Protective element of a unit for transmitting control information of a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a protective element (30) of a unit (22) for transmitting control information of a vehicle, the transmission unit (22) comprising at least one screen (28) capable of emitting a light beam, the protective element (30) being suitable for being positioned above and at a distance from the transmission unit (22), on the emission path of the light beam coming from the one or more screens (28) of the transmission unit (22), so as to protect the one or more screens (28), the protective element (30) being at least partially transparent, the protective element (30) having: - an optical magnification property over at least one portion of the protective element (30), and / or - a light-beam redirection property over at least one portion of the protective element (30).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Protective element of a vehicle control information transmission unit

[0003] The present invention relates to a protective element for a control information transmission unit of a vehicle. The present invention also relates to a head-up display device comprising such a protective element, as well as to a vehicle comprising such a head-up display device.

[0004] Vehicles, especially automobiles, are equipped with control panels, also called instrument clusters or dashboards, to present the driver with information useful for driving and operating the vehicle. To this end, the control panel includes the vehicle's on-board instruments, some of which are required by law.

[0005] For a motor vehicle, the control panel is traditionally integrated into the vehicle's dashboard under the windshield, behind the steering wheel. Typically, such a control panel is positioned at least -15° from the direction of gaze of an average driver looking at the road, approximately 50 centimeters from the eyes. The driver is then forced to take their eyes off the road to view the control panel, which reduces alertness and increases eye fatigue due to the constantly required visual accommodation effort.

[0006] To enable the viewing of useful information in a safer manner, it is known to use head-up displays which transmit some information from the control panel to the driver.

[0007] However, such displays take up additional space in the vehicle, and some have very large projectors depending on the desired display. Such displays are therefore not always easy to integrate into a vehicle.

[0008] There is therefore a need for a means to facilitate the integration of a head-up display device into a vehicle.

[0009] For this purpose, the present description relates to a protective element for a vehicle control information transmission unit, the transmission unit comprising at least one screen capable of emitting a light beam, the protective element being adapted to be positioned above and at a distance from the transmission unit, on the transmission path of the light beam coming from the screen(s) of the transmission unit, so as to protect the screen(s), the protective element being at least partially transparent, the protective element having:

[0010] - an optical magnification property on at least one portion of the protective element intended to be crossed by at least one part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen, and / or

[0011] - a property of reorienting light beams on at least one portion of the protective element, intended to be crossed by at least one part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen, so as to reorient the light beam coming from the screen(s).

[0012] According to other advantageous aspects, the protective element comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0013] - the protective element is an at least partially transparent plate having an entry diopter and an exit diopter, each diopter having an anti-reflective property, preferably the protective element being made of glass or plastic;

[0014] - the light beam reorientation property of the protective element is achieved by overmolding a film comprising prisms onto the protective element and / or by laser microstructuring of the protective element;

[0015] - the protective element has a polarization correction property on at least one portion of the protective element, intended to be crossed by at least one part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen, so as to modify the polarization of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen;

[0016] - the protective element has a colorimetry correction property on at least one portion of the protective element, intended to be crossed by at least one part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen, so as to modify the colorimetry of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen;

[0017] - the protective element has opacity, the opacity being fixed or variable by electrochromy or by photochromy;

[0018] - the protective element has a viewing angle correction property, on at least one portion of the protective element, intended to be crossed by at least one part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen, so as to modify the viewing angle, for a driver or a passenger of the vehicle, of an image resulting from said light beam;

[0019] - the protective element comprises heating elements;

[0020] - the protective element has a property of correcting optical distortion or birefringence, on at least a portion of the protective element, intended to be crossed by at least a part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen, so as to correct the rendering of an image resulting from said light beam.

[0021] The present description also relates to a head-up display device for a vehicle, comprising: a support suitable for being positioned opposite the upper body of a driver in the driving position, the support comprising at least one portion, called the useful portion, which is at least partially reflective, a unit for transmitting vehicle control information, the transmission unit comprising at least one screen suitable for transmitting a light beam towards the useful portion of the support so that the reflection of the light beam on the support forms at least one useful image in an observation window of the driver in the driving position, and an element for protecting the transmission unit, the protection element being at least partially transparent, the protection element being positioned above and at a distance from the transmission unit, between the support and the transmission unit, on the transmission path of the light beam coming from the screen(s),so as to protect the screen(s), the protective element having:,

[0022] • an optical magnification property on at least one portion of the protective element intended to be crossed by at least one part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen, and / or

[0023] • a property of reorienting light beams on at least one portion of the protective element, intended to be crossed by at least one part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen, so as to reorient the light beam coming from the screen(s).

[0024] The present description also relates to a vehicle comprising a dashboard and a head-up display device as described previously, the protective element being integrated into the dashboard of the vehicle.

[0025] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, and with reference to the figure below:

[0026] - [Fig 1] Figure 1, a schematic representation of an example of a head-up display device integrated in a vehicle, the head-up display device comprising a support, a vehicle control information transmission unit and a protection element for the transmission unit.

[0027] A head-up display device 12 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The display device 12 is adapted to be integrated into a vehicle. The vehicle is, for example, a land, air or naval vehicle. The land vehicle is, for example, a motor vehicle, a railway vehicle, a two-wheeler (motorized or not) or a three-wheeler (motorized or not).

[0028] The display device 12 is capable of displaying vehicle control information intended for a driver 16 while the vehicle is being driven by the driver 16. Such control information is, for example, information from the vehicle's on-board instruments, navigation, safety or communication information from a system embedded in the vehicle or from an electronic device of the driver 16, such as a smartphone.

[0029] For example, the information relates to a vehicle speed indicator, the vehicle's energy consumption, alarms relating to the malfunction of certain vehicle components or navigation information (mapping, positions, directions).

[0030] In an exemplary implementation, the display device 12 has the function of a dashboard of the vehicle in which it is integrated. Thus, in this case, the dashboard instruments of the vehicle are only displayed on the display device 12. The dashboard 31 of the vehicle is thus devoid of mechanical dashboard instruments integrated in the dashboard 31 and of digital dashboard instruments integrated in the dashboard 31 different from the display device 12. In this case, the display device 12 is configured to be automatically switched on when the ignition is switched on in the vehicle and to be automatically switched off when the ignition is switched off in the vehicle.

[0031] In an alternative implementation, the display device 12 complements the dashboard of the vehicle in which it is integrated.

[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the display device 12 comprises a support 20, a unit 22 for transmitting vehicle control information, and a protection element 30 of the transmitting unit 22.

[0033] The support 20 is suitable for being positioned opposite the upper body (at least part of the bust) of the driver 16 in the driving position.

[0034] The support 20 is for example transparent or partially transparent. Alternatively, the support 20 is opaque.

[0035] The support 20 is for example made of polycarbonate or glass.

[0036] The support 20 has at least one portion, called the useful portion 24, which is partially reflective. The useful portion 24 makes it possible to generate a virtual image in the field of vision (direct or peripheral) of the driver 16 in the driving position. In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the partially reflective function of the useful portion 24 is provided by a reflective element 26. The reflective element 26 is, for example, a coating or a treatment (for example obtained by physical deposition or chemical deposition) or a film (for example laminated or held by electrostatic effect).

[0037] The reflector element 26 is for example arranged on the useful portion 24. Alternatively, the reflector element 26 is inside the useful portion 24.

[0038] In the example of figure 1, the useful portion 24 extends over only a portion of the support 20. Alternatively, the useful portion 24 extends over the entirety of the support 20.

[0039] In the example of Figure 1, the useful portion 24 has a non-zero curvature so as to form a concave mirror on the driver's side. Alternatively, the useful portion 24 is substantially flat.

[0040] Preferably, as illustrated by the example of Figure 1, the support 20 is an element capable of deflecting the air when driving the vehicle. The support 20 thus has the function of a windshield and is called with this name. It is also called a deflector or bubble or even a wind deflector, in particular in the case of two wheels. Alternatively, the support 20 is a blade also called a “combineer”. As a further alternative, the support 20 is an opaque panel, such as a portion of the dashboard 31 of the vehicle or a portion of the windshield (screen-printed area).

[0041] The transmission unit 22 is capable of displaying vehicle control information. The information preferably includes information provided by on-board instruments of the vehicle or navigation, safety or communication information originating from a system on board the vehicle or from an electronic device of the driver, such as a smartphone. For this purpose, the transmission unit 22 is capable of emitting at least one light beam.

[0042] The emission unit 22 comprises at least one screen 28 capable of emitting a light beam towards the useful portion 24 of the support 20, such that the reflection of the light beam on the support 20 forms at least one useful image IM in an observation window of the driver 16 in the driving position. In a variant, the emission unit 22 comprises several screens 28.

[0043] Preferably, the screen 28 is capable of displaying a real image from which the light beam from the emission unit 22 is emitted.

[0044] The screen 28 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an OLED display (organic light emitting diode). The protective element 30 (also called a cover) is suitable for protecting the transmission unit 22. In particular, the protective element 30 is suitable for protecting the transmission unit 22 from dust, liquids or even shocks.

[0045] As illustrated by FIG. 1, the protection element 30 is suitable for being positioned above and at a distance (not in contact) from the emission unit 22, between the support 20 and the emission unit 22, on the emission path of the light beam coming from the screen(s) 28, so as to protect the screen(s) 28. The protection element 30 is in particular above and opposite the screens 28 of the emission unit 22 so as to ensure their protection when the emission unit 22 is integrated into the dashboard 31 of the vehicle.

[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the display device 12 comprises, between the emission unit 22 and the support 20, only the protection element 30. In other words, the display device 12 does not comprise any additional optics arranged between the emission unit 22 and the support 20.

[0047] Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the protective element 30 is integrated into the dashboard 31 of the vehicle, the transmission unit 22 being integrated inside the dashboard 31 (therefore not directly visible to the driver 16 in the driving position). In this case, the protective element 30 also makes it possible to aesthetically finish the dashboard 31. In addition, the protective element 30 allows easy cleaning of the transmission unit 22 since it is sufficient to clean the surface in the open air of the protective element 30 without having to intervene on the transmission unit 22.

[0048] The protective element 30 is at least partially transparent. This makes it possible to transmit the light beam from the screen(s) 28 towards the support 20.

[0049] The protective element 30 has one or more optical properties.

[0050] In particular, the protective element 30 has an optical magnification property on at least a portion of the protective element 30 intended to be crossed by at least a part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen 28. This magnification makes it possible to reduce the size of the screens 28 while retaining the same projected image size. This facilitates integration into the vehicle (in particular in the dashboard 31) while reducing the costs relating to the screens 28.

[0051] The protection element 30 has, for example, a non-zero optical power (expressed in diopters) on said portion of the protection element 30 allowing, after reflection on the useful surface 24 of the support 20, a magnification of the image coming from the screen(s) 28 of the emission unit 22. The optical power is, for example, fixed according to the desired size for the image of the head-up display visible by the driver 16. Depending on the portion of the protection element 30 having a magnification property, the protection element 30 is capable of achieving a magnification on the entirety of the screens 28, the entirety of a screen 28, local areas of one or more screens 28.

[0052] Alternatively, the protective element 30 has magnification properties (corresponding to different optical powers) on different portions of the protective element 30, making it possible to create a 3D effect for different local areas of a screen 28 or different screens 28.

[0053] Alternatively or additionally, the protection element 30 has a property of reorienting light beams on at least a portion of the protection element 30 intended to be crossed by at least a part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen 28. This makes it possible to reorient the light beam coming from the screen(s) 28. Reorienting the light emitted by the screen(s) 28 allows easier integration into the vehicle (in particular at the level of the dashboard 31).

[0054] In an exemplary implementation, the light beam reorientation property of the protective element 30 is achieved by overmolding a film comprising prisms onto the protective element 30 and / or by laser microstructuring of the protective element 30.

[0055] Preferably, the protective element 30 is an at least partially transparent plate having an entry diopter 32 and an exit diopter 34. Each diopter 32, 34 has an anti-reflection property. This double anti-reflection makes it possible to avoid loss of brightness at the level of the emission of the screens 28, but also reflections at the level of the protective element 30 on the support 20.

[0056] Preferably, the protective element 30 is made of glass (tempered, laminated, etc.) or plastic (polycarbonate, PMMA, etc.).

[0057] Preferably, the protection element 30 has a polarization correction property on at least a portion of the protection element 30 intended to be crossed by at least a part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen 28. This makes it possible to modify the polarization of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen 28.

[0058] In an exemplary implementation, the polarization correction property of the protection element 30 is, for example, achieved by a polarizing filter affixed to or in the protection element 30.

[0059] For example, if the polarization of the light emitted by the screen(s) 28 is not optimized for the reflection properties of the useful portion 24 of the support 20, the protection element 30 makes it possible to filter the polarization of the light emitted by the screen(s) 28 locally or over all of the screens 28. Thus, for example, if the useful portion 24 of the support 20 is optimized to reflect light of polarization P (rectilinear polarization contained in the plane of incidence), the protection element 30 has a filter adapted to allow only the light of polarization P coming from the screen(s) 28 to pass through.

[0060] Preferably, the protective element 30 has a colorimetry correction property on at least a portion of the protective element 30 intended to be crossed by at least part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen 28. This makes it possible to modify the colorimetry of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen 28.

[0061] In one exemplary implementation, the colorimetric correction property of the protective element 30 is achieved by a colorimetric filter affixed to or in the protective element 30.

[0062] For example, the reflective treatment of the useful portion 24 of the support 20 is likely to modify the colorimetry of the light emitted by the screen(s) 28, and therefore the colorimetric perception of the driver 16 of the vehicle. The colorimetry correction property of the protective element 30 thus makes it possible to compensate for this modification.

[0063] Preferably, the protective element 30 has opacity.

[0064] In one example, the opacity is fixed. This makes it possible, for example, to mask the mechanical integration of the emission unit 22 in the dashboard 31 of the vehicle.

[0065] Alternatively, the opacity is variable, for example by electrochromy or photochromy. This makes it possible, for example, to automatically or manually reduce the brightness of the screen(s) 28 or to mask the mechanical integration of the screen(s) 28 depending on the light conditions.

[0066] Preferably, the protective element 30 has a viewing angle correction property, on at least a portion of the protective element 30 intended to be crossed by at least a part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen 28. This makes it possible to modify the viewing angle, for a driver 16 or a passenger of the vehicle, of an image IM resulting from said light beam. This makes it possible, for example, to make the light emitted by the screen(s) 28 visible or not depending on the viewing angle. In the case of integration into a vehicle, this makes it possible to make certain information visible only to the driver 16 or the passengers and therefore a certain confidentiality.

[0067] In one exemplary implementation, the viewing angle correction property of the protective element 30 is achieved by a micro-lamella film integrated in or on the protective element 30.

[0068] Preferably, the protective element 30 comprises heating elements. The heating elements are, for example, resistors positioned in or on the protective element 30. The heating elements are, for example, suitable for defogging the windshield of the vehicle in which the protective element 30 is intended to be integrated. Preferably, the protective element 30 has a property of correcting an optical distortion or birefringence, on at least a portion of the protective element 30 intended to be crossed by at least a part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen 28. This makes it possible to correct the rendering of an IM image resulting from said light beam.

[0069] For example, the protective element 30 makes it possible to correct local or global optical distortions in the emission zone of the screen(s) 28. The protective element 30 also makes it possible to correct, for example, the birefringence possibly generated during the manufacture of the support 20. Indeed, in the case of a windshield, the bending of the glass is likely to generate birefringence despite a possible reflective treatment (polarized or not), which generates a double residual image.

[0070] In an exemplary implementation, the birefringence correction property is achieved by a delay plate integrated into the protection element 30.

[0071] An example of operation of the head-up display device 12 will now be described.

[0072] At startup, the screen(s) 28 of the transmission unit 22 send(s) a light beam towards the protection element 30. The light beam passes through the protection element and is reflected on the useful portion 24 of the support 20 so as to form a useful image IM (virtual image) in the field of vision of the driver 16 in the driving position. Depending on the optical properties of the protection element 30, the protection element 30 makes it possible to modify the rendering of the useful image IM, at least by enlarging it and / or by modifying its position, or even by adapting its visibility or its quality.

[0073] Thus, the protective element 30 makes it possible, due to its specific optical properties, to facilitate the integration of a head-up display device 12 in a vehicle. In particular, when the protective element 30 has a magnification property, this makes it possible to reduce the size of the screens 28 while maintaining the same projected image size. When the protective element 30 has a light beam reorientation property, this makes it possible to gain flexibility for the integration of the head-up display device 12 in the vehicle.

[0074] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above are capable of being combined with each other when such combinations are compatible.

[0075] The person skilled in the art will also understand that the present description is based on the particular case of motor vehicles, but that the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. The control device is thus adaptable to all types of vehicles, in particular air and naval.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Protective element (30) of a transmission unit (22) of vehicle control information, the transmission unit (22) comprising at least one screen (28) capable of emitting a light beam, the protective element (30) being adapted to be positioned above and at a distance from the transmission unit (22), on the transmission path of the light beam coming from the screen(s) (28) of the transmission unit (22), so as to protect the screen(s) (28), the protective element (30) being at least partially transparent, the protective element (30) having: - an optical magnification property on at least one portion of the protective element (30) intended to be crossed by at least one part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen (28), and / or - a property of reorienting light beams on at least one portion of the protective element (30), intended to be crossed by at least one part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen (28), so as to reorient the light beam coming from the or at least one screen (28).

2. Protective element (30) according to claim 1, wherein the protective element (30) is an at least partially transparent plate having an entry diopter (32, 34) and an exit diopter, each diopter (32, 34) having an anti-reflective property, preferably the protective element (30) being made of glass or plastic.

3. Protective element (30) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light beam reorientation property of the protective element (30) is achieved by overmolding a film comprising prisms onto the protective element (30) and / or by laser microstructuring of the protective element (30).

4. Protective element (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the protective element (30) has a polarization correction property on at least a portion of the protective element (30), intended to be crossed by at least a part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen (28), so as to modify the polarization of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen (28).

5. Protective element (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the protective element (30) has a colorimetry correction property on at least a portion of the protective element (30), intended to be crossed by at least a part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen (28), so as to modify the colorimetry of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen (28).

6. Protective element (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the protective element (30) has an opacity, the opacity being fixed or variable by electrochromy or by photochromy.

7. Protective element (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the protective element (30) has a viewing angle correction property, on at least a portion of the protective element (30), intended to be crossed by at least a part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen (28), so as to modify the viewing angle, for a driver (16) or a passenger of the vehicle, of an image (IM) resulting from said light beam.

8. A protective element (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the protective element (30) comprises heating elements.

9. Protective element (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the protective element (30) has a property of correcting an optical distortion or birefringence, on at least a portion of the protective element (30), intended to be crossed by at least a part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen (28), so as to correct the rendering of an image (IM) resulting from said light beam.

10. Head-up display device (12) for a vehicle, comprising: a support (20) suitable for being positioned opposite the upper body of a driver (16) in the driving position, the support (20) comprising at least one portion, called the useful portion (24), at least partially reflective, a transmission unit (22) for vehicle control information, the transmission unit (22) comprising at least one screen (28) suitable for emitting a light beam in the direction of the useful portion (24) of the support (20) so that the reflection of the light beam on the support (20) forms at least one useful image (IM) in a driver observation window (16) in the driving position, and a protection element (30) for the transmission unit (22), the protection element (30) being at least partially transparent, the protection element (30) being positioned above and at a distance from the transmission unit (22), between the support (20) and the transmission unit (22), on the emission path of the light beam coming from the screen(s) (28), so as to protect the screen(s) (28), the protection element (30) having: • an optical magnification property on at least one portion of the protective element (30) intended to be crossed by at least one part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen (28), and / or • a property of reorienting light beams on at least one portion of the protective element (30), intended to be crossed by at least one part of the light beam coming from the or at least one screen (28), so as to reorient the light beam coming from the or at least one screen (28).

11. Vehicle comprising a dashboard (31) and a head-up display device (12) according to claim 10, the protective element (30) being integrated into the dashboard (31) of the vehicle.

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