Display system with a field-of-view display device for high-contrast display in a vehicle

Abstract

Display system for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a windscreen (2) of the motor vehicle with a second polarizing filter (4); - a display device (10) for outputting an image-bearing display light, - a reflective surface (R) provided on the windscreen (2) or a separate combiner screen to reflect the image-carrying display light into an eye area (9) of a vehicle occupant; - a sun visor arrangement (20, 20') for mounting on a roof liner (13) of the motor vehicle, comprising: ◯ an adjustable sun visor leaf (21, 21') which is arranged on the headliner of the motor vehicle via a first hinge (23), ◯ a transparent screen (22, 22') with a first polarizing filter (26), and ◯ an adjustment device (23, 24, 25) arranged on or in the sun visor blade (21) to adjust the shade (22, 22') between a parking position and a use position; wherein in the parking position the shade (22, 22') is arranged outside the field of vision of a vehicle occupant and in the use position the shade (22, 22') is arranged between a surface of the windscreen (2) and an eye area (9) of the vehicle occupant.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a display system with a field-of-view display device for use in a vehicle. The invention further relates to measures for improving image perception even in bright vehicle environments.

[0002] Head-up displays are also known as "head-up displays" and are used to project an image into the field of vision of at least one vehicle occupant by reflecting an image-bearing beam of light onto a reflective surface that is part of the windshield or a combiner screen located inside the vehicle in front of it.

[0003] Furthermore, view-field display devices designed for panoramic display in a motor vehicle are known, with which large-area display devices, for example for providing displays for entertainment or video communication, can be displayed or perceived via reflection on the windshield. The displayed image is often reflected in a lower area of ​​the windshield, which may be designed as a black printed area. In order to enlarge the image display area, it is necessary to use the view-field display device to also display an image in an area of ​​the windshield that lies above the black printed area and is therefore transparent.

[0004] These displayed images, however, overlay the driver's perception of the vehicle's surroundings through the corresponding transparent area of ​​the windshield. In bright ambient light, the displayed images are not always sufficiently contrasty or bright to provide the vehicle occupants with a fully functional experience. Depending on the ambient brightness, the perception of the displayed image can therefore be significantly impaired, as sufficient contrast cannot be achieved. Even without a field-of-view display, reflected sunlight or atmospheric scattering can dazzle the driver.

[0005] To solve this problem, US 2022 / 0187602 A1, for example, proposes a head-up display system in which a polarization-rotating optical layer is integrated into the windshield of an aircraft or vehicle, which serves to reflect the HUD light to the pilot or driver. This layer always rotates the linear polarization of the light transmitted through the windshield by 90°, so that p-polarized light components become s-polarized light components, and vice versa. In combination with a suitable polarization filter and / or other polarization rotators in the beam path of the s-polarized HUD light reflected from the windshield, the s-polarized glare from outside can be blocked, and the HUD light can reach the viewer's eye with virtually no loss.

[0006] Patent application US 2022 / 0 324 303 A1 discloses a vehicle sighting system comprising an articulated mount configured to be detachably attached to a part of a vehicle, a base plate, and at least one auxiliary sight plate. The articulated mount includes a mounting base and a hinge body, wherein a first end of the hinge body is configured to pivotally connect to the mounting base on a first pivot axis, and a second end of the hinge body is configured to pivotally connect to an auxiliary sight plate on a second pivot axis.The base plate is configured to be fixedly attached to the vehicle section, with the articulated bracket being configured to couple to the base plate for attachment to the vehicle, the bracket base being configured to move laterally along the base plate, the bracket base being detachably attached to the base plate in a fixed position using at least one locking element, the bracket base comprising a groove and the base plate a tongue, and the groove of the bracket base and the tongue of the base plate cooperating to detachably attach the bracket base to the base plate in a plurality of positions using the at least one locking element. The at least one auxiliary cover is connected to the articulated bracket.

[0007] German patent application DE 10 2014 203 320 A1 discloses a glare protection device which is designed to selectively block light from a glare source at least partially for one eye of an observer, wherein the glare protection device comprises at least a first translucent layer with a plurality of elements, wherein the translucency of the plurality of elements can be changed separately;wherein the elements of the plurality of elements each have a viewing direction range, wherein a reduction in the light transmittance of an element is perceived more strongly when viewed with one eye of the observer from a direction within the viewing direction range than when viewed from a direction outside the viewing direction range, wherein the glare protection device is configured to select a first element from the plurality of elements of the first layer such that the first element lies on a light trajectory between the glare source and a first eye of the observer, the light trajectory between the glare source and the first eye lies within the viewing direction range of the first element, and a light trajectory between the glare source and a second eye of the observer lies outside the viewing direction range of the first element.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for a display system with a viewing field display device, with which it is possible to use a large area of ​​the windscreen for displaying an image without the display contrast and perceptibility being impaired by high ambient brightness.

[0009] This problem is solved by a display system with a sun visor arrangement for a motor vehicle according to claim.

[0010] Further details are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] According to a first aspect, a display system for a motor vehicle is planned, comprising: - a windshield of the motor vehicle with a second polarizing filter; - a display device for outputting an image-bearing display light, - a reflective surface provided on the windscreen or a separate combiner screen to reflect the image-carrying display light into the eye area of ​​a vehicle occupant; - the above sun visor arrangement. A sun visor arrangement intended for mounting on the headliner of a motor vehicle, comprising: - an adjustable sun visor leaf, which is arranged on the headliner of the motor vehicle via a first folding hinge, - a transparent screen with a first polarizing filter, and - an adjustment device arranged on or in the sun visor blade to adjust the transparent screen between a parking position and a use position; wherein in the parking position the screen is arranged outside the field of vision of a vehicle occupant and in the use position the screen is arranged between a surface of the windscreen or a combiner screen, in particular a reflective surface, and an eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant.

[0012] It may be provided that the second polarization filter has a second polarization direction, in particular a p-polarization, and that the first polarization filter of the screen in the operating position has a first polarization direction perpendicular to the second.

[0013] The above sun visor arrangement provides for a position-adjustable shade attached to an adjustable sun visor blade of a sun visor in a vehicle. The shade is transparent and equipped with a first polarizing filter, preventing the transmission of vertically polarized light. The shade is adjustable between a working position and a parked position. In the parked position, the shade is preferably arranged on the sun visor blade such that it rests against it or is integrated into it. The sun visor blade corresponds to the hinged part of a known sun visor for blocking external light in the upper part of a windshield.

[0014] By arranging the adjustable shade on or within the sun visor blade, it is possible to position it almost invisibly within the vehicle interior when parked, i.e., when the shade is not in use. The conventional use of the sun visor to block sunlight from a low sun can also continue unimpeded by folding or pivoting the sun visor blade forward in front of the upper part of the windshield.

[0015] When the visor is moved into the operating position, preferably by first pivoting the sun visor blade downwards and then moving the visor into the operating position, the position and orientation of the visor is such that the lower area of ​​the windshield can only be perceived through the visor.

[0016] By providing a second polarizing filter in or on the windshield, at least in the area of ​​the reflective surface or the area over which the displayed image is to be perceived, with a polarization direction perpendicular to the first polarizing filter in the screen in its operating position, ambient light directed through the windshield and screen into the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant can be almost completely blocked. In this way, images displayed by a display device, which are reflected off an inner surface of the windshield or off an inner combiner surface, can be displayed on a corresponding display or reflection area and perceived against a dark background.

[0017] The image-emitting view display device can be designed using a projection system like the conventional head-up display, or simply by reflection from an active display device that is essentially arranged horizontally on the dashboard (panoramic HUD).

[0018] Furthermore, the umbrella can be arranged with a second folding hinge, particularly on an edge opposite the first folding hinge, in order to fold the umbrella completely onto the sun visor blade, so that the sun visor blade including the umbrella can be pivoted to the roof lining in the parked position.

[0019] The adjustable visor can be arranged, in particular, on the underside of the sun visor blade using at least one hinge as a possible adjustment mechanism, and can be folded down onto the sun visor blade in a parked position. In the parked position, the visor is then preferably located between the sun visor blade and the headliner and is therefore completely invisible.

[0020] It may be provided that the folding hinges are self-locking and equipped with a folding resistance to hold the sun visor blade and the shade in an adjusted position.

[0021] Alternatively, the adjustment device can be provided as a receiving device, designed as a pocket in the sun visor blade, into which the visor can be inserted.

[0022] Alternatively, the shade can also be inserted into the sun visor blade using a sliding mechanism as an adjustment device and pulled downwards out of the sun visor blade when in use.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the screen can be provided with an s-polarizing first polarization filter.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the screen can be anti-reflective on one or both sides.

[0025] According to another aspect, a motor vehicle is provided with the above display system.

[0026] The adjustment mechanism allows the visor to be positioned flush with the lower edge of the sun visor blade in its operating position, so that it falls within the field of vision between the vehicle occupant's eyes and the reflection or display area on the windshield or combiner lens. The adjustment mechanism or the folding mechanism of the sun visor itself allows for manual positioning of the visor, enabling the windshield display area to be adjusted for viewing the displayed image.

[0027] Because the sun visor can be used essentially unaffected by the shade, the shielding effect of the sun visor against direct sunlight is maintained.

[0028] Furthermore, the second polarizing filter of the windshield can extend over an entire windshield surface or at least over the section of the surface located in the field of vision of a driver and / or at least one other vehicle occupant, in particular a front passenger, wherein the second polarizing filter is designed to substantially reflect or block horizontally or s-polarized visible light falling on the windshield from outside the vehicle in a predetermined shallow angle range that deviates significantly from its normal direction and includes at least the angle of incidence of glare due to reflective horizontal surfaces in front of the vehicle, and to transmit vertically or p-polarized light substantially completely.In particular, the aforementioned flat angle range can be defined as an angle range extending downwards from the normal direction of the windscreen in the vertical plane, wherein the angle range lies between 40° and 80°, preferably between 55° and 75°, and particularly preferably between 60° and 70°.

[0029] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a cross-sectional view through a vehicle with a display system for a field of vision display device and a sun visor arrangement; Fig. 2 a perspective sectional view of a vehicle with a display system for a field-of-view indicator device and a sun visor arrangement; and Fig. 3 a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the sun visor arrangement.

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 shows a highly simplified vertical longitudinal section of a section of a vehicle 1 with a windshield 2 according to an embodiment of the invention. The spatial orientation terms used below, such as "horizontal," "vertical," "above," "below," "underneath," etc., refer to the usual vehicle-fixed Cartesian coordinate system with mutually perpendicular longitudinal, transverse, and vertical directions of the vehicle 1. In this example, the vehicle 1 is a motor vehicle that is located in Fig. 1 is only indicated by its windshield 2 and the headliner 13. Fig. Figure 2 shows the vehicle in a perspective sectional view.

[0031] In the display system, the windshield 2 comprises at least one pane 3, which may be a single pane or a composite pane, and a p-polarizing second polarizing filter 4 mounted on the inside of the vehicle. This second polarizing filter 4 may, for example, extend over the entire surface of the windshield to significantly reduce glare, at least from natural glare sources in the driver's or other occupants' field of vision. For this purpose, the second polarizing filter 4 is designed to reflect or otherwise block at least 90% of horizontally or s-polarized visible light incident on the windshield 2 from outside the vehicle 1 within a predetermined shallow angle range that deviates significantly from its normal direction N and includes at least the angle of incidence of glare 6 from glossy horizontal surfaces in front of the vehicle 1. It also allows at least 40% to 80% of vertically or p-polarized light to pass through.The aforementioned shallow angle range for the angle of incidence can be defined as an angular range starting from the normal direction of the windshield in the vertical downwards, wherein the angular range lies between 40° and 80°, preferably between 55° and 75°, particularly preferably between 60° and 70°.

[0032] With this configuration, the second polarizing filter 4 can filter out not only predominantly s-polarized glare 6 from puddles and similar glossy surfaces in front of the vehicle 1, but also a significant portion of the direct glare 7 from a low sun and predominantly s-polarized atmospheric scattered light 5. As a result, only predominantly p-polarized ambient light 8 reaches the eyes 9 of the occupants through the windshield 2 in this angle of incidence range, leading to a significant increase in contrast and saturation when viewing the outside world through the windshield 2.

[0033] Furthermore, the front window 2 can serve as a reflective surface for a field-of-view display device.

[0034] The field-of-view display device can be configured with a display unit 10, for example a display, which is arranged with a display surface below the windshield 2 on the instrument panel 15 of the vehicle 1. The displayed image of the display unit 10 is then reflected off the reflective surface R of the windshield 2 in such a way that a vehicle occupant can perceive the displayed image. The field-of-view display device can thus be designed, in particular, to provide a panoramic virtual display, by using the windshield 2 with almost its entire transverse extent as its reflective surface R. This is, by way of example, a head-up display (HUD).The display device 10 is designed and arranged in such a way that, during operation, it generates a beam of light rays L with the desired display content and emits it in a predetermined shape and direction to the windscreen 2, from which it is reflected at the reflective surface R to the eyes 9 of the occupant concerned in order to display the image.

[0035] The field of vision display device can alternatively be designed with a projection display device to project a virtual display image directly into the eyes of the vehicle occupant via a reflection at the reflective surface R.

[0036] The field-of-view display device is designed to generate a display image in the field of vision of at least one vehicle occupant whose eyes 9 are located in a predetermined area within the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1. This could be, for example, the driver or front passenger of the vehicle 1, or both.

[0037] Furthermore, the display system can include a sun visor assembly 20. The sun visor assembly 20 has a sun visor blade 21 and a transparent screen 22, which is positioned on the sun visor blade 21 by means of an adjustment device 23. This allows the screen 22 to be adjusted between a parked position, in which it is almost invisible, and a working position, in which it is positioned between the reflective surface on the windshield 2 and the eyes of the vehicle occupant. In particular, the screen 22 can be positioned in a space-saving parked position or in a working position close to the head of the vehicle occupant. The screen 22 can also be anti-reflective on the top or on both sides to minimize light reflections from the surroundings.

[0038] The transparent screen 22 can be equipped with an s-polarizing first polarizing filter 26. This allows the screen 22 to reflect or block vertically or p-polarized light essentially completely, i.e., at least 70%, 80%, or ideally 90%. In conjunction with the second polarizing filter 4 in the windshield 2, the perceived display image can be enhanced, since the background brightness of the vehicle's surroundings is not perceived by the vehicle occupants due to the perpendicularly polarizing first and second polarizing filters 26, 4 in the screen 22 and in the windshield 2.

[0039] Since the sun visor of a conventional sun visor typically only covers an upper area at the edge of the windshield 2 in its operating position, the visor 22 is designed to be foldable or otherwise extendable or adjustable on the vehicle's regular sun visor. This allows the visor 22 to connect to the lower edge of the sun visor 21 in its operating position, so that the visor 22 is positioned between the eye area 9 of the vehicle occupant and the reflective surface on the windshield 2 or the combiner surface. As a result, the vehicle occupant perceives the area of ​​the visor 22 as almost completely black and can only perceive the display image there, the light of which is not polarized or at least not polarized perpendicular to the polarization direction of the first polarizing filter 26.This significantly improves the contrast of the displayed image and also reduces glare from the image area surrounding the virtual image.

[0040] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows an embodiment of the sun visor assembly 20. It can be seen that the sun visor panel 21 is hinged to the headliner by means of a first hinge 23. On the side of the sun visor panel 21 opposite the first hinge 23, i.e., at its lower edge in the operating position, a second hinge 24 is arranged as an adjustment device, which holds the shade 22 in an adjustable position. The second hinge 24 makes it possible to fold the shade 22 completely onto the sun visor panel 21 and to pivot the sun visor panel, including the shade 22, against the headliner in the parked position.

[0041] In the operating position, the sun visor leaf 21 can be folded towards the windshield 2 to ensure the conventional function of shielding against direct sunlight. The shade 22 can then be folded downwards from the sun visor leaf 21, thus extending the surface of the sun visor assembly 20 downwards, so that the shade 22 comes into the area between the eye area 9 of the vehicle occupants and the reflective surface R on the windshield 2 or the combiner lens.

[0042] The sun visor blade 21 can be positioned as desired by variably tilting it via the first hinge 23 and the shade 22 at the lower edge of the sun visor blade 21. For this purpose, the hinges 23, 24 are preferably self-locking and have sufficient tilting resistance to hold the sun visor blade 21 and the shade 22 in a variable position.

[0043] An alternative embodiment of a sun visor arrangement 20' is exemplified in Fig.Figure 3. Reference symbols for identical elements or elements with the same function are indicated by “ ' ". The sun visor assembly 20' has a receiving device 25 as part of the adjustment mechanism, which is designed as a pocket in the sun visor blade 21'. By pulling out the shade 22', the sun visor assembly 20' can be extended downwards in a working position and then performs the function described above. The sun visor assembly 20' can then still be adjusted by folding it around the first hinge 23'. By pushing the shade 22' into the sun visor blade 21, the shade 22' becomes invisible and the sun visor can be used as usual. In particular, the surfaces of the sun visor blade 21' remain unaffected and can, for example, be fitted with a makeup mirror or the like on the inside.

[0044] Even if the front lens 2 has the reflective surface R, the reflective surface R can also be provided on an additionally arranged combiner lens. The second polarizing filter 4 then remains arranged in the front lens 2. Reference symbol list 1 vehicle 2 Windscreen 3 discs 4 second polarization filter 5 atmospheric scattered light 6. Glare 7 direct glare 8 p-polarized outdoor light 9 Eye area 10 Display device 13 Headliner N Normal direction R Reflecting surface 20, 20' Sun visor arrangement 21, 21' Sun visor blade 22, 22' transparent shade 23, 23' first hinge 24 second hinge 25 Reception facility 26 first polarization filter

Claims

[1] Display system for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a windscreen (2) of the motor vehicle with a second polarizing filter (4); - a display device (10) for outputting an image-bearing display light, - a reflective surface (R) provided on the windscreen (2) or a separate combiner screen to reflect the image-carrying display light into an eye area (9) of a vehicle occupant; - a sun visor arrangement (20, 20') for mounting on a roof liner (13) of the motor vehicle, comprising: ◯ an adjustable sun visor leaf (21, 21') which is arranged on the headliner of the motor vehicle via a first hinge (23), ◯ a transparent screen (22, 22') with a first polarizing filter (26), and ◯ an adjustment device (23, 24, 25) arranged on or in the sun visor blade (21) to adjust the shade (22, 22') between a parking position and a use position; wherein in the parking position the shade (22, 22') is arranged outside the field of vision of a vehicle occupant and in the use position the shade (22, 22') is arranged between a surface of the windscreen (2) and an eye area (9) of the vehicle occupant. [2] Display system according to claim 1, wherein the screen (22) is arranged with a second hinge (24) on an edge opposite the first hinge (23) to fold the screen (22) completely onto the sun visor panel 21, so that the sun visor panel (21) including the screen (22) can be pivoted to the headliner (13) in the park position. [3] Display system according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the adjustment device (23', 25) has a receiving device (25) which is designed as a pocket in the sun visor leaf (21') into which the screen (22') can be inserted. [4] Display system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the folding hinge (23) or the folding hinges (23, 24) are self-locking and provided with a folding resistance to hold the sun visor blade (21, 21') and the screen (22, 22') in an adjustment position. [5] Display system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the screen (22, 22') is provided with an s-polarizing first polarizing filter (26). [6] Display system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the screen (22, 22') is anti-reflective on one or both sides. [7] Display system according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second polarization filter (4) has a second polarization direction, in particular a p-polarization, and the first polarization filter of the screen (22, 22') in the operating position has a first polarization direction perpendicular to the second. [8] Display system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second polarizing filter (4) extends over an entire windshield surface or at least over the area of ​​the windshield that is to be arranged in the field of vision of a driver and / or at least one other vehicle occupant, in particular a front passenger; wherein the second polarizing filter (4) is designed to substantially reflect or block horizontally or s-polarized visible light falling on the windshield (2) from outside the vehicle (1) in a predetermined shallow angle range that deviates significantly from its normal direction (N) and which includes at least the angle of incidence of the glare (6) due to reflective horizontal surfaces in front of the vehicle (1), and to transmit vertically or p-polarized light substantially completely. [9] Display system according to claim 8, wherein the said flat angle range is defined as an angular range starting from the normal direction (N) of the front window (2) in the vertical downwards, wherein the angular range is between 40° and 80°, preferably between 55° and 75°, particularly preferably between 60° and 70°. [10] Vehicle (1) comprising a display system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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