E-paper functional unit, vehicle and process

Abstract

An e-paper functional unit (1) on a surface of a vehicle (2) is provided with at least one passive e-paper element (3) and at least one e-paper activation unit (4) separate from the passive e-paper element (3), wherein the passive e-paper element (3) has at least one e-paper layer (30) comprising e-paper active bodies (32), and wherein the e-paper activation unit (4) is designed to build up at least one electrical, electromagnetic, or magnetic activation field suitable for interacting with pigments (322, 324) contained in the e-paper active bodies (32), which pigments are electrically or magnetically polarized or polarizable.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an e-paper functional unit according to the preamble of patent claim 1. It further relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, according to claim 8 and to a method according to claim 11 for at least locally changing the appearance of a passive e-paper element.

[0002] The automotive industry is seeing a growing trend toward vehicle customization. Changing the color of a vehicle during its lifetime is a particularly popular form of customization. While previously the vehicle required a complex repainting process, today it is possible to wrap the vehicle body. This proven technology allows vehicle owners to change the color of their car after production by applying a special colored film to the surface. This method offers a cost-effective and reversible alternative to painting and is often used to give vehicles a new appearance or to protect them from environmental influences.

[0003] Research is exploring innovative approaches to changing a car's color, such as the use of traditional e-paper displays. This technology, familiar from e-book readers, makes it possible to change the color of the vehicle's surface at the touch of a button. With the use of sophisticated displays, such as e-paper displays, it will thus be possible in the future to actively change a vehicle's color. This technology also makes it possible to apply monochrome or even color images to a car's surface.

[0004] Both approaches, the use of e-paper displays and wrapping, reflect the growing need for personalization and flexibility in the automotive sector. While e-paper displays enable dynamic, real-time customization, wrapping offers a durable and versatile solution for those seeking change without a permanent commitment.

[0005] The e-paper displays are attached to the vehicle body or applied as a film to the vehicle body and are powered by a complex system of cables to enable the electronic circuitry required for a color change or even image display. For example, see DE 10 2022 000 005 A1.

[0006] However, integrating such e-paper displays into a vehicle presents significant technical challenges. The electronics and cabling required to control the displays are complex, making the application of this technology extremely complex and expensive. Furthermore, the displays must be able to withstand the harsh environmental conditions of a car, which places additional demands on their robustness and durability. A particular problem here is the cabling of the displays.

[0007] DE 10 2018 128 904 A1 shows and describes a vehicle with a display device having an electrophoretic display, which is coupled to a control device provided in the vehicle, for example, to display vehicle data on the display device. The display device is further coupled to a near-field communication device such that data received from an external mobile device via the near-field communication is shown on the display of the display device.

[0008] DE 10 2020 130 428 A1 shows and describes an e-paper display device on or in a vehicle that is connected to a display control device that controls the e-paper display device to display text or images. An external vehicle model designation data storage device can be wirelessly connected to the display control device for data transmission.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide e-paper displays suitable for mounting on the surfaces of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, without the need for complex electrical wiring and control. Furthermore, the object includes specifying a correspondingly equipped vehicle and a method for using such an e-paper display, in particular on a vehicle.

[0010] The part of the problem directed at the e-paper is solved by an e-paper functional unit having the features of patent claim 1.

[0011] An e-paper functional unit on a surface, preferably a visible surface, of a vehicle is provided with at least one passive e-paper element that does not have an independent activation functionality, and at least one external e-paper activation unit that is separate from the passive e-paper element, wherein the passive e-paper element has at least one e-paper layer that has e-paper active bodies, and wherein the external e-paper activation unit is designed to build up at least one electrical, electromagnetic, or magnetic activation field that is suitable for interacting with pigments contained in the e-paper active bodies that are electrically or magnetically polarized or polarizable, such that the external activation unit takes over a reversal of the pigments contained in the e-paper active bodies.

[0012] The term “passive e-paper element” refers to an e-paper element that does not have any independent activation functionality, for example by being designed without electrodes or by having existing electrodes not connected to an electrical power supply unit.

[0013] The core idea of ​​this invention is to separate the electronics and control of an e-paper element from the e-paper element itself and thus from the vehicle surface, for example, the vehicle's outer skin. This is achieved by designing the e-paper element attached to or on the vehicle surface as a passive e-paper element within the meaning of this invention, and by activating the e-paper active bodies contained in the e-paper element using an e-paper activation unit separate from the vehicle.

[0014] This external activation unit is responsible for redirecting the pigments contained in the e-paper active elements, such as color pigments, i.e., their electrical or magnetic orientation. This redirection can be performed selectively or over a large area, depending on the user's requirements.

[0015] A key advantage of this technology is its cost-effectiveness. Since the passive e-paper element requires no embedded electrodes or electronics, complex wiring is eliminated, simplifying manufacturing and attaching it to or on a vehicle surface, reducing costs. Reliability is also increased, as fewer components are subject to potential malfunction.

[0016] Further preferred and advantageous design features of the e-paper functional unit according to the invention are the subject of subclaims 2 to 7.

[0017] The e-paper activation unit preferably has at least one transmission device that can be controlled by a control device and is equipped with at least one emission element designed to emit the electrical, electromagnetic, or magnetic field, preferably in a directed manner. By means of this emission element controlled by the control device, which, for example, has at least one electrical coil, a magnetic coil, or a directional antenna, the signals supplied by the control device are emitted in the direction of the e-paper active body to be triggered.If the e-paper activation unit, specifically its at least one transmission device, has a plurality of emission elements arranged in a transverse direction transverse to a direction of movement of the e-paper activation unit, for example, the transmission device, then, when temporally varying signals from the control device are emitted in a manner coordinated with the movement, a planar, pixel-like triggering of the e-paper active bodies can occur, thereby enabling image display with the passive e-paper element. The transmission device is preferably linear with its longitudinal extension along the transverse direction, but it can also be curved or shaped in some other way.

[0018] It is advantageous if the transmission device or the emission element are interchangeably connected or connectable to the e-paper activation unit. Such interchangeability allows the use of transmission devices or emission elements of different widths or shapes to adapt to the vehicle surface area to be treated.

[0019] It is particularly advantageous if the transmission device has a plurality of emission elements arranged next to one another, preferably along its longitudinal extent

[0020] Particularly preferred is an embodiment of the e-paper functional unit, which can be combined with other embodiments, in which the e-paper layer is provided with navigation information that is preferably invisible to the viewer, wherein the e-paper activation unit is equipped with a sensor device with at least one sensor for sensing this navigation information. This embodiment allows the e-paper functional unit to orient itself as it moves across the e-paper layer, thus enabling precise and accurate activation of the individual e-paper active bodies.

[0021] It is particularly advantageous if the navigation information comprises a plurality of individual information elements distributed over the surface of the e-paper layer and if the sensor device of the e-paper activation unit is designed to be able to determine position data that represent the position and preferably also the spatial orientation of the e-paper activation unit, in particular the transmission device, on or above the e-paper layer.

[0022] Preferably, the e-paper activation unit has a control device which receives the position data and builds up at least one activation field depending on the position data.

[0023] To precisely change the optical appearance of the passive e-paper element, such as a precise color change, it is very helpful if the e-paper activation unit knows exactly where it is located on the surface of the e-paper element, i.e., the vehicle surface. For this purpose, the vehicle can rely on its own positioning system, such as Ultra Wideband (UWB), or use optical tracking via the vehicle cameras. Another option is the integration of special optical codes into the surface of the e-paper element or into the vehicle surface. These codes are invisible to the human eye but can be used by the e-paper activation unit for precise localization.

[0024] The part of the problem directed at the vehicle is solved by a vehicle having the features of claim 8.

[0025] A vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, which is provided with a passive e-paper element, preferably a passive e-paper film, on at least one inner and / or at least one outer visible surface, wherein the passive e-paper element forms an e-paper functional unit according to one of the preceding claims with an e-paper activation unit separate from the vehicle.

[0026] It is advantageous if the vehicle is equipped with at least one object detection device, in particular an image detection device, directed at the at least one surface provided with the passive e-paper element, which is designed to be able to determine position data representing the position and preferably also the spatial orientation of the e-paper activation unit, in particular the transmission device, on or above the e-paper layer, and if the e-paper activation unit and the object detection device are designed to be able to wirelessly transmit determined position data to the e-paper activation unit. This embodiment allows precise coordination of the control commands sent to the e-paper activation unit for the local, preferably pinpoint-accurate, activation of the e-paper layer with the current position of the e-paper activation unit.

[0027] It is advantageous if the e-paper activation unit has a control device which receives the received position data and builds up at least one activation field depending on the position data.

[0028] The part of the problem directed to the method is solved with the features of claim 11.

[0029] A method for at least locally changing the appearance of a passive e-paper element by means of an e-paper activation unit separate from the passive e-paper element, wherein the passive e-paper element has at least one e-paper layer comprising e-paper active bodies and wherein the e-paper activation unit is designed to build up at least one electrical, electromagnetic or magnetic activation field that is suitable for interacting with pigments contained in the e-paper active bodies that are electrically or magnetically polarized or polarizable, is characterized by the steps: a) Providing a sample plan containing local activation information for a plurality of locations of the passive e-paper element, b) Moving the e-paper activation unit along the passive e-paper element, wherein the e-paper activation unit builds up the at least one activation field locally at the respective location depending on received or determined position information relative to the passive e-paper element.

[0030] According to these process steps, a precise local activation of the passive e-paper element provided on or on the visible surface of a vehicle is possible.

[0031] Preferred embodiments of the invention with additional design details and further advantages are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] It shows: Fig. 1 a vertical sectional view through an e-paper functional unit according to the invention and Fig. 2 a vehicle with an e-paper functional unit from Fig. 1. PRESENTATION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Fig. 1 shows, by way of example, a vertically sectioned representation of the structure of an e-paper functional unit 1 with a passive e-paper element 3 mounted on a surface 20 of a vehicle 2 and an e-paper activation unit 4 positioned above it at a short distance or touching the surface, which is freely movable relative to the e-paper element 3.

[0034] The passive e-paper element 3, embodied here as an e-paper foil, has an e-paper layer 30 whose appearance can be influenced and which is provided with a plurality of e-paper active bodies 32. In principle, the structure of the e-paper element 3 corresponds to the layer structure of a known e-paper display element of an e-paper display device, although no electrode layers are provided. Therefore, this e-paper element 3 of the e-paper functional unit 1 according to the invention is also referred to as passive.

[0035] The e-paper layer 30 is arranged between a transparent or translucent display window 34 and a rear carrier 36, which is attached to the surface 20 of a body panel 22 of the vehicle 2. The e-paper layer 30 is provided with a plurality of display spheres 320 configured as microcapsules, each forming an e-paper active body 32. Each of the display spheres 320 has a transparent housing wall 321 that encloses an interior space 326 of the display sphere 320. The interior space 326 contains a plurality of first pigments 322 of a first color (here white) and a plurality of second pigments 324 of a second color (here black), which are surrounded by a transparent fluid 323, wherein the black pigments 324 are typically positively charged and the white pigments 322 are negatively charged.

[0036] The e-paper activation unit 4 is configured, as described below by way of example, to generate at least one electrical, electromagnetic, or magnetic activation field suitable for interacting with pigments 322, 324 contained in the e-paper active bodies 32, which are electrically or magnetically polarized or polarizable. As already mentioned, in the example shown, the pigments are positively or negatively charged and therefore react to an externally applied electric field.

[0037] The e-paper activation unit 4 positioned above or on the passive e-paper element 3 has at least one transmission device 40 equipped with at least one emission element 42 facing the e-paper element 3, which is designed to emit the electrical, electromagnetic, or magnetic field toward the e-paper layer 30. In the example shown, the transmission device 40 has a plurality of emission elements 42 arranged next to one another, each of which has a width approximately corresponding to the diameter of an e-paper active body 32. As a result, an emission element 42 can apply its emitted field to an e-paper active body 32.

[0038] The individual emission elements 42 are each individually controlled by a control device 44 of the activation unit 4, shown only schematically here, and receive control commands that trigger the emission of the field from the respective emission element 42 for a predetermined period of time and at a predetermined intensity that is sufficient to bring about an intended optical effect in the respective e-paper active body 32, i.e. in a respective respective display sphere 320.

[0039] When a positive or negative electric field is activated, the black pigments 324 and the white pigments 322 move in opposite directions. The quantity of pigment particles that migrates toward the upper transparent or translucent display window 34, i.e., toward the emission element 42 emitting the field, becomes visible to the observer as a black or white dot in the display window 34. Further developments of this illustrated e-paper element 3 with a plurality of different display spheres containing colored pigments instead of the white pigments 322 have the ability to display colors.

[0040] In the example shown, the e-paper layer 30 is provided with navigation information 38, which can be detected by a sensor 47 of a sensor device 46 of the e-paper activation unit 4, which is operatively connected to the control device 44. The navigation information 38 comprises a plurality of individual information elements 39 distributed over the surface of the e-paper layer 30, each of which consists, for example, of a pixel code invisible to the human eye.

[0041] The sensor device 46 of the e-paper activation unit 4 is thus configured to be able to determine position data representing the position and preferably also the spatial orientation of the e-paper activation unit 4, in particular of its transmission device 40, on or above the e-paper layer 30. This position data (position data and orientation data) is transmitted from the sensor device 46 to the control device 44, which can then control the respective emission elements 42 with precise location.

[0042] Instead of the navigation information 38 provided in or on the e-paper layer 30 - or in addition thereto - the vehicle 2 can be equipped with at least one object detection device 28, in particular an image detection device, directed at the at least one surface provided with the passive e-paper element 3, which is designed to be able to determine position data representing the position and preferably also the spatial orientation of the e-paper activation unit 4, in particular the transmission device 40, on or above the e-paper layer 30, and then to transmit this position data to the control device 44.

[0043] A reversal of the individual e-paper active bodies 32 thus takes place when the e-paper activation unit 4 is guided over the surface of the vehicle provided with an e-paper element, whereby electrical signals are sent specifically to certain areas of the e-paper element in order to change the color there, for example.

[0044] Fig. 2 shows such an application. A surface 20 of the vehicle 2 has, in the area of ​​the front hood 24 and the side fenders 25, a surface region 26 provided with a passive e-paper element 26 formed as an e-paper foil, as symbolized by the dashed boundary line 23.

[0045] A vehicle owner who wishes to give their vehicle 2 a personalized touch might, for example, decide to apply a black stripe 21 to a hood 24. To achieve this, they can select the design directly via a display integrated into the vehicle 2 or a specially developed mobile app. Once they have found the appropriate motif, they can implement it. They take the e-paper activation unit 4 and carefully guide it over the hood 24 in the direction of the movement arrow 27. The passive e-paper element 3, applied to the hood 24 as an e-paper film, automatically reacts to the movements of the e-paper activation unit 4 and switches the surface to "black" at the touched areas. This technology enables the black stripes to appear on the hood precisely and exactly as the owner wishes.Of course, in the industrial sector it is also possible to arrange the e-paper activation unit 4 on a manipulator arm of an industrial robot and to have it carry out the corresponding movements in a program-controlled manner.

[0046] The invention is not limited to the above embodiment, which merely serves to generally explain the core concept of the invention. Within the scope of protection, the device according to the invention may also take on embodiments other than those described above. In particular, the device may have features that represent a combination of the respective individual features of the claims.

[0047] Reference symbols in the claims, the description and the drawings serve only to improve the understanding of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection. List of reference symbols 1 e-paper functional unit 2 vehicles 3 passive e-paper element 4 E-paper activation unit 20 Vehicle surface 22 Body panel 23 boundary line 24 Front hood 25 fenders 26 surface areas equipped with passive e-paper elements 27 Movement arrow 28 Object detection device 30 e-paper layer 32 e-paper active bodies 34 translucent display window 36 back strap 38 Navigation information 39 individual information element 40 Transmission device 42 Emission element 44 Control device 46 Sensor device 47 Sensor 320 indicator balls 321 transparent housing wall of the indicator ball 320 322 first pigments of a first color 323 transparent fluid 324 second pigments of a second color 326 Interior of the indicator ball 320

Claims

[1] E-paper functional unit (1) on a surface of a vehicle (2) with at least one passive e-paper element (3) which does not have an independent activation functionality, and at least one external e-paper activation unit (4) separate from the passive e-paper element (3), wherein the passive e-paper element (3) has at least one e-paper layer (30) having an e-paper active body (32), and wherein the external e-paper activation unit (4) is designed to build up at least one electrical, electromagnetic, or magnetic activation field which is suitable for interacting with pigments (322, 324) contained in the e-paper active bodies (32), which pigments are electrically or magnetically polarized or polarizable, so that the external activation unit takes over a reversal of the pigments contained in the e-paper active bodies. [2] E-paper functional unit according to claim 1, characterized bythat the e-paper activation unit (4) has at least one transmission device (40) which can be controlled by a control device (44) and which is equipped with at least one emission element (42) which is designed to emit the electrical or electromagnetic or magnetic field, preferably in a directed manner. [3] E-paper functional unit according to claim 2, characterized by that the transmission device (40) or the emission element (42) are or can be connected interchangeably to the e-paper activation unit (4). [4] E-paper functional unit according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the transmission device (40) has a plurality of emission elements (42) arranged next to one another [5] E-paper functional unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the e-paper layer (30) is provided with navigation information (38) and that the e-paper activation unit (4) is equipped with a sensor device (46) with at least one sensor (47) for sensing this navigation information (38). [6] E-paper functional unit according to claim 5, characterized by , that the navigation information (38) comprises a plurality of individual information elements (39) distributed over the surface of the e-paper layer (30) and that the sensor device (46) of the e-paper activation unit (4) is designed to be able to determine position data which represent the position and preferably also the spatial orientation of the e-paper activation unit (4), in particular of the transmission device (40), on or above the e-paper layer (30). [7] E-paper functional unit according to claim 6, characterized bythat the e-paper activation unit (4) has a control device (44) which receives the position data and builds up the at least one activation field depending on the position data. [8] Vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, which is provided on at least one inner and / or at least one outer visible surface (20) with a passive e-paper element (3), preferably a passive e-paper film, wherein the passive e-paper element (3) forms an e-paper functional unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims with an e-paper activation unit (4) separate from the vehicle (2). [9] Vehicle according to claim 8, characterized by , that the vehicle (2) is provided with at least one object detection device (28), in particular an image detection device, directed at the at least one surface (20) provided with the passive e-paper element (3), which is designed to be able to determine position data representing the position and preferably also the spatial orientation of the e-paper activation unit (4), in particular the transmission device (40), on or above the e-paper layer (30), and that the e-paper activation unit (4) and the object detection device (28) are designed to be able to transmit determined position data wirelessly to the e-paper activation unit (4). [10] Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized by that the e-paper activation unit (4) has a control device (44) which receives the received position data and builds up the at least one activation field depending on the position data. [11] Method for at least locally changing the appearance of a passive e-paper element (3) by means of an e-paper activation unit (4) separate from the passive e-paper element (3), wherein the passive e-paper element (3) has at least one e-paper layer (30) comprising e-paper active bodies (32), and wherein the e-paper activation unit (4) is designed to build up at least one electrical, electromagnetic, or magnetic activation field that is suitable for interacting with pigments (322, 324) contained in the e-paper active bodies (32) that are electrically or magnetically polarized or polarizable, characterized by the steps a) providing a sample plan containing local activation information for a plurality of locations of the passive e-paper element (3), b) moving the e-paper activation unit (4) along the passive e-paper element (3), wherein the e-paper activation unit (4) builds up the at least one activation field locally at the respective location as a function of received or determined position information relative to the passive e-paper element (3).

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