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DE-102017117780-B4 - Display system, vehicle with such a display system, and vehicle steering wheel assembly

DE102017117780B4DE 102017117780 B4DE102017117780 B4DE 102017117780B4DE-102017117780-B4

Abstract

Display system (2) for a vehicle, comprising: a steering wheel (60) that is laterally movable between a first position (60a) and a second position (60b) with respect to a dashboard (100), and that includes a ring (62) defining a void (66) designed to rotate around a central axis (64) and a support arm (80) comprising a first end (80a) coupled to the ring (62) and a second end (80b) movably attached; characterized in that the steering wheel (60) is also movable along a guide rail (160); the second end (80b) is movably attached to the guide rail (160); and the display system (2) further includes: a projector (40) with a mirror (49) attached to the support arm (80), wherein the projector (40) is designed to project a laser light in a lateral direction parallel to the guide rail (160) to the mirror (49), and the mirror (49) is designed to reflect the laser light to the void (66) to produce a holographic image (I) within the void (66) such that the holographic image (I) remains fixed relative to the central axis (64) when the steering wheel (60) moves between the first position (60b) and the second position (60b).

Inventors

  • Marcus Hoggarth
  • Jasper DEKKER

Assignees

  • FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20170804
Priority Date
20160804

Claims (18)

  1. Display system (2) for a vehicle, comprising: a steering wheel (60) that is laterally movable between a first position (60a) and a second position (60b) with respect to a dashboard (100), and comprising a ring (62) that defines a cavity (66) designed to rotate about a central axis (64), and a support arm (80) comprising a first end (80a) coupled to the ring (62), and a second end (80b) that is movably attached; characterized in that the steering wheel (60) is further movable along a guide rail (160); the second end (80b) is movably attached to the guide rail (160); and the display system (2) further comprises: a projector (40) with a mirror (49) attached to the support arm (80), wherein the projector (40) is designed to project a laser light in a lateral direction parallel to the guide rail (160) to the mirror (49), and the mirror (49) is designed to reflect the laser light to the void (66) in order to produce a holographic image (I) within the void (66) such that the holographic image (I) remains fixed relative to the central axis (64) when the steering wheel (60) moves between the first position (60b) and the second position (60b).
  2. Display system (2) according to Claim 1 , wherein a position or angle of the mirror (49) can be controlled to adjust a location of the holographic image (I).
  3. Display system (2) according to Claim 1 , wherein the projector (40) comprises a pulsed laser (42) designed to emit laser light pulses, a scanner (44) designed to selectively deflect the laser light pulses, and one or more lenses (46, 46a, 46b, 48) designed to focus the laser light to generate volume elements of the holographic image (I).
  4. Display system (2) according to Claim 3 , wherein the pulse laser (42) is designed to utilize plasma in a volume element of the holographic image (I) to generate a pressure wave that is felt by an occupant's hand.
  5. Display system (2) according to Claim 1 , wherein the holographic image (I) represents one or more controls of the vehicle, and the projector (40) is further configured to change a number or position of the at least one control according to a setting of controls.
  6. Display system (2) according to Claim 1 , further comprising a camera (240) designed to determine the position of an occupant's hand relative to the holographic image (I) and to determine a control input based on the position of the hand relative to the holographic image (I).
  7. Display system (2) according to Claim 1 , further comprising an eye position sensor designed to determine the position of an occupant's eye, wherein the projector (40) is further designed to prevent the holographic image (I) from being displayed when the eye is within a threshold distance of the holographic image (I).
  8. Display system (2) according to Claim 1 , further comprising a location sensor designed to determine the location of one or more objects near the vehicle, wherein the holographic image (I) is designed to display a representation of the one or more objects.
  9. Display system (2) according to Claim 1 , further comprising a camera designed to capture an external image of the vehicle, wherein the holographic image (I) displays the external image.
  10. Display system (2) according to Claim 1 , wherein the projector (40) is further configured to display a portion of the holographic image (I) radially outside the ring (62).
  11. Display system (2) according to Claim 1 , further comprising a control unit (260) for controlling the operation of the projector, which is designed to: determine a control preference setting; and control the projector (40) so that the holographic image (I) represents one or more controls according to the control preference setting.
  12. Display system (2) according to Claim 1 , further comprising a control unit (260) for controlling the operation of the projector, which is designed to: determine a control setting according to an operating mode of the vehicle, the operating mode comprising a manual driving mode and an autonomous driving mode; and control the projector (40) such that, in manual driving mode, the projector (40) projects a holographic image (I) which represents a control necessary for operating the vehicle, and In autonomous driving mode, the projector (40) omits the holographic image (I) that represents the control necessary for operating the vehicle and projects a holographic image (I) that represents a display for a computer provided in the vehicle and controls for operating the computer provided in the vehicle.
  13. Display system (2) according to Claim 1 , further comprising a control unit (260) for controlling the operation of the projector, designed to: determine the position of an occupant's hand relative to the holographic image (I); and, based on the location of the hand, determine a vehicle control input.
  14. Vehicle comprising: a display system (2) according to any of the preceding claims.
  15. Vehicle steering wheel assembly comprising: a ring (62) configured as a steering wheel (60) and designed to rotate about a central axis (64) and to move laterally relative to an instrument panel (100) between a first and a second position (60a, 60b), the ring (62) defining a void (66); a first projector (40) configured to project a holographic image (I) within the void (66) in response to the ring (62) being in the first position (60a); a second projector (40a) configured to project said holographic image (I) within the void (66) in response to the ring (62) being in the second position (60b); and a control unit (260) designed to control the first projector (40) and the second projector (40a) in response to an operating mode specification such that the holographic image (I) represents at least one control in accordance with the operating mode specification.
  16. Vehicle steering wheel assembly according to Claim 15 , further comprising: a camera (240) designed to determine the position of an occupant's hand relative to the holographic image (I), wherein the control unit (260) is further designed to select, based on the location of the hand's position relative to the holographic image (I), a control input from the at least one control within the operating mode specification.
  17. Vehicle, comprising: a display system (2) according to one of the Claims 1 - 10 , 12 or 13 , wherein the operating mode includes a manual driving mode and an autonomous driving mode, and wherein the control unit (260) is further configured to project a holographic image (I) representing a direction indicator control (200) in response to the manual driving mode.
  18. Vehicle according to Claim 17 , wherein the control unit (260) is further configured to omit the holographic image (I) representing the direction indicator control in response to the autonomous driving mode and to project a holographic image (I) representing a display for a computer and controls provided in the vehicle for operating the computer.

Description

Technical field The present invention relates to a display system for a vehicle, a vehicle steering wheel assembly and a vehicle with such a display system and is particularly concerned with a holographic display system comprising a steering wheel that is laterally movable between a first position and a second position with respect to a dashboard, and comprising a ring that defines a void which is designed to rotate about a central axis, and a support arm comprising a first end that is coupled to the ring and a second end that is movably attached. background Motor vehicles often include a large number of controls with which an occupant might want to interact during vehicle operation. Many of these controls are relevant to driving the vehicle, such as turn signal and exterior light controls. However, other controls may be provided for the vehicle's accessory systems, such as entertainment systems, navigation systems, and climate control systems. It is often desirable to provide controls for vehicle systems that are easily accessible from the driver's position, allowing the driver to use the controls without leaving their driving position. This can lead to the provision of a large number of controls in a small area of the vehicle. In some cases, to accommodate all the controls for each of the vehicle systems, it may be necessary to use a single control surface to provide control inputs for more than one system. Additionally, each system can include a display designed to provide the driver with information regarding the system's operation. It may be desirable to position such displays within the driver's line of sight. For example, the displays can be placed close together on the vehicle's dashboard. This allows the driver to quickly obtain the desired information about the operation of a particular vehicle system from the relevant display. For example, the writing shows DE 196 24 686 A1 A vehicle whose operator station, including steering wheel, brake, and accelerator pedals, can be positioned on either the left or right side of the vehicle via a pivoting arm suspension. To transmit steering movements to the steerable axle despite the variable steering wheel position, the steering wheel axis is coupled to a central control axle via a chain drive, around which the chain drive can pivot. Furthermore, the text shows GB 22 11 646 A A holographic multi-display for the cockpit of a motor vehicle, wherein a hologram plate is arranged in front of a dashboard display, by means of which holograms can be generated either in front of or behind the dashboard display. The text is also US 6 714 327 B1 This shows a holographic display for a vehicle cockpit, where various cockpit surfaces such as the dashboard, airbag cover, glove compartment cover, or sun visor are used to display holograms. Other holographic display systems for a vehicle cockpit show the text. JP 2015 - 125 377 A and US 2011 / 012 85 55 A1 . Providing a large number of controls and/or displays can undesirably increase the complexity of driving the vehicle and may limit the driver's ability to quickly obtain desired information regarding the operation of a specific vehicle system. Furthermore, the presence of these controls and displays can lead to greater confusion for the driver, which can negatively impact driving enjoyment. The present invention is based on the objective of creating an improved display system for a vehicle, an improved vehicle with such a display system, and an improved vehicle steering wheel assembly, avoiding the disadvantages of the prior art and advantageously developing the latter further. In particular, it should be possible, using simple means and in a space-saving manner, to provide a holographic image at a location convenient for the driver, even if the vehicle's steering wheel is adjustable. Description of the invention According to the present invention, the aforementioned problem is solved by a display system according to claim 1, a vehicle according to claim 14, a vehicle steering wheel assembly according to claim 15, and a vehicle according to claim 17. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. It is therefore proposed that the steering wheel be movable along a guide rail, and that the second end of the support arm be movable at the the guide rail is attached and the display system comprises: a projector with a mirror attached to the support arm, wherein the projector is designed to project a laser light in a lateral direction parallel to the guide rail to the mirror, and the mirror is designed to reflect the laser light to the void in order to produce a holographic image within the void defined by the ring of the steering wheel such that the holographic image remains fixed relative to the central axis when the steering wheel moves between the first position and the second position. The holographic projector can be located on or within an interior trim section of the vehicle, such as a