CN111326085A

CN111326085A - Illuminable display device

Info

Publication number: CN111326085A
Application number: CN201911278701.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: K.迈尔林; A.阿布的拉齐兹
Original assignee: Volkswagen AG
Current assignee: Volkswagen AG
Priority date: 2018-12-14
Filing date: 2019-12-13
Publication date: 2020-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-13
Also published as: CN111326085B; DE102018221841A1

Abstract

Illuminable display device (2) comprising a light source (4) for emission (30) of a light beam (6), a conductor layer (8) for reception and transmission (32) of the light beam (6), at least one transport element (10) for reception and transmission (34) of the light beam (6), a cover layer (12) for reception and coupling-out (36) of the light beam (6) along a coupling-out direction (R), wherein the light source (4) is arranged at an end side (14a) of the conductor layer (8) and the transfer element (10) is arranged in such a way between the cover layer (12) and the conductor layer (8), so that a transfer of the light beam (6) from the conductor layer (8) to the transfer element (10) substantially perpendicular to the coupling-out direction (R) can be performed, so as to illuminate the cover layer (12) indirectly via the transport element (10) through the conductor layer (8).

Description

Illuminable display device

Technical Field

The invention relates to an illuminable display device and a method for illuminating a display device.

Background

Illuminated display devices are known from the prior art. Document DE 102014112470 a1 relates to a fitting for a motor vehicle (or so-called trim part, namely an ausstattungsteel) with a carrier, a compound film and a light source. The composite film is arranged on a carrier and has a light-conducting layer, a scattering layer and two paint layers, so that the light beam generated by the light source is coupled into the composite film and the visible side of the piece of equipment can be illuminated in a planar manner by means of the composite film.

Document DE 102016204622 a1 relates to a lighting device for a vehicle, having a light source for emitting a light beam, a light conductor layer for guiding the light beam from the light source between an upper side and a lower side of the light conductor layer, and a reflective layer for emitting the light beam, wherein the light source is designed for emitting the light beam into the light conductor layer and the reflective layer is arranged adjacent to the light conductor layer below the lower side.

Document DE 102015203971 a1 relates to a lighting device for a vehicle, comprising at least one light emitter connected to a light-transmitting means, a partially light-transmitting upper layer, wherein the light-transmitting means is substantially flat and comprises an area with at least one optical structure which deflects the light in the direction of the upper layer.

Document US 5,856,855 relates to an illumination system comprising an optical waveguide of optically transparent material with an exit face and a large number of end faces, and a light source which is arranged opposite at least one of the end faces and via which light can be coupled into the end face of the optical waveguide.

It is particularly disadvantageous in the above-described prior art that the region to be illuminated is generally directly backlit (hingerleuchtet). This can in particular lead to faults on the light guide leading to uneven illumination and the symbols or images to be illuminated becoming less visible to a desired extent.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to at least partially eliminate the disadvantages described above, and in particular to make available an illuminable display device which ensures reliable and high-quality illumination in a simple and cost-effective manner.

The above object is achieved by a device with the features of claim 1 and by a method according to claim 9. Further features and details emerge from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. The technical features disclosed in connection with the device according to the invention are likewise applicable here in connection with the method according to the invention and vice versa, so that all inventive aspects in the context of the disclosure can always be mutually referred to. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The illuminable display device according to the invention comprises a light source for emitting a light beam, a conductor layer for receiving and transmitting (or called transmitting, weiterleitsung), at least one transport element for receiving and transmitting (or called transport element, Ü berf ü hrungselement) the light beam, and a cover layer for receiving and coupling out (or called outcoupling, auskoppling) the light beam in an outcoupling direction.

In this case, the illuminated display device can be used in particular in a motor vehicle. It is also possible that the display device is also used in other fields, for example in the case of switches in domestic applications, light switches, for example in the home, or switches at tools or machines or the like.

In view of the arrangement of the transfer element, the transfer element is here arranged according to the invention not only at least partially directly at the cover layer but also at least partially directly at the conductor layer, in particular the arrangement according to the invention which is partially inserted or integrated into the conductor layer and in this way incorporates the light source, safeguards the possibility of a substantially perpendicular transmission of the light beam emitted by the light source from the conductor layer to the transfer element and thus ensures an indirect illumination of the cover layer by the conductor layer via the transfer element.

Indirect illumination is understood here to mean the forwarding of the light beam via a transport means, which is formed here in the form of a transfer element. The illuminable display device is preferably designed such that a cover layer is arranged on top and a conductor layer is arranged below the cover layer. Between the cover layer and the conductor layer, furthermore (preferably at least partially integrated into the conductor layer) at least one transfer element is arranged. It is clear that a plurality, preferably a plurality, of transport elements can be arranged in addition to one transport element in a particular illuminable display device. Likewise, a plurality of conductor layers can also be provided in the illuminable display device, which are then advantageously arranged directly on top of one another.

The coupling-out direction according to the invention is understood in particular to be the direction in which a light beam emitted by the light source is coupled out or leaves the cover layer.

In the case of the present invention, it is seen that a high-quality, in particular particularly uniform, illumination is ensured in a simple and cost-effective manner by means of the illuminable display device according to the invention, in particular by the transmission of the light beam from the conductor layer to the at least one transfer element approximately perpendicularly to the coupling-out direction (R).

In particular, the cover layer can be formed in the form of at least one key cap, which preferably makes possible an input process, since the display device can be illuminated in a multi-sided manner. Preferably, the cover layer is formed in the form of a plurality, in particular a large number, of key caps. The key cap preferably has transparent and opaque regions, the transparent regions advantageously being formed in the form of display elements, for example symbols, letters or numbers or the like. The cover layer can preferably be made of plastic, in particular at least partially of polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate or the like. The transparent regions can be preferably machined into the cover layer by means of a chemical reaction, for example by etching methods or in the form of laser irradiation or the like.

In view of the simple and cost-effective and energy-saving illumination of the illuminable display device, it can furthermore be provided according to the invention that the light source is designed in the form of an LED. The LED can advantageously be composed at least in part of elements of the fourth or fifth main group, in particular at least in part of the elements gallium and/or silicon. Preferably, the light source can emit light in a certain wavelength range here, especially in the range of 610-760nm and/or 590-610nm and/or 570-590nm and/or 500-570nm and/or 450-500nm and/or 400-450 nm. It can furthermore be provided that more than one, preferably a plurality of, LEDs are provided, which then preferably emit light in different wavelength ranges, in particular light of different colors. For example, each conductor layer may be provided with at least one LED, which then preferably emits light of a different color accordingly. Furthermore, the specific design of the LEDs used can be specifically adapted to the respective requirements. The LEDs used can thus be formed, for example, in the form of DIP LEDs and/or SMD LEDs and/or high-power LEDs and/or COB LEDs and/or OLEDs and/or the like, wherein combinations of differently designed LEDs are also conceivable.

In the case of a particularly small-design and compact arrangement, it can furthermore be provided that the conductor layer is formed in the form of a thin-film optical waveguide. The flexible structure of the thin-film light guide ensures, inter alia, a particularly multi-sided design of the particular display device. In view of the simple structure and the efficient coupling of light into the conductor layer, it can furthermore be provided that the conductor layer comprises lateral decoupling points for the coupling of the light beams.

In particular in the case of the embodiment of the particular illuminable display device in the form of an additional input device, it is conceivable for the transport element to be configured in the form of a key cylinder. In this case, the embodiment of the transport element in the form of a key cylinder ensures a compact and space-saving design, in particular in the combination of the display and input device, which is preferably formed with keys, in such a way that the key cylinder provided overall can fulfill the purpose of transmitting the light beam to the cover layer provided according to the invention. For this purpose, the transport element can preferably likewise consist of a plastic, in particular a plastic with a high optical conductivity, such as a fiberglass material, polymethyl methacrylate or polycarbonate or the like.

In the case of a particularly compact and compact arrangement, it can furthermore be provided that a circuit board is provided for voltage supply and current guidance. In addition to the voltage supply and current guiding of the particular display device, the circuit board may also be provided for mechanical fixing of the individual components of the particular display device. For this purpose, the circuit board is then advantageously designed as a bottom element or the like at the bottom.

In view of a particularly efficient and low-loss illumination, it can furthermore be provided that a reflective layer is provided, wherein the reflective layer is arranged at least partially directly at the conductor layer and/or the transport element. In this case, a reflective layer is provided, in particular, for the reflection of scattered light, which is correspondingly reflected and thus transferred again to the conductor layer and/or to the transfer element. In order to make an effective return of scattered light possible here, the reflective layer is preferably arranged here between the printed circuit board and the conductor layer and/or the transport element. In particular, materials having a particularly high light reflectivity can be used as the material. In this case, it can be provided, in particular, that the material of the reflective layer is adapted to the light source(s) used. It can thus be ensured, for example, that the materials used have a particularly high reflectivity in the wavelength range emitted by the light source.

Depending on the specific arrangement, the conductor layer and/or the transfer element preferably have a transfer region for the transmission of the light beam, wherein the transfer region is arranged at the interface between the conductor layer and the transfer element. The transfer areas arranged at the interface between the conductor layer and the transfer element are preferably cylindrical in shape and distributed uniformly around the transfer element(s).

In view of the controllable guidance of the emitted light and the associated uniform and intensive illumination, it can also be provided according to the invention that a beam guidance device for guiding the light beam is provided. The beam guidance means can be embodied and preferably arranged in the transport region, for example, with a light-impermeable cover sheet or coating, a marking or the like. The arrangement of the beam guide is particularly advantageous in the case of embodiments with two or more conductor layers, which are preferably arranged directly on top of one another. In the case of such an embodiment, color coding or illumination separation can be achieved in particular by means of current guiding devices, in which two or more conductor layers arranged one above the other are illuminated with LEDs of correspondingly different colors and the coupling of the beam (or irradiation, Strahlung) into the transport element at the respective transport region is regulated by the arrangement of the beam guiding devices. In this way, color coding or illumination separation can be achieved without arranging separate LEDs at the individual transport elements.

Likewise, the object of the invention is also a motor vehicle comprising the illuminable display device described above.

Furthermore, a method for illuminating an illuminable display device is also subject matter of the invention. The specific method comprises the steps of emitting a light beam by means of a light source, receiving and transmitting the light beam by means of a conductor layer to at least one transfer element, receiving and transmitting the light beam by means of the at least one transfer element to the cover layer, and receiving and coupling out the light beam by means of the cover layer in a coupling-out direction (R). The particular method for illuminating the illuminable display device is characterized in that the transmission of the light beam to the at least one transport element takes place substantially perpendicularly to the coupling-out direction (R) in order to illuminate the cover layer indirectly via the transport element via the conductor layer. The method according to the invention therefore brings about the same advantages as have already been described in detail in connection with the illuminable display device according to the invention. In the case of a well-controllable guidance of the emitted light and the associated uniform and intensive illumination, it can furthermore be provided according to the invention that the light beam is coupled out and passed on to the transport element only via a transport region arranged at the interface between the conductor layer and the transport element. In this case, the respective controlled coupling-out and transfer of light can be achieved in particular via the previously described beam guidance device for guidance of the light beam, which is arranged at the interface between the conductor layer and the transport element. Color coding or illumination separation can also be realized via the beam guidance device in particular in such a way that the light of LEDs of different colors is transmitted accordingly.

Drawings

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description, in which embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can be essential for the invention here individually or in any combination.

Wherein:

figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view along a longitudinal section of an illuminable display apparatus according to the invention according to a first embodiment,

figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a top view towards the lower part of the illuminable display device according to the invention according to figure 1,

figure 3 shows a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of an upper part of an illuminable display apparatus according to the invention according to figure 1,

figure 4 shows a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of a part of an illuminable display apparatus according to the invention according to a second embodiment,

fig. 5 shows a schematic illustration of the individual steps of the method according to the invention for the illumination of an illuminable display device.

In the figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same technical features.

List of reference numerals

2 illuminable display device

4 light source

6 light beam

6a light of a first color

6b light of a second color

8 conductive layer

10 Transporter element

12 cover layer

Side 14

14a end side

14b upper side

16 reflective layer

18 circuit board

20 transfer area

22 interface

24-beam guiding device

28 orientation

28a open orientation

28b orientation of closure

30 emitting a light beam

32 receive and transmit light beams

34 receive and transmit light beams

36 receive and couple out the light beam

R couples the output direction.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view along a longitudinal section of an illuminable display apparatus 2 according to the invention according to a first embodiment. The illuminable display device 2 comprises a light source 4 for emission 30 of the light beam 6, a conductor layer 8 for receiving and transmitting 32 the light beam 6, in this case three transport elements 10 arranged next to one another for receiving and transmitting 34 the light beam 6, and a cover layer 12 for receiving and coupling out 36 the light beam 6 in the coupling-out direction R. The cover layer 12 is formed in this case in the form of three keycaps arranged next to one another, which in each case have a transparent region 9, which can be formed, for example, in the form of a display element, for example a symbol, a letter, a number or the like. The cover layer 12 can be made of plastic, for example polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polybutylene terephthalate or polycarbonate, or the like. Furthermore, the illuminable display device 2 according to the invention comprises a reflective layer 16 arranged below the conductor layer 8 and a circuit board 18 arranged below the reflective layer 16. The reflective layer 16 is provided in particular for the reflection of scattered light, which can be reflected accordingly by the reflective layer 16 and can therefore be passed on again to the conductor layer 8 and/or to the transfer element 10 (or a plurality thereof), in order to ensure effective utilization of the light source 4. In particular, materials having a particularly high light reflectivity can be used as the material. In this case, it can be provided, in particular, that the material of the reflective layer 16 is adapted to the light source 4(s) used and therefore has a preferably particularly high reflectivity in the wavelength range emitted by the light source 4. In addition, the specific circuit board 18 serves for voltage supply and current guidance, in particular of the light source 4. In addition to the voltage supply and current guidance of the particular display device 2, the circuit board 18 can also be provided for mechanical fixing of the individual components of the display device 2.

In view of the arrangement according to the invention of the illuminable display device 2 with the light sources 4 arranged at the end faces 14a of the conductor layer 8 and the arrangement of the transfer element 10 between the cover layer 12 and the conductor layer 8, it is now possible to carry out a transmission of the light beam 6 from the conductor layer 8 to the transfer element 10 approximately perpendicular to the coupling-out direction R in order to illuminate the cover layer 12 indirectly via the transfer element 10 by means of the conductor layer 8. In view of the illumination achieved indirectly according to the invention via the transport element 10, it is possible in particular to ensure a high-quality, in particular uniform illumination of the display device 2 that can be illuminated in particular.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a top view towards the lower part of the illuminable display apparatus 2 according to the invention according to fig. 1. The lower part of the particular illuminable display device 2 here comprises the conductor layer 8 and the transport element 10 which is at least partially integrated into the conductor layer 8. The transport element 10 and/or the conductor layer 8, which is in this case of cylindrical design, comprises a transport region 20 arranged at an interface 22 between the conductor layer 8 and the transport element 10, in which the transmission of the light beam 6 from the conductor layer 8 to the transport element 10 takes place. In this case, the light beams 6 (before the transfer to the transfer element 10 takes place at the transfer region 20) which are coupled into the conductor layer 8 by the two light sources 4, preferably comprising LEDs, at the end side 14a arranged perpendicularly to the upper side 14b are advantageously first distributed uniformly on the conductor layer 8, so that a structural failure of the conductor layer 8 does not lead to uneven illumination of the individual elements of the illuminable display device 2.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of an upper part of an illuminable display apparatus 2 according to the invention according to fig. 1. In this case, the cover layer 12, which is formed in the form of three keycaps arranged next to one another (as already described above), comprises a transparent region 9, which can preferably be formed in the form of a symbol, a letter, a number or the like and can be illuminated in each case by the transmission of the light emitted by the light source 4 via the transfer element 10.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of a part of an illuminated display apparatus 2 according to the invention according to a second embodiment. The illuminable display device 2 according to the second exemplary embodiment additionally comprises a beam guide 24 arranged in the transport region 20 for guiding the light beam 6 emitted via the light source 4. In this case, the flow-directing device 24 can be in a state 28a in which it is open relative to the transport element 10 or in a state 28b in which it is closed relative to the transport element 10, so that a controllable guidance of the light beam 6 can be achieved via this arrangement and a special embodiment of the flow-directing device 24. The flow guide 24 can be designed, for example, in the form of a light-tight covering film, coating, paint or the like. In conjunction with the arrangement of the differently colored light sources 4, light of the first color 6a and light of the second color 6b, for example, can be incident into two or more conductor layers 8 arranged one above the other and can optionally be coupled out in the transport region 20 by means of the flow guidance device 24 and conveyed to the transport element 10 arranged there, so that in this way color coding or illumination separation can be achieved without a large number of individual light sources 4 being arranged.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic illustration of the individual steps of a method according to the invention for illuminating an illuminable display device 2.

In the case of the method according to the invention, it is first of all achieved that a light beam 6 is emitted 30 by means of the light source 4 (in the step following this, it is achieved by means of the conductor layer 8, which is preferably embodied in the form of a thin-film light guide, before the light beam 6 is received and passed 32 to the at least one transfer element 10).

After receiving and transmitting 32 the light beam 6 to the at least one transfer element 10, the receiving and transmitting 34 of the light beam 6 to the cover layer 12 by means of the at least one particular transfer element 10 is effected in a third step of the method according to the invention.

Subsequently, in a fourth step of the specific method, it is provided that the light beam 6 is received by means of the cover layer 12 and coupled out 36 along the coupling-out direction R.

According to this specific method, the transmission 32 of the light beam 6 to the at least one transfer element 10 is effected here approximately perpendicular to the coupling-out direction R, in order to illuminate the cover layer 12 indirectly via the transfer element 10 via the conductor layer 8.

In the case of a well-controllable guidance of the light 6 emitted by the light source(s) 4 and the associated uniform, dense illumination, it can be provided according to the invention that the light beam 6 is coupled out only at a transport region 20 arranged at an interface 22 between the conductor layer 8 and the transport element 10 and is passed on to the transport element 10. In this case, a correspondingly controlled coupling-out and transfer 32 of light can be achieved in particular via the beam guidance 24 arranged in the transport region 20 for guiding the light beam 6, via which in particular also a color coding or a luminous separation can be achieved.

With the aid of the specific illuminable display device 2 or with the aid of the specific method for illuminating the illuminable display device 2, it is possible in particular to ensure a high-quality illumination, in particular a uniform and intensive illumination, of the display device 2 in a simple and cost-effective manner.

Claims

1. An illuminable display device (2) comprising

A light source (4) for emission (30) of a light beam (6),

-a conductor layer (8) for the reception and transmission (32) of the light beam (6),

-at least one transfer element (10) for receiving and delivering (34) the light beam (6),

-a cover layer (12) for reception and coupling-out (36) of the light beam (6) along a coupling-out direction (R),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the light source (4) is arranged on the end face (14a) of the conductor layer (8) and the transfer element (10) is arranged between the cover layer (12) and the conductor layer (8) in such a way that a transfer of the light beam (6) from the conductor layer (8) to the transfer element (10) can be carried out substantially perpendicularly to the coupling-out direction (R) in order to illuminate the cover layer (12) indirectly via the transfer element (10) by means of the conductor layer (8).

2. An illuminable display device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the cover layer (12) is constructed in the form of at least one keycap.

3. An illuminable display device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the light source (4) is constructed in the form of an LED.

4. An illuminable display device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conductor layer (8) is constructed in the form of a thin-film photoconductor.

5. An illuminable display device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport element (10) is constructed in the form of a key cylinder.

6. An illuminable display device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit board (18) is provided for voltage supply and current guidance.

7. The illuminable display device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a reflective layer (16) is provided, wherein the emissive layer (16) is arranged at least partially directly at the conductor layer (8) and/or the transport element (10).

8. An illuminable display device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductor layer (8) and/or the transport element (10) have a transport region (20) for the transmission of the light beam (6), wherein the transport region (20) is arranged at an interface (22) between the conductor layer (8) and the transport element (10).

9. An illuminable display device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a beam guidance device (24) is provided for guidance of the light beam (6).

10. Method for illuminating an illuminable display device (2), comprising the steps of:

-emitting (30) a light beam (6) by means of a light source (4),

-receiving and transmitting (32) the light beam (6) by means of a conductor layer (8) to at least one transfer element (10),

-receiving and transmitting (34) the light beam (6) by means of the transfer element (10) to the cover layer (12),

-receiving and out-coupling (36) the light beam (6) along an out-coupling direction (R) by means of the cover layer (12),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the transmission (32) of the light beam (6) to at least one transfer element (10) is effected substantially perpendicularly to the coupling-out direction (R) in order to illuminate the cover layer (12) indirectly via the transfer element (10) through the conductor layer (8).