FR3160360A1 - Upholstery element comprising a retractable blackout element - Google Patents

Abstract

Trim element comprising a retractable obscuring element The invention relates to a trim element (1) comprising an image generation device (32, 33, 34) configured to project an image onto a display surface (36) defining a first display area (18) facing a first observation area (20) and a second display area (25) facing a second observation area (30). The trim element (1) comprises a obscuring element (40) movable between a retracted position in which each display area (18, 25) is visible from each observation area (20, 30), and a deployed position, in which the obscuring element (40) obscures at least the second display area (25) from the first observation area (20). Abstract: Figure 1

Description

Upholstery element comprising a retractable blackout element

The present invention relates to a packing element of the type comprising:

- a lower part extending between an internal surface and an external surface opposite the internal surface,

- an upper part extending opposite and away from the lower part in an elevation direction, the upper part extending between an internal surface and an external surface opposite the internal surface in the elevation direction, the internal surface of the upper part extending opposite the external surface of the lower part,

the trim element comprising at least one display device defining at least a first display zone extending opposite a first observation zone and a second display zone extending opposite a second observation zone,

the display device comprising at least one image generating device arranged in the upper portion, and at least one display surface defining the first and/or second display area, each display surface extending between the inner surface of the upper portion and the outer surface of the lower portion, each image generating device being configured to project at least one image onto at least one of the display surfaces, each display surface being configured to reflect the images projected by at least one of the image generating devices towards the first and/or second viewing area.

Passenger transport vehicles today offer vehicle occupants access to a large amount of information related to the vehicle (fuel level, status of vehicle lights, etc.), or to the external environment for example (weather, risk of black ice, air pollution, etc.). In addition, more and more distractions, such as audiovisual content, are offered to vehicle occupants, and in particular to passengers (non-drivers) of the vehicle.

Each piece of information and/or audiovisual content is generally displayed on one or more screens, or display surfaces, arranged in the vehicle and which reflect said content towards the eyes of the vehicle's occupants. Usually, the information and content displayed are visible to all occupants of the vehicle.

However, it is sometimes desirable to display content specifically for one occupant of the vehicle, and which is not visible to other occupants of the vehicle, for example for reasons of confidentiality of the content viewed, or in order to limit distractions due to screens in the vehicle, these distractions being particularly likely to disturb the driver in driving the vehicle.

One of the aims of the invention is then to propose a trim element comprising a display device making it possible to offer confidentiality to the occupants of the vehicle regarding the content displayed by the display device and/or to limit the distractions of certain occupants of the vehicle linked to the content displayed by the display device.

To this end, the invention relates to a trim element characterized in that the trim element comprises a movable occulting element between a retracted position in which each display zone is visible from each observation zone, and a deployed position, in which the occulting element occults at least the second display zone from the first observation zone, and in which the occulting element extends at least between the upper part and the display surface.

The occulting element being movable between a retracted position in which each display zone is visible from each observation zone, and a deployed position, in which the occulting element occults at least the second display zone from the first observation zone, it is possible to visually separate the two display zones from each observation zone.

In other words, the occulting element, in the deployed position, preventing the occupants of the vehicle located in the first observation zone from viewing content displayed on the second display zone, the occupants of the vehicle located in the second observation zone can view said content on the second display zone in complete confidentiality.

Similarly, vehicle occupants located in the first viewing area, unable to see the content displayed in the second display area, are not distracted by said content.

Such a blackout element then offers privacy to certain occupants of the vehicle, and limits distractions for other occupants of the vehicle.

According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the filling element comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

- the occulting element comprises a first end integral with the upper part;

- the occulting element comprises a first end secured to the external surface;

- each display surface is a semi-reflective blade extending inclined relative to the elevation direction between the inner surface of the upper part and the outer surface of the lower part;

- the display device comprises a single display surface defining the first and second display areas;

- the display device comprises at least two image generating devices, at least one image generating device being configured to project at least one image onto the first display area of the display surface, another image generating device being configured to project at least one image onto the second display area of the display surface;

- the occulting element comprises a free end resting on the display surface in the deployed position of the occulting element, the free end being arranged against the internal surface of the upper part in the retracted position of the occulting element;

- the occulting element is formed from a plurality of articulated slats, the articulated slats being stacked on top of each other in the retracted position of the occulting element and being deployed one after the other in the elevation direction in the deployed position of the occulting element.;

- the occulting element is moved from the retracted position to the deployed position by a pressure-actuated type mechanism; and

- the trim element comprises a plurality of occulting elements.

The invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 there FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a packing element according to the invention.

In reference to the FIG. 1 , a vehicle trim element 1 is described according to a first embodiment of the invention. Such a trim element 1 forms, for example, a vehicle dashboard, a central console, a door panel or the like.

The trim element 1 comprises a body 2 arranged to give its general shape and its mechanical characteristics to the trim element 1. The body 2 comprises at least one lower part 4 extending between an internal surface 6 and an external surface 8 opposite the internal surface 6. The lower part 4 extends into a visible part of the passenger compartment of the vehicle by at least one occupant of the vehicle.

The body 2 further comprises an upper part 10 extending opposite and away from the lower part 4 in an elevation direction Z.

The Z elevation direction is for example a direction connecting the vehicle floor to the vehicle roof, corresponding to the height of the vehicle.

The upper part 10 extends between an internal surface 12 and an external surface 14 opposite the internal surface 12 in the elevation direction Z. In particular, the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10 extends opposite the external surface 8 of the lower part 4, in the elevation direction Z.

In the example shown in the FIG. 1 , the trim element 1 is a dashboard and the lower part 4 extends opposite the front occupants of a vehicle and serves as a support for several functional elements, such as an instrument panel, an audio and/or air conditioning system, etc.

Thus, when the packing element 1 is a dashboard, the upper part 10 extends cantilevered opposite the external surface 8 of the lower part 4, as shown in theFIG. 1, such as a protective cover for the external surface 8.

Advantageously, the external surface 8 of the lower part 4 has a satisfactory appearance and gives its appearance to at least part of the trim element 1.

Likewise, advantageously the external surface 14 of the upper part 10 has a satisfactory appearance and gives its appearance to at least part of the trim element 1.

The trim element 1 comprises at least one display device 16 extending over the external surface 8 of the lower part 4, the display device defining at least a first display zone 18 extending opposite a first observation zone 20 and a second display zone 25 extending opposite a second observation zone 30.

The driver's seat of the vehicle is for example installed in the first observation zone 20 and the passenger seat of the vehicle is for example installed in the second observation zone 30.

The display device 16 comprises at least one image generating device. According to the embodiment of the FIG. 1 , the display device 16 comprises three image generating devices 32, 33, 34 arranged in the upper part 10.

Each image generating device 32, 33, 34 is integrated into the upper part 10, or is assembled on the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10.

Each image generation device 32, 33, 34 is for example a screen capable of generating and projecting visual content towards the external surface 8 of the lower part 4.

In the example, the three image generation devices 32, 33, 34 are arranged successively next to each other along the width of the vehicle, i.e. in a left-right direction of the vehicle.

For example, the first image generating device 32 is intended to generate and project informative content related to the vehicle or the driving of the vehicle, useful for the driver of the vehicle.

For example, the second image generating device 33 is intended to generate and project informative content related to the vehicle or the driving of the vehicle, useful for the driver of the vehicle and/or distracting visual content for a passenger of the vehicle.

For example, the third image generating device 34 is intended to generate and project distracting visual content for a passenger of the vehicle.

The display device 16 further comprises a display surface 36 defining the first and/or second display area 18, 25.

In the embodiment of the FIG. 1 , the display device 16 comprises a single display surface 36 defining the first and second display areas 18, 25.

The display surface 36 extends between the inner surface 12 of the upper part 10 and the outer surface 8 of the lower part 4.

Each image generating device 32, 33, 34 is configured to project at least one image onto the display surface 36 and the display surface 36 is configured to reflect the images projected by the image generating devices 32, 33, 34 towards the first and second viewing areas 20, 30.

In the embodiment of the FIG. 1 , the first display zone 18 is formed of two display sub-zones 18A, 18B, respectively called the driver zone and the central zone.

Each display sub-zone 18A, 18B extends opposite the first observation zone 20.

For example, the driver display sub-area 18A is located opposite the first image generating device 32. The first image generating device 32 is then configured to project content onto the driver display sub-area 18A.

Similarly, the central display sub-area 18B is located opposite the second image generating device 33. The second image generating device 33 is then configured to project content onto the central display sub-area 18B.

Finally, the second display area 25 is located opposite the third image generation device 34. The third image generation device 34 is then configured to project content onto the second display area 25.

The display surface 36 is for example a semi-reflecting blade extending in an inclined manner relative to the elevation direction Z between the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10 and the external surface 8 of the lower part 4.

The relative inclination between the display surface 36 and the image generation devices 32, 33, 34 makes it possible to create an image reflected by the display surface 36 in a plane located behind the display surface 36 in the form of a virtual image, in particular between the external surface 8 of the lower part 4 and the display surface 36. The displayed image is then perceived as floating for the occupant of the vehicle, who views the image not directly on the display surface 36 but behind the display surface 36.

For example, the display surface 36 is made of glass or a plastic material such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

The semi-reflecting plate is configured to reflect at least in part the light rays received from the image generating devices 32, 33, 34 towards the first and second observation zones 20 and 30.

By “configured to reflect” we mean that a light ray with a wavelength between 400 nm and 750 nm is partly reflected by the semi-reflecting plate when it strikes an external face and/or an internal face of the semi-reflecting plate.

The semi-reflective blade is at least partly transparent.

Thus, in particular when the image generation devices 32, 33, 34 are inactive, the external surface 8 of the lower part 4 is visible to an occupant inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle through the semi-reflecting blade. In addition, when at least one of the image generation devices 32, 33, 34 is active, the external surface 8 of the lower part 4 is visible to an occupant inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle through the semi-reflecting blade, outside and/or at the periphery of the corresponding display area, reinforcing the impression of a floating image.

According to the invention, the trim element 1 comprises a concealing element 40 movable between a retracted position in which each display zone 18, 25 is visible from each observation zone 20, 30, and a deployed position, in which the concealing element 40 conceals at least the second display zone 25 from the first observation zone 20, in particular by deploying the concealing element in the zone situated between the upper part 10 and the display surface 36 and/or between the upper part 10 and the external surface 8.

The occulting element 40 is made of an opaque material, and comprises for example a rigid frame for example provided with an elastomer coating, such as rubber. By opaque, it is meant that the occulting element 40 prevents the passage of light tending to pass through the occulting element 40. In other words, the light diffused on one side of the occulting element 40 is not visible on the other side of the occulting element 40.

Optionally, the occulting element 40 comprises a decorative layer giving the occulting element 40 a particular aesthetic appearance.

The occulting element 40 has, for example, a thickness of between 2 mm and 4 mm.

In the embodiment of the FIG. 1 , the occulting element 40 is formed of a plurality of articulated blades 42. The occulting element 40 is for example foldable and unfoldable by a specific arrangement of the articulated blades 42 between them. For example, each articulated blade 42 extends between an end secured to a point of articulation of the occulting element 40 and a free end. The blades 42 are connected to each other at the point of articulation and are slidable on each other, by rotation of the free ends around the point of articulation, like a fan.

For example, the articulated blades 42 are stacked on top of each other in the retracted position of the occulting element 40 and are deployed one after the other in the elevation direction Z in the deployed position of the occulting element 40.

In the embodiment of the FIG. 1 , the occulting element 40 comprises a first end 44 integral with the upper part 10.

The point of articulation is for example located at the level of the first end 44.

In particular, the first end 44 is for example fixed on the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10.

The occulting element 40 comprises a free end 46 opposite the first end 44, in the elevation direction Z, in the deployed position of the occulting element 40.

In the deployed position of the occulting element 40, the free end 46 rests on the display surface 36. Thus, in the deployed position, the occulting element 40 fills the space between the display surface 36 and the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10 in the elevation direction Z.

In the retracted position of the occulting element 40, the free end 46 is arranged against the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10. In particular, in the retracted position of the occulting element 40, the free end 46 is for example folded over the first end 44.

According to a variant, not shown, the occulting element 40 is stored in a housing provided in the upper part 10 in the retracted position.

According to a variant, the occulting element 40 is for example formed from a single rigid piece, and is movable in translation between the deployed position, in which the occulting element 40 extends between the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10 and the external surface 8 of the lower part 4, and the retracted position, in which the occulting element 40 is stored in said housing provided in the upper part 10.

The occulting element 40 is for example moved from the retracted position to the deployed position by a pressure-actuated mechanism. In particular, the mechanism is of the “push-push” type.

Such a mechanism allows the transition from the retracted position to the deployed position by simply pressing on the concealing element 40. Such a mechanism is particularly aesthetic since it does not require the presence of a visible actuating member on the trim element 1, such as a handle or a button or the like.

In order to implement this mechanism, the occulting element 40 is for example secured to a spring, not shown, which is compressed when the occulting element is in the retracted position and which extends when the occulting element 40 is in the deployed position.

A retaining element makes it possible to retain the spring in the compressed state in the retracted position of the occulting element 40. By pressing on the occulting element 40, the spring is for example released from the retaining element and causes the occulting element 40 to deploy.

In one variant, the occulting element 40 is for example moved from the retracted position to the deployed position by a motorized, automated or manually controlled mechanism, using a mechanical button or a touch interface.

As mentioned previously, the occulting element 40 in the deployed position occults the second display zone 25 from the first observation zone 20.

In other words, the occulting element 40, which extends between the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10 and the display surface 36, forms a visual barrier between the first observation zone 20 and the second display zone 25 so that the light emitted by the third image generation device 34 and reflected by the second display zone 25 is not visible to the person or persons seated in the first observation zone 20.

Thus, an occupant of the vehicle located in the first observation zone 20 and not wishing to see the content displayed by the third image generation device 34 on the second display zone 25, deploys the occulting element 40 between the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10 and the display surface 36. The content displayed by the third image generation device 34 on the second display zone 25 is then occulted by the occulting element 40 for the occupant located in the first observation zone 20, and visible to an occupant located in the second observation zone 30. Distractions due to the visual content displayed on the second display zone 25 are therefore limited for the occupant located in the first observation zone 20.

Similarly, an occupant of the vehicle located in the second observation zone 30 and not wanting the content displayed by the third image generating device 34 on the second display zone 25 to be visible to an occupant located in the first observation zone 20, deploys the occulting element 40 between the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10 and the display surface 36. The content displayed by the third image generating device 34 on the second display zone 25 is then visible to the occupant located in the second observation zone 30, and is occulted by the occulting element 40 for an occupant located in the first observation zone 20. The confidentiality of the content viewed by the occupant in the second observation zone 30 is then preserved.

Variants, not shown, of the embodiment described above will now be briefly detailed. It is understood that the invention covers any technically feasible combination of the first embodiment and the variants described below.

In a first variant, the display device 16 comprises a single image generation device configured to project one or more images onto the respective display areas 18, 25 depending on the content generated by the image generation device.

In a second variant, the display device 16 comprises a plurality of display surfaces 36. In particular, the display device 16 comprises a driver display surface, a central display surface, and a passenger display surface.

According to this variant, it is then technically possible for the free end 46 of the occulting element 40 to be secured to the external surface 8 of the lower part 4, and for the first end 44 of the occulting element 40 to be movable in the elevation direction Z between the retracted position, in which the first end 44 is located in contact with the external surface 8 of the lower part 4, and the deployed position, in which the first end 44 is located in contact with the internal surface 12 of the upper part 10. According to this example, the occulting element 40 extends, in the deployed position, between two display surfaces, and between the lower part 4 and the upper part 10.

According to another example of this variant, the occulting element 40 is stored in a housing provided in the lower part 4 in the retracted position.

According to another variant, the trim element 1 comprises several obscuring elements 40. For example, the trim element 1 comprises a second obscuring element movable between a retracted position in which each display zone 18, 25 is visible from each observation zone 20, 30, and a deployed position, in which the second obscuring element obscurs the central display sub-zone 18B from the first observation zone 20. This advantageously makes it possible to offer an extended display surface for the occupant of the vehicle located in the second observation zone 30, without disturbing the driver located in the first observation zone 20 who therefore only sees the information relating to the driving of the vehicle, displayed in the driver display sub-zone 18A.

Regardless of the embodiments described above, the filling element 1 according to the invention has numerous advantages.

The occulting element 40 being movable between a retracted position in which each display zone 18, 25 is visible from each observation zone 20, 30, and a deployed position, in which the occulting element 40 occults at least the second display zone 25 from the first observation zone 20, it is possible to visually separate the two display zones 18, 25 from each observation zone 20, 30.

Thus, the occupants of the vehicle located in the second observation zone 30 can view content displayed on the second display zone 25 in complete confidentiality.

Similarly, vehicle occupants located in the first viewing area 20 are not distracted by the content displayed in the second display area 25.

Such an occulting element 40 then offers confidentiality to certain occupants of the vehicle, and limits distractions for other occupants of the vehicle.

Claims (10)

Packing element (1) comprising a body (2) comprising:
- a lower part (4) extending between an internal surface (6) and an external surface (8) opposite the internal surface (6),
- an upper part (10) extending opposite and away from the lower part (4) in an elevation direction (Z), the upper part (10) extending between an internal surface (12) and an external surface (14) opposite the internal surface (12) in the elevation direction (Z), the internal surface (12) of the upper part (10) extending opposite the external surface (14) of the lower part (4),
the trim element (1) comprising at least one display device (16) defining at least a first display zone (18) extending opposite a first observation zone (20) and a second display zone (25) extending opposite a second observation zone (30),
the display device (16) comprising at least one image generating device (32, 33, 34) arranged in the upper part (10), and at least one display surface (36) defining the first and/or second display area (18, 25), each display surface (36) extending between the inner surface (12) of the upper part (10) and the outer surface (8) of the lower part (4), each image generating device (32, 33, 34) being configured to project at least one image onto at least one of the display surfaces (36), each display surface (36) being configured to reflect the images projected by at least one of the image generating devices (32, 33, 34) towards the first and/or second viewing area (20, 30),
characterized in that the trim element (1) comprises a screening element (40) movable between a retracted position in which each display area (18, 25) is visible from each observation area (20, 30), and a deployed position, in which the screening element (40) screens at least the second display area (25) from the first observation area (20), and in which the screening element (40) extends at least between the upper part (10) and the display surface (36). Trim element (1) according to claim 1, in which the occulting element (40) comprises a first end (44) integral with the upper part (10). Trim element (1) according to claim 1, in which the occulting element (40) comprises a first end (44) integral with the external surface (8). Trim element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which each display surface (36) is a semi-reflecting blade extending inclined relative to the elevation direction (Z) between the internal surface (12) of the upper part (10) and the external surface (8) of the lower part (4). Trim element (1) according to claim one of the preceding claims, wherein the display device (16) comprises a single display surface (36) defining the first and second display areas (18, 25). Trim element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display device (16) comprises at least two image generating devices (32, 33, 34), at least one image generating device (32, 33) being configured to project at least one image onto the first display area (18) of the display surface (36), another image generating device (34) being configured to project at least one image onto the second display area (25) of the display surface (36). Trim element (1) according to any one of the preceding, in which the occulting element (40) comprises a free end (46) bearing on the display surface (36) in the deployed position of the occulting element (40), the free end (46) being arranged against the internal surface (12) of the upper part (10) in the retracted position of the occulting element (40). A trim element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the occulting element (40) is formed from a plurality of articulated blades (42), the articulated blades (42) being stacked on top of each other in the retracted position of the occulting element (40) and being deployed one after the other in the elevation direction (Z) in the deployed position of the occulting element (40). A trim element (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the obscuring element (40) is moved from the retracted position to the extended position by a pressure-actuated type mechanism. A trim element (1) according to any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of occulting elements (40).