Electro-Optical Display With Partially Bonded Translucent Cover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electro-optical display modules with translucent covers often exhibit unwanted gaps or joints when decorative elements or information elements are attached, compromising their appearance and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A display design where the translucent cover is bonded to the display surface in partial areas, allowing for additional components between the cover and surface, with spacers maintaining a constant distance and enabling separate illumination of decorative elements, and using a film cover that can be easily produced and printed for a uniform appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the translucent cover is fully bonded to the display surface, then mechanical protection is improved, but gaps or joints appear when decorative elements are attached

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical protectionVSAvoiduniform appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The bonding area is segmented into two distinct zones: a first bonding area where the translucent cover is fully bonded to the display surface for mechanical protection, and a second non-bonding area where the cover is not bonded, allowing decorative elements to be attached without creating visible gaps or joints between the cover and display surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Shape

If the translucent cover is partially bonded to allow decorative elements, then uniform appearance is improved, but mechanical protection is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniform appearanceVSAvoidmechanical protection
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Different bonding characteristics are applied to different regions of the translucent cover: the first bonding area provides strong adhesion for mechanical protection, while the second non-bonding area allows for attachment of decorative elements with uniform appearance, giving each region the quality it needs for its specific function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional components are placed between cover and display surface, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadditional componentsVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A translucent adhesive is introduced as an intermediary material between the translucent cover and the display surface, filling the space in the non-bonding area to allow additional components to be positioned while maintaining a uniform appearance and preventing visible gaps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design eliminates unwanted gaps, provides a uniform appearance, allows for precise adjustment of the display's visual elements, and enables effective illumination of decorative or scale elements, enhancing the display's aesthetic and functional appeal.

Implementation Method 1

the translucent cover is bonded to the display surface by means of a translucent adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

If spacers are distributed within the adhesive, a constant distance between the cover and the display surface can be maintained

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical support: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

If the light guides emit light towards the cover via a light extraction surface, individual illumination can be achieved at specific points in the three-dimensional design

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight extraction: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 4

If the spacers are transparent and have the same refractive index as the adhesive: then the spacers are imperceptible under normal viewing conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP2795396B1Display with an electro-optical display module
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
  • EP2795396B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2795396B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

In the case of a display with an electro-optical display module (1), wherein the electro-optical display module has a display area (A), with a light-transmissive cover (3) arranged between the display area and a possible observer of the display area (A), wherein the light-transmissive cover (3) is bonded onto the display area (A) by means of an adhesive (2), provision is made for the surface of the light-transmission cover (3) to be configured in a three-dimensional fashion.