Content display device for road vehicle and related road vehicle

Abstract

Content display device (5) for a road vehicle (1) and comprising : a support element (9) configured to be centrally mounted in the area of a dashboard (4) of the road vehicle (1); at least one screen (10) mechanically connected to the support element (9) and configured to face a vehicular passenger compartment (3); a partially digital display system (13) comprising a digital dial (14) obtained on a portion of the screen (10) and a mechanism (15) with hands (16) comprising, in turn, at least one hand (16), a respective shaft (17) fitted to said at least one hand (16) and an actuator element (18) for moving the shaft (17) and, hence, said at least one hand (16); wherein the screen (10) comprises a through hole (19) in the area of the digital dial (14), through which the respective shaft (17) of said at least one hand (16) passes to connect said at least one hand (16) to the respective actuator element (18).

Description

[0001] CONTENT DISPLAY DEVICE FOR ROAD VEHICLE AND RELATED ROAD

[0002] VEHICLE

[0003] Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0004] This Patent Application claims priority from European Patent Application No . 23206954 . 2 filed on October 31 , 2023 , and Italian Patent Application No . 102024000006637 filed on March 25 , 2024 , the entire disclosure o f which is incorporated herein by reference .

[0005] Technical Field

[0006] The invention relates to a content display device for a road vehicle and to a related road vehicle .

[0007] In particular, the invention can advantageously, though not exclusively be applied to a content display device for a high-performance road vehicle , to which explicit reference will be made in the description below without because of this lacking generality .

[0008] Background of the Invention

[0009] Generally speaking, road vehicles are provided with a plurality of display devices arranged in the area of the dashboard of the road vehicle .

[0010] Historically, each road vehicle comprises at least one display device reserved to the driver, for example the screens or the indicators arranged in the area of the control panel of the vehicle , namely on the dashboard portion interposed between the steering wheel and the windshield .

[0011] In recent years , these devices have been supported by other screens ( for instance , at least one screen arranged at the centre of the dashboard or a head-up display) , which complete the display of information to the driver . Generally speaking, the use of a central screen with larger and larger dimensions is becoming more and more success ful , especially in full electric cars ; however, in most cases , said central screens are exclusively digital and provided with tactile controls , which, when driving in sports mode ( for example , on a track) , make it di f ficult , i f not impossible , for the driver to select a function without being distracted . In particular, when driving on a track, it often happens that a driver wants to keep track of the time needed to cover a lap or a sector of the track . In order to do so , dedicated sensors are sometimes present on the side of the track . However, these sensors are not always enabled for non-prof essional races and, therefore , drivers need an aid (usually on board the vehicle ) that measures the time with a chronometer for each sector and for the lap .

[0012] Furthermore , with known systems , the driver is not always able to quickly understand the information displayed on the central screen, as the screen could be subj ect to reflections that prevent information from being correctly displayed to the driver .

[0013] In addition, road vehicles are not usually provided with multi function time measurement systems .

[0014] Therefore , generally speaking, the visibility of vehicular display systems needs to be improved, further allowing the driver to autonomously keep track of the times needed to cover some parts of a track or the entire track .

[0015] Description of the Invention

[0016] The obj ect of the invention is to provide a content display device for a road vehicle and a related road vehicle , which are at least partially free from the drawbacks described above and, at the same time , are simple and economic to be manufactured .

[0017] According to the invention, there are provided a content display device for a road vehicle and a related road vehicle as claimed in the independent claims attached hereto and, preferably, in any one of the dependent claims directly or indirectly depending on the independent claims .

[0018] The appended claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention and form an integral part of the description .

[0019] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the invention will be described, in order to allow the latter to be better understood, by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings , wherein : figure 1 is a schematic perspective view, with details left out for greater clarity, of a possible embodiment of a road vehicle according to the invention; figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of part of the inside of the passenger compartment of the vehicle of figure 1 , showing a central display device according to the invention; figure 3 is a schematic front view of the central display device of figure 2 ; figure 4 is a side view of a cross section of the display device of figure 3 ; figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the device of figures 3 and 4 ; and figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the device of figure 5 in a compass mode ; figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the device of figure 5 . Embodiments of the Invention

[0021] In figure 1 , number 1 indicates , as a whole , a road vehicle provided with two front wheels 2 and with two rear wheels 2 ( in particular, drive wheels ) .

[0022] The vehicle 1 is provided with a passenger compartment 3 , which is designed to accommodate at least a driver DR and, preferably, one or more pas sengers P, at least one of them seated alongside the driver DR as shown in figure 1 .

[0023] In the figures , the same numbers and the same reference letters indicate the same elements or components with the same function .

[0024] For the purposes of the invention, the term " second" component does not imply the presence of a " first" component . As a matter of fact , these terms are only used as labels to improve clarity and should not be interpreted in a limiting manner .

[0025] The elements and features contained in the di f ferent preferred embodiments , drawings included, can be combined with one another or be isolated from one another, without for this reason going beyond the scope of protection of this patent application, as described hereinafter .

[0026] Hereinafter, expressions such as "at the top" , " at the bottom" , "at the front" , "at the back" and others similar to them are used with reference to normal travel conditions of the vehicle 1 along the normal travel direction D .

[0027] As shown in the non-limiting embodiment of figure 1 , it is further possible to define :

[0028] - a longitudinal axis X integral to the vehicle 1 and, in use , hori zontal and parallel to a normal travel direction D of the vehicle 1 ;

[0029] - a transverse axis X integral to the vehicle 1 and, in use , hori zontal and orthogonal to the axis X ; and

[0030] - a vertical axis Z integral to the vehicle 1 and, in use , vertical and orthogonal to the axes X, Y .

[0031] Furthermore , the road vehicle 1 comprises a frame ( of the known kind and, therefore , not shown in detail ) and a vehicle dashboard 4 on the inside of the passenger compartment and f ixed to the frame . The vehicular dashboard 4 is arranged in front of the driver DR and of the possible passenger P .

[0032] As shown in the non-limiting embodiments of the accompanying figures , the road vehicle 1 comprises a content display device 5 , which is arranged in the area of the vehicle dashboard 4 , in particular in a central portion 6 of the vehicle dashboard 4 between a driver' s seat 7 and a passenger' s seat 8 .

[0033] The content display device 5 comprises a support element 9 , which is configured to be mounted on the central portion 6 . The support element 9 , in other words , determines the main structure of the content display device 5 , namely the portion to which the other components of the device 5 are fixed / fastened . For example , the support element is conveniently made of plastic or composite materials .

[0034] Furthermore , the display device 5 comprises a screen 10 , which is mechanically connected and preferably integral to the support element 9 and is configured to be vi sible to the driver DR and to the passenger P . The screen 10 is of the known kind ( for example , a preferably tactile liquidcrystal or OLED display) and, therefore , is not described in detail hereinafter .

[0035] In particular, the support element 9 comprises a perimeter portion 11 surrounding the screen 10 .

[0036] Advantageously, though not in a limiting manner, the support element 9 comprises two main faces opposite one another ( one provided with the screen and the other connected to the vehicular dashboard 4 ) , which are connected by the perimeter portion 11 , which, in particular, substantially serves as a frame for the screen 10 .

[0037] The perimeter portion 11 should be interpreted as the part connecting the screen 10 to the opposite face of the support element 9 . Therefore , the perimeter portion 11 comprises both the closed surface surrounding the screen on the same face on which the screen 10 is located and the side surface j oining the two main faces of the support element 9 .

[0038] Advantageously, though not in a limiting manner, the content display device 5 comprises mechanical controls 12 arranged (namely, mounted) on the perimeter portion 11 and proj ecting, preferably in a radial manner, from the latter . In this way, the mechanical controls 12 can easily be found by the driver DR without having to look away from the road ahead ( for example , from the track) .

[0039] Advantageously, the content display device 5 comprises a partially digital display system 13 , which comprises a digital dial 14 obtained on a portion of the screen 5 and an ( analogue ) mechanism 15 with hands , which comprises , in turn, at least one hand 16 , a respective shaft 17 , which is fitted to said at least one hand 16 , and an actuator element 18 for moving the shaft 17 and, hence , said at least one hand 16 .

[0040] The screen 10 comprises a first through hole 19 in the area of the digital dial 14 , through which the respective shaft 17 of said at least one hand 16 passes to connect said at least one hand 16 to the respective actuator element 18 . Preferably, the through hole 19 is arranged at the centre of the digital dial 14 .

[0041] In particular, the partially digital display system 13 comprises a plurality of hands 16 and respective shafts 17 , in particular concentric to one another ( as shown in figure 4 ) , the shafts going through the first through hole 19 to connect each hand 16 to a respective actuator element 18 .

[0042] In some non-limiting cases , the display system 13 comprises ( is ) a time measurement system 20 , in particular a chronograph .

[0043] In the non-limiting embodiments of figures 3 to 7 , the system 13 comprises three di f ferent hands , each connected to a respective actuator system 18 through a respective shaft 17 . In particular, the three hands respectively indicate hours , minutes and seconds in a known manner, which, therefore , will not be described in detail hereinafter .

[0044] Advantageously, though not in a limiting manner, the mechanical controls 12 are configured to give instructions to the system 13 ( in particular, to the time measurement system 20 , for example to start , stop or reset a timer ) .

[0045] Alternatively or in addition, the mechanical controls 12 are configured to give di f ferent instructions to other vehicle systems , for example , though not a limiting manner, to control an openable roof or to enable functions concerning the powertrain system .

[0046] According to further non-limiting cases , the driver DR selects , by means of an interface device , for example the screen 10 , a preferred and customi zed use of the mechanical controls 12 .

[0047] Preferably, though not in a limiting manner, the first through hole 19 has , on the digital dial 14 , a smal ler si ze (namely, diameter ) than the area swept by said at least one hand 16 during a complete revolution . In particular, as shown herein, the first hole 19 is circular and has a smaller diameter than the smallest of the areas swept by the hands 16 .

[0048] According to some preferred, though non-limiting embodiments , as clearly shown in figures 4 and 7 , the display device 5 comprises a protective glass 21 , which is mounted on the side opposite the support element 9 with respect to the screen 10 and entirely covers the screen 10 .

[0049] In particular, the protective glass 21 is interposed between the screen 10 and said at least one hand 16 ( in particular, between the screen 10 and all the hands 16 ) and also comprises a second through hole 22 , contiguous with the first through hole 19 , for the passage of the respective shaft 17 of said at least one hand 16 ( or of the respective shafts 17 , in the embodiments shown herein) .

[0050] The second through hole 22 preferably has the same si ze , namely the same diameter, as the first through hole 19 . The combination of the first through hole 19 and the second through hole 22 creates a connection channel between the front and the back of the screen 10 , namely between the hands 16 and the actuator elements 18 .

[0051] In some preferred non-limiting cases , the display device 5 further comprises a protective element 23 configured to protect said at least one hand 16.

[0052] In particular, the protective element 23 comprises a lens 24 and an annular support 25, on which the lens 24 is mounted; the annular support 25 being glued to the protective glass so as to cover the digital dial 14 and define with it a chamber 26, within which said at least one hand 16, in particular all three hands 16, can rotate.

[0053] In some non-limiting cases, the lens 24 has a different surface finish than the protective glass 21.

[0054] In the non-limiting embodiment of figures 4-7, the lens 24 is mounted on the support 25 so as to project from the screen 10 (and from its respective protective glass 21) .

[0055] Advantageously, though not in a limiting manner, hence, the time measurement system 20 comprises a mechanism (of the known kind and not described in detail hereinafter) to move the hands 16, in particular to change the movement thereof also based on the mechanical controls 12 and on their position / activation by the driver DR.

[0056] According to the non-limiting embodiment of figure 6, the display system 5 is convertible, in particular to switch from a time measurement functionality (shown in figures 3, 5 and 7) to a compass functionality (shown in figure 6) , in which said at least one hand 16 points North N.

[0057] In particular, as shown in figure 6, if multiple hands 16 are present, they are configured to be aligned by the respective actuator elements 18 so as to all point North N.

[0058] In other non-limiting embodiments which are not shown herein, at least one hand 16 points North N, while the others indicate different elements or are in predefined positions .

[0059] In some non-limiting cases, at least one hand 16 points North N and at least one hand 16 points South; in particular, two hands 16 point North N and one points South .

[0060] In other non-limiting cases , in combination or in addition, at least one hand 16 i s in a predefined position, for example at twelve o ' clock . In particular, two hands are in the predefined position and one points North N or one hand is in the predefined position, one points North N and one points South .

[0061] In general , therefore , the possibility of independently moving the hands 16 allows them to be exploited to indicate a plurality of di f ferent parameters and / or for animations that can make the driver or passenger understand the occurrence of an event ( for example , the ignition) .

[0062] According to some non-limiting embodiments , the digital dial 14 is part of the screen 10 ; in particular, the digital dial 14 is integrated in the screen 10 and, therefore , is of the same type as the screen 10 ( for example , OLED) .

[0063] According to other non-limiting embodiments , the digital dial 14 is housed in a dedicated hole 27 of the screen 10 and comprises a further screen that is technologically di f ferent from the screen, for example an electronic ink display to reduce reflections , given its peculiar opacity .

[0064] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments , the road vehicle 1 further comprises a control unit 28 , which is configured to detect the activation of the mechanical controls 12 and vary the contents shown by the display device 5 , in particular by the mechanism 15 with hands and by the digital dial 14 , as a function of said activation, by controlling the screen 10 and the respective actuator element 18 for moving said at least one hand 16.

[0065] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the mechanical controls 12 are, for example, levers, buttons or knobs, which are interposed between the lower perimeter portion 11 and the screen 10. In this way, the driver DR can use these controls perceiving, through touch, the activation of the control (unlike what would happen with a tactile control on the screen 10) .

[0066] Preferably, though not in a limiting manner, the protective glass 21 also extends below so as to cover / surround the controls 12.

[0067] In use, while driving, the driver DR can operate the buttons 12 for the measurement of the track time, without looking away from the road. As a matter of fact, the position and the projection allow the driver to not have doubts on the button that he / she is about to press and, hence, start, stop or reset the time measurement without distractions and in a quick manner.

[0068] Even though the invention described above specifically relates to a precise embodiment, it should not be considered as limited to said embodiment, for its scope of protection also includes all those variants, changes or simplifications covered by the appended claims, such as for example a different type of road vehicle (for instance, a front-drive vehicle) , a different conformation of the passenger compartment, different moving systems, a different kind of screen, etcetera.

[0069] The vehicle and the display device described above have many advantages.

[0070] First of all, they reduce the distraction of the driver to look at vehicle data and information, for example the time of the measurement system .

[0071] Furthermore , at the same time , they allow the chronograph to be operated in a user- friendly and precise manner, without having to look away from the road ahead .

[0072] In addition, the display of the dial is facilitated thanks to the analogue hands , as well as the customisation possibilities of the partially digital display system .

[0073] LIST OF THE REFERENCE NUMBERS OF THE FIGURES

[0074] 1 vehicle

[0075] 2 wheels

[0076] 3 passenger compartment

[0077] 4 dashboard

[0078] 5 display device

[0079] 6 central portion

[0080] 7 driver' s seat

[0081] 8 passenger' s seat

[0082] 9 support element

[0083] 10 screen

[0084] 11 perimeter portion

[0085] 12 mechanical controls

[0086] 13 partially digital display system

[0087] 14 dial

[0088] 15 hand mechanism

[0089] 16 hand

[0090] 17 shaft

[0091] 18 actuator element

[0092] 19 first hole

[0093] 20 time measurement system

[0094] 21 protective glass

[0095] 22 second through hole

[0096] 23 protective element 24 lens

[0097] 25 annular support

[0098] 26 chamber

[0099] 27 screen hole

[0100] 28 control unit

[0101] X axis

[0102] Y axis

[0103] Z axis

[0104] P passenger

[0105] DR driver

Claims

CLAIMS1) A content display device (5) for a road vehicle (1) ; the content display device (5) comprising:- a support element (9) configured to be centrally mounted at a dashboard (4) of the road vehicle (1) ;- at least one screen (10) , mechanically connected to the support element (9) and configured to face a vehicular passenger compartment (3) and visible to a passenger and driver of the vehicle (1) road; the content display device (5) being characterized in that it comprises a partially digital display system (13) , which comprises a digital dial (14) formed on a portion of the screen (10) , and a mechanism (15) with hands (16) , which in turn comprises at least one hand (16) , a respective shaft (17) , mounted to the at least one hand(16) , and an actuator element (18) for moving the shaft(17) and thus the at least one hand (16) ; wherein the screen (10) comprises a first passing through hole (19) at the digital dial (14) and through which the respective shaft (17) of the at least one hand (16) passes to connect the at least one hand (16) to the respective actuator element (18) .2) The device (5) according to claim 1, wherein the partially digital display system (13) comprises a plurality of hands (16) and respective shafts (17) , in particular concentric to each other, the shafts passing through the first passing through hole (19) to connect each hand (16) to a respective actuator element (18) .3) The device (5) according to claim 2, wherein the display system (13) comprises a time measuring system (20) , in particular a chronograph, preferably comprising threehands (16) .4) The device (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first passing through hole (19) has, on the digital dial (14) , a size less than the area swept by the at least one hand (16) during a complete revolution .5) The device (5) according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising a protective glass (21) , which is mounted on the opposite side of the support element (9) with respect to the screen (10) and entirely covers the screen (10) ; the protective glass (21) being interposed between the screen (10) and the at least one hand (16) and also comprising a second through-hole (22) , contiguous to the first through-hole (19) , for the passage of the respective shaft (17) of the at least one hand (16) .6) The device (5) according to claim 5 and comprising a protective element (23) configured to protect the at least one hand (16) .7) The device (5) according to claim 6, wherein the protective element (23) comprises a lens (24) and an annular support (25) , on which the lens (24) is mounted; the annular support (25) being glued to the protective glass (21) so as to cover the dial (14) digital and define with it a chamber (26) , within which the at least one hand (16) can rotate.8) The device (5) according to claim 7, wherein the lens (24) has a different surface finish than the protective glass (21) .9) The device (5) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the display system (13) is convertible, in particular to change from a timemeasurement functionality to a compass functionality, wherein the at least one hand (16) indicates north.10) The device (5) according to claim 9, wherein in the compass mode, if multiple hands (16) are present, they are configured to be at least partially aligned by their respective actuator elements to indicate, in particular all of them, north.11) The device (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the digital dial (14) is part of the screen (10) .12) The device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the dial (14) digital is housed in a dedicated hole (27) of the screen (10) and comprises an additional screen technologically different from the screen (10) .13) A road vehicle (1) comprising: four wheels (2) , of which at least one pair of wheels (2) is driven; a passenger compartment (3) configured to accommodate a driver (DR) and at least one passenger (P) alongside the driver (DR) ; a vehicular dashboard (4) ; the vehicle (1) being characterized in that it comprises a content display device (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element (5) is mounted at a central portion (6) of the vehicular dashboard (4) , frontally between a driver's station (7) and a passenger's (P) station (8) .14) The vehicle (1) according to claim 13 and comprising a control unit (28) , which is configured to detect the actuation of mechanical commands (12) and varythe contents shown by the display device ( >) , in particular by the mechanism (15) with hands (16) and the digital dial (14) , according to said actuation, by controlling the screen (10) and the respective actuator element (18) to move the at least one hand (16) .

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