Patent Description:
The present invention relates to a display apparatus for a vehicle.

A display apparatus for a vehicle provides content matching a driving condition.

Recently, with the advancement of autonomous driving technology, development of infotainment functions in vehicles has been active, and for this, a large-scale display apparatus should be driven in a separate manner to secure a clear view.

One way to do this is to use a method of selectively exposing a display apparatus, but this is disadvantageous because it makes it impossible to check road guidance and basic information during driving in a state in which the display apparatus is hidden.

In particular, when a display apparatus is hidden to secure a clear view for a driver, manipulation of infotainment functions may be limited, which could actually distract the driver from driving.

<CIT> discloses a display which displays navigation information found by a navigation device main body provided on the top surface of an instrument panel of a vehicle. In the document it is described that the display is moved up and down by a slide mechanism to change a display screen projecting on the top surface of the instrument panel.

<CIT> discloses a display drive mechanism for vehicle slidingly moving a display assembly between a stored position and a projected position by a drive force of a motor.

<CIT> discloses a display device. In the document the display device is described to include a flexible display surface element arranged in a housing, an adjustable support element with a flexible and a rigid portion, a guide device with a magnetically active holding surface arranged along adjustment plane of a carrier element, which is aligned in such a way that the at least one guide element moves when the carrier element is mounted along the adjustment plane on a holding surface, and an adjusting device which is designed to move the carrier element to change between a storage position and an unrolled position of the display surface element, in which the carrier element is held on the holding surface.

<CIT> discloses a display system including a display that displays an image, a retainer that retains the display at any one of a plurality of retention positions with.

<CIT> discloses a display device including a display unit having a display screen on a front side, a driving mechanism configured to move the display unit, a holder configured to support the display unit and reciprocally move the display unit relative to the holder in a linear trajectory parallel to the display screen, a rotation guiding mechanism in the driving mechanism configured to rotate the holder, and a movement guiding mechanism in the driving mechanism configured to move the display unit relative to the holder after the holder is rotated to a predetermined position.

To address the above-described problem, the present invention is directed to providing a display apparatus for a vehicle that is capable of selectively controlling exposure of a display area of a screen unit to secure convenience and safety.

Aspects of the present invention are not limited thereto and other aspects that are not described herein will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description.

A display apparatus for a vehicle according to the invention includes a screen unit configured to output a corresponding image according to a closed mode or an open mode, wherein some regions of the screen unit are exposed in the closed mode and all regions of the screen unit are exposed in the open mode, a driving unit configured to adjust a position of the screen unit according to the mode; and a driving motor. When a load is applied to the driving motor due to an external force during the adjustment of the position of the screen unit, the driving unit controls driving of the driving motor according to a measured current according to the load.

The driving unit may include an actuator, a rotation shaft configured to be rotated while connected to the actuator, a first pinion gear connected to one end of the rotation shaft to be rotated in connection with the rotation shaft, a first rack gear forming an upward inclined arch shape in a cockpit module of a vehicle, and engaged with the first pinion gear, a second pinion gear connected to another end of the rotation shaft to be rotated in connection with the rotation shaft, and a second rack gear engaged with the second pinion gear, the second rack gear being symmetrical to the first rack gear and spaced apart from the first rack gear.

The driving unit may further include a cover including the rotation shaft and the first and second pinion gears therein while connected to the screen unit.

A position of the cover may be adjusted in a path of the first and second rack gears, together with a position of the screen unit.

The actuator may include a housing located above the rotation shaft while connected to a rear surface of the screen unit, a driving motor located in the housing and having a drive shaft, a helical gear connected to the drive shaft to be rotated in connection with the drive shaft, and a spur gear including a first sawtooth configured to be rotated in connection with the helical gear, and a second sawtooth configured to be rotated in connection with the first sawtooth and connected to the rotation shaft.

The actuator may further include an opening switch configured to detect an open position of the screen unit, and located on an upper end of the housing, and a closing switch configured to detect a closed position of the screen unit, and located on a lower end of the housing.

The actuator may further include a magnet connected to the second sawtooth, and a magnet sensor configured to detect the number of rotations of the magnet, and located in a region of the housing.

The actuator may further include an opening switch configured to detect an open position of the screen unit, and located on an upper end of the housing, a closing switch configured to detect a closed position of the screen unit, and located on a lower end of the housing, a magnet connected to the second sawtooth, and a magnet sensor configured to detect the number of rotations of the magnet, and located in a region of the housing.

The screen unit may include hooks at a front side and a rear side thereof to be snap-fit-fastened with the cockpit module in a certain mode, thereby securing rigidity.

In the closed mode, the screen unit may output an image of only relatively simple information related to a vehicle speed, a traveling direction, and a sound source.

In the open mode, the screen unit may output an image of a combination of vehicle operation information and entertainment information through a plurality of graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

The display apparatus may further include a control unit configured to control driving of the driving unit according to a predetermined command or through manipulation of a switch.

In the drawings of the present disclosure, X, Y, and Z axes represent a three-dimensional (3D) orthogonal coordinate system that displays the coordinates of a point or vector with respect to linear coordinate axes crossing each other vertically. For convenience of description, in the 3D orthogonal coordinate system, the X axis may be described as an axis facing a side of a vehicle in a width direction, the Y axis may be described as an axis facing a side of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction, and the Z axis may be described as an axis facing the top and bottom (ceiling and bottom) of the vehicle.

Each of an X-axis direction, a Y-direction and a Z-axis direction includes a positive direction and a negative direction.

A positive X-axis direction is a direction toward a lateral right side, and a negative X-axis direction is a direction toward a lateral left side.

A positive Y-axis direction is a direction toward the front of a vehicle in a longitudinal direction, and a negative Y-axis direction is a direction toward the rear of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction.

A positive Z-axis direction is a direction toward the ceiling of the vehicle, and a negative Z-axis direction is a direction toward the bottom of the vehicle.

For convenience of description, the positive and negative directions of each of the axes may be described on the basis of the same reference point or different reference points.

For example, in the present disclosure, the positive X-axis direction and the negative X-axis direction are a direction toward a lateral right side and a direction toward a lateral left side, respectively, but the directions may be determined with respect to a reference point that may vary according to a system.

<FIG> is a front view schematically illustrating a display apparatus for a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a display apparatus <NUM> for a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a screen unit <NUM>, a driving unit <NUM>, and a control unit <NUM>.

The screen unit <NUM> outputs vehicle operation information and an image of each function. The screen unit <NUM> is a large screen display, the basic size and performance of which exceed those of an existing display (not shown) that provides only vehicle operation information.

That is, when an autonomous mode that has come into widespread use owing to the development of technology is used, the screen unit <NUM> may provide an occupant with more comfortable and convenient information (e.g., infotainment information, etc.) in the form of an image.

However, when an occupant does not use autonomous driving but has to drive a vehicle by himself or herself, a large screen of the screen unit <NUM> may obstruct the occupant's field of view, thus causing a risk of a safety accident.

Therefore, the screen unit <NUM> of the present disclosure may provide the convenience of a large screen in an autonomous driving mode (open mode), and control a degree of exposure of a screen to secure a driver's field of view in a driving mode (closed mode).

Therefore, the position of the screen unit <NUM> is adjusted by the driving unit <NUM> to selectively control a range of exposure of the display area, and a predetermined image may be output according to the range of exposure of the display area.

The driving unit <NUM> adjusts a position of the screen unit <NUM> through a rotary pop-up.

The control unit <NUM> may control driving of the driving unit <NUM> through a predetermined command or manipulation of a switch. The control unit <NUM> may have a control logic limited to a corresponding function or may be an electronic control unit (ECU) of a vehicle.

<FIG> illustrate components of the display apparatus for a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure and a relationship between operations of the components.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a position of the screen unit <NUM> above a second rack gear <NUM> may be adjusted by the driving unit <NUM>. Here, the screen unit <NUM> may enter an open mode when the screen unit <NUM> is moved in the positive Y-axis direction between a first rack gear <NUM> of <FIG> and the second rack gear <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>.

Conversely, the screen unit <NUM> may enter a closed mode when the screen unit <NUM> is moved in the negative Y-axis direction between the first rack gear <NUM> of <FIG> and the second rack gear <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, as a basic function, the driving unit <NUM> transmits a driving force to a rotation shaft <NUM> through an actuator <NUM> to cause a first pinion gear <NUM>, which is connected to one end of the rotation shaft <NUM>, to be engaged with the first rack gear <NUM> while rotating in connection with the rotation shaft <NUM>.

Therefore, the rotation shaft <NUM> rotates in a direction in which the driving force is transmitted from the actuator <NUM>, thus causing the first pinion gear <NUM>, which rotates in connection with the rotation shaft <NUM>, to move while engaged with the first rack gear <NUM>.

When the first pinion gear <NUM> rotates in the positive Y-axis direction, a cover <NUM> connected to the screen unit <NUM> of <FIG> is moved in the positive Y-axis direction along a path of the first rack gear <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the actuator <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, a driving motor <NUM>, a helical gear <NUM>, a spur gear <NUM>, an opening switch <NUM>, and a closing switch <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> is located above the rotation shaft <NUM> while connected to a rear surface of the screen unit <NUM>.

The driving motor <NUM> is located in the housing <NUM> and has a drive shaft <NUM>.

The helical gear <NUM> is connected to the drive shaft <NUM> to rotate in connection with the drive shaft <NUM>.

The spur gear <NUM> includes a first sawtooth 1215a that rotates in connection with the helical gear <NUM>, and a second sawtooth 1215b that rotates in connection with the first sawtooth 1215a and that is connected to the rotation shaft <NUM>.

The opening switch <NUM> is located on an upper end of the housing <NUM> and detects an open position of the screen unit <NUM>.

The closing switch <NUM> is located on a lower end of the housing <NUM> and detects a closed position of the screen unit <NUM>.

The actuator <NUM> may detect a current position of the screen unit <NUM> through a magnet <NUM> connected to the second sawtooth 1215b and a magnet sensor <NUM> that is located in a region of the housing <NUM> and that detects the number of rotations of the magnet <NUM>.

As another example, as shown in <FIG>, an actuator <NUM>' may include an opening switch <NUM>, a closing switch <NUM>, a magnet <NUM>, and a magnet sensor <NUM> to induce stable driving.

When resetting is activated by a user through a separate switch (not shown) and/or a predetermined command, the driving unit <NUM> moves the screen unit <NUM> in a direction of a closed mode or an open mode.

Accordingly, the opening switch <NUM>, the closing switch <NUM>, the magnet <NUM>, and the magnet sensor <NUM> may detect a current reset position of the screen unit <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the screen unit <NUM> is in the closed mode and thus outputs images of only relatively simple information relating to a vehicle speed, an operation direction, and sound sources.

On the other hand, in <FIG>, the screen unit <NUM> is in the open mode and thus outputs an image of a combination of vehicle operation information and entertainment information through a plurality of graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

In <FIG> and <FIG>, a display apparatus <NUM>' for a vehicle includes a first hook <NUM> and a second hook <NUM> to ensure rigidity.

The first hook <NUM> and the second hook <NUM> may be respectively provided at a front side and rear side of the screen unit <NUM> and be snap-fit-fastened with a cockpit module <NUM> when the screen unit <NUM> is switched to the open mode.

For example, the first hook <NUM> may be fixed onto a lower fixing end <NUM> of the cockpit module <NUM> and the second hook <NUM> may be fixed onto an upper fixing end <NUM> of the cockpit module <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate components of a display apparatus for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure and a relationship between operations of the components.

First, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a display apparatus <NUM> for a vehicle according to the second embodiment includes a screen unit <NUM> and a driving unit <NUM>.

The screen unit <NUM> outputs a corresponding image according to the closed mode in which some regions of the screen unit <NUM> are exposed on a cockpit module <NUM> or the open mode in which all regions of the screen unit <NUM> are exposed on the cockpit module <NUM>.

In this case, the position of the screen unit <NUM> is adjusted by the driving unit <NUM> to selectively control a range of exposure of a display area, and a predetermined image may be output according to the range of exposure of the display area.

The driving unit <NUM> may adjust a position of the screen unit <NUM> according to a mode while rotating in the cockpit module <NUM> according to a predetermined logic.

The driving unit <NUM> includes an actuator <NUM>, a connecting rod <NUM>, and a hinge shaft <NUM>.

The actuator <NUM> has a drive shaft (not shown).

The connecting rod <NUM> is connected between the drive shaft and the screen unit <NUM>.

The hinge shaft <NUM> connects the drive shaft and the connecting rod <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>.

The hinge shaft <NUM> may be fixed at predetermined angles to adjust the position of the screen unit <NUM>.

The screen unit <NUM> may further include a first hook <NUM> and a second hook <NUM> at front and rear sides thereof to be snap-fit-fastened with the cockpit module <NUM> in the open mode, thereby securing rigidity.

According to the present invention, a display apparatus for a vehicle is capable of selectively controlling exposure of a display area of a screen unit, thereby securing convenience and safety.

In particular, according to the present invention, different operation information and infotainment information can be provided according to a degree of exposure of the display area of the screen unit.

Claim 1:
A display apparatus (<NUM>) for a vehicle, comprising:
a screen unit (<NUM>) configured to output a corresponding image according to a closed mode or an open mode, wherein some regions of the screen unit (<NUM>) are exposed in the closed mode and all regions of the screen unit (<NUM>) are exposed in the open mode;
a driving unit (<NUM>) configured to adjust a position of the screen unit (<NUM>) according to the mode; and
a driving motor (<NUM>),
characterized in that
when a load is applied to the driving motor (<NUM>) due to an external force during the adjustment of the position of the screen unit (<NUM>), the driving unit (<NUM>) is configured to control driving of the driving motor (<NUM>) according to a measured current according to the load.