Patent Application
20250042230
The subject disclosure relates to display systems for releasable attachment to a vehicle windshield assembly, which provides serviceability, aesthetics, mitigation of condensation, and the like.
Current display systems inside a vehicle are generally located in a dashboard below the front windshield for displaying speed, engine rpm, fuel consumption, tire pressure and so on. In addition, many vehicles include a multi-functional center console display, which can include functions providing entertainment, navigation, and the like. Like the dashboard display, the central console display is also located below the front windshield. As such, the driver often needs to move his sight line away from the region of the front windshield, resulting in a potential distraction.
Moreover, the current dashboard and/or center console locations for the various display systems are typically permanently attached to the vehicle sub-structure, which makes service access and/or replacement of the electronics driving the display systems as well as the displays themselves very difficult. Oftentimes service of the display system requires complete disassembly of the dashboard and/or center console in order to access the display system and assess the repair or replacement requirements, which can require specialized skill.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a display system that is serviceable, readily accessible and/or replaceable, and can be easily integrated with vehicle assembly.
In one exemplary embodiment, an automotive vehicle includes a front windshield assembly including at least two spaced apart rigid pins adhesively bonded to an interior-facing curved glass surface. Each of the at least two spaced apart rigid pins includes a bottom planar surface substantially coplanar with the interior facing glass surface, and a stem portion extending from the bottom planar surface to a terminal head portion. The front windshield assembly further includes a closeout injection molded onto the interior-facing curved glass surface formed of a compressible thermoplastic elastomer. A display system releasably attached to the interior facing glass surface includes a display mounted to a rigid bracket. The rigid bracket includes flanges extending outwardly relative to the mounted display on each side thereof. The flanges include a keyhole-shaped opening including an opening portion and a slot opening portion configured for sliding engagement and disengagement of the rigid bracket to the at least two spaced apart rigid pins. The injection molded closeout compresses upon sliding engagement of the rigid bracket to the at least two spaced apart rigid pins to form a sealed cavity between the mounted display and the interior facing glass surface.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the injection molded closeout can be formed of a thermoplastic elastomer having a Shore hardness equal to or less than about 50 and the rigid bracket can be formed of a thermoplastic having a Shore hardness of equal to or greater than about 75. The closeout compresses at least 25 percent upon the sliding engagement of the rigid bracket. In ones or more aspects, the sealed cavity prevents dust, debris, and moisture from entering the sealed cavity. In one or more other aspects, the flanges include a molded snap fit feature including a flexible portion overlying the opening portion of the keyhole opening, wherein the flexible portion is configured to upwardly flex upon insertion of the terminal head portion of the pin. The rigid bracket can be slidingly engaged with and lockingly engaged at a detent position at a terminal end of the slot opening portion and slidingly disengaged from the at least two pins upon upward flexure of the molded snap fit feature and sliding engagement of the bracket away from the terminal end to the opening portion. The display mounted to the rigid bracket can include a non-transparent display, a transparent display or a heads-up display. The opening portion and the slot opening portion of the keyhole-shaped opening have dimensions equal to or slightly larger than dimensions of the terminal head portion and the stem portion, respectively. The releasable display system is located below a 5-degree line as specified in Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) Regulation No. 1125. In one or more aspects, the releasable display system further comprises a decorative outer cover snap fit to the rigid bracket and overlying the rigid bracket in its entirety, the decorative outer cover including an opening for viewing the display mounted to the rigid bracket.
In another exemplary embodiment, an automotive vehicle includes a front windshield assembly including an exterior-facing curved glass surface and an interior-facing curved glass surface, wherein the interior-facing curved glass surface includes at least two pins adhesively bonded to the interior-facing curved glass surface. Each of the at least two pins includes a bottom planar surface coplanar with the interior facing glass surface, and a stem portion extending from the bottom planar surface to a terminal head portion. A closeout is injection molded onto the interior facing glass surface formed of a compressible thermoplastic elastomer. A display system releasably attached to the interior facing curved glass surface includes a display mounted to a rigid bracket. A decorative housing overlies the rigid bracket in its entirety. The rigid bracket includes flanges extending outwardly relative to the mounted display on each side thereof, wherein the flanges include a keyhole-shaped opening. The keyhole-shaped opening includes an opening portion configured to accommodate dimensions of the terminal head portion of the pin and a slot opening portion configured to accommodate dimensions of the stem portion. A molded snap fit feature including a flexible portion overlies the opening portion and is configured to upwardly flex upon insertion of the terminal head portion of the pin, wherein the rigid bracket can be slidingly and lockingly engaged in the keyhole opening at a detent position at a terminal end of the slot opening portion. The rigid bracket can be slidingly disengaged from the at least two pins upon manual upward flexure of the molded snap fit feature and sliding engagement of the rigid bracket away from the terminal end to the opening portion.
The at least two pins function as datums for releasable attachment of the rigid bracket during assembly and for injection molding of the closeout onto the interior facing glass surface. The molded snap feature includes a notched end configured to lockingly engage the terminal head portion at the detent position when the pin is at the terminal end of the slot opening portion. In one or more aspects, the mounted display is raised relative to the flanges. The compressible thermoplastic elastomer includes a Shore hardness equal to or less than 50 and the rigid bracket includes a Shore hardness equal to or greater than about 75. The closeout compresses at least 25 percent upon engagement of the rigid bracket with the at least two pins. The closeout and the rigid bracket can have shapes effective to form a sealed cavity to prevent dust, debris and moisture from entering therein upon compressive engagement of the rigid bracket with the closeout. In one or more aspects, the rigid bracket includes vents and the display is programmed to power on and release heat onto the interior facing glass surface about the display system upon detection of a condensation condition. The decorative housing overlying the rigid bracket is snap fit to the rigid bracket and is removable relative to the rigid bracket. The display system is located below a 5-degree line as specified in Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) Regulation No. 1125.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, a process of releasably attaching a display system to a front windshield assembly includes bonding at least two metal or plastic datum retention features onto an interior facing glass surface of the front windshield assembly. The display system is releasably attached to the datum retention features, wherein the display system includes a rigid bracket including flanges outwardly extending on each side of a display mounted to the rigid bracket. each of the flanges includes a keyhole-shaped opening including an opening portion, a slot opening portion, and a molded snap fit feature overlying the opening portion. Releasably attaching the display system includes lockingly engaging the datum retention features at a detent position at a terminal end of the slot opening portion upon engagement with the molded snap fit feature; and releasing the display system including upward flexure of the molded snap fit feature and sliding engagement of the rigid bracket away from the terminal end of the slot opening portion to the opening portion, wherein the rigid bracket can be completely disengaged from the retention features.
The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which:
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, disclosed herein are display systems removably attached via a bracket fixedly bonded to a vehicle windshield to provide improved access and serviceability for the display systems, and ease in replacement, if needed.
Windshields are generally formed of laminated glass structures including a laminating layer such as polyvinyl butyral, ethylene-vinyl acetate, ionoplast plastics, thermoplastic polyurethane, and the like, between two sheets of tempered glass, i.e., glass panels.
The laminated glass structure provides the windshield with some flexibility. An opaque plastic, ceramic, ceramic-metal or metal frame is often formed about the periphery of the laminate windshield structure for attachment to the vehicle. As will be described in greater detail, the display system is removably attached to the vehicle windshield via the bracket at a lower portion of the windshield such that the display system can sit on the dashboard, albeit unattached directly to the dashboard. In one or more embodiments, a display in the display system is positioned below about a 5-degree line as specified in the forward field of vision requirements for vehicles in Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) Regulation No. 1125. The angle of the data plane provided by the viewable display portion of the display when mounted onto the windshield is different from that of the angle of the windshield so that the driver and/or passenger(s) can readily view any information provided by the display, i.e., the angle of plane for the display is closer to being perpendicular relative to the ground than the windshield angle.
Once the display system is mounted to the bracket, the display system is configured to provide a seal between the bracket and the windshield via a closeout material to prevent dust, debris, water, and other contaminants from accumulating in any space between the display system and the windshield. Moreover, the display system and bracket can be configured to aesthetically closeout to the opaque portion of the windshield, which is often referred to as the mask about a periphery of the windshield. Still further, when in use, the display system can be utilized to provide a heat source to mitigate condensation onto the windshield by utilizing residual heat from operation of the display. In one or more embodiments, the control system of the vehicle can be configured to automatically actuate the display system to cause an increase in temperature on an interior surface of the windshield effective when the control system detects a potential condensation condition based on detected interior and exterior environmental conditions, (e.g., temperature, humidity, and the like). The display system is not intended to be limited and can include a transparent or non-transparent micro-LED display or a projection display for providing a heads-up display (HUD) on the windshield.
A micro-LED display is a type of display technology that generally includes an array of tiny light emitting diode (LED) chips, each measuring only a few microns in size, that emit light when an electric current is applied to them via positive and negative wires in electrical communication with the circuits driving the LED chips to produce high-resolution images and videos. A transparent micro-LED display technology works by using transparent conductive layers that are sandwiched between the LED chips and the substrate. These layers provide the necessary electrical connections to the LED chips while also allowing light to pass through them. The result is a display that can display vivid images while also allowing the viewer to see through the display. In contrast, non-transparent micro-LED displays are typically mounted on a rigid non-transparent substrate, such as a glass or plastic panel, and are connected to electronic circuits that control their operation. As for heads-up displays (HUD), these types of displays projects information such as speed, navigation instructions, vehicle warning messages, and the like, onto the windshield with the images typically projected within the driver's line of sight. The HUD works by using a projector that projects an image onto a specially designed reflective surface provided on the windshield. This surface reflects the image back to the driver, who sees the information as if it were floating in front of them. HUDs are designed to help drivers keep their eyes on the road and minimize distractions. By displaying information directly in the driver's line of sight, HUDs allow drivers to quickly and easily access the information without taking their eyes off the road.
The terms “a” and “an” do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. The term “or” means “and/or” unless clearly indicated otherwise by context. Reference throughout the specification to “an aspect”, means that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, step, or characteristic) described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect described herein, and may or may not be present in other aspects. In addition, it is to be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner in the various aspects.
When an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present.
Unless specified to the contrary herein, all test standards are the most recent standard in effect as of the filing date of this application, or, if priority is claimed, the filing date of the earliest priority application in which the test standard appears.
Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.
Turning now to
In
A selected one of the inner facing surfaces 38 or 40 can include an opaque frit material 44 formed of a ceramic, ceramic-metal or metal applied to a perimeter thereof, (e.g., inner facing surface 38 as shown). The opaque frit material 44 can be characterized as a black enamel-like substance that once applied serves as a barrier against elements, preventing moisture and dirt from entering the laminate via the windshield edges and also serves to create a clean finished look. Some windshield assemblies may further include sensors and/or accessories (not shown) embedded within the laminated windshield 30.
A metal framing 46 is provided around the laminated first and second glass panels 32, 34, which is typically made of steel, aluminum, or other strong and durable metals. The metal framing 46 includes several parts used to secure the laminated glass panels to a corresponding opening in the vehicle. The windshield assembly can further includes a weatherstrip or rubber molding 48 about at least a portion of the metal framing 46 to prevent water from entering the vehicle and is often designed to channel water away from the windshield and into the vehicle's drainage system.
The resulting windshield frame assembly 30 is placed into a corresponding framed opening (not shown) in the vehicle, and a polyurethane adhesive is applied to the frame and the windshield assembly's edges. The windshield assembly 30 is then pressed into place and held there until the adhesive dries and sets. Once the adhesive has cured, the excess adhesive is trimmed away, and the exterior facing surface 36 of the first curved exterior glass panel 32 and the interior-facing glass surface 42 of the second curved exterior glass panel 34 are cleaned and inspected for any defects or damage. As will be described in greater detail below, the windshield assembly 30 further includes a pair of spaced apart rigid pins (see
Each pin 50 and 52 can be of the same dimensions and includes a stem portion 54 and a head portion 56 at a terminal end thereof, wherein the stem portion 54 includes a planar bottom surface 58 adhesively bonded to the interior facing glass surface 42. The stem portion 54 has a diameter d1. The planar bottom surface 58 can be of the same diameter or larger diameter than the stem portion 54 having a shape suitable to provide a greater surface area of adhesive attachment to the interior facing glass surface 42. The head portion 56 can be circular having a diameter d2, wherein diameter d2 is greater than diameter d1 for the stem portion 54. The pins 50, 52, can be a monolithic structure formed of a rigid material such as a metal, plastic, or the like. The windshield assembly 30 further includes a closeout 62 (see, for example,
Turning now to
In
The bracket 64 is formed of a rigid plastic, which can be fiber reinforced, having a Shore hardness equal to about 75 A or greater. When the bracket 64 is releasably attached to the pins 50, 52, the bracket 64 compresses the closeout 62 at the contact surfaces by at least 25 percent, which effectively seals the bracket 64 against the closeout 62 such that a cavity defined by the structure of the bracket 64 is effectively sealed when attached to the windshield assembly 30.
Advantageously, the sealing engagement of the bracket 64 to the closeout 62 prevents moisture, dust, debris or the like from entering the cavity behind the display 66 when the non-transparent display system 60 is attached to pins 50, 52 via bracket 64. Additionally, the closeout 62, being formed of the compressible thermoplastic elastomer, can compensate for variations in the curvature of the interior facing surface 42 and still provide an effective seal.
The housing 68 can be releasably attached to the bracket 64 and is formed of a thermoplastic olefin that is generally decorative and serves to cover the bracket 64. The housing 68 can be configured to snap fit to the bracket 64 and be readily removed as needed to provide access to the releasable mechanism for the bracket 64 as will be described in greater detail herein. As such, the non-transparent display system 60 can be installed by an automotive manufacturer during vehicle assembly yet be readily serviced by an automotive dealer or service person given its releasable attachment of the bracket 64 to the pins 50, 52 and the readily removable housing 68 to access the bracket release mechanism. In one or more other embodiments, the housing 68 and optionally the bracket 64, if needed, can further include vents (not shown) such that the increase in heat from operating the non-transparent display system 60 can be directed to warm the interior facing surface 42 of the windshield assembly 30 at locations above the 5-degree line. As such, the non-transparent display system 60 can be programmed to actuate and generate heat upon detection of potential condensation conditions to prevent condensation from occurring.
Each flange 74 and 76 includes a keyhole-shaped opening 84 including an opening portion 86 dimensioned to accommodate the head portion 56 of pin 50 or 52, i.e., the keyhole-shaped opening 84 includes an opening portion 86 having a diameter equal to or slightly greater than diameter d2 of a circular-shaped head portion 56, and a slot opening portion 88 dimensioned to accommodate the stem portion 54 of each respective pin 50 or 52, i.e., a width (w1) equal to or slightly greater than diameter d1 of the stem portion 54. In this manner, the bracket 64 can be slidingly engaged with the pins 50, 52 upon alignment and insertion of the head portions 54 of the pins 50, 52 into the respective opening portions 86 followed by sliding movement of the bracket 64 such that the stem portion 54 of each respective pin 50, 52 is slidingly engaged into a slot opening portion 88 of a respective flange 74 or 76. The flanges 74, 76 further includes a molded snap fit feature 90 overlying the opening portion 86 that is configured to upwardly flex upon insertion of the circular head portion 56 of a respective pin 50 or 52 into the keyhole-shaped opening 84.
Each flange 104 and 106 includes a keyhole-shaped opening 114 including an opening portion 116 dimensioned to accommodate the circular head portion 56 of pin 50 or 52, i.e., a diameter equal to or slightly greater than diameter d2 of the circular head portion 56, and a slot opening portion 118 dimensioned to accommodate the stem portion 54 of each respective pin 50 or 52, i.e., a width (w1) equal to or slightly greater than diameter d1 of the stem portion 54. In this manner, the bracket 100 can be slidingly engaged with the pins 50, 52 upon alignment and insertion of the circular head portions 54 of the pins 50, 52 into the respective opening portions 116 as previously described followed by sliding movement of the bracket 100 such that the stem portion 54 of each respective pin 50, 52 is slidingly engaged into the slot opening portion 118 of a respective flange 104 or 106. The flanges 104, 106 further includes molded snap fit features 120 overlying each opening portion 116 that are configured to upwardly flex upon insertion of the circular head portion 56 of a respective pin 50 or 52 into the keyhole-shaped opening 114 of bracket 100. The molded snap fit feature 120 further includes a notched free end (see notched free end 92 in
In
The HUD system 150 includes a bracket 160 for releasable engagement with the pins 50, 52, a heads-up display 162 mounted to the bracket 160 resulting in compression of at least 25 percent of a closeout 74, and a housing 164 overlying the bracket 160.
The bracket 160 is formed of a rigid plastic, which can be fiber reinforced, having a Shore hardness of about 75 A or greater. The housing 164 can be a thermoplastic olefin and is generally decorative. The housing 164 can be snap fit to the bracket 160 and readily removed as needed to provide access to the releasable mechanism for the bracket 160 as will be described in greater detail below. The housing 164 is generally seated but not attached to on a surface of the dashboard 18.
In
Each flange 170 and 172 includes a keyhole-shaped opening 180 including an opening portion 182 dimensioned to accommodate the circular head portion 56 of pin 50 or 52, i.e., a diameter equal to or slightly greater than diameter d2 of the circular head portion 56, and a slot opening portion 184 dimensioned to accommodate the stem portion 54 of each respective pin 50 or 52, i.e., a width (w1) equal to or slightly greater than diameter d1 of the stem portion 54. In this manner, the bracket 160 can be slidingly engaged with the pins 50, 52 adhesively bonded to the interior facing glass surface 42 upon alignment and insertion of the circular head portions 54 of the pins 50, 52 into the respective opening portions 182 followed by sliding movement of the bracket 160 such that the stem portion 54 of each respective pin 50, 52 is slidingly engaged into the slot opening 184 of a respective flange 170, 172. The bracket further includes molded snap fit feature 186 overlying the opening portion 182 such that the molded snap fit feature 186 upwardly flexes upon insertion of the circular head portion 56 of the pin 50 or 52 into the keyhole-shaped opening 180. The molded snap fit feature 186 further includes a notched free end as previously described (see
The HUD system 160 upon engagement of the bracket 160 with pins 50, 52 effectively compresses the closeout 62 on the interior facing glass surface 42 by at least 25 percent. The closeout 62 has a U-shape corresponding to the mating surfaces of the bracket 160 when engaged with the pins 50, 52.
A process of attaching the display systems described above to the windshield assembly 30 generally includes bonding metal or plastic bonded datum retention features such as the pins 50, 52 described above directly onto the interior facing glass surface 42 of the windshield assembly 30 and providing a compressible closeout complementary in shape to the contact surfaces of the bracket. The display system 12 is then removably attached to these retention features, wherein the display for the display system 12 can be injection molded with the releasable bracket for attachment to the retention features. The brackets are configured with locating datums for attachment to the closeout material and retention features and are releasably attached to the metal or plastic windshield retention features. As previously described, a softer thermoplastic elastomer is utilized as the closeout material to closeout access to the cavity space between the display and the windshield assembly. The bracket can be utilized to provide location of the soft sealing thermoplastic elastomer to the glass surface of the windshield assembly, which can accommodate glass thickness variation and provide effective closeout.
While the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from its scope. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within the scope thereof.
