Semi-transparent display device for an automotive dashboard

Abstract

A semi-transparent display device (105) for a motor vehicle dashboard comprises a display area formed in a thick sheet (201) of transparent material. The display area is semi-oblong in shape. Within the thickness of the transparent material, the display area includes an LCD matrix connected to an electronic control board (215). The display area is illuminated along its base edge by LEDs (219). The electronic control board is configured so that a display is visible only within a circular segment of the display area whose height is at least equal to the radius of the semicircle. A unit comprising such a device and a motor vehicle comprising the unit are also described. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig 2

Description

Title of the invention: Semi-transparent display device for a motor vehicle dashboard. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a semi-transparent display device for a motor vehicle dashboard, a handset comprising such a device and a motor vehicle comprising such a system. State of the art

[0002] Historically, automotive instrument clusters used needles and indicator lights to display vehicle parameters and information.

[0003] Then these handsets gradually incorporated displays, first segmented, then with color TFT (Thin Film Transistor) matrices.

[0004] This latter technology has become dominant and, currently, the majority of handsets use color TFT screens.

[0005] Furthermore, the need for transparent instrument clusters is emerging to improve cockpit ergonomics while allowing good visibility of the vehicle's external environment. Currently, two types of technology exist for this type of cluster: head-up displays that project an image onto a semi-transparent mirror, and transparent screens.

[0006] This latter type of screen can be illustrated by the transparent screen developed by Japan Display Inc. (JDI). It comprises a transparent plate containing a color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) matrix sandwiched within the material. A row of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) is positioned along the edge to illuminate the plate from the side. When the matrix is ​​inactive, the LED light passes through the plate, reflected by its surfaces, and is not perceived by the user. Activating a point on the LCD matrix creates an obstacle in the path of the light, which is then reflected back onto the surface of the plate at an angle that allows it to exit and become visible to the user. Thus, by controlling the LCD matrix, it is possible to display content on the transparent plate.

[0007] This technology is therefore interesting for the production of automotive instrument clusters. However, it is currently limited to rectangular screens, which has the disadvantage of limiting the possible shapes of the cluster.

[0008] There is therefore a real need for a transparent display device for the instrument cluster of a motor vehicle that resolves all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks. Description of the invention

[0009] To resolve one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks, according to a first embodiment, a semi-transparent display device for a motor vehicle dashboard comprises a display area formed in a thick sheet of transparent material, the display area being semi-oblong in shape with a perimeter comprising a semicircle extended tangentially by two straight line segments of equal lengths, the distal ends of the straight line segments being connected at right angles by a straight line segment, called the base, of a length equal to the diameter of the semicircle,The display area comprises, within the thickness of the transparent material, an LCD matrix connected to an electronic control board on one side by its base and on the other by a side comprising half of the semicircle and the straight line segment tangent to it. The display area is illuminated on its edge formed by the base by LEDs, and the electronic control board is configured so that a display is only visible within a circular segment of the display area whose height is at least equal to the radius of the semicircle.

[0010] Thus, it is possible to create handsets with semi-transparent displays of substantially circular shape.

[0011] Specific features or embodiments, usable alone or in combination, are: • the transparent sheet extends outside the display area; • The transparent sheet has the shape of a circular segment whose chord is parallel to the base; • the rope is at least as long as the base; and / or • The rope and the base are superimposed.

[0012] In a second embodiment, a motor vehicle combination unit includes a display device according to the first embodiment.

[0013] In a third embodiment, a motor vehicle includes a combination unit according to the second embodiment. Brief description of the figures

[0014] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the figures in the appendix in which: • [Fig. 1] represents a view of a motor vehicle dashboard with a handheld instrument and a semi-transparent display according to one embodiment; • [Fig.2] represents the display of [Fig.1] according to one embodiment; • [Fig.3] represents another version of the display of [Fig.1] with the simulation of the presence of a cache that only reveals the active part of the display; and • [Fig.4] represents the display of [Fig.2] with dimensions. Methods of implementation

[0015] The embodiments presented below refer to a motor vehicle, a car. However, those skilled in the art understand that they are also applicable to other types of vehicles, such as vans, trucks, etc.

[0016] The terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "transverse" are understood in relation to the vehicle.

[0017] With reference to [Fig.1], a motor vehicle 101 includes a handset 103 with a semi-transparent display device 105. In the embodiment presented, the semi-transparent display 105 appears to the user as a circular segment, that is to say, part of a disk cut by a string.

[0018] Fig. 2 represents the front-facing display device 105, without casing.

[0019] The device 105 includes a transparent plate 201 formed for example from glass or polycarbonate.

[0020] The transparent plate 201 comprises two parts, a central part 203 comprising a display in the form of an LCD matrix in the thickness of the transparent material and an outer part 205 without a display surrounding the central part 203.

[0021] The central part 203 has a semi-oblong shape with a perimeter comprising a semicircle 207 extended tangentially by two straight segments 209, 211 of equal lengths, the distal ends of the straight segments being connected at right angles by a straight segment 213, called base, of equal length to the diameter of the semicircle.

[0022] In this representation the base 213 is horizontal.

[0023] The outer part 205 has an outer perimeter forming an arc of a circle concentric with the semicircle of the central part 203. Thus, in its upper part, the outer part 205 forms a crown around the central part 203.

[0024] The LCD matrix consists of vertical columns and horizontal rows. The horizontal rows are connected to a control electronic board 215 by a path 217 passing along the right lateral edge of the central portion 203, that is, a side comprising half of the semicircle and the straight segment tangent to it. The columns are connected to the electronic board 215 by the base 213.

[0025] A row of LEDs 219 is positioned along the base 213 to illuminate the central part 203 by its edge.

[0026] The electronic board 215 is configured so that the liquid crystals located in zones 221 and 223 remain inactive. Zones 221 and 223 are defined as areas that extend the ring formed by the outer part 205 towards the base 213. Thus, for a user looking at the display, it will appear that the display shows the information in a circular segment whose height is at least equal to the radius of the semicircle 207.

[0027] It is understood that, by playing in particular on the thickness of the ring of the outer part 205, it is possible to obtain a visual effect of a circular display, [Fig.3]. In this figure, the parts outside the active part of the display have been greyed out to simulate the possible presence of a cover.

[0028] Fig. 4 allows us to express the relationships between the different quantities of the display device 105 in order to obtain the desired rendering.

[0029] Let D be the diameter of the semicircle of the display 203, d the thickness of the ring formed by the outer part 205 and h the height between the base and the center of the semicircle.

[0030] When the chord of the circular segment formed by the display 201 is the same length as the base, as in [Fig.4], we have the Pythagorean relation (D / 2 +d)2 = (D / 2)2 + h2.

[0031] If we assume that the size of the display is given, let D be fixed, then we can express for example the relation giving h as a function of d as being h = Square root (Dd + d2).

[0032] The invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description. This description is to be considered illustrative and given by way of example and not as limiting the invention to this single description. Numerous embodiments are possible.

[0033] In a first variant, the design of the display does not require the base to be horizontal. The assembly can be positioned differently, for example with the base oriented vertically on the right or left side, depending on the integration requirements of the display into the handset.

[0034] In a second variant, the length of the string of the circular segment formed by the display can also be strictly greater than the base.

[0035] In a third variant, the outer ring may have patterns, a frosted finish or any other fixed decorative or informative element.

Claims

Demands

1. Semi-transparent display device (105) for a motor vehicle dashboard comprising a display area formed in a thick sheet (201) of transparent material, the display area being semi-oblong in shape with a perimeter comprising a semicircle (207) extended tangentially by two straight line segments (209, 211) of equal lengths, the distal ends of the straight line segments being connected at right angles by a straight line segment (213), called the base, of a length equal to the diameter of the semicircle,the display area comprising within the thickness of the transparent material an LCD matrix connected to an electronic control board (215) on one side by the base and on the other side by a side (217) comprising half of the semicircle and the straight segment tangent to it, and the display area being illuminated on its edge formed by the base by LEDs (219), and the electronic control board is configured so that a display is only visible in a circular segment of the display area whose height is at least equal to the radius of the semicircle.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the transparent sheet extends outside the display area.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the transparent sheet has a circular segment shape whose chord is parallel to the base.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the rope is of length at least equal to the base.

5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the rope and the base are superimposed.

6. Motor vehicle combination comprising a device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Motor vehicle comprising a combination unit according to claim 6.

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