Dashboard Projection Coating for Reflective See-Through Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital instrument clusters in motor vehicles face issues with fragile glass blades, non-harmonious design with dashboard aesthetics, dust accumulation, and cleaning difficulties due to narrow gaps, and polymer materials lacking transparency, reflectivity, durability, and uniform application.

Innovation Solution

A multilayer coating comprising a support layer, material layer, transparent varnish layer, and semi-transparent layer obtained by flashing chrome, applied to the dashboard to ensure transparency, reflectivity, durability, and ease of application, with optional anti-fingerprint varnish and privacy filters for separate displays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If glass blades are used as reflective elements, then reflectivity is improved, but fragility and design compatibility worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereflectivityVSAvoidfragility
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and material properties of the reflective element from rigid glass to flexible polymer with controlled optical parameters. The polymer material is formulated to achieve the necessary reflectivity while providing flexibility and durability, thus resolving the contradiction between reflectivity and fragility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite polymer materials that combine reflective properties with mechanical flexibility. The polymer composite structure allows achieving glass-like reflectivity while maintaining the durability and design adaptability of polymer materials, resolving both fragility and design compatibility issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If glass blades are mounted on dashboard, then reflectivity is improved, but design compatibility and cleaning ease worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereflectivityVSAvoiddesign compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material from glass to polymer, which can be easily molded into complex dashboard-shaped forms. This allows the reflective element to perfectly match any dashboard design while maintaining durability and ease of manufacturing, resolving the design compatibility contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If glass blades are mounted on dashboard, then reflectivity is improved, but cleaning ease worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereflectivityVSAvoidcleaning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes from rigid glass to flexible polymer material that can be continuously contacted with cleaning cloths. The polymer surface can be easily wiped and maintained without the cleaning difficulties associated with mounted glass blades, resolving the cleaning ease contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If polymer materials are used as reflective elements, then ease of application is improved, but transparency and reflectivity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of applicationVSAvoidreflectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully formulates the polymer material with specific optical parameters to achieve the necessary reflectivity. By adjusting the polymer composition and adding reflective coatings or pigments, the material maintains ease of application while achieving sufficient reflectivity for the display function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

5Ease of manufacture

If polymer materials are used as reflective elements, then ease of application is improved, but durability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of applicationVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite polymer materials with enhanced durability properties. The polymer composite structure provides both ease of application and improved resistance to wear, temperature, and environmental factors, resolving the durability contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

6Ease of manufacture

If polymer materials are used as reflective elements, then ease of application is improved, but image distortion worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of applicationVSAvoidimage distortion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully controls the optical parameters of the polymer material, particularly its refractive index and uniformity, to minimize image distortion. By optimizing the polymer formulation and application process, the material provides ease of application while maintaining sufficient image quality without noticeable distortion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 coating provides a harmonious, durable, and easy-to-clean reflective surface that maintains image clarity and prevents distortion, while allowing dashboard visibility and passenger privacy, enhancing the dashboard's aesthetic appeal and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a semi-transparent layer intended to, on the one hand, reflect the image emitted by at least one screen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a varnish layer to protect the material layer, the varnish being transparent so as to allow the material layer to show through

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProtective coating: Coatings

Implementation Method 3

the semi-transparent layer is obtained by flashing chrome

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical vapor deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Data Source

PatentEP4499433B1Projected display device for a motor vehicle dashboard
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4499433B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a display device for a motor vehicle comprising a graphics processor coupled to at least one projection screen (2) that is mounted on the dashboard (1) of the vehicle facing a reflective element (3), the reflective element (3) comprises a covering (31) for the dashboard (1), the invention being characterised in that the covering (31) comprises: - a support layer; - a layer of material; and - a layer of varnish to protect the layer of material, the varnish being transparent so as to allow the layer of material to be visible; the dashboard further comprising a semi-transparent layer that is intended both to reflect the image emitted by the at least one screen (2) and allow the layer of material to be visible, the semi-transparent layer being obtained by means of flash chrome plating.