Vehicle interior trim including a display device

Abstract

Vehicle interior trim comprising a display device The vehicle interior trim comprises a display device comprising a projection surface (4), an indicator object (6) and a lighting device (8) comprising one or more light sources (10), the lighting device (8) being configured for lighting the indicator object (6) so as to generate a cast shadow (S1, S2) of the indicator object (6) on the projection surface (4), by varying the shape, size and / or position of the cast shadow (S1, S2) depending on an indication to be displayed. Figure for abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle interior trim comprising a display device

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle interior trim comprising a display device, in particular a motor vehicle interior trim.

[0002] A motor vehicle generally comprises display devices arranged on a dashboard or on a dashboard of the motor vehicle, the display devices being provided for displaying information such as the time, one or more parameters of the vehicle (speed, temperature of a fluid, filling of a tank, outside temperature, etc.), one or more parameters of a ventilation, heating and air conditioning system (set temperature, interior temperature of the vehicle, operating mode, etc.) and / or one or more parameters of an infotainment system (sound volume, selected source, operating mode, etc.).

[0003] It is possible to provide segment display devices, needle display devices, display devices comprising a liquid crystal screen or display devices comprising a light-emitting diode screen.

[0004] One of the aims of the invention is to propose a replacement solution for known display devices, while preferably being easy to produce, inexpensive to manufacture and ergonomic.

[0005] Another aim of the invention is to propose an innovative aesthetic effect making it possible to propose a new stylistic signature while improving the perceived quality.

[0006] To this end, the invention proposes a vehicle interior trim, comprising a display device comprising a projection surface, an indicator object and a lighting device comprising one or more light sources, the lighting device being configured for lighting the indicator object so as to generate a shadow cast by the indicator object on the projection surface, by varying the shape, size and / or position of the shadow cast as a function of an indication to be displayed.

[0007] The generation of a drop shadow whose shape, size and / or position varies depending on information to be displayed makes it possible to have a display device which can be used for displaying one or more pieces of information.

[0008] In particular embodiments, the vehicle interior trim includes one or more of the following optional features, taken individually: dually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0009] - the lighting device is configured for lighting the indicator object according to several different lighting configurations each generating a cast shadow different from the shadow cast by each of the other lighting configurations;

[0010] - the lighting device comprises several light sources;

[0011] - the light sources are arranged relative to the indicator object in such a way that the shape, size and / or position of the cast shadow differs depending on the light sources being on and the light sources being off.

[0012] - the light sources are distributed along an imaginary line, the line preferably comprises at least one curvilinear section and / or at least one rectilinear section;

[0013] - the line is closed, the light sources preferably surrounding the object in dictator;

[0014] - the light sources are distributed according to an arc of a circle, a circle, an arc of an ellipse, an ellipse, an arc of an oval, an oval, a straight line, or a polygon, especially a square or rectangle.

[0015] - in several or each of the lighting configurations, a portion only one of the light sources is on, the other light sources being off, wherein, in at least one or each of the lighting configurations, only one of the light sources is on, the other light sources being off, and / or wherein, in at least one or each of the lighting configurations, at least two of the light sources are on;

[0016] - each indication being for example located on the projection surface and / or on a border bordering the projection surface, the lighting device being configured to generate the cast shadow so as to selectively point each indication with the cast shadow;

[0017] - the light source(s) of the lighting device are arranged at the periphery of the projection surface;

[0018] - the indicator object comprises a control button, for example a button rotary and / or push button control;

[0019] - the display device is configured to indicate the time and / or a value of a or more operating parameters of a vehicle, for example a vehicle travel speed, an engine speed, a tank filling rate, an outside temperature, an inside temperature, a liquid temperature, a selected operating mode of a powertrain, a selected operating mode of a ventilation, heating and air conditioning system and / or a selected operating mode of an infotainment system.

[0020] The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely as a non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0021] - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic front view of an interior trim of vehicle comprising a display device;

[0022] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic sectional view of the display device, according to II-II on [Fig.l];

[0023] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic front view of an interior trim of vehicle comprising a display device according to a variant.

[0024] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a vehicle interior trim 1 comprises a display device 2 which comprises a projection surface 4, an indicator member 6 and a lighting device 8 comprising one or more light sources 10. The indicator member 6 is for example located on the projection surface 4.

[0025] The interior trim of vehicle 1 is for example a dashboard, a dashboard, a central console, a door panel, a ceiling light, a trim of a pillar, a seat back or an armrest.

[0026] The lighting device 8 is configured to illuminate the indicator member 6 so as to generate a cast shadow SI, S2 of the indicator member 6, the cast shadow SI, S2 being projected onto the projection surface 4, by varying the shape, size and / or position of the cast shadow SI, S2 as a function of information to be displayed.

[0027] The indicator object 6 whose shadow S1, S2 generated by the lighting device 8 is projected onto the projection surface 4 acts as a gnomon of the display device 2.

[0028] The display device 2 can be read by a user along an observation direction V ([Fig.2]) which is for example perpendicular to the projection surface 4. The observation direction V is here perpendicular to the plane of [Fig.1].

[0029] Alternatively, the observation direction V is inclined relative to the projection surface 4. This is the case, for example, when the display device 2 is mounted on a front part of a central console.

[0030] The display device 2 comprises for example a border 12 partially or completely bordering the projection surface 4.

[0031] The border 12 has for example an opening 14 through which the projection surface 4 is visible, in particular along the direction of observation.

[0032] The opening 14 has, for example, the shape of a circle, an arc of a circle, an oval, an arc of an oval, an ellipse, an arc of an ellipse or a polygon, possibly with rounded corners, in particular a regular polygon, for example in the shape of a square or a rectangle.

[0033] Preferably, the border 12 covers the lighting device 8, in particular the light sources 10. Thus, the border 12 masks the lighting device 8, more specifically the light sources 10, in particular when viewed along the observation direction V.

[0034] The indicator member 6 is for example mounted on the projection surface 4, in particular substantially in the center of the projection surface 4.

[0035] The indicator member 6 comprises for example a control button 18, in particular a rotary and / or push-button control button.

[0036] The control button 18 can be manipulated by a user, for example to control a functional system with which the control button 18 is associated.

[0037] The indicator member 6 comprises for example a base 20 ([Fig.2]) fixed relative to the projection surface 4, the control button 18 being mounted movably on the base 20.

[0038] In one example, the control button 18 is rotatable about an axis of rotation R. The axis of rotation R is for example perpendicular to the projection surface 4 on which the indicator member 6 is arranged.

[0039] The display device 2 comprises for example a support 22 ([Fig.2]) carrying the projection surface 4, the indicator member 6, the lighting device 8. Where appropriate, the border 12 covers the support 22 while leaving the projection surface 4 visible, in particular along the observation direction V.

[0040] The display device 2 preferably comprises an electronic control unit 24 ([Fig.2]) configured to control the lighting device 8 for the generation of a cast shadow S1, S2 as a function of the information to be displayed.

[0041] The electronic control unit 24 is for example connected to one or more functional systems 26, 28, 30 associated with the display device 2 to receive a display signal indicating information to be displayed, according to which the electronic control unit 24 controls the lighting device 8 to generate the appropriate cast shadow S1, S2.

[0042] Each light source 10 is for example arranged at the periphery of the projection surface 4 while being oriented towards the indicator member 6 to illuminate the indicator member 6 from the periphery of the projection surface 4.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting device 8 comprises several light sources 10.

[0044] The light sources 10 are for example distributed along an imaginary line which comprises for example one or more curvilinear sections and / or one or more rectilinear sections.

[0045] In examples, the imaginary line is an arc of a circle, a circle, an oval, an arc of an oval, an ellipse, an arc of an ellipse, a straight line or a polygon, optionally with rounded corners, in particular a regular polygon, for example a rectangle or square.

[0046] The light sources 10 are for example arranged along an arc of a circle, a circle, an oval, an arc of an oval, an ellipse, an arc of an ellipse, a straight line or a polygon, possibly with rounded corners, in particular a regular polygon, for example a rectangle or a square.

[0047] The imaginary line corresponds for example to the periphery of the projection surface 4 and / or to the edge of the border 12 delimiting the opening 14.

[0048] Preferably, the light sources 10 are arranged in such a way that each light source 10 illuminates the indicator object 6 in a respective lighting direction different from the lighting direction of each of the other light sources 10.

[0049] The indicator member 6 is arranged on the projected surface 6 and the light sources 10 are arranged around the indicator member 6.

[0050] In a particular example, as illustrated in [Fig.l], the light sources 10 are arranged in a circle around the indicator member 6. The indicator member 6 is centered on a central axis A of the imaginary circle defined by the light sources 10.

[0051] Each light source 10 is for example arranged to illuminate the indicator member 6 in a perpendicular lighting direction, and in the case of a circular configuration in a radial direction, relative to the central axis A.

[0052] As a variant, one or more light sources 10 are arranged to illuminate the indicator member 6, each following an oblique lighting direction, i.e. making a non-zero angle with the projection surface 4 and a non-zero angle with a normal to the projection surface 4.

[0053] When a border 12 is provided, the border 12 has an opening 16 of circular shape centered on the central axis A.

[0054] The lighting device 8 comprises for example several lighting configurations, each lighting configuration generating a respective cast shadow S1, S2, different from that generated by each other lighting configuration.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, in several of the lighting configurations or in each of the lighting configurations, only a portion of the light sources 10 is lit, the other light sources 10 being extinguished.

[0056] Each of the lighting configurations is for example associated with a respective group of light sources 10, the light sources 10 of the group being switched on in said lighting configuration while the other light sources 10 are switched off.

[0057] Each light source group 10 comprises one or more of the light sources 10.

[0058] Each group of light sources 10 comprises for example a source of light 10, two light sources 10, three light sources 10, four light sources 10 or more.

[0059] All the groups of light sources 10 are different. The two groups of light sources 10 of each pair of groups of light sources 10 are disjoint (they do not include any light source 10 common to the two groups of light sources 10) or partially overlap (they include at least one common light source 10).

[0060] Each light source 10 belongs to one or more groups of light sources 10. In other words, each light source 10 is lit in only one or more of the lighting configurations.

[0061] In an exemplary embodiment, in at least one or each of the lighting configurations, only one of the light sources 10 is switched on, the other light sources 10 being switched off.

[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, in at least one or each of the lighting configurations, at least two of the light sources 10 are lit.

[0063] The use of one or more light sources 10 in each lighting configuration makes it possible to impart a desired shape, a desired size and / or a desired position to the shadow cast by the indicator object 6 in said configuration.

[0064] In the example illustrated in [Fig.l], in a first lighting configuration, a first cast shadow SI (in full trains in [Fig.l]) is generated by a first group G1 of light sources 10 formed by two circumferentially offset light sources 10, which make it possible to form a first projected shadow of triangular shape directed radially in a first direction.

[0065] In a second lighting configuration different from the first lighting configuration, a second cast shadow S2 (shown in dotted lines in [Fig.l]) is generated by a second group G2 of light sources 10 circumferentially offset relative to the light sources 10 of the first group Gl. The second cast shadow S2 is of the same triangular shape and the same size as the first cast shadow S1 but points radially in a second direction different from the first direction.

[0066] Optionally, the display device 2 comprises a plurality of indications, arranged for example on the projection surface 4 and / or, where appropriate, on the border 12. Each indication is for example formed of one or more alphanumeric characters and / or a pictogram.

[0067] In [Fig.l], indications formed by the letters “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “E”, “F”, “G”, “H” are present on the border 12, being distributed circumferentially around the projection surface 4.

[0068] The lighting device 2 is configured to selectively generate one of several drop shadows, each drop shadow designating a respective indication among the plurality of indications.

[0069] In particular, each lighting configuration of the lighting device 2 generates a respective cast shadow towards a respective indication among the indications of the display device 2.

[0070] The indications correspond for example to a graduation relating to a parameter, in which case the lighting device is configured to generate a drop shadow indicating the value of the parameter on the graduation.

[0071] The indications correspond for example to an operating mode of a system associated with the display device, in particular a functional system of the vehicle, in particular a functional system which can be controlled using the control button 18 of the indicator member 6.

[0072] The display device 2 is for example connected to one or more functional systems 24, 28, 30 of a vehicle for the display of information relating to these functional systems 26, 28, 30.

[0073] The functional systems 26, 28, 30 comprise for example a powertrain, a heating and air conditioning ventilation system and / or an infotainment system.

[0074] The display device 2 is for example configured to display the time and / or a value of one or more operating parameters of a vehicle, for example a travel speed of the vehicle, an engine speed, a filling rate of a tank, an outside temperature, an inside temperature, a temperature of a liquid, a selected operating mode of a powertrain, a selected operating mode of a ventilation, heating and air conditioning system and / or a selected operating mode of an infotainment system.

[0075] In operation, the electronic control unit 24 receives a signal indicating information to be displayed and controls the lighting device 8 as a function of the information to be displayed, so as to generate a cast shadow whose shape, size and / or position corresponds to the information to be displayed, in particular a cast shadow whose position corresponds to information to be displayed.

[0076] In the example illustrated in Figures 1, the electronic control unit 24 receives for example a signal indicating that the information “A” must be displayed, and the electronic control unit 24 controls the lighting device 8 to implement the first lighting configuration in which the light sources 10 of the first group G1 are switched on and the other light sources 10 are switched off, so as to generate a needle-shaped shadow SI pointing towards the indication “A”.

[0077] When the display device 2 is intended to display several different pieces of information, originating for example from one or more functional systems of a vehicle, the display device 2 has for example a plurality of display configurations selectable via a human-machine interface (for example a physical or virtual selection button), each display configuration corresponding to the display of a respective parameter among the plurality of parameters.

[0078] The invention is not limited to the examples and variants described above, other examples and other variants being conceivable.

[0079] The light sources 10 are not necessarily arranged in a circle around the indicator member 6. The light sources 10 can be distributed differently.

[0080] In one example, as illustrated in [Fig.3], the light sources 10 are arranged in a square around the indicator member.

[0081] Other arrangements of the light sources 10 are conceivable.

[0082] The light sources 10 are not necessarily arranged around the indicator member 6. The light sources 10 may only partially surround the indicator member 6.

[0083] In a variant of the example of [Fig.l], the light sources 10 are arranged along an arc of a circle partially going around the projection surface 4.

[0084] In a variant of the example of [Fig.3], the light sources 10 are arranged on only part of the sides of the square, for example on one side only, two sides only or three sides only.

[0085] As indicated previously, in different examples, the light sources 10 are arranged along an arc of a circle, a circle, an arc of an oval, an oval, an arc of an ellipse, an ellipse, a polygon, a rectilinear line, a curvilinear line or a line comprising at least one curvilinear section and / or at least one rectilinear section.

[0086] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to have an original display device using the shadow cast by an indicator member projected onto a projection surface to display information, for example to point to an indication.

[0087] In an embodiment not shown, the light source(s) are integrated into a trim element projecting from the projection surface, for example integrated into the armrest module of a central console, at height or flush. In this embodiment, the display surface may be in continuity with the surface of the trim element.

Claims

Claims

1. Vehicle interior trim, comprising a display device (2) having a projection surface (4), an indicator object (6) and a lighting device (8) comprising one or more light sources (10), the lighting device (8) being configured for lighting the indicator object (6) so as to generate a cast shadow (SI, S2) of the indicator object (6) on the projection surface (4), by varying the shape, size and / or position of the cast shadow (SI, S2) depending on an indication to be displayed, characterized in that the indicator member (6) is mounted on the projection surface (4).

2. A covering according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device comprises a plurality of light sources (10).

3. A covering according to claim 2, wherein the light sources (10) are arranged relative to the indicator object in such a way that the shape, size and / or position of the projected shadow differs depending on which light sources (10) are on and which light sources (10) are off.

4. Covering according to claim 3, in which the light sources are distributed along an imaginary line, the line preferably comprises at least one curvilinear section and / or at least one rectilinear section.

5. A covering according to claim 4, wherein the line is closed, the light sources preferably surrounding the indicator object.

6. Covering according to any one of claims 2 to 5, in which the light sources (10) are distributed according to an arc of a circle, a circle, an arc of an ellipse, an ellipse, an arc of an oval, an oval, or a polygon, in particular a square or a rectangle.

7. A covering according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein, in several or each of the lighting configurations, only some of the light sources (10) are lit, the other light sources (10) being off, wherein, in at least one or each of the lighting configurations, only one of the light sources (10) is lit, the other light sources (10) being off, and / or wherein, in at least one or each of the lighting configurations, at least two of the light sources (10) are lit.

8. Dressing according to any one of the preceding claims,

9.

10. comprising indications, each indication being for example located on the projection surface (4) and / or on a border (12) bordering the projection surface (4), the lighting device (8) being configured to generate the cast shadow (SI, S2) so as to selectively point each indication with the cast shadow (SI, S2). A covering according to any preceding claim, wherein the indicator object (6) comprises a control button (18), for example a rotary and / or push button. A trim according to any preceding claim, wherein the display device is configured to indicate the time and / or a value of one or more operating parameters of a vehicle, for example a vehicle travel speed, an engine speed, a tank filling rate, an outside temperature, an inside temperature, a liquid temperature, a selected operating mode of a powertrain, a selected operating mode of a ventilation, heating and air conditioning system and / or a selected operating mode of an infotainment system.

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