Upholstery element including a retractable blackout panel

Abstract

Upholstery element comprising a retractable obscuring element. The invention relates to an upholstery element (1) comprising an image generation device (32, 33, 34) configured to project an image onto a display surface (36) defining a first display area (18) opposite a first viewing area (20) and a second display area (25) opposite a second viewing area (30). The upholstery element (1) comprises an obscuring element (40) movable between a retracted position in which each display area (18, 25) is visible from each viewing area (20, 30), and a deployed position in which the obscuring element (40) obscures at least the second display area (25) from the first viewing area (20). Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Upholstery element comprising a retractable blackout element

[0001] The present invention relates to a trim element of the type comprising:

[0002] - a lower part extending between an internal surface and an external surface opposite to the inner surface,

[0003] - an upper part extending opposite and away from the lower part according in a direction of elevation, the upper part extending between an internal surface and an external surface opposite the internal surface along the direction of elevation, the internal surface of the upper part extending opposite the external surface of the lower part,

[0004] the trim element comprising at least one display device defining at least a first display area extending opposite a first observation area and a second display area extending opposite a second observation area,

[0005] the display device comprising at least one image generation device disposed in the upper part, and at least one display surface defining the first and / or second display area, each display surface extending between the inner surface of the upper part and the outer surface of the lower part, each image generation device being configured to project at least one image onto at least one of the display surfaces, each display surface being configured to reflect the images projected by at least one of the image generation devices towards the first and / or second viewing area.

[0006] Passenger transport vehicles today offer vehicle occupants access to a wide range of information related to the vehicle (fuel level, status of vehicle lights, etc.) or to the external environment, for example (weather, risk of black ice, air pollution, etc.). Furthermore, an increasing number of distractions, such as audiovisual content, are offered to vehicle occupants, and in particular to (non-driving) passengers.

[0007] Each piece of information and / or audiovisual content is generally displayed on one or more screens, or display surfaces, located in the vehicle and which direct said content towards the eyes of the vehicle's occupants. Usually, the information and content displayed are visible to all occupants of the vehicle.

[0008] However, it is sometimes desirable to display content specifically for one occupant of the vehicle, and which is not visible to other occupants of the vehicle, for example for reasons of confidentiality of the content viewed, or for the purpose of limiting distractions due to screens in the vehicle, as these distractions are particularly likely to disrupt the driver's driving.

[0009] One of the aims of the invention is therefore to propose a trim element comprising a display device that allows the occupants of the vehicle to have confidentiality regarding the content displayed by the display device and / or to limit distractions to certain occupants of the vehicle related to the content displayed by the display device.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a trim element characterized in that the trim element comprises a movable occulting element between a retracted position in which each display area is visible from each observation area, and a deployed position, in which the occulting element obscures at least the second display area from the first observation area, and in which the occulting element extends at least between the upper part and the display surface.

[0011] Since the occulting element is movable between a retracted position in which each display area is visible from each observation area, and a deployed position, in which the occulting element obscures at least the second display area from the first observation area, it is possible to visually separate the two display areas from each observation area.

[0012] In other words, the obscuring element, in the deployed position, prevents the occupants of the vehicle located in the first observation zone from viewing content displayed on the second display zone, the occupants of the vehicle located in the second observation zone can view said content on the second display zone in complete confidentiality.

[0013] Similarly, the occupants of the vehicle located in the first observation zone, not being able to see the content displayed on the second display zone, are not distracted by said content.

[0014] Such an obscuring element then offers confidentiality to certain occupants of the vehicle, and limits distractions to other occupants of the vehicle.

[0015] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the filling element comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0016] - the obscuring element comprises a first end integral with the su part perieure;

[0017] - the obscuring element comprises a first end fixed to the surface external ;

[0018] - each display surface is a semi-reflective blade extending in a way inclined relative to the direction of elevation between the internal surface of the upper part peri and the external surface of the lower part;

[0019] - the display device comprises a single display surface defining the first and second display areas;

[0020] - the display device comprises at least two image generation devices, at least one image generation device being configured to project at least one image onto the first display area of ​​the display surface, another image generation device being configured to project at least one image onto the second display area of ​​the display surface;

[0021] - the obscuring element comprises a free end bearing on the surface display in the deployed position of the obscuring element, the free end being positioned against the internal surface of the upper part in the retracted position of the obscuring element;

[0022] - the obscuring element is formed of a plurality of articulated blades, the blades ar ticulated sections being stacked one on top of the other in the retracted position of the obscuring element and being deployed one after the other in the direction of elevation in the deployed position of the obscuring element. ;

[0023] - the obscuring element has moved from the retracted position to the deployed position by a pressure-operated mechanism; and

[0024] - the trim element comprises a plurality of obscuring elements.

[0025] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0026] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a schematic representation of a trim element according to the invention.

[0027] With reference to [Fig. 1], a vehicle trim element 1 is described according to a first embodiment of the invention. Such a trim element 1 forms, for example, a vehicle dashboard, a center console, a door panel, or the like.

[0028] The trim element 1 comprises a body 2 arranged to give its general shape and mechanical characteristics to the trim element 1. The body 2 comprises at least a lower part 4 extending between an internal surface 6 and an external surface 8 opposite the internal surface 6. The lower part 4 extends into a part of the vehicle's passenger compartment visible to at least one occupant of the vehicle.

[0029] The body 2 further comprises an upper part 10 extending opposite and away from the lower part 4 in an elevation direction Z.

[0030] The elevation direction Z is for example a direction connecting the floor of the vehicle to the roof of the vehicle, corresponding to the height of the vehicle.

[0031] The upper part 10 extends between an internal surface 12 and an external surface 14 opposite the internal surface 12 along the elevation direction Z. In particular, the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10 extends opposite the external surface 8 of the lower part 4, along the elevation direction Z.

[0032] In the example shown in [Fig.1], the trim element 1 is a dashboard and the lower part 4 extends in front of the occupants of a vehicle and serves as a support for several functional elements, such as an instrument panel, an audio and / or air conditioning system, etc.

[0033] Thus, when the trim element 1 is a dashboard, the upper part 10 extends cantilevered over the external surface 8 of the lower part 4, as shown in [Fig.1], like a protective cover for the external surface 8.

[0034] Advantageously, the external surface 8 of the lower part 4 has a satisfactory appearance and gives its appearance to at least part of the trim element 1.

[0035] Similarly, advantageously the external surface 14 of the upper part 10 has a satisfactory appearance and gives its appearance to at least part of the trim element 1.

[0036] The trim element 1 includes at least one display device 16 extending over the external surface 8 of the lower part 4, the display device defining at least a first display area 18 extending opposite a first observation area 20 and a second display area 25 extending opposite a second observation area 30.

[0037] The driver's seat of the vehicle is, for example, installed in the first observation zone 20 and the passenger seat of the vehicle is, for example, installed in the second observation zone 30.

[0038] The display device 16 includes at least one image generation device. According to the embodiment of [Fig. 1], the display device 16 includes three image generation devices 32, 33, 34 arranged in the upper part 10.

[0039] Each image generation device 32, 33, 34 is integrated into the upper part 10, or is assembled on the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10.

[0040] Each image generation device 32, 33, 34 is for example a screen capable of generating and projecting visual content towards the external surface 8 of the lower part 4.

[0041] In the example, the three image generation devices 32, 33, 34 are arranged successively next to each other according to the width of the vehicle, i.e. in a left-right direction of the vehicle.

[0042] For example, the first image generation device 32 is intended to generate and project informative content related to the vehicle or the driving of the vehicle, useful to the driver of the vehicle.

[0043] For example, the second image generation device 33 is intended to generate and project informative content related to the vehicle or driving the vehicle, useful for the driver of the vehicle and / or distracting visual content for a passenger in the vehicle.

[0044] For example, the third image generation device 34 is intended to generate and project distracting visual content for a passenger in the vehicle.

[0045] The display device 16 further includes a display surface 36 defining the first and / or second display area 18, 25.

[0046] In the embodiment of [Fig.1], the display device 16 comprises a single display surface 36 defining the first and second display areas 18,25.

[0047] The display surface 36 extends between the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10 and the external surface 8 of the lower part 4.

[0048] Each image generation device 32, 33, 34 is configured to project at least one image onto the display surface 36 and the display surface 36 is configured to reflect the images projected by the image generation devices 32, 33, 34 towards the first and second observation zones 20, 30.

[0049] In the embodiment of [Fig.1], the first display area 18 is formed of two display sub-areas 18A, 18B, respectively referred to as the conductive area and the central area.

[0050] Each display sub-zone 18A, 18B extends opposite the first observation zone 20.

[0051] For example, the conductive display sub-zone 18A is located opposite the first image generation device 32. The first image generation device 32 is then configured to project content onto the conductive display sub-zone 18A.

[0052] Similarly, the central display sub-zone 18B is located opposite the second image generation device 33. The second image generation device 33 is then configured to project content onto the central display sub-zone 18B.

[0053] Finally, the second display area 25 is located opposite the third image generation device 34. The third image generation device 34 is then configured to project content onto the second display area 25.

[0054] The display surface 36 is for example a semi-reflective blade extending at an angle with respect to the elevation direction Z between the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10 and the external surface 8 of the lower part 4.

[0055] The relative inclination between the display surface 36 and the image generation devices 32, 33, 34 makes it possible to create an image reflected by the display surface 36 in a plane located behind the display surface 36 in the form of a virtual image, in particular between the external surface 8 of the lower part 4 and the display surface 36. The displayed image is then perceived as floating for the occupant of the vehicle, who visualizes the image not directly on the display surface 36 but behind the display surface 36.

[0056] For example, the display surface 36 is made of glass or of plastic material such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

[0057] The semi-reflective blade is configured to reflect at least part of the light rays received from the image generation devices 32, 33, 34 towards the first and second observation zones 20 and 30.

[0058] By "configured to reflect" it is understood that a light ray with a wavelength between 400 nm and 750 nm is partially reflected by the semi-reflective plate when it strikes an external face and / or an internal face of the semi-reflective plate.

[0059] The semi-reflective blade is at least partly transparent.

[0060] Thus, particularly when the image-generating devices 32, 33, 34 are inactive, the external surface 8 of the lower part 4 is visible to an occupant inside the vehicle's passenger compartment through the semi-reflective blade. Furthermore, when at least one of the image-generating devices 32, 33, 34 is active, the external surface 8 of the lower part 4 is visible to an occupant inside the vehicle's passenger compartment through the semi-reflective blade, outside and / or at the periphery of the corresponding display area, reinforcing the impression of a floating image.

[0061] According to the invention, the trim element 1 comprises a blackout element 40 movable between a retracted position in which each display area 18, 25 is visible from each observation area 20, 30, and a deployed position, in which the blackout element 40 blackouts at least the second display area 25 from the first observation area 20, in particular by deploying the blackout element in the area located between the upper part 10 and the display surface 36 and / or between the upper part 10 and the external surface 8.

[0062] The shading element 40 is made of an opaque material and comprises, for example, a rigid frame, for example, provided with an elastomeric coating, such as rubber. By opaque, it is understood that the shading element 40 prevents the passage of light tending to pass through the shading element 40. In other words, light diffused on one side of the shading element 40 is not visible on the other side of the shading element 40.

[0063] Optionally, the blackout element 40 includes a decorative layer giving the blackout element 40 a particular aesthetic appearance.

[0064] The blackout element 40 has, for example, a thickness between 2 mm and 4 mm.

[0065] In the embodiment of [Fig. 1], the obscuring element 40 is formed of a A plurality of hinged blades 42. The blackout element 40 is, for example, foldable and unfoldable by a specific arrangement of the hinged blades 42 with each other. For example, each hinged blade 42 extends between an end fixed to a hinge point of the blackout element 40 and a free end. The blades 42 are connected to each other at the hinge point and slide over one another, by rotation of the free ends around the hinge point, like a fan.

[0066] For example, the hinged blades 42 are stacked one on top of the other in the retracted position of the obscuring element 40 and are deployed one after the other along the elevation direction Z in the deployed position of the obscuring element 40.

[0067] In the embodiment of [Fig. 1], the obscuring element 40 comprises a first end 44 attached to the upper part 10.

[0068] The articulation point is for example located at the level of the first end 44.

[0069] In particular, the first end 44 is, for example, fixed on the inner surface 12 of the upper part 10.

[0070] The obscuring element 40 includes a free end 46 opposite the first end 44, along the elevation direction Z, in the deployed position of the obscuring element 40.

[0071] In the deployed position of the obscuring element 40, the free end 46 rests on the display surface 36. Thus, in the deployed position, the obscuring element 40 fills the space between the display surface 36 and the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10 in the elevation direction Z.

[0072] In the retracted position of the obscuring element 40, the free end 46 is disposed against the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10. In particular, in the retracted position of the obscuring element 40, the free end 46 is for example folded over the first end 44.

[0073] According to an alternative, not shown, the blackout element 40 is stored in a housing provided in the upper part 10 in the retracted position.

[0074] According to one variant, the blackout element 40 is for example formed of a single rigid piece, and is movable in translation between the deployed position, in which the blackout element 40 extends between the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10 and the external surface 8 of the lower part 4, and the retracted position, in which the blackout element 40 is stored in said housing provided in the upper part 10.

[0075] The obscuring element 40, for example, is moved from the retracted position to the deployed position by a pressure-actuated mechanism. In particular, the mechanism is of the "push-push" type.

[0076] Such a mechanism allows the transition from the retracted position to the deployed position by simply pressing on the obscuring element 40. Such a mechanism is particularly aesthetic since it does not require the presence of a visible operating mechanism on the trim element 1, such as a handle or button or other.

[0077] In order to implement this mechanism, the occulting element 40 is for example attached to a spring, not shown, which is compressed when the occulting element is in the retracted position and which extends when the occulting element 40 is in the deployed position.

[0078] A retaining element allows the spring to be held in the compressed state in the retracted position of the obscuring element 40. By pressing on the obscuring element 40, the spring is for example released from the retaining element and causes the obscuring element 40 to deploy.

[0079] In one variant, the blackout element 40 is for example moved from the retracted position to the deployed position by a motorized, automated or manually controlled mechanism, using a mechanical button or a touch interface.

[0080] As mentioned previously, the occulting element 40 in the deployed position occults the second display area 25 from the first observation area 20.

[0081] In other words, the obscuring element 40, which extends between the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10 and the display surface 36, forms a visual barrier between the first observation zone 20 and the second display zone 25 so that the light emitted by the third image generation device 34 and reflected by the second display zone 25 is not visible to the person or persons sitting in the first observation zone 20.

[0082] Thus, an occupant of the vehicle located in the first observation zone 20, who does not wish to see the content displayed by the third image generation device 34 on the second display zone 25, deploys the obscuring element 40 between the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10 and the display surface 36. The content displayed by the third image generation device 34 on the second display zone 25 is then obscured by the obscuring element 40 for the occupant located in the first observation zone 20, and visible for an occupant located in the second observation zone 30. Distractions due to the visual content displayed on the second display zone 25 are therefore limited for the occupant located in the first observation zone 20.

[0083] Similarly, an occupant of the vehicle located in the second observation zone 30, who does not wish the content displayed by the third image generation device 34 on the second display zone 25 to be visible to an occupant located in the first observation zone 20, deploys the obscuring element 40 between the inner surface 12 of the upper part 10 and the display surface 36. The content displayed by the third image generation device 34 on the second display zone 25 is then visible to the occupant located in the second zone observation zone 30, and is obscured by the obscuring element 40 for an occupant located in the first observation zone 20. The confidentiality of the content viewed by the occupant in the second observation zone 30 is then preserved.

[0084] Variants, not shown, of the embodiment described above will now be briefly detailed. It is understood that the invention covers any technically feasible combination of the first embodiment and the variants described below.

[0085] In a first variant, the display device 16 comprises a single image generation device configured to project one or more images onto the respective display areas 18, 25 depending on the content generated by the image generation device.

[0086] In a second variant, the display device 16 comprises a plurality of display surfaces 36. In particular, the display device 16 comprises a driver display surface, a central display surface, and a passenger display surface.

[0087] According to this variant, it is then technically possible for the free end 46 of the obscuring element 40 to be fixed to the external surface 8 of the lower part 4, and for the first end 44 of the obscuring element 40 to be movable along the elevation direction Z between the retracted position, in which the first end 44 is located in contact with the external surface 8 of the lower part 4, and the deployed position, in which the first end 44 is located in contact with the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10. According to this example, the obscuring element 40 extends, in the deployed position, between two display surfaces, and between the lower part 4 and the upper part 10.

[0088] According to another example of this variant, the blackout element 40 is stored in a housing provided in the lower part 4 in the retracted position.

[0089] According to another embodiment, the trim element 1 comprises several obscuring elements 40. For example, the trim element 1 comprises a second obscuring element movable between a retracted position in which each display area 18, 25 is visible from each observation area 20, 30, and a deployed position, in which the second obscuring element obscures the central display sub-area 18B from the first observation area 20. This advantageously makes it possible to offer an extended display area for the vehicle occupant located in the second observation area 30, without disturbing the driver located in the first observation area 20 who therefore only sees the information relating to driving the vehicle, displayed in the driver display sub-area 18A.

[0090] Notwithstanding the embodiments described above, the trim element 1 according to the invention has many advantages.

[0091] Since the occulting element 40 is movable between a retracted position in which each display area 18, 25 is visible from each observation area 20, 30, and a deployed position, in which the occulting element 40 obscures at least the second display area 25 from the first observation area 20, it is possible to visually separate the two display areas 18, 25 from each observation area 20, 30.

[0092] Thus, the occupants of the vehicle located in the second observation zone 30 can view content displayed on the second display zone 25 in complete confidentiality.

[0093] Similarly, the occupants of the vehicle located in the first observation zone 20 are not distracted by the content displayed on the second display zone 25.

[0094] Such an obscuring element 40 then offers confidentiality to certain occupants of the vehicle, and limits distractions to other occupants of the vehicle.

Claims

Demands

1. Upholstery element (1) comprising a body (2) comprising: - a lower part (4) extending between an internal surface (6) and an external surface (8) opposite the internal surface (6), - an upper portion (10) extending opposite and away from the lower portion (4) in an elevation direction (Z), the upper portion (10) extending between an internal surface (12) and an external surface (14) opposite the internal surface (12) in the elevation direction (Z), the internal surface (12) of the upper portion (10) extending opposite the external surface (14) of the lower portion (4), the trim element (1) comprising at least one display device (16) defining at least a first display area (18) extending opposite a first observation area (20) and a second display area (25) extending opposite a second observation area (30), the display device (16) comprising at least one image generation device (32, 33, 34) disposed in the upper portion (10), and at moins une surface d'affichage (36) définissant la première et / ou deuxième zone d'affichage (18, 25),each display surface (36) extending between the inner surface (12) of the upper part (10) and the outer surface (8) of the lower part (4), each image generation device (32, 33, 34) being configured to project at least one image onto at least one of the display surfaces (36), each display surface (36) being configured to reflect the images projected by at least one of the image generation devices (32, 33, 34) towards the first and / or second viewing area (20, 30), characterized in that the trim element (1) comprises a blocking element (40) movable between a retracted position in which each display area (18, 25) is visible from each viewing area (20, 30), and a deployed position in which the blocking element (40) blocks at least the second display area (25) from la première zone d'observation (20),and in which the obscuring element (40) extends at least between the upper part (10) and the display surface (36).

2. Trimming element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the blackout element (40) comprises a first end (44) integral with the upper part (10).

3. Trimming element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the obscuring element (40) comprises a first end (44) integral with the external surface (8).

4. Trim element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each display surface (36) is a semi-reflective blade extending at an angle with respect to the elevation direction (Z) between the inner surface (12) of the upper part (10) and the outer surface (8) of the lower part (4).

5. Trim element (1) according to claim one of the preceding claims, wherein the display device (16) comprises a single display surface (36) defining the first and second display areas (18, 25).

6. A trim element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display device (16) comprises at least two image generation devices (32, 33, 34), at least one image generation device (32, 33) being configured to project at least one image onto the first display area (18) of the display surface (36), another image generation device (34) being configured to project at least one image onto the second display area (25) of the display surface (36).

7. Trim element (1) according to any one of the preceding, wherein the blackout element (40) includes a free end (46) bearing on the display surface (36) in the deployed position of the blackout element (40), the free end (46) being disposed against the internal surface (12) of the upper part (10) in the retracted position of the blackout element (40).

8. Trim element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blackout element (40) is formed of a plurality of hinged blades (42), the hinged blades (42) being stacked one on top of the other in the retracted position of the blackout element (40) and being deployed one after the other along the elevation direction (Z) in the deployed position of the blackout element (40).

9. A trim element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the obscuring element (40) is moved from the retracted position to the deployed position by a pressure-actuated mechanism.

10. Filling element (1) according to any one of the claims previous ones, comprising a plurality of obscuring elements (40).

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