Hidden display for a vehicle

Abstract

A display for a vehicle comprising at least one display assembly (314) located at least partially in at least one opening (316) of a dash panel (312) and an optically transmissive material layer (320) covering both the at least one display assembly (314) and the dash panel (312), wherein the optically transmissive material layer (320) has a predefined absorption spectrum to filter external light passing through the material toward the at least one display assembly (314) is disclosed. A vehicle dash assembly and a display for a vehicle comprising at least one display assembly (314) located at least partially in at least one opening (316) of a vehicle interior (308) wherein the at least one display assembly (314) is located proximate a dash panel (312), is also disclosed.

Description

HIDDEN DISPLAY FOR A VEHICLETECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicle displays.BACKGROUND

[0002] Vehicles include displays to communicate information indicative of operation to an operator, provide entertainment for passengers and other uses. For example, Cluster Display, Center Display, Passenger Display, Rear seat Displays, Door Displays, Multiple Display solutions, Pillar to Pillar Display solutions may include at least one display to which an occupant may observe or interact with the at least one display. An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) display is illuminated with a backlight. LCD displays in vehicles use a polarizer fdm or foil layer in their design to make the display visible to vehicle occupants. Generally, OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) displays also use a polarizer layer in vehicle. However, in both LCD and OLED displays, sun load and reflection on display components in a vehicle lead to degraded image quality on displays located in vehicles. Additionally, some displays use a light transmitting pixel define layer (PDL) wherein reflected light is observed from below the PDL. This also leads to degraded image quality on displays located in vehicles.

[0003] The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting a context of this disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.SUMMARY

[0004] It is an object of the disclosure to provide improved solutions for reducing the degradation of image quality on displays located in vehicles.

[0005] According to one embodiment, a display for a vehicle comprises at least one display assembly located at least partially in at least one opening of a dash panel, and an optically transmissive material layer covering both the at least one display assembly and the dash panel, wherein the optically transmissive material layer has a predefined absorption spectrum to filter external light passing though the material toward the at least one display assembly.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the display as described above, the optically transmissive material layer has a pattern printed thereon.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the display as described above, the optically transmissive material layer pattern is wood grain.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the display as described above, the optically transmissive material layer pattern is apparent when the at least one display assembly is off and wherein the optically transmissive material layer pattern is not apparent at the at least one display assembly when the at least one display is on.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the display as described above, the at least one of the pattern and ink forming the pattern of the optically transmissive material layer contribute to the predefined absorption spectrum of the optically transmissive material layer.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the display as described above, the at least one display assembly further comprises a display panel, and a cover layer adjacent to thedisplay panel, wherein the optically transmissive material layer is adjacent to the cover layer on an opposite side as the display panel.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the display as described above, the cover layer is glass or plastic.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the display as described above, there is a plurality of openings defined by the dash panel and a plurality of display assemblies each located in one of the plurality of openings.

[0013] According to one embodiment, a vehicle dash assembly comprises a dash panel defining at least one opening, at least one display assembly located at least partially in the at least one opening, and an optically transmissive material layer, wherein the optically transmissive material layer covers both the at least one display assembly and the dash panel, and wherein the optically transmissive material layer has a predefined absorption spectrum to filter external light passing though the material toward the at least one display assembly.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the vehicle dash assembly as described above, the at least one display assembly further comprises a display panel, and a cover layer adjacent to the display panel, wherein the optically transmissive material layer is adjacent to the cover layer on an opposing side as the display panel.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the vehicle dash assembly as described above, the cover later is glass or plastic.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the vehicle dash assembly as described above, the optically transmissive material layer has a pattern printed thereon, and wherein the optically transmissive material layer pattern is apparent when the at least one display assemblyis off, and wherein the optically transmissive material layer pattern is not apparent at the at least one display assembly when the at least one display assembly is on.

[0017] According to one embodiment, a display for a vehicle comprises at least one display assembly located at least partially in at least one opening of a vehicle interior wherein the at least one display assembly is located proximate a dash panel. The display assembly comprises a display panel, a cover layer adjacent to the display panel, and an optically transmissive material layer, wherein the optically transmissive material layer is adjacent to the cover lay on an opposing side as the display panel, wherein the optically transmissive material layer covers the at least one display assembly and the dash panel, and wherein the optically transmissive material layer has a predefined absorption spectrum to filter external light passing though the material toward the at least one display assembly.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the display for a vehicle as described above, the display panel comprises a black pixel define layer and a plurality of spacers adjacent to the black pixel define layer.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the display for a vehicle as described above, at least one of the plurality of spacers is made of the same material as the black pixel define layer and is integrated in the black pixel define layer.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims in conjunction with the figures, wherein:

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary display of the prior art;

[0022] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary display of the prior art;

[0023] Figure 3 is a schematic view of an example of a vehicle interior including a dash and displays according to an embodiment for an automotive vehicle;

[0024] Figure 4a is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle interior including the display of Figure 3 according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0025] Figure 4b illustrates an exemplary transmission of reflected light through the display of Figure 3 according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0026] Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary spectral transmission for a display having an optical transmissive decorative surface layer of an exemplary embodiment;

[0027] Figure 6 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of the display of Figure 3 according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0028] Figure 7 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of the display of Figure 3 according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0029] Figure 8 illustrates a schematic cross-section view of the display of Figure 3 according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0030] Figure 9 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of the display of Figure 3 according to an exemplary embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the application and uses of the disclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of thedisclosure or the following detailed description. It is the intent of this disclosure to present a hidden display for a vehicle.

[0032] Referring to Figure 1, a display 100 having a polarizer 104 illustrates external light 106 transmitted through the polarizer 104. The exemplary polarizer 104 is shown in a quarter wave plate 102. External light 106 transfers to right hand circular polarized light 108 after transmission through the polarizer 104. However, the external light 106 reflected from a flat surface, such as the pixel 109, converts to the left hand circular polarized light 110. External light 106 reflected from a non-flat surface, such as the sloped portion of a pixel define layer 111, converts to the left hand elliptical polarized light 112. The left hand circular polarized light 110 and the left hand elliptical polarized light 112 are filtered by the polarizer 104. However, the polarizer 104 is less effective at filtering the left hand elliptical polarized light 112 and accounts for most of the external reflection. For example, the total external reflection may be about 5%, wherein the left hand elliptical polarized light may contribute up to about 100% of the total external reflection. External light 106 that is not reflected transfers through the pixel define layer 111 and is viewable below the pixel define layer 111.

[0033] Referring to Figure 2, a display 200 has a color filter 220 adjacent to a thin film encapsulation layer 218 located above a display panel 201 comprising a black pixel define layer 211, a plurality of RGB layers 212 above a plurality of pixels 214, and a plurality of spacers 213. In an effort to reduce the amount of external light 206 transferred though the black pixel define layer 211, and provide an anti-reflection layer, the color filter 220 in combination with the black pixel define layer 211 is used for compensation of reflection by absorbing non-reflected external light 206.

[0034] Referring to Figure 3, a vehicle interior 308 including a dash assembly 310 is shown. The dash assembly 310 includes a dash panel 312 and a plurality of display assemblies 314a-d. Further display assemblies may also be located proximate to the dash assembly 310 in locations observable to occupants of the vehicle, such as display assembly 314e shown or display assembly 314f shown on the A-pillar. The display assemblies 314a-f may be, for example, OLED displays. The display assemblies 314a-f may be, for example, micro LED displays.

[0035] The dash panel 312 defines a plurality of openings 316a-d, one for each display assembly 314a-d, on an external surface 318 of the dash panel 312. An optically transmissive material layer 320 made of a film or foil overlays the external surface 318 such that the display assemblies 314a-d and the transition between the external surface and the display assemblies 314a-d are covered by the optically transmissive material layer 320. The optically transmissive material layer 320 may have a pattern or design printed thereon. For example, the transmissive material layer 320 pattern may be a wood grain pattern, as shown in Figure 3. The optically transmissive material layer 320 pattern may disguise the transitions to create the appearance that the external surface 318 and the display assemblies 314a-d are all one surface when the display assemblies 314a-d are off. Conversely, when the display assemblies 314a-d are on, the pattern and ink do not appear to be visible. The vehicle occupants view the information shown on the display, as shown in Figure 3. Similar functionality is applicable to display assemblies 314e-f which are located proximate to the dash. The vehicle interior 308 defines a plurality of openings 316e-f, one for each display assembly 314e-f, on an external surface 319 proximate to the dash assembly 310. An optically transmissive material layer 320 also overlays the external surface 319 and the display assemblies 314e-f. Similarly,the optically transmissive material layer 320 may have a pattern or design printed thereon and may disguise the transitions to create the appearance that the external surface 319 and the display assemblies 314e-f are all one surface when the display assemblies 314e-f are off. When the display assemblies 314e-f are on, the pattern and ink do not appear to be visible.

[0036] One skilled in the art would be able to determine pattern and ink combinations that provide a desired aesthetic while hiding the transitions in an off-mode and not being visible to viewers in an on-mode. The optically transmissive material layer 320 may be a fdm or foil that is applied to the vehicle interior 308, the dash 310, or a combination of the two once the display assemblies 314a-f have been assembled in place.

[0037] Figure 4a schematically illustrates a cross-section of the vehicle interior 308 including the dash 310 through a display assembly 314. The display assembly 314 has a first layer which is a display panel 422. For example, the display panel 422 may be an OLED panel or a micro LED panel. The display panel 422 is covered by a second layer which is a cover layer 424 for the display panel 422. The cover layer 424 may be made of glass, plastic, a thin film encapsulation layer, or may be made of any combination thereof. A third layer is provided by the optically transmissive material layer 320. The display assemblies 314 may include other components not expressly illustrated in the figure. For example, bonding material (not shown) may be located between the layers. Furthermore, sensors such as touch sensors (not shown), may be located under the optically transmissive material layer 320 allowing the display assembly 314a-d to be controlled through touch.

[0038] As the external light 306 passes through the optically transmissive material layer 320 the external light 306 is filtered by the optically transmissive material layer 320. That is, the optically transmissive material layer 320 may be selected to have a desired transmissionspectrum and a desired absorption spectrum. The printed pattern and ink used therefore may also be selected to provide further scattering of the external light 306.

[0039] Additionally, as shown in Figure 4b, the reflected light, shown as 426, is also further fdtered by the optically transmissive material 320. Therefore, the overall optical transmissive decorative surface material layer 320 improves the overall performance of the display assembly 314 by reducing the intensity of any reflections caused by the external light and by further filtering and reducing the reflections that do occur. This results in an improved image view by the observer in the vehicle at a cost reduction. The optical transmissive decorative surface material layer 320 may therefore replace the need to use a polarizer to prevent undesirable reflections which may result from external light sources.

[0040] Referring to Figure 5 an exemplary spectral transmission for a display having an optical transmissive decorative surface material layer 320 is illustrated. The chart illustrates the constructive and destructive interference of the external light based on the characteristics of one embodiment of the optically transmissive material layer 320 which does not contain a polarizer.

[0041] Referring to Figure 6, a cross-section of the vehicle interior 308 including the dash 310 through a display assembly 314 is schematically illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment. In the embodiment, the display assembly 314 comprises display panel 622, such as an OLED display panel, with a black pixel define layer 625, a plurality of pixels 627a-c, a plurality of RGB layers 628a-c, and a plurality of spacers 629a-d. The plurality of pixels 627a-c may be comprised of indium tin oxide and silver, or may be comprised of any other suitable pixel composition. The plurality of spacers 629a-d may be made of the same material as the black pixel define layer 625 or may be made of a different material. Theplurality of spacers 629a-d may be black in color or may be another color. The plurality of spacers 629a-d may also be integrated in the black pixel define layer 625. The cover layer 630 is located above the black pixel define layer 625, above the plurality of spacers, and below the optically transmissive material layer 320. The cover layer 630 may be made of glass, plastic, a thin film encapsulation layer, or may be made of any combination thereof. The optically transmissive material layer 320 may be bonded to the cover layer 630 by an adhesive or a resin. In one embodiment, the adhesive is an optically clear adhesive. In one embodiment, the resin is an optically clear resin. In one embodiment, the adhesive is a smoked optically clear adhesive.

[0042] Referring to Figure 7, a cross-section of the vehicle interior 308 including the dash 210 through a display assembly 314 is schematically illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment. In the embodiment, the display assembly 314 comprises display panel 622, such as an OLED display panel, with a black pixel define layer 625, a plurality of pixels 627a-c, a plurality of RGB layers 628a-c, and a plurality of spacers 629a-d. The plurality of pixels 627a-c may be comprised of indium tin oxide and silver, or may be comprised of any other suitable pixel composition. The plurality of spacers 629a-d may be made of the same material as the black pixel define layer 625 or may be made of a different material. The plurality of spacers 629a-d may be black in color or may be another color. The plurality of spacers 629a-d may also be integrated in the black pixel define layer 625. A sensor 740, such as a touch sensor, for the display panel 622 is located above the black pixel define layer 625, and the plurality of spacers 629a-d. An optically transmissive material layer 320 is located above the sensor 740. The optically transmissive material layer 320 may be bonded to the sensor 740 by an adhesive or a resin. In one embodiment, the adhesive is an optically clearadhesive. In one embodiment, the resin is an optically clear resin. In one embodiment, the adhesive is a smoked optically clear adhesive.

[0043] Referring to Figure 8, a cross-section of the vehicle interior 308 including the dash 310 through a display assembly 314 is schematically illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment. In the embodiment, the display assembly 314 comprises display panel 622, such as an OLED display panel, with a black pixel define layer 625, a plurality of pixels 627a-c, a plurality of RGB layers 628a-c, and a plurality of spacers 629a-d. The plurality of pixels 627a-c may be comprised of indium tin oxide and silver, or may be comprised of any other suitable pixel composition. The plurality of spacers 629a-d may be made of the same material as the black pixel define layer 625 or may be made of a different material. The plurality of spacers 629a-d may be black in color or may be another color. The plurality of spacers 629a-d may also be integrated in the black pixel define layer 625. A cover layer 630 for the display panel 622 is located above the above the black pixel define layer 625, and above the plurality of spacers 629a-d. The cover layer 630 may be made of glass, plastic, a thin film encapsulation layer, or may be made of any combination thereof. A touch sensor 740 for the display panel 622 is located above the cover layer 630. An optically transmissive material layer 320 is located above the touch sensor 740. The optically transmissive material may be bonded to the sensor by an adhesive or a resin. In an embodiment, the adhesive is an optically clear adhesive. In an embodiment, the resin is an optically clear resin. In one embodiment, the adhesive is a smoked optically clear adhesive.

[0044] Referring to Figure 9, a cross-section of the vehicle interior 308 including the dash 310 through a display assembly 314 is schematically illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment. In the embodiment, the display assembly 314 comprises display panel622, such as an OLED display panel, with a black pixel define layer 625, a plurality of pixels 627a-c, a plurality of RGB layers 628a-c, and a plurality of spacers 629a-d. The plurality of pixels 627a-c may be comprised of indium tin oxide and silver, or may be comprised of any other suitable pixel composition. The plurality of spacers 629a-d may be made of the same material as the black pixel define layer 625 or may be made of a different material. The plurality of spacers 629a-d may be black in color or may be another color. The plurality of spacers 629a-d may also be integrated in the black pixel define layer 625. A cover layer 630 for the display panel 622 is located above the above the black pixel define layer 625, and above the plurality of spacers 629a-d. The cover layer 630 may be made of glass, plastic, a thin film encapsulation layer, or may be made of any combination thereof. An optically transmissive material layer 320 for the display panel 622 is located above the cover layer 630. A touch sensor 740 is located above the touch sensor 740. The optically transmissive material may be bonded to the sensor by an adhesive or a resin. In an embodiment, the adhesive is an optically clear adhesive. In an embodiment, the resin is an optically clear resin. In one embodiment, the adhesive is a smoked optically clear adhesive.

[0045] Additional sensors (not shown), may be placed above the sensor 740 or above the cover layer 630.

[0046] The use of the black pixel define layer in combination with at least the optically transmissive material layer reduces the reflected light from below the black pixel define layer 625 and reduces the reflection of the display. Since the black pixel define layer 625 does not cover the pixels 627a-c, the black pixel define layer does not reduce the transmittance of light to the optically transmissive material layer 320. This allows for better transmittance of light from the pixels 627a-c to the optically transmissive material layer 320reducing the degradation of image quality on displays located in the dash and proximate the dash in a vehicle.

[0047] The foregoing preferred embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the structural and functional principles of the present disclosure, as well as illustrating the methods of employing the preferred embodiments and are subject to change without departing from such principles. Therefore, this disclosure includes all modifications encompassed within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A display for a vehicle comprising: at least one display assembly (314) located at least partially in at least one opening (316) of a dash panel (312); and an optically transmissive material layer (320) covering both the at least one display assembly (314) and the dash panel (312), wherein the optically transmissive material layer (320) has a predefined absorption spectrum to filter external light passing though the material toward the at least one display assembly (314).

2. The display as recited in claim 1, wherein the optically transmissive material layer (320) has a pattern printed thereon.

3. The display as recited in claim 2, wherein the optically transmissive material layer (320) pattern is wood grain.

4. The display as recited in claim 2, wherein the optically transmissive material layer (320) pattern is apparent when the at least one display assembly (314) is off and wherein the optically transmissive material layer (320) pattern is not apparent at the at least one display assembly (314) when the at least one display is on.

5. The display as recited in claim 4, wherein at least one of the pattern and ink forming the optically transmissive material layer (320) pattern contribute to the predefined absorption spectrum of the optically transmissive material layer.

6. The display as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one display assembly further comprises: a display panel (422, 622); a cover layer (424, 630) adjacent to the display panel (422, 622); and wherein the optically transmissive material layer (320) is adjacent to the cover layer (424, 630) on an opposing side as the display panel (422, 622).

7. The display as recited in claim 6, wherein the cover layer (424, 630) is glass or plastic.

8. The display as recited in claim 1, wherein there is a plurality of openings (316) defined by the dash panel (312) and a plurality of display assemblies (314) each located in one of the plurality of openings (316).

9. A vehicle dash assembly comprising: a dash panel (312) defining at least one opening (316); at least one display assembly (314) located at least partially in the at least one opening (316); and an optically transmissive material layer (320), wherein the optically transmissive material layer (320) covers both the at least one display assembly (314) and the dash panel(312), and wherein the optically transmissive material layer (320) has a predefined absorption spectrum to filter external light passing though the material toward the at least one display assembly.

10. The vehicle dash assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the at least one display assembly (314) further comprises: a display panel (422, 622); a cover layer (424, 630) adjacent to the display panel (422, 622); and wherein the optically transmissive material layer (320) is adjacent to the cover layer (424, 630) on an opposing side as the display panel (422, 622).

11. The display assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein the cover layer (424, 630) is glass or plastic.

12. The display assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the optically transmissive material layer (320) has a pattern printed thereon, and wherein the optically transmissive material layer pattern is apparent when the at least one display assembly (314) is off, and wherein the optically transmissive material layer pattern is not apparent at the at least one display assembly (314) when the at least one display assembly (314) is on.

13. A display for a vehicle comprising : at least one display assembly (314) located at least partially in at least one opening (316) of a vehicle interior (308) wherein the at least one display assembly (314) is located proximate a dash panel (312), the display assembly comprising: a display panel (422, 622); a cover layer (424, 630) adjacent to the display panel (422, 622); and an optically transmissive material layer (320), wherein the optically transmissive material layer (320) is adjacent to the cover layer (630) on an opposing side as the display panel (422, 622), wherein the optically transmissive material layer (320) covers the at least one display assembly (314), and wherein the optically transmissive material layer (320) has a predefined absorption spectrum to filter external light passing though the material toward the at least one display assembly (314).

14. The display as recited in claim 13, wherein the display panel (622) comprises a black pixel define layer (625) and a plurality of spacers (629) adjacent to the black pixel define layer (625).

15. The display as recited in claim 14, wherein the at least one of the plurality of spacers (629) is made of the same material as the black pixel define layer (625), and is integrated in the black pixel define layer (625).

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