Automotive Instrument Cluster LED Beam Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle instrument clusters using light emitting diodes or liquid crystals for digital numeric displays are limited by single-color illumination and inability to blend light segments, lacking natural light source and color variation.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle instrument cluster with a non-glossy reflective surface and multiple light emitting diodes positioned to project light beam patterns, allowing for selective color change and blending of light segments to create characters or icons on the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If light emitting diodes are used to project light directly toward a viewing zone, then digital numeric values can be displayed, but the light is bound by segment boundaries and cannot be blended with adjacent segments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from direct forward projection to side-angle projection of light beams onto a reflective surface. This dimensional change in light projection geometry enables overlapping light patterns from adjacent LEDs to blend naturally on the reflective surface, eliminating the segment boundary constraint while maintaining display functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reflective surface as an intermediary between the light sources and the viewing zone. This mediator allows light beams from multiple LEDs to converge and blend on the surface, creating seamless transitions between segments while preserving the ability to form distinct numeric displays
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single color light source is used, then the display structure is simple, but color variation cannot be achieved without filters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the light source by using multiple LEDs with different emission colors (red, green, blue, yellow) instead of a single color source. This allows the display to present varied colors directly from the LEDs without requiring additional filtering components, achieving color versatility while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes each LED position multi-functional by enabling it to emit multiple colors or by having adjacent LEDs of different colors work together to create various color combinations on the reflective surface. This universal approach allows a single LED array to replace what would traditionally require separate monochrome displays with color filtering
3Ease of operation
If segments are illuminated directly by transmission, then the display is straightforward, but the light source appears artificial and lacks natural appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional illumination approach by projecting light from the sides at angles onto a reflective surface rather than illuminating segments directly from behind or in front. This inverted geometry creates light patterns that appear to emerge naturally from the display surface, giving a more organic and less artificial appearance while maintaining display clarity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables more natural and varied color representation in vehicle displays, enhancing the visual presentation of numeric and alphanumeric information without the need for filters, providing a more dynamic and natural light source.
Implementation Method 1
two or more light emitting diodes each having a light emission surface positioned to selectively project a light beam pattern onto the reflective surface
Implementation Method 2
A vehicle instrument cluster having a viewing area that is a planar non-glossy reflective surface
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle instrument cluster having a viewing area that is a planar non-glossy reflective surface. In one embodiment of the invention the viewing area is a black color. The vehicle instrument cluster further includes two or more light emitting diodes each having a light emission surface positioned to selectively project a light beam pattern onto the reflective surface visible on the viewing area. The light beam pattern creates a character or icon on the viewing surface, or the light beam pattern is combined with other light beam patterns from the other two or more light emitting diodes to create a character or icon on the viewing surface. The light beam pattern can be selectively changed between two or more colors projected from the light emission surface.