DE102020126403A1 - Head-up display system for passenger entertainment in a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a field of view display system for use as passenger entertainment in a vehicle, comprising a passenger area that is formed in or on a windscreen of the vehicle and is dependent on the viewing angle, and a display surface that extends on a top side of an instrument panel of the vehicle in such a way that a display image generated in the display surface Reflection on the viewing angle-dependent passenger area is projected as a virtual display image into the field of vision of a passenger;- the viewing angle-dependent passenger area having a reflection surface that is closer to the vehicle interior and a viewing angle-dependent light-suppression layer that is further outside, the transparency of which for the light falling through the windshield into the vehicle in the passenger direction is below one predetermined low transmittance, which largely suppresses a shimmering through of this light in the virtual display image, and in the driver's direction via a m predetermined high transmittance, which allows the driver a largely trouble-free view to the outside.

Description

technical field

The invention relates to a field of vision display system that is primarily designed to generate a virtual display image in the field of vision of a passenger, but possibly also of a driver, in a motor vehicle or another land, air or water vehicle. The invention is aimed in particular at the possibility of displaying entertainment content for the passenger who is looking in the direction of a windscreen of the vehicle, without hindering or distracting the driver's view through the windscreen. The invention also applies to a vehicle equipped with such a head-up display system.

Technical background

• - die Position der Anzeige ist für einen längeren Konsum ungünstig, weil sie entweder zu weit unten oder zu weit oben aus der Sicht eines durchschnittlichen Beifahrers ist;
• - der Abstand des Displays vom Auge ist für weitsichtige, insbesondere ältere Beifahrer zu nah, um die Displayanzeige ohne Lesebrille scharf zu sehen;
• - das Display ist an einer ungünstigen Position für den Fall eines Crashs, weil sie in einem Kopfaufschlagbereich liegt oder zu einer Einschränkung der Airbag-Entfaltung führen kann.

Known solutions for passenger entertainment on board a motor vehicle are, for example, displays that are integrated into the instrument panel, aftermarket solutions in the area of the instrument panel and aftermarket solutions with displays that are integrated into or attached to the sun visor. However, the following problems are also known for solutions of this type:

• - the position of the display is unfavorable for prolonged consumption because it is either too low or too high from the point of view of an average passenger;
• - the distance between the display and the eye is too close for far-sighted passengers, especially older passengers, to be able to see the display clearly without reading glasses;
• - the display is in an unfavorable position in the event of a crash because it is in a head impact area or can restrict airbag deployment.

There are also approaches to generate entertainment content in a display area on top of the instrument panel and project it into the vehicle occupant's field of vision via reflection on the vehicle's windscreen, so that the display shows the occupant in the form of a virtual image at some distance in front of the vehicle windscreen appears to be floating. Such head-up display systems have a significant space advantage over conventional head-up display (HUD) systems, which are known in particular by the name head-up display (HUD) and include a projection unit that, in addition to a display, includes spacious imaging and projection optics and a corresponding installation space inside the instrument panel needed. Conventional head-up displays (HUD) of this type are used in a motor vehicle, for example, to overlay information about a speed limit or other useful navigation and vehicle operating instructions in the form of a virtual display image of the real environment observed by the driver in front of the vehicle in such a way that that he can see them well at the same time as the virtual display image.

• - die Position der Anzeige kann beispielsweise knapp unterhalb eines sogenannten 0°-Sichtstrahls des Beifahrers liegen;
• - das Display ist außerhalb eines crashrelevanten Bereichs angebracht;
• - der Abstand des Entertainment-Bildes zum Auge variiert je nach Lage der Frontscheibe und des Beifahrersitzes, beträgt aber in fast allen gängigen Fahrzeugen über 1 m, was selbst für weitsichtige Beifahrer einem angenehmen Betrachtungsabstand für einen längeren Konsum entspricht.

With such a “reflection” of the entertainment content for the front passenger from a display lying flat on the upper side of the instrument panel via the reflection on the windscreen, the above problems can be solved, namely:

• - The position of the display can be, for example, just below a so-called 0 ° line of sight of the passenger;
• - the display is mounted outside of a crash-relevant area;
• - the distance between the entertainment image and the eye varies depending on the position of the windscreen and the front passenger seat, but is more than 1 m in almost all common vehicles, which is a comfortable viewing distance for long-term consumption even for long-sighted passengers.

• - Wird beispielsweise schwarz von einem Display über die Frontscheibe eingespiegelt, dann erscheint dieser Bereich der Frontscheibe weiterhin transparent. Das bedeutet, dass die Umwelt vor der Frontscheibe bei schwarz darzustellenden Anzeigebild-Bereichen ohne Einschränkung wahrgenommen werden kann und damit das Bild des Entertainmentinhaltes stört.
• - Bei Anzeigebereichen des Displays, die nicht schwarz sind, kommt es über den Effekt eines halbdurchlässigen Spiegels, den die Frontscheibe bildet, zu einem Verdrängungswettbewerb zwischen der realen Welt vor der Frontscheibe und dem Spiegelbild des Displays. Speziell bei großen Helligkeiten der realen Welt, vor allem bei Sonnenschein, ist eine sehr hohe Displayhelligkeit notwendig; und selbst dann kann es zumindest bei dunkleren Bildbereichen des Displays zu einer Überblendung durch die reale Welt kommen. Auch dies ist beim Beifahrer-Entertainment störend und unerwünscht.

However, this structure for displaying entertainment content for the passenger has a problem in that the passenger entertainment display is not good enough in every situation:

• - If, for example, black is reflected from a display over the windscreen, then this area of the windscreen continues to appear transparent. This means that the environment in front of the windscreen can be perceived without restriction in the areas of the display image that are to be displayed in black, thus disrupting the image of the entertainment content.
• - For areas of the display that are not black, there is cut-throat competition between the real world in front of the windscreen and the mirror image of the display via the semi-transparent mirror effect formed by the windscreen. A very high display brightness is necessary, especially in the case of high brightness levels in the real world, especially in sunshine; and even then, at least in darker image areas of the display, there can be a crossfade through the real world. This is also disruptive and undesirable in passenger entertainment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a head-up display system for use as passenger entertainment in a vehicle, with which the above problems are overcome without hindering the driver from observing the surroundings through the windscreen, which is necessary for vehicle control.

This object is achieved by a head-up display system according to claim 1 and a vehicle equipped therewith according to the independent claim. Further developments are specified in the dependent claims. All additional features and effects mentioned in the claims and the following description for the visual field display system also apply in relation to its operating method and to the vehicle, and vice versa.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a head-up display system for use as passenger entertainment in a vehicle. The vehicle can in particular be a motor vehicle, but also any other land, air or water vehicle.

According to a first embodiment, the field of view display system comprises a viewing-angle-dependent passenger area formed in or on a windshield of the vehicle and a display surface extending on a top side of an instrument panel of the vehicle in such a way that a display image generated in the display surface is projected into the field of vision of a passenger via reflection on the viewing-angle-dependent passenger area will. In other words, a bundle of light rays emanating from the display surface in the passenger area, which is dependent on the viewing angle, is directed into an eyebox of the passenger, i. H. into a spatial area provided for his eyes inside the vehicle, reflects that a virtual display image in the front passenger's field of vision behind the windscreen, i. H. outside the vehicle.

In this case, the viewing angle-dependent passenger area includes a reflection surface that is closer to the interior of the vehicle, which ensures the aforementioned formation of the virtual display image, and a viewing angle-dependent light-suppression layer that is further to the outside, the transparency of which for the light falling through the windshield into the vehicle in the passenger direction is below a predetermined low, in particular the lowest possible transmittance, which largely suppresses this light shining through in the virtual display image for the passenger. In contrast, the transparency of the viewing angle-dependent light suppression layer in the direction of the driver is above a predetermined high, in particular as high as possible, degree of transmission, which enables the driver to see through the windshield to the outside largely without interference. The low or high transmittance mentioned can in particular be a transmittance averaged over the entire viewing angle-dependent passenger area.

In this embodiment, a virtual display image is generated for the passenger, which floats in front of the windscreen and can have an image distance of slightly more than one meter, for example about 1.2 m, from the passenger's eyes for common vehicle sizes. For this purpose, for example, a display can be placed on the instrument panel in its front area, in particular at the base of the windscreen, or a display can be integrated in the instrument panel so that the display surface forms a top side of the instrument panel.

• - effizientere Displaytechnologien, wie z. B. Micro-LED-Displays;
• - optische Maßnahmen am Display, wie z. B. der Einsatz von Linsenrastern, die das Displaylicht bündeln;
• - spezielle Beschichtungen auf der Frontscheibe bzw. Schichten in der Frontscheibe, die die Reflektion erhöhen und gegebenenfalls ein Doppelbild durch die Spiegelung an unterschiedlichen Grenzflächen unterdrücken können.

In principle, a conventional TFT display, for example, is sufficient for the display area. Various optional measures can be taken to increase the usable brightness of the virtual display image, such as:

• - more efficient display technologies, e.g. B. Micro LED displays;
• - optical measures on the display, such as B. the use of lenticular grids that focus the display light;
• - Special coatings on the windshield or layers in the windshield that increase the reflection and, if necessary, can suppress a double image due to the reflection at different interfaces.

In this embodiment, the named reflection surface of the passenger area of the windscreen, which is dependent on the viewing angle, acts as a semi-transparent mirror. The reflection surface can be a coating or layer provided on the inside of the vehicle or inside the windscreen with increased reflectivity for the light emanating from the display surface, or it can simply be the surface of the windscreen on the inside of the vehicle.

• - der Beifahrer in dem Bereich des Beifahrerentertainments, d. h. im genannten blickwinkelabhängigen Beifahrerbereich, nicht oder zumindest fast nicht durch die Frontscheibe sehen kann, dieser Bereich der Frontscheibe für den Beifahrer also lichtundurchlässig, opak oder zumindest stark getönt erscheint, beispielsweise mit weniger als 15% Lichttransmission; und
• - der Fahrer in diesem Bereich gleichzeitig möglichst die gleiche Transparenz erlebt wie im restlichen Bereich der Frontscheibe, beispielsweise zumindest 70% Lichttransmission.

The said viewing angle dependent light suppression layer extends along the reflection surface and closer to the outside world in the viewing angle dependent passenger area as an optical measure that ensures that

• - the front passenger in the passenger entertainment area, i.e. in the aforementioned viewing angle-dependent passenger area, cannot or at least almost not see through the windscreen, this area of the windscreen therefore appears opaque, opaque or at least heavily tinted to the front passenger, for example wise with less than 15% light transmission; and
• - The driver in this area experiences the same transparency as possible at the same time as in the remaining area of the windscreen, for example at least 70% light transmission.

The light-suppression layer, which is dependent on the viewing angle, is therefore a type of film on or in the windshield, which is designed to let light pass in a preferred direction, namely in the direction of the driver.

• - er erscheint für den Fahrer weitgehend transparent, insbesondere mit mehr als 70% Lichttransmission; und
• - er erscheint für den Beifahrer als weitgehend lichtundurchlässig oder opak oder zumindest stark getönt, insbesondere mit weniger als 15% Lichttransmission.

In this embodiment, one idea of the present invention is the formation of a viewing-angle-dependent passenger area of the windscreen, which has the following properties:

• - It appears largely transparent to the driver, in particular with more than 70% light transmission; and
• - it appears to the passenger as largely opaque or opaque or at least heavily tinted, particularly with less than 15% light transmission.

In this way, entertainment content for the front passenger can be displayed by "reflection" over this viewing angle-dependent front passenger area of the windshield, in which a sufficiently large contrast can be achieved from the front passenger's point of view, while at the same time the driver has an optimal view of the outside. If the windscreen were simply used as a semi-transparent mirror, the front passenger would hardly be able to see any of the virtual image on a sunny day. The heavily lit environment behind the picture would ensure that e.g. For example, dark scenes in a film are only perceived as transparent and not dark, even with very high display brightness. It is therefore important that the windscreen appears heavily tinted in the relevant area, at least from the perspective of the front passenger.

For this purpose, the viewing angle-dependent light suppression layer can have, for example, a lamellar arrangement made up of a large number of opaque, in particular opaque, or at least heavily tinted lamellae, which extend next to one another along the reflection surface. For example, the arrangement and the angle of inclination of these slats to the reflecting surface can be designed in such a way that said low transmittance in the passenger direction is less than about 35%, than about 25%, and in particular less than about 15% and said high transmittance in the driver direction is more than about 50%, than about 60%, and especially greater than about 70%. In principle, the lamellae can be formed from any material that is suitable for this light suppression and can be embedded or let in, for example, in a transparent base material of the light suppression layer.

With the viewing angle-dependent light suppression layer on or in the windshield, the driver's view must be optimal, i. H. From the driver's perspective, for example, the windscreen has a transmission of over 70% in all areas above a so-called 4° line of sight and appears as homogeneous as possible. Furthermore, the environment should be as free as possible from blur (haze) and other optical effects, such as e.g. B. double images can be perceived. Therefore, the lamella structures should not be too small, so that they do not lead to any perceptible diffraction effects and light scattering. It is helpful here that the view for the passenger does not necessarily have to be 100% suppressed. A strong tint (e.g. with approx. 15% light transmission) is sufficient to ensure sufficient contrast for entertainment enjoyment. The light scattering can be additionally reduced by a suitable lamella composition (material and intermediate interface).

In this sense, there may be an optimal design point where the spacing of the slats is so large that no noticeable light diffraction effects occur, but the structure is still so small that it cannot be clearly resolved from the passenger's viewing distance. In particular, the lamellae can be spaced along the reflection surface at a predetermined lamellar spacing of approximately 0.2 mm to approximately 0.8 mm; for example from about 0.3 mm to about 0.7 mm, specifically from about 0.4 mm to about 0.6 mm, from each other. Said lamella distance can thus specify a lamella structure size along the light suppression layer perpendicular to an extension direction of the lamellae.

Other optical measures are also possible in order to control the light accordingly. In particular, the viewing-angle-dependent light-suppression layer can have, for example, prism structures, lens arrays or lattice structures instead of a lamella arrangement, which can influence a direction of the light falling into the vehicle through the windscreen in a similar way. The statements made above for the lamellae and their size can therefore also apply analogously to these other optical structures.

In particular, the viewing angle-dependent front passenger area of the windscreen can be located below a horizontal line of sight (the so-called 0° line of sight) and/or above a horizontal line of sight (the so-called 0° line of sight) in relation to a spatial area predetermined for the eyes of the front passenger (front passenger eyebox). plus a line of sight lowered by about 4° (the so-called 4° line of sight) and/or above a black print area of the windscreen. The 0° line of sight should not be violated by the display, for example, because this can be uncomfortable for the passenger in the moving vehicle and can lead to nausea (motion sickness), for example. There is usually a black print in the lower area of the windscreen, which covers the windscreen bed and protects the adhesive from the sun. This range ends below the 4° line of sight.

Above the 4° line of vision, the windscreen must generally be at least 70% transparent for the driver. The black print usually ends so far down that the upper edge of the bonnet is visible to enable safe manoeuvring. In the area between the top of the black print and the 4° line of sight, a transition area can be designed, e.g. B. black print fading. If the display of the passenger entertainment were limited to the area below the 4° line of sight, then the image height would be too low in today's usual vehicle situations to be attractive to customers. It is therefore proposed here in particular to display the passenger entertainment display over the 4° line of sight.

According to a second embodiment, which is alternative to the first embodiment above, the head-up display system comprises a display surface extending on a top side of an instrument panel, which can be configured similarly to the first embodiment, for example. Instead of the front passenger area of the windshield, which depends on the viewing angle, the second embodiment has a hinged combiner window which, when opened, extends along the windshield in front of a space in the vehicle intended for the passenger in such a way that a display image generated in the display surface is reflected on the combiner window projected into the passenger's field of vision. In its folded-in state, the combiner pane extends outside of this field of vision for the passenger, for example along the display surface, in particular resting on it at least at the edge, or laterally or in some other way away from the display surface or away from the beam path of the display light.

When opened, the combiner pane is designed and arranged in such a way that its transparency for the light falling through the windshield into the vehicle in the passenger direction is below a predetermined low (in particular as low as possible) transmittance, which largely suppresses this light shining through in the virtual display image, the combiner pane ideally not impeding a driver's view to the outside through the front pane, for example by not crossing it or only slightly and/or by having a predetermined high transmittance from the driver's point of view. In this way, entertainment content for the front passenger can be displayed by "reflection" via the combiner window when it is open, in which a sufficiently large contrast can be achieved from the front passenger's point of view, while at the same time the driver has an optimal view of the outside through the windshield.

In other words, the combiner pane is designed to suppress light from the outside in the passenger direction as much as possible when it is open. In the simplest case, especially when the folded-in combiner pane is parked to the side of the display surface, it could be a combiner pane that is permanently opaque or opaque on the back and has a low transmittance of almost zero. However, some alternatives are described further below, which also allow a display image to be generated with a combiner pane folded in to form the display surface.

In this second embodiment, a bundle of light rays emanating from the display surface is directed into an eyebox of the front passenger, i. H. into a space inside the vehicle intended for his eyes, so that a virtual display image is created in the front passenger's field of vision behind the combiner pane. For this purpose, the combiner pane can be aligned approximately parallel to the front pane in its unfolded state, in particular, but not necessarily. As mentioned in the first embodiment, it is also sufficient in the second embodiment for a high-contrast representation of the virtual display image for passenger entertainment that the low transmittance of the opened combiner pane is, for example, below about 15%.

In other words, the second embodiment utilizes an additional combiner pane in front of a passenger seating area in the vehicle, overlying or to the side of the display when passenger entertainment is inactive and folding out automatically or manually when passenger entertainment is active. In the unfolded state, the virtual image can ideally be at right angles to the passenger's line of sight, similar to the first embodiment. This can be fulfilled in particular when the combiner disk is approximately parallel lel to the windscreen if the display surface has been installed in such a way that the display is reflected accordingly in the windscreen due to the possible other display areas.

In order to simplify the movement mechanism for changing between the unfolded and folded state and to deal with limited installation space, the combiner disc can be placed directly on the display in the inactive/folded state. Other places and fortifications, e.g. B. in or on the instrument panel or on the A-pillar are also possible.

• - Der Beifahrer hat kein permanent getöntes Feld im unteren Bereich der Frontscheibe, der den blickwinkelabhängigen Beifahrerbereich ausbildet;
• - Die Zusatzanforderung einer hohen, insbesondere 70%igen, Transmission der Frontscheibe aus Sicht des Fahrers, die eine sehr hohe technologische Anforderungen an die Herstellung der blickwinkelabhängigen Lichtunterdrückungsschicht, etwa einer Lamellenfolie, und die Produktion der Frontscheibe bedeutet, besteht bei der Combinerscheibe grundsätzlich nicht;
• - Es besteht die Möglichkeit einer Mitnutzung der auf der Beifahrerseite vorgesehenen Displayfläche durch den Fahrer, wenn die Combinerscheibe bei deren eingeklapptem Zustand Displaylicht zur Frontscheibe durchlässt.

One idea of the present invention in this second embodiment is to provide a combination window that can be opened and folded in place of a passenger area integrated in the windscreen with a light suppression layer that also solves the object of the invention mentioned at the outset. In particular, this can offer the following additional options compared to the first embodiment:

• - The front passenger does not have a permanently tinted field in the lower area of the windscreen, which forms the front passenger area that depends on the viewing angle;
• - The additional requirement of a high, in particular 70%, transmission of the windscreen from the driver's point of view, which means very high technological requirements for the production of the viewing angle-dependent light suppression layer, such as a lamella film, and the production of the windscreen, does not exist with the combiner windscreen;
• - It is possible for the driver to use the display area provided on the passenger side if the combiner window allows the display light to pass through to the windscreen when it is folded in.

In this solution, from the driver's point of view, mechanical parts (combiner screen) can in principle be arranged above the 4° line of sight, for example when he looks to the left through the windscreen. However, this is permissible with regard to driving safety as long as a certain proportion is not exceeded above the 4° line of sight, which can vary depending on the specific vehicle design. The transmission of the windscreen is not affected by the additional structure (combiner screen).

The combiner pane is ideally transparent when folded, i. H. if the passenger entertainment system is inactive and the combiner screen is on or above the display surface, for example. In other words, the combiner panel is opaque or heavily tinted only in its unfolded state, i. H. when the passenger entertainment is active. The display reflects its contents onto the windshield when the passenger entertainment system is inactive, and the entire display surface, which can be a part of the display surface, can be used continuously, in particular also by the driver. Several technical implementation variants are possible, some of which are outlined below:

In a specific configuration, the combiner disk can be electrically switchable for this purpose between a first and a second switching state. The first switching state is intended for the unfolded state and ensures the low degree of transmission for the light falling through the windscreen into the vehicle in the passenger direction. In contrast, the second switching state of the combiner disk is provided for its folded-in state and ensures a predetermined high degree of transmission for the light emanating from the display surface.

For this purpose, the combiner disk can have, for example, a switchable liquid crystal layer (LC layer) which is arranged between two polarization filters rotated relative to one another. This LC layer arrangement can, for example, be designed in such a way that, when the passenger entertainment system is inactive, it largely lets through the polarized light of the display by its polarization being rotated by the LC layer in accordance with the crossed polarization filters. When the combiner pane is open, ambient light, which is generally not polarized to a large extent, is already significantly more strongly absorbed by the first polarization filter, which leads to a tint. In addition, when the combiner pane is opened, its polarization-rotating effect can be neutralized by applying electrical voltage to the LC layer, so that the tint can be increased significantly up to complete light suppression by this electrical switching to the second switching state and can be adjusted in stages if necessary . In particular, the low transmittance can be less than about 35%, than about 25%, and ideally even less than about 15%, and/or the high transmittance can be greater than about 70%, than about 80%, or ideally even more than about 90%.

A similar effect can also be achieved with static measures instead of electrical switchability, e.g. B. with a lamellar layer or film with obliquely oriented lamellae, which are parallel to the front passenger's line of sight when the combiner pane is folded in, while they in the unfolded position of the combiner window prevent him from looking through.

In other words, in a corresponding alternative specific configuration, the combiner pane comprises a slat arrangement made up of a large number of opaque, in particular opaque, or at least (heavily) tinted slats, which extend next to one another along a combiner pane surface and whose arrangement and angle of inclination relative to the combiner pane surface are designed such that the combiner pane has the low transmittance of less than about 35%, in particular than about 25%, ideally as about 15%, for the light falling through the front pane into the vehicle in the passenger direction when it is opened, while it has a predetermined high degree when it is folded Transmittance of more than about 50%, in particular than about 60%, and ideally than about 70%, for the light emanating from the display surface.

In addition, the configuration described can, in principle, enable a view through the combiner pane from the driver's position. Under certain circumstances, this will not be possible without loss, but the combiner disk can be designed in such a way that the highest possible transmission (e.g. around 50%) is achieved from the driver's point of view.

• Insbesondere kann hierzu die Displayfläche eine optische Vorzugsrichtungsanordnung aufweisen, die so ausgelegt ist, dass sie für das in Beifahrerrichtung propagierende Displaylicht einen vorbestimmten hohen Transmissionsgrad von mehr als etwa 50%, insbesondere mehr als etwa 60%, beispielsweise mehr als etwa 70%, idealerweise mehr als etwa 80% oder 90%, und für das in Fahrerrichtung propagierende Displaylicht einen vorbestimmten niedrigen Transmissionsgrad von weniger als etwa 35%, insbesondere als etwa 25%, beispielsweise als etwa 15% und idealerweise sogar weniger als etwa 10% aufweist. Die optische Vorzugsrichtungsanordnung kann beispielsweise als eine Lamellenschicht bzw. -Folie mit einer Lamellenanordnung aus einer Vielzahl von lichtundurchlässigen, insbesondere opaken, oder zumindest stark getönten Lamellen aufweisen, die sich entlang der Displayfläche nebeneinander erstrecken und deren Anordnung und Neigungswinkel zur Displayfläche die genannten Transmissionsgrade bewirken.

In both the first and the second embodiment of the head-up display system, it can also be provided that the driver cannot see the passenger entertainment content, for example, so as not to be distracted from his driving task by a video film viewed by the passenger. There are several possible solutions to this, some of which are described below:

• In particular, the display surface can have an optical preferred direction arrangement for this purpose, which is designed in such a way that it has a predetermined high transmittance of more than about 50%, in particular more than about 60%, for example more than about 70%, ideally more, for the display light propagating in the direction of the passenger than about 80% or 90%, and for the display light propagating in the driver's direction has a predetermined low transmittance of less than about 35%, in particular than about 25%, for example as about 15% and ideally even less than about 10%. The preferred optical direction arrangement can, for example, be a lamellar layer or foil with a lamellar arrangement made up of a large number of opaque, in particular opaque, or at least heavily tinted lamellae, which extend next to one another along the display surface and whose arrangement and angle of inclination to the display surface bring about the transmission coefficients mentioned.

This optical preferred direction arrangement applied or integrated on or in the display can thus maximally suppress the driver's insight in order to prevent any distraction of the driver from the driving task. Since the layer lies directly on the screen, interference is irrelevant and the optical structures (e.g. lamellae) of the layer can be very small (e.g. in the range of around 0.1 mm between the lamellae, which, for example, varies from lamella to lamella in a whose direction of extension is measured in the perpendicular direction). The small, closely spaced structures mean that the driver's view of the display is virtually completely suppressed.

Other optical measures are also possible in order to control the light accordingly. In particular, instead of a lamellar arrangement, the preferred optical direction arrangement can have, for example, prism structures, lens arrays or lattice structures on the top of the display or, in the case of LCD technology, also in the backlight of the display, which can influence a direction of the emitted display light in a similar way. Since the windscreen is a “smooth” (partially transparent) mirror, this direction of light is usually retained when it reflects off it. With a corresponding design of the lamellae of a lamellar film or other structures of the optical preferred direction arrangement, both the driver's direct view of the display and his view of the virtual image can be significantly suppressed with this alone.

In this case, however, the display content shown in the display area is not visible to the driver, even when the passenger entertainment system is inactive. Under certain circumstances, however, it may be desirable for the driver to also be able to consume this display content in some situations, for example in a parked vehicle. For this purpose, instead of an optical preferred direction arrangement integrated in the display, a movable or expandable light-suppressing shield can be provided, which can block the driver's view of the display surface, but can be moved away from the driver's field of vision if necessary or, for example, automatically when the combiner pane is folded in , that it is also possible for him to consume the display area.

In other words, the head-up display system can have a light-suppressing shield for this purpose, which is trans is arranged or can be stretched across this, for example by being attached to the driver-side edges of the display surface and the combiner pane, and which is designed to largely suppress the propagation of display light in the direction of the driver, in particular when passenger entertainment is displayed in the display surface. The light-suppressing shielding can, for example, be a foldable opaque material that is attached to the driver-side edges of the display area and the combiner pane, for example, so that it automatically opens up between the display area and the driver when the combiner pane is opened for passenger entertainment and thereby obscuring his view of the display surface.

According to a further aspect, a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle or any other land, air or water vehicle, is provided which comprises a windscreen, an instrument panel arranged underneath and a visual field display system of the type presented herein. Furthermore, a passenger seat is provided in the vehicle for the passenger, with the display surface and the viewing angle-dependent passenger area or the combiner pane of the visual field display system being arranged at least partially directly in front of the passenger seat in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and preferably centered around it.

character list

• 1 ein Anordnungsbeispiel für ein Blickfeldanzeigesystem der hierin dargelegten Art in einem Kraftfahrzeug in Draufsicht;
• 2 ein Beispiel gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform des Blickfeldanzeigesystems der 1 in Seitenansicht;
• 3 eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Ausschnitts der 2, der eine beispielhafte Anordnung eines blickwinkelabhängigen Beifahrerbereichs gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform in der Frontscheibe des Kraftfahrzeugs veranschaulicht;
• 4 eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Ausschnitts der 3, der einen beispielhaften Schichtaufbau des blickwinkelabhängigen Beifahrerbereichs gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform in der Frontscheibe des Kraftfahrzeugs veranschaulicht;
• 5 eine Seitenansicht eines Beispiels gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform des Blickfeldanzeigesystems der 1 mit einer aufklappbaren Combinerscheibe, die elektrisch schaltbar zwischen zwei Schaltzuständen mit unterschiedlichem Transmissionsgrad ist;
• 6 eine Seitenansicht eines alternativen Beispiels gemäß der zweiten Ausführungsform des Blickfeldanzeigesystems der 1 mit einer aufklappbaren Combinerscheibe, die eine statische Lamellenanordnung aufweist; und
• 7 eine Seitenansicht eines Beispiels eines Blickfeldanzeigesystems der 1 mit einer lichtunterdrückenden Abschirmung, die seitlich der Displayfläche transversal hierzu angeordnet oder aufspannbar ist, um die Ausbreitung von Displaylicht in Fahrerrichtung zu unterbinden.

The above aspects of the invention and its embodiments and specific configurations are explained in more detail below with reference to the examples shown in the accompanying drawings. For the sake of clarity, the drawings are kept purely schematic: they are therefore not to be understood as true to scale. Show it:

• 1 an example arrangement for a head-up display system of the type set out herein in a motor vehicle in plan view;
• 2 an example according to a first embodiment of the head-up display system of FIG 1 in side view;
• 3 an enlarged view of a section of the 2 10, which illustrates an exemplary arrangement of a viewing-angle-dependent passenger area according to the first embodiment in the windshield of the motor vehicle;
• 4 an enlarged view of a section of the 3 , which illustrates an exemplary layer structure of the viewing angle-dependent passenger area according to the first embodiment in the windshield of the motor vehicle;
• 5 12 is a side view of an example according to a second embodiment of the head-up display system of FIG 1 with a hinged combiner disc that can be electrically switched between two switching states with different degrees of transmission;
• 6 14 is a side view of an alternative example according to the second embodiment of the head-up display system of FIG 1 with a hinged combiner disc having a static blade arrangement; and
• 7 FIG. 12 is a side view of an example head-up display system of FIG 1 with a light-suppressing shield, which is arranged or can be stretched laterally to the display surface transversely thereto, in order to prevent the propagation of display light in the driver's direction.

All the various embodiments, variants and specific design features of the head-up display system and the vehicle according to the above aspects of the invention mentioned above in the description and in the following claims can be 1 until 7 be implemented in the examples shown. They will therefore not all be repeated again below. The same applies accordingly to the definitions of terms and effects already given above in relation to individual characteristics 1-7 are shown.

1 shows in a greatly simplified schematic representation an example arrangement for a visual field display system 1 of the type presented here in a vehicle 2, which is a motor vehicle in this example, in plan view. The vehicle 2 comprises a windshield 3, an instrument panel 4 arranged underneath and front seats (not shown) arranged in front of it for a driver 5 and a front passenger 6, whose head positions are in FIG 1 are only indicated symbolically.

The visual field display system 1 comprises a display arranged in front of the passenger seat area, the display area 7 of which extends on or in an upper side of the instrument panel 4 such that a display image generated in the display area 7 is reflected by reflection on a viewing angle-dependent passenger area 8 of the windshield 3 (according to the above-described first embodiment of the invention, cf. 2-4 ) or on a combiner disk 9 opened in front of it (according to the second embodiment of the invention described above, cf. 5-6 ) is projected into the field of vision 10 of the passenger 6. In this case, an outgoing from the display surface 7 light beam at the viewing angle dependent passenger area 8 or at the unfolded combiner pane 9 is reflected into an eyebox of the front passenger 6, i.e. into an area in the interior of the vehicle 2 provided for his eyes, that a virtual display image V appears in the field of vision of the front passenger 6 behind the windscreen 6, i.e. outside of the vehicle 2, or behind the unfolded combiner disk 9 arises.

The properties according to the invention of the viewing angle-dependent passenger area 8 according to the first embodiment of the invention and of the hinged combiner pane 9 according to the second embodiment of the invention will follow with reference to FIG 2 until 6 explained with examples.

2 FIG. 12 shows an example according to the above first embodiment of the head-up display system 1 of FIG 1 in side view. In this example, the passenger area 8, which is dependent on the viewing angle, is formed inside the windscreen 3 in its lower section, which in 3 and 4 is shown enlarged. In addition to 1 are in 2 the roof 11 and the bonnet 12 of the vehicle 2 are also drawn in, and the virtual display image V floats in the field of vision 10 of the front passenger 6 above the bonnet 12.

3 shows an enlarged view of a section of the 2 , which initially only explains the arrangement of the viewing angle-dependent passenger area 8 in the windshield 3. In this example, the viewing angle-dependent passenger area 8 of the windshield 3 extends in relation to a spatial area predetermined for the eyes of the passenger 6 (passenger eyebox) below a horizontal line of sight 14 (the so-called 0° line of sight) and above one in this regard by about 4° lowered visual beam 15 (the so-called 4° visual beam) and above a black print area 16 of the windscreen 3. The 0° visual beam should not be violated by the display, for example, because this can be uncomfortable for the passenger 6 in the moving vehicle 2 and for example, can lead to nausea (motion sickness). In the lower area of the windscreen 3 there is usually a black print (black print area 16), which covers the windscreen bed and protects the bond from solar radiation. This area ends below the 4° line of sight 15.

The windscreen 3 must generally be at least 70% translucent for the driver 5 over the 4° line of sight. The black print usually ends so far down that the upper edge of the hood 12 (cf. 2 ) is visible to enable safe maneuvering. In the area between the top of the black print and the 4° line of sight, a transition area 17 can be designed, e.g. B. black print fading. If the display of the passenger entertainment were limited to the area below the 4° line of sight, then the image height would be too low in today's vehicle situations to be attractive to customers. It is therefore proposed here in particular to display the passenger entertainment display over the 4° line of sight.

4 shows an enlarged view of a section of the 3 , which illustrates an exemplary layer structure of the passenger area 8, which is dependent on the viewing angle. The passenger area 8, which is dependent on the viewing angle, comprises a reflective surface 19 that is closer to the interior 18 of the vehicle 2, which is responsible for the aforementioned formation of the virtual display image V, and a light-suppression layer 20 that is located further outward and is dependent on the viewing angle, whose transparency for the light falling through the windshield 3 into the vehicle 2 in the passenger direction is below a predetermined low transmittance of less than approximately 15%, which largely suppresses this light shining through in the virtual display image V for the passenger 6 . On the other hand, the light transmission of the light suppression layer 20, which is dependent on the viewing angle, is in the direction of the driver 21 (cf. 1 ) above a predetermined high transmittance of more than about 70%, which allows the driver 5 a largely trouble-free view through the windshield 3 to the outside. The low or high transmittance mentioned can in particular be a transmittance averaged over the entire passenger area 8 that is dependent on the viewing angle.

In this embodiment, said reflection surface 19 of the passenger area 8 of the windshield 3, which is dependent on the viewing angle, acts as a semi-transparent mirror. The reflective surface 19 can be a coating or layer with increased reflectivity for the light emanating from the display surface 7 provided on the inside of the vehicle or inside the windscreen, or it can simply be the surface 22 of the windscreen 3 on the inside of the vehicle.

The viewing angle-dependent light suppression layer 20 can, for example, have a lamellar arrangement (not shown in detail) made up of a large number of opaque, in particular opaque, or at least heavily tinted lamellae, which extend next to one another along the reflection surface 19 . For example, the arrangement and the angle of inclination of these slats to the reflecting surface can be designed in such a way that said low transmittance in the passenger direction is less than approximately 15% and said high transmittance in the driver's direction is more than about 70%. In principle, the lamellae can be formed from any material suitable for this light suppression and can be embedded or embedded, for example, in a transparent base material of the light suppression layer 20 that is dependent on the viewing angle. Other optical measures are also possible in order to control the light accordingly. In particular, the viewing angle-dependent light suppression layer 20 can have, for example, prism structures, lens arrays or lattice structures instead of a lamella arrangement, which can influence a direction of the light falling into the vehicle 2 through the windscreen 3 in a similar way.

In the exemplary representation of 4 the optical layers 19 and 20 described can be seen within a windscreen 3 designed as a laminated glass pane, the vehicle-inside surface 22 and vehicle-outside surface 23 of which are formed by an inner and outer pane of the laminated glass. Of course, the mentioned optical layers 19 and 20 could alternatively also be attached to the inside 22 of the front pane 3 . The integration of the optical layers 19 and 20 described above in the front pane 3 can also depend, among other things, on the concept of the so-called double image suppression for the virtual display image V and the desired polarization of the (display) light. In principle, it is therefore conceivable that the viewing angle-dependent light-suppression layer 20 is laminated between the inner and outer panes of the glass as a composite, or is applied to the inner pane, ie to its vehicle-inside surface 22, provided that the approval can be otherwise guaranteed.

5 12 shows a side view of an example according to the second embodiment of the head-up display system 1 of FIG 1 with a hinged combiner disc 9, which is electrically switchable between two switching states, each with a different degree of transmission.

Instead of the viewing angle-dependent passenger area 8 of the windshield 3 (whose position in the windshield 3 in 5 is only indicated for the conceptual comparison of the two embodiments, while no viewing angle-dependent light suppression layer 20 in 5 is provided) in this second embodiment a hinged combiner disk 9 is provided, which in its hinged state (as in 5 shown) extends along the windscreen 3 in front of a space provided for the passenger 6 in the vehicle 2 that a display image generated in the display surface 7 is projected into the passenger's field of vision 10 by reflection on the combiner panel 9 . In its folded-in state, the combiner pane 9 extends outside of the passenger's field of vision 10, in this example along the display surface 7 by lying on it. Opening the combiner disc between these two states is in 5 indicated by a dashed arc arrow.

When opened, the combiner pane 9 is designed and arranged in such a way that its transparency for the light falling through the windshield 3 into the vehicle 2 in the passenger direction is below a predetermined low (in particular as low as possible) transmittance, which allows this light to shine through in the virtual display image V is largely suppressed, with the combiner pane 9 ideally not obstructing the view of the driver 5 outwards through the windshield 3, for example by not crossing it at all or only slightly and/or by having a predetermined high degree of transmission from the view 21 of the driver 5 having.

In accordance with the specific design 5 For this purpose, the combiner disk 9 can be electrically switched between a first and a second switching state. The first switching state is for their unfolded state (s. 5 ) is provided and ensures the low transmittance for the light falling through the windshield 3 into the vehicle 2 in the passenger direction. In contrast, the second switching state of the combiner disk 9 for its folded state (in 5 lying on the display surface 7) and ensures a predetermined high degree of transmission for the light emanating from the display surface 7.

For this purpose, the combiner disk 9 can have, for example, a switchable liquid crystal layer (LC layer), which is arranged between two polarization filters rotated relative to one another. This LC layer arrangement can, for example, be designed in such a way that, when the passenger entertainment system is inactive, it largely lets through the polarized light of the display by its polarization being rotated by the LC layer in accordance with the crossed polarization filters. When the combiner pane 9 is in the open state, ambient light, which as a rule is largely non-polarized, is already significantly more strongly absorbed by the first polarization filter, which leads to a tint. In addition, when the combiner pane is opened, its polarization-rotating effect can be neutralized by applying electrical voltage to the LC layer, so that the tint can be increased significantly up to complete light suppression by this electrical switching and can be adjusted in stages if necessary. In this way, the low transmittance in particular less than about 35%, than about 25%, and ideally even less than about 15%, and the high transmittance can be greater than about 70%, than about 80%, or ideally even greater than about 90%.

6 shows a side view of an alternative example according to the second embodiment of the head-up display system 1 with a hinged combiner pane 9 which, instead of being electrically switchable, has a static lamella arrangement 24 of the type shown in 6 has a type indicated schematically.

For this purpose, the combiner disk comprises 9 in 6 the slat arrangement 24 consists of a large number of opaque, in particular opaque, or at least heavily tinted slats, which extend side by side along a combiner pane surface and whose arrangement and angle of inclination to the combiner pane surface are designed in such a way that the combiner pane 9, when opened, has the low transmittance of less than about 35%, in particular as about 25%, ideally as about 15%, for the light falling through the windshield 3 into the vehicle 2 in the passenger direction 25, while in its folded state it has a predetermined high transmittance of more than about 50%, in particular than about 60%, and ideally about 70%, for the light emanating from the display surface 7.

In addition, the configuration described can basically allow a view through the combiner pane 9 from the driver's position (cf. 1 ) enable. Under certain circumstances, this will not be possible without loss, but the combiner disk 9 can be designed in such a way that the highest possible transmission (eg, approximately 50%) is achieved from the driver's point of view 21 .

7 12 shows a side view of an example of a head-up display system 1 of FIG 1 with a light-suppressing shield 26, which is arranged transversely to the side of the display surface 7, for example perpendicularly, or can be stretched thereto in order to prevent the propagation of display light in the driver's direction 21. In this way, the driver 5 can be protected from unnecessary distraction, particularly when passenger entertainment is displayed on the display surface 7 .

The light-suppressing shield 26 can, for example, be a foldable opaque material, which in this example is attached to the driver-side edges 27 or 28 of the display surface 7 and the combiner pane 9 so that it only opens up when the combiner pane 9 is opened for passenger entertainment between the display surface 7 and the driver 5 automatically open up and thereby hide his view of the display surface 7 .

Reference List

1

head-up display system

2

vehicle

3

windscreen

4

dashboard

5

driver

6

passenger

7

display area

8th

viewing angle dependent front passenger area of the windscreen

9

hinged combiner disc

10

passenger's field of vision

11

roof of the vehicle

12

Engine Hood

14

horizontal line of sight

15

in this regard, the line of sight is lowered by about 4°

16

black print area

17

transition area

18

interior of the vehicle

19

reflection surface

20

viewing angle dependent light suppression layer

21

Driver direction, driver view

22

vehicle inside surface of the windshield

23

vehicle outside surface of the windshield

24

Lamella arrangement of the hinged combiner disc

25

passenger direction

26

light-suppressing shielding

27

driver-side edge of the display area

28

driver-side edge of the combiner screen

V

virtual display image for the passenger

Claims (10)

Field of view display system (1) for use as passenger entertainment in a vehicle (2), - comprising an in or on a windscreen (3) of the vehicle (2) trained viewing angle dependent large passenger area (8) and a display surface (7) extending on the upper side of an instrument panel (4) of the vehicle (2) in such a way that a display image generated in the display surface (7) is reflected as a virtual display image on the passenger area (8) that is dependent on the viewing angle (V) is projected into the field of vision (10) of a passenger (6); - wherein the viewing angle-dependent passenger area (8) has a reflection surface (19) closer to the vehicle interior (18) and a viewing angle-dependent light-suppression layer (20) located further outwards, the transparency of which for the light falling through the windshield (3) into the vehicle (2) in In the passenger direction (25) is below a predetermined low degree of transmission, which largely suppresses this light shining through in the virtual display image (V), and in the driver's direction (21) is above a predetermined high degree of transmission, which gives the driver (5) a largely undisturbed view of the outside allows. Head-up display system (1) according to claim 1 , - wherein the viewing angle-dependent light suppression layer (20) has a lamellar arrangement of opaque or at least tinted lamellae, which extend alongside one another along the reflecting surface (19) and whose arrangement and angle of inclination are designed such that the low transmittance is less than about 35%, preferably than about 25%, more preferably about 15% and the high transmittance is greater than about 50%, preferably about 60%, more preferably about 70%. Head-up display system (1) according to claim 2 - Wherein the lamellae in a predetermined lamellar spacing of about 0.2 mm to about 0.8 mm; in particular about 0.3 mm to about 0.7 mm, preferably about 0.4 mm to about 0.6 mm, from each other. Head-up display system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, - The front passenger area (8) of the windscreen (3), which is dependent on the viewing angle, is located below a horizontal line of sight (14) and/or above a line of sight (15) lowered by about 4° in relation to a spatial area predetermined for the eyes of the front passenger (6). and/or above a black print area (16) of the windshield (3). Head-up display system (1) for use as passenger entertainment in a vehicle (2), comprising: - a display surface (7) extending on a top side of an instrument panel (4) and - A hinged combiner pane (9) which, when opened, extends along the windshield (3) in front of a space provided for the passenger (6) in the vehicle (2) in such a way that a display image generated in the display surface (7) is reflected by reflection is projected on the combiner pane (9) into the passenger's field of vision (10), and which, in its folded-in state, extends outside this passenger's field of vision (10), for example along the display surface (7), in particular resting on it at least at the edges, - wherein the combiner pane (9) is designed and arranged in the unfolded state in such a way that its translucency for the light falling through the front pane (3) into the vehicle (2) in the passenger direction (25) is below a predetermined low degree of transmission, which means that it shines through Light in the virtual display image (V) is largely suppressed, while the combiner pane (9) essentially does not impede the view of a driver (5) to the outside through the windshield (3) by not crossing it or crossing it only slightly and/or by turning it off the view of the driver (3) has a predetermined high transmittance. Head-up display system (1) according to claim 5 , wherein - the combiner pane (9) between a first switching state provided for its unfolded state with the low degree of transmission for the light falling through the windshield (3) into the vehicle (2) in the passenger direction (25) and a second switching state for its folded state the switching state provided can be switched electrically with a predetermined high transmittance for the light emanating from the display surface (7); and - the low transmittance is less than about 35%, preferably less than about 25%, more preferably than about 15%, and/or the high transmittance is greater than about 70%, 80% or 90%. Head-up display system (1) according to claim 5 , wherein - the combiner pane (9) has a slat arrangement (24) of opaque or at least tinted slats, which extend side by side along a combiner pane surface and whose arrangement and angle of inclination to the combiner pane surface are designed such that - the combiner pane (9) in its unfolded state has the low transmittance of less than about 35%, preferably as about 25%, particularly preferably as about 15%, for the light falling through the windshield (3) into the vehicle (2) in the passenger direction (25) while in the folded Condition a predetermined high transmittance of more than about 50%, preferably than about 60%, more preferably than about 70% for the light emanating from the display surface (7). Head-up display system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the display surface (7) has an optical preferred direction arrangement, in particular a lamellar layer with a lamellar arrangement of opaque or at least tinted lamellae, which extend alongside one another along the display surface (7) at a predetermined angle of inclination to the display surface (7), and - the preferred direction arrangement for the display light propagating in the passenger direction (25) has a predetermined high transmittance of more than approximately 50%, preferably approximately 60%, particularly preferably approximately 70% and for the display light propagating in the driver direction (21) a predetermined low transmittance of less than about 35%, preferably less than about 25%, most preferably less than about 15%. Head-up display system (1) according to any one of Claims 1 until 7 - which also has a light-suppressing shield (26) which is arranged on the side of the display surface (7) or can be stretched transversely thereto, for example by being attached to the driver-side edges (27, 28) of the display surface (7) and the combiner pane (9). , and which is designed to largely suppress the propagation of display light in the direction of the driver (21), in particular when passenger entertainment is displayed on the display surface (7). Vehicle (2), in particular a motor vehicle, comprising: - a windshield (3), an instrument panel (4) arranged underneath and a visual field display system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, - and also a front passenger seat, the display surface (7) and the viewing angle-dependent front passenger area (8) or the combiner pane (9) of the visual field display system (1) being arranged at least partially directly in front of the front passenger seat in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and preferably centered around it.

Images