Projection device for an interior of a vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a projection device (6) for an interior (1) of a vehicle, comprising a first layer (7) forming a projection surface (8) and made of at least one photochromic dye, comprising a projector (10) by means of which at least electromagnetic radiation (11) having at least one wavelength in a range from 380 nanometers up to and including 780 nanometers can be provided and radiated onto the projection surface (8), so that a reversible color change of the dye can be brought about by means of the electromagnetic radiation (11) radiated onto the projection surface (8), comprising a light source (12) arranged on a first side (S1) of the first layer (7) facing away from the projection surface (8), by means of which at least UV light for reversing the color change can be provided and radiated against the first layer (7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a projection device for the interior of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with at least one such projection device.

[0002] DE 2 240 563 A shows a display device with a photochromic projection surface in which written information can be erased by means of light of a second wavelength.

[0003] DE 10 2021 204 499 A1 discloses a system for displaying visual effects, comprising a combination of at least two projection surface elements arranged on a glass pane and at least one projection device for projecting visual effects onto at least one of the projection surface elements. Furthermore, US 2019 / 0171008 A1 discloses an optical laminate. Photochromic dyes are also known from the publication "Photo-Chromeleon: Re-Programmable Multi-Color Textures using photochromic dye" by Yuhua Jin et al., UIST / 19, October 20-23, 2019, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a projection device for an interior of a vehicle and a vehicle with at least one such projection device, so that a particularly high level of comfort can be achieved.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a projection device having the features of patent claim 1 and by a vehicle having the features of patent claim 7. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] A first aspect of the invention relates to a projection device for a vehicle interior, also referred to as a passenger cell or passenger compartment, whose interior, for example, in the fully manufactured state of the vehicle, is formed by a vehicle structure designed, in particular, as a self-supporting body. The vehicle is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a motor vehicle and most particularly as a passenger car. While the vehicle is traveling, people, such as the driver, may be present in the interior.

[0007] The projection device has a first layer made of at least one photochromic dye. This means that the first layer is formed from the at least one photochromic dye. Preferably, the first layer is formed as a solid when viewed solely as the first layer. Very particularly, the projection surface is a surface, particularly the outermost surface, of the first layer, particularly when viewed solely as the first layer. The first layer forms at least one projection surface, which, because the first layer is formed from the photochromic dye, is formed by or from the photochromic dye.

[0008] The projection device also has a projector, which is preferably formed separately from the first layer and, for example, in particular completely spaced apart from the first layer, by means of which at least electromagnetic radiation with at least one wavelength in a range from 380 nanometers inclusive to 780 nanometers inclusive can be provided and radiated onto the projection surface, which can thus be irradiated with the electromagnetic radiation provided by the projector. When reference is made above and below to electromagnetic radiation, this means, unless otherwise stated, the electromagnetic radiation provided by the projector. The electromagnetic radiation has the at least one wavelength which lies in a range from 380 nanometers inclusive to 780 nanometers inclusive.Thus, the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the projector, i.e., at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation, is light visible to the human eye, since the spectrum visible to the human eye lies in the aforementioned range from 380 nanometers to 780 nanometers. Thus, the electromagnetic radiation emitted or capable of being emitted by the projector is also simply referred to as light. Therefore, when reference is made to light above or below, unless otherwise stated, this refers to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the projector.The light can have a predeterminable or predetermined color, for example, so that the light can be red light or green light to the human eye, or the light can have a color that is perceptible to the human eye and different from red and green. By means of the electromagnetic radiation, a reversible, i.e. non-destructive and non-destructively reversible color change of the dye and thus of the projection surface can be brought about by the fact that the electromagnetic radiation can be or is radiated onto the projection surface. Thus, for example, in a method for operating the projection device, it is provided that the projector provides the electromagnetic radiation that is radiated onto the projection surface, so that the projection surface is irradiated with the electromagnetic radiation.This causes a reversible, i.e. non-destructive and reversible, color change of the photochromic dye and thus of the projection surface. The color change of the photochromic dye and thus of the projection surface is understood in particular as follows: Initially, for example, the dye and thus the projection surface exhibit a first color that is perceptible to the human eye and therefore visible. By changing the color, i.e. by causing the color change, the first color is changed into a second color that is different from the first color and perceptible to the human eye, so that as a result of the color change, the photochromic dye and thus the projection surface exhibit the second color that is different from the first color.The feature that the color change is reversible means that the color change can be reversed without damaging or destroying the photochromic dye or the projection surface. Reversing the color change means that the second color can be changed back to the first color, so that after reversing the color change, the photochromic dye and thus the projection surface again exhibit the first color, which is different from the second color.

[0009] The projection device has at least one light source, in particular provided in addition to the projector. The light source is preferably a first component provided in addition to the projector and arranged outside the projector, wherein the projector can be a second component provided in addition to the first component and arranged outside the component. The light source is arranged on a first side of the first layer facing away from the projection surface. By means of the light source, UV light can be provided to reverse the color change and can be radiated onto the first layer, i.e. against the first layer, such that the first layer can be irradiated, in particular from its first side, with the UV light provided by the light source, and can therefore be irradiated.When reference is made to UV light above and below, unless otherwise stated, this refers to the UV light provided or capable of being provided by the light source. UV light refers to ultraviolet light, i.e., ultraviolet radiation, which is also referred to as UV radiation.

[0010] The projection device also has a second layer, which is provided in particular in addition to the first layer and is arranged on a second side of the first layer facing away from the first side and thus in particular away from the light source. The projection device therefore has a layer structure which has at least the first layer and the second layer. When considering the second layer alone, the second layer is preferably designed as a solid. The light source can form a third layer or be a component of a third layer, wherein the third layer is arranged on the first side. For example, the first layer is arranged directly on the third layer. Furthermore, the first layer is thus arranged, for example, between the second layer and the third layer.In particular, the layered structure can also include the third layer, which can thus be a component, i.e., a layer, of the layered structure. When considering the third layer alone, the third layer is preferably formed as a solid.

[0011] The first layer is a protective layer that is permeable to at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the projector, allowing the projection surface to be irradiated with the electromagnetic radiation via the second layer. In other words, the electromagnetic radiation can be emitted onto the projection surface via the second layer. However, the second layer, designed as a protective layer, is opaque to the UV light emitted by the light source. The second layer is thus designed, for example, as a UV blocking filter, also known as a UV filter, which blocks, or thus filters, the UV light emitted by the light source.The projection device according to the invention has several advantages: Firstly, the color change can be brought about by means of the electromagnetic radiation that is or can be provided by the projector. This color change can be reversed, in particular by exposing the first layer to UV light for a sufficiently long time, but remains until then. So that, for example, as a result of the color change, an advantageous design of the interior and thus a particularly high level of comfort for people staying in the interior can be ensured during a period following the color change, during which the projector does not provide any electromagnetic radiation. Furthermore, the UV light can be provided as needed by means of the light source in order to specifically reverse, i.e., cancel, the color change.Furthermore, if the light source provides the UV light to reverse the color change, the UV light provided by the light source can be prevented from penetrating undesired areas, so that the areas can be protected from the UV light provided by the light source by means of the protective layer (second layer). This ensures particularly safe and comfortable operation of the projection device, thus providing a particularly high level of comfort for people inside.

[0012] The projector is designed, for example, to radiate the electromagnetic radiation onto the projection surface in such a way that the electromagnetic radiation radiated onto the projection surface forms a pattern on the projection surface. The pattern has at least one partial region. In particular, the pattern has several partial regions, namely, for example, the aforementioned at least one partial region and at least a second partial region, wherein it is conceivable that the partial regions of the pattern are at least partially spaced from one another. Thus, regions of the projection surface corresponding to the partial regions of the pattern, also referred to as surface regions, are irradiated with the partial regions of the pattern, since the partial regions of the pattern are radiated onto the corresponding regions of the projection surface.As a result, for example, the color change of the photochromic dye and thus of the projection surface occurs in the areas of the projection surface, while a color change of the photochromic dye and the projection surface does not occur in at least one or more other areas of the projection surface, especially those directly adjacent to the areas. This essentially burns the pattern into the projection surface. However, since the color change is reversible, the pattern can be removed from the projection surface by reversing the color change.After the pattern has been burned in and the color change has been brought about, and while, for example, the projector is not providing any electromagnetic radiation and in particular while the light source is not providing any UV light, the color change and thus, for example, the pattern remain, i.e. are preserved, for a certain period of time, which may be longer than twelve hours, in particular longer than 24 hours, for example 36 hours. The color change or the pattern is particularly preserved during the aforementioned period if, for example, sunlight enters the interior during the day and falls onto the projection surface, because the sunlight cannot reverse the color change or can only reverse it very slowly. If, for example, no light falls into the interior from outside the vehicle, the color changes and thus the pattern are preserved for a very long time.Using the UV light provided by the light source, the color changes and thus the pattern can be quickly and specifically reversed or removed.

[0013] Since the color changes and thus the pattern are retained for a beneficially long time without the projector beaming electromagnetic radiation onto the projection surface, the pattern is advantageously and visually perceptible to people in the interior for a beneficial and long time, even when the projector is deactivated and thus no electromagnetic radiation is emitted. This means that the interior can be designed to be particularly advantageous and comfortable. For example, the color change can be brought about at night and while the vehicle is stationary, so that at the start of a subsequent journey, for example, the pattern is already, so to speak, burned into the projection surface and the driver can visually perceive the pattern right from the start of the journey.

[0014] The light source is or comprises, for example, at least one light guide for providing the UV light. Alternatively or additionally, the light source is or comprises, for example, at least one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which allows for particularly efficient operation.

[0015] For example, the projection device comprises a support structure, provided in particular in addition to the layered structure, in addition to the projector, and in addition to the light source, to which, for example, the first layer, the second layer, and the light source—thus the layered structure and the light source—can be held. Thus, for example, the layered structure, the light source, and the support structure form a module that can be advantageously handled and thus, for example, installed.

[0016] In order to realize a particularly advantageous, in particular a particularly comfortable, design of the vehicle's interior, one embodiment of the invention provides that the projection surface is designed to reflect at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation provided by the projector and radiated onto the projection surface. This allows for particularly advantageous illumination of the interior while the projection surface is irradiated with the electromagnetic radiation and thus, for example, while the pattern is burned into the projection surface.

[0017] It has proven particularly advantageous if the second layer is permeable to at least some of the electromagnetic radiation reflected by the projection surface, thereby creating an advantageous and comfortable design for a person inside the vehicle, in particular by enabling advantageous lighting of the vehicle interior. A further embodiment is characterized in that the first layer itself, i.e. viewed on its own, is formed by a photochromic lacquer. This advantageously brings about the color change, and the color change can advantageously be maintained for a long time without the projector radiating electromagnetic radiation onto the projection surface. This allows an advantageous and comfortable design of the vehicle interior to be realized.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the second layer is arranged directly on the first layer, so that no additional layer is arranged between the first layer and the second layer. This allows the color change to be achieved quickly, and UV light can be advantageously blocked by the protective layer.

[0019] It has proven particularly advantageous if, when considering the second layer alone, the second layer is formed as a film, in particular a plastic film. This allows for a particularly advantageous layer structure, so that, on the one hand, UV light is effectively blocked, and, on the other hand, the color change can be achieved quickly.

[0020] A second aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle, preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a motor vehicle and most particularly as a passenger car, whose interior, also referred to as a passenger cell or passenger compartment, is formed by a vehicle structure designed, for example, as a self-supporting body. The vehicle has at least one projection device according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the projection device is arranged in the interior of the vehicle. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0021] In order to realize a particularly advantageous and comfortable interior design, one embodiment of the second aspect of the invention provides that the second side faces the interior and the first side faces away from the interior. This advantageously prevents UV light from undesirably penetrating the interior by means of the protective layer, thus enabling particularly safe and comfortable operation.

[0022] Finally, it has proven particularly advantageous if at least the first layer and the second layer, in particular the layered structure, are arranged on an instrument panel located in the interior of the vehicle. This allows the interior to be advantageously designed, thus achieving a particularly high level of comfort.

[0023] Furthermore, it is conceivable that at least the first layer and the second layer, in particular the layered structure, are arranged on a door panel located in the interior of the vehicle. In particular, the door panel is a door panel of a side door of the vehicle.

[0024] Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a partial schematic perspective view of an interior of a vehicle designed as a passenger car; and Fig. 2 a schematic and partially sectioned side view of a projection device arranged in the interior of the vehicle.

[0025] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a section of an interior 1, also referred to as a passenger cell or passenger compartment, of a vehicle designed here as a passenger car, the interior 1 of which is formed by a structure 2, for example, designed as a self-supporting body. While the vehicle is traveling, persons such as the driver of the vehicle can be present in the interior 1. It can be seen that the vehicle has two seating systems 3 and 4 arranged in the interior 1. The respective seating system 3, 4 is a vehicle seat, also referred to as an individual seat, which provides exactly one seat for one person in the interior 1. As can be seen from Fig. 1 is also an instrument panel 5 arranged in the interior 1 of the vehicle.

[0027] Out of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows that a projection device 6 of the motor vehicle is arranged in the interior 1. The projection device 6 has a first layer 7, which is formed from at least or exactly one photochromic dye. For example, when considering the first layer 7 alone, the first layer 7 is formed from a photochromic lacquer containing the photochromic dye. The first layer 7 forms a projection surface 8, which faces the interior, thus points toward the interior 1. As will be explained in more detail below, the first layer 7 is part of a layer structure 9, which is held on the instrument panel 5.

[0028] The projection device 6 also has a projector 10, by means of which at least electromagnetic radiation with at least one wavelength in a range from 380 nanometers to 780 nanometers can be provided and radiated onto the projection surface 8, so that a reversible color change of the dye can be effected by means of the electromagnetic radiation radiated onto the projection surface 8, which is provided or can be provided by the projector 10. Since the Fig. 2, the electromagnetic radiation provided by the projector 10, designated 11, which has at least one wavelength lying in a range from 380 nanometers to 780 nanometers, at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation 11 is light that is visible to the human eye, i.e., optically perceptible, and which can be optically perceived, i.e., seen or perceived, by a person present in the interior 1. Therefore, the electromagnetic radiation 11 is also referred to as light. The color change is to be understood as meaning that a first color of the dye and thus of the projection surface 8 formed by the dye can be or is changed into a second color that is different from the first color. For example, the projector 10 is designed to provide light of a different color.In other words, the projector 10 is designed, for example, to provide first light with a first light color in a first operating state of the projector 10 and, in a second operating state, to provide second light with a second light color that is different from the first color, and to radiate this onto the projection surface 8. Both the first light and the second light are visible to the human eye, i.e., optically perceptible light, such that both the first light color and the second light color are visible to the human eye. Furthermore, the projector 10 can, for example, in a third operating state of the projector 10, provide third light with a third light color that is different from the first light color and the second light color, wherein the third light and thus the third light color are visible to the human eye.The first color is, for example, red, the second color is, for example, green, and the third color is, for example, blue. The aforementioned color change is also referred to as the first color change. By shining the first light with the first light color onto the projection surface 8, the first color change can be brought about, for example. By shining the second light with the second light color onto the projection surface 8, a second color change of the dye and thus of the projection surface 8 can be brought about, for example. By shining the third light with the third light color onto the projection surface 8, a third color change of the photochromic dye and thus of the projection surface 8 can be brought about, for example. This is explained in more detail below. Through or during the first color change, for example, the first color is changed into the aforementioned second color which is different from the first color.The first color is, for example, black, and the second color is, for example, red. Through or during the second color change, the first color is changed, for example, into a third color that is different from the first color and the second color, which is, for example, green. Through or during the third color change, the first color is changed, for example, into a fourth color that is different from the second color and the third color, which is, for example, violet. Of course, it is conceivable that the projector 10 can provide respective combinations of the aforementioned lights or colors in the respective operating states.

[0029] If, for example, the projector 10 provides red light which is radiated onto the projection surface 8, the initially black color of the projection surface 8 is changed to red. If, for example, the projector 10 provides yellow light which is radiated onto the projection surface 8, the projection surface 8 or its color is changed from black to green. If, for example, the projector 10 provides blue light which is radiated onto the projection surface 8, the initially black color of the projection surface 8 is changed to violet. If, for example, the projector 10 provides a combination of blue light and yellow light which are radiated onto the projection surface 8, the projection surface 8 is changed from black to blue, i.e. its color is changed.For example, if the projector 10 provides a combination of red light and blue light, which are radiated onto the projection surface 8, the projection surface 8 is changed from black to red or pink. For example, if the projector 10 provides a combination of red light and yellow light, which are radiated onto the projection surface 8, the projection surface 8 is changed from black to yellow. For example, if the projector 10 provides a combination of red, yellow, and blue light, which is radiated onto the projection surface 8, the projection surface 8 is changed from black to white.

[0030] The projection device 6 has a light source 12, which is provided in addition to the projector 10. The light source 12 is arranged on a first side S1 of the first layer 12, facing away from the projection surface 8. The light source 12 is designed to provide UV light to reverse the color change and to radiate it onto the first layer 7. For this purpose, the light source 12 has, for example, a plurality of light-emitting diodes 13, which provide the UV light and can radiate it onto the layer 7. Reversing the respective color change is to be understood that by irradiating the layer 7 with the UV light provided by the light source 12, the photochromic dye and thus the projection surface 8 can be returned to the first color, in this case black, so that as a result of the reversal of the color change, the dye and thus the projection surface 8 are black again.Thus, the respective color change is reversible.

[0031] The projection device 6 also has a second layer 14, which is arranged on a second side S2 of the first layer 7, facing away from the first side S1 and thus away from the light source 12. The layer 14 is a layer of the layer structure 9, which thus has layers 7 and 14. For example, the light source 12 is or forms a third layer 15 of the layer structure 9. It can be seen that the layer 7 is arranged between the layer 14 and the light source 12, in particular between the layers 14 and 15. In this case, the layer 14 is arranged directly on the layer 7. Furthermore, the layer 7 is arranged directly on the layer 15. The layer 14 is permeable to at least part of the electromagnetic radiation 11, so that the electromagnetic radiation 11 can be radiated onto the projection surface 8 via the layer 14.However, the second layer 14 is impermeable to the UV light provided or capable of being provided by the light source 12. This prevents the UV light provided by the light source 12 from undesirably penetrating the interior space 1.

[0032] It can be seen that the layered structure 9, which in this case comprises layers 7, 14, and 15, is held on a support 16, also referred to as a supporting structure. The layered structure 9 and the support 16 form, for example, a preassembled module, which can be advantageously handled and thus installed.

[0033] The projection surface 8 is designed to reflect at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation 11 provided by the projector 6 and radiated onto the projection surface 8, wherein the second layer 14 is permeable to at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation reflected by the projection surface 8. Thus, when the electromagnetic radiation 11 is radiated onto the projection surface 8, at least a portion of the radiation reflected by the projection surface 8 can enter the interior 1 and thus illuminate the interior 1, so that a particularly high level of comfort can be achieved.

[0034] Preferably, when viewed alone, layer 14 is formed as a film, which, when viewed alone, is preferably flexible, i.e., dimensionally unstable. Preferably, when viewed alone, first layer 7 is formed by a photochromic lacquer containing the photochromic dye. For example, the module is held to instrument panel 5 via carrier 16. It can be seen that, for example, projector 10 is completely spaced from layer structure 9.

[0035] Recognizable in Fig. 1 is also a side door 18 of the vehicle. The side door 18 is associated with a side door opening of the body 2 and is arranged relative to the body 2 between at least one Fig.1 and at least one open position. In the open position, the side door 18 releases at least a partial area of ​​the door opening, so that a person in the interior 1 can exit from the interior 1 via the released partial area, or a person initially outside the vehicle can enter the interior 1. In the closed position, the partial area is closed by the side door 18. The side door 18 has a door trim 17, which is arranged in the interior 1 at least in the closed position and is therefore also referred to as the interior door trim. It is conceivable that the layered structure 9 is held on the door trim 17. In particular, the module is held on the door trim 17 via the carrier 16. List of reference symbols 1 interior 2 Structure 3 seating system 4 seating system 5 Instrument panel 6 Projection device 7 first layer 8 Projection screen 9 Layer structure 10 projectors 11 electromagnetic radiation 12 Light source 13 light-emitting diodes 14 second layer 15 third layer 16 carriers 17 Door panel 18 Side door S1 first page S2 second page

Claims

[1] Projection device (6) for an interior (1) of a vehicle, comprising: - a first layer (7) forming at least one projection surface (8) made of at least one photochromic dye; - at least one projector (10) by means of which at least electromagnetic radiation (11) with at least one wavelength in a range from 380 nanometers to 780 nanometers inclusive can be provided and radiated onto the projection surface (8), so that a reversible color change of the dye can be effected by means of the electromagnetic radiation (11) radiated onto the projection surface (8); - at least one light source (12) arranged on a first side (S1) of the first layer (7) facing away from the projection surface (8), by means of which at least UV light can be provided to reverse the color change and can be radiated against the first layer (7); and - a second layer (14) arranged on a second side (S2) of the first layer (7) facing away from the first side (S1) and permeable to at least part of the electromagnetic radiation (11) provided by the projector (10), via which second layer the electromagnetic radiation (11) can be radiated onto the projection surface (8), wherein the second layer (14) is impermeable to the UV light provided by the light source (12). [2] Projection device (6) according to claim 1, wherein the projection surface (8) is designed to reflect at least part of the electromagnetic radiation (11) provided by the projector (10) and radiated onto the projection surface (8). [3] Projection device (6) according to claim 2, wherein the second layer (14) is permeable to at least part of the electromagnetic radiation reflected by the projection surface (8). [4] Projection device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first layer (7) is formed by a photochromic lacquer. [5] Projection device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second layer (14) is formed as a film. [6] Projection device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second layer (14) is arranged directly on the first layer (7). [7] Vehicle in whose interior (1) at least one projection device (6) according to one of the preceding claims is arranged. [8] Vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the second side (S2) faces the interior (1) and the first side (S1) faces away from the interior (1). [9] Vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, wherein at least the first layer (7) and the second layer (14) are arranged on an instrument panel (5) arranged in the interior (1) or on a door panel (17) of the vehicle arranged in the interior (1).

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