DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

The disclosures relates to a display system for a vehicle that includes a screen with two unique and opposite curved portions, integrally provided with each other, and a projection surface. A surface of the screen is bent in such a manner that at least one curved surface and a second curved surface are formed. The first curved surface on which information can be displayed is arranged aligned in the direction of an observer. The second curved surface is constructed in such a manner that information to be displayed on the second curved surface so that it can be projected in the direction of the at least one projection surface. The projection surface is at a distance from the second curved surface and is arranged so that it can be seen behind the screen (2) by the observer in the direction of the view of the observer.

Claims

1. A display system for a vehicle, comprising: a screen that comprises a first curved surface and a second curved surface; and a projection surface, wherein the first curved surface is arranged aligned in the direction of an observer and the second curved surface is constructed in such a manner that information to be displayed on the second curved surface is projected in the direction of the projection surface; the projection surface is at a distance away from the second curved surface, and is viewable through the screen.

2. The display system according to claim 1, wherein a rise in the curvature of the first surface curved upward in a vertical direction is at a higher rate away from an observer of the display system.

3. The display system according to claim 2, wherein an amount of curvature of the second curved surface is less than the amount of curvature of the first surface.

4. The display system according to claim 3, wherein the first curved surface and the second curved surface are integral with each other.

5. The display system according to claim 3, wherein the screen is formed from a flexible material.

6. The display system according to claim 4, wherein the screen is formed from organic light-emitting diodes.

7. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the projection surface is integrated as a part of a heads-up display.

8. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the projection surface is defined as a front pane.

9. The display system according to claim 7, wherein the curved area between the first curved surface and the second curved surface is formed in such a manner as to display information associated with only the curved area.

10. The display system according to claim 8, wherein the displayed information associated with the curved area is projected onto the front pane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0032] Other details, features and advantages of embodiments of the invention result from the following description of examples with reference made to the associated figures, which show a schematic representation of the display system in detail

[0033] FIG. 1: for generating a virtual image with a head-up display in a side view,

[0034] FIG. 2: for generating a virtual image with the head-up display and an additional, virtual meta-HMI image in a side view, and

[0035] FIG. 3: for generating a virtual image with the head-up display in a perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The FIGS. 1 and 2 show a schematic view of a display system 1. The display system 1 comprises a flexible screen 2 and a projection surface 3 which are arranged integrated in a dashboard 4.

[0037] The surface of the screen 2 of the display system 1 is bent or curved, wherein the surface in an area facing a steering wheel 5 runs flatly at first and rises steeply in the vertical direction as the distance from the steering wheel 5 increases so that a first curved surface 2-1 is formed.

[0038] In addition, the surface of the screen 2 is bent in such a manner that the rise of the curvature of the first curved surface 2-1 becomes greater as the distance from the steering wheel 5 becomes greater, subsequently remains constant and is reduced in a curvature area 6. The surface of the screen 2 is bent down at a steep angle in the upper area, that is, the curvature area 6. The first curved surface 2-1 of the screen 2 merges into a second curved surface 2-2 inside the curvature area 6.

[0039] The curvature area 6 is formed as the upper area or reversal area of the screen 2 by the bending or curvature of the screen 2 between the first curved surface 2-1 and the second curved surface 2-2. The first curved surface 2-1 and the second curved surface 2-2 of the screen merge into one another and the surfaces 2-1, 2-2 lie against one another in the curvature area 6. The designation reversal area refers here to the reversal of the rise of the curvature.

[0040] The information shown on the second curved surface 2-2 is projected onto the projection surface 3 designed as a reflecting, light-permeable disk or as a semi-transparent mirror which is arranged in such a manner that a virtual HUD image 7 is produced in the direction of view of a vehicle driver behind the projection surface 3 of the head-up display. The projection surface 3 is designed to be reflecting for the image information made available by the second curved surface 2-2 so that the vehicle driver who is looking over the steering wheel 5 at the projection surface 3 perceives the image information radiated from the second curved surface 2-2 as the virtual HUD) image 7.

[0041] In addition, the curvature area 6 of the screen 2 projects in a vertical direction above an upper area of the steering wheel 5 so that the vehicle driver can see the curvature area 6 of the screen 2 above the steering wheel 5 and can perceive meta-HMI information 8 shown in the curvature area 6. In addition, the curvature area 6 can be constructed in such a manner that it projects the meta-HMI information 8 onto a front pane 9 of the vehicle so that a virtual meta-HMI image 10 is produced on the front screen 9 in the visible area of the vehicle driver, which is particularly apparent from FIG. 2.

[0042] Meta-HMI also includes a warning if, for example, a light is lit in front of a pedestrian or for a passing automobile which appears within a certain danger zone. META-HMI can also be used for a warning before an impact, that is, a collision. Such a light or a simple display above an image sign or a symbol can be reflected via the front pane 9 or other surface. The Meta-HMI displays the information here only indirectly and therefore does not need to be a very sharp or exact display.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the display system 1 for generating a virtual HUD image 7 with the head-up display in a perspective view in order to illustrate the surfaces of the dashboard 4 and of the screen 2, in particular the bending of the flexible screen 2.

[0044] As is especially evident from FIG. 3, the projection surface 3 is also designed with a curved surface.

[0045] When used in a vehicle, the display system 1, in particular the screen 2, is additionally connected to a control unit or computer unit which serves to make the information available which is to be displayed on the screen 2. The computer unit is connected, for example, to the driving assistance systems constructed in the vehicle and to sensors and detectors which serve to determine vehicle parameters.

[0046] The computer unit also determines which data and information are displayed on the first curved surface 2-1 of the screen 2 and which data and information are displayed on the second curved surface 2-2 of the screen 2 and therefore by the head-up display. At least one operating element such as a switch, a rotary button or the like is constructed, for example, on the dashboard 4 or in the area of the steering wheel 5 which makes it possible for the vehicle driver to adjust the method of displaying information. In addition, vehicle parameters can be changed or adapted or vehicle assistance systems can be operated by the vehicle driver by the combination of the display system 1, the control unit and the operating element.

[0047] Furthermore, the screen 2 can also be constructed as a touch-sensitive screen so that an input by the vehicle driver can take place directly via the screen.