Display device for a vehicle

• US 20060171007A1
• Filed: 12/30/2005
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Stoschek, Arne, Strohband, Sven, Ng, Brian, Chen, Pao, Pai, Derek, Dupont, Cedric
• Granted Patent: US 7,436,560 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/13
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10036 comprising two outer glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10669 Luminescent agents
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10761 containing vinyl acetal
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/1077 containing polyurethane
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0103 comprising holographic elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/32 Holograms used as optical elements

Abstract

A display device for a vehicle includes a transparent window with a light emission layer intended to separate the interior of the vehicle for emitting visible light when light is beamed onto the light emission layer, a light source for beaming light onto the window, a reflector mounted in a light path between the light source and the window to reflect the light generated by the light source and an adjustable image generator located between the light source and the reflector.

Claims

1. A display device for a vehicle, comprising:

a transparent window with a light emission layer intended to separate an interior of the vehicle for emitting visible light when light is beamed onto the light emission layer;

a light source for beaming light onto the window;

a reflector mounted in a light path between the light source and the window to reflect the light generated by the light source; and

an adjustable image generator located in the light path between the light source and the reflector.

2. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the light path between the adjustable image generator and the light emission layer is not less than 0.5 m.

3. A display device according to claim 1, wherein an image with an area of more than 50 cm² can be generated on the window.

4. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the reflector is mounted at a distance of at least 0.25 m from the adjustable image generator.

5. A display device according to claim 4, wherein the reflector is mounted at a distance of at least 0.25 m from the light emission layer.

6. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the reflector is mounted at a distance of at least 0.25 m from the light emission layer.

7. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is configured in such a way that essentially invisible light from the light source can be beamed onto the light emission layer.

8. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the window includes:

a layer with holographic gratings applied to a side of the light emission layer facing the interior of the motor vehicle.

9. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a windshield with a light emission layer for emitting visible light when light is beamed onto the light emission layer;

a light source for beaming light onto the windshield;

a reflector mounted in a light path between the light source and the windshield to reflect light generated by the light source; and

an adjustable image generator located in the light path between the light source and the reflector, wherein the sum of the distance between the adjustable image generator and the reflector and the distance between the reflector and the light emission layer is not less than 0.5 m.

10. A motor vehicle according to claim 9, wherein an image with an area of more than 50 cm² can be generated on the windshield.

11. A motor vehicle according to claim 9, wherein essentially invisible light can be beamed from the light source onto the light emission layer.

12. A motor vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the windshield includes:

a layer with holographic gratings applied to a side of the light emission layer facing the interior of the motor vehicle.

13. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a windshield with a light emission layer for emitting visible light when light is beamed onto the light emission layer;

a projection arrangement suitable for projecting essentially an image covering an area of the windshield visible to a passenger or the driver of the motor vehicle.

14. A motor vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the projection arrangement includes an adjustable image generator.

15. A motor vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the projection device includes a light source for generating light.

16. A motor vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the projection device also includes a reflector to reflect light generated by the light source.

17. A motor vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the projection device also includes an adjustable image generator located in a light path between the light source and the reflector.

18. A motor vehicle according to claim 13, wherein essentially invisible light can be beamed onto the light emission layer using the projection arrangement:

19. A motor vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the windshield includes a layer with holographic gratings applied to a side of the light emission layer facing the interior of the motor vehicle.