Display device and vehicle with a display device

Abstract

A display device (2) and a vehicle (1) with a display device (2) are described. The display device (2) is designed with at least one projection unit (3, 5) and with a display area (8). By means of the projection unit (3, 5), a light effect and / or pictorial information can be displayed in the area of ​​a surface (7) of the display area (8). Elongated elements (16) that have a low reflection coefficient and form a defined surface structure of the display area (8) are designed to - the surface (7) of the display area (8) with a defined orientation and extending above at least a defined height, - to prevent stray light (15) within a defined range of an angle of incidence (α) from striking the surface (7) of the display area (8), - to reflect only a small proportion of the interfering light (15), and - not to restrict the visual perception of the light effect and / or the pictorial information within a defined viewing angle range (β) of a user (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device in a vehicle according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle with such a display device.

[0002] A display device in a vehicle comprising a projection unit and a display surface is known from DE 100 36 570 B4. The projection unit is arranged on a vehicle roof and / or on an interior rearview mirror of the vehicle and is configured to project a real image onto the display surface.

[0003] DE 60 2004 010 067 T2 relates to a screen suitable for displaying an image, which may originate, for example, from a video projector or, more generally, from a light source located on one side of the screen, on either side of the screen without optical distortion. The screen is a rear-projection and / or projection screen, the projection screen comprising two sides. A main side of the screen is the side onto which the image from the light source is projected and which is generally located in the same area of ​​the room as the light source. The opposite side of the screen is the side on which, due to its transparency, the image projected onto the main side appears.Such a rear projection screen has a main side and a opposite side and possesses the same properties as the previously described projection screen, but differs from it in that the viewer and the light source are not in the same area of ​​the room, but on different sides of the screen.

[0004] However, the problem is that the display of images on the screen is affected by interference or extraneous light, such as sunlight, street lighting, vehicle interior lighting and the like, making it difficult or impossible for a user or vehicle occupant to visually perceive the images under unfavorable operating conditions.

[0005] A projection arrangement is known from generic DE 101 35 342 C1, which is installed in a motor vehicle and comprises a projector unit and a projection surface. The projector unit is arranged in the roof area inside the motor vehicle close to its windshield 3, and the projection surface is mounted on a dashboard.

[0006] DE 10 2022 202 177 A1 relates to a projection device for displaying information in a vehicle, a display device which contains the projection device, and a cockpit in which one or more display devices are integrated.

[0007] DE 10 2021 103 100 A1 describes a display device for a motor vehicle, a method for signaling an input limit of an operating area, and a motor vehicle with a display device. The display device has a display screen and a detection device, both of which are concealed behind a translucent decorative element.

[0008] German patent DE 10 2020 113 032 A1 discloses a motor vehicle with a table located inside the vehicle. The tabletop has at least one section whose upper surface is covered with a surface that forms a projection area for an image projection using a projector.

[0009] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a display device for displaying images, such as light effects and / or pictorial information, on a surface of a display area and a vehicle with such a display device, which enables a user to visually perceive such an image in a simple manner and with a high contrast ratio over a large operating range.

[0010] According to the invention, this problem is solved with a display device and with a vehicle having the features of claim 1 and 7 respectively.

[0011] A display device for a vehicle is proposed, comprising at least one projection unit and a display area. The projection unit displays a real image, such as a light effect and / or pictorial information, on the surface of the display area.

[0012] According to the invention, elongated elements with a low reflection coefficient and forming a defined surface structure of the display area are configured to project beyond the surface of the display area with a defined orientation and by at least a defined height in order to prevent stray light radiating towards the display area within a defined angle of incidence from striking the surface of the display area. Furthermore, the elements are configured to reflect only a small proportion of the stray light striking the display area and to ensure the visual perception of the image within a defined viewing angle range of a user or vehicle occupant.

[0013] In other words, the display device according to the invention has a double-layered arrangement of media, wherein one of the media, in this case the elongated elements, is designed to be highly light-absorbing. The other medium, which forms the surface of the display area, can have a highly diffusely reflective surface and / or a corresponding transparency that allows an image generated by a projection unit located behind the surface to be displayed with a high contrast ratio in the area of ​​the surface.

[0014] The geometric arrangement of the light-absorbing, elongated elements, which can be dynamically designed depending on the contour of the display area's surface, makes it possible to generate strong suppression of ambient light or extraneous light. This strong suppression of ambient light can be specifically tailored to a defined range of the angle of incidence of the ambient light.

[0015] The orientation of the elongated elements can vary depending on the user's viewing angle, the geometry of the projecting surface, and the projection unit.

[0016] The display device according to the invention allows for a good contrast ratio, particularly in projections onto textile surfaces, because the elongated elements reduce the sensitivity of the display area to external light sources.

[0017] In the display device according to the invention, which is easy to manufacture, the elongated elements penetrate the surface of the display area and are firmly connected to a component structure of the display area.

[0018] The possibility exists that the elongated elements, which preferably represent thread-like textiles, are woven, sewn or cut into the component structure of the display area.

[0019] The surface of the display area can be a highly reflective surface made of a component structure such as textile, satin, leather, plastic, polyester, coated canvas, microfiber, film, or similar materials. Light emitted from the projection unit towards the surface of the display area is then reflected with high power and presented to the user with a high contrast ratio for the easiest possible visual perception.

[0020] In addition to or alternatively to this, there is also the possibility that the display area is designed as a highly light-transparent component structure from the group of textiles, leather, plastics or film, which is itself transparent and / or designed with correspondingly light-transmitting openings.

[0021] In such an embodiment of the display device according to the invention, it is possible in a simple way to display light effects and / or pictorial information in the area of ​​the surface of the display area by means of a so-called transmitted light projection.

[0022] The surface of the display area can be matte in order to display light effects and / or pictorial information with high color fidelity and high contrast ratios, depending on the application.

[0023] Furthermore, the surface of the display area can be designed with a surface structure that is overlaid by the elongated elements.

[0024] It is possible for the surface structure to have a surface roughness that optimizes light scattering. Depending on the specific application, it can be advantageous if, for example, the light is diffusely reflected by a fine roughness of the surface structure, while a correspondingly smooth surface achieves speculative reflection. Micro- and nanostructures, such as grooves or patterns, can selectively control the reflection. Using such structures, light waves can be directed in specific directions, thereby improving the reflection properties of the display area.

[0025] Furthermore, the surface structure can be designed with special coatings to optimize the reflective properties of the display area. Additionally, the surface structure can be used to create a defined arrangement within the display area, for example, by selectively designing the geometry of the surface structure to reflect light in specific directions.

[0026] If the surface of the display area is white and the elongated elements are black, light emitted by the projection unit is reflected with a high reflectance coefficient towards the user, while ambient light or stray light striking the elongated elements is largely absorbed. This allows the light effects and / or pictorial information displayed on the surface of the display area to be presented with a high contrast ratio and easily perceived by the user.

[0027] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle equipped with the display device described above, in which images, such as light effects and / or pictorial information, can be easily and with a high contrast ratio visually perceived by a user in the area of ​​the surface of the display area.

[0028] In advantageous further developments of the vehicle according to the invention, it is possible that at least one projection unit is arranged in front of and / or at least one projection unit is arranged behind the surface of the display area.

[0029] The surface of the display area can be at least part of a surface of an instrument panel and / or at least part of a surface of a door panel.

[0030] At least one projection unit can be located on an area of ​​a vehicle roof facing a vehicle interior, and / or inside the instrument panel and / or inside the door trim.

[0031] By positioning a projection unit on the underside of the roof, preferably in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle behind a rearview mirror and / or behind a roof-mounted control unit, images can be projected onto the surface of the display area over a long distance between the projection unit and the display area. This makes it possible to utilize a large projection area for lighting effects and / or graphical information in the area of ​​an instrument panel and preferably also on the upper side door panels.

[0032] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The foregoing description of the features and combinations of features, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone, are not only usable in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own.

[0033] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments and the drawing.

[0034] It shows: Fig. 1 a highly simplified partial view of a vehicle with a display device; Fig. 2 an enlarged view of one in Fig. 1. a more precisely defined area II with a projection unit arranged in the area of ​​a vehicle roof; and Fig. 3 one Fig. 2. Corresponding representation of area II, wherein a projection unit is arranged in an instrument panel.

[0035] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a part of a vehicle 1, which includes a display device 2. The display device 2 is configured with a projection unit 3 in the area of ​​a vehicle roof 4 and with another projection unit 5 within an instrument panel 6. The projection unit 3 is a so-called reflected light projector and the other projection unit 5 is a so-called transmitted light projector. The light 9 emitted by the projection unit 3 towards a surface 7 of a display area 8 is reflected in the area of ​​the surface 7 in the direction of a user 11, as indicated by arrow 10.

[0036] Light 12 emitted from the additional projection unit 5 penetrates the surface 7 of the display area 8, which is provided with correspondingly translucent openings 13. The light 12 thus passes through the display area 8 from the additional projection unit 5 towards the user 11, who can then visually perceive the image generated by the additional projection unit 5 in the area of ​​the surface 7.

[0037] The surface 7 of the display area 8 represents the surface, or the side of the instrument panel 6 facing a vehicle interior 1A. Starting from an area facing a windshield 14 and with respect to the vehicle interior 1A, the surface 7 of the display area 8 is convexly curved in cross-section, extends from the area of ​​contact with the windshield 14 in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle to the rear and also runs downwards in the vertical direction Z of the vehicle.

[0038] Depending on the environment of the vehicle 1, it is possible that the surface 7 of the display area 5 may be illuminated from the outside by external or interfering light 15 entering the vehicle interior 1A through the windshield 14 and also through side windows as well as through an optional panoramic roof, which may originate from the sun or from an artificial light source, such as street lighting and the like.

[0039] To avoid or minimize any impairment of the user's visual perception of a light effect and / or pictorial information generated by the projection unit 3 or the further projection unit 5 in the area of ​​the surface 7 of the display area 8 by the stray light 15 within a defined area of ​​a viewing angle β of the user 11, the display device comprises 2 elongated elements 16. The elongated elements 16 have a low reflection coefficient, form a defined surface structure of the display area 8 and can have different contours depending on the application in order to create a certain structure in the area of ​​the surface 7 of the display area 8.

[0040] For this purpose, the elongated elements 16 project beyond the surface 7 of the display area 8 by a defined height and each with a defined orientation. The orientation and the defined height are chosen such that the elongated elements 16 prevent the stray light 15 from striking the surface 7 of the display area 8 within a defined range of an angle of incidence α of the stray light 15. This has the effect that the light 9 generated by the projection unit 3 is reflected from the surface 7 of the display area 8 back towards the user 11 and is easily visually perceptible to the user with a high contrast ratio.

[0041] In this case, the elements 16 penetrate the surface 7 of the display area 8 and are interwoven, sewn, or cut into a component structure 17 of the display area 8. The display area 8 is firmly connected to the instrument panel 6 in the area of ​​a bottom surface 18 of the component structure 17.

[0042] If the elements 16 are also made of a highly light-absorbing medium, the structural elements 16 are not only suitable for geometrically blocking steeply incident ambient light 15, but also for absorbing or reflecting the ambient light 15 only to a small extent. In other words, sunlight or ambient light 15 incident from the artificial light source has only a limited opportunity to strike the surface 7 of the display area 8 and significantly impair the user's visual perception 11.

[0043] Fig.Figure 3 shows area II including the additional projection unit 5, from which the emitted light 12 penetrates the surface 7 of the display area 8 from behind and shines towards the user 11. The light rays of the light 12 pass essentially unimpeded between the elements 16 after passing over the surface 7 of the display area 8. Any stray light 15 that may strike the display area 8 within the area of ​​the angle of incidence α is prevented from striking the surface 7 of the display area 8 by the elongated elements 16 in the manner described above.

[0044] Depending on the specific application, the surface 7 of the display area 8 may be a highly reflective surface of the component structure 17 and preferably made of the group consisting of textile, satin, leather, plastic, polyester, coated canvas, microfiber, film, or the like. The surface 7 of the display area 8 and the component structure 17 may be made of textile, leather, plastic, or a film, which may itself be transparent and / or have correspondingly translucent openings through which the light 12 emitted by the further projection unit 5 can be directed towards the user 11.

[0045] Preferably, the display area 8 is made of a textile that enables high resolution of the light 9 projected onto the surface 7 and also of the light 12 passing through the surface 7, and is pleasing to the touch and robust against stress. From a technical point of view, such a textile represents an optimal material with regard to its emission and transmission characteristics, strongly reflecting light back in a preferred direction, i.e., towards the user 11. This allows an image with maximum brightness to be displayed to the driver.

Claims

[1] Display device (2) in a vehicle with at least one projection unit (3, 5) and with a display area (8), wherein a real image can be displayed on the surface (7) of the display area (8) by means of the projection unit (3, 5), and wherein elongated elements (16) which have a low reflection coefficient and form a defined surface structure of the display area (8) are arranged to - the surface (7) of the display area (8) with a defined orientation and extending above at least a defined height, - to prevent stray light (15) within a range of an angle of incidence (α) defined with respect to the surface (7) of the display area (8) from striking the surface (7) of the display area (8), - to reflect only a small proportion of the interfering light (15), and - not to restrict the visual perception of the image within a defined area of ​​a user's viewing angle (β) (11), characterized by , that the elongated elements (16) penetrate the surface (7) of the display area (8) and are firmly connected to a component structure (17) of the display area (8). [2] Display device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the surface (7) of the display area (8) is a highly reflective surface of a component structure from the group consisting of textile, satin, leather, plastic, polyester, coated canvas, microfiber, film or the like. [3] Display device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that the display area (8) is designed as a highly light-transparent component structure (17) from the group of textiles, leather, plastics or film, which is itself designed to be transparent and / or is designed with correspondingly light-transmitting openings (13). [4] Display device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the surface (7) of the display area (8) is designed to be matte in such a way that light effects and / or pictorial information can be displayed with high color fidelity and high contrast ratios in the area of ​​the surface (7). [5] Display device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the surface (7) of the display area (8) is designed with a surface structure that is overlaid by the elements (16). [6] Display device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the surface (7) of the display area (8) is white and the elements (16) are black. [7] Vehicle (1) equipped with a display device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6. [8] Vehicle according to claim 7, characterized by, that at least one projection unit (3) is arranged in front of and / or at least one projection unit (5) is arranged behind the surface (7) of the display area (8). [9] Vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by , that the surface (7) of the display area (8) is at least part of a surface of an instrument panel (6) and / or at least part of a surface of a door trim. [10] Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized by , that at least one projection unit (3) is arranged on an area of ​​a vehicle roof (4) facing a vehicle interior (1A) and / or at least one projection unit (5) is arranged inside the instrument panel (6) and / or at least one projection unit is arranged inside the door trim.

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