Stretchable display device for vehicles

Abstract

The stretchable display device includes a flexible foil display (18) reinforced by a flexible foil display carrier (24). The foil display (18) and foil display carrier (24) are flexed into and out of the housing (12) by at least one actuator (36). The at least one actuator (36) has a lower end (48) supported within the housing (12) and an upper end connected to the upper end of the foil display carrier (24). The housing (12) includes a guide device (52) for redirecting the foil display (18) and foil display carrier (24) as the display (16) extends and retracts.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a stretchable display device for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, televisions with rollable displays for the consumer sector have been developed, which use flexible foil displays in OLED technology, supported by a foil display carrier with individual, segmented foils.

[0003] In the automotive sector, it may be desirable to be able to store the displays commonly used today when not in use. In this respect, flexible foil displays are also conceivable in the automotive sector. Stretchable vehicle displays are known from German Patent Application No. 10 2019 127 570, which is related to a German patent application filed earlier and published later than the present application, as well as from European Patent Application No. 1 637 387 and US Patent Application No. 2017 / 0217290.

[0004] When using flexible foil displays in vehicles, there is a problem of shocks acting on the display device in the vehicle, which is unfavorable for maintaining the stability of the flexible foil display in the stretched state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 102019127570 [Patent Document 2] European Patent Application Publication No. 1637387 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0217290 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a stretchable display device for a vehicle that has a flexible display, and that provides stability of the flexible display in a stretched state even in the event of vibrations that occur when driving. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve this problem, the present invention proposes a stretchable display device for a vehicle, comprising: a flexible foil display in OLED technology having a front surface with a viewing surface, a rear surface, and a top area adjacent to the top area with a main area of ​​the foil display extending to a bottom edge of the foil display; a flexible foil display carrier fixed to the foil display at its rear surface or connected to the foil display, in particular via an intermediate layer made of elastic material, the flexible foil display carrier having an upper end region adjacent to a main region of the foil display carrier extending to a lower end of the foil display carrier, the upper end region of the foil display carrier abutting the upper end region of the foil display and being reinforced or reinforcingable in the upper end region; a housing into which the foil display can be retracted together with the foil display carrier, and from which the foil display can be extended together with the foil display carrier; at least one motor-driven, length-variable actuator having a first end supported in and / or against the housing and a second end to which a top end section of the foil display carrier is fixed; and a guide device within the housing for guiding the foil display and foil display carrier in at least a portion of their main area along a radius of curvature of less than 180 degrees, or less than 135 degrees, or less than 90 degrees when at least a portion of the main area of ​​the foil display and foil display carrier is extended from the housing and retracted back into the housing by changing the length of at least one actuator. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] An advantage of the present invention is that at least one motor-driven, length-variable actuator is used for extending and retracting the foil-like display. The flexible foil-like display is reinforced by a foil-like display carrier that is also flexible and may comprise, for example, a metal foil. The flexible foil-like display implemented in OLED technology has display surfaces on its front and rear sides. At its upper edge, the foil-like display further comprises a top region adjacent thereto. The top region is adjacent to a main region that extends to the lower edge of the foil-like display. Similarly, the foil-like display carrier is divided into a (notional) top region and a main region. In the top region, the foil-like display carrier is reinforced. At least one motor-driven, length-variable actuator is fixed to the rear side of the foil-like display carrier at its top region and operates in this area.

[0009] The display device according to the present invention further comprises a housing into which the foil display can be retracted together with the foil display carrier, and from which the foil display and the foil display carrier can be extended, such that when the foil display and the foil display carrier are fully retracted, at least a portion of their upper end regions can still protrude from the housing.

[0010] The housing is provided with a guide device for guiding the foil display and foil display carrier in at least a portion of their main area along a radius of curvature extending over an angle of less than 180 degrees, or less than 135 degrees, or less than 90 degrees, or more generally along a line of curvature. This guide device only affects the direction change of the main area of ​​the foil display and foil display carrier in the housing, but does not affect the winding process. This has the advantage that the foil display and foil display carrier can be curved significantly when the display device is in a retracted state. That is, in particular, when the direction change is made by, for example, about 90 degrees, the foil display and foil display carrier extend further in a straight line after the change. This requires a certain depth of the housing, which is usually acceptable in view of the structural space conditions in the area of ​​the vehicle's instrument panel.

[0011] By providing the flexible foil display carrier in the form of a foil, for example made of metal, it is possible to stabilize the flexible foil display all over. By arranging a number of length-variable actuation devices next to each other and distributed across the width of the foil display and the foil display carrier, additional support, i.e. stabilization, of the flexible foil display is achieved. Shocks occurring during travel cannot therefore act in the form of vibrations of the foil display.

[0012] In an advantageous development of the invention, at least one actuator comprises at least two actuator elements arranged between a first end and a second end, with adjacent actuator elements being slidably guided against and / or within each other. Here, telescopic actuators with, for example, spindle drives can be used. However, other length-variable actuator designs with extension drives can also be used.

[0013] To achieve a variable-length actuator with as flat a structure as possible, it is advantageous for the actuator to comprise a first, substantially C-shaped actuator profile element with a closing surface and an opening surface; a second, substantially C-shaped actuator profile element slidably guided within the first actuator profile element and with a closing surface and an opening surface, the closing surface facing the closing surface of the first actuator profile element; and a third, substantially C-shaped actuator profile element slidably guided within the second actuator profile element and with a closing surface and an opening surface, the closing surface covering the opening surface of the second actuator profile element. The C-shaped profile of each actuator element has a rear wall in the form of a substantially straight strip. The upper and lower edges of this rear wall, which are separated from each other, are bent, resulting in a "flat C" cross section. The nesting of these three elements as described above allows for the extension stroke typically required for display devices found in the automotive field. This also relates to displays of a size that can be advantageously used in the automotive field.

[0014] Instead of using a plurality of motor-driven actuators, additional reinforcement and stability of the display device in the stretched state can also be achieved by at least one length-variable support with a first end supported on the housing and a second end to which the upper end section of the foil-like display carrier is fixed. Such a support does not have a drive, i.e. has support elements that are telescopically telescopic or otherwise slidably guided relative to one another.

[0015] With regard to the configuration of the length-adjustable support, it is also advantageous for the support to comprise an approximately C-shaped first support profile element having a closed surface and an open surface, a second support profile element also approximately C-shaped and slidably guided within the first support profile element, having a closed surface and an open surface, the closed surface facing the closed surface of the first support profile element, and a third support profile element also approximately C-shaped and having a closed surface and an open surface, the closed surface covering the open surface of the second support profile element.

[0016] The foil display can be kept stretched and taut by at least one motor-driveable actuator and possibly by a support, whereby the actuator(s) or the support(s) advantageously abut against the rear surface of the display carrier and the support and in this respect support the foil display against forces acting on the display surface. In order to also protect the foil display against "pulling forces", according to an advantageous development of the invention, the at least one actuating device or at least one of its support elements and / or, if present, the at least one support or at least one of its support elements, has an inner surface facing the foil display carrier, on which an accommodation groove is formed or arranged, and at least one holding element protrudes from the back surface of the foil display carrier away from the foil display and is arranged in a main area of ​​said foil display carrier, i.e. on an imaginary line facing the accommodation groove when the foil display and foil display carrier are extended and retracted, the at least one holding element moving into the accommodation groove when the foil display and foil display carrier are extended and moving out of the accommodation groove when the foil display and foil display carrier are retracted. In this case, it is preferred if the at least one holding element has an end configured to be expanded or bent in the direction away from the foil display carrier and to fit into an accommodation slit of the accommodation groove. Preferably, the receiving groove of at least one actuating device or at least one support is open at its end toward the lower housing, and the holding element can enter this opening. The holding element is prevented from moving out of the receiving slit of the receiving groove by an enlarged end portion that enters the receiving groove. In this way, the foil display is held in the actuating device or support even when a moment acts on the foil display, which would otherwise lead to the foil display carrier being separated from the actuating device or support.

[0017] As mentioned above, the foil display and foil display carrier still protrude slightly from the housing in their retracted state. If this is undesirable, i.e. if the foil display and foil display carrier need to be entirely contained within the housing, it is advantageous if the at least one actuator and, if provided, the at least one support are pivotally mounted at their respective first ends in the housing for pivoting the upper end sections of the foil display and foil display carrier in their retracted state into the housing.

[0018] It may be preferable that the actuator or the support is pivotally mounted so that the second end of the actuator and, if provided, the second end of at least one support is articulated in the upper end region of the foil-like display carrier.

[0019] Next, by pivoting the actuator and / or the support, the upper end regions of the foil-like display and the foil-like display carrier are curved into the housing. However, if the foil-like display carrier is stretched together with the foil-like display, the support and the actuator need to be arranged as close as possible to the foil-like display carrier. However, such an arrangement is not favorable for the curvature of the foil-like display and the foil-like display carrier in their upper end regions. Therefore, in a further preferred configuration of the present invention, in the retracted state of the foil-like display and the foil-like display carrier, the first end of the at least one actuator and, if provided, the first end of the at least one support can be displaced from the back surface of the foil-like display carrier and can pivot into the housing in the displaced position, and specifically, in the pivoted state, the curvature of a partial region of the main region adjacent to the upper end region of the foil-like display and the foil-like display carrier is defined by an abutment element arranged in the housing.

[0020] As briefly mentioned above, multiple actuators may be used. In that case, it is conceivable to use, for example, two actuators arranged on either side of the foil display and foil display carrier and connected to the upper end region of the foil display carrier. In such a configuration of these actuators, or one actuator and one support, both actuators or one support and one actuator, in the retracted state, may be rotatable, in order to move the protruding parts of the foil display and foil display carrier, which still protrude from the housing in the retracted state, into the housing. The lower ends of the actuators and the support must be rotatable, as mentioned above, but no additional parts are required to allow translation.

[0021] When the upper end regions of the foil display and foil display carrier are pivoted into the housing, the aforementioned edges are accommodated along a curvature. In order to define and determine the curvature, it is conceivable to provide abutment elements in the housing that are arranged laterally on the foil display or foil display carrier and support it from the sides. The abutment elements cause a predetermined, minimally permissible curvature at the edges of the typically reinforced foil display and foil display carrier. It is therefore advantageous, not only with regard to guiding the foil display and foil display carrier when accommodating the display device, but also with regard to avoiding material fatigue and associated damage to the foil display, that the radius of curvature does not fall below a predetermined minimum value.

[0022] In a further preferred configuration of the invention, the guide device comprises two guide slits opposite each other, and the foil display carrier has side edges extending along its main area, from which guide pins project or protrude laterally, interacting with the guide slits to guide the foil display carrier. The guide slits act like links along which the guide pins are guided. The guide pins project from the foil display carrier on their side edge sides.

[0023] Just as the top section of the foil display carrier is reinforced, the main section of the foil display carrier can also have a reinforcement zone at its bottom end, spaced apart from the top section. This reinforcement zone can be used to support or otherwise fasten the carrier element to the carrier element, which supports a rigid or flexible printed circuit board. This is because the driving of the OLED elements of the foil display needs to move with the foil display and foil display carrier when the display is extended and retracted, so that flexible cabling can be avoided.

[0024] The guide device further comprises two guide bodies facing each other, rotatably mounted, each having a curved outer edge, and the guide bodies rotate when the foil display and foil display carrier are extended and retracted, and at this time, can support the foil display carrier from its side edges. These guide bodies support the foil display carrier from its side edges and can be used in addition to the guide pins and guide slits of the guide device. The guide bodies are mechanically coupled to the foil display carrier for transmitting power to the foil display carrier when the foil display and foil display carrier are retracted and retracted.

[0025] It may be advantageous if the guide body is configured as a partial disk body extending over an angle of less than 180 degrees or less than 135 degrees or less than 90 degrees, i.e. the guide body may be configured as a semicircular or quarter-circular disk, so to speak.

[0026] As an alternative to a partial disk body, the guide body may also be configured as a partial ring body extending over an angle of less than 180 degrees or less than 135 degrees or less than 90 degrees.

[0027] In order for the guide bodies to be able to mechanically interact with the foil display carrier when retracted and, if necessary, when extended, the guide bodies preferably have transmission ends that interact with the foil display carrier. A transmission pin that protrudes toward the side edge of the foil display carrier may be arranged at the transmission end of each guide body, and the transmission pin enters a pin receiving portion of the foil display carrier. In this case, it is even more advantageous if the transmission pin of the guide body enters, as a guide pin, into a guide slit of the guide device. That is, the transmission pin has the function of a guide pin. Here, the foil display carrier may have further guide pins that can be arranged along the side edges of the main section.

[0028] As mentioned above, the foil display carrier can contribute to the retraction of the foil display when the at least one actuator is retracted. The rigidity of the foil display carrier can be effectively utilized, even though the flexibility required for changing direction within the housing is still present. However, it is essentially safer if the guide device comprises a compressive stress unit for automatically retracting the foil display and the foil display carrier. Advantageously, the compressive stress unit can apply a tension force when the at least one actuator is extended, and can remove the tension force for the retraction of the at least one actuator to retract the foil display and the foil display carrier.

[0029] It may be preferable that the compressive stress unit includes at least one drive lever with a pivot bearing and spring mechanism, for example a torsion spring, a helical spring or a coil spring provided in its pivot bearing. The at least one drive lever is mechanically coupled to one of the guide bodies. It is further preferable that the compressive stress unit includes two drive levers, each mechanically coupled to a separate guide body.

[0030] To further reinforce the foil display in the stretched state, a reinforcement carrier with a reinforcement lamina is arranged on the back side of the foil display carrier away from the foil display, and the reinforcement lamina of the reinforcement carrier, which extends perpendicular to the stretching direction of the foil display and the foil display carrier, is fixed to the foil display carrier along a strip-shaped region. If at least one retaining element is provided, it can be arranged on one of the reinforcement laminas, or if multiple retaining elements are provided, the multiple retaining elements can be arranged on different reinforcement laminas. Each reinforcement lamina can be connected to the back side of the foil display carrier over its entire height and / or width, preferably via a flexible intermediate layer and adhesively. The reinforcement lamina can have a core made of a flexible material, such as metal, coated with plastic. They can be flexibly connected, for example, by film hinges or other structural connections. If holding elements for holding the foil display and the foil display carrier are provided against the actuator and the support in the extended state, these holding elements can be arranged against the foil. The same applies to the guide pins of the guide device. The above-mentioned guide bodies can also support the reinforcing foil from its side edges, instead of abutting the foil display carrier as described above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] The invention will now be explained in more detail based on various embodiments and with reference to the drawings. [Figure 1-6] 1A and 1B illustrate a first embodiment of a stretchable vehicle display. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B show a second embodiment of a stretchable vehicle display. [Figure 8-11] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams illustrating the extension and retraction mechanism for a third embodiment of a retractable vehicle display. [Figure 12-13]1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a variable length actuator or variable length support; [Figure 14-25] 10A-10C show details of further embodiments of a stretchable display having various structures for guiding the flexible display during retraction and extension. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of a stretchable display device 10 for a vehicle. The display device 10 comprises a housing 12 having a closed top surface 14 with a slit hole (not shown). A display 16 can be extended substantially linearly from the slit hole and can be retracted back into the slit hole. The display 16 comprises an OLED foil display 18 defining a display surface 20 covered with a protective film. The foil display 18 and the cover film 22 are flexible and can be turned along a curvature line within the housing 12. A thin foil display carrier 24 is provided on the back surface of the foil display 18. The foil display carrier 24 is connected, in particular, entirely to the back surface of the foil display 18, for example by gluing, and is additionally reinforced in its upper end region 26, for example by a plate 28. A main region 30 of the foil display carrier 24 adjoins the upper end region 26. The foil display 18 also has a top region 32 and an adjacent main region 34 .

[0033] On the back surface of the foil display carrier 24, a variable-length actuator 36 is arranged, in this embodiment, in the center, with two equally variable-length supports 38 arranged on either side. The variable-length actuator 36 is driven by a motor; therefore, a motor 40 and a transmission 42 are shown in FIG. 5. The supports 38 are variable in length, extending apart when the actuator 36 is extended and contracting together when the actuator 36 is retracted. In this embodiment, the actuator 36 and supports 38 are telescopically extendable, but other methods of achieving the variable length of these elements are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0034] The upper ends 44, 46 of the actuator 36 and the support 38 are fixed to the reinforcing plate 28. They are supported at their lower ends 48, 50 within the housing 12, as only shown briefly in the drawings. For example, the above elements could be supported within the housing on a cross member extending parallel to the display 16.

[0035] Guide devices 52 are provided inside the housing 12. The guide devices 52 are located on both side edges 54 of the display 16 and ensure that the flexible display 16 turns approximately 90 degrees along a line of curvature 56 when extended and retracted.

[0036] 1 to 3 show display device 10, or more precisely, in different views, with display 16 of display device 10 in a fully extended position, while Figures 4 and 5 show display device 10 with display 16 in a fully retracted position. In the retracted position, display 16 is not fully recessed within housing 12, and can be seen to protrude from an opening (not shown) formed in top surface 14 of display 16.

[0037] Two further embodiments of stretchable display devices 10a, 10b are shown, partially in schematic form, in Figures 7-11. The construction of these embodiments allows the display 16 to be fully contained within the housing 12.

[0038] To this end, according to Fig. 7, the display 16 is positioned between two motorized, extendable actuators 36 arranged along the side edges 54 of the display 16. A straight double arrow indicates the extension and retraction of the actuators 36. The actuators 36 are pivotally mounted at their lower ends around pivot points 58 within the housing 12. When the display 16 is fully retracted, a situation similar to that shown in Figs. 4 and 5 occurs. The upper end of the display 16, which still protrudes upward, can be folded back into the housing 12 by rotating the retracted actuators 36.

[0039] 8 to 11 show diagrammatically how this folding can be achieved when the actuator 36 and, if present, the support 38 are located behind the display 16, as in the embodiment of the display device 10. FIG. 8 shows the display in a fully extended state. The actuator 36 is symbolically shown. FIG. 9 shows the actuator 36 in its maximally retracted state. Now, to be able to fold the protruding area of ​​the display 16 into the housing 12, the lower end 48 of the actuator 36 must first be displaced from the display 16 (see arrow 59a), since otherwise there is a risk of bending the display 16 when rotating the actuator 36. After displacing the lower end 48, the situation shown in FIG. 10 results. The actuator 36 can now be pivoted from above into the housing 12 (see arrow 59b). For this purpose, the top surface 14 can be opened, e.g., by a blind structure, resulting in the situation shown in FIG. 11. When the display 16 is folded completely into the housing 12 as shown in FIG. 11, the abutment elements 60 ensure that the display 16 curves in a defined manner in its upper region.

[0040] 12 and 13 are two views showing a telescoping or length-variable structure that applies not only to the actuator 36 but also to the support 38 (FIG. 13 shows this structure only diagrammatically). Both elements comprise three supports or support elements 62, 64, 66 in the embodiment described here. These supports or support elements 62, 64, 66 are each formed as approximately C-shaped profile elements, as shown in FIG. 12, which guide each other and provide linear guidance by means of ball bearings. The advantage of the structure according to FIG. 12 is that it is flat. In FIG. 13, slits 68 are shown in each profile element 62, 64, 66. During extension, mushroom-shaped retaining elements 69 are inserted into these slits 68. The retaining elements 69 protrude from the foil display carrier 24 at its rear side. This secures the display 16 in the extended position to the actuator 36 or support 38, preventing it from unintentionally becoming detached from these elements.

[0041] Figure 14 shows an alternative configuration of the foil display carrier 24. In this configuration, the foil display carrier 24 has a reinforcement zone 70 in its lower region, from which protrudes a plate-like carrier element 72. The carrier element 72 carries a circuit board 74 with electronics for driving the pixels of the foil display 18. Protruding laterally from the reinforcement zone 70 are guide pins 76 which fit into guide slits 77 of the guide device 52 and redirect the lower region of the foil display carrier 24 along the line of curvature 56 inside the housing 12 (see Figure 15).

[0042] Maintaining the curvature of foil display carrier 24 along line of curvature 56 is aided by two guide bodies 78. These guide bodies 78 are configured as partial disk bodies 80 (see FIGS. 16 and 17) or partial ring bodies 82 (see FIGS. 18 and 19), both of which have curved outer edges 84. When actuator 36 is retracted, guide bodies 78 are subjected to compressive stress in the direction of arrow 86 in FIG. 16 or 18, helping to maintain the curvature of foil display carrier 24 and foil display 18 as they are retracted into housing 12.

[0043] 16 and 18 both show the guide bodies 78 in a compressively stressed position, in which the display 16 is fully extended. When the actuator 36 is then retracted, the corresponding guide body 78 rotates in the direction of arrow 86, and its curved outer edge 84 abuts the side edge of the foil display carrier 24, defining and supporting its curvature. When the display 16 is in its fully retracted position (see FIGS. 17 and 19), the corresponding guide body 78 will be in the position shown in the corresponding figure.

[0044] The guide bodies 78 interact, in particular with the side edges of the foil display carrier 24, for example by means of transmission elements in the form of transmission pins, to provide a mechanical connection therebetween which can assist in drawing the foil display carrier 24 and the foil display 18 into the housing 12.

[0045] 20 to 22 show how the guide body 78, configured in this embodiment as a partial ring body 82, can pivot its transmission end 88, which interacts with the foil-like display carrier 24. In FIG. 20, the display 16 is shown in its fully extended position. The partial ring body 82 is shown pivoted upward. In the first stage of retraction of the display 16, the display 16 moves downward as indicated by the straight arrow 90, which also causes the partial ring body 82 to move linearly downward. In this process, the partial ring body 82 further rotates about its transmission end 88 in the direction of the arrow, i.e., it completely guides the combined linear movement and rotational movement about a rotation center 93 displaced laterally downward. The situation shown in FIG. 21 then arises. From this situation, further retraction or retraction assistance of the display 16 occurs as described in FIGS. 18 and 19, ultimately resulting in the situation shown in FIG. 22, with the display 16 in its fully retracted state.

[0046] 23 shows that the display 16 can be further reinforced by reinforcing sheets 94. The individual sheets 94 can have a plastic-coated core 96, in which case the resin material is formed as film hinges 98 between adjacent sheets 94. The individual sheets 94 are adhesively connected to the foil-like display carrier 24 by elongated adhesive strips 100. The sheets 94 can be hinged to one another in ways other than by film hinges 98, for example made of resin. In this case, purely mechanically operating joints with a joint axis are also suitable.

[0047] Finally, Figures 24 and 25 further illustrate the compressive stress mechanism. This compressive stress mechanism applies a spring compressive stress to the guide body 78 in the position shown in Figures 18 and 20, more precisely, by a compressive stress unit 102 acting in the direction of arrow 86. The compressive stress unit 102 includes a spring mechanism 104 including a drive lever 106, more precisely, one for each guide body 78. The drive lever 106 is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis 108 on which a tension spring 110 is disposed. The drive lever 106 is connected to the guide body 78, and when the display 16 is extended, the drive lever 106 interacts with the guide body 78 to apply a compressive stress to the tension spring 110. This is also achieved by driving the actuator 36. In the extended state where the guide body 78 is in the position shown in Figure 16 or Figure 18, tension is applied to the tension spring 110, so that when the actuator 36 retracts, the tension spring 110 rotates with the guide body 78, thereby assisting in retracting the display 16. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10 Display device 10a Display device 10b Display device 12 Housing 14 Top of housing 16 Display 18 OLED-Foil Display 20 Display surface 22 Cover film 24 Foil display carrier 26 Top end region of foil display carrier 28 Reinforcement plate 30 Main area of ​​foil display carrier 32 Top area of ​​foil display 34 Main area of ​​foil display 36 Actuator 38 Support part 40 Motor 42 Transmission 44 Upper end of actuator 46 Upper end of support 48 Lower end of actuator 50 Lower end of support 52 Guide device 54 Side edge of foil display carrier 56 Curvature line 58 Pivot shaft of actuating device or support 59a straight arrow 59b Rotating Arrow 60 Contact element 62 Profile elements of actuators or supports 64 Profile elements of actuators or supports 66 Profile elements of actuators or supports 68 Receiving slit for actuator or support part 69 Retention element 70 Reinforcement Zone 72 Career Elements 74 Circuit Board 76 Guide pin of guide device 77 Guide slit of guide device 78 Guide body of guide device 80 Partial disc body 82 Partial Ring Body 84 Outer edge of guide body 86 Arrow 88 Transmission end of guide body 90 Arrow for linear movement direction of display 92 Arrow for pivot / rotation direction of partial ring body 93 Rotation center of partial ring body 94 Reinforcing Plate 96 Reinforcing sheet core 98 Film hinge between reinforcing plates 100 adhesive strips 102 Compressive Stress Unit 104 Compression Stress Unit Spring Mechanism 106 Compression stress unit drive lever 108 Rotational Axis 110 Tension spring

Claims

1. A retractable display device for a vehicle, comprising: a flexible foil display (18) in OLED technology having a front surface with a display surface (20), a back surface, and a top area (32) adjacent to the top area (32) with a main area (34) of the foil display (18) extending to a bottom edge of the foil display (18); a flexible foil display carrier (24) fixed to the foil display (18) at the rear surface thereof or connected to the foil display (18), in particular via an intermediate layer made of an elastic material, the flexible foil display carrier (24) having an upper end region (26) adjacent to a main region (30) of the foil display carrier (24) extending to a lower end of the foil display carrier (24), the upper end region (26) of the foil display carrier (24) abutting the upper end region (32) of the foil display (18) and being reinforced or capable of being reinforced at the upper end region (32); a housing (12) into which the foil display (18) can be retracted together with the foil display carrier (24), and from which the foil display (18) can be extended together with the foil display carrier (24); at least one motor-driven, length-variable actuator (36), the actuator (36) having a first end (48) supported in and / or against the housing (12) and a second end (44) to which the top end section (26) of the foil display carrier (24) is fixed; a guide device (52) in the housing (12) for guiding the foil-like display (18) and the foil-like display carrier (24) along a line of curvature (56) over an angle of less than 180 degrees, less than 135 degrees, or less than 90 degrees in at least a partial region of the main region (34, 30) of the foil-like display (18) and the foil-like display carrier (24) when the foil-like display (18) and the foil-like display carrier (24) are extended from the housing (12) and retracted into the housing (12) by changing the length of the at least one actuator (36).

2. 2. The stretchable display device of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator (36) comprises at least two actuator elements (62, 64, 66) arranged between the first end and the second end, and wherein adjacent actuator elements (62, 64, 66) are slidably guided against and / or within each other.

3. The actuation device (36) a first actuator profile element that is generally C-shaped with a closing surface and an opening surface; a second actuator profile element, also substantially C-shaped, slidably guided within the first actuator profile element and having a closing surface and an opening surface, the closing surface facing the closing surface of the first actuator profile element; 3. The telescopic display device of claim 2, further comprising: a third actuator profile element, substantially C-shaped, slidably guided in the second actuator profile element and having a closed surface and an open surface, the closed surface covering the open surface of the second actuator profile element.

4. 4. The stretchable display device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one length-variable support (38) has a first end (50) supported in the housing (12) and a second end (46) to which the top end section (26) of the foil-like display carrier (24) is fixed.

5. 5. The stretchable display device of claim 4, wherein the at least one support portion (38) comprises at least two support elements arranged between the first end and the second end, each adjacent support element being configured to be slidable against and / or within each other.

6. The support portion (38) is a generally C-shaped first support profile element having a closed surface and an open surface; a second support profile element, also substantially C-shaped, slidably guided within the first support profile element and having a closed surface and an open surface, the closed surface facing the closed surface of the first support profile element; 6. The stretchable display device of claim 5, further comprising: a third support profile element, substantially C-shaped, slidably guided within the second support profile element and having a closed surface and an open surface, the closed surface covering the open surface of the second support profile element.

7. said at least one actuating device (36) or at least one of its support elements and / or, if provided, said at least one support (38) or at least one of its support elements, has an inner surface facing said foil-like display carrier (24), said inner surface having a receiving groove formed or arranged therein; At least one holding element (69) is arranged in a main area (30) of the foil display carrier (24) from the rear surface thereof facing away from the foil display (18), i.e., on an imaginary line facing the receiving groove when the foil display (18) and the foil display carrier (24) are extended and retracted; and 7. The stretchable display device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one holding element (69) moves into the accommodating groove when the foil display (18) and the foil display carrier (24) are extended, and moves out of the accommodating groove when the foil display (18) and the foil display carrier (24) are retracted.

8. 8. The stretchable display device according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one holding element (69) has an end portion configured to be enlarged or bent away from the foil-like display carrier (24) and to fit into the receiving slit (68) of the receiving groove.

9. 9. The stretchable display device according to claim 1, wherein the foil display (18) and the foil display carrier (24) are in a retracted state in the housing (12) such that the upper end regions (32, 26) at least partially protrude from the housing (12).

10. 10. The stretchable display device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one actuating device (36) and, if provided, the at least one support (38) are mounted at their respective first ends pivotally in the housing (12) for pivoting the upper end sections (32, 26) of the foil display (18) and the foil display carrier (24) in the retracted state into the housing (12).

11. 11. The stretchable display device of claim 10, wherein the second end (44) of the actuating device (36) and, if provided, the second end (46) of the at least one support (38) are arranged in a connectable or bendable manner on the upper end region (26) of the foil-like display carrier (24).

12. 12. The stretchable display device of claim 10 or 11, wherein, when the foil display (18) and the foil display carrier (24) are in a retracted state, the first end (48) of the at least one actuating device (36) and, if provided, the first end (50) of the at least one support (38) can be displaced from the rear surface of the foil display carrier (24) and, in the displaced position, can be pivoted into the housing (12), and in particular, when pivoted, the curvature of a partial region of the main region adjacent to the upper end region of the foil display (18) and the foil display carrier (24) is defined by an abutment element (60) arranged in the housing (12).

13. Stretchable display device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that two actuating devices (36) are arranged on either side of the foil display (18) and the foil display carrier (24) and are connected to the top end region (26) of the foil display carrier (24).

14. Stretchable display device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by an actuating device (36) and a support (38) arranged on both sides of the foil display (18) and the foil display carrier (24) and connected to the top end region (26) of the foil display carrier (24).

15. The guide device (52) has two guide slits (77) facing each other; and Stretchable display device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the foil-like display carrier (24) comprises side edges (54) extending along its main area (30), from which guide pins (76) project or protrude laterally, interacting with guide slits (77) for guiding the foil-like display carrier (24).

16. Stretchable display device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the foil-like display carrier (24) comprises a reinforcement zone (70) at the end of the main section (30) remote from the top section (26).

17. Stretchable display device according to claim 16, characterized in that the guide pins (76) are arranged in the region of the reinforcement zones (70) of the main area (30) of the foil-like display carrier (24).

18. Stretchable display device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that from the reinforcement zone (70) a carrier element (72) comprising a rigid or flexible printed circuit board (74) projects obliquely.

19. The stretchable display device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the guide device (52) comprises two guide bodies (78) facing each other, the two guide bodies (78) being rotatably mounted and each having a curved outer edge (84), the guide bodies (78) rotating when the foil display (18) and the foil display carrier (24) are extended and retracted, and in this case supporting the foil display carrier (24) from both lateral sides.

20. 20. The stretchable display device of claim 19, wherein the guide body (78) is mechanically coupled to the foil display carrier (24) for transmitting power to the foil display carrier (24) when the foil display (18) and the foil display carrier (24) are contracted and retracted.

21. 21. A telescopic display device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the guide body (78) is configured as a partial disk body (80) extending over an angle of less than 180 degrees, or less than 135 degrees, or less than 90 degrees.

22. 21. The telescopic display device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the guide body (78) is configured as a partial ring body (82) extending over an angle of less than 180 degrees, or less than 135 degrees, or less than 90 degrees.

23. Stretchable display device according to any one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that each guide body (78) has a transmission end (88) for transmitting power to the foil-like display carrier (24).

24. 24. The flexible display device according to claim 23, characterized in that the transmission end (88) of each guide body (78) has a transmission pin arranged thereon that protrudes toward the side edge of the foil-shaped display carrier (24), and the transmission pin enters a pin receiving portion of the foil-shaped display carrier (24).

25. A telescopic display device according to claims 19 and 24, or, when claims 19 and 24 are cited, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission pin of the guide body (78) is inserted into the guide slit (77) of the guide device (52) as a guide pin (76).

26. 26. A stretchable display device according to any one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that each guide body (78) is rotatably mounted at its transmission end (88) for pivoting into the housing (12), the axis of rotation being perpendicular to the direction of extension and contraction of the foil display (18) and the foil display carrier (24).

27. 27. A stretchable display device according to claim 1, wherein the guide device (52) comprises a compressive stress unit (102) for automatically retracting the foil display (18) and the foil display carrier (24) or for at least assisting the automatic retraction of the foil display (18) and the foil display carrier (24), the compressive stress unit (102) being capable of applying tension when the at least one actuating device (36) is extended and being capable of removing tension for retraction of the at least one actuating device (36) for retracting the foil display (18) and the foil display carrier (24).

28. 28. The telescopic display device according to claim 27, characterized in that the compressive stress unit (102) comprises at least one drive lever (106) with a pivot bearing and spring mechanism (104), for example a torsion spring, a helical spring or a coil spring provided in its pivot bearing, and the at least one drive lever (106) is mechanically coupled to one of the guide bodies (78).

29. 28. The telescopic display device according to claim 27, characterized in that the compressive stress unit (102) comprises two drive levers (106), each mechanically coupled to a different one of the guide bodies (78).

30. 30. A stretchable display device according to any one of claims 1 to 29, characterized in that on the back of the foil display carrier (24) facing away from the foil display (18) a reinforcing carrier is arranged with reinforcing strips (94), the reinforcing strips (94) of the reinforcing carrier extending perpendicular to the stretching direction of the foil display (18) and the foil display carrier (24) being fixed to the foil display carrier (24) along strip-shaped areas, and in that if at least one holding element (69) is provided, the at least one holding element (69) is arranged on one of the reinforcing strips (94) or, in the case of multiple holding elements (69), the multiple holding elements (69) are arranged on different reinforcing strips (94).

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