Device for displaying at least one pictogram inside a vehicle passenger compartment

Abstract

A device for displaying at least one pictogram inside a vehicle passenger compartment. The device includes a light source suitable for emitting light in response to a control signal, and an opaque covering layer having a through opening defining the pictogram. A photosensitive layer extends facing or in the opening. When the light source is deactivated, the photosensitive layer is opaque and has the same color as the covering layer. When the light source is activated, the photosensitive layer reacts so as to render the pictogram defined by the opening of the covering layer visible for an occupant of the vehicle passenger compartment.

Claims

1. Device for displaying at least one pictogram inside a vehicle passenger compartment, comprising: a light source connected to a control system and suitable for emitting light in response to a control signal; an opaque covering layer having a certain color and comprising a through opening defining said pictogram; and a photosensitive layer having an inner face facing the light source and an outer face opposite the inner face and facing the vehicle passenger compartment, and extending facing and/or in said opening; wherein, when said light source is deactivated, said photosensitive layer is opaque and has the same color as the covering layer and, when said light source is activated, said photosensitive layer reacts so as to render the pictogram defined by the opening of the covering layer visible for an occupant of the vehicle passenger compartment.

2. Display device according to claim 1, wherein the covering layer is formed from a layer of opaque paint.

3. Display device according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive layer is formed from a layer of photosensitive paint.

4. Display device according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive layer reacts above an illumination threshold by the light source, said threshold being greater than the average illumination of a vehicle passenger compartment.

5. Display device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is suitable for emitting light situated in a wavelength range to which the photosensitive layer reacts and further comprising a filter situated on the side of the outer face of the photosensitive layer and suitable for blocking at least the wavelength range to which the photosensitive layer reacts of light emitted from the vehicle passenger compartment.

6. Display device according to claim 1, wherein the covering layer is mounted on the photosensitive layer and defines with said photosensitive layer a cavity at the opening, and further comprising a layer of transparent varnish covering said covering layer and filling said cavity.

7. Display device according to claim 1, wherein the covering layer is mounted on the photosensitive layer and defines with said photosensitive layer a cavity at the opening, and further comprising a layer of transparent varnish transparent covering said covering layer, filling said cavity and constituting the filter.

8. Display device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is suitable for emitting light comprising light waves situated in a given plane to which the photosensitive layer reacts, and further comprising a polarizing film situated on the side of the outer face of the photosensitive layer such that the light from the vehicle passenger compartment and polarized by passing through said film is polarized such that it does not make the photosensitive layer react.

9. Display device according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive layer has negative photochromism properties and the light source is suitable for emitting UV radiation when activated in order to activate the negative photochromism.

10. Display device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is a first light source and further comprising a second light source connected to the control system and suitable for emitting light in response to a second control signal following the activation of the first light source, the inner face of the photosensitive layer facing the first and second light source.

11. Vehicle equipment control device having a pressure detection sensor and a display device comprising: a light source connected to a control system and suitable for emitting light in response to a control signal, and; an opaque covering layer having a certain color and comprising a through opening defining said pictogram, wherein the display device further comprises a photosensitive layer having an inner face facing the light source and an outer face opposite the inner face and facing the vehicle passenger compartment, and extending facing and/or in said opening, and when said light source is deactivated, said photosensitive layer is opaque and has the same color as the covering layer and, when said light source is activated, said photosensitive layer reacts so as to render the pictogram defined by the opening of the covering layer visible for an occupant of the vehicle passenger compartment.

12. Vehicle equipment control device according to claim 11, wherein the pressure detection sensor is formed from a capacitive film.

13. Vehicle instrument panel having a display device comprising: a light source connected to a control system and suitable for emitting light in response to a control signal, and; an opaque covering layer having a certain color and comprising a through opening defining said pictogram, wherein the display device further comprises a photosensitive layer having an inner face facing the light source and an outer face opposite the inner face and facing the vehicle passenger compartment, and extending facing and/or in said opening, and when said light source is deactivated, said photosensitive layer is opaque and has the same color as the covering layer and, when said light source is activated, said photosensitive layer reacts so as to render the pictogram defined by the opening of the covering layer visible for an occupant of the vehicle passenger compartment.

14. Vehicle instrument panel according to claim 13 further comprising a pressure detection sensor.

15. Vehicle instrument panel according to claim 14 wherein the pressure detection sensor is formed from a capacitive film.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features and advantages of the invention will emerge in the course of the following description of one of the embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, with regard to the attached drawings. In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view representing the front part of a vehicle passenger compartment comprising an instrument panel whereon a control device comprising a display device according to an embodiment of the invention is used;

(3) FIG. 2 represents a sectional view along the line II-II in FIG. 1 intended to illustrate the structure of a control device according to an embodiment of the invention installed on the vehicle instrument panel;

(4) FIG. 3 represents on a magnified scale the zone referenced A in FIG. 2 and intended to illustrate the stacking of the layers used in a control device according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) In the various figures, the same references denote identical or similar elements.

(6) FIG. 1 represents a partial perspective view of a front part of a vehicle passenger compartment 100 comprising an instrument panel 110 whereon a vehicle equipment control device 11 comprising a display device 1 is provided.

(7) In this FIG. 1, and for the purposes of simplifying the description hereinafter, the instrument panel 110 illustrated only comprises a single control device 11 envisaged, when actuated, to control switching the vehicle warning lights on and/or off. In this way, in the example of an embodiment in this FIG. 1, the display device 1 used in this warning light control device, makes it possible when activated to display to the occupants of the vehicle a triangular pictogram defining the zone whereon the occupants of the vehicle need to act to switch the warning lights on or off and illustrated with fine lines in FIG. 1.

(8) However, the display device 1 may be used to display further pictograms representative of the actuation zone and/or the operating status of further vehicle equipment, such as an air conditioning system, a parking brake system, a de-icing device, etc., or be used in a device 11 for controlling such equipment without departing from the scope of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 2 illustrates in a sectional view along the line II-II in FIG. 1, the structure of a control device 11 using the pictogram display device 1.

(10) In this FIG. 2, it can be seen that the control device 11 is herein installed on the instrument panel 110 for vehicle and integrated therewith, and attached at a supporting member 13 part of or rigidly connected to the vehicle structure.

(11) The light control device 11 illustrated in this FIG. 2 comprises a device 1 for displaying the triangular pictogram representative of the actuation zone and the operating status of the warning lights, and a pressure detection sensor 6 suitable for detecting pressing and/or pressure applied by an occupant of the vehicle seeking to activate or deactivate the vehicle warning lights.

(12) In the example of an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pressure detection sensor 6 consists of a capacitive film suitable for detecting the contact of a vehicle occupant's finger on the actuation zone of the outer surface of the instrument panel 110 with which the warning light control device 11 is associated.

(13) It could however be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention that the pressure detection sensor is formed by a resistive film, or more conventionally that the vehicle equipment control device 11 is presented in the form of a movable button, the actuation whereof is detected by a button position sensor.

(14) Again with reference to this FIG. 2, the control device 11 comprises a device 1 for displaying the triangular pictogram representative of the actuation zone and the operating status of the warning lights which comprises a light source 2 connected to a control system 9, herein an electronic control card, and suitable for emitting light in response to a control signal from the control system 9.

(15) In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the display device 1 is comprised in a vehicle equipment control device 11 using a pressure detection sensor 6. In this way, in this embodiment, the signal controlling the activation of the light source 2 of the display device 1 is generated by the control system 9 for example following the power-up of the instrument panel, notably when the vehicle is started.

(16) Moreover, following the detection of pressure by an occupant of the vehicle on the control device 11 by the pressure detection device 6, the control system 9 generates a signal triggering the activation or deactivation of the equipment controlled by the equipment control device 11, in this instance the warning lights, and is suitable for generating a control signal for the light source 2 controlling the activation thereof for example in flashing mode to represent the active state of the warning lights or the activation thereof in continuous mode to represent the inactive state of the warning lights, leaving the pictogram visible for the occupants of the vehicle and thus continue to define the actuation zone of the warning lights while the instrument panel is powered.

(17) The light source 2 used in the display device 1 may for example consist of a light-emitting diode, which has among other advantages a low electricity consumption, a compact size and a low cost price.

(18) In the example of an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, this light source 2 is associated with the light box 12 for guiding the light emitted by the source towards the zone to be illuminated.

(19) Moreover, the pictogram display device 1 comprises a stack of layers 8 comprising an opaque covering layer 3 having a certain color and wherein a through opening 32 which defines the pictogram to be displayed is formed.

(20) More specifically, and as seen in FIG. 3, the covering layer 3 has an inner face 30 situated on the side of the light source 2 and an outer face 31 opposite the inner face 30 and situated on the side of the vehicle passenger compartment. The opening 32 defining the pictogram to be displayed and visible with fine lines in FIG. 1 extends from the inner face 30 to the outer face 31 of the covering layer 3.

(21) In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the stack of layers 8 comprises an insert 7, made for example of plastic, notably translucent, and forms a part of the outer surface of the instrument panel 110 visible for the occupants of the vehicle.

(22) In FIG. 3, the stack of layers 8 further comprises a photosensitive layer 4 having an inner face 40 situated on the side of the light source 2 and an outer face 41 opposite the inner face 40 and situated on the side of the vehicle passenger compartment.

(23) This photosensitive layer 4 further extends facing the opening 32 formed in the covering layer 3 as seen in FIG. 3. Alternatively or in combination, it could be envisaged that the photosensitive layer 4 extends also or instead into the opening 32 of the covering layer 3. In this case, it could advantageously be envisaged that the covering layer 3 and the photosensitive layer 4 are manufactured jointly for example by a plastic co-injection technique or by a duplicate molding technique.

(24) In the example of an embodiment illustrated in the figures, the covering layer 3 is formed from a layer of opaque paint conventionally used to cover vehicle elements such as an instrument panel, and the photosensitive layer 4 is formed from a layer of photosensitive paint.

(25) The photosensitive layer 4 is envisaged to be opaque having the same color as the covering layer 3 when the light source 2 is not emitting light. In other words, when the light source is deactivated, the covering layer 3 and the photosensitive layer 4 are both opaque having the same color. In this way, the opening 32 formed in the covering layer 3 and defining the pictogram to be displayed is masked by the photosensitive layer 4 and is not visible, is not distinctive for an occupant of the vehicle.

(26) Moreover, the photosensitive layer 4 is envisaged to reversibly react to the light emitted by the light source 2 when activated so as to allow this light to pass at least partially through the opening 32 of the covering layer 3, or change color in order to be distinguished from the covering layer 3.

(27) In this way, when the light source 2 is activated, the light emitted by the light source 2 and impacting the inner face 40 of the photosensitive layer 4 makes the photosensitive layer 4 react, i.e. this light changes the intrinsic properties of the photosensitive layer 4 such that said layer becomes at least partially transparent or translucent and allows at least a portion of the light from the light source 2 to pass or changes color in order to be distinguished from the covering layer 3.

(28) Hereinafter in the description, the photosensitive layer 4 will be considered to react when the light source 2 is activated by becoming at least partially transparent or translucent and allowing at least a portion of the light from the light source 2 to pass.

(29) At least a portion of the light emitted by the light source 2 when activated then passes through the photosensitive layer 4 and comes out of the outer face 41 thereof, then passes through the opening 32 formed in the covering layer 3 and leads inside the passenger compartment 100. The pictogram defined by the opening 32 then appears to be illuminated to the occupants of the vehicle.

(30) One aim of the present invention is to ensure that the ambient light present inside the vehicle passenger compartment does not make the photosensitive layer 4 react, such that the pictogram defined in the covering layer 3 is only visible for the occupants of the vehicle when the light source 2 is activated and illuminates the photosensitive layer 4.

(31) Various alternative or cumulative solutions are envisaged for this purpose.

(32) In this way, a first solution may be of envisaging that the photosensitive layer 4 only reacts above a certain illumination threshold S, said threshold S being defined so as to be suitable for being reached by the light emitted by the light source 2, but not by the ambient light present inside the passenger compartment. In this way, it is ensured that the photosensitive layer 4 can only react and become at least partially transparent (or change color if applicable) when it is illuminated by the light source 2 following an activation thereof.

(33) As a general rule, i.e. in the case of a closed or non-open vehicle travelling on a day of average sunlight, the illumination to which a vehicle passenger compartment is subjected does not exceed a certain value hereinafter referred to as average illumination. According to this first solution, the constituent material of the photosensitive layer 4, herein paint, will be chosen so that said photosensitive layer 4 only reacts above an illumination threshold s greater than this average illumination value inside the vehicle passenger compartment. Also, it would be possible for example to choose for the photosensitive layer 4 a material which only reacts above an illumination threshold s greater than the average illumination of a vehicle passenger compartment.

(34) In a variant, the photosensitive layer 4 may have photochromism properties and the light source may emit a low intensity of UV, more accurately negative photochromism properties. When light source 2 is switched on the photosensitive layer 4 is submitted to UV radiation, the photosensitive layer 4 becomes transparent and the mainly visible light emitted by the light source 2 pass through the photosensitive layer 4.

(35) A further solution for achieving the aim mentioned above is that of envisaging a filter 5 situated on the side of the outer face 41 of the photosensitive layer 4, facing the opening 32 of the covering layer 3, and suitable for blocking the light to which the photosensitive layer is sensitive and from the vehicle passenger compartment.

(36) More specifically, according to this solution, it is envisaged that the photosensitive layer reacts to light situated in a given wavelength ranging between 1 and 2. The light source 2 is suitable for emitting light situated at least in part in said given wavelength range 1-2 to which the photosensitive layer 4 reacts, wherein the inner face 40 is impacted by this light, reacts to change from an opaque state to an at least partially transparent state (or change color if applicable). A filter 5 is then envisaged, situated on the side of the outer face 41 of the photosensitive layer 4, i.e. that facing the vehicle passenger compartment, at the opening 32 of the covering layer 3, and suitable for blocking at least the light situated in the wavelength range 1-2 from the passenger compartment. In this way, the portion of the light from the passenger compartment which has a wavelength situated in the range 1-2 to which the photosensitive layer 4 is sensitive will be blocked by the filter 5 and will not reach said photosensitive layer 4.

(37) In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the stack of layers 8 successively comprises in the direction S of light diffusion from the light source 2 from said light source 2 to the passenger compartment 100, the insert 7, the photosensitive layer 4 mounted on the insert 7, a film 10 the purpose whereof will be described hereinafter and mounted on the photosensitive layer 4, the opaque covering layer 3 mounted on the film 10 and comprising the opening 32 forming the pictogram to be displayed, and a layer of varnish 5 mounted on the covering layer 3 and also filling the cavity 33 defined at the opening 32 by the covering layer 3 and the photosensitive layer 4.

(38) This varnish advantageously makes it possible to mask the surface relief present on the visible face of the display device 1 by filling the cavity 33 defined by the opening 32 formed in the covering layer 3, thus offering to the view of an occupant of the vehicle a smooth and uniform visible surface.

(39) The varnish forming this layer of varnish 5 may further be advantageously chosen so as to fulfil the function of the filter mentioned above.

(40) A third solution envisaged to achieve the aim mentioned above is that of envisaging on the side of the outer face 41 of the photosensitive layer 4, i.e. that subjected to the ambient light from the vehicle passenger compartment 100, facing the opening 32 of the covering layer 3, a polarizing film 10 for polarizing the light from the passenger compartment 100 such that this polarized light cannot make the photosensitive layer 4 react.

(41) More specifically, it can be envisaged that the photosensitive layer 4 only reacts when subjected to light waves situated in a given plane P. The light source 2 will be suitable for emitting at least light waves situated in this given plane P such that the light emitted by the light source 2 is capable of making the photosensitive layer 4 react. The polarizing film 10 will then be chosen so that it polarizes the light from the vehicle passenger compartment, and passing through the opening 32 of the covering layer 3, such that the light waves passing through said film 10 and impacting the outer face 41 of the photosensitive layer 4 is polarized in a different plane P to the plane P. In this way, the light from the passenger compartment and passing through the polarizing film 10 before reaching the photosensitive layer 4 cannot make said layer react, as the constituent waves thereof will have been polarized in a different plane P to the plane P.

(42) The different layers forming the stack of layers 8 visible in FIG. 3 may be mounted on one another for example by bonding or by any other suitable method known to those skilled in the art.

(43) In the example of an embodiment described herein, the photosensitive layer 4 and the covering layer 3 are embodied in the form of paints applied on the insert 7 ensuring the structural rigidity of the section of instrument panel 110 whereon the display device 1 is arranged. Alternatively, it could be envisaged to do without the insert 7, by designing at least one among the covering layer 3 and the photosensitive layer 4 in the form of a structural element made for example of plastic and having a specific structural rigidity.

(44) In a further alternative or cumulative embodiment with respect to the above, the light source 2 is a first light source and the display device 1 further comprises a second light source 2 (shown with dotted lines in FIG. 3) connected to the control system 9 and suitable for emitting light in response to a second control signal following the activation of the first light source 2, the inner face 40 of the photosensitive layer 4 facing the first and the second light source 2, 2.

(45) In this way, in this embodiment, it can be envisaged that the first light source 2 is envisaged to make the photosensitive layer react for example by emitting UV light, by inducing the at least partial transparency thereof or the change of color thereof, and that the second light source 2 is envisaged to illuminate the inner face 40 of the photosensitive layer, i.e. to emit visible light so as to accentuate the visibility of the pictogram defined by the opening 32 formed in the covering layer for the occupants of the vehicle passenger compartment.

(46) The second control signal inducing the activation of the second light source 2 may be generated by the control system 9 either automatically, simultaneously or directly after the generation of the first control signal controlling the activation of the first light source 2, or following a specific command initiated by an occupant of the vehicle passenger compartment.

(47) In particular, in the case of the use of the display device 1 in a vehicle warning light control device 11, it may for example be envisaged with this embodiment, that the first light source 2 is activated in continuous mode by the control system 9 from the power-up of the instrument panel, notably following contact (in other words, starting) of the vehicle, this activation inducing the reaction of the photosensitive layer, which may be conveyed by a change of degree of transparency or color thus rendering the pictogram visible for the occupants of the vehicle, and that the second light source 2 is activated in flashing mode following a warning light actuation command initiated by an occupant of the vehicle passenger compartment by actuating the control device 11, and thus represent the active operating status of the warning lights.

(48) Of course, the subject matter of the invention is not restricted to the embodiments described as illustrative and not limitative embodiments. For instance, even if it is not preferred according to the invention, the photosensitive layer 4 may extend on the outer face 31 of the covering layer 3.