Bendable Automotive Display Cover Substrate with Reversible Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automotive interior display systems face challenges in dynamically changing their shape to meet viewer needs while maintaining structural integrity and passing rigorous headform impact tests without the cover substrate breaking.

Innovation Solution

A dynamically bendable cover substrate system with a reversible support that can bend cyclically between two radii of curvature, providing local support and maintaining stiffness to resist impact, and is made from materials like strengthened glass with specific stress profiles and surface treatments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the cover substrate is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but the ability to dynamically change shape deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddynamic shape change capability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is designed to be dynamically adjustable between different rigidity states. The support can transition between a first state providing high rigidity for impact resistance and a second state allowing flexibility for shape change, enabling the system to adapt its mechanical properties based on operational requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rigidity parameter of the support structure is changed dynamically by adjusting the support state. This parameter change allows the cover substrate to transition between rigid and flexible configurations, resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural integrity and enabling dynamic shape change

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cover substrate is made flexible to change shape dynamically, then adaptability is improved, but impact resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic shape change capabilityVSAvoidimpact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure transitions between rigid and flexible states dynamically. When impact resistance is needed, the support adopts a rigid state; when shape change is needed, it adopts a flexible state, thus preventing the cover substrate from breaking during impact while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Weight of moving object

If the cover substrate is made thin to reduce weight, then weight is improved, but durability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecover substrate weightVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a composite structure combining a thin cover substrate with a strategically placed support structure. The thin cover substrate reduces weight while the support structure, positioned to provide local reinforcement, maintains durability and impact resistance, achieving both weight reduction and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If local support is added to maintain stiffness for impact resistance, then strength is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidsupport structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than making the entire support structure complex, local support is provided only at critical areas where impact resistance is needed. The support structure includes specific elements positioned to reinforce the cover substrate at high-stress locations, maintaining strength while minimizing overall complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

The system allows for repeated bending cycles without failure, meets headform impact test requirements, and maintains optical clarity and durability, ensuring safety and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a reversible support attached to at least a portion the second major surface of the cover substrate that dynamically bends the cover substrate along the bend axis in a cycle from a first radius of curvature to a second radius of curvature and from the second radius of curvature to the first radius of curvature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3939819A1Dynamically bendable automotive interior display systems
Publication Date: 2022.01.19 CORNING INC
  • EP3939819A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3939819A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3939819A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Embodiments of a dynamically bendable automotive interior display system are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the system includes a display, a dynamically bendable cover substrate assembly disposed over the display, wherein the cover substrate assembly comprises a cover substrate with a bend axis, and a reversible support attached to at least a portion the cover substrate that dynamically bends the cover substrate along the bend axis in a cycle from a first radius of curvature to a second radius of curvature and from the second radius of curvature to the first radius of curvature. In one or more embodiments, the system includes one or more frames that partially house the display and are attached to the cover substrate.