Patent Description:
In particular, the invention can advantageously, though not exclusively be applied to a high-performance road vehicle, to which explicit reference will be made in the description below without because of this lacking generality.

Generally speaking, road vehicles are provided with a plurality of display devices arranged in the area of the dashboard of the road vehicle.

Historically, each road vehicle comprises at least one display device reserved to the driver, for example the screens or the indicators arranged in the area of the control panel of the vehicle, namely on the dashboard portion interposed between the steering wheel and the windshield.

In recent years, these devices have been supported by other screens (for instance, at least one screen arranged at the centre of the dashboard or a head-up display), which complete the display of information to the driver.

Generally speaking, the use of a central screen with larger and larger dimensions is becoming more and more successful, especially in full electric cars; however, in most cases, said central screens are exclusively provided with tactile controls, which, when driving in sports mode (for example, on a track), make it difficult, if not impossible, for the driver to select a function without being distracted. In particular, when driving on a track, it often happens that a driver wants to keep track of the time needed to cover a lap or a sector of the track. In order to do so, dedicated sensors are sometimes present on the side of the track. However, these sensors are not always enabled for non-professional races and, therefore, drivers need an aid (usually on beard the vehicle) that measures the time with a chronometer for each sector and for the lap.

As a matter of fact, with known systems, drivers could not autonomously keep track of times without being distracted from driving, which turns out to be dangerous at high speeds, especially for inexperienced drivers.

Furthermore, said screens generally are integral to the dashboard and, therefore, despite being visible both to the driver and to the passenger, are not, for either of them, an ideal point of view for the information, both for perspective reasons and due to possible light reflections (for example, caused by the sun or by the lights of another vehicle), which significantly reduce the driver's reading quickness.

Patent document <CIT> discloses a screen system for a vehicle screen comprising a supporting structure configured to support the screen hinged in a movable manner to the dashboard.

Patent document <CIT> discloses a control system for a vehicle with a plurality of selectively variable characteristics, which includes a first button depressible to cause a first mode of operation and a second button depressible to cause a second mode of operation.

Patent document <CIT> discloses a driving-support-image generation device.

Patent document <CIT> discloses an instrument panel comprising a rotatable display mechanism.

Therefore, generally speaking, the visibility of vehicle display systems needs to be improved, further allowing the driver to autonomously keep track of the times needed to cover some parts of a track or the entire track.

The object of the invention is to provide a road vehicle, which is at least partially free from the drawbacks described above and, at the same time, is simple and economic to be manufactured.

According to the invention, there are provided road vehicle according to the independent claims attached hereto and, preferably, according to any one of the dependent claims directly or indirectly depending on the independent claims.

The appended claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention and form an integral part of the description.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the invention will be described, in order to allow the latter to be better understood, by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

In <FIG>, number <NUM> indicates, as a whole, a road vehicle provided with two front wheels <NUM> and with two rear wheels <NUM> (in particular, drive wheels). The vehicle <NUM> is provided with a passenger compartment <NUM>, which is designed to accommodate at least a driver DR and, preferably, one or more passengers P, at least one of them seated alongside the driver DR as shown in <FIG>.

In the figures, the same numbers and the same reference letters indicate the same elements or components with the same function.

For the purposes of the invention, the term "second" component does not imply the presence of a "first" component. As a matter of fact, these terms are only used as labels to improve clarity and should not be interpreted in a limiting manner.

The elements and features contained in the different preferred embodiments, drawings included, can be combined with one another or be isolated from one another, without for this reason going beyond the scope of protection of this patent application, as described hereinafter.

Furthermore, the road vehicle <NUM> comprises a frame (of the known kind and, therefore, not shown in detail) and a vehicle dashboard <NUM> on the inside of the passenger compartment and fixed to the frame. The vehicle dashboard <NUM> is arranged in front of the driver DR and of the possible passenger P.

As shown in the non-limiting embodiments of the accompanying figures, the road vehicle <NUM> comprises a content display device <NUM>, which is arranged in the area of the vehicle dashboard <NUM>, in particular in a central portion <NUM> of the vehicle dashboard <NUM> between a driver's seat <NUM> and a passenger's seat <NUM>.

The content display device <NUM> comprises a support element <NUM>, which is configured to be mounted on the central portion <NUM>. The support element <NUM>, in other words, determines the main structure of the content display device <NUM>, namely the portion to which the other components of the device <NUM> are fixed/fastened.

Furthermore, the display device <NUM> comprises a screen <NUM>, which is mechanically connected and preferably integral to the support element <NUM> and is configured to be visible to the driver DR and/or to the passenger P. The screen <NUM> is of the known kind (for example, a preferably tactile liquidcrystal display) and, therefore, is not described in detail hereinafter.

In particular, the vehicle <NUM> comprises a steering wheel <NUM> of the known kind, which is not described in greater detail hereinafter.

The road vehicle <NUM> advantageously comprises mechanical controls <NUM> arranged (namely, mounted) in the area of the steering wheel <NUM>. In this way, the mechanical controls <NUM> can easily be found by the driver DR without having to look away from the road ahead (for example, from the track).

As shown in the non-limiting embodiments of <FIG>, <FIG> <FIG>, the mechanical controls <NUM> can be operated along a first direction D and a second direction E, both transverse to a plane on which the steering wheel <NUM> lies.

Advantageously, though not in a limiting manner, the mechanical controls <NUM> comprise at least a first button <NUM> and a second button <NUM>, which can respectively be operated through compression (namely, towards the steering wheel) along the first direction D and the second direction E, which is different from the first direction D.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, like the ones shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the first direction D and the second direction E are parallel to one another.

Preferably, though not in a limiting manner, the mechanical controls <NUM> are arranged along one or more arms <NUM> connecting a crown <NUM> of the steering wheel <NUM> to a central portion (usually connected to the column of the steering wheel <NUM>). In this way, the mechanical controls <NUM> can even more easily be found by the driver without having to look away from the road ahead. In particular, the thumbs of the driver DR can particularly easily reach the mechanical controls <NUM> in this position.

Advantageously, though not in a limiting manner, the device <NUM> comprises a time measurement system <NUM>, in particular a chronograph <NUM>, wherein mechanical controls <NUM> are configured to provide instructions to the time measurement system <NUM>.

In addition, the mechanical controls <NUM> can be configured, depending on the driving mode (for example, if it is different from the high-performance driving mode), to give different instructions to other vehicle systems, for example, though not in a limiting manner, to control an openable roof or to enable functions concerning the powertrain system <NUM>. In any case, in the high-performance driving mode, the mechanical controls <NUM> serve as an adjustment for the time measurement system <NUM>.

According to further non-limiting cases, the driver DR selects, by means of an interface device, for example the screen <NUM>, a preferred and customized use of the mechanical controls <NUM> in the driving modes other than the high-performance driving mode (namely, to be performed on a track).

Preferably, though not in a limiting manner, the first button <NUM> is configured to impart a time measurement start/pause command (namely, a start/pause command for a digital or analogue chronometer) and the second button <NUM> is configured to impart a measurement reset command.

According to some non-limiting embodiments which are not shown herein, the mechanical controls <NUM> comprise a third button for measuring the lap time (namely, a button that stores the current time value, though carrying on with the measurement). If necessary, this function can also be fulfilled by the second button <NUM>, which, on the contrary, imparts the measurement reset command, when the driver exerts a prolong pressure upon it.

According to some preferred, though non-limiting embodiments, the time measurement system <NUM> is analogue and is integrated in the screen <NUM>. Hence particular, the screen <NUM> has a hole <NUM> (in the case shown herein, a circular hole), which accommodates the analogue time measurement system <NUM> (therefore, provided with physical pointers <NUM> and relative moving mechanisms). More in particular, the hole <NUM> has a size that is at least the same as (if not larger than) a dial <NUM> of the chronograph <NUM> or, anyway, of the time measurement system <NUM>. In this way, the reading quickness and the visibility of the driver DR are improved, thus allowing the driver DR, thanks to the three-dimensional character of the pointers <NUM>, to more easily read the information.

In other non-limiting cases, the time measurement system <NUM> is completely digital and is integrated in the screen <NUM>, namely is part of the screen <NUM>. In this way, the time measurement system <NUM> can be more flexible and more customizable.

In further non-limiting cases, in order to obtain both a better visibility and a high customization flexibility and as shown in the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, the time measurement system <NUM> is partially digital.

In particular, the time measurement system <NUM> comprises a digital dial <NUM> and analogue pointers <NUM>. Therefore, the time measurement system <NUM> comprises a hole <NUM> having a size that is smaller than the digital dial <NUM> of the time measurement system <NUM>. In other words, the hole <NUM> has a smaller size than the area covered by the pointers during <NUM> during their complete revolution.

Advantageously, though not in a limiting manner, hence, the time measurement system <NUM> comprises a mechanism <NUM> (of the known kind and not described in detail hereinafter) to move the pointers <NUM>, in particular to change the movement thereof also based on the mechanical controls <NUM> and on their position/actuation by the driver DR.

In the non-limiting embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, the display system <NUM> comprises a lens <NUM> arranged so as to protect (and, preferably, magnify) the pointers <NUM> of the time measurement system <NUM>. In particular, the lens <NUM> is mounted on a support <NUM> (preferably having a shape that is similar to the lens <NUM>, though the latter being independent of the shape of the dial <NUM>) so as to cover a portion <NUM> of the screen <NUM> designed to serve as dial <NUM>.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, the portion <NUM> is integrated in the screen <NUM> and, therefore, is of the same type as the screen <NUM> (for example, OLED).

According to other non-limiting embodiments, the portion <NUM> is accommodated in a dedicated hole of the screen <NUM> and is of a different kind, for example an electronic ink display to reduce reflections, given its peculiar opacity.

In particular, in any case, in order to permit the movement of the pointers <NUM>, the support <NUM> determines a slit <NUM> between the lens <NUM> and the portion <NUM> serving as dial <NUM>.

In some non-limiting cases, the lens <NUM> and the rest of the cover of the screen <NUM> have different surface treatments or are made of a different material.

In the non-limiting embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, the lens <NUM> is mounted on the support <NUM> so as to project from the screen <NUM> (and from its respective protection glass).

Advantageously, though not in a limiting manner, the content display device <NUM> comprises a moving system <NUM>, which, on one side, is hinged to the support element <NUM> and, on the other side, is hinged to dashboard <NUM> so as to alternately rotate the screen <NUM> towards the driver DR. In this way, together with the disclosure above, the mechanical controls <NUM> can more easily be reached by driver DR, who can then place them in a preferred position.

In particular, the moving system <NUM> is any kinematic mechanism that allows the support element <NUM> and, hence, the screen <NUM> to shift from a first configuration, in which the screen <NUM> is parallel to a transverse axis T of the road vehicle <NUM> (namely, the configuration of <FIG>), to at least a second configuration, in which the screen <NUM> is inclined towards the driver DR (as shown in <FIG>).

Therefore, in particular, the moving system <NUM> is configured to cause the support element <NUM> to rotate around an axis A, B at least partially transverse (in particular, substantially perpendicular or, anyway, at least at an angle of <NUM>°) relative to a floorboard F of the road vehicle <NUM>.

Preferably, though not in a limiting manner, the display device <NUM> comprises a handling element <NUM> configured to be grabbed by hand H of the driver DR (as shown in the non-limiting embodiment of <FIG>) and/or of the passenger P to rotate the support element <NUM> at least between the second configuration, in which the screen faces the driver DR, and the third configuration, in which the screen faces the passenger P, (or vice versa) or to move the support element <NUM> from these configurations back to the first configuration with the screen parallel to the axis T (namely, parallel to the surface of the vehicle dashboard <NUM>).

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the handling element <NUM> comprises a handle <NUM>, which is integral to the support element <NUM> and is arranged under the screen <NUM>, namely under a lower side <NUM> of the screen <NUM>.

Preferably, though not in a limiting manner, the handle <NUM> is manufactured as one single piece together with the support element <NUM>.

In particular, the handle <NUM> is obtained by means of a through opening <NUM> of the support element <NUM> configured to accommodate the hand H of the driver DR and/or of the passenger P.

In the non-limiting embodiment of <FIG>, the through opening <NUM> has a symmetrical shape, delimited by a closed curve.

In other non limiting embodiments, like the ones shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the through opening <NUM> has an asymmetrical shape (<FIG>) and/or is delimited by an open curve (<FIG> and <FIG>).

Preferably, though not in a limiting manner, the opening <NUM> comprises two opposite straight portions <NUM>, which are connected to one another by two curved portions <NUM>, preferably circular ones (alternatively, as shown herein, the portions <NUM> can also be straight, thus generating a rectangular through opening <NUM>).

According to the non-limiting embodiment of <FIG>, the moving system <NUM> comprises at least one swing arm <NUM>, a first end <NUM> thereof being hinged, by means of a first hinge <NUM>, to the support element <NUM>, and a second end <NUM> thereof being hinged, by means of a second hinge <NUM>, to the dashboard <NUM> of the road vehicle <NUM>.

In particular, the first hinge <NUM> is integral to the support element <NUM> and is configured to rotate (circularly, with the swing arm <NUM> as radius) around the second hinge <NUM>, which is (once mounted) integral to the dashboard <NUM> of the road vehicle <NUM>.

Advantageously, though not in a limiting manner, the first hinge <NUM> and the second hinge <NUM> rotate around a first axis A and around a second axis B, respectively, which are at least partially vertical.

Preferably, though not in a limiting manner, the axis A and the axis B are parallel to one another.

According to some non-limiting embodiments which are not shown herein, the moving system <NUM> comprises a third hinge to allow the screen <NUM> to rotate around a substantially horizontal axis. In this way, the driver DR or the passenger P can orient the screen <NUM> also based on their height, for an ideal display of information.

According to the non-limiting embodiment of <FIG>, the moving system <NUM> further comprises a bearing element <NUM>, in particular comprising a bearing arm <NUM>, which is connected to an end <NUM> of the swing arm <NUM> and is configured to distribute the weight of the display device <NUM> in a zone <NUM> other than the sole second hinge <NUM>. In this way, the stress to which the second hinge <NUM> is subjected is reduced, thus extending its life and increasing its precision.

As mentioned above, advantageously, though not in a limiting manner, the first hinge is configured to generate a first relative rotary movement between the support element <NUM> and the swing arm <NUM> around the rotation axis A and the second hinge is configured to generate a second relative rotary movement between the swing arm <NUM> and the vehicle dashboard <NUM> around the rotation axis B.

Advantageously, though not in a limiting manner, the relative movement permits the rotation around the axis A by a first angle α and the second relative movement permits the rotation around the axis B by a second angle β. In particular, the first angle α and the second angle β are different from one another. Preferably, though not in a limiting manner, the first angle α is greater than the second angle β.

In other words, the angle α corresponds to the angle comprised between a longitudinal axis of the swing arm <NUM> and a longitudinal axis of the support element <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). Accordingly, the angle β corresponds to the angle comprised between the longitudinal axis of the swing arm <NUM> and the transverse axis T or the axis of the surface of the vehicle dashboard <NUM> (which is also shown in <FIG>). In other words, the angles α and β are the angles of the respective relative movements starting from the first configuration (shown in <FIG>), in which the dashboard <NUM>, the swing arm <NUM> and the support element <NUM> are aligned with one another.

Hence, in particular, the moving system <NUM>, not in a limiting manner, is a system with at least two degrees of freedom (resulting from the hinges <NUM> and <NUM> in the embodiment of <FIG>).

Advantageously, though not necessarily and according to the non-limiting embodiment of <FIG>, the moving system <NUM> comprises at least one, preferably two locking systems <NUM>. The locking systems <NUM> are configured to hold the display device <NUM>, namely the support element <NUM> in position. In this way, it is possible to avoid a sudden repositioning (which can harm the driver DR) of the display device <NUM> in case of extreme vehicle dynamics (for example, during a braking) or, even worse, in case of an accident.

In some non-limiting cases, the locking system <NUM> is a mechanical system comprising springs and/or dampers, which exclusively permit slow movements of the moving system <NUM>.

In other non-limiting cases, the locking system <NUM> comprises a servo-motor, which, for example, enables the movement of the moving system <NUM> only below a given speed or following a release command of the driver DR.

According to the disclosure above, preferably, the display device <NUM>, in particular in the area of the handling element <NUM>, namely of the handle <NUM>, as shown in the non-limiting embodiment of <FIG>, comprises at least one release system <NUM>, which allows the moving system <NUM> to be released from the locking system <NUM> so that it can freely move the support element <NUM>.

For instance, advantageously, though not necessarily, the release system <NUM> is configured to enable the movement of the servo-motors of the locking system <NUM> so as to move the support element <NUM> around the hinges <NUM> and <NUM>.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the road vehicle <NUM> further comprises a control unit <NUM>, which is configured to detect the actuation of the mechanical controls <NUM> and to change the contents displayed by the display device <NUM> according to said actuation.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the support element <NUM> further comprises further mechanical controls <NUM>, for example levers, buttons or knobs, which are interposed between the handle <NUM> and the screen <NUM>. In this way, the driver DR can also use these controls (besides the controls <NUM>) in an easy manner and without distractions, using the handle <NUM> as a reference and/or support and perceiving, through touch, the activation of the control (unlike what would happen with a tactile control on the screen <NUM>).

In the non-limiting embodiment of <FIG>, the mechanical controls <NUM> are arranged behind the steering wheel <NUM> for the driver DR; in particular, instead of the buttons <NUM> and <NUM> there are two paddles <NUM>' and <NUM>' having the same functions. In this way, the paddles <NUM>' and <NUM>' can be operated by the driver DR while his/her hands rest on the steering wheel <NUM> in the normal driving position. In particular, the (left and right) paddles <NUM>' and <NUM>' have mechanical features that are similar to the ones of normal shifting paddles and can be installed in their position, in case of a vehicle <NUM> with an automatic transmission, or under them, as shown in the non-limiting embodiment of <FIG>.

The items of information given above and relating to the buttons <NUM> and <NUM> also apply to the paddles <NUM>' and <NUM>'.

In use, while driving, the driver DR can operate the buttons <NUM> and <NUM> (or the paddles <NUM>' and <NUM>') for the measurement of the track time, without looking away from the road. As a matter of fact, the position and the different operating hand allow the driver to not have doubts on the button that he/she is about to press and, hence, start, stop or reset the time measurement without distractions and in a quick manner.

Even though the invention described above specifically relates to a precise embodiment, it should not be considered as limited to said embodiment, for its scope of protection also includes all those variants, changes or simplifications covered by the appended claims, such as for example a different type of road vehicle (for instance, a front-drive vehicle), a different conformation of the passenger compartment, different moving systems, a different kind of screen (for instance, with integrated mechanical controls <NUM>), etcetera.

The vehicle described above has numerous advantages.

First of all, it reduces the distraction of the driver to look at vehicle data and information, for example the time of the measurement system.

Furthermore, at the same time, it allows the chronograph to be operated in a user-friendly and precise manner, without having to look away from the road ahead.

Claim 1:
Road vehicle (<NUM>) comprising
- four wheels (<NUM>), of which at least one pair of wheels (<NUM>) is driven;
- a passenger compartment (<NUM>) configured to accommodate a driver (DR) and at least one passenger (P) alongside the driver (DR);
- a vehicular dashboard (<NUM>);
- a steering wheel (<NUM>);
- a displaying content device (<NUM>);
wherein the displaying content device (<NUM>) comprises:
- a support element (<NUM>) hinged at a central portion (<NUM>) of the vehicular dashboard (<NUM>), frontally between a driver's position (<NUM>) and a passenger's position (<NUM>) (P);
- at least one screen (<NUM>), mechanically connected to the support element (<NUM>) and configured to be visible to a passenger (P) and/or a driver (DR) while driving;
- a time measurement system (<NUM>), in particular a chronograph (<NUM>) integrated in the screen; characterized in that the vehicle comprises mechanical controls (<NUM>) mounted at the steering (<NUM>) to give instructions to the time measurement system (<NUM>);
wherein the mechanical controls (<NUM>) comprise at least a first button (<NUM>) or a first lever (<NUM>') for imparting a measurement start/pause command and at least a second button (<NUM>) or a second lever (<NUM>') for imparting a measurement reset command.