 14. The body 12 encloses a passenger compartment 16, which contains a vehicle component 20. The vehicle component 20 can take various forms, including headrests, center consoles, door frames, roof structure, and the like. In the example shown, the vehicle component 20 is in the form of an instrument panel 22, which houses a vehicle instrument cluster (not shown) behind and / or above a steering wheel 24.

[0025] According to one example, the vehicle component 20 houses a deployable, rollable display 30. With reference to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 The vehicle component 20 comprises a guide rail 34 with a substantially linear part 36 and a nonlinear part 38. The nonlinear part 38 may have an oval shape. An opening 40 is arranged at an intersection of the substantially linear part 36 and the nonlinear part 38. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, an element 44 for screen unfolding can be selectively extended through the opening 40. The element 44 for screen unfolding comprises a first post 48 and a second post 50. A rollable display 54 ( Fig. 4) is connected between the first post 48 and the second post 50. The retractable display 54 is rolled or wound onto one, the other of the first post 48 and the second post 50, or both.

[0026] The rollable display 54 has a first visible surface 56, as shown in Fig. 4 is shown, and a second visible surface 58 arranged behind the first visible surface 56, as in Fig. 5 is shown. More precisely, it is presented when the rollable display is positioned along the essentially linear part 36 or an outer part of the nonlinear part 38, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, when unfolded, the rollable display 54 presents the operator, driver, or passenger of the vehicle 10 with the first visible surface 56. When the rollable display 54 is fully unfolded along the non-linear part 38, as shown in Figure 4, the first visible surface 56 is revealed. Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the retractable display 54 presents the driver or passenger with a first visible surface 56 and a second visible surface 58. That is, according to one example, the second visible surface 58 can be perceived through or over the first visible surface 56. When fully extended along the non-linear section 38, the retractable display 54 can assume an oval shape, which can be presented in front of a driver, a passenger, or between the driver and passenger. In another example, the second visible surface 58 can be transparent or opaque, depending on the displayed content.

[0027] In Fig. Figure 6 shows the rollable display 54 unfolded along the substantially linear part 36. That is, the screen unfolding element 44 is extended through the opening 40, and the first post 48 is moved in a first direction along the substantially linear part 36, and the second post 50 is moved in a second direction along the substantially linear part 36 to unwind and unroll the rollable display 54. The first post 48 and the second post 50 can also move together in the first direction, as shown in Fig. 7 is shown, or can be moved in the second direction. Furthermore, the first post 48 and the second post 50 can be moved along the non-linear part 38, as shown in Fig. 5 is shown to unwind and roll out the retractable display 54.

[0028] In one example, which is in the Fig. 8 and Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the vehicle component 20 has an upper surface 60 and a lower surface 64. The retractable display 30 can be adjusted by the upper surface 60 according to the user's preference ( Fig. 8) and the lower surface 64 ( Fig. 9) unfolded. The vehicle component 20 houses a support rod 68 on which a first actuator 71 and a second actuator 73 are slidably mounted. The first actuator 71 is connected to the first post 48, and the second actuator 73 is connected to the second post 50. The first actuator 71 can extend the first post 48 through the upper surface 60 and / or the lower surface 64. Similarly, the second actuator 73 can extend the second post 50 through the upper surface 60 and / or the lower surface 64. The first actuator 71 and the second actuator 73 can also move the first post 48 and the second post 50 along the guide rail 34.

[0029] In one example, a first motor 78 and a second motor 80 are connected to the first actuator 71. A third motor 83 and a fourth motor 85 are connected to the second actuator 73. The first and third motors 78 and 83 can be selectively activated to move the corresponding first post 48 and second post 50 through the upper surface 60 and / or the lower surface 64. The second motor 80 and the fourth motor 85 can be selectively activated to move the corresponding portions of the first post 48 and second post 50 along the substantially linear portion 36 and / or the nonlinear portion 38 of the guide rail 34.

[0030] Now, the focus will shift to... Fig. 10 referred to, continuing to refer to the Fig.Reference is made to a controller 90, which can be operated to selectively unfold and unroll the deployable, rollable display 30. The controller 90 includes a central processing unit (CPU) module 92, which is operationally connected to non-volatile memory 94 that stores instructions, which may contain user preferences, for operating the deployable, rollable display 30. The controller 90 also includes a display controller 96, which is operationally connected to the first motor 78, the second motor 80, the third motor 83, and the fourth motor 85. Based on the received inputs, the CPU module 92 signals the display controller 96 to unfold and unroll the rollable display 30.

[0031] According to one example, inputs to the controller 90 can include an actuator 98, which can be physically activated by a user, such as a driver and / or a passenger of the vehicle 10. The actuator 98 can be physically located inside the vehicle 10 and / or provided in a smartphone application connected to the vehicle 10. According to other examples, the actuator 98 can also be implemented via a touchscreen, buttons, voice control, and / or hand gestures. Other inputs can include environmental inputs 99, such as time of day / road conditions, road type, vehicle speed, traffic conditions, weather conditions, and the like. Based on the inputs received from the environmental inputs 99 and / or a specific feature selected by the user, the CPU module 92 signals the display controller 96 to activate the deployable, rollable display 30 based on the stored user preferences.-settings to activate. Further inputs can include an eye tracking system 100, which adjusts the height and position of the rollable display or the graphics shown on the display based on the perceived position / angle of the user's eyes.

[0032] It should be noted that the examples describe a display that can be stowed within a vehicle component and unfolded and unrolled based on one or more direct activations and stored user preferences. The display can take an essentially linear or a non-linear form and be moved along the vehicle component. In the non-linear form, multiple surfaces of the display may be perceptible. It should also be understood that, while the rollable display has been shown in combination with a vehicle's dashboard or instrument cluster, it can also be selectively unfolded from other vehicle components such as armrests, center consoles, headrests, headliners, doors, and the like, as shown in other examples.

Claims

[1] Foldable, rollable display (30, 54) for a vehicle (10), comprising: a vehicle component that has at least one surface; a guide rail (34) which is provided in at least one surface; an element (44) for screen unfolding, which is selectively displaceable through at least one surface and along the guide rail (34); and a rollable display (30, 54) which is wound onto the element (44) for screen unfolding; characterized by , that the guide rail (34) is non-linear; and / or the rollable display (30, 54) has a first visible surface (56) and a second visible surface (58); and / or which includes at least one surface, a first surface defining an upper surface (60), and a second surface defining a lower surface (64). [2] A deployable, rollable display (30, 54) according to claim 1, wherein the non-linear guide rail (34) has an oval shape. [3] A deployable, rollable display (30, 54) according to claim 1, wherein the guide rail (34) comprises a substantially linear part (36) and a non-linear part (38). [4] Unfoldable, rollable display (30, 54) according to claim 1, wherein the element (44) for unfolding the screen comprises a first post (48) and a second post (50) which can be moved along the guide rail (34) relative to the first post (48) in order to unwind the display (30, 54). [5] A deployable, rollable display (30, 54) according to claim 1, wherein the second visible surface (58) is perceptible through the first visible surface (56). [6] A deployable, rollable display (30, 54) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one surface is an upper surface (60).

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