FR2837315A1 - Motor vehicle instrument panel has background with luminous surface covered with colored translucent layer - Google Patents

Abstract

An instrument panel, incorporating at least one liquid crystal display (LCD) (2) in a background field (3), has the latter in the form of a luminous panel (5) with one face covered with a colored translucent layer with the luminous density and the localization of color in the illuminated state corresponding to a large degree to luminosity and position of the LCDs. The instrument panel, incorporating at least one liquid crystal display (LCD) (2) in a background field (3), has the latter in the form of a luminous panel (5) with one face covered with a colored translucent layer with the luminous density and the localization of color in the illuminated state corresponding to a large degree to luminosity and position of the LCDs. The luminous surface is transparent or has a lower optical density in the LCD area; it can be in the form of a two-dimensional light guide plate (7) of a transparent plastic material illuminated by a light source active in two dimensions e.g. an electroluminescent lamp or organic luminescent diode.

Description

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 The invention relates to a display device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a display field which comprises at least one liquid crystal display in a surrounding field.

 In such display devices, which may be what are commonly referred to as combined displays in a motor vehicle, it is known that one or more transmission-illuminable liquid crystal displays are arranged in a field of view. visualization and conventional needle instruments are arranged in a surrounding field. The background of the liquid crystal displays has a visual aspect that deviates from the surrounding field, including the background of needle instruments.

 This is why the invention aims to provide a display device, of the type indicated in the introduction, which comprises, over the entire extent of the display field, a visual appearance at least to a large extent identical for the rear. -plan of liquid crystal displays and for the surrounding field.

 To this end, the subject of the invention is a display device, of the generic type defined in the introduction, characterized in that the surrounding field is constituted by a luminous surface element, the side facing the observer or the side facing the opposite of the observer is covered by a translucent colored layer and whose light density and location of color in the illuminating state correspond at least to a large extent to the light density and to the location of color of the surface of display of the liquid crystal display.

 In this way, a visual appearance which is as widely as possible identical over the entire field of view is obtained in a simple manner thanks to the fact that also in the surrounding field of the liquid crystal display, an illuminating visual aspect is produced. identical to the viewing area of the liquid crystal display.

 A particularly high degree of this identical visual appearance is obtained by the fact that the luminous surface element and the translucent layer cover the entire field of vision, while, preferably, the luminous surface element is transparent over the whole range of liquid crystal display.

 If the light surface element has a lower optical density over the entire range of the liquid crystal display, a transparent colored glow can be produced over the whole range of the liquid crystal display.

 It is also possible, in order to standardize the visual appearance of the field of vision, for the luminous surface element and the translucent layer to cover the surrounding field, leaving the liquid crystal display or the area of the viewing surface of the screen free. liquid crystal display.

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 One possibility for producing the light surface element is that the light surface element is a two-dimensional active light source.

 It is possible that the two-dimensional active light source is a two-dimensional electroluminescence lamp or also a two-dimensional organic light-emitting diode (OLED). The two light sources have the advantage of having only a small height, so that with a viewing surface hollowed out from the liquid crystal display, it is present between it and the surrounding field only a very small difference in height, barely discernible.

 It is possible, to standardize the visual appearance, that the active two-dimensional light source is a translucent two-dimensional light source.

 Another equally advantageous embodiment of the luminous surface element consists in that it consists of a plate forming a two-dimensional light guide, in particular of small thickness, in the narrow face of which light of one or several light sources can be introduced by coupling.

 Preferably, the light guide plate is made of a transparent plastic material, in particular of polymethylmethacrylate.

 In order for a coupling output of the light out of the light guide board and towards the viewer to be uniform in two dimensions, so that a uniform visual appearance is produced, it is possible that the light guide board has a surface structure on its surface facing the observer and / or its surface facing away from it.

 The light sources used for the introduction by coupling of light into the narrow face of the light guide plate can be light-emitting diodes (LED or LED) or thin fluorescent tubes. Light emitting diodes which can preferably be used are so-called micro-side LEDs ("microside").

 It is possible, in order to increase the uniformity of the visual aspect of the field of vision, that the surface structure of the field of vision which is turned towards the observer is produced, over the entire extent of the field of vision, of a at least approximately identical manner, in particular with an identical level of gloss.

 If other illuminated display elements must be able to be represented in the surrounding field, it is possible that light fields which form graduations and / or numbers and / or signs and / or symbols and which must be capable of being illuminated by transmission from the opposite side of

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 the observer and by means of one or more light sources, are arranged in the surrounding field.

 To concentrate this light from light sources on the light fields to be illuminated, it is possible that a light chamber or a group of light fields is associated with a light chamber which is arranged on the face of the element of luminous surface and of the translucent layer which is turned away from the observer and in which there are one or more light sources.

 It is possible, to minimize the loss of light, that the interior wall of the light chamber is produced so as to reflect the light, in particular is white.

 Preferably, the light sources are light emitting diodes, incandescent lamps or fluorescent tubes.

 Another lighting of the light fields which does not require any particular light source is possible thanks to the fact that, in the surrounding field, a graduation and / or number and / or sign and / or symbol can be illuminated by means of the element of luminous surface.

 Thanks to the uniformity of the visual aspect of the field of vision, it is possible that a colored covering glass serving to obtain a black panel effect is placed, on the observer side, in front of the device. so that when it is not on, the entire field of view appears as a uniformly dark surface.

 So that, in a simple manner, the light field shifts optically vis-à-vis the rest of the surrounding field, it is possible that, in the area surrounding the light field, there is disposed a translucent layer of increased density comprising a transparent recess which corresponds to the graduation and / or the number and / or the sign and / or the symbol and which can be illuminated by transmission in a clearer manner.

 Preferably, the translucent layer of increased density is arranged on the observer side in front of the luminous surface element and the colored translucent layer is arranged on top, covering the entire surrounding area.

 It is possible, in order to particularly bring out the display elements on the surrounding field, that the translucent layer is hollowed out in a manner corresponding to the graduations and / or the numbers and / or the signs and / or the symbols and a transparent impression d 'another color is placed in the recess.

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 Another possibility for obtaining the display elements is that, on the face of the luminous surface element which is turned away from the observer, an opaque layer is arranged comprising a recessed part which corresponds to the graduation and / or the number and / or the sign and / or the symbol and which is covered by the translucent layer.

 If, in this case, along the contour of the luminous element and penetrating to a small extent in the luminous element, a white layer is laid on the face of the translucent layer which is turned away from the observer, this white layer plays, in the unlit state of the light element, the role of a reflection surface for the surrounding light, so that, even when the light element is not lit, it it can be recognized with a sharp outline and good contrast.

 To amplify the possibility of recognition along a sharp contour and with good contrast of the light element, it is possible that, along the contour of the light field, an opaque layer is placed on the face of the light surface element which is turned away from the observer.

 A particularly well uniform visual appearance is obtained in an easily achievable manner by the fact that the translucent layer is a translucent black print.

 It is possible, to simplify the possibility of producing the display device, for the translucent layer to be arranged on a transparent support sheet, the latter being a plastic sheet, in particular a polycarbonate sheet or a polyester sheet.

 The liquid crystal display can be colored, in particular a thin film transistor display (called "TFT").

 One or more quasi-analog instrument displays can be represented using the liquid crystal display and the surrounding field can include analog needle instruments whose graduations and values are represented on the surrounding field.

 Examples of implementation of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described below in detail. We see: in Figure 1, a cross-sectional view of a detail of an exemplary embodiment of a display device, in Figure 2, a cross-sectional view of a detail of a second example of production of a display device, in FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of a detail of a third example embodiment of a display device,

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 in Figure 4, a cross-sectional view of a detail of a fourth embodiment of a display device and in Figure 5, a cross-sectional view of a detail of a fifth embodiment a display device.

 The display devices shown in the figures include a display field 1 in which are arranged a liquid crystal display 2 and a surrounding field 3 surrounding the display 2. The display 2 can be illuminated by transmission by means of a source of light 4.

 In FIG. 1, the surrounding field 3 is formed by a light surface element 5 which is a light guide plate 7 covered by a support sheet 8 on its face turned towards an observer 6. A light field 9 of a symbol is formed on the support sheet 8 by the fact that, in a manner corresponding to the outline of the symbol, there is arranged, in the surrounding area of the light field 9, a translucent layer 10 of increased density including an interior recess 11 corresponding to the symbol and is transparent.

 The entire support sheet 8, including the translucent layer 10 of increased density, is covered by a translucent layer produced in the form of a black translucent print 12.

 In addition, on the observer side, a colored cover glass 13 serving to obtain a black panel effect is placed in front of the entire field of view 1.

 In addition to the surrounding field 3, the luminous surface element 5 and the support sheet 8 comprising the translucent black imprint 12 also still cover the marginal zone of the liquid crystal display 2 situated outside of its viewing surface.

 There is provided, arranged on the short side of the light guide plate 7 which is turned away from the liquid crystal display 2, a light source 14, produced in the form of a micro-side LED ("microside"), by means of which light is introduced by coupling into the plate 7. On the surface turned away from the observer 6, the light guide plate 7 is provided with a surface structure on which the light introduced by coupling into the plate 7 is deflected towards the observer 6 in such a way that the plate 7 is luminous over its entire surface.

 The densities of the support sheet 8 and of the translucent black print 12 are adapted to one another in such a way that the surrounding field 3 has the same light density and the same color location as the surface of

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 display of the liquid crystal display 2 on which its information can be presented.

 In the area of the light field 9, a light chamber 15, with a white coating on its inner face, in which a light source 16 is arranged is located on the face of the light guide plate 7 which is turned towards opposite of the observer 6. The light field 9 can be illuminated by transmission by means of this light source 16, in such a way that the symbol is visible in an illuminated manner for the observer 6. When the source of light 16 is off, the black print 12 translucent and the light guide plate 7 which is bright constitute a surface appearing uniformly illuminated in a manner corresponding to the viewing surface of the liquid crystal display 2 .

 To amplify the outline of the symbol or to replace the translucent layer 10 of increased density, an opaque layer 17 can be placed, along the outline of the light field 9, on the face of the light guide plate 5 which is turned towards the opposite of observer 6.

 It is further indicated by cross-hatching that instead of the translucent black printing 12, the area of the recess 11 can also be filled with a transflective white layer 18 by means of which, when the source light 16 is off, the symbol is visible by reflection of the surrounding light.

 In the embodiment of FIG. 2, there is also provided, in the surrounding field 3, a light field 9 behind which is also arranged a light chamber 15 comprising a light source 16. In this case, on the face of a support sheet 8 covering the surrounding field 3 and leaving free the liquid crystal display 2 which is turned away from the observer 6, an opaque layer 19 is first disposed which has a recess 20 corresponding to a symbol. This recess 20 is itself filled by means of a translucent black imprint 12 which, to simplify manufacture, also extends over the rest of the surface of the opaque layer 19.

 On the observer side, there is provided, from the support sheet 8 and extending over the entire extent of the surrounding field 3, a luminous surface element 5 which, in a manner analogous to FIG. 1, is produced under form of a light guide plate 7 which has a surface structure and on the short side of which, facing away from the liquid crystal display 2, there is disposed a light source 14 produced in the form of a Micro-side LED ("microside") and light is introduced by coupling into the plate 7.

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 Thus, the surrounding field 3 appears in the form of a surface which appears uniformly luminous in a manner corresponding to the viewing surface of the liquid crystal display 2 and on which, when the light source 16 is switched on, the symbol appears clear following a clear outline and a strong contrast.

 In FIG. 3, in a manner corresponding to FIG. 1, on the observer side, a translucent black print 12 is placed on a transparent support sheet 8. Also in a manner corresponding to that of Figure 1, there is provided, behind the support sheet 8, a light element 5 which is however a source of active light in two translucent dimensions. This two-dimensional active light source is produced in the form of a two-dimensional organic light-emitting diode (LED) 21 and extends, in common with the support sheet 8 and the translucent black printing 12, not only on the the extent of the surrounding field 5, but also over the extent of the liquid crystal display 2. The display information thereof can then be seen by the observer 6 through the two-dimensional organic light-emitting diode 21, the support sheet 8 and the black translucent print 12.

 In the embodiment of FIG. 4, as in FIG. 3, on the observer side, a translucent black print 12 is placed on a transparent support sheet 8 and, behind the support sheet, there is arranged a light element 5 in the form of a two-dimensional translucent active light source which is produced in the form of a two-dimensional organic light-emitting diode (OLED) 21. Behind, an opaque layer 19 comprising a recess 20 corresponding to a symbol covers the organic light diode 21 in two dimensions.

 As in FIG. 2, the recess 20 is illuminated by transmission by a light source 16 arranged in a light chamber 15, so that the symbol appears to the clear observer and having a clear outline in a surface appearing bright from uniformly.

 The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 corresponds to a large extent to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4. Unlike FIG. 4, the light surface element 5 is produced in the form of an electroluminescent lamp 22 two-dimensional with a recess 23 corresponding to a symbol. In this case also, the recess 23 is illuminated by a light source 16 disposed in a light chamber 15, so that the symbol appears to the observer 6 clear and having a clear outline in a surface appearing uniformly bright. .

Claims (32)

1. Display device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a display field which comprises at least one liquid crystal display in a surrounding field, characterized in that the surrounding field (3) is constituted by a luminous surface element (5 ) whose side facing the observer (6) or the side facing the observer (6) is covered by a translucent colored layer and whose light density and location of color in the lighting state correspond at least to a large extent at the light density and at the color location of the viewing surface of the liquid crystal display (2).  2. Display device according to claim 1, characterized in that the luminous surface element (5) and the translucent layer cover the entire display field (1).  3. Display device according to claim 2, characterized in that the luminous surface element (5) is transparent over the entire extent of the liquid crystal display (2).  4. Display device according to claim 2, characterized in that the luminous surface element has a lower optical density over the entire extent of the liquid crystal display.  5. Display device according to claim 1, characterized in that the luminous surface element (5) and the translucent layer cover the surrounding field (3) leaving the liquid crystal display (2) free.  6. Display device according to claim 1, characterized in that the luminous surface element (5) and the translucent layer cover the surrounding field (3) leaving free the area of the display surface of the crystal display liquids (2).  7. Display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the luminous surface element (5) is an active light source in two dimensions.  8. Display device according to claim 7, characterized in that the active two-dimensional light source is a two-dimensional electroluminescence lamp (22).  9. Display device according to claim 7, characterized in that the active two-dimensional light source is a two-dimensional organic light-emitting diode (OLED) (21). <Desc / Clms Page number 9>  10. Display device according to claim 7, characterized in that the active two-dimensional light source is a translucent two-dimensional light source.  11. Display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the luminous surface element (5) is a plate forming a light guide (7) in two dimensions, in particular of small thickness, in the narrow side of which light from one or more light sources (14) can be introduced by coupling.  12. Display device according to claim 11, characterized in that the light guide plate is made of a transparent plastic material, in particular polymethylmethacrylate.  13. Display device according to any one of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the light guide plate (7) has a surface structure on its surface facing the observer (6) and / or its turned surface opposite of it.  14. Display device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the light sources (14) are light emitting diodes (LED) or thin fluorescent tubes.  15. Display device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the surface structure of the display field (1) which faces the observer (6) is produced, over the entire extent of the field display (1), in an at least approximately identical manner, in particular with an identical level of gloss.  16. Display device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that light fields (9) which form graduations and / or numbers and / or signs and / or symbols and which must be able to be illuminated by transmission from the face opposite the observer (6) and by means of one or more light sources (16) are arranged in the surrounding field (3).  17. Display device according to claim 16, characterized in that a light field (9) or a group of light fields, there is associated a light chamber (15) which is arranged on the face of the element of light surface (5) and of the translucent layer which is turned away from the observer (6) and in which one or more light sources (16) are located.  18. Display device according to claim 17, characterized in that the inner wall of the light chamber (15) is produced so as to reflect the light, in particular is white. <Desc / Clms Page number 10>  19. Display device according to any one of claims 16 to 17, characterized in that the light sources (16) are light-emitting diodes, incandescent lamps or fluorescent tubes.  20. Display device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that, in the surrounding field, a scale and / or number and / or sign and / or symbol can be illuminated by means of the element of luminous surface.  21. Display device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that a colored cover glass (13) serving to obtain a black panel effect is placed, on the observer side, in front of the display device.  22. Display device according to any one of claims 11 to 21, characterized in that, in the surrounding area of the light field (9), there is disposed a translucent layer of increased density (10) comprising a recess (11) transparent which corresponds to the graduation and / or the number and / or the sign and / or the symbol and which can be illuminated by transmission in a clearer manner.  23. Display device according to claim 22, characterized in that the translucent layer of increased density (10) is arranged on the observer side in front of the light surface element (5) and the translucent colored layer is arranged on top, covering the entire surrounding area (3).  24. Display device according to any one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the translucent layer is hollowed out in a manner corresponding to the graduations and / or numbers and / or signs and / or symbols and an impression transparent of another color is arranged in the recess.  25. Display device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that, on the face of the luminous surface element (5) which is turned away from the observer (6), it is arranged an opaque layer (19) comprising a recessed portion (20) which corresponds to the graduation and / or the number and / or the sign and / or the symbol and which is covered by the translucent layer.  26. Display device according to claim 25, characterized in that, along the contour of the light element and penetrating to a small extent in the light element, a white layer is placed on the face of the translucent layer which is turned away from the observer.  27. Display device according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that, along the contour of the light field (9), an opaque layer (17) is disposed on the face of the light surface element (5) which is turned away from the observer (6). <Desc / Clms Page number 11>  28. Display device according to any one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that the translucent layer is a translucent black print (12).  29. Display device according to any one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that the translucent layer is arranged on a transparent support sheet (8).  30. Display device according to claim 29, characterized in that the transparent support sheet is a plastic sheet, in particular a polycarbonate sheet or a polyester sheet.  31. Display device according to any one of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that the display is colored, in particular a display with thin film transistors (called "TFT").  32. Display device according to any one of claims 1 to 31, characterized in that one or more visualizations of quasi-analog instrument can be represented by means of the liquid crystal display and the surrounding field comprises instruments with analog needle.