Display device having movable display panel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display device (1) comprising a movable display panel (2) and a drive mechanism (3) having a first and a second actuation element (30, 34) for moving a mount (22) for the display panel (2), wherein the first actuation element (30) is made of a shape-memory alloy and interacts with a lever mechanism (5), and wherein the lever mechanism (5) has cascading levers (50, 60).

Description

[0001] 202408156

[0002] 1

[0003] Description

[0004] Display device with movable display panel

[0005] The present invention relates to a display device with a movable display panel and a drive mechanism for moving or rotating the display panel.

[0006] The number and size of display devices in vehicles are constantly increasing. Display devices can be found, for example, as instrument clusters for the driver, central displays, and passenger displays. Increasingly, the display panels of such devices are designed to be movable, for example, to orient them towards a viewer or to move them from an inconspicuous resting position to a display position.

[0007] For example, EP 4365001 A1 describes a control panel with a swiveling screen for a vehicle. The screen is arranged in a support body. The support body is rotatably mounted and can be rotated from a first position, in which the screen is visible, to a second position, in which the screen is not visible.

[0008] Current kinematic solutions for moving a display panel are complex and require a large installation volume. Furthermore, the electric drive units commonly used today, e.g.,

[0009] DC motors and gearboxes produce significant unwanted noise emissions and vibrations.

[0010] For camera systems, it is known to use miniaturized actuators with shape-memory alloy wires to move a lens along an optical axis. For example, US 2021 / 0263392 A1202408156 describes this.

[0011] 2

[0012] An actuator made of a shape memory alloy. The actuator comprises a support structure and a movable element. The actuator is designed to convert a rotation of the movable element, effected by an actuating wire made of a shape memory alloy, into a helical movement of the movable element relative to the support structure.

[0013] From US 6,848,965 B2, a display device is known with a movable display panel and a drive mechanism with a first and a second actuating element for a displacement of the display panel, wherein the first actuating element is formed from a shape memory alloy and interacts with a lever mechanism.

[0014] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved display device with a movable display panel.

[0015] This problem is solved by a display device having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0016] According to a first aspect of the invention, a display device comprises: - a movable display panel; and

[0017] - a drive mechanism comprising a first and a second actuating element for displacing the display panel, wherein the first actuating element is formed from a shape memory alloy, and interacts with a lever mechanism, the lever mechanism having cascading levers.

[0018] In the solution according to the invention, at least two cascading levers are provided. This has the advantage of increasing the stroke achievable by means of the drive mechanism. Furthermore, motors and gearboxes are replaced by a drive mechanism that incorporates actuating elements from a 202408156

[0019] 3

[0020] A shape-memory alloy is used. Such a drive mechanism requires fewer components, which can also be simpler in design. Therefore, the required installation space can be reduced. Furthermore, the drive mechanism is silent due to its operating principle. Suitable alloys include, for example, nickel-titanium (also known as Nitinol), copper-zinc, copper-zinc-aluminum, copper-aluminum-nickel, or iron-nickel-aluminum. Deformation of the actuating elements can be achieved, for example, by heating them with an electric current.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the cascading levers each interact with a first actuating element and a second actuating element. These actuating elements are advantageously made of a shape-memory alloy. Such a drive mechanism requires fewer components, which can also be of a simpler design. Therefore, the required installation space can be reduced. In addition, the drive mechanism is silent due to its operating principle.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, a first cascading lever displaces a pivot point of a second cascading lever in the latter's stroke direction. This advantageously increases the stroke. The first actuating elements advantageously operate in parallel. Thus, it is not the actuating elements that are cascaded, but the levers. This has the advantage of a lower moving mass, a smaller volume requirement, a less complex design, and fewer supply lines required.

[0023] The second actuating element can be a standard spring or another conventional drive. However, it is also advantageous for the second actuating element to be made of a shape-memory alloy. 202408156

[0024] 4

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the display panel is displaceable along at least one axis. Displacing the display panel along an axis makes it possible, for example, to extend a display panel from a recessed position in the dashboard of a motor vehicle.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the actuating elements are adjusting wires. These are attached on one side to a support structure of the display device and on the other side to an application point of a cascading lever. Between these points, they are guided by pulleys. The adjusting wires can thus be of considerable length, which makes it possible to achieve a sufficiently large stroke despite the small stroke per unit length typical of shape memory wires.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the display panel is rollable. A rollable display panel has the advantage that it requires little installation space when rolled up and can therefore also be used in confined spaces.

[0028] Preferably, a display device according to the invention is used in a means of transport. The means of transport can be, for example, a motor vehicle, but alternatively also an aircraft, a rail vehicle, or a watercraft. The display device can be provided for different installation locations, for example, as a driver information display, as a central display, as a passenger display, as a display for the rear seats, or as a display installed in the headliner.

[0029] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the attached claims in conjunction with the figures.

[0030] Figure overview 202408156

[0031] 5

[0032] Fig. 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of a display device with an actuating element made of a shape memory alloy in a rest position;

[0033] Fig. 2 shows the display device from Fig. 1 in a display position;

[0034] Fig. 3 schematically shows a second embodiment of a display device with an actuating element made of a shape memory alloy in a rest position;

[0035] Fig. 4 shows the display device from Fig. 3 in a display position;

[0036] Fig. 5 schematically shows an embodiment of a display device in a rest position;

[0037] Fig. 6 shows the display device from Fig. 5 when changing to a display position;

[0038] Fig. 7 shows the display device from Fig. 5 in a display position;

[0039] Fig. 8 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of a display device according to the invention in a display position;

[0040] Fig. 9 schematically shows a means of transport that uses a display device according to the invention.

[0041] Character description

[0042] To better understand the principles of the present invention, embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The same reference numerals in the figures denote identical or 202408156

[0043] 6

[0044] The invention uses equivalent elements and does not necessarily require repeated descriptions for each figure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and that the described features can also be combined or modified without leaving the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the attached claims.

[0045] Fig. 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of a display device 1 with an actuating element made of a shape memory alloy in a rest position. Fig. 2 shows the display device 1 in a display position.

[0046] Figure a) shows a rear view of the display device 1, and figure b) shows a side view. The display device 1 has a movable display panel 2 and a drive mechanism 3. The drive mechanism 3 includes actuating elements 30 for moving the display panel 2 along an axis A. In the illustrated example, the actuating elements 30 are two springs 300 made of a shape-memory alloy. These each act on a point of application 4 of a holder 22 of the display panel 2. In this embodiment, the axis A is defined by guides 31. By appropriately controlling the springs 300, the display panel 2 can be moved between the rest position and the display position.

[0047] Fig. 3 schematically shows a second embodiment of a display device 1 with an actuating element made of a shape memory alloy in a rest position. Fig. 4 shows the display device 1 in a display position.

[0048] Partial image a) shows a rear view of the display device 1, and partial image b) shows a side view. The display device 1 again has a movable display panel 2 and a drive mechanism 3. The drive mechanism 3 comprises actuating elements 30 for moving the display panel 2 along an axis A. In the example shown, the actuating elements 30 are two actuating wires 301, which consist of a 202408156

[0049] 7

[0050] The display panel 2 is formed from an alloy with shape memory. These act via a lever mechanism 5 on the mounting points 4 of the holder 22 of the display panel 2. In this embodiment, the lever mechanism 5 comprises two levers 50, which are mounted on fixed pivot points 51 and each slide at its end in a groove 52 of the holder 22. The mounting points 4 therefore move along the groove 52 when the levers 51 are actuated. By appropriately controlling the actuating wires 301, the display panel 2 can be moved between the rest position and the display position. A special feature of this embodiment is that the display panel 2 is rollable. In the rolled-up state, it is located, at least predominantly, in a cassette 21.

[0051] Fig. 5 schematically shows an embodiment of a display device 1 according to the invention in a rest position in a front view. Fig. 6 shows the display device 1 during the change to a display position. Fig. 7 shows the display device 1 in a display position.

[0052] The display device 1 again features a bracket 22 for a movable display panel 2 and a drive mechanism 3. For clarity, the display panel 2 is not shown here. The parts located behind the bracket 22 are shown as if the bracket 22 were transparent. The drive mechanism 3 comprises actuating elements 30, 34 for moving the bracket 22, and thus the display panel 2, along an axis A.

[0053] In the illustrated example, the first actuating elements 30 are two actuating wires 301, 302 made of a shape-memory alloy. The second actuating elements 34 are also two actuating wires 341, 342 made of a shape-memory alloy. The actuating wires 301, 302, 341, 342 are each attached to a support structure 33 by means of a fastening 32.

[0054] 8

[0055] The actuating wires 301, 302, 341, 342 act via a lever mechanism 5 on an application point 4 of the bracket 22 of the display panel 2. The application point 4 is located in a groove 52 of the bracket 22. The lever mechanism 5 comprises two cascaded levers 50, 60. A first lever 50 is mounted on a fixed pivot point 51. At its first end are application points 401, 441 for the first and second actuating wires 301, 341. At its other end is the pivot point 61 for the second lever 60. At the first end of the second lever 60 are application points 402, 442 for the first and second actuating wires 302, 342. The second lever 60 is guided in a groove 62 of the support structure 33 in the middle region of its second arm. In the end region of the second arm, the second lever 60 engages the point of application 4 of the bracket 22 by sliding in a groove 52 of the bracket 22. The points of application 4 therefore move along the groove 52 when the levers 50 and 60 are actuated.By appropriately controlling the actuating wires 301, 302, 341, 342, the holder 22 and thus the display panel 2 can be moved between the rest position and the display position.

[0056] Fig. 6 shows the display device 1 during the transition from the rest position to the display position. The first actuating wires 301 and 302 have been activated for this purpose. The lower first actuating wire 301 has already rotated the first lever 50 counterclockwise by a certain angle around its fixed pivot point 51. As a result, the other end of the lever 50, with the pivot point 61 of the second lever 60, has been raised by a certain amount. Simultaneously, the upper first actuating wire 302 has rotated the second lever 60 clockwise by a certain angle. The point of application 4 has moved upwards accordingly.

[0057] Fig. 7 shows the display position in which the first actuating wires 301, 302 are fully activated and have reached their minimum length. The holder 22 is then in its uppermost position. To return to the rest position, the second actuating wires 341, 342 are activated. These retract and

[0058] 9

[0059] Turn the first lever 50 clockwise and the second lever 60 counterclockwise.

[0060] Fig. 8 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in a display position. In this embodiment, the second actuating element 34 has a mechanical spring 343 and a wire 344, which does not have a shape memory function. The return to the rest position occurs through the interaction of the restoring force of the spring 343 and the deactivation of the first actuating wire 301. In the embodiment shown here, only the lower second actuating element 34 is configured with spring 343 and wire 344. In a further embodiment not shown here, the upper second actuating element 34 can also be configured accordingly.

[0061] The choice of actuating elements 30, 34 in the figures is merely exemplary. Springs 300, actuating wires 301, 302, 341, 342, or other types of actuating elements 30, 34 based on a shape-memory alloy can be used, and vice versa. The actual number of actuating elements 30, 34 can also differ from the number shown.

[0062] In other words, the invention relates to a display device 1 with a movable display panel 2 and a drive mechanism 3 with a first and a second actuating element 30, 34 for a displacement of a holder 22 of the display panel 2, wherein the first actuating element 30 is made of a shape memory alloy and interacts with a lever mechanism 5, wherein the lever mechanism 5 has cascading levers 50, 60.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the cascading levers 50, 60 each interact with a first actuating element 30 and a second actuating element 34. Advantageously, a first cascading lever 50 displaces a 202408156

[0064] 10

[0065] Pivot point 61 of a second cascading lever 60 in its stroke direction. Advantageously, the second actuating element 34 is also made of a shape-memory alloy, and the display panel 2 is advantageously displaceable along at least one axis A.

[0066] Advantageously, the actuating elements 30, 34, and the actuating wires 301, 302, 341, 342 are attached on one side to a support structure 33 of the display device 1, guided over pulleys 35, and on the other side to an attachment point 401, 402, 441, 442 of a cascading lever 50, 60. The actuating elements 30, 34 are attached to the support structure 33, which makes it possible to use long actuating wires 301, 302, 341, 342 that, guided over pulleys 35, nevertheless require little space. The pulleys 35 are also attached to the support structure 33. The actuating wires 301, 302, 341, 342 are attached to the support structure 33 by means of the fastenings 32 and to the levers 50, 60 by means of the contact points 401, 402, 441, 442. The fastenings 32 and the contact points 401, 402, 441, 442 provide both a mechanical fastening and an electrical contact for the actuating wires 301, 302, 341, 342.

[0067] A key aspect of the invention is that the two wires 301, 302 and 341, 342 on one side of the pull operate in parallel, and the two levers 50, 60 are arranged in a cascaded configuration. This allows the required stroke to be achieved with minimal effort. The first driven lever (60) displaces the pivot point 61 of the second lever (60) in the opposite direction, thereby doubling its deflection.

[0068] Typically, increased stroke is achieved by cascading the kinematics, meaning one actuator lifts the next. The disadvantages are that this requires moving more mass / volume, the setup is more complex, and moving supply lines are also necessary. 202408156

[0069] 11

[0070] Fig. 9 schematically shows, as a possible application example, a means of transport 90 that uses a display device 1 according to the invention. In this example, the means of transport 90 is a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has a display device 1 according to the invention, which in the illustrated example is arranged in an instrument panel 91. The display device 1 can be used, for example, to display instructions from a navigation system 92. A connection to a backend can be established by means of a data transmission unit 93, for example, to obtain updated software for components of the motor vehicle. A memory 94 is provided for storing data. Data exchange between the various components of the motor vehicle takes place via a network 95.202408156

[0071] 12 Reference numeral list

[0072] 1 Display device

[0073] 2 Display panels

[0074] 22 bracket

[0075] 21 cassette

[0076] 3 Drive mechanism

[0077] 30 Actuating element, first 300 spring

[0078] 301 Control wire, first

[0079] 302 Control wire, first

[0080] 31 Leadership

[0081] 32 Fastening

[0082] 33 Support structure

[0083] 34 Actuating element, second 341 Actuating wire, second

[0084] 342 Control wire, second

[0085] 343 spring

[0086] 344 wire

[0087] 35 Pulley

[0088] 4 attack points

[0089] 401, 402 Attack point

[0090] 441,442 attack point

[0091] 5 lever mechanism

[0092] 50 levers

[0093] 51 Pivot point, stationary

[0094] 52 Nut

[0095] 60 levers

[0096] 61 Pivot point

[0097] 62 Nut202408156

[0098] 13 90 Means of transport

[0099] 91 Instrument panel

[0100] 92 Navigation system

[0101] 93 Data transmission unit

[0102] 94 memory

[0103] 95 Network

[0104] Axis

Claims

202408156 14 Patent claims 1. Display device (1) comprising: - a movable display panel (2); and - a drive mechanism (3) with a first and a second actuating element (30,34) for a displacement of the display panel (2), wherein the first actuating element (30) is formed from a shape memory alloy and interacts with a lever mechanism (5), wherein the lever mechanism (5) has cascading levers (50,60).

2. Display device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cascading levers (50, 60) each interact with a first actuating element (30) and a second actuating element (34).

3. Display device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first cascading lever (50) displaces a pivot point (61) of a second cascading lever (60) in its stroke direction.

4. Display device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second actuating element (34) is formed from a shape memory alloy.

5. Display device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the display panel (2) is displaceable along at least one axis (A).

6. Display device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating elements (30, 34) are actuating wires (301, 302, 341, 342) which are attached on one side to a support structure (33) of the display device (1), guided over deflection pulleys (35), and on the other side are attached to an application point (401, 402, 441, 442) of a cascading lever (50, 60). 15 7. Display device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the display panel (2) is rollable.

8. Means of transport (90) comprising a display device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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