Vehicle with display device and air vents

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle (10) comprising a camera device (12) which is configured to capture a vehicle environment outside the vehicle (10) and to provide camera data depicting the captured vehicle environment to a display device (14) in an interior trim element (18) of the vehicle (10), which is configured to display the captured vehicle environment according to the camera data, the display device (14) being configured to capture mirror-related user inputs and to generate corresponding control data and to control the camera device (12) according to the control data.It is provided that the display device (14) is at least partially surrounded by an air outlet opening device (20) which is configured to output an airflow (22) from a supply element (28) into a driver's cabin; the display device (14) is configured to detect airflow-related user inputs and generate corresponding control data and to adjust the airflow (22) according to the control data.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle with a display device and air outlets.

[0002] For interior ventilation, vehicles have air vents integrated into the interior trim panels. These vents are designed to direct an airflow, supplied by a ventilation or air conditioning system, into the passenger compartment. They extend over relatively large areas of the instrument panel and therefore occupy a considerable amount of space. To allow vehicle occupants to adjust the direction and intensity of the airflow, the vents are equipped with controls or actuators. These actuators can be adjusted manually or via electric actuators. The air vents and their controls or actuators occupy a significant portion of the instrument panel's installation space, which is then unavailable for other components. Furthermore, the design of these areas cannot be customized.

[0003] Another development concerns the design of vehicle side mirrors. Conventional side mirrors, which are located outside the driver's cabin, are being supplemented or replaced by virtual side mirrors. This involves a camera system capturing an area of ​​the vehicle's surroundings and displaying this area on a screen located inside the driver's cabin. These systems also require a relatively large amount of space on the instrument panel.

[0004] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a space-saving solution for arranging air outlets in a driver's cabin.

[0005] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous further developments of the invention are described by the dependent patent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0006] A first aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle, which may be, for example, a truck or a passenger car. The vehicle has a camera system configured to capture the vehicle's surroundings outside the vehicle. The camera system may, for example, be located in the area of ​​a conventional exterior mirror on the vehicle body and be configured to capture the area reflected by the exterior mirror. The camera system is configured to provide the captured vehicle surroundings as camera data to a display device located in an interior trim element of the vehicle. The display device may, in particular, have a display surface located on an instrument panel. This allows the driver to see the relevant side area without having to turn their head too far.The display area can be set up as a touchscreen that can capture user input on the display area.

[0007] The display unit is configured to capture mirror-related user input on the display surface and generate corresponding control data. This data is then used to control the camera unit and / or adjust the display of camera data on the screen. Mirror-related user input can include, for example, tap or swipe gestures on the display surface to generate control data that can, for instance, adjust the camera unit's orientation or brightness. It may also be possible, additionally or alternatively, to adjust the display of camera data within an image. For example, the magnification (zoom) and / or magnification range can be set.

[0008] The display device is provided for to be at least partially surrounded by an air outlet device, which is designed to discharge an airflow from a supply element into the driver's cab. The air outlet device can, for example, be an air slot formed by a housing of the display device that surrounds the display. The supply element can, for example, be a hose or pipe that carries an airflow supplied by a ventilation system or air conditioning unit to the air outlet device, so that the airflow is discharged into the driver's cab through the air outlet device.

[0009] The display unit is designed to capture airflow-related user inputs and generate corresponding control data to adjust the airflow according to those inputs. In other words, the display unit allows the user to adjust the output airflow by providing airflow-related user inputs. This could include, for example, the airflow's strength, direction, or temperature. To adjust the airflow, the display unit is configured to capture these user inputs and generate corresponding control data to adjust the airflow accordingly. This control data could, for example, be provided by a ventilation or air conditioning system that supplies the airflow.

[0010] The display device can, for example, be configured to capture airflow-related user inputs in a designated air output mode and mirror-related user inputs in a mirror mode, with the ability to switch between mirror and air output modes via predefined user inputs. The display device can also be configured to capture airflow-related and mirror-related user inputs simultaneously.

[0011] The invention offers the advantage of enabling more efficient use of space on an interior trim element of the vehicle.

[0012] A further development of the invention provides that the display device is configured to control a ventilation or air conditioning system that provides the airflow. In other words, the display device is configured to capture user inputs related to the airflow and to provide the resulting control data to the ventilation and / or air conditioning system. This control data can, for example, relate to the airflow strength or temperature. This further development offers the advantage that operating elements for the ventilation or air conditioning system can be eliminated.

[0013] A further development of the invention provides that the display device for controlling an actuator is integrated into the feed element, which is configured to adjust adjusting elements for setting the strength and / or direction of the airflow. In other words, it is provided that the strength and / or direction of the airflow depends on the position of adjusting elements. These can be, for example, blades or vanes arranged in the air output device, which influence the output airflow depending on their position.

[0014] A further development of the invention provides that the air outlet device is configured to discharge partial airflows at respective sections of the air outlet device, which are directed towards a common area in front of the display device and thus result in the airflow. In other words, it is provided that partial airflows are discharged along the air outlet device, which can differ from one another in their intensity and direction. The partial airflows are directed towards an identical point, so that the partial airflows generate the airflow. This further development offers the advantage that an airflow intensity and / or discharge direction can be provided by a combined method.

[0015] A further development of the invention provides that the actuator device is configured to adjust the respective actuating elements of the sections in order to adjust the strength of the respective partial airflow and thereby adjust the strength and / or direction of the airflow. In other words, the actuating elements make it possible to influence the strength of the respective partial airflows that are discharged at the respective sections.

[0016] A further development of the invention provides that the display device for setting a mirror mode, in which the display device is configured to capture mirror-related user inputs, is configured based on a predefined user input. In other words, it is possible for the user to make predefined user inputs to activate or deactivate the mirror mode. In the mirror mode, the capture of airflow-related user inputs can be enabled or disabled.

[0017] A further development of the invention provides that the display device for setting the mirror mode is configured based on an operating state of the vehicle. In other words, the mode of the display device depends on the current operating state of the vehicle. For example, it can be provided that the display device is automatically switched to mirror mode while the vehicle is being driven.

[0018] A further development of the invention provides that the air outlet flow device surrounds the display. In other words, the air outlet flow device surrounds the display.

[0019] A further development of the invention provides that the display device is configured to detect a hand in an area spaced away from the display surface and to adjust the airflow upon detection. In other words, the display device is configured to detect a hand located at a predetermined distance in front of the display without touching it. This can be achieved, for example, by infrared sensors. The display device can be configured to change the intensity and / or direction of the airflow upon detection of a hand in the spaced area. For example, the airflow can be reduced or stopped when the hand is detected in the predetermined area in front of the display.

[0020] A further development of the invention provides that the air outlet device has a further opening for releasing an additional airflow. In other words, the air outlet device has at least one further opening so that, in addition to the existing airflow, this additional airflow can be released. This additional airflow can, for example, be directed towards a side window to direct the airflow onto the side window if it freezes or fogs up.

[0021] A further development of the invention provides that the air outlet device includes a lighting device for indicating the direction, intensity, or temperature of the airflow. For example, a section of the air outlet device facing a direction of the airflow may be illuminated to indicate to the user the direction in which the airflow is directed. The lighting device may also indicate the intensity or temperature of the airflow. Because the air outlet device is illuminated, no additional section of the display device is required.

[0022] The control device can include a data processing device or a processor circuit configured to perform an embodiment of the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the processor circuit can include at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor). In particular, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) can be used as the microprocessor. Furthermore, the processor circuit can include program code configured to perform the embodiment of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor circuit. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor circuit. The processor circuit can, for example,based on at least one circuit board and / or at least one SoC (System on Chip).

[0023] The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle.

[0024] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also includes realizations that each exhibit a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, provided that the embodiments have not been described as mutually exclusive.

[0025] The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention described. This is illustrated by: Fig. 1 A schematic representation of a vehicle which has a display device.

[0026] The exemplary embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention, which can be considered independently of one another and each further develops the invention independently. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0027] In the figure, identical reference symbols denote functionally equivalent elements.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle which has a display device.

[0029] The display device 14 can be arranged on an interior trim element 18 of the vehicle 10, which may, for example, be located at the edge of an instrument panel. The display device 14 can have a display surface 16, which may, for example, be a touch-sensitive display surface 16. The display surface 16 can be enclosed by an air outlet opening device 20, which may be a gap arranged between the display surface 16 and the interior trim element 18. The air outlet opening device 20 can be connected to a supply element 28, for example, a pipe or a hose, which can guide the airflow 22 from a ventilation or air conditioning system to the air outlet opening device 20.

[0030] The display unit 14 can be connected to a camera unit 12, which can be configured to capture a predefined vehicle environment and provide corresponding camera data to the display unit 14. The vehicle environment recorded by the camera unit 12 can be displayed on the display surface 16 of the display device. To allow a user to adjust the orientation of the camera unit 12, the display unit 14 is configured in a mirror mode to capture mirror-related user inputs, generate corresponding control data, and control the camera unit 12 according to this data.

[0031] For example, a user can change the orientation of the camera device 12 by swiping gestures. To enable control of the airflow 22, the display device 14 is configured to capture airflow-related user inputs in an air output mode and generate corresponding control data to adjust the airflow 22 according to the control data. The airflow-related user inputs can relate, for example, to an output direction, intensity, or temperature of the airflow 22. The display device 14 can, for example, control the air conditioning or ventilation system.

[0032] To adjust the direction of the airflow 22, the display device 14 can include an actuator 26 which can align actuating elements 30. For example, the actuating elements 30 can be configured to influence the intensity of partial airflows emitted in sections of the air outlet device 20 around the display. These partial airflows can be directed towards a predetermined point so that they converge and combine to form the airflow 22. By adjusting the intensity of the individual partial airflows, both the intensity and the direction of the airflow 22 can be controlled.

[0033] Air conditioning is blown into the vehicle's cabin via various air outlets. For this purpose, so-called passenger air vents (ventilation nozzles) are located on the sides and in the center of the instrument panel. The airflow direction and the air volume can be adjusted either manually at the vent or, more recently, via electric actuators (electric air vents).

[0034] Regardless of the climate control system, virtual exterior mirrors (VAS) are now being used. Instead of conventional exterior mirrors, two cameras look outwards from the sides of the vehicle 10. The two views are displayed to the driver on the display surfaces 16. The display surfaces 16 are integrated into the interior, either in the door sill or in the instrument panel.

[0035] Today's standard air vents are visually conspicuous and increasingly conflict with current design goals. The space requirements of VAS (Vehicle Air Conditioning System) and side vents are particularly challenging, as the installation space on the sides of the instrument panel is limited. Furthermore, adjusting electric air vents via a central control interface is not very intuitive for users.

[0036] The display area 16 of the virtual exterior mirror is combined with air vents. Air exits from a circumferential gap around the display area 16. The display area 16 is a touchscreen. During normal driving operation, the display area 16 shows the camera image (virtual exterior mirror function). The camera image can be adjusted via the touch interface (higher, lower, zoom, etc.). The climate control can also be operated via the display area 16. In particular, users can adjust the direction (up / down, etc.) and intensity of the airflow 22 via the touch interface.

[0037] Further climate settings, such as temperature, seat heating, and steering wheel heating, could be accessed via the display area 16 interface. The air temperature could be displayed at the edge of the display area or by illuminating the gap (e.g., heating operation: the edge of display area 16 turns red). The direction of the airflow 22 could also be visualized (e.g., overlays at the top edge of the display area indicate "airflow 22 upwards"). During operation, or even when a hand approaches (proximity sensor), the airflow 22 is reduced to prevent drafts on the hands. An additional, "hidden" gap on one side of display area 16 could direct air towards the side window, thus defrosting it.

[0038] In terms of design and installation space, design freedom is increased, and elegant integration of the air outlet is enabled. Intuitive operation is facilitated by display area 16 for adjusting the mirror and climate control. Costs are reduced because display area 16 of the VAS can also be used for climate control.

[0039] Air can flow from the gap surrounding the display surface 16. The outgoing air streams are always directed towards a point centrally in front of the display surface 16, where they intersect. By controlling different air volumes through this gap, the air direction can be changed. The total airflow 22 results from the sum of the individual air streams and their directions.

[0040] Behind the display area 16 are (e.g., electrical) actuators that control the airflow to the gap. The airflow through individual sections of the gap can be varied. This allows the overall airflow 22 to be continuously directed upwards / downwards or left / right. The overall airflow can also be throttled to reduce the volume of air. The gap can be discreetly divided into individual zones, or broader areas with gradual transitions can be defined.

[0041] Overall, the examples show how an air vent with an integrated display control element can be provided.

Claims

[1] Vehicle (10) comprising a camera device (12) configured to capture a vehicle environment outside the vehicle (10) and to provide camera data depicting the captured vehicle environment to a display device (14) in an interior trim element (18) of the vehicle (10), which is configured to display the captured vehicle environment according to the camera data, wherein the display device (14) is configured to capture mirror-related user inputs and generate corresponding control data and to control the camera device (12) according to the control data, characterized by , that the display device (14) is at least partially surrounded by an air outlet opening device (20) which is designed to discharge an airflow (22) from a supply element (28) into a driver's cabin, and the display device (14) is designed to record airflow-related user inputs and generate corresponding control data and to adjust the airflow (22) according to the control data. [2] Vehicle (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the display device (14) is set up to control a ventilation device or an air conditioning device which provides the airflow (22). [3] Vehicle (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the display device (14) is set up to control an actuator device (26) in the feed element (28), which is set up to adjust control elements (30) for setting a strength and / or output direction of the airflow (22). [4] Vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the air outlet opening device (20) is configured to operate at respective sections of the Air outlet opening device (20) to output partial air streams (32) which are directed towards a common area in front of the display device (14) and thus result in the air stream (22). [5] Vehicle (10) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the actuator device (26) is configured to adjust respective actuating elements (30) of the sections in order to adjust the strength of the relevant partial airflow (32) in order to adjust the strength or direction of the airflow (22). [6] Vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the display device (14) is set up to adjust the mirror mode based on a predefined user input. [7] Vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the display device (14) is set up to adjust the mirror mode based on an operating state of the vehicle (10). [8] Vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the air outlet opening device (20) surrounds the display area (16). [9] Vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the display device (14) is configured to detect a hand in an area spaced away from the display surface (16) and to adjust the airflow (22) when the hand is detected. [10] Vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the air outlet opening device (20) has an opening for the output of a further airflow (22). [11] Vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the air outlet opening device (20) has a lighting device to indicate a direction, strength or temperature of the airflow (22).

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