Virtual exterior mirror system for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a virtual exterior mirror system (10) for a vehicle (1), said system comprising: a display screen (100) integrated into a dashboard (13) of the vehicle; and a reflection means (101), which is associated with the display screen and located between two A-pillars (11) of the vehicle, for reflecting a display content, which is displayed by the display screen, into an eye (20) of a driver (2) of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] Virtual exterior mirror system for a vehicle

[0002] DESCRIPTION:

[0003] The invention relates to a virtual exterior mirror system for a vehicle, comprising a display screen integrated into an instrument panel of the vehicle and a reflection means associated with the display screen and arranged between two A-pillars of the vehicle for reflecting a display content displayed by the display screen into the eye of a driver of the vehicle. The invention further relates to a vehicle.

[0004] Virtual exterior mirror systems for vehicles are state-of-the-art in various designs and, like conventional lateral exterior mirrors, are used to enable a driver of a vehicle to view the rear area of ​​the vehicle without the driver having to turn his head.

[0005] Virtual exterior mirror systems are called virtual because they simulate the function of a conventional lateral exterior mirror without a conventional lateral exterior mirror. A virtual exterior mirror system typically includes a display unit visually perceivable by the vehicle driver without turning their head, which is configured to display a video stream depicting a rear area of ​​the vehicle.

[0006] For example, DE 10 2007 032 527 A1 discloses a virtual exterior mirror system for a vehicle, which comprises a display screen provided on an A-pillar of the vehicle or a projection surface provided on an A-pillar of the vehicle for displaying or projecting a video stream depicting a rear space of the vehicle. DE 20 2005 015 407 U1 discloses another virtual exterior mirror system for a vehicle, in which a projector projects a video stream depicting a rear space of the vehicle onto a triangular film arranged on an inner side of a front section of a side window of the vehicle relative to an x-direction of the vehicle.

[0007] DE 10 2016 220 965 A1 also discloses a virtual exterior mirror system for a vehicle. The virtual exterior mirror system is designed as a head-up display and includes a holographic element arranged as a reflection means in an upper edge region of a windshield of the vehicle relative to a z-direction of the vehicle.

[0008] As is common practice, a front-to-back direction of the vehicle is referred to as an x-direction, a left-to-right direction of the vehicle is referred to as a y-direction, and an up-to-down direction of the vehicle is referred to as a z-direction, where the x-direction, the y-direction, and the z-direction define a right-handed Cartesian coordinate system.

[0009] Vehicle manufacturers often offer virtual exterior mirror systems and conventional exterior mirrors as alternative equipment options.

[0010] The above virtual exterior mirror systems are not compliant with applicable regulations, provide a display of a video stream depicting a rear area of ​​the vehicle in an unusual or unergonomic position, or require specific variants of the windshield, side windows, an interior panel of an A-pillar of the vehicle, or an instrument panel of the vehicle.

[0011] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a virtual exterior mirror system for a vehicle that complies with applicable regulations, provides a display of a video stream depicting the rear area of ​​the vehicle in an ergonomic and at least approximately familiar position, and requires as few specific variants of other vehicle components as possible. A further object of the invention is to provide a vehicle.

[0012] One subject of the invention is a virtual exterior mirror system for a vehicle, comprising a display screen integrated into an instrument panel of the vehicle and a reflection means associated with the display screen and arranged between two A-pillars of the vehicle for reflecting a display content displayed by the display screen into the eye of a driver of the vehicle. The exterior mirror system comprises a display screen and a reflection means. Accordingly, the exterior mirror system is designed to provide the driver with a virtual display of the display content.

[0013] A virtual display is a display that allows a viewer to view the content by means of a reflection at a position different from the position of the display screen and the position of the reflection means, namely, relative to the viewer's viewing direction behind the reflection means. A virtual display differs from a projected display, in which the display content appears to a viewer on a projection surface.

[0014] According to the invention, the reflection means comprises a reflection plate and is designed as a separate component from a windshield of the vehicle and is arranged between the windshield and the driver's eye with respect to an x-direction of the vehicle. From the driver's perspective, the reflection plate is arranged in front of the windshield. Thanks to the reflection plate being designed separately from the windshield, the virtual exterior mirror system does not require a specific variant of the windshield or side windows. The reflection means can comprise a carrier to which the reflection plate is held. The carrier allows the reflection means to be attached to the vehicle. The instrument panel can comprise the reflection plate. For example, a carrier of the reflection means can be permanently connected to the instrument panel.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, an inner panel of an A-pillar may include the reflective plate. For example, a carrier of the reflective means may be permanently connected to the inner panel of the A-pillar.

[0016] Alternatively, the reflection plate can be designed as a separate component from the instrument panel and the A-pillar. For example, a carrier for the reflection means can be detachably connected to the instrument panel, the interior trim, and / or the windshield. In this way, the reflection means does not require a specific component of the vehicle.

[0017] Preferably, the reflection plate is clamped between the windshield and an A-pillar. Clamping can be achieved by providing a press fit between the reflection plate and a gap formed between the windshield and the A-pillar. This results in particularly simple installation of the reflection plate.

[0018] The display screen can be a liquid crystal display (LCD) and / or comprise ultra-bright light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and / or a heater. Liquid crystal displays are a proven and readily available flat display medium. Ultra-bright LEDs provide sufficient light intensity to allow visual perception of the display content even in strong sunlight. The heater reduces or eliminates streaking effects of a liquid display.

[0019] The reflection plate can comprise a WCF (Windshield Combiner Film) layer. The WCF layer enables the driver to visually perceive the reflected display content unobstructed, even when wearing sunglasses with a polarizing filter. The virtual exterior mirror system advantageously comprises a camera directed into a rear area of ​​the vehicle and a control unit functionally connected to the camera, which is configured to provide a video stream depicting the rear area, provided by the camera, as the display content for the display screen. The control unit is configured to receive the video stream from the camera, process the received video stream, and send the processed video stream to the display screen as the display content. The video stream can be processed using common video processing tools and methods.

[0020] Ideally, the reflection plate is positioned in a lower area of ​​the windshield relative to the z-direction and / or in a right or left area of ​​the windshield relative to the y-direction of the vehicle. A position in the lower right corner of the windshield or in the lower left corner of the windshield is compatible with applicable regulations, ergonomic, and approximately corresponds to a position familiar from conventional exterior mirrors.

[0021] In particular, the reflection plate can be arranged like a conventional exterior mirror with respect to the z-direction. In other words, the vertical height of the reflection plate is equal to the vertical height of the conventional exterior mirror, thereby achieving an exact match with a conventional exterior mirror in terms of vertical height.

[0022] Advantageously, the reflection plate is designed to be pivotable. The reflection plate can be pivotably mounted or held on a support of the reflection means. By pivoting the reflection plate, the virtual exterior mirror system can be adjusted to the position of the driver's eye.

[0023] In many embodiments, the virtual display system comprises two display screens and two reflection plates, each associated with a display screen. In this way, the virtual display system allows simultaneous simulation of a conventional left exterior mirror and a conventional right exterior mirror.

[0024] Another subject of the invention is a vehicle comprising two spaced-apart A-pillars, a windshield arranged between the A-pillars relative to a y-direction of the vehicle, an instrument panel arranged below the windshield relative to a z-direction of the vehicle, and a virtual exterior mirror system. The virtual exterior mirror system simulates a function of one or two conventional exterior mirrors, which are usually mounted on or adjacent to an A-pillar of the vehicle.

[0025] According to the invention, the virtual exterior mirror system is designed according to the invention. The virtual exterior mirror system according to one embodiment of the invention is compatible with applicable regulations, provides a display of a video stream depicting the rear area of ​​the vehicle in an ergonomic and at least approximately familiar position, and requires as few specific variants of other vehicle components as possible.

[0026] A key advantage of the virtual exterior mirror system according to the invention is that few specific variants of other vehicle components are required, making vehicle manufacture simple and cost-effective. Another advantage is that compliance with applicable regulations is ensured and excellent ergonomics are achieved while maintaining the familiar usage behavior of conventional exterior mirrors. Furthermore, the virtual exterior mirror system can be visually integrated into a head-up display located in the lower edge area of ​​a windshield and does not otherwise disrupt the aesthetics of the vehicle, for example, through a cover. The invention is schematically illustrated in the drawings using an embodiment and will be further described with reference to the drawings. It shows:

[0027] Figure 1 shows a partial view of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0028] Figure 2 shows a partial sectional view along the section line designated II in Fig. 1 of the vehicle shown in Fig. 1.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a partial view of a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 1 comprises, in a conventional manner, two spaced-apart A-pillars 11, a windshield 12 arranged between the A-pillars 11 with respect to a y-direction 15 of the vehicle 1, and an instrument panel 13 arranged below the windshield 12 with respect to a z-direction 16 of the vehicle 1.

[0030] Figure 2 shows a partial sectional view along the section line designated II in Fig. 1 of the vehicle 1 shown in Fig. 1. The vehicle 1 further comprises a virtual exterior mirror system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The virtual exterior mirror system 10 is suitable for the vehicle 1 and comprises a display screen 100 integrated into the instrument panel 13 of the vehicle 1 and a reflection means 101 assigned to the display screen 100 and arranged between the two A-pillars 11 of the vehicle 1 for reflecting a display content displayed by the display screen 100 into an eye 20 of a driver 2 of the vehicle 1.

[0031] The reflection means 101 comprises a reflection plate 1010 and is designed as a separate component from a windshield 12 of the vehicle 1 and is arranged between the windshield 12 and the eye 20 of the driver 2 with respect to an x-direction 14 of the vehicle 1. The instrument panel 13 can comprise the reflection plate 1010. Alternatively, an interior trim of an A-pillar 11 can comprise the reflection plate 1010. Alternatively, the reflection plate 1010 can be designed as a separate component from the instrument panel 13 and the A-pillar 11.

[0032] It is possible that the reflection plate 1010 is clamped between the windshield 12 and an A-pillar 11.

[0033] Preferably, the display screen 100 is designed as a liquid crystal display (LCD) and / or the display screen comprises ultra-bright light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and / or the display screen comprises a heater and / or the reflection plate 1010 comprises a WCF (Windshield Combiner Film) layer.

[0034] Advantageously, the virtual exterior mirror system 10 comprises a camera 102 directed into a rear space of the vehicle 1 and a control unit 103 functionally connected to the camera 102. The control unit 103 is designed to provide a video stream depicting the rear space provided by the camera as the display content for the display screen 100.

[0035] Ideally, the reflection plate 1010 is arranged in a lower region of the windshield 12 relative to the z-direction 16 and / or in a right or left region of the windshield 12 relative to a y-direction 15 of the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the reflection plate 1010 can be arranged like a conventional exterior mirror relative to the z-direction 16. Alternatively or additionally, the reflection plate 1010 can be pivotable.

[0036] The virtual exterior mirror system optionally comprises two display screens 100 and two reflection plates 1010 each assigned to a display screen 100. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS:

[0037] 1 vehicle

[0038] 10 Virtual exterior mirror system 11 A-pillar

[0039] 12 Windshield

[0040] 13 Instrument panel

[0041] 14 x-direction

[0042] 15 y-direction 16 z-direction

[0043] 100 display screen

[0044] 101 Reflection aids

[0045] 1010 reflection plate

[0046] 102 Camera 103 Control unit

[0047] 2 drivers

[0048] 20 eyes

[0049] 3 conventional exterior mirrors

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS:

1. Virtual exterior mirror system (10) for a vehicle (1) , comprising a display screen (100) integrated into an instrument panel (13) of the vehicle (1) and a reflective means (101) associated with the display screen (100) and arranged between two A-pillars (11) of the vehicle (1) for reflecting a display content shown by the display screen (100) into an eye (20) of a driver (2) of the vehicle (1) , which comprises a reflective plate (1010) and is designed as a component separate from a windshield (12) of the vehicle (1) and is arranged between the windshield (12) and the eye (20) of the driver (2) with respect to an x-direction (14) of the vehicle (1).

2. Virtual exterior mirror system according to claim 1, wherein the instrument panel (13) comprises the reflection plate (1010), or wherein an interior trim of an A-pillar (11) comprises the reflection plate (1010), or wherein the reflection plate (1010) is designed as a component separate from the instrument panel (13) and from the A-pillar (11).

3. Virtual exterior mirror system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reflective plate (1010) is clamped between the windshield (12) and an A-pillar (11).

4. Virtual exterior mirror system according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display screen (100) is designed as a liquid crystal display and / or comprises ultra-bright light-emitting diodes and / or comprises a heater and / or the reflective plate (1010) comprises a WCF layer.

5. Virtual exterior mirror system according to one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a camera (102) directed into a rear space of the vehicle (1) and a control unit functionally connected to the camera (102). (103), which is configured to provide a video stream depicting the rear space, supplied by the camera, as the display content for the display screen (100).

6. Virtual exterior mirror system according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reflecting plate (1010) is arranged in a lower area of ​​the windshield (12) with respect to the z-direction (16) and / or in a right or left area of ​​the windshield (12) with respect to a y-direction (15) of the vehicle (1).

7. Virtual exterior mirror system according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reflection plate (1010) is arranged with respect to the z-direction (16) like a conventional exterior mirror.

8. Virtual exterior mirror system according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the reflection plate (1010) is designed to be pivotable.

9. Virtual exterior mirror system according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising two display screens (100) and two reflective plates (1010) each assigned to a display screen (100).

10. Vehicle (1) comprising two A-pillars (11) spaced apart from each other, a windshield (12) arranged between the A-pillars (11) with respect to a y-direction (15) of the vehicle, an instrument panel (13) arranged below the windshield (12) with respect to a z-direction (16) of the vehicle (1) and a virtual exterior mirror system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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