Light-Transmitting Display Panel With Cold Mirror Color Matching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Display devices, such as light-emitting grilles in vehicles, exhibit a significant difference in appearance between daytime and nighttime due to varying light reflection and transmission properties, which can adversely affect the vehicle's appearance.
Innovation Solution
A display device comprising a light-transmitting panel with a transparent plastic base member, a first color exhibiting layer containing dye or pigment, and a second color exhibiting layer with a cold mirror thin film reflecting visible light and transmitting infrared light, allowing for consistent appearance under different lighting conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a light-transmitting outer cover is used to allow light emission at night, then light transmission capability is improved, but appearance consistency with adjacent panels deteriorates during daytime due to light reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changing materials (thermochromic or electrochromic glass) that alter their optical properties based on temperature or electrical control. During daytime, the material appears opaque or translucent to match adjacent panels. At night, when illuminated from behind, it becomes transparent to allow light emission. This resolves the contradiction by making the appearance dynamic rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters (transmittance, reflectance) of the outer cover based on operational conditions. By controlling the light transmission parameter dynamically - low during daytime to match appearance, high at night for illumination - the system resolves the contradiction between appearance consistency and light transmission capability.
2Illumination intensity
If the outer cover transmits external light during daytime, then appearance visibility is improved, but the difference in reflectance compared to adjacent hood panels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The color changing material adjusts its optical properties to match the surrounding panels during daytime. When in matched state, it reflects light similarly to adjacent hood panels, minimizing the harmful visual contrast. This eliminates the harmful reflectance difference while maintaining appropriate visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful light reflection into a beneficial matching effect. By designing the material to reflect daytime light in a way that matches adjacent panels rather than contrasting with them, what could be a harmful visual discrepancy becomes a beneficial appearance integration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a light-emitting element is added to enable nighttime illumination, then light emission function is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer cover serves multiple functions: it provides structural protection, enables daytime appearance matching, and facilitates nighttime light emission. By making the outer cover itself the light-transmitting element rather than adding separate complex illumination systems, the patent achieves multi-functionality with minimal added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the illumination function with the outer cover structure. Instead of adding separate light-emitting elements, the outer cover is designed to transmit light from the interior space, combining the protective cover and light transmission functions into a single integrated component, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
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 solution ensures a consistent exterior color appearance of the display device with adjacent non-light-transmitting panels, reducing noticeable boundaries and enhancing the vehicle's aesthetic appeal both day and night.
Implementation Method 1
a second color exhibiting layer with a cold mirror thin film reflecting visible light
Implementation Method 2
transmitting infrared light
Implementation Method 3
a first color exhibiting layer containing dye or pigment
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a light-transmitting portion, a display light source arranged at an inner side of the light-transmitting portion, and a housing including an opening. The housing accommodates the display light source and the light-transmitting portion is arranged in the opening. The light-transmitting portion includes a transparent plastic base member, a first color exhibiting layer containing dye or pigment, and a second color exhibiting layer containing a filler made of a cold mirror thin film. The first color exhibiting layer has a transmittance of 20% or more for light having a specific wavelength. The second color exhibiting layer has a reflectance of 80% or less for light having a wavelength not absorbed by the dye or the pigment of the first color exhibiting layer and a transmittance of 60% or more for light having a wavelength absorbed by the dye or the pigment of the first color exhibiting layer.