DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE AND MOTOR VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for a motor vehicle, in particular with a display device, and to a motor vehicle with such a device.

[0002] Optical transmitters and receivers are used in motor vehicles, for example, to capture information from the vehicle's interior. For example, JP 2004 196184 A discloses a motor vehicle windshield with an attached infrared detection element.

[0003] It is desirable to provide a device for a motor vehicle that has good optical properties and / or a good visual appearance. It is also desirable to provide a motor vehicle that has a device with good optical properties and / or a good visual appearance.

[0004] According to at least one embodiment, a device for a motor vehicle has a translucent windshield. The windshield is translucent and / or transparent, in particular, to radiation in the infrared range. The infrared radiation has, for example, a wavelength between 780 nm and 1 mm. The device has an infrared component. The infrared component is designed to receive and / or transmit radiation in the infrared range. The infrared component can also be referred to as an optoelectronic component and has, for example, an optoelectronic semiconductor chip or a plurality of optoelectronic semiconductor chips.

[0005] The device has a coating. The coating is arranged on a main surface of the windscreen. In particular, the coating is bonded to the windscreen. The infrared component is arranged on the main surface of the windscreen in a component region. The coating is arranged between the windscreen and the infrared component. The coating is arranged both in the component region and outside the component region. The coating is permeable to radiation in the infrared range. The coating is in particular translucent and / or transparent to radiation in the infrared range. The coating has a predetermined color location.

[0006] The arrangement of the coating both in the area in which the infrared component is arranged and outside of this area enables good optical properties of the device. The coated front panel has a uniform appearance to an external observer. The component area and areas outside the component area appear similar. In particular, no difference in the color location is discernible between the component area and areas outside the component area. Furthermore, reliable transmission of radiation in the infrared range is ensured. The coating and in particular the materials of the coating are selected such that radiation transmitted and / or received by the infrared component during operation passes through the front panel and through the coating without being significantly absorbed, reflected, or otherwise unintentionally attenuated.The color coordinate of the coating is specified in such a way that a desired color coordinate is realized for the external observer. In particular, the coating materials are selected accordingly. For example, the color coordinate is selected depending on other elements, such as elements that are located in the immediate vicinity of the device in the motor vehicle when it is ready for operation.

[0007] According to at least one embodiment, the device has a display device. The display device is designed to display visual information. The display device comprises, for example, a screen, also called a display. The display device is arranged on the main surface of the windscreen in a display area. The coating at least partially surrounds the display area. The component area is arranged, in particular, next to the display area. Both the display area and the component area are thus formed next to one another on the windscreen. The coating is arranged next to the display device. In particular, no coating is provided in the display area. The coating is provided, for example, next to the display area on individual sides or on several sides. According to embodiments, the coating completely surrounds the display area like a frame. The display area is delimited by the frame.The infrared component and the display device are arranged next to each other on the windscreen.

[0008] According to further embodiments, no display device is provided. For example, instead, other components are arranged on the windscreen in addition to the infrared component. It is also possible for only the infrared component and no other components to be provided on the windscreen. According to embodiments, the coating is arranged over the entire surface or only partially on the main surface. The coating surrounds at least the component region and, in particular, delimits the component region, so that the coating is provided both on the infrared component and directly adjacent to the infrared component.

[0009] According to at least one embodiment, the display device has a further color location in a switched-off state, for example in a de-energized state. The predefined color location is predefined such that the predefined color location and the further color location are the same within predefined tolerances. The predefined color location is predefined as a function of the further color location. For example, the deviation between the two color locations is less than 2%, less than 1% or less than 0.5%. Other predefined tolerances are also possible. In particular, the predefined color location and the further color location are coordinated with one another such that no differences between the color locations are discernible to an external observer during normal operation. The external observer is in particular a human, and the color locations appear the same to the human eye.

[0010] For example, the display device appears black when switched off. The specified color location for the coating is correspondingly specified as appearing black. Thus, when the display device is switched off, in particular no difference can be discerned between the display area, the component area and other areas outside the display area and the component area. For example, when switched off, the display device appears a color other than black, for example bluish. The specified color location for the coating is specified to correspond to the other color, for example bluish. It is also possible to adjust the specified color location depending on other elements, in particular elements outside the device. For example, the color location is specified depending on elements arranged directly adjacent to the device when the device is installed.For example, if the neighboring element is red, the color location for the coating is specified to appear red.

[0011] According to at least one embodiment, the coating is formed as a print. Alternatively or additionally, the coating is formed as a foil. Alternatively or additionally, the coating is formed as a film. Combinations are also possible. For example, the coating comprises a plurality of sublayers. The sublayers each have different optical properties from one another, for example. Thus, both the desired predefined color coordinate and the permeability for radiation in the infrared range can be realized.

[0012] According to at least one embodiment, the device comprises a plurality of infrared components. The infrared components are each arranged in an associated component region. The component regions are spaced apart from one another. For example, the device comprises an infrared transmitter. An infrared receiver is formed separately. It is also possible to provide multiple infrared transmitters. For example, a camera sensitive to the infrared range is provided.

[0013] According to at least one embodiment, a frame region is provided between the component regions. The coating is designed to be identical in the component regions and in the frame regions. Thus, even with a large number of infrared components, a uniform appearance can be achieved while ensuring sufficient infrared radiation permeability for the individual components.

[0014] The device thus enables, in particular, the integration of the display device and one or more infrared components into a common windshield. The coating enables the components to be arranged without them being immediately visible to the human eye. During operation, the components transmit and receive their radiation through the coating and the windshield. The components are, for example, distance sensors, infrared light sources, cameras, or other components that serve to determine information about the interior of a motor vehicle, operating states, or characteristics of a vehicle user. The coating enables a uniform appearance because the coating has uniform optical properties, both in and outside the component area.This avoids different optical properties between the component area and any other coating surrounding the display device.

[0015] The coating with the specified color coordinate appears as black as possible to the human eye and is optimally matched to the color coordinate of the deactivated display device. This allows the display device and the infrared components to be arranged together on the windscreen, while concealing the infrared components from the outside, while not significantly affecting the functionality of the infrared components.

[0016] For example, the entire main surface of the windscreen, with the exception of the display area, is covered with the coating. No additional coating made of other materials is planned or necessary.

[0017] According to at least one embodiment, a motor vehicle has a device according to at least one embodiment described here. The device is arranged in an interior of the motor vehicle and is, for example, part of an information system of the motor vehicle.

[0018] Further advantages, features and developments emerge from the following embodiments explained in conjunction with the figures.

[0019] Identical, similar and similarly acting elements can be provided with the same reference symbols across all figures.

[0020] They show: Figure 1 a schematic representation of a vehicle with a device according to an embodiment, and Figure 2 a schematic cross-sectional view of a device according to an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 1schematically shows a motor vehicle 100, for example, a passenger car. The motor vehicle 100 has an interior 103. A device 110 is arranged in the interior 103. The device 110 is arranged, for example, in a front region of the motor vehicle 100. The device 110 is, for example, part of an information system 104 of the motor vehicle. The device 110 serves, for example, to display visual information for a user of the motor vehicle 100. In addition, the device 110 serves, for example, to determine information about the interior 103. Alternatively or additionally, information about a user of the motor vehicle 100 is to be determined.

[0022] The device 110 has a translucent front panel 111. The front panel 111 is particularly permeable to radiation in the visible range. In addition, the front panel 111 is permeable to radiation in the infrared range. The front panel 111 is formed, for example, from a glass or a plastic. The front panel 111 borders, for example, with an outer side on the interior 103. During operation, a user looks at the outer side of the front panel 111. The front panel 111 has a main surface 114 opposite the outer side, as also shown in FIG. Figure 2 can be seen. In the ready-to-use state, the main surface 114 faces away from the interior 103. Along the main surface 114, the windshield has a greater extent than across it.

[0023] A display device 116 for displaying visual information is arranged on the main surface 114 in a display area 117. The display device 116 is, for example, an LCD display, an OLED display, or has another type of display.

[0024] Outside the display area 117, a coating 113 is provided on the main surface 114. The coating is arranged, in particular, directly on the main surface 114. The coating 113 is transparent to incoming radiation 101 in the infrared range and outgoing radiation 102 in the infrared range. The coating 113 is, in particular, not transparent to radiation in the visible range. To the human eye, the coating 113 appears black, in particular. To the human eye, the color of the coating 113 appears, in particular, like the color of the display device 116 when switched off. When looking at the front screen 111 from the interior 103, a human observer cannot therefore discern any difference between the display device 116 and the coating 113 when the display device 116 is switched off. The coating 113 completely surrounds the display area 117, for example, and thus forms a frame 118.

[0025] An infrared component 120 is arranged on a side of the coating 113 facing away from the front pane 111. In the illustrated embodiment, three infrared components 120, 121, 122 are arranged next to one another. More or fewer infrared components are also possible. The infrared components are, for example, infrared transmitters, infrared receivers, or a combination thereof. The infrared component 120 is arranged in an associated component region 123. The infrared component 121 is arranged in an associated component region 124. The infrared component 122 is arranged in a component region 125. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the infrared components 120, 121, 122 is provided in its own component region 123, 124, 125. The individual component regions 123, 124, 125 are arranged at a distance from one another. A frame region 115 is arranged between the component regions 123, 124, 125.The coating 113 is formed in the frame region, but no infrared components 120, 121, 122 are arranged. During operation, the frame region 115 actively does not emit radiation 102, nor does it receive and evaluate incoming radiation 101. It is also possible for multiple infrared components to be arranged in a common component region.

[0026] In the component regions 123, 124, 125, the front panel 111 is initially arranged along a stacking direction 112. The coating 113 is then provided on the main surface 114. An infrared component 120, 121, 122 is then provided. The stacking direction 112 runs in Figure 2 perpendicular to the main surface 114.

[0027] The coating 113 is provided in a similar manner both in the component regions 123, 124, 125 and outside the component regions, for example, in the frame regions 115. The frame 118 is formed entirely from the coating 113. The display device 116 is completely surrounded by the coating 113 in a frame-like manner. The frame 118 surrounds the display device 116 and forms the component regions 123, 124, 125. The frame is also permeable to radiation in the infrared range outside the component regions 123, 124, 125.

[0028] A color location of the frame 118 made of the coating 113 is specified such that this color location corresponds as closely as possible to another color location. The other color location is the color location of the display device 116 in the switched-off state. When the display device is switched off, an external observer from the interior 103 can thus discern as little difference as possible between the display region 117, the frame region 115, and the component regions 123, 124, 125. Both the component regions 123, 124, 125 and the frame regions 115 and the display region 117 appear similarly black. In particular, the frame regions 115 and the component regions 123, 124, 125 appear similarly black because they are formed by one and the same coating 113.

[0029] The coating 113 is, for example, printed onto the main surface 114. Alternatively or additionally, the coating 113 is applied to the main surface 114 as a prefabricated foil, for example, by adhesive bonding. It is also possible to form the coating 113 as a film on the main surface 114.

[0030] For example, the coating 113 is applied as a single layer. According to further embodiments, the coating 113 comprises, for example, a plurality 119 of sublayers stacked one upon another along the stacking direction 112. For example, the sublayers have different optical properties from one another. This makes it possible, for example, to both set the predetermined color location as desired, for example, black, and to achieve the desired transmittance for infrared radiation.

[0031] For example, the coating 113 is formed from a polymer or comprises a mixture of different polymers. For example, the coating 113 comprises polymer-based birefringent layers. Other materials and optical properties of the coating 113 and the plurality 119 of sublayers are also possible.

[0032] The device 110 enables the arrangement of the infrared components 120, 121, 122 and the display device 116 on the common front panel 111. For example, distance sensors and / or a camera system and a display can be combined in this way. The coating 113, whose color is matched to the display device in the off state, enables good optical properties both with regard to infrared permeability and the uniform appearance of the device 110 for the user in the operational state. Reference symbol

[0033] 100 Motor vehicle 101, 102 Radiation 103 Interior 104 Information system 110 Device 111 Translucent windscreen 112 Stacking direction 113 Coating 114 Main surface 115 Frame area 116 Display device 117 Display area 118 Frame 119 Plurality of sublayers 120, 121, 122 Infrared component 123, 124, 125 Component area

Claims

1. Apparatus for a motor vehicle (100), comprising: - a translucent windscreen (111), - an infrared component (120, 121, 122) configured to receive and / or transmit radiation (101, 102) in the infrared range, - a coating (113) arranged on a main surface (114) of the windscreen (111), wherein - the infrared component (120, 121, 122) is arranged on the main surface (114) of the windscreen (111) in a component region (123, 124, 125), characterized in that - the coating (113) is arranged between the windscreen (111) and the infrared component (120, 121, 122) and is arranged both in the component region (123, 124, 125) and outside the component region (123, 124, 125), and - the coating (113) is transmissive to radiation (101, 102) in the infrared range and has a specified colour locus.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, comprising - a display apparatus (116) for displaying visual information, wherein the display apparatus (116) is arranged on the main surface (114) of the windscreen (111) in a display region (117), wherein the coating (113) at least partly surrounds the display region (117).

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the coating (113) completely surrounds the display region (117) in a frame-like manner.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the display apparatus (116) has a further colour locus in a switched-off state, wherein the specified colour locus is specified such that the specified colour locus and the further colour locus are identical within specified tolerances.

5. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the coating (113) is embodied as an imprint, a foil and / or a film.

6. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the coating (113) is constructed from a plurality (119) of partial layers, wherein the partial layers each have mutually different optical properties.

7. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the specified colour locus is specified such that the specified colour locus is black to an external observer within specified tolerances.

8. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 7, comprising a plurality of infrared components (120, 121, 123) arranged in respectively assigned component regions (123, 124, 125), wherein the component regions are spaced apart from one another.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein a frame region (115) is provided between the component regions (123, 124, 125), wherein the coating is embodied in an identical fashion in the component regions (123, 124, 125) and in the frame regions (115).

10. Motor vehicle, comprising an apparatus (110) according to any of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the apparatus (110) is arranged in an interior (103) of the motor vehicle (100) and is part of an information system (104) of the motor vehicle (100).