Arrangement of a display system in a dashboard of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement (1) of a display system in a dashboard, which comprises a cavity (20), a translucent plate (3), and a recess (25) which is located in the lower wall (22) of the cavity. The recess includes an opening (250) which opens into the cavity and receives a source screen (40) which constitutes a light source directed towards the inside of the cavity and which is the display screen of an electronic mobile device (4) capable of being received in the recess (25). The translucent plate includes a first free transverse edge (301), which is secured at the top of the cavity and positioned towards the opening (24) of the cavity, and a second free transverse edge (302), the plate being rotatably movable about the first transverse edge (301) thereof between a retracted high position (31) and an extended position (32) inside the cavity at an adjustable angle of inclination (Θ) with respect to the position of the source screen in the recess.

Description

[0001] Title of the invention: Arrangement of a display system in a dashboard of a motor vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to an arrangement of a display system in a dashboard of a motor vehicle.

[0003] It is common for a passenger in a vehicle to use a mobile device with a screen such as a smartphone, for example to get information or watch videos, during a journey.

[0004] Holding this device by hand can become difficult over time. To overcome this drawback, it is known to attach a support, possibly removable, to the surface of the dashboard, so that the device can rest on it.

[0005] A disadvantage of such a support is that the device risks being thrown, particularly under the propulsion of a safety cushion, called an "air bag", in the event of the latter being triggered during an impact with the vehicle. The device thus becomes a projectile capable of injuring a person in the vehicle.

[0006] Another disadvantage is that the driver may be tempted to look at the device's screen and become less attentive when driving.

[0007] On the other hand, there are display systems that include a display screen and a display interface integrated into the dashboard. These systems are complex and operate with dedicated resources.

[0008] There is therefore a need to provide a means by which a vehicle user, in particular a passenger, particularly the one next to the driver of a motor vehicle, can use a mobile device with a screen comfortably and safely.

[0009] To this end, the invention provides an arrangement of a display system in a dashboard of a motor vehicle, said dashboard comprising a cavity delimited at least by an upper wall, a lower wall opposite the upper wall, and a front bottom wall located between the lower and upper walls, and said cavity comprising an opening opening opposite said front bottom wall. Said arrangement further comprises a housing receiving a source screen, and a translucent plate installed inside the cavity, adapted to form a remote image of a source image emitted by the source screen placed in the housing, the translucent plate having a first transverse edge and a second transverse edge opposite said first edge, and delimiting a free space between it and the front bottom wall of the cavity and in which the remote image is formed.

[0010] According to the invention, said housing is located in the lower wall of the cavity, said housing comprising an opening opening into the cavity and receiving the source screen constituting a light source directed towards the interior of the cavity, said source screen being the display screen of a mobile electronic device capable of being received in said housing. The first transverse edge of the translucent plate is secured in the upper part of the cavity and located towards the opening of the cavity, and the second transverse edge of the translucent plate is free.Said translucent plate is movable in rotation along its first transverse edge, so that said plate is movable between a high retracted position and a deployed position in said cavity according to an angle of inclination adjustable relative to the position of the source screen when it is installed in the opening of said housing (in other words also, when the device which comprises it is installed in said housing).

[0011] By "mobile electronic device" is meant that the device is autonomous and removable, and that it displays the images from the source screen, as detailed below. Said screen is a source of luminous images. The remote image of the luminous image emitted from the screen is formed in said free space when the translucent plate is deployed in the cavity. In particular, the free edge of the deployed plate practically comes into contact with the front end of the source screen when it is in its housing.

[0012] The cavity can be cleared by retracting the plate more or less horizontally towards the top of the cavity, bringing its free edge towards the front bottom wall and the upper wall of the cavity, which allows the cavity to also be used as a storage compartment.

[0013] In addition, the cavity can also be delimited by side walls.

[0014] The device of the invention allows the mobile electronic device and its source screen to be installed invisibly, which is particularly advantageous when the display is not in use. And even with the display of a remote image, the device simplifies the equipment presented to the driver or passenger. In addition, the device is retained in its housing in the event of an impact so as to comply with regulatory constraints concerning passenger safety.

[0015] Preferably, said source screen is arranged horizontally in said housing and said translucent plate in the deployed position is inclined in the cavity at an adjustable angle of between 35 and 55 degrees relative to the horizontal position of the screen (when it is housed flat in the housing), and preferably substantially equal to 45 degrees.

[0016] In particular, the position of the free edge of the deployed plate remains at the front or substantially at the level of the front end of the source screen when it is in its housing.

[0017] In particular, the electronic device lies flat in the housing so that its display screen is substantially horizontal when the device is active. If the device is designed with a folding screen, the device is open in the active position.

[0018] Preferably, said arrangement comprises a rotation axis around which the translucent plate is movable in rotation along its first transverse edge, and manual or motorized drive means for said rotation axis. These drive means facilitate the handling of the translucent plate between its retracted position and its deployed position in the cavity.

[0019] The source screen images are displayed by computer means included in the device. The device may store data relating to these images, for example videos, in memory and / or may receive the source images remotely, for example via a mobile telephone network.

[0020] Preferably, said mobile electronic device operates on a rechargeable battery.

[0021] Preferably, said mobile electronic device is chosen from a smartphone, an electronic tablet, and an electronic reader allowing, for example, reading an electronic book.

[0022] The mobile device comprising the source screen is well protected in the cavity, and does not risk being thrown, for example in the event of an air bag being triggered. The arrangement according to the invention may comprise the mobile electronic device comprising the source screen, the device being removable.

[0023] Advantageously, said arrangement comprises an induction charging module configured to electrically charge said mobile electronic device, said module being located under the housing so that the back of the device is against said module to charge the device.

[0024] Preferably, said translucent plate is made of clear mineral glass or transparent plastic, for example polycarbonate or polyacrylate such as poly(methyl methacrylate), also called PMMA (English acronym for (poly(methyl methacrylate)). Said plate deflects, by refraction, the light rays coming from the light images emitted by the source screen, when they pass through it. The remote image being formed on the other side of the plate relative to a passenger of the vehicle facing the cavity, the level of transparency of the plate must also allow the passenger to correctly see the remote image through it. Preferably the translucent plate has a high level of transparency. However any suitable translucent plate may be suitable.

[0025] Preferably, said arrangement comprises a filter for converting source images into mirror images, in order to provide a readable remote image. Such a filter in fact allows a remote image reproduced in a reversed manner to the original image, to be reproduced upright, which is particularly advantageous when it is necessary to read writings. Such a filter may be in the form of a suitable film included in the opening included in the housing of the source screen, above the source screen, or affixed to the translucent plate, preferably transparent. Preferably, such a filter may be a suitable digital filter included in said mobile electronic device, in particular a dedicated application of the device. Said arrangement may also comprise a privacy filter against lateral reading, preventing the driver from being able to see the images emitted by the source screen for example.Similarly, such a privacy filter may be in the form of a suitable film included in the opening included in the housing of the source screen, above the source screen, or affixed to the translucent plate, preferably transparent, or even in the form of a digital filter included in said mobile electronic device.

[0026] Preferably, said arrangement is located outside the part of the dashboard facing the driver, for safety reasons. The arrangement is therefore preferably located between the central part of the dashboard and the side part of the dashboard, on the passenger side, in particular in the part of the dashboard facing the passenger.

[0027] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a dashboard and an arrangement of a display system in said dashboard as described previously.

[0028] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention, given for informational purposes but not as a limitation, with reference to the following appended drawings: [Fig.1] is a perspective view of the orthonormal reference frame XYZ of a motor vehicle;

[0029] [Fig.2] schematically represents, in a longitudinal sectional view in the XZ plane, an arrangement of a display system in a dashboard of a motor vehicle, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0030] The orientations expressed in the description of the figures are given with reference to an orthonormal reference frame XYZ of a motor vehicle according to figure 1, in which X represents the longitudinal direction, oriented from the front to the rear of the vehicle, Y the transverse direction oriented towards the right of the vehicle, and Z the vertical direction oriented towards the top of the vehicle in the usual position, resting on its wheels.

[0031] The orientations of the arrangement of the display system described therefore refer to these orientations, the terms front and rear also being indicated with reference to the front and rear of the motor vehicle.

[0032] Figure 2 schematically represents an embodiment of an arrangement of a display system 1 in a dashboard 2 of a motor vehicle, according to the invention, making it possible to view a screen 40 of a mobile device 4 such as a smartphone.

[0033] Conventionally, the dashboard 2 extends transversely in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and longitudinally between the inner base of the windshield and the space reserved for passengers in front of the front seats.

[0034] The mobile device 4 has a substantially parallelepiped shape. Its screen 40, which constitutes one of these faces, is illuminated according to an adjustable brightness when it is in display operation and thus constitutes a light source for the display system according to the invention. Furthermore, said screen can project additional lighting. The screen of the device forms a source screen for luminous images.

[0035] The arrangement of said display system comprises a cavity 20 included in the dashboard 2, and a mobile translucent plate 3 configured to offset an image displayed by the screen 40 of the mobile device 4. The translucent plate is arranged in the cavity so as to delimit a space 200 in front of the plate and in which the offset image is formed.

[0036] The cavity 20 of the dashboard 2 comprises an upper wall 21, a lower wall 22 and a front bottom wall 23. Said cavity 20 comprises a rear opening 24, opposite the front bottom wall 23. This cavity 20 thus comprises an opening 24 opening into the passenger compartment, towards a passenger of the vehicle (whose position is represented schematically by an eye P in FIG. 2). The cavity 20 further comprises left and right side walls, not shown in FIG. 2 for the sake of clarity. This cavity prevents the entry of stray light from the front of the vehicle and laterally, which could in particular arrive respectively through the windshield and the side windows of the vehicle. A portion 26 of the dashboard overhangs the opening 24 of the cavity in order to better protect the entrance of the cavity from stray light.

[0037] The dimensions of the translucent plate and the interior space of the cavity are adapted so that the plate substantially occupies this interior space, and so that the image offset from the source image can be reproduced in its entirety, therefore adapted to the size of the source screen.

[0038] Generally speaking, since the size of the source screen can vary depending on the devices used, the size of the cavity and the plate are adapted to the common sizes of mobile device screens, at least to a category of devices such as smartphones.

[0039] The lower wall 22 of the cavity 20 comprises a housing 25 receiving the mobile device 4 flat. Said housing is open in its upper part, this opening 250 opening into the cavity, so that the device can be introduced into the cavity 20, through the opening 24 of the cavity, and by placing it flat on the lower face 251 of said housing, the screen 40 being turned towards the inside of the cavity 20.

[0040] The translucent plate 3 is delimited by lateral edges and transverse edges. The transverse edges are constituted by a first transverse edge 301 located in the upper part of the cavity and at the rear of the cavity, and a second transverse edge 302 free and opposite said first edge. The translucent plate 3 is mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation 30, located in the upper part of the cavity and at the rear of the cavity, therefore towards the opening of the cavity, said plate thus being pivotable about its axis of rotation 30 and along its first transverse edge 301, integral with said axis of rotation 30.

[0041] The translucent plate 3 can be pivoted (double arrow R) between a retracted position 31, towards the upper part of the cavity, at least substantially horizontally by bringing its free transverse edge 302 upwards, towards the upper wall of the cavity 21, and a deployed position 32, said plate 3 then being inclined in the cavity, by bringing its free edge 302 downwards, towards the screen 40 of the mobile device 4.

[0042] Means for driving the rotation axis 30, which may be manual or motorized, not shown in FIG. 2, make it possible to easily manipulate the translucent plate between its retracted position 31 and its deployed position 32 in the cavity. Such means, for example an electric motor, are not described in detail because they are known and within the reach of those skilled in the art to be implemented according to the dashboard to be arranged.

[0043] Depending on the position of the plate 3, the first transverse edge 301 of the plate forms the rear edge of the plate, or the upper edge of the plate, and said second transverse edge 302 (free edge) forms the front edge of the plate, or the lower edge of the plate.

[0044] Furthermore, the translucent plate 3 is positioned relative to the source screen 40, in its deployed position making it active in its function of shifting the images which are displayed on the source screen 40, according to an adjustable angle © so as to make said plate active for shifting the luminous images which are displayed on the screen 40 into the free space 200 of the cavity 20 located at the front of said plate.

[0045] The plate 3 is made of a material allowing the refraction of the light emitted by the source screen 40. The light rays (arrow V0) emanating from the image displayed on this source screen 4 are thus deflected (arrow V1) when they pass through the plate 3 and produce a virtual image “in the air”, in the free space 200 in front of said plate. The plate is translucent, to let the light pass through and so that a passenger facing the opening of the cavity can see through it, the deported image. According to the example, said plate is transparent, made of clear poly(methyl methacrylate), also called PMMA, and known under the registered trademark “plexiglass”.

[0046] To switch from an image displayed from the flat source screen to a remote image substantially perpendicular to the plane of the source screen, the remote image here being substantially vertical (Z direction) to be easily viewed by a passenger sitting on a seat next to the driver, the angle © between the plate and the source screen 40 is set to approximately 45 degrees. The free edge 302 of the plate practically comes into contact with the front end of the apparatus, in particular the front end of the source screen in the housing. The passenger, due to the mobility of the plate, can adjust the position of the plate to the correct reproduction (visibility and readability) of the image. However, the virtual image reproduced in the free space in front of the plate is inverted with respect to that displayed on the source screen, which is not necessarily annoying, but can be in certain cases, in particular when it is necessary to read information.In order to obtain a remote image reproduced in the same direction as the source image, a mobile device equipped with a digital filter for converting source images into mirror images can be used. In an alternative embodiment, a dedicated application on the telephone can reverse the display direction so that it can be read in the correct direction for the driver or passenger.

[0047] The arrangement may further comprise a means for recharging the battery of the mobile device, by induction, located at the level of the housing of the device, under the lower face of said housing on which the back of the device rests (side opposite the screen).

[0048] The invention thus makes it possible to obtain an arrangement of a screen display system, comprising a cavity in the dashboard serving both for the screen display when the plate is deployed, and for storage when the plate is retracted. In addition, the mobile device comprising the source screen is protected in the cavity, without the risk of being thrown, in particular when an air bag is triggered.

[0049] The invention also provides a simple display method since it uses an external, therefore removable, mobile device, which most vehicle users have. It avoids a complex arrangement which would include a complex display system, with a display screen, a source of images, which is not removable and is fully integrated into the dashboard.

Claims

Claims

1. Arrangement (1) of a display system in a dashboard of a motor vehicle, said dashboard (2) comprising a cavity (20) delimited at least by an upper wall (21), a lower wall (22) opposite the upper wall, and a front bottom wall (23) located between the lower and upper walls, and said cavity comprising an opening (24) opening opposite said front bottom wall, said arrangement (1) comprising: - a housing (25) receiving a source screen (40), - a translucent plate (3) installed inside the cavity (20), adapted to form a remote image (41) of a source image emitted by the source screen (40) placed in the housing, the translucent plate (3) having a first transverse edge (301) and a second transverse edge (302) opposite said first edge, and delimiting a free space (200) between it and the front bottom wall (23) of the cavity and in which the remote image is formed, and in which said housing (25) is located in the lower wall (22) of the cavity, said housing comprising an opening (250) opening into the cavity and receiving the source screen (40) constituting a light source directed towards the interior of the cavity, said source screen being the display screen of a mobile electronic device (4) capable of being received in said housing (25),and the first transverse edge (301) of the translucent plate is secured in the upper part of the cavity and located towards the opening (24) of the cavity, and the second transverse edge (302) of the translucent plate is free, and said translucent plate is movable in rotation along its first transverse edge (301), so that said plate is movable between a retracted high position (31) and a deployed position (32) in said cavity according to an adjustable angle of inclination (©) relative to the position of the source screen (40) when it is installed in the opening (250) of said housing (25).,

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that said source screen (40) is arranged horizontally in said housing (25) and that said translucent plate (3) in the deployed position (32) is inclined in the cavity at an adjustable angle (©) of between 35 and 55 degrees relative to the horizontal position of the source screen, and preferably substantially equal to 45 degrees.

3. Arrangement of a display system in a dashboard according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it comprises an axis of rotation (30) around which the translucent plate (3) is movable in rotation along its first transverse edge (301), and manual or motorized drive means for said rotation axis.

4. Arrangement of a display system in a dashboard according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises the mobile electronic device (4) comprising the source screen.

5. Arrangement of a display system in a dashboard according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the mobile electronic device (4) is chosen from a smartphone, an electronic tablet, and an electronic reader.

6. Arrangement of a display system in a dashboard according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises an induction charging module configured to electrically charge the mobile electronic device, located under the screen housing.

7. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said translucent plate (3) is made of clear mineral glass or transparent plastic material.

8. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a filter for converting source images into mirror images and / or a privacy filter against lateral reading, said conversion filter or said privacy filter being in the form of a suitable film included in the opening that the housing of the source screen comprises, or affixed to the translucent plate, preferably transparent, or in the form of a digital filter that said mobile electronic device comprises.

9. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is located in the central part of the dashboard or in the lateral part of the dashboard, passenger side.

10. A motor vehicle comprising a dashboard and an arrangement of a display system in said dashboard according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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