Motor vehicle display system comprising a display screen and a holographic means

Abstract

This motor vehicle display system (13) comprises a frame (16) intended to be placed in a group part behind the vehicle's steering wheel, a display screen (15) mechanically connected to the frame (16), a holographic means (18) for displaying a hologram, the holographic means (18) comprising a projection mirror (24), and the display system (13) comprising a movement means (26) capable of moving the display screen (15) relative to the frame (16) between a second position in which the display screen (15) is retracted against the frame (16), and a first position in which the display screen (15) is deployed. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig 3

Description

Title of the invention: Display system for a motor vehicle comprising a display screen and a holographic means

[0001] The present invention relates to a display system, in particular intended to be installed in a motor vehicle.

[0002] Motor vehicles are frequently equipped with a display screen for providing a user, who may be a driver or passengers of the vehicle, with various information. As a first example, an infotainment display screen may be placed in the central portion of a dashboard of the vehicle to provide the driver and passengers with information such as a multimedia interface. As a second example, a cluster display screen may be placed behind a steering wheel of the vehicle and provide the driver with information such as the speed of the vehicle or a number of revolutions per minute of the vehicle's engine.

[0003] Furthermore, some vehicles are equipped with a holographic means, also known as a "holo-box", which displays a hologram above the infotainment screen.

[0004] These display systems are nevertheless not considered to be fully satisfactory because they generate a large number of images intended to be seen by users and because the information is displayed in too many places.

[0005] The invention aims to resolve the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0006] More specifically, the invention seeks to enable information to be displayed by means of a screen and / or a hologram without displaying too much information or without displaying information in too many places.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a display system for a motor vehicle, comprising a frame intended to be placed in a group part behind a steering wheel of the vehicle, and a display screen mechanically connected to the frame.

[0008] According to one of its general characteristics, this display system comprises a movement means capable of moving the display screen relative to the frame between a second position in which the display screen is retracted against the frame, and a first position in which the display screen is deployed.

[0009] Holographic means for displaying a hologram may also be provided, the holographic means comprising a projection mirror, the display system comprising a projection mirror, wherein the display screen is placed between the steering wheel and the projection mirror in the first position.

[0010] Such an arrangement makes it possible to have, in front of the driver and behind the steering wheel, a group display screen when the display screen is in the first position and a group hologram when the display screen is in the second position. Thus, the display system is less bulky and the number of places where the information is displayed is reduced.

[0011] Preferably, the angle between the display screen when it is in the first position and the display screen when it is in the second position is between 100° and 110°.

[0012] By virtue of this angle, an effective display screen is provided when the display screen is in the first position and a screen that can be used to generate the hologram when the display screen is in the second position.

[0013] Preferably, the moving means comprises means for guiding the display screen between the first and second positions.

[0014] It is also possible to provide that the display screen is substantially flat, the guide means comprising a support mechanically connected to the display screen in such a way that the display screen can move in translation relative to the support along a direction parallel to the display screen.

[0015] Such a support makes it possible to implement the mechanical connection between the display screen and the frame in a particularly efficient manner in space.

[0016] In one embodiment, the guide means comprises a rail which extends along the projection mirror, the support comprising an axis received in the rail.

[0017] Preferably, the rail comprises a straight section adjacent to the second position of the display screen and a curved section adjacent to the first position of the display screen.

[0018] It is thus possible to save space in order to move the display screen between the first and second positions.

[0019] In one embodiment, the holder comprises an ear comprising an elongated groove, the display screen comprising an elongated extension along a direction parallel to the display screen.

[0020] In another embodiment, the moving means comprises means for driving the display screen between the first and second positions.

[0021] It is also possible to provide that the drive means comprises an electric motor.

[0022] In one embodiment, the electric motor is a stepper motor.

[0023] In another embodiment, the drive means comprises a belt and an elastic return device.

[0024] Preferably, the display screen is substantially flat, the moving means comprising an articulated arm and a support mechanically connected to the arm. hinged in such a way that the display screen can move between the first position and the second position.

[0025] In one embodiment, the articulated arm comprises a first half-arm connected to the frame and a second half-arm connected to the support, the movement means comprising a first electric motor located at one end of the first half-arm connected to the frame and a second electric motor located at a junction between the first half-arm and the second half-arm.

[0026] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description of embodiments, which are in no way limiting, and the appended drawings, in which:

[0027] [Fig. 1] represents a dashboard of a vehicle comprising a display system according to one aspect of the invention,

[0028] [Fig.2] represents the dashboard of [Fig.l] in which the display screen moves between a first position and a second position,

[0029] [Fig.3] is a schematic sectional view of the display system of [Fig.l] in which the display screen is in a first position,

[0030] [Fig.4] is the schematic sectional view of [Fig.3] in which the display screen is in the second position, and

[0031] [Fig.5] is the schematic sectional view of Figures 3 and 4, in which a displacement means is shown,

[0032] [Fig.6] is a front view of a display screen and a support of the display system of Figures 1 to 5,

[0033] [Fig.7] is a rear perspective view of the display screen and stand of [Fig.6],

[0034] [Fig.8] is a schematic sectional view of a display system according to a second embodiment of the invention, in which the display screen is in a first position, and

[0035] [Fig.9] is a schematic sectional view of the display system of [Fig.8] in which the display screen is in a second position.

[0036] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a dashboard 2 of a vehicle (not shown).

[0037] We define a direct orthonormal vector base 4 attached to the dashboard 2. The vector base 4 consists of a vector X, a vector Y and a vector Z.

[0038] In the present application, the words "left" and "right" refer to the direction of the vector Y, assuming that the vector Y is oriented transversely from right to left.

[0039] In the present application, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "up" and "down" refer to the direction of the Z vector, assuming that the vehicle is resting normally on a flat horizontal surface, i.e. assuming that the Z vector is directed vertically upwards.

[0040] The vehicle further comprises a steering wheel 6. In the embodiment shown, the steering wheel 6 is located on the right of the dashboard 2. The invention can however be implemented in a vehicle in which the steering wheel is located on the left of the dashboard 2.

[0041] The dashboard 2 comprises an infotainment part 8. The infotainment part 8 is located in a central part of the dashboard 2. The infotainment part 8 is intended to display information relevant to all users of the vehicle, for example a multimedia interface of the vehicle.

[0042] The dashboard 2 comprises a group part 10. The group part 10 is located behind the steering wheel 6, relative to a driver of the vehicle. More specifically, in a manner known per se, the group part 10 is located opposite the driver's head relative to the steering wheel 6. With reference to Figures 3 to 5, an eye 11 of the driver is shown, when the driver is normally seated on his seat.

[0043] The steering wheel 6 comprises a button 12 which can be operated by one hand, for example the user's right hand. In the illustrated example, the button 12 is located on a right-hand portion of a main branch of the steering wheel 6.

[0044] The dashboard 2 comprises a display system 13 which comprises an infotainment display screen 14 located in the infotainment part 8, a group display screen 15 located in the group part 10 and a frame 16 located in the group part 10. The group display screen 15 is substantially flat. The frame 16 is mechanically secured to the dashboard 2. The group display screen 15 is mechanically connected to the frame 16 by means of a mechanism which will be described later. Concretely, the group display screen 15 is able to move, relative to the frame 16, between a first position shown in [Fig. 3] and a second position shown in [Fig. 4].

[0045] The display system 13 comprises a holographic means 18. The holographic means 18 is intended to display a hologram 25 at a location 21. When the group display screen 15 is in the first position, it is located between the driver's eyes and the location 21. The driver can thus see the group display screen 15 but cannot see the hologram 25 located at the location 21. When the group display screen 15 is in the second position, the driver can no longer see the group display screen 15 but can see a hologram 25 displayed at the location 21.

[0046] For this purpose, the holographic means 18 comprises, in a manner known per se, a holographic module 22, also known as a “holo-box”, and a mirror projection 24. The hologram 25 is displayed at the location 21 located inside the holographic module 22. The projection mirror 24 is located in the extension of the frame 16 with respect to a direction perpendicular to the group display screen 15 in its first position. The holographic module 22 is arranged in such a way that the projection mirror 24 is located between the holographic module 22 and the frame 16.

[0047] As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, an angle formed by the first position of the group display screen 15 (shown in [Fig.3]) and the second position of the screen 15 (shown in [Fig.4]) is between 90° and 140°, preferably between 100° and 110°.

[0048] Referring to [Fig. 5], the display system 13 comprises a moving means 26. The moving means 26 is intended to move the group display screen 15 between the first and second positions in a space 20.

[0049] For this purpose, the moving means 26 comprises a guide means 28. The guide means 28 comprises a support 30 shown in Figures 6 and 7. The support comprises a rectangular plate 32 having substantially the same shape as the screen 15, a pair of lower pins 34 and a pair of upper ears 36. The ears 36 each have an elongated groove 38. The pins 34 extend along a length direction of the rectangular plate 32 and the elongated grooves 38 extend along a width direction of the rectangular plate 32. The rectangular plate 32 has a pair of lateral through openings 33 visible in [Fig. 7],

[0050] Referring to [Fig.7], the group display screen 15 has a pair of extensions 48. The extensions 48 protrude from the two smaller sides of the group display screen 15 toward the length direction of the group display screen 15. The extensions 48 have a rectilinear elongated shape along the width direction of the screen 15. By this arrangement, the extensions 48 can be received respectively in the elongated grooves 38, such that the screen 15 can move in translation relative to the support 30 along the width direction of the screen 15.

[0051] The support 30 further comprises a pair of hooks 40 in order to connect the support 30 to a drive means of the displacement means 26.

[0052] Referring again to [Fig. 5], the guide means 28 comprises a pair of rails 42 extending along the projection mirror 24. Each rail 42 is designed to be able to receive a respective axle 34. In [Fig. 5], only one rail 42 is shown. The rail 42 which is not shown has the same shape as the rail 42 which is shown in [Fig. 5]. The rail 42 which is not shown is located in the transverse extension of the rail 42 which is shown in [Fig. 5]. More specific, the rail 42 comprises a straight section 44 and a curved section 46. The curved section 46 is located between the straight section 44 and the frame 16.

[0053] The moving means 26 comprises a drive means 50. The drive means 50 comprises an electric motor 52, which in this case is a stepper motor. The drive means 50 comprises a pulley 54 fixed to a shaft of the electric motor 52. The pulley 54 is mechanically connected to a belt 56 attached to the hooks 40. The drive means 50 further comprises an elastic band 58 located in the rail 42. The elastic band 58 is configured so as to bias the support 30 towards the frame 16, when the group display screen 15 is in the second position or in an intermediate position between the first and second positions.

[0054] When the user, who is here a driver of the vehicle, requests the display of a hologram 25 by pressing the button 12, the electric motor 52 starts rotating and the belt 56 pulls the support 30. As a result, the group display screen 15 slides relative to the support 30 in such a way that the extensions 48 move towards an upper end of the elongated grooves 38. When the axes 34 are at the start of the rectilinear section 44, the translational movement of the screen 15 stops and starts again in the opposite direction, that is to say in a direction such that the extensions 48 move towards a lower end of the elongated grooves 38.

[0055] When the axes 34 arrive at the upper end of the rectilinear section 44, the group display screen 15 is located above the projection mirror 24 and it can be used together with the holographic module 22, in a manner known per se, to display the hologram 25 at the location 21.

[0056] When the user requests to switch back from the hologram display to a conventional group display screen, he presses the button 12 again. Then, the electric motor 52 rotates in the opposite direction and the elastic band 58 returns the support 30.

[0057] By means of this arrangement, it is possible to switch from a mode in which the information is displayed on the group display screen 15 to a mode in which the group display screen 15 is no longer visible to the driver and in which the information can be displayed using a hologram. In this mode, the hologram 25 is displayed by the holographic module 22, the projection mirror 24 and the group display screen 15. It is therefore possible to provide a display system which allows information to be displayed using a screen and a hologram in a particularly efficient manner with respect to space and cost.

[0058] Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, a display system 60 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown. The same elements have the same references.

[0059] The display system 60 differs from the display system 13 in that the movement means 26 comprises an articulated arm 62 and a support 64. The support 64 is mechanically connected to the articulated arm 62. The articulated arm 62 is mechanically connected to a plate 65 fixed to the frame 16. The display screen 15 can thus move between the first position and the second position.

[0060] More specifically, in this embodiment, the articulated arm 62 comprises a first half-arm 66 and a second half-arm 68. The half-arm 66 has a distant end 70 and a joining end 72. The half-arm 66 is mechanically connected to the frame 16 by its distant end 70. The half-arm 68 has a distant end 74 and a joining end 76. The half-arm 68 is mechanically connected to the support 64 by its distant end 74. The half-arms 66 and 68 are mechanically connected to each other by their respective joining ends 72 and 76.

[0061] The articulated arm 62 comprises two electric motors 78 and 80. The electric motor 78 is located at the distant end 70 of the first half-arm 66. The electric motor 80 is located at the joining ends 72 and 76 of the respective half-arms 66 and 68.

Claims

Claims

1. A display system (13) for a motor vehicle, comprising a frame (16) for placement in a cluster portion (10) behind a steering wheel (6) of the vehicle, and a display screen (15) mechanically connected to the frame (16), the display system (13) comprising a moving means (26) adapted to move the display screen (15) relative to the frame (16) between a second position in which the display screen (15) is retracted against the frame (16), and a first position in which the display screen (15) is deployed, characterized in that the display system comprises a holographic means (18) for displaying a hologram, the holographic means (18) comprising a projection mirror (24), wherein the display screen (15) is placed between the steering wheel (6) and the projection mirror (24) in the first position.

2. The display system (13) of claim 1, wherein the angle between the display screen (15) when in the first position and the display screen (15) when in the second position is between 100° and 110°.

3. A display system (13) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the moving means (26) comprises means (28) for guiding the display screen (15) between the first and second positions.

4. A display system (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the moving means (26) comprises means (50) for driving the display screen (15) between the first and second positions.

5. A display system (13) according to claim 4, wherein the drive means (50) comprises an electric motor (52, 78, 80).

6. A display system (13) according to any one of claims 3 and 4 and 5, dependent on claim 3, wherein the display screen (15) is substantially flat, the guide means (28) comprising a support (30) mechanically connected to the display screen (15) in such a way that the display screen (15) can move in translation relative to the support (30) along a direction parallel to the display screen (15).

7. A display system (13) according to claim 6, wherein the guide means (28) comprises a rail (42) which extends along the projection mirror (24), the support (30) comprising an axis (34) received in the rail (42).

8. A display system (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the display screen (15) is substantially flat, the moving means (26) comprising an articulated arm (62) and a support (64) mechanically connected to the articulated arm (62) such that the display screen (15) can move between the first position and the second position.

9. A display system (60) according to claim 8, wherein the articulated arm (62) comprises a first half-arm (70) connected to the frame (16) and a second half-arm (68) connected to the support (64), the moving means (26) comprising a first electric motor (78) located at one end of the first half-arm (70) connected to the frame (16) and a second electric motor (80) located at a junction (76) between the first half-arm (66) and the second half-arm (68).

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