Vehicle Display Light Pipe Layout for Compact Ambient Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of a light sensor in a vehicle display increases complexity and reduces compactness, making it difficult to integrate into the dashboard.

Innovation Solution

The light sensor is located directly on the main printed circuit board, and a light pipe is used to bring external light to the sensor, reducing the need for a dedicated printed circuit board and allowing flexibility in light collection area positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a light sensor is mounted on a dedicated printed circuit board located close to the outer surface of the display, then the light collection efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and integration difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight collection efficiencyVSAvoiddisplay complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the light sensor with the main printed circuit board that already houses the control unit, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated printed circuit board. This merging reduces the overall number of components and simplifies the display structure while maintaining light sensing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a light pipe as an intermediary component to bridge the gap between the outer surface of the display and the light sensor mounted on the main printed circuit board. The light pipe efficiently conducts external light to the light sensor, compensating for the increased distance and maintaining light collection efficiency despite the sensor's relocated position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a light sensor is mounted on a dedicated printed circuit board located close to the outer surface of the display, then the light collection efficiency is improved, but the integration into the dashboard becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight collection efficiencyVSAvoidintegration ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the light sensor onto the existing main printed circuit board that already contains the control unit, the patent reduces the number of assembly steps and simplifies the integration process into the vehicle dashboard, while the light pipe ensures adequate light collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light pipe serves as a flexible intermediary that can be routed through available spaces in the dashboard structure, enabling easy integration without requiring precise positioning of the light sensor near the outer surface, thus simplifying the manufacturing and installation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the light sensor is located far from the outer surface of the display, then the compactness of the display is improved, but the light collection efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay compactnessVSAvoidlight collection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The light pipe acts as an efficient light conduit that bridges the distance between the outer surface and the light sensor located deeper within the display structure. This intermediary component maintains high light collection efficiency even when the sensor is positioned far from the outer surface, enabling a more compact display design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the light pipe to redirect light along a different spatial path, effectively transferring light collection functionality from a two-dimensional surface proximity requirement to a three-dimensional routed pathway, allowing the sensor to be positioned deeper within the compact structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This design results in a more compact and easily adaptable display that can fit various vehicle configurations with simplified assembly.

Implementation Method 1

external light (representative the luminosity of the environment) is brought to the light sensor by the light pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight guidance: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentEP4311978B1display
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 VALEO COMFORT & DRIVING ASSISTANCE
  • EP4311978B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4311978B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a display (1) comprising: - an image generation unit (2) comprising a light emitter and an auxiliary printed circuit board (22) on which the light emitter is mounted; - a control unit (4), configured to control the image generation unit, and a main printed circuit board (41), distinct from the auxiliary printed circuit board, the control unit being mounted on main printed circuit board; - a light sensor (5) adapted to provide to the control unit a signal representative of a light intensity received by the light sensor; - a light guide (6) configured to collect a light radiation and to guide the light radiation to the light sensor. According to the invention, the light sensor is mounted on the main printed circuit board and in that the light guide is a light pipe.