Curved Segmented Active Dimmable Lens for Automotive Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive displays struggle to achieve a seamless appearance by hiding display openings and minimizing back-luminance leakage, especially with organic light emitting diode displays, which lack sufficient luminance capability for neutral density films.
Innovation Solution
A curved segmented active dimmable lens system using a segmented indium-tin-oxide layer with a rigid lens, dye-doped liquid crystal, and encapsulation layer, controlled by a control circuit to vary optical signals and create a seamless transition between display and non-display areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If organic light emitting diode displays are used to minimize back-luminance leakage, then the display can achieve a seamless appearance in unlit conditions, but the luminance capability is insufficient to utilize neutral density film for generating a seamless dark panel effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the lens by using a curved design with variable transmission rate and segmented ITO layers that can be electrically controlled. This allows the lens to dynamically adjust its light transmission properties, achieving both seamless appearance and sufficient luminance control without relying on neutral density film.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining curved lens, segmented ITO (indium tin oxide) layers, dye-doped liquid crystal, and encapsulation layers. This composite material system enables the lens to simultaneously achieve seamless appearance, variable dimming control, and sufficient luminance capability that organic LEDs alone cannot provide.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a curved segmented active dimmable lens with variable transmission rate is used, then a perfect black panel effect can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lens into segmented regions with independent ITO layers that can be controlled separately. This segmentation allows different transmission rates in different areas, enabling precise control over display visibility and achieving the black panel effect while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved segmented lens serves multiple functions: it provides the seamless black panel effect, enables variable dimming control, and maintains structural integrity. By integrating these functions into a single multi-functional component, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to using separate components for each function.
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 provides a perfect black panel effect, hiding the display in unlit conditions and minimizing rectangular display appearance in lit conditions by controlling transmission rates and reducing reflections, achieving a hidden display effect.
Implementation Method 1
an active cell disposed adjacent the second surface of the cover layer operable to vary the optical signal transmitted from the display through the lens in response to a signal from the control circuit
Implementation Method 2
a linear polarizer operable to polarize the optical signal disposed adjacent the encapsulation layer of the active cell and positioned between the encapsulation layer and the display
Data Source
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AI summary
Various displays may benefit from suitable lenses. For example, certain vehicle displays may benefit from a curved, segmented, active-dimmable lens. According to certain embodiments, a system may include a segmented indium-tin-oxide layer. The system may also include a rigid lens disposed over the segmented indium-tin-oxide layer. The rigid lens may be curved. A cover layer of the active dimmable lens is configured to define a display area. A fade pattern is disposed around a periphery of the display area. The fade pattern comprises a sinusoidal fade pattern