Vehicle dashboard with sliding display screen

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle dashboard (100) comprising a main display screen (110) and a receiving and securing area (120) for a smartphone (200), integrated into the dashboard (100). The main display screen (110) is configured to slide so that in a first position (A), it obscures the receiving and securing area (120); and in a second position (B), it uncovers the receiving and securing area (120) for positioning and securing the smartphone (200). Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle dashboard with sliding display screen. Technical field and technological background.

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle dashboard, as well as a vehicle comprising it.

[0002] For the purposes of this description, reference will be made to a direct orthonormal coordinate system XYZ illustrated in [Fig. 1], classically used in automotive design. In this XYZ coordinate system, the X-axis designates the front-to-rear longitudinal direction of the vehicle, oriented towards the rear; the Y-axis designates the transverse direction, and is oriented towards the right of the vehicle; the Z-axis designates the vertical direction, and is oriented upwards.

[0003] Generally, a driver of a motor vehicle stores their smartphone in a storage space within the vehicle's passenger compartment, such as a center console or a storage box. This storage space is usually difficult to access while driving for phone use. If the driver wishes to access their phone for use while driving, there are mounting systems that attach to the vehicle's dashboard to secure the smartphone. For example, a clip can be positioned on the dashboard's air vents to hold the phone. However, this is detrimental to the ventilation function, as the phone then disrupts the airflow passing through the vents.Alternatively, a suction cup can be attached to a flat surface on the dashboard or the vehicle's windshield, but there is a risk of the suction cup detaching. Furthermore, these solutions are unsightly in relation to the dashboard design.

[0004] Public notice has been given for patent application EP4117969 Al disclosing a dashboard incorporating means for securing a mobile phone. The dashboard comprises a sliding panel which, in a first position, conceals a receiving and securing area for the mobile phone. In a second position, the panel exposes the receiving and securing area for positioning the mobile phone. The mobile phone is held in place by being pinched between an edge of the receiving and securing area and an edge of the panel. However, the panel is located to the right of a display device on the dashboard and slides away from the display device, and therefore from the driver of the vehicle, making it relatively difficult for the driver to reach and operate from their seat.

[0005] There is therefore a need for a dashboard incorporating means of receiving and fixing a smart mobile phone which are easily handled by a driver of the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a vehicle dashboard comprising: - a main display screen, and - a receiving and securing area for a smartphone, integrated into the dashboard; said main display screen being configured to slide so that: - in a first position, it obscures the receiving and fixing area, and - in a second position, it uncovers the receiving and fixing area for positioning and fixing the smartphone.

[0007] Thanks to the sliding mechanism of the main display screen, the smartphone is more easily positioned on the designated mounting area for the driver. The smartphone is easily accessible to the driver while driving. It does not interfere with any dashboard function. The phone mounting means are integrated into the dashboard, which improves the smartphone's stability. In the first position of the main display screen, the receiving and mounting area is concealed, thus preserving the dashboard's aesthetics.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the main display screen is configured to slide along a transverse or vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0009] According to one variant, the main display screen is configured to slide along the transverse direction, in a positive direction along the transverse direction, i.e. in particular away from a steering wheel of the vehicle.

[0010] According to one variant, the main display screen is configured to slide along the vertical direction, in a positive direction along the vertical direction, i.e. in particular upwards.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the receiving and fixing area includes a wall configured to receive a rear face of the smart mobile phone.

[0012] According to one variant, the surface of the wall of the receiving and fixing area comprises a material shaped to allow adhesion of the rear face of the smart mobile phone to the wall of the receiving and fixing area.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the dashboard includes a spring configured to, in the second position, exert a restoring force on the main display screen so that the smartphone is held by being pinched between an edge of the receiving and fixing area and an edge of the main display screen.

[0014] According to one variant, the receiving and fixing area is configured so that, in the second position of the main display screen, the screen of the smart mobile phone is in the same plane as the main display screen.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the receiving and fixing area is configured so that, in the first position of the main display screen, the main display screen covers the smart mobile phone when it is positioned on the receiving and fixing area.

[0016] According to one variant, the wall of the receiving and fixing area includes an edge, a spring being configured to exert a restoring force on said edge so that the smart mobile phone is held by being pinched between the edge of the receiving and fixing area and the edge of the wall of the receiving and fixing area.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the dashboard includes a storage box located behind the receiving and fixing area.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the receiving and fixing area is configured for inductive charging of the smart mobile phone.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the main display screen can slide up to a maximum width typical of a smartphone, for example up to 8 or 9 cm.

[0020] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a dashboard according to the invention.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the vehicle, in particular an electronic vehicle control unit, is configured to connect with a smartphone so as to extend a display on the smartphone and the main display screen, when the main display screen of the dashboard is in the second position, the smartphone being positioned on the receiving and fixing area.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the vehicle is configured to connect to the smartphone via Bluetooth® or a cable.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the vehicle, in particular an electronic vehicle control unit, is configured so that audio information is displayed on the smart mobile phone and navigation information is displayed on the main display screen. Brief description of the figures

[0024] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will clearly explain what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented. In the accompanying figures:

[0025] [Fig.1] [Fig.1] represents an XYZ coordinate system classically used in automotive design;

[0026] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] shows a view of an example dashboard with the screen main display in first position;

[0027] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] presents a view of a variant of the example dashboard with the main display screen in second position;

[0028] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] presents a view of another variant of the example table of edge with the main display screen in second position. Detailed description

[0029] The figures illustrate different views and configurations of an example of a vehicle dashboard incorporating a sliding main display screen and a receiving and fixing area for a smartphone.

[0030] Fig. 1 shows the reference planes and coordinate axes used to describe the movements and positions of the dashboard components 100. Fig. 2 shows a view of the dashboard with the main display screen 110 in position A, obscuring the receiving and mounting area 122. Figures 3 and 4 show variants of the main display screen 110 in position B, uncovering the receiving and mounting area 122 with a smartphone 200 attached.

[0031] The example vehicle dashboard 100 includes a main display screen 110 and a receiving and securing area 120 for a smartphone 200. The main display screen 110 is configured to slide between a first position A and a second position B. In the first position A, the main display screen 110 obscures the receiving and securing area 120, while in the second position B, it uncovers the receiving and securing area 120 to allow the smartphone 200 to be positioned and secured.

[0032] The main display screen 100 is configured in particular to display information and / or form a control panel for in particular vehicle navigation, or media players connected to the vehicle or a vehicle radio, or other functions of the vehicle or devices connected to the vehicle.

[0033] In particular, in the first position A of the main display screen 110, the receiving and mounting area 122 is no longer accessible for positioning the smartphone 200, or for accessing it if it is already positioned on the positioning and mounting area 122, where this is possible. Specifically, in the first position A, the main display screen 110 is in a central position on the instrument panel 100, for example, so that the driver can interact with it by touch.

[0034] The main display screen 110 can slide along a transverse Y direction or a vertical Z direction of the vehicle. In one configuration, the main display screen 110 slides along the transverse Y direction, in a positive +Y direction along the transverse Y direction, i.e., away from the steering wheel 150 of the vehicle. In another configuration, the main display screen 110 slides along the vertical Z direction, in a positive +Z direction along the vertical Z direction, i.e., upwards.

[0035] In particular, the receiving and fixing zone 120 includes a wall 122 configured to receive a rear face of the smartphone 200. The surface of the wall 122 of the receiving and fixing zone 120 may include a material shaped to allow adhesion of the rear face of the smartphone 200 to the wall 122.

[0036] According to one embodiment, a spring is configured to, in the second position B, exert a restoring force on the main display screen 110 so that the smartphone 200 is held by being pinched between an edge 121 of the receiving and securing area 120 and an edge 111 of the main display screen 110. In particular, the receiving and securing area 120 is configured so that, in the second position B of the main display screen 110, the screen of the smartphone 200 is in the same plane as the main display screen 110. This facilitates interaction by a vehicle occupant on the screen of the smartphone 200 and the main display screen 110.

[0037] According to an alternative embodiment, in the first position A of the main display screen 110, the main display screen 110 covers the smartphone 200 when it is positioned on the receiving and securing area 120. The wall 122 of the receiving and securing area 120 may include an edge 123. In particular, a spring is configured to exert a restoring force on the edge 123 so that the smartphone 200 is held by being pinched between the edge 121 of the receiving and securing area 120 and the edge 123 of the wall 122. Specifically, the edge 123 extends from the surface of the wall 122 of the positioning and securing area 120, to a height less than the distance separating the wall 122 and a rear face of the main display screen 110, so as to do not disrupt the sliding of the main screen 110.

[0038] The dashboard 100 may also include a storage box located behind the receiving and fixing area 120.

[0039] The receiving and fixing area 120 can be configured for inductive charging of the 200 smartphone.

[0040] In particular, the dashboard 100 includes a space behind the wall 122 of the receiving and fixing area 120. In a particular configuration, the box of The storage compartment is formed by the space in the dashboard behind the panel 122. The panel 122 of the receiving and mounting area 120 is itself sliding to allow access to the storage box. In another specific configuration, an inductive charging module is housed in the space in the dashboard behind the panel 122.

[0041] The main display screen 110 can slide up to a maximum width typical of a smartphone 200, for example up to 8 or 9 cm.

[0042] An example of a motor vehicle 300 includes the dashboard 100.

[0043] In particular, when the main display screen 110 of the dashboard 100 is In position B, and with the smartphone 200 positioned on the receiving and mounting area 120, the vehicle 300 is configured to connect to the smartphone 200 in such a way as to extend the display on both the smartphone 200 and the main display screen 110. Specifically, the vehicle 300 can connect to the smartphone 200 via Bluetooth® or a cable. Audio information can be displayed on the smartphone 200 and navigation information on the main display screen 110. Other operating modes for the smartphone 200 and the main display screen 110 are also possible.

[0044] The invention offers several advantages, notably the seamless integration of a smartphone 200 into the dashboard 110 of the vehicle 300, enabling convenient and secure use of the phone's 200 functions while driving. The sliding system of the main display screen 110 provides an elegant solution for concealing or revealing the receiving and mounting area 120, which is easily operated from the driver's seat.

[0045] The holding mechanisms for the smartphone 200 are integrated into the dashboard 100. The user therefore no longer needs to add an element to the dashboard for the attachment of the smartphone 200.

Claims

Demands

1. Vehicle dashboard (100) comprising: - a main display screen (110), and - a receiving and securing area (120) for a smartphone (200), integrated into the dashboard (100); said main display screen (110) being configured to slide so that: - in a first position (A), it obscures the receiving and securing area (120), and - in a second position (B), it uncovers the receiving and securing area (120) for positioning and securing the smartphone (200).

2. Instrument panel (100) according to claim 1, wherein the main display screen (110) is configured to slide along a transverse (Y) or vertical (Z) direction of the vehicle.

3. Dashboard (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiving and fixing area (120) comprises a wall (122) configured to receive a rear face of the smart mobile phone (200).

4. Dashboard (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a spring configured to, in the second position (B), exert a restoring force on the main display screen (110) so that the smartphone (200) is held by being pinched between an edge (121) of the receiving and fixing area (120) and an edge (111) of the main display screen (110).

5. Dashboard (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the receiving and fixing area (120) is configured so that, in the second position (B) of the main display screen (110), the screen of the smart mobile phone (200) is in the same plane as the main display screen (110).

6. Dashboard (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the receiving and fixing area (120) is configured such that, in the first position (A) of the main display screen (110), the main display screen (110) covers the smart mobile phone (200) when positioned on the receiving and fixing area (120).

7. Dashboard (100) according to the preceding claim and claim 3, wherein the wall (122) of the receiving and fixing area (120) comprises an edge (123), a spring being configured to exert a restoring force on said edge (123) so that the smartphone (200) is held by being pinched between the edge (121) of the receiving and fixing area (120) and the edge (123) of the wall (122) of the receiving and fixing area (120).

8. Dashboard (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a storage box located behind the receiving and fixing area (120).

9. Dashboard (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the receiving and fixing area (120) is configured for inductive charging of the smart mobile phone (200).

10. Motor vehicle comprising a dashboard (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. Motor vehicle according to the preceding claim, the vehicle being configured to connect with a smartphone (200) so as to extend a display on the smartphone (200) and the main display screen (110), when the main display screen (110) of the instrument panel (100) is in the second position (B), the smartphone (200) being positioned on the receiving and fixing area (120).

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