DE102018104894A1 - Display device for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a display device (10) for a motor vehicle with a display unit (12) and a protective cover (14) which is arranged on a side of the display device (10) facing a viewer of the display unit (12) and with a material (20 ), which at least partially fills a between the display unit (12) and the protective cover (14) formed intermediate space (18). The material (20) is gel-like and elastic and is residue-free from the display unit (12) and the protective cover (14) detachable.

Description

The invention relates to a display device for a motor vehicle, which comprises a display unit and a protective cover. The protective cover is arranged on a side facing the viewer of the display unit side of the display device. A material fills a space formed between the display unit and the protective cover at least partially.

The attachment of a protective cover, such as a protective glass, by means of an adhesive on a front side of a display is also referred to as optical bonding. The adhesive between the glass and the surface of the display eliminates an air gap or an air layer between these two parts. This increases the readability of content displayed on the display or the display unit. Because filling in the air gap increases the contrast by reducing reflected ambient light.

In order to realize the optical bonding, usually a low-viscosity adhesive composition is distributed between the parts to be bonded together. The curing of the adhesive then causes the two parts to be held together. However, such a process is costly and not easy to master.

Furthermore, the describes WO 2017/108896 A1 a control interface for a motor vehicle, in which a protective plate made of glass or polycarbonate is glued by means of an optical adhesive on a touch panel. The touch panel is in turn glued by means of a transparent optical adhesive such as an optical silicone with a display module, which includes a flat screen. Also at the WO 2017/108896 A1 Thus, optical bonding is realized by means of an adhesive.

Object of the present invention is to provide a display device of the type mentioned, which is particularly easy to produce.

This object is achieved by a display device having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The display device according to the invention for a motor vehicle comprises a display unit and a protective cover. The protective cover is arranged on a side facing the viewer of the display unit side of the display device. A material of the display device, which at least partially fills a space formed between the display unit and the protective cover is formed gel-like and elastic, and the material is residue-free from the display unit and the protective cover solvable. In other words, as the material which is suitable for connecting the display unit and the protective cover to one another free of air entrapment, no hardening adhesive is used, but rather the non-hardening, gelatinous material. This gel-like material thus retains its elasticity permanently unlike an adhesive whose elasticity decreases due to curing.

In addition, the gel-like material does not adhere the display unit and the protective cover to each other in such a way that the display unit and the protective cover could be detached from each other again only at the cost of destruction. Rather, the gel-like material connects the display unit and the protective cover together so that the display unit and / or the protective cover can be released again from the gel-like material, leaving substantially no residue of the material on the display unit or on the protective cover. Such a material causes the display device can be particularly easy to manufacture or manufacture, just because the material does not glue together the two parts in the form of the display unit and the protective cover.

Rather, the material can be provided as a prefabricated, gel-like part, which can be placed between the display unit and the protective cover in order to connect these two parts together air-free. Thus, a connection of the display unit and the protective cover is achievable with each other, as it can be achieved with respect to the optical properties of the display device by optical bonding, without the material arranged in the gap actually glued to the display unit or with the protective cover. A suitable gel-like material is available, for example, in the form of a silicone composition under the designation Unisoft ST-05A-CL-6-01 from United Soft Plastics.

Preferably, the gel-like material is relatively soft, so that it can be particularly good when filling the gap between the display unit and the protective cover with the display unit on the one hand and with the protective cover on the other hand bring into abutment. Accordingly, it is preferable that the gel-like material has a Shore A hardness of 1 to 5 both before being arranged in the space and in the space located in the space. In such, very soft material can be particularly make sure that it retains its elasticity permanently and fills the space without air bubbles.

Preferably, the gel-like material is already brought into a space in the intermediate space before arranging, which is adapted to a contour of a surface of the display unit and / or the protective cover facing the gap. If the surfaces of the display unit, on the one hand, and the protective cover, on the other hand, are formed substantially parallel to one another, then the gel-like material or the prefabricated part can likewise have corresponding side surfaces parallel to one another. Thus, even if the material is compressed in the intermediate space, a particularly good, flat contact of the gel-like material or gel-like part on the display unit on the one hand and the protective cover on the other hand.

However, it can also be provided that in particular the protective cover has a curved shape. Again, it is preferably provided that the gel-like material is brought into the mold before placing in the intermediate space, which is adapted to the space facing the contour of the curved surface about the protective cover. The three-dimensionally preformed gel-like material can therefore be adapted in particular to bulges and / or curvatures of surfaces of the display unit and / or the protective cover. So it can be ensured that upon compression of the elastic, gel-like material, a compressive stress of the material is particularly evenly distributed. This, too, is conducive to air-free filling of the gap between the display unit and the protective cover.

As a further advantage, it has been shown that the display unit has a display area, wherein the gel-like material protrudes beyond an edge of the display area. In other words, the gel-like material having an excess volume may be provided relative to the gap existing in the display device between the display unit and the protective cover, so that when the protective cover is assembled with the display unit, excess gelatinous material is displaced. This way, air pockets can be prevented very well.

This is particularly advantageous if the optical properties of the display device are to be improved by arranging the gel-like material in the intermediate space. For by eliminating air in the gap, reflections of ambient light are reduced, which may otherwise affect the sharpness and contrast of images or the like displayed in the display area during operation of the display unit. Thus, if the gel-like material, in particular on all sides, projects beyond the edge of the display area, the legibility of the image displayed in the entire display area of the display unit is improved.

The display unit may comprise at least one light source and a light guide associated with the at least one light source. Here, the gel-like material is preferably arranged in a gap between the protective cover and the light guide. In this way, a particularly homogeneous illumination can be achieved by means of the light emitted by, for example, the LED as a light source, which passes through the light guide to the gel-like material. In addition, readability is improved by means of the at least one light source. As a light guide, for example, a transparent, in particular from a plastic such as PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) formed component can be used.

The display device can be designed as a touch-sensitive display and control device. Here, a sensor device for detecting a contact of the protective cover is arranged on the display unit and / or on the protective cover. In other words, the display device can thus be designed as a touch-sensitive input device, for example as a touch display or touchscreen. Accordingly, such a display device can be produced in a simplified manner, and the functionality of the display device is extended, since it also finds use as an operating device.

The sensor device can be designed, in particular, as a capacitive sensor device, by means of which the touching of the protective cover due to a change in the capacitance can be detected.

The sensor device preferably comprises at least one sensor module arranged on a printed circuit board and at least one dielectric component, which is arranged between the at least one sensor module and the protective cover. Here, the gel-like material is disposed in a space between the protective cover and the dielectric member. As a result, no air gap exists between the dielectric member and the protective cover. The sensitivity of the at least one sensor module with regard to detecting a change in capacitance thereby increases, so that a sensor device having an improved sensitivity is provided.

The ease of manufacture of the display device, it is further beneficial if the protective cover is held to form a positive connection to the display unit. Here, the gel-like material is elastically deformed in the gap. For example, the protective cover can be locked to the display unit and thus form the positive connection. In this way, an intimate mechanical contact between the display unit and the gel-like material on the one hand and the protective cover and the gel-like material on the other hand made. Because the gel-like material is at least slightly compressed in the space.

Preferably, the gap filled by the gel-like material has a lower height in an edge region of the protective cover than in an area of the protective cover adjacent to the edge region. Thus, even with a domed formed protective cover of the display device can be ensured that both air gaps of low height, as they are present in the edge region of the protective cover before introducing the gelatinous mass, and air gaps of greater height are eliminated by the gel-like material.

In particular, air gaps of a height of 0.1 mm to 10 mm can be closed by means of the prefabricated, gel-like material. Thus, protective covers can be connected to the display unit via the gel-like material without air entrapment, which have corresponding bulges or bends.

However, by means of the gel-like material, it is also possible to bridge larger distances between the display unit and the protective cover, so to fill larger spaces. In particular, a height of the gap, which is filled by the gel-like material, be more than 10 millimeters and, for example, at 20 millimeters to 30 millimeters. Even for such comparatively large interspaces, the gel-like material provides the air-free connection of the display unit with the protective cover advantageous properties without the protective cover or the display unit is glued to the gel-like material.

The gel-like material may be transparent. Then, the display device has good optical properties, as is advantageous when using a display as a display unit, in an embodiment of the display device as a control button with the display unit or a touch screen or a touch display.

However, it may also be provided that the gel-like material is designed to scatter light passing through the gel-like material. Such diffuse properties of the gel-like material are advantageous, for example, if homogenous illumination is to be achieved by means of at least one light source of the display device.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle with at least one display device according to the invention. The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the display device according to the invention also apply to the motor vehicle according to the invention.

The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations, without departing from the scope of the invention , Thus, embodiments of the invention are to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, however, emerge and can be produced by separated combinations of features from the embodiments explained. Embodiments and combinations of features are also to be regarded as disclosed, which thus do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim. Moreover, embodiments and combinations of features, in particular by the embodiments set out above, are to be regarded as disclosed which go beyond the feature combinations set out in the back references of the claims or deviate therefrom.

• 1 schematisch eine Anzeigevorrichtung, bei welcher zwischen einer Anzeigeeinheit und einer Schutzabdeckung ein Luftspalt ausgebildet ist;
• 2 das Anordnen eines gelartigen Materials zwischen der Anzeigeeinheit und der Schutzabdeckung bei der Montage der Anzeigevorrichtung;
• 3 das Verrasten der Schutzabdeckung mit der Anzeigeeinheit, wodurch das gelartige Material die beiden Teile lufteinschlussfrei miteinander verbindet;
• 4 schematisch ein Kraftfahrzeug mit einer Anzeigevorrichtung gemäß 3, 5 oder 6;
• 5 schematisch eine Anzeigevorrichtung, bei welcher der Zwischenraum zwischen der Schutzabdeckung und der Anzeigeeinheit aufgrund einer gekrümmten Form der Schutzabdeckung unterschiedliche Höhen aufweist, welche von dem gelartigen Material eingenommen sind; und
• 6 schematisch eine Anzeige- und Bedienvorrichtung, bei welcher das gelartige Material zwischen einer Sensoreinrichtung und der Schutzabdeckung und zwischen einem Lichtleiter und der Schutzabdeckung angeordnet ist.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. Showing:

• 1 schematically a display device in which an air gap is formed between a display unit and a protective cover;
• 2 placing a gel-like material between the display unit and the protective cover during assembly of the display device;
• 3 the locking of the protective cover with the display unit, whereby the gel-like material connects the two parts together air-free;
• 4 schematically a motor vehicle with a display device according to 3 . 5 or 6 ;
• 5 schematically a display device in which the gap between the Protective cover and the display unit due to a curved shape of the protective cover has different heights, which are occupied by the gel-like material; and
• 6 schematically a display and operating device in which the gel-like material between a sensor device and the protective cover and between a light guide and the protective cover is arranged.

1 schematically shows components of a display device 10 (see 3 ), namely a display unit 12 and a protective cover 14 , The display unit 12 For example, it can be designed as a TFT display, ie as a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a thin-film transistor (TFT) control, or as a flat screen with organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) or the like. The protective cover 14 is on a viewer of the display unit 12 facing side of the display device 10 (see 3 ) and may be formed of a glass or a plastic such as a polycarbonate. If, as in 1 shown between the display unit 12 and the protective cover 14 an air gap 16 is formed, this reduces the readability of on the display unit 12 presented content. This is especially true when sunlight is on the protective cover 14 incident. To counter this problem may be in the area of the air gap 16 an adhesive can be placed so that the protective cover 14 with the display unit 12 is glued. Such a placing of a curing adhesive in the region of the air gap 16 is called optical bonding. However, optical bonding is not easy to control and expensive.

Present is therefore in a space eighteen which is between the display unit 12 and the protective cover 14 is formed, a gel-like, elastic material 20 arranged. In this material 20 it may be a silicone material, which preferably has a very low hardness, namely a Shore A hardness of 1 to 5. However, this very soft silicone compound does not cure like an adhesive used for optical bonding. The gel-like material 20 so does not stick with the display unit 12 and the protective cover 14 , which is designed in the manner of a transparent panel. Rather, the gel-like and elastic material can be 20 essentially residue-free from the display unit 12 and the protective cover 14 solve, such as when the display device 10 should be disassembled.

The gel-like material 20 is provided as a prefabricated part, such as injection molding or by extrusion. This finished product is then between the two parts in the form of the display unit 12 and the protective cover 14 placed. This stage during the manufacture of the display device 10 is in 2 illustrated. The material 20 This can be specially shaped so that the material 20 in the state in which the protective cover 14 with the display unit 12 is connected (see 3 ), the elastically deformed mass the gap eighteen almost completely completed. By squeezing the elastic material 20 and thus the pressing of the material 20 both to a bottom or lower surface 34 the protective cover 14 as well as on an upper side or the protective cover 14 facing surface 32 the display unit 12 (see 3 ) provides the gel-like material 20 making sure that the two parts in the form of the display unit 12 and the protective cover 14 air-tightly connected to each other. In this respect, the function of the gel-like material corresponds 20 that of an adhesive used for optical bonding. However, the gelatinous material sticks 20 not with the protective cover 14 and the display unit 12 but the material 20 can be replaced by these two parts again.

Preferably, this is in the gap eighteen between the display unit 12 and the protective cover 14 arranged material 20 transparent and thus has good optical properties.

In the present case are on the protective cover 14 Retaining elements in the form of locking lugs 22 formed, which when locking the protective cover 14 with the display unit 12 one like a frame 24 trained edge of the display unit 12 to reach behind (compare 3 ). Accordingly, as a result of the latching the protective cover 14 forming a positive connection to the display unit 12 held, and it is at the display device 10 (see 3 ) a positive mechanical contact of the gel-like material 20 with the display unit 12 and the protective cover 14 educated.

The elasticity of the gel-like material 20 This leads to the fact that the gel-like material 20 in the gap eighteen is elastically deformed. Out 2 is in synopsis with 3 In this regard, it can be seen that the gel-like material 20 or the prefabricated gel-like part with respect to the gap, which between a display area 26 the display unit 12 and the protective cover 14 is formed, has an excess or overvolume. Accordingly, in the elastically deformed state of the gel-like material 20 (see 3 ) the gel-like material 20 over a border 28 of the display area 26 about. When assembling the two parts in the form of the display unit 12 and the protective cover 14 So this excess mass is displaced so that air bubbles between the display area 26 and the protective cover 14 are prevented.

The excess mass of the gel-like material 20 is here in outdoor areas of the display device 10 squeezed, so that air-free contact between the display unit 12 and the gel-like material 20 on the one hand and between the gel-like material 20 and the protective cover 14 on the other hand. The shape of the gel-like material 20 In this case, it can be adapted individually to the components of the display device to be coupled to one another 10 be matched that the air-entrainment-free installation is guaranteed.

In 4 is shown schematically that the display device 10 especially in a motor vehicle 30 can be used, such as a driver of the motor vehicle 30 Content on the display area 26 the display unit 12 display. The display device 10 However, it can also be designed as a touch-sensitive display and operating device, that is to say in the manner of a touch display or touchscreen. Thus, it is a user of the motor vehicle 30 possible by touching the protective cover 14 with a finger 38 (see 6 ) Make operator inputs, such as functional units of the motor vehicle 30 driving. When the display device 10 touch-sensitive, so is designed about the type of touch display or touch screen, an input device is provided, wherein the protective cover 14 the input interface is.

According to the schematic representation in 2 and 3 is the gap eighteen the display device 10 by substantially parallel, facing surfaces 32 . 34 the display unit 12 and the protective cover 14 limited. However, it can also be provided that in particular the protective cover 14 has curved areas or curved. This is exemplary and strongly schematized in 5 illustrated. For example, the protective cover 14 be arched in such a way that in a border area 36 the protective cover 14 an air gap with a height of 0.1 millimeters through the gel-like material 20 is filled. In contrast, in the on the display unit 12 held state of the protective cover 14 especially in a central region of the protective cover 14 an air gap of about 10 millimeters height from the material 20 filled out. The protective cover 14 However, as in 5 shown, having a plurality of bulges, so that the material has different heights in areas.

Preferably, for filling such, three-dimensionally irregularly shaped spaces eighteen the gel-like material 20 even before placing in the gap eighteen so preformed that one of the respective surface 32 . 34 the display unit 12 or the protective cover 14 facing surface of the material 20 a contour of this surface 32 . 34 follows. According to the schematic representation in 5 For example, the gel-like material 20 even before placing in the gap eighteen be brought into a shape which a contour of the corrugated surface 34 the protective cover 14 follows. Out 5 It can also be seen that the gel-like material 20 due to the attachment of the protective cover 14 on the display unit 12 over the edge area 36 the protective cover 14 survive or from the gap eighteen may well.

In 6 is from the touch-sensitive display device 10 the protective cover 14 shown, which by means of the finger 38 is touched. The display unit 12 the display device 10 according to 6 may serve, such as during operation of the display unit 12 luminous symbol represented by the shield formed as a protective cover 14 is visible through.

Furthermore, in 6 a sensor device 40 the touch-sensitive display device 10 shown schematically. Due to the provision of the sensor device 40 is the display device 10 also designed or usable as an operating device. The sensor device 40 or sensor layer may be formed in particular as a capacitive sensor layer. Accordingly, on a circuit board 42 the sensor device 40 capacitive sensor components 44 be arranged. Between the protective cover designed according to the type of panel 14 and the sensor modules 44 there is a dielectric component 46 , which may be formed for example of an electrically non-conductive plastic.

In this, in 6 shown embodiment of the display device 10 is the gel-like material 20 in a gap between the dielectric member 46 and the lower surface 34 the protective cover 14 , The gel-like material 20 So fills a usually existing air gap between the dielectric component 46 and the protective cover 14 out. Through the gel-like material 20 is thus ensured that the sensitivity of the sensor device 40 increases with respect to the detection of a change in capacity, since the air gap of the gel-like material 20 is taken. In this use of the gel-like material 20 needs the gel-like material 20 not to be transparent, but it can too opaque or designed to scatter light.

On the circuit board 42 In the present case, furthermore, at least one luminous element or a light source is arranged which, for example, as an LED 48 can be trained. A light guide 50 made of a transparent plastic such as PMMA that conducts from the light source or LED 48 emitted light on to the protective cover 14 , Here is the gel-like material 20 in a space between the light guide 50 and the protective cover 14 arranged. Preferably, this has gelatinous material 20 , which with the light guide 50 on the one hand and the lower surface 34 the protective cover 14 On the other hand, in contact, diffuse properties, such as by the presence of corresponding particles in the gel-like material 20 , In this way, by means of the at least one LED 48 delivered and from the light guide 50 forwarded light a homogeneous illumination of the display device 10 in the range of at least one LED 48 be achieved.

Through the LED 48 or a plurality of such light sources can in particular for the user of the motor vehicle 30 a symbol to be represented, which by touching the user interface or the protective cover 14 with your finger 38 triggerable function gives information. The protective cover 14 is then preferably transparent at least in the area in which such a symbol is to be displayed.

In the formation of the display device 10 As a touch-sensitive input device, ie as a display and control device, the sensor device 40 as in 6 shown schematically on the protective cover 14 be arranged. However, it can also be provided that the sensor device 40 on the display unit 12 according to 3 is arranged.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2017/108896 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

A display device (10) for a motor vehicle (30), comprising a display unit (12) and a protective cover (14), which is arranged on a side facing the viewer of the display unit (12) side of the display device (10), and with a material (20 ), which at least partially fills a between the display unit (12) and the protective cover (14) formed intermediate space (18), characterized in that the material (20) gel-like and elastic and residue-free of the display unit (12) and the protective cover ( 14) is detachable. Display device (10) after Claim 1 characterized in that the gel-like material (20) has a Shore A hardness of 1 to 5 both prior to placement in the space (18) and in the condition in the space (18). Display device (10) after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the gel-like material (20), in particular by injection molding or extrusion, is already brought into a form in the intermediate space (18) prior to placement, which contour is adjacent to a space (18) facing a surface (32, 34 ) of the display unit (12) and / or the protective cover (14) is adjusted. Display device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the display unit (12) has a display area (26), wherein the gel-like material (20) projects beyond an edge (28) of the display area (26). Display device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the display unit (12) comprises at least one light source (48) and one light guide (50) associated with the at least one light source (48), the gel material (20) being located in a space between the protective cover (14) and the light source (4) Light guide (50) is arranged. Display device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the display device (10) is designed as a touch-sensitive display and control device, wherein on the display unit (12) and / or on the protective cover (14), a sensor device (40) for detecting a contact of the protective cover (14) is. Display device (10) after Claim 6 , characterized in that the sensor device (40) comprises at least one sensor component (44) arranged on a printed circuit board (42) and at least one dielectric component (46) which is arranged between the at least one sensor component (44) and the protective cover (14) wherein the gel-like material (20) is disposed in a gap between the protective cover (14) and the dielectric member (46). Display device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 7 characterized in that the protective cover (14) is retained on the display unit (12) to form a positive fit, the gel-like material (20) being elastically deformed in the gap (18). Display device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 8th , characterized in that the space (18) filled by the gel-like material (20) has a lower height in an edge area (36) of the protective cover (14) than in an area of the protective cover (14) adjacent to the edge area (36). Display device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 9 , characterized in that the gel-like material (20) is transparent or is adapted to scatter light passing through the gel-like material (20).

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