FR3091673A1 - Vehicle windshield module - Google Patents

Abstract

Vehicle windshield module The invention comprises a vehicle windshield module, comprising a windshield having a main area, a display area and a transition area extending between the main area and the area of. 'display, these three areas forming a continuous solid, characterized in that the main area and the display area extend in at least two different planes, the transition area being substantially curved between said planes of the main area and of the display area, the display area forming at least one display or support surface for at least one display device. Figure for the abstract: Figure 3

Description

Vehicle windshield module

The present invention relates to a vehicle windshield module comprising a windshield, comprising a main zone, a display zone and a transition zone extending between the main zone and the display zone, these three zones forming a continuous solid.

The invention also relates to a vehicle cockpit module comprising such a windshield module and a vehicle comprising such a cockpit module.

A conventional cockpit module comprises vehicle control elements, elements for displaying information related to the driving of the vehicle, its geolocation or other information intended for the passengers of the vehicle, at least one trim element and a windshield.

The current trend in the automotive industry is to increase the display area by multiplying the number of display elements or by using display elements such as screens with increasingly larger dimensions. The display elements are placed in the field of vision of the driver and/or a front passenger of the vehicle, ideally in a position close to the windshield. To this end, these elements are integrated into the trim element of the cockpit module, for example the covering of the dashboard. The integration of display elements results from aesthetic and functional choices. Thus, the display elements are located in an open area of the cockpit module and continuity between the trim element and the display elements is sought.

The windscreen is inclined and considering the functional and aesthetic constraints mentioned above related to the display elements, these are inserted into the trim in front and under the windscreen.

Thus, the display elements may require the driver to turn his head away to view the information displayed, which may be dangerous for driving the vehicle.

In addition, a space in the cockpit module located between the display elements and the windshield is difficult to access and there is a discontinuity between the display elements and the windshield. The increasing size of display elements also makes these points increasingly critical. In addition, the display elements take up a significant amount of space in the trim element and thus reduce the possibility of integrating other functional elements into the cockpit module.

One of the aims of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a vehicle windshield module improving accessibility to the volume of the cockpit module and reducing the discontinuities between a display element and the rest of the module. cockpit.

To this end, the invention relates to a windscreen module of the aforementioned type, in which the main zone and the display zone extend in at least two different planes, the transition zone being substantially curved between the said planes of the main area and the display area, the display area forming at least one display or support surface for at least one display device.

The windshield module according to the invention therefore incorporates a display zone in continuity with the main zone of the windshield module through which the passengers of the vehicle see the exterior of the vehicle. Thus, the display area extends into the field of vision of passengers without them having to look away from the main area. The integration of the display element in the display area of the windshield also makes the entire cockpit trim element easily accessible and increases the space available in the cockpit.

According to other optional characteristics of the windshield module according to the invention, taken in isolation or according to any technically possible combination:

- the display zone forms a protective glass or a support surface placed facing the display device, the image displayed by the display device being visible from an internal side of the windscreen, opposite a external side;

- the display device is placed on the outer side of the windscreen, the display area forming a translucent protective pane placed opposite the display device;

- the display device is placed on the inner side of the windscreen, an inner face of the display zone forming a support surface on which the display device is mounted;

- the display device comprises at least one screen and at least one electronic circuit;

- a rear protective cover at least partially covers an outer face of the display area;

- the radius of curvature of the transition zone is between one and four times the thickness of the windscreen; and

- the display area extends in an elevation direction and is curved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the elevation direction.

According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a vehicle cockpit module, comprising at least one trim element and a vehicle windshield module.

According to other optional characteristics of the cockpit module according to the invention, taken separately or according to any technically possible combination:

- the trim element comprises at least one cavity extending opposite the display zone of the windscreen; and

- the trim element forms a substantially flat surface on the inside of the windshield, substantially perpendicular to the display zone of the windshield.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation in perspective of a cockpit module, seen from the outside of the windshield module according to the invention

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation in perspective of a cockpit module, seen from inside the windshield module according to the invention

Fig. 3 is a partially exploded schematic representation in perspective of part of a cockpit module comprising a windshield module according to the invention

Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional representation of a windshield module according to a first embodiment of the invention

Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional representation of a windshield module according to a second embodiment of the invention.

In the following description, we consider a direct orthonormal basis (X, Y, Z). The elevation direction Z is defined according to the height of the vehicle and corresponds for example to the vertical direction when the vehicle is on a horizontal road. The longitudinal direction X corresponds to the front-rear direction of the vehicle and the transverse direction Y corresponds to the width of the vehicle.

Interior or interior of the vehicle is defined as all the volumes contained in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. By contrast, exterior or exterior of the vehicle is defined as any volume placed outside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The terms "upper" and "lower" are defined with respect to the direction of elevation Z. The terms "left" and "right" are defined with respect to the transverse direction Y, the left being defined as the part located on the left of the vehicle, from the perspective of a passenger or driver seated in the vehicle in the direction of travel, the right corresponding to the opposite side of the vehicle in the transverse direction Y.

The windshield module 1 according to the invention comprises a windshield 3 which comprises at least three zones. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a main zone 5 is translucent and extends substantially along at least one first plane. The thickness of the main zone 5 is for example substantially constant. A display area 10 extends substantially along at least a second plane. The thickness of the display zone 10 is for example substantially constant. A transition zone 15 is translucent and extends between the main zone 5 and the display zone 10. The thickness of the transition zone 15 is for example substantially constant.

The thickness of the windshield 3 is for example constant over all of the zones 5, 10, 15. This thickness is for example between 3 and 8 mm.

In a particular embodiment, the main zone 5 is curved. The first plane formed by the main zone 5 then corresponds to the plane tangent to the center of the main zone 5. The main zone 5 is intended to extend facing the upper part of the body of the passengers of the vehicle and in particular allows the driver and the front passenger to view the exterior of the vehicle extending in front of the vehicle and more particularly to see the road on which the vehicle is traveling. The first plane is for example inclined with respect to the direction of elevation and comprises a dimension extending in the transverse direction Y when the windshield module is mounted in a vehicle.

In a particular embodiment, the display area 10 is curved. The second plane formed by the display zone 10 then corresponds to the plane tangent to the center of the display zone 10. The display zone 10 is for example mainly curved perpendicular to the direction of elevation. The second plane comprises for example a dimension extending along the elevation direction Z and a dimension extending along the transverse direction Y when the windshield module is mounted in a vehicle. In other words, the display zone 10 extends along the height and along the width of the vehicle so as to extend in front of the occupants of the front seats of the vehicle.

According to a first embodiment, the display zone 10 forms a protective glass. This pane is for example transparent. The display zone 10 makes it possible to clearly see from inside the passenger compartment an element placed on an outer face 17 of the display zone 10.

According to a second embodiment, the display area 10 forms a support surface. This surface is for example opaque, translucent or transparent. The display zone 10 makes it possible to hold elements intended to be placed on an interior face 18 of the display zone 10.

These two embodiments will be described in more detail later.

Display area 10 extends below main area 5 in elevation direction Z.

The main zone 5 is for example concave on the interior side and convex on the exterior side. Similarly, the display area 10 is for example concave on the inside and convex on the outside.

Transition zone 15 ensures continuity between main zone 5 and display zone 10 and extends under main zone 5 and above display zone 10, as shown in FIG. 4. Consequently, the transition zone 15 extends between a lower edge of the main zone 5 and an upper edge of the display zone 10. The transition zone 15 is curved or curved to ensure a continuous transition from the first plane in the background. This continuous transition provides a satisfactory appearance to the windshield module.

Fig. 4 also shows that the first plane and the second plane form between them a non-zero angle. This angle is for example between 120° and 150°, preferably between 125° and 135°. The radius of curvature of the transition zone 15 is for example between one time and four times the thickness of the windshield, preferably between one and a half times and two and a half times the thickness of the windshield.

Main area 5, display area 10, and transition area 15 form a continuous translucent solid. In a particular embodiment, this continuous solid is formed from a single piece forming the whole of the windshield 3. The piece forming the windshield can be worked so that the different zones have different optical properties. , for example by being more or less translucent. The windshield 3 is for example transparent. The windshield 3 is for example made of laminated glass. According to another embodiment, the main 5, display 10 and/or transition 15 zones are formed by separate parts assembled together to form the windshield. In this case, the zones can for example have different optical properties.

The windscreen module 1 represented in FIG. 3 comprises at least one display device 20 comprising at least one screen 25 and at least one electronic circuit 30, as visible in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

According to a first embodiment visible in FIG. 4, each display device 20 is placed opposite an outer side 31 of the windshield.

More particularly, the screen is applied against the display area 10, on its outer face 17. The protective glass formed by the display area 10 is arranged to allow the clear display of the images transmitted by the screen on the inner face 18 of the display area 10. The display area 10 thus forms a protective glass for the screen 25. The screen 25 has for example dimensions similar to or smaller than those of the area d display 10. Alternatively, several screens 25, spaced from each other or adjacent to each other in the transverse direction Y, are provided. In this case, the display zone 10 forms a protective glass for all the screens 25.

The electronic circuit 30 is arranged to supply and drive at least one screen 25.

The electronic circuit 30 is for example placed against an outer face of the screen 25. In other words, the screen 25 extends between the display area 10 and the electronic circuit 30.

At least one display device 20 is for example touch control by application of one or more fingers of a vehicle occupant on the inner face 18 of the display area 10. To this end, the screen or the display zone 10 can be coated with a capacitive film connected to the electronic circuit 30.

Each display device 20 is placed between the display area 10 and a protective cover 35, visible in FIG. 4. The protective cover 35 is placed on the outside of the windscreen 3.

The protective cover 35 is for example a plastic cover. The protective cover 35 comprises for example four parts. A first part covers the rear of the display devices, on the side opposite the display zone 10, and has a shape similar to the display zone 10. A second part extends substantially along a plane comprising a dimension longitudinal and a transverse dimension. The second part covers the display devices between the first part of the protective shield and the windshield 3. The second part of the protective shield 35 is for example in contact with the windshield 3 in the transition zone 15, at the vicinity of the display zone 10. A third and a fourth part of the protective cover 35 extend substantially along two perpendicular planes comprising a longitudinal dimension and an elevation dimension. The display devices are placed between the third and the fourth part of the protective cover 35 in the transverse direction Y. The third and the fourth parts of the protective cover 35 are for example in contact with the windshield 3 in the zone of display 10, more particularly along the transverse edges of the display area 10. The protective cover 35 insulates and protects the display devices from the external environment. According to a second embodiment visible in FIG. 5, each display device 20 is placed opposite an inner side 36 of the windshield. The components used are similar to the first embodiment but their arrangement is different.

More particularly, the electronic circuit is applied against the display zone 10, on its inner face 18. The inner face 18 of the display zone 10 then forms a support surface for the display device 20.

Each display device 20 is placed on the inner face 18 of the display zone and the protective cover 35, visible in FIG. 5, is placed outside the windshield 3. The protective cover 35 is similar in shape to that used in the first embodiment. The protective cover 35 then protects the outer face 17 of the display zone 10. The protective cover 35 can be opaque to hide the electronic circuit 30. Alternatively, no protective cover 35 is used. In this case, the display zone 10 is for example opaque in order to hide the electronic circuit 30. Another alternative embodiment comprises a transparent screen 25, and in this case, the display zone 10 is transparent and the circuit electronic 30 is placed outside the display area 10.

The screen 25 of the display device is for example a touch screen. The screen 25 is a thin screen. This screen is for example a screen using OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) technology, transparent or not.

Thus, in the two embodiments previously described and visible in FIGS. 4 and Figs. 5 the driver and/or the front passenger have access to the information transmitted by each screen placed in the region of the display zone 10 of the windscreen. The display device(s) inform the driver and/or passenger, for example, about the state of the vehicle, about the state of the environment surrounding the vehicle as well as about any other information making it possible to facilitate or safe driving of the vehicle. At least one display device can also display audiovisual content, in particular intended for the passengers of the vehicle apart from the driver.

The windshield module 1 is integrated into a cockpit module 40, shown in FIG. 1. The cockpit module 40 has a shape suitable for accommodating the windshield module 1. The cockpit module 40 forms, for example, a section of the vehicle, located at the front facing the driver and/or the front passenger and partially rising above these. The cockpit module 40 comprises a structure 42 defining an opening of substantially rectangular shape. The shape of the opening in the cockpit module 40 is substantially complementary to the shape of the windshield 3. This opening includes edges on which the windshield 3 is in contact. In other words, the structure 42 of the cockpit module forms a frame receiving the windshield 3. The contact between the windshield 3 and the cockpit module 40 takes place for example between the internal side 36 of the breeze 3 and the edges of the opening of the cockpit module 40. The windshield 3 is for example glued to these edges. The display area 10 is the most forward area of the windshield 3. As previously indicated, the second plane of the display area 10 extends mainly in an elevation direction. The foreground of the main zone 5 of the windshield 3 rises and is inclined towards the rear of the vehicle.

The cockpit module 40 comprises at least one trim element 45, as shown in FIG. 2. The trim element 45 is placed inside the passenger compartment. According to one embodiment, the trim element 45 forms the covering of a dashboard. The trim element comprises at least one cavity 50 extending opposite the windshield 3 or the display device 20 depending on the embodiment. The cavity 50 extends between two walls of the packing element 45, a first wall 55 delimits a left edge of the cavity and a second wall 60 delimits a right edge of the cavity, the two walls 50 and 55 extending according to planes comprising for example a dimension extending along the elevation direction Z and a dimension extending along the longitudinal direction X. The display zone 10, the display device 20 or a combination of the two according to the embodiment, forms a front wall of this cavity. A zone 65 of the trim element 45, substantially flat and substantially perpendicular to the display zone 10 of the windshield, forms a lower wall of the cavity 50. The cavity 50 is open towards the rear and upwards. so that the display zone 10 is visible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Such a zone 65 opposite the windshield 3 makes it possible to optimize the space available in the passenger compartment. The display device 20 being placed on one of the faces of the display zone 10, the space available in the passenger compartment and in particular on the trim element 45 is increased and accessible by the occupants of the vehicle.

The driver and/or the passenger(s) placed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle therefore see the elements displayed by the display device(s) 20, on the inside of the windshield 3. There is continuity for the driver and/or the passenger enters the external environment, seen through the main zone 5, and each display device, the images of which are displayed in the region of the display zone 10. The continuity between the driving information displayed on the window and the view of the external environment through the main area 5 reduces the necessary head movements of the driver and thus allows improved safety. The position of the display devices outside the passenger compartment also allows all passengers to have access to the entire passenger compartment of the vehicle. This configuration also allows a layout of flat and easily accessible surfaces facing the windscreen 3, allowing the driver and/or passenger to fully exploit the interior volume of the passenger compartment.

Claims (11)

Vehicle windscreen module (1), comprising a windscreen (3) comprising a main area (5) extending along a first plane, a display area (10) extending along a second plane and a transition zone (15) extending between the main zone (5) and the display zone (10), these three zones forming a continuous solid;
characterized in that the main zone (5) and the display zone (10) extend in at least two different planes, the transition zone (15) being substantially curved between the said planes of the main zone (5) and of the display area (10), the display area forming at least one display or support surface for at least one display device (20). Vehicle windscreen module (1) according to claim 1, in which the display area (10) forms a protective glass or a support surface placed facing the display device (20), the image displayed by the display device being visible from an inner side (36) of the windshield (3), opposite an outer side (31). Vehicle windshield module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display device (20) is placed on the outer side (31) of the windshield, the display area (10) forming a translucent protective glass placed opposite the display device (20). Vehicle windscreen module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the display device (20) is placed on the internal side (36) of the windscreen, an internal face (18) of the zone of display (10) forming a support surface on which the display device (10) is mounted. Vehicle windshield module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the display device (20) comprises at least one screen (25) and at least one electronic circuit (30). Vehicle windscreen module (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which a rear protective cover (35) at least partially covers an outer face (17) of the display area (10) . Vehicle windscreen module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the radius of curvature of the transition zone (15) is between one and four times the thickness of the windscreen (3). A vehicle windshield module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the display area (10) extends in an elevation direction and is curved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the elevation direction. Vehicle cockpit module (40), comprising at least one trim element (45) and a vehicle windscreen module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Vehicle cockpit module (40) according to Claim 9, in which the trim element (45) comprises at least one cavity (50) extending opposite the display zone (10) of the windshield. Vehicle cockpit module (40) according to any of claims 9 or 10, wherein the trim element (45) forms a substantially planar surface (65) on the inner side (36) of the windscreen (3) , substantially perpendicular to the display area (10) of the windshield.