Dual-Sided Vehicle Display Panel With Adjustable Transparency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle display devices face challenges in efficiently displaying information to both inside and outside users while minimizing space occupation and protecting the display from external damage, with current solutions either being bulky, vulnerable, or limited to one-way communication.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a dual-sided display panel featuring a pixel matrix and adjustable light transmission layers, allowing for transparent or opaque states depending on voltage, enabling the display of graphic objects on one side while maintaining transparency on the other for unobstructed viewing, and adaptable orientation for different user perspectives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a display panel is placed at the exterior of the vehicle for outside communication, then communication with persons outside the vehicle is enabled, but the display becomes vulnerable to damage and extreme temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoiddisplay protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The display panel is integrated within the existing vehicle display structure (dashboard or central console), nesting the communication function inside the protected interior environment rather than placing it externally. This allows the display to communicate with outside persons while remaining physically protected from external damage and temperature extremes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The display panel serves multiple functions: it displays information to interior users and simultaneously communicates with exterior persons. By making the display multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate external display devices, achieving outside communication capability while maintaining the display's protected position within the vehicle interior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an extra display panel is added for outside communication, then communication functionality is achieved, but space restrictions in the vehicle are exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication functionalityVSAvoidspace occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The existing display panel is made multi-functional to serve both interior information display and exterior communication purposes. This eliminates the need for additional display panels, thereby achieving communication functionality without exceeding vehicle space restrictions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the exterior communication function with the existing interior display panel. By merging these functions into a single display unit, the solution achieves communication capability while avoiding the space consumption that would result from adding a separate external display device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the display panel is made transparent for outside viewing, then outside users can see display content, but the display becomes vulnerable to snow and rain blocking content

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutside visibilityVSAvoidweather interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display panel remains physically nested within the protected vehicle interior while achieving outside visibility through optical transparency. This nesting approach allows the display to show content to exterior users without direct exposure to weather elements like snow and rain that would block transparent displays placed externally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 allows for efficient, two-way communication and information display with minimal space usage, protecting the device from external damage and enhancing user experience by optimizing visibility and reducing distractions, while also enabling secure communication and energy conservation.

Implementation Method 1

the first layer is a pixel matrix, wherein in a respective non-actuated state each pixel element is transparent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-optic effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Implementation Method 2

the display panel allows an adjustable degree of light transmission

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVariable optical properties through voltage control: Electro-Optic Effects

Data Source

PatentUS11932108B2Display device and vehicle including the display device

Publication Date: 2024.03.19 AUDI AG

AI summary

A display panel with a first panel side and a second panel side is included in a display device. The display panel displays at least one graphic display object. The display panel includes a first layer which is a pixel matrix and a second layer which includes a plurality of predetermined primary subareas. The display device includes control circuitry to enable the displaying of the graphic display object based on a predefined display alignment in one of a first orientation and a second orientation. The control circuitry adjusts a respective light transmission to a predetermined individual degree for each of the predetermined primary subareas independent of each other based on a physical environment condition.