DISPLAY UNIT

• US 20010001565A1
• Filed: 12/17/1998
• Published: 05/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: BRANDT, PETER, MAY, NORBERT, CEZANNE, GERD, REISINGER, ACHIM
• Granted Patent: US 7,015,986 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/11
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/698 Pointers of combined instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/215 characterised by the combination of multiple visual outputs, e.g. combined instruments with analogue meters and additional displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/12 lighting onto the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/14 lighting through the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/28 Structurally-combined illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/002 giving both analog and numerical indication
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1335 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. polarisers or reflectors

Abstract

In a display unit for a motor vehicle, a display (2) designed as an LCD is arranged in the same plane as a dial plate (1) of a pointer-type instrument. For this purpose, the dial plate (1) has a cutout into which the display (2) is bonded. This makes the display (2) and the dial plate (1) particularly easy to read.

Claims

1. A display unit, particularly for a vehicle, having a dial plate and having a display arranged in a region of the dial plate, wherein the front of the display (2), which faces an observer, is arranged in the same plane as the front of the dial plate (1), which faces the observer.

2. The display unit as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein a front panel (8, 16, 18) of the display (2) is arranged in a cutout (5) in the dial plate (1).

3. The display unit as claimed in

claim 1

or

2

, wherein a pole filter (10) of the front panel (8) of a display (2) designed as a liquid crystal screen is arranged in the same plane as a film (6) applied to the front of the dial plate (1).

4. The display unit as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein a film (14) which covers the dial plate (1) and the display (2) is designed as a scale (3) and as a pole filter (10).

5. The display unit as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the display (2) is bonded or clipped in the cutout (5) in the dial plate (1).

6. The display unit as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein a rear panel (15) of the display (2) is bonded to the back of the dial plate (1).

7. The display unit as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the front panel (18) of the display (2) is connected to an optical waveguide (7) of the dial plate (1) so as to form a single component.

8. The display unit as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the front panel (18) of the display (2) is fastened on a support element (17) arranged at the back of the dial plate (1).

9. The display unit as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the dial plate (1) and the display (2) each have a light source (12, 13) to backlight them.

10. The display unit as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the dial plate (1) is made of plastic.

11. The display unit as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the display (2) is a liquid crystal screen and wherein the front pole filter (25) of the liquid crystal screen is connected to a dial plate film (14) so as to form a single component, the front pole filter (25) being spaced apart from other components (20, 21, 22, 23) of the liquid crystal screen (2).

12. The display unit as claimed in

claim 11

, wherein a lightproof channel (24) is arranged between the front pole filter (25) and the other components (20, 21, 22, 23) of the liquid crystal screen (2).

13. The display unit as claimed in

claim 11

or

12

, wherein the other components (20, 21, 22, 23) of the liquid crystal screen (2) are held by a frame (19).

14. The display unit as claimed in

claim 13

, wherein the frame (19) has the lightproof channel (24).

15. The display unit as claimed in

claim 13

or

14

, wherein the frame (19) is bonded or clipped into a support (optical waveguide 7) for the dial plate (1).