SCREEN DISPLAY DEVICE FOLLOWING THE STEERING COLUMN OF A VEHICLE

Abstract

A display device (DD) is fitted to a vehicle comprising a dashboard associated with a steering column (SC), and includes: - a screen (SC) fixedly attached to a first support (S1) and suitable for installation in a visible location on the dashboard and for displaying visual elements, - a projection unit (PU) suitable for projecting the visual elements onto the screen (SC), - a coupling element (CE) coupled to the projection units (PU) and the first support (S1), and - a second support (S2) to which the coupling elements (CE) and the first support (S1) are independently rotationally coupled, such that if the projection unit (PU) is fixed to the steering column (SC) and the second support (S2) to the dashboard, a first rotation of the latter causes a second rotation of the screen (SC). Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: SCREEN DISPLAY DEVICE FOLLOWING THE STEERING COLUMN OF A VEHICLE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to vehicles comprising a dashboard associated with a steering column, and more specifically to display devices intended to equip such vehicles to provide information to their drivers. State of the art

[0002] Some vehicles, generally of the automobile type, include a dashboard associated with a steering column, and a display device providing a dashboard function for their driver.

[0003] Some of these display devices include, on the one hand, a screen which is fixedly attached to a support and installed in a location on the dashboard visible to the driver (and in his axis) and responsible for displaying visual elements, and, on the other hand, a projection box responsible for projecting these visual elements onto this screen.

[0004] Here, "visual elements" means both shapes (possibly geometric), such as a speedometer or tachometer or gauge, and alphanumeric information (such as speed or temperature or level (of charge or fuel).

[0005] It will be understood that in this type of display device the screen is directly illuminated by the projection box, and is possibly transparent.

[0006] Currently, this type of display device is completely decoupled from the steering column, and therefore the entire projection unit / screen assembly can be rotated so that the driver can adjust the screen's angle relative to the horizontal plane so that it is not partially obscured by the steering wheel coupled to the steering column, as described in particular in document FR-B1 2 969 541. In other words, when the driver changes the angle of the steering column relative to the horizontal plane, they must then almost always change the screen's angle relative to this horizontal plane in order to be able to see the entire screen. It will be understood that this is not very practical and, moreover, is time-consuming.

[0007] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0008] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a display device, on the one hand, suitable for equipping a vehicle comprising a dashboard associated with a steering column, and, on the other hand, comprising a screen fixedly attached to a first support and suitable for being installed in a visible location on said dashboard and display visual elements, and a projection box suitable for projecting these visual elements onto this screen.

[0009] This display device is characterized by the fact that it also includes, on the one hand, a coupling element coupled to the projection boxes and first support, and, on the other hand, a second support to which the coupling elements and first support are independently rotationally coupled, so that in the event of fixing the projection box on the steering column and the second support to the dashboard, a first rotation of the latter causes a second rotation of the screen.

[0010] Thanks to the invention, the screen now has a spatial orientation that is a function of the spatial orientation of the steering column, which makes it possible for the driver to avoid having to adjust the angle of the screen relative to the horizontal plane to prevent it from being partially obscured by the steering wheel when he changes the angle of the steering column relative to this horizontal plane.

[0011] The display device according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0012] - its coupling element may comprise, on the one hand, a first coupled part to the projection unit and, rotating, to the second support, and, on the other hand, a second part coupled to the first support;

[0013] - its first support may include at least one cam track in which is designed to move a free end of a corresponding rod of the coupling element so as to cause the second rotation of the screen;

[0014] - in the presence of the last option, its first support may comprise two parallel arms and comprising respectively two identical and distant cam paths in which are suitable for movement the free ends of two corresponding rods projecting in opposite ways from the coupling element, the latter being partly installed between these two arms;

[0015] - in the presence of the first option and the last sub-option, the two rods may protrude from the second part;

[0016] - its coupling element can be coupled via a ball joint to the housing of projection;

[0017] - its coupling element can be extensible so that its length varies when a length of the steering column varies;

[0018] - in the presence of the first and last options, the first part of the element of coupling may include first and second sub-parts designed to slide relative to each other in order to allow variation in length.

[0019] The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, comprising, on the one hand, a dashboard associated with a steering column, and, on the other hand, a display device of the type presented above and having its projection housing fixedly attached to this steering column and its second support fixedly attached to this dashboard. Brief description of the figures

[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying CAD / CAM drawings (“Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing”), in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in a side perspective view, the components of an example of an embodiment of a display device according to the invention before assembly,

[0022] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the steering wheel side, the display device of the assembled [Fig. 1],

[0023] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a side view, the display device of the [Fig. 1] assembled,

[0024] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the windshield side, the assembled display device [Fig. 1], and

[0025] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, in a cross-sectional view in a longitudinal plane and vertical, part of the first support of the display device of [Fig.1] with the materialization of the second coupling rod of the coupling element. Detailed description of the invention

[0026] The invention aims in particular to provide a display device DA intended to equip a vehicle, with a dashboard associated with a steering column CD, to provide information to its driver, and comprising a display screen EA having a spatial orientation as a function of the spatial orientation of this steering column CD.

[0027] In what follows, the vehicle is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be of the automobile type. For example, a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates in fact to any vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air) comprising a dashboard associated with a steering column to which a steering wheel (or similar) is coupled.

[0028] In figures 1 to 5, the direction X is intended to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the direction Y is intended to be parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the direction Z is intended to be parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

[0029] As schematically illustrated in figures 1 to 4, a display device DA according to the invention is intended to be fixedly attached to the steering column CD of a vehicle (installed in a longitudinal and vertical plane XZ) and to the dashboard (not illustrated) of this vehicle, at a predefined location situated in the axis of this steering column CD and in the axis of the driver's seat (installed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle).

[0030] As illustrated, a display device DA, according to the invention, comprises a screen EA, a first support SI, a projection box BP, a second support S2 and a coupling element EC.

[0031] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the projection unit BP is intended to be fixed to the steering column CD, for example by clipping or screwing. Furthermore, this projection unit BP is arranged to project visual elements directly onto the screen EA (and more specifically onto its rear face, which is intended to be oriented towards the screen and the driver).

[0032] It should be noted that the term "visual elements" here refers to both shapes (possibly geometric), such as a speedometer, tachometer, or gauge, and alphanumeric information (such as speed, temperature, or a level (of charge or fuel)). Generally speaking, any shape and any information normally displayed or defined on a dashboard are visual elements.

[0033] Also as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the screen EA is fixedly attached to the first support SI, for example by clipping and / or screwing, and is suitable for installation in the aforementioned predefined location on the dashboard, so as to be visible to the driver. For example, this predefined location may be a hole (or recess) defined in the dashboard above the steering column CD, or an area located just above or slightly above the dashboard.

[0034] Furthermore, this EA screen is designed to display the visual elements projected by the BP projection unit onto its rear face. It should be noted that this EA screen may optionally be transparent, but this is not mandatory, as the important point is that it allows the driver to see all the visual elements it displays very clearly on its rear face.

[0035] Also as illustrated in figures 2 to 4, the coupling element EC is coupled to the projection housing BP and to the first support SI.

[0036] The second support S2 is intended to be fixed to the dashboard, for example by clipping or screwing. Furthermore, and as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the coupling element EC and the first support SI are rotationally coupled, independently, to the second support S2. The term "independently" here means that the coupling elements EC and the first support S1 are rotationally mounted. respectively on first A1 and second A2 axes distant from each other and preferably parallel to each other, as illustrated non-limitingly.

[0037] Thanks to the arrangement described above, when the steering column CD undergoes a first rotation (due to the driver's action), this causes a second rotation of the screen EA, due to the coupling of the projection housing BP (and therefore of the steering column CD) to the first support SI by the coupling element EC. It will be understood that the first rotation of the steering column CD causes a third rotation of the coupling element EC relative to the second support S2 (due to its coupling to the projection housing BP and the second fixed support S2), which then induces the second rotation of the screen EA relative to the second support S2 (and therefore relative to the dashboard).

[0038] Thus, the screen EA has a spatial orientation that is a function of the spatial orientation of the steering column CD, or in other words, the screen EA follows the rotating steering column CD. This prevents the driver from having to adjust the angle of the screen EA relative to the horizontal plane XY to avoid it being partially obscured by the steering wheel (coupled to the AV axis of the steering column CD and not shown) when changing the angle of the steering column CD relative to this horizontal plane XY. This is therefore very convenient and allows the driver to minimize the adjustment time.

[0039] It will be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 1 to 4, that the first support SI may include a second hole (possibly through) TF2 which is crossed at least partially by the second axis A2 protruding on the second support S2 (here on a bracket of the latter (S2)).

[0040] For example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 to 4, the coupling element EC may comprise first PI and second P2 parts coupled to each other. In this case, the first PI part is coupled to the projection housing BP and, for rotation, to the second support S2. To this end, the first PI part may include a first hole (optionally through-hole) TF1 which is at least partially traversed by the first axis Al projecting from the second support S2 (here on its bracket). Furthermore, the second P2 part is coupled to the first support SI (see [Fig. 5]) to cause the rotation of this first support SI (and therefore of the screen EA) relative to the second support S2 (and therefore relative to the dashboard).

[0041] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 to 4, the second part P2 is fixedly attached to the first part PI at an angle approximately equal to 90°. However, this angle can take other values ​​greater or less than 90°.

[0042] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 4 and 5, the first support S1 may include at least one cam track CCj in which is designed to move a free end of a corresponding rod Tj of the coupling element EC in order to cause the second rotation of the screen EA. It will be understood that since the first support SI is mounted for rotation on the second axis A2 of the second support S2, when the coupling element EC is driven in rotation with respect to the first axis Al of the second support S2 the free end of its (each) rod Tj moves in the corresponding cam track CCj, which causes the second rotation of the screen EA with respect to the second support S2 (and therefore with respect to the dashboard).

[0043] As illustrated, but not limited to, and at least partially shown in Figures 4 and 5, each cam track CCj may have a curvilinear shape, for example, a semi-circular shape. This facilitates the rotational drive of the first support SI. For example, the shape of each cam track CCj may be chosen according to a law governing the evolution of the screen's inclination angle EA as a function of the steering column's inclination angle CD.

[0044] Also, for example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 4], the first support SI may comprise two parallel arms Bj (j = 1 or 2), each comprising two identical and widely separated cam tracks CCj. In this case, the two rods T1 (j = 1) and T2 (j = 2) protrude in opposite directions from the coupling element EC, which is partially installed between the two arms B1 and B2. The free ends of the two rods T1 and T2 are then able to move respectively in the two corresponding cam tracks C1 and CC2. This arrangement facilitates the rotation of the first support SI.

[0045] It will be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in figures 1 to 4, that, when the coupling element EC comprises first PI and second P2 parts, the two rods T1 and T2 protrude from the second part P2, because it is the latter (P2) which is coupled to the first support SI.

[0046] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the coupling element EC can be coupled via a ball joint LR to the projection housing BP. This facilitates the rotation of the coupling element EC relative to the first axis Al of the second support S2.

[0047] To this end, the coupling element EC may, for example and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1, 3 and 4, comprise a hemispherical end housed in a hemispherical shell (possibly defined in at least two sub-parts) that comprises the projection housing BP. It will be understood that the hemispherical end and the hemispherical shell together define the ball joint LR. But an inverse arrangement can be envisaged, namely a hemispherical ball belonging to the projection housing BP and housed in a hemispherical shell (possibly defined in at least two sub-parts) of one end of the coupling element EC.

[0048] It will be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in figures 1 to 4, that, when the coupling element EC comprises first PI and second P2 parts, it is an end of the first part PI which participates in the ball joint LR, because it is this first part PI which is coupled to the projection box BP.

[0049] Also, for example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 to 4, the coupling element EC can be extendable so that its length varies when the length of the steering column CD varies. It will be understood that without this option it is not possible to vary the length of the steering column CD.

[0050] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 to 4, the first part PI can include first SP1 and second SP2 sub-parts which are designed to slide relative to each other in order to allow its variation in length (and therefore its extensibility).

Claims

Demands

1. Display device (DA) suitable for equipping a vehicle comprising a dashboard associated with a steering column (CD), and comprising i) a screen (EA) fixedly attached to a first support (SI) and suitable for being installed in a visible location on said dashboard and for displaying visual elements, and ii) a projection box (BP) suitable for projecting said visual elements onto said screen (EA), characterized in that it further comprises a) a coupling element (EC) coupled to said projection box (BP) and first support (SI), and b) a second support (S2) to which said coupling element (EC) and first support (SI) are independently rotationally coupled, such that in the event of said projection box (BP) being fixed to said steering column (CD) and said second support (S2) to said dashboard, a first rotation of said steering column (CD) causes a second rotation of said screen (EA).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said coupling element (EC) comprises i) a first part (PI) coupled to said projection housing (BP) and, by rotation, to said second support (S2), and ii) a second part (P2) coupled to said first support (SI).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first support (SI) comprises at least one cam track (CCj) in which a free end of a corresponding rod (Tj) of said coupling element (EC) is suitable for moving so as to cause said second rotation of said screen (EA).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said first support (SI) comprises two parallel arms (Bj) and comprising respectively two identical and distant cam tracks (CCj) in which free ends of two corresponding rods (Tj) projecting in opposite ways from said coupling element (EC) are suitable for moving, the latter (EC) being partly installed between said arms (Bj).

5. Device according to the combination of claims 2 and 4, characterized in that said rods (Tj) protrude from said second part (P2).

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said coupling element (EC) is coupled via a ball joint (LR) to said projection housing (BP).

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said coupling element (EC) is extensible so that its length varies when a length of said steering column (CD) varies.

8. Device according to the combination of claims 2 and 7, characterized in that said first part (PI) comprises first (SP1) and second (SP2) sub-parts adapted to slide relative to each other in order to permit said variation of length.

9. Vehicle comprising a dashboard associated with a steering column (CD), characterized in that it further comprises a display device (DA) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, with its projection housing (BP) fixedly attached to said steering column (CD) and its second support (S2) fixedly attached to said dashboard.

10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that it is of the automobile type.