Electro-Optic Mirror Display System Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-optic assemblies in vehicular and building applications face limitations due to high costs, aesthetic concerns, and reduced functionality, necessitating new designs and configurations that reduce material and processing costs while enhancing aesthetics and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle display system comprising an electro-optic device with a first and second substantially transparent substrate, an electro-optic medium variably transmissive between clear and darkened states, and a controller to control the electro-optic device's transmission state and a display driver for image data on a substantially transparent display, allowing for various display configurations including a hybrid mirror-display state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional electro-optic assemblies are used in vehicular applications, then the display functionality is achieved, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mirror substrate and display substrate into a single integrated electro-optic assembly. The mirror substrate serves as both the reflective surface and the structural base for the display components, eliminating the need for separate mirror and display assemblies. This merging reduces material costs, simplifies manufacturing processes, and lowers overall system complexity while maintaining full display functionality through the integrated electro-optic medium.
2Manufacturing precision
If electro-optic devices with multiple substrates and layers are used, then display quality is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible edges and layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-film deposition techniques to create uniformly thin layers of electro-optic material on the mirror substrate. These thin films are applied in a controlled manner to ensure consistent thickness across the entire surface, minimizing visible edges and layer boundaries. The result is a high-quality display with superior aesthetic appearance, as the thin-film structure eliminates the bulky multi-substrate appearance of traditional assemblies.
3Illumination intensity
If the electro-optic device is made darker to improve display contrast, then visibility of displayed images improves, but transparency and natural light transmission are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes an electro-optic medium with dynamically adjustable transmittance properties that can be controlled in real-time. By applying voltage signals, the mirror surface can dynamically shift between highly reflective (dark) states for enhanced display contrast and transparent states for maximum natural light transmission. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt to different viewing conditions, providing both high display contrast when needed and full transparency when the display is not in use, thereby resolving the trade-off between these two opposing requirements.
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 system effectively reduces costs and enhances functionality by providing a flexible, aesthetically pleasing display that can switch between display and transparent states, improving visibility and usability in vehicular applications.
Implementation Method 1
An electro-optic medium is disposed in the cavity and is variably transmissive in response to an applied voltage
Implementation Method 2
a first optical substrate comprising at least one waveguide layer configured to propagate light in a first direction
Implementation Method 3
the at least one waveguide layer of the first optical substrate comprises at least one grating lamina configured to extract the light from the first substrate along the first direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A vehicle display system is disclosed. The system comprises an electro-optic device configured to switch between a mirror state and a light-transmissive state. The electro-optic device comprises a first substrate and a second substrate forming a cavity. The cavity is configured to retain an electro-optic medium that is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. The system further comprises a substantially transparent display disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device. The electro-optic device is converted to the darkened state when the substantially transparent display is emitting light.