Control panel for a vehicle and associated vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a display assembly (20) comprising at least one transparent component, one of the faces of which has a useful surface having an optical property; and b) an emitting unit (24) capable of emitting N light beams, each transporting an image towards the display assembly (20), such that the useful surfaces of each transparent component (26) form N useful images within a viewing window for the driver (18) in the driving position, wherein the display assembly (20) and the emitting unit (24) are configured such that each light beam emitted by the emitting unit (24) is incident on what is referred to as an incidence face of at least one transparent component (26), and wherein the incidence face for each light beam is different from the incidence faces of the other light beams.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Vehicle control panel and associated vehicle

[0003] The present invention relates to a control panel of a vehicle. The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such a control panel.

[0004] Vehicles, especially automobiles, are equipped with control panels, also called instrument clusters or dashboards, to present the driver with information useful for driving and operating the vehicle. To this end, the control panel includes the vehicle's on-board instruments, some of which are required by law.

[0005] For a motor vehicle, the control panel is traditionally integrated into the vehicle's dashboard under the windshield, behind the steering wheel. Typically, such a control panel is positioned at least -15° from the direction of gaze of an average driver looking at the road, approximately 50 centimeters from the eyes. The driver is then forced to take their eyes off the road to view the control panel, which reduces alertness and increases eye fatigue due to the constantly required visual accommodation effort.

[0006] To enable the viewing of useful information in a safer manner, it is known to use head-up displays which transmit some information from the control panel to the driver.

[0007] However, such displays take up additional space in the vehicle, redundant to the control panel, and some are very large. In addition, these displays allow the useful image to be viewed only in a restricted observation window (in English "eyebox").

[0008] An alternative is to replace mechanical dashboard instruments with digital ones. For this purpose, screen-shaped control panels are known. The trend is to position such control panels higher and higher in the driver's field of vision so as to reduce the viewing angle (in English "look-down angle") of the dashboard instruments.

[0009] However, such control panels then obscure part of the vehicle's windshield, and in particular part of the driver's field of vision, which is not optimal in terms of driving comfort and safety.

[0010] There is therefore a need for a vehicle control panel allowing the display of information useful for driving, in a comfortable viewing window for the driver so as to improve driving, safety and maintain the driver's vigilance.

[0011] For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a control panel of a vehicle suitable for being integrated into the dashboard of the vehicle to display vehicle control information, including all of the vehicle's on-board instruments, the control panel comprising: a. a display assembly positioned facing the windshield of the vehicle opposite the upper body of a driver in the driving position, the display assembly comprising at least one transparent component having two faces facing each other, at least one of the faces of the or each transparent component having a useful surface having at least one optical property, and b.a vehicle control information transmission unit, the transmission unit being capable of transmitting N light beams each carrying an image towards the display assembly so that the useful surface(s) of the or each transparent component form(s) N useful images in an observation window of the driver in the driving position, N being greater than or equal to two, the display assembly and the transmission unit being such that each light beam emitted by the transmission unit is incident on a face, called the incidence face, of the or a transparent component, the incidence face of each light beam being different from the incidence faces of the other light beams, allowing the formation of the N useful images in different planes.

[0012] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the control panel comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0013] - the incidence faces of at least two light beams are the faces facing each other of the same transparent component;

[0014] - the incidence faces of at least two light beams belong to different transparent components;

[0015] - the display assembly comprises several spaced transparent components, the emission unit being capable of emitting at least one distinct light beam towards each transparent component;

[0016] - the emission unit comprises one or more emitters capable of emitting the N light beams, the or each emitter emitting in the direction of at least one transparent component, the or each emitter being chosen from: a screen and a projector, at least one optical property of the or a useful surface of the or a transparent component being a semi-reflective property when the or at least one emitter emitting in the direction of said transparent component is a screen, at least one optical property of the or a transparent component being a diffusion property when the or at least one emitter emitting in the direction of said transparent component is a projector;

[0017] - the transmitting unit comprises several transmitters;

[0018] - the emission unit comprises several emitters, the emitters being positioned so that at least one light beam arrives from the bottom of the control panel on one face of the or one of the transparent components, and at least one other light beam arrives from the top of the control panel on one face of the or one of the transparent components;

[0019] - the emission unit comprises several emitters, a first emitter being positioned so as to emit a light beam arriving from the bottom of the control panel on one face of the or one transparent component, and a second emitter being positioned so as to emit a light beam arriving from the top of the control panel on the other face of the same transparent component, an additional optic being positioned between the first emitter and the second emitter so as to: a. reflect the light flux coming from one of the two emitters towards the at least one useful surface of the transparent component, and b. transmit the light flux coming from the other emitter towards the at least one useful surface of the transparent component, allowing the formation of two of the N useful images in different planes;

[0020] - the emission unit is capable of emitting the N light beams so that the N light beams all arrive from the bottom of the control panel or from the top of the control panel on the at least one useful surface of the or each transparent component;

[0021] - the transmission unit comprises a single transmitter.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a control panel as described above, the control panel being integrated into the dashboard of the vehicle, the or each transparent component being positioned facing the windshield of the vehicle opposite the upper body of a driver in the driving position, the dashboard being devoid of mechanical dashboard instruments integrated into the dashboard and digital dashboard instruments integrated into the dashboard different from the control panel.

[0023] The invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings, namely: - [Fig 1] figure 1, a schematic representation of an example of the passenger compartment of a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a dashboard integrating a control panel according to the invention, the control panel comprising a display assembly and a transmission unit,

[0024] - [Fig 2] figure 2, a schematic representation of a first example of implementation of the control panel of figure 1,

[0025] - [Fig 3] figure 3, a schematic representation of a second example of implementation of the control panel of figure 1,

[0026] - [Fig 4] figure 4, a schematic representation of a third example of implementation of the control panel of figure 1,

[0027] - [Fig 5] figure 5, a schematic representation of a fourth example of implementation of the control panel of figure 1,

[0028] - [Fig 6] figure 6, a schematic representation of a fifth example of implementation of the control panel of figure 1,

[0029] - [Fig 7] figure 7, a schematic representation of a sixth example of implementation of the control panel of figure 1, and

[0030] - [Fig 8] Figure 8, a schematic representation of a seventh example of implementation of the control panel of Figure 1.

[0031] A vehicle 10 is illustrated in Figure 1.

[0032] In this example, the vehicle 10 comprises, in a passenger compartment 11, a windshield 12, a dashboard 14 and a control panel 16. The dashboard 14 is defined as being a shelf extending over the entire width of the vehicle 10, below the windshield 12 and above the feet of the driver 18 and, where applicable, of the front passenger.

[0033] The vehicle 10 is, for example, a land, air or naval vehicle. The land vehicle is, for example, a motor vehicle (figure 1), a railway vehicle or a two-wheeler.

[0034] The control panel 16 is integrated into the dashboard 14 of the vehicle 10. By the term “integrated”, it is understood that the control panel 16 is incorporated in a suitable manner into the dashboard 14. Such incorporation has, for example, been carried out during the design of said dashboard 14 (during the industrialization phase of the vehicle 10). The control panel 16 is therefore different from a device installed as a second assembly and which would only have been arranged in the vehicle 10 without specific incorporation into the dashboard 14.

[0035] The control panel 16 is capable of displaying control information for the vehicle 10, including all of the dashboard instruments 19 of the vehicle 10. The dashboard instruments 19 are indicators or warning lights which inform the driver 18 of a vehicle 10 about the driving parameters (speed, acceleration, temperature, etc.) and the operation of the vehicle 10, in particular the engine of the vehicle 10. For a motor vehicle, the dashboard indicators comprise, for example, at least a rev counter, a speedometer, a fuel gauge and a coolant temperature indicator.

[0036] Optionally, the control panel 16 is also capable of displaying information useful for driving such as navigation (mapping, positions, directions) or traffic conditions (traffic jams, roadworks).

[0037] Advantageously, the control panel 16 is the only element integrated into the dashboard 14 displaying the dashboard instruments 19. The vehicle 10 is thus devoid of integrated mechanical dashboard instruments or other integrated digital means for displaying the dashboard instruments.

[0038] Advantageously, the control panel 16 is configured to be automatically switched on when the ignition is switched on in the vehicle 10 (i.e. when the vehicle engine is started) and to be automatically switched off when the ignition is switched off in the vehicle 10 (engine is switched off).

[0039] The control panel 16 comprises a display assembly 20 and a unit 24 for transmitting control information of the vehicle 10.

[0040] The display assembly 20 is suitable for being positioned facing the windshield 12 of the vehicle 10 opposite the upper body (torso, head) of a driver 18 in the driving position. The display assembly 20 notably projects from the dashboard 14 of the vehicle 10. The display assembly 20 is thus in the field of vision of the driver 18 in the driving position, and more particularly in an observation window (in English "eyebox") of the driver 18 in the driving position.

[0041] Preferably, the display assembly 20 is positioned so as to be in the direction of view of a standard driver 18 (corresponding for example to the 50 ème percentile of the adult population).

[0042] The display assembly 20 comprises at least one transparent component 26 having two faces 27A, 27B facing each other (also called opposite faces). The two faces 27A, 27B are for example parallel to each other. Alternatively, the two faces 27A, 27B are inclined to each other (presence of an angle called in English “optical wedge”).

[0043] The or each transparent component 26 is, for example, made of glass or plastic. The or each transparent component 26 is, for example, a blade. At least one of the faces 27A, 27B of the or each transparent component 26 has a useful surface 28 having at least one optical property.

[0044] The optical property is added to the transparency property. The optical property is, for example, a semi-reflective property or a diffusion property.

[0045] Preferably, when the or one optical property is a semi-reflective property, the percentage of reflectivity of each useful surface 28 is chosen to obtain an identical brightness (within a tolerance, for example 5%) for each virtual useful image (in the image plane).

[0046] For example, the or each transparent component 26 comprises at least one film (for example laminated or held by electrostatic effect on one of the faces 27A, 27B) conferring at least one optical property. In one embodiment, the transparent component 26 comprises several superimposed films each conferring a different optical property.

[0047] Alternatively, the or each transparent component 26 comprises one or more coating(s) and / or treatment(s) (for example obtained by physical deposition or chemical deposition) conferring one or more optical property(ies).

[0048] Optionally, the transparent component 26 also has a fixed tint (compatible with transparency), a variable tint (for example degraded over the height of the slats), or even a tint adjustable in transparency level (for example by a photo or electro-chromic effect).

[0049] Advantageously, the or each useful surface 28 is a flat surface, which makes it possible to reduce aberrations and to obtain a larger observation window than for a concave surface. Alternatively, the or each useful surface 28 is a curved surface, for example, concave. Alternatively, when several useful surfaces 28 are considered: some are flat, others curved.

[0050] In certain embodiments, the display assembly 20 comprises a single transparent component 26. This is particularly the case in the example of FIG. 8.

[0051] In other embodiments, the display assembly 20 comprises several transparent components 26. When the display assembly 20 comprises several transparent components 26, the transparent components 26 are disjointed components (not integral) and are spaced apart from each other. For example, the transparent components 26 are positioned one behind the other as in the examples of FIGS. 2 to 7, for example parallel. Alternatively, the transparent components 26 are positioned one below the other as in the example of FIG. 8, or even offset from each other in other positions. The emission unit 24 is capable of emitting N light beams each carrying an image towards the display assembly 20 so that the useful surface(s) 28 of the or each transparent component 26 form(s) N useful images IMi, , IMN in an observation window of the driver 18 in the driving position.N is greater than or equal to two. The useful images IMi , ... , IMN are formed simultaneously.

[0052] When the display assembly 20 comprises several light beams, the emission unit 24 is capable of emitting at least one distinct light beam towards each transparent component 26.

[0053] Each light beam is, for example, in the visible wavelength range (380 nanometers to 700 nanometers). The useful images IMi, ..., IMN thus allow the driver 18 to view control information for the vehicle 10.

[0054] Preferably, the emission unit 24 comprises one or more emitters 30 capable of emitting the N light beams. The or each emitter 30 emits towards at least one transparent component 26. For example, the emission unit 24 comprises several emitters 30 (two) in the examples of FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8.

[0055] In an exemplary implementation, the or each emitter 30 is capable of emitting the N light beams so that the N light beams all arrive from the bottom of the control panel 16 (emission via the base) or from the top of the control panel 16 (emission via the top) on the at least one useful surface 28 of the or each transparent component 26. This is the case of the examples in FIGS. 2 to 6.

[0056] In an exemplary implementation, the emitters 30 are positioned so that at least one light beam arrives from the bottom of the control panel 16 on a face 27A, 27B of the or one transparent component 26, and at least one other light beam arrives from the top of the control panel 16 on a face 27A, 27B of the or one of the transparent components 26. Thus, the two beams arrive in opposite directions. This is the case of the examples of FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0057] In an exemplary implementation as illustrated by FIG. 8, a first emitter 30 is positioned so as to emit a light beam arriving from the bottom of the control panel 16 on one face 27A, 27B of the or one transparent component 26, and a second emitter 30 is positioned so as to emit a light beam arriving from the top of the control panel 16 on the other face 27A, 27B of the same transparent component 26. An additional optic 40 is positioned between the first emitter 30 and the second emitter 30 so as to allow the formation of two of the N useful images IMi, ..., IMN in different planes by: a. reflection of the light flux coming from one of the two emitters 30 in the direction of the at least one useful surface 28 of the transparent component 26, and b. transmission of the luminous flux from the other emitter 30 towards the at least one useful surface 28 of the transparent component 26.

[0058] Thus, in this example, the additional optics 40 are arranged after the first emitter 30. The face 27A of the transparent component 26 has a semi-reflective optical property. The light flux emitted by the first emitter 30 is transmitted by the additional optics 40 to be reflected by the transparent component 26 and thus form a first virtual image. The light flux emitted by the second emitter 30 is transmitted by the transparent component 26, then is reflected by the additional optics 40 on the semi-reflective face 27A of the transparent component, allowing the formation of a second virtual image in superposition.

[0059] The additional optic 40 is, for example, a semi-reflecting or dichroic plate.

[0060] Preferably, the or each transmitter 30 is chosen from: a screen and a projector. When the transmission unit 24 comprises several transmitters 30, the transmitters 30 may be of different types, for example, at least one screen and at least one projector, as in the example of FIG. 4.

[0061] Preferably, when the emitter(s) 30 are screens, the brightness of the virtual useful images formed is adapted by adjusting the brightness of the different screen(s) or by the level of reflectivity of the transparent components 26. This makes it possible, for example, to generate virtual images of identical brightness. In an exemplary implementation, the reflectivity of each transparent component 26 is manually adjustable by a user according to the desired brightness.

[0062] The emitter(s) 30 are polarized or non-polarized emission sources. In one example, one or more emitters 30 emit a P-polarized beam (contained in the plane of incidence) at the Brewster angle, which makes it possible to reduce or even eliminate parasitic reflections. Alternatively, this effect is also obtained for any other polarization by using an anti-reflection coating on the opposite face 27A, 27B (opposite diopter) of each transparent component 26.

[0063] At least one optical property of the or a useful surface 28 of the or a transparent component 26 is a semi-reflective property when the or at least one emitter 30 emitting towards said transparent component 26 is a screen. The useful image formed by the useful surface 28 of the transparent component 26 from the light beam coming from the screen is a virtual image. Such a virtual image is obtained by reflection of the beam coming from the screen on the useful surface 28 of the transparent component 26 (due to the semi-reflective property of the useful surface 28). The virtual image is thus formed behind the transparent component 26 superimposed on the external environment of the vehicle 10.

[0064] Preferably, the screen has a brightness that can be adapted according to the ambient brightness (day, night, sunlight). Preferably, the minimum brightness of the screen is chosen so that the useful image formed by the transparent component 26 can be viewed by the driver even during the day in sunny weather. For example, the minimum brightness of the screen is chosen according to the reflectivity of the useful surface 28 of the transparent component 26.

[0065] Alternatively, the brightness of the screen is fixed and the reflectivity of the useful surface 28 of the transparent component 26 is variable (adjustable reflectivity, for example, electrically). The reflectivity of the useful surface 28 of the transparent component 26 is then adjusted according to the ambient brightness (day, night, sunlight). Preferably, the reflectivity of the useful surface 28 of the transparent component 26 is adjusted so that the useful image formed by the transparent component 26 can be viewed by the driver even during the day in sunny weather.

[0066] The screen is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD).

[0067] At least one optical property of the or one transparent component 26 is a diffusion property when the or at least one emitter 30 emitting towards said transparent component 26 is a projector. The useful image formed by the useful surface 28 of the transparent component 26 from the light beam coming from the projector is a real image. The real image is formed on the transparent component superimposed on the vision of the external environment of the vehicle 10.

[0068] The display assembly 20 and the emission unit 24 are such that each light beam emitted by the emission unit 24 is incident on a face 27A, 27B, called the incidence face, of the or a transparent component 26.

[0069] The incidence face of each light beam is different from the incidence faces of the other light beams, allowing the formation of the N useful images IMi, ... , IMN in different planes.

[0070] In an exemplary implementation, the incidence faces of at least two light beams are the faces 27A, 27B facing each other of the same transparent component 26. This is particularly the case in the example of FIG. 8 where the light beam coming from the bottom emitter 30 is projected onto the face 27A of the transparent component 26 and the light beam coming from the top emitter 30 is projected onto the face 27B of the same transparent component 26. In another exemplary embodiment (supplement or variant of the previous embodiment), the incidence faces of at least two light beams belong to different transparent components 26. This is particularly the case in the examples of FIGS. 2 to 7 where each light beam is emitted towards a separate transparent component 26.

[0071] Preferably, when the display unit comprises several transparent components 26, said transparent components 26 are positioned so that the generated virtual useful images are formed before or after the transparent components 26, and not superimposed on one or more transparent components 26. This makes it possible to improve the visual comfort of the user.

[0072] In the following, we describe in more detail the control panel examples 16 of Figures 2 to 8.

[0073] In the example of Figure 2, the display assembly 20 comprises two transparent components 26, in this case two blades, positioned one behind the other. The emission unit 24 comprises two emitters 30, in this case two screens. Each emitter 30 emits towards a separate blade. In this example, each emitter 30 is positioned so that the light beam emitted by each emitter 30 is sent from the bottom of the control panel 16. The useful images IMi, IM2 are virtual images in different planes and superimposed in the field of vision of the driver 18.

[0074] The example of Figure 3 differs only from that of Figure 2 in that the emission unit 24 comprises a single emitter 30, in this case a single screen. The emitter 30 emits a light beam towards each of the transparent components 26. In one example, the brightness of the screen is variable depending on the area of ​​the screen. For example, the screen is brighter for the area of ​​the screen opposite the second transparent component 26 in order to generate two virtual images of the same brightness.

[0075] The example of Figure 4 differs only from that of Figure 2 in that one of the emitters 30 is a screen and the other emitter 30 is a projector. Thus, the useful image from the beam sent by the projector is a real image formed on the corresponding transparent component 26, and the useful image from the beam sent by the screen is a virtual image.

[0076] The example of Figure 5 differs only from that of Figure 2 in that each emitter 30 is positioned so that the light beam emitted by each emitter 30 is sent from the top of the control panel 16. The transparent components 26 are positioned accordingly. The example of Figure 6 differs only from that of Figure 5 in that the emission unit 24 comprises a single emitter 30, in this case a single screen. The emitter 30 emits a light beam towards each of the transparent components 26. In one example, the brightness of the screen is variable depending on the area of ​​the screen. For example, the screen is brighter for the area of ​​the screen opposite the second transparent component 26 in order to generate two virtual images of the same brightness.

[0077] The example of Figure 7 differs only from that of Figure 2 in that a first emitter 30 is positioned so that the light beam emitted by the first emitter 30 is sent from the top of the control panel 16, and the second emitter 30 is positioned so that the light beam emitted by the second emitter 30 is sent from the bottom of the control panel 16. In the present case, the transparent components 26 have been rotated relative to each other so that the useful surface 28 of each transparent component 26 is opposite the corresponding emitter 30. The reversed top-bottom configuration is also possible.

[0078] In the example of Figure 8, the display assembly 20 comprises a single transparent component 26, in this case a blade. The emission unit 24 comprises two emitters 30, in this case two screens. A first emitter 30 is positioned to emit a light beam from the bottom of the control panel 16 so that the light beam is incident on one of the faces 27A of the transparent component 26 where the useful surface 28 is located. A second emitter 30 is positioned to emit a light beam from the top of the control panel 16 so that the light beam is incident on the other face 27B (opposite face) of the transparent component 26. An additional optic 40 (semi-reflecting or dichroic blade) is positioned between the first emitter 30 and the second emitter 30 so as to allow the formation of two of the N useful images IMi, ... , IMN in different planes by: c.reflection of the luminous flux coming from the second emitter 30 towards the at least one useful surface 28 of the transparent component 26, and d. transmission of the luminous flux coming from the first emitter 30 towards the at least one useful surface 28 of the transparent component 26.

[0079] An example of operation of the control panel 16 integrated in the vehicle 10 will now be described.

[0080] Advantageously, the control panel 16 is automatically switched on when the ignition is switched on in the vehicle 10 and is automatically switched off when the ignition is switched off in the vehicle 10. When driving, the transmission unit 24 sends information in the form of N light beams towards the display assembly 20. The light beams are incident on separate faces 27A, 27B of the transparent component(s) 26. The useful surface(s) 28 of the or each transparent component 26 then form(s) N useful images I Mi , ... , IMN in an observation window of the driver 18 in the driving position. Due to the sending of the N light beams onto different faces 27A, 27B, the N useful images IMi, ... , IMN are formed in different planes.

[0081] Thus, the control panel 16 allows the display of information useful for driving (control information, navigation, traffic conditions) without affecting driving safety since the windshield 12 is not masked.

[0082] Due to the choice of the display assembly 20 and the emission unit 24, the light beams each carrying an image are incident on separate faces 27A, 27B of one or more transparent components 26. These light beams thus travel along different optical paths, which makes it possible to form the N useful images IMi, ..., IMN in different planes, and therefore to generate a 3D effect. This in particular allows the driver 18 to better differentiate the different information in the observation window.

[0083] Such a control panel 16 is, furthermore, compact and easily integrated into the dashboard 14 of the vehicle 10. Furthermore, such a control panel 16 makes it possible to observe the useful image in a larger, and therefore more comfortable, observation window (eyebox) than for a head-up display.

[0084] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above can be combined with each other when such combinations are compatible. In particular, the different means implemented in the examples of FIGS. 2 to 8 can be combined with each other within the same control panel 16 integrating several transparent components 26 or within several control panels 16.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Control panel (16) of a vehicle (10) suitable for being integrated into the dashboard (14) of the vehicle (10) to display control information of the vehicle (10), including all of the dashboard instruments (19) of the vehicle (10), the control panel (16) comprising: a. a display assembly (20) positioned facing the windshield (12) of the vehicle (10) opposite the upper body of a driver (18) in the driving position, the display assembly (20) comprising at least one transparent component (26) having two faces (27A, 27B) facing each other, at least one of the faces (27A, 27B) of the or each transparent component (26) having a useful surface (28) having at least one optical property, and b.a unit (24) for transmitting vehicle control information (10), the transmitting unit (24) being capable of transmitting N light beams each carrying an image towards the display assembly (20) so that the useful surface(s) (28) of the or each transparent component (26) form(s) N useful images (IMi, ... , IMN) in a driver observation window (18) in the driving position, N being greater than or equal to two, the display assembly (20) and the transmitting unit (24) being such that each light beam emitted by the transmitting unit (24) is incident on a face (27A, 27B), called the incidence face, of the or a transparent component (26), the incidence face of each light beam being different from the incidence faces of the other light beams, allowing the formation of the N useful images (IMi, ... , IMN) in different planes.

2. Control panel (16) according to claim 1, in which the incidence faces of at least two light beams are the faces (27A, 27B) facing each other of the same transparent component (26).

3. Control panel (16) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the incidence faces of at least two light beams belong to different transparent components (26).

4. Control panel (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the display assembly (20) comprises several spaced transparent components (26), the emission unit (24) being capable of emitting at least one distinct light beam towards each transparent component (26).

5. Control panel (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the emission unit (24) comprises one or more emitters (30) capable of emitting the N light beams, the or each emitter (30) emitting towards at least one transparent component (26), the or each emitter (30) being chosen from: a screen and a projector, at least one optical property of the or a useful surface (28) of the or a transparent component (26) being a semi-reflective property when the or at least one emitter (30) emitting towards said transparent component (26) is a screen, at least one optical property of the or a transparent component (26) being a diffusion property when the or at least one emitter (30) emitting towards said transparent component (26) is a projector.

6. Control panel (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transmitting unit (24) comprises several transmitters (30).

7. Control panel (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the emission unit (24) comprises several emitters (30), the emitters (30) being positioned so that at least one light beam arrives from the bottom of the control panel (16) on a face (27A, 27B) of the or one of the transparent components (26), and that at least one other light beam arrives from the top of the control panel (16) on a face (27A, 27B) of the or one of the transparent components (26).

8. Control panel (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the emission unit (24) comprises several emitters (30), a first emitter (30) being positioned so as to emit a light beam arriving from the bottom of the control panel (16) on one face (27A, 27B) of the or one transparent component (26), and a second emitter (30) being positioned so as to emit a light beam arriving from the top of the control panel (16) on the other face (27A, 27B) of the same transparent component (26), an additional optic (40) being positioned between the first emitter (30) and the second emitter (30) so as to: a. reflect the light flux coming from one of the two emitters (30) towards the at least one useful surface (28) of the transparent component (26), and b. transmitting the light flux from the other emitter (30) towards the at least one useful surface (28) of the transparent component (26), allowing the formation of two of the N useful images (IM1, IMN) in different planes.

9. Control panel (16) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, in which the emission unit (24) is capable of emitting the N light beams so that the N light beams all arrive from the bottom of the control panel (16) or from the top of the control panel (16) on the at least one useful surface (28) of the or each transparent component (26).

10. Control panel (16) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the transmitting unit (24) comprises a single transmitter (30).

11. Vehicle (10) comprising a control panel (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the control panel (16) being integrated into the dashboard (14) of the vehicle (10), the or each transparent component (26) being positioned facing the windshield (12) of the vehicle (10) opposite the upper body of a driver (18) in the driving position, the dashboard (14) being devoid of mechanical dashboard instruments integrated into the dashboard (14) and digital dashboard instruments integrated into the dashboard (14) different from the control panel (16).

Images