WO2020018365A1

WO2020018365A1 - Vehicle door display

Info

Publication number: WO2020018365A1
Application number: PCT/US2019/041567
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tyler R. BAME; Aidano Nascimento; Brian H. Staser; Michael Maddelein
Original assignee: Inteva Products, Llc
Priority date: 2018-07-16
Filing date: 2019-07-12
Publication date: 2020-01-23

Abstract

An interior door trim assembly for a vehicle includes one or more door trim panel, and a door display screen viewable by a vehicle operator from a normal operating position. The door display may be a touch screen display and may be configured to display images from one or more vehicle exterior cameras. Additionally, the door display screen is configured as a simulated window

Description

VEHICLE DOOR DISPLAY

BACKGROUND

[0001] Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of vehicles, and more particularly to door interior systems for vehicles.

[0002] Conventional vehicles typically have external mirrors mounted at, for example an outer door panel of the vehicle. The external mirrors allow the vehicle operator to view the portions of the vehicle surroundings, such as those areas beside the vehicle and/or behind the vehicle operator. The external mirrors, however, are often heavy and reduce aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle. As a result, manufacturers are replacing and/or complimenting external mirrors with cameras that send an image to a display on the instrument panel, away from where the operator is typically looking.

[0003] Further, typical vehicles lack a convenient, dedicated, secure storage area for mobile devices such as smartphones in the interior of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0004] In one embodiment, an interior door trim assembly for a vehicle includes one or more door trim panel, and a door display screen viewable by a vehicle operator from a normal operating position.

[0005] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the door display screen is a touch screen display.

[0006] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the door display screen is configured to display images from one or more vehicle exterior cameras. [0007] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the door display screen is configured as a simulated window for improved visibility through the vehicle door.

[0008] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the door display screen displays an image from a door camera to act as the simulated window.

[0009] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the door display screen is configured to display one or more blind spot warning alert.

[0010] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the door display screen is pairable with a mobile electronic device in proximity to the interior door trim assembly.

[0011] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments one or more functions of the mobile electronic device are controllable via the door display screen.

[0012] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments one or more door functions are controllable via the door display screen.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the one or more functions include door window operations or door lock operations.

[0014] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the door trim assembly includes a mobile electronic device storage compartment.

[0015] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the mobile electronic device storage compartment includes a wireless charging station for a mobile electronic disposed therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike: [0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an interior door trim assembly for a vehicle;

[0018] FIG. 2 is another schematic view of an embodiment of an interior door trim assembly; and

[0019] FIG. 3 is yet another schematic view of an embodiment of and interior door trim assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrated is an embodiment of an interior door trim assembly 10 of a vehicle. The interior door trim assembly 10 for, for example, a driver’s door of a vehicle, includes a lower panel 12, an upper panel 14, and an armrest portion 16. The armrest portion 16 is located between the upper panel 14 and the lower panel 12. The interior door trim assembly 10 extends between an upper trim end 18 and a lower trim end 20, and between a forward trim end 22 and a rearward trim end 24.

[0022] The interior door trim assembly 10 further includes a door display 26. In some embodiments, the door display 26 extends from the armrest portion 16 upwardly toward the upper trim end 18. In some embodiments, the door display 26 extends beyond the upper trim end 18, such that a display upper end 28 is located vertically above the upper trim end 18. The door display 26 is positioned to be readily and easily viewable by a vehicle operator from a usual seated position of the vehicle operator, such as tilted upwardly and toward a vehicle central axis (not shown).

[0023] The door display 26 is operably connected to the armrest portion 16, via one or more electrical and/or data connections. The armrest portion 16 includes a device compartment 30, which provides storage for a mobile electronic device 32, such as a smartphone or the like, and may include a compartment cover 34, which may function as an armrest of the armrest portion. The device compartment 30 further includes a charging station (not shown), which is configured to charge the mobile electronic device 32, either wirelessly or via a wired connection.

[0024] The door display 26 is configured as a touch screen display. Further, the door display is configured for pairing of the mobile electronic device 32 thereto, such that functions of the mobile electronic device 32, such as media playback, text functions and telephone functions, etc. are available via the door display 26 via icons 36, shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, the door display 26 may include door controls 60, for example, touchscreen functionality for door window up and down controls for the driver door as well as for other door windows of the vehicle, vehicle door lock and unlock controls for the driver door as well as for other door windows of the vehicle, and side view camera display 38 with blind spot detection warning lights 40, such as shown in FIG. 2. It is to be appreciated that the door display 26 is switchable between the various functions and modes herein by, for example, a touchscreen action such as a swipe, tap or other action, or via a separate toggle or switch or knob, or the like.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 3, the door display 26, together with a door camera, schematically shown as 42, is also configured to function as a simulated window. This allows the vehicle operator to have visibility through the vehicle door of, for example, pedestrians beside the vehicle, or road elements such as curbs, railing, fences, pavement holes or bumps, or other obstructions or debris. When configured with the door camera 42, the door display 26 may be switchable between the simulated window display and the other display modes of the door display 26 via a touchscreen action such as a swipe, tap or other action, or via a separate toggle, switch, know or the like of the door trim assembly 10.

[0026] In some embodiments, the simulated window display function of the door display 26 is activated automatically, depending on the state of operation of the vehicle. For example, the door camera 42 and the simulated window display function of the door display may be activated when the vehicle is reversing, or at low vehicle speeds, which may be indicative that the vehicle is parking or pulling away from a parked position. [0027] The invention disclosed herein provides a secured charging station within the interior door trim assembly 10 for mobile electronic devices 32 that also pairs applications of the mobile electronic devices 32 with the door display 26 for a larger, more ergonomic use of the mobile device’s features within the vehicle, while preventing distracted driving.

[0028] The term“about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application.

[0029] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms“a”,“an” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or“comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

[0030] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An interior door trim assembly for a vehicle, comprising: one or more door trim panels; and a door display screen viewable by a vehicle operator from a normal operating position.

2. The interior door trim assembly of claim 1, wherein the door display screen is a touch screen display.

3. The interior door trim assembly of claim 1, wherein the door display screen is configured to display images from one or more vehicle exterior cameras.

4. The interior door trim assembly of claim 1, wherein the door display screen is configured as a simulated window for improved visibility through the vehicle door.

5. The interior door trim assembly of claim 4, wherein the simulated window display is automatically activated based on an operating condition of the vehicle.

6. The interior door trim assembly of claim 4, wherein the door display screen displays an image from a door camera to act as the simulated window.

7. The interior door trim assembly of claim 1, wherein the door display screen is configured to display one or more blind spot warning alert.

8. The interior door trim assembly of claim 1, wherein the door display screen is pairable with a mobile electronic device in proximity to the interior door trim assembly.

9. The interior door trim assembly of claim 8, wherein one or more functions of the mobile electronic device are controllable via the door display screen.

10. The interior door trim assembly of claim 1, wherein one or more door functions are controllable via the door display screen.

11. The interior door trim assembly of claim 10, wherein the one or more functions include door window operations or door lock operations.

12. The interior door trim assembly of claim 1, further comprising a mobile electronic device storage compartment.

13. The interior door trim assembly of claim 12, wherein the mobile electronic device storage compartment includes a wireless charging station for a mobile electronic disposed therein.