Electrochromic Windshield Display Layout for Driver Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle display systems often obstruct occupants' views and limit driving convenience due to fixed display positions and limited adjustability of steering wheels, which are not effectively addressed by current technologies.
Innovation Solution
A smart mobility vehicle equipped with an electrochromic windshield and a short focal length projector that divides the windshield into internal and external display areas, allowing adjustable transparency and image projection, combined with a movable cockpit module and steering wheel system to optimize occupant comfort and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a display is positioned at a fixed location within the vehicle, then the display structure is simple and easy to implement, but the occupant's view may be blocked depending on the occupant's build and position, preventing normal recognition of displayed information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the display position adjustable rather than fixed. The display can be moved to different locations within the vehicle interior, allowing it to adapt to different occupant positions and builds. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the display to dynamically change its position to avoid blocking the occupant's view while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the display function across multiple surfaces within the vehicle, including the windshield, dashboard, and windows. This segmentation allows different portions of information to be displayed at different locations, ensuring that at least some display content remains accessible to occupants regardless of their position, thereby improving view accessibility without requiring a complex single-display solution.
2Ease of operation
If the steering wheel is adjusted only in the top-to-bottom direction within a fixed cockpit, then the adjustment mechanism is simple, but driving convenience cannot be improved for occupants with different builds and positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the steering wheel to move not only vertically but also horizontally along the longitudinal direction of the cockpit module. This dynamic multi-directional adjustment capability allows the steering wheel to adapt to occupants with different builds and seating positions, significantly improving driving convenience while maintaining a relatively simple adjustment mechanism within the fixed cockpit structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel adjustment mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions by combining vertical and horizontal movement capabilities. This multi-functionality allows a single adjustment system to accommodate a wider range of occupant types and preferences, enhancing both driving convenience and adaptability without requiring separate mechanisms for different adjustment directions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single display area is used on the windshield, then the display structure is simple, but it cannot simultaneously provide internal display for occupants and external display for outside communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the windshield display area into distinct internal and external display regions. The internal display area faces toward the vehicle interior to provide information to occupants, while the external display area faces outward to enable communication with people outside the vehicle. This segmentation allows the single windshield structure to perform multiple display functions simultaneously, enhancing adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple integrated design.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the electrochromic film has a single transparency state, then the control system is simple, but it cannot simultaneously optimize visibility for both internal display and external communication
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochromic film is divided into multiple independently controllable regions corresponding to different display areas (internal and external). Each region can be adjusted to different transparency states independently, allowing the system to optimize visibility for internal displays while simultaneously maintaining appropriate transparency for external communication. This segmentation enables versatile transparency control while using a relatively simple film structure without requiring complex multi-layer constructions.
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 enhances driving convenience and visibility by dynamically adjusting display positions and transparency, ensuring that occupants can comfortably view essential information without obstruction, while also allowing for improved external communication and message sharing.
Implementation Method 1
a windshield including an electrochromic film having adjustable transparency based on power applied thereto
Implementation Method 2
a projector configured to project vehicle driving information onto the windshield
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A smart mobility vehicle includes a windshield including an electrochromic film having adjustable transparency based on power applied thereto, and a projector configured to project vehicle driving information onto the windshield, wherein the windshield comprises an internal display area and an external display area, the internal display area being configured to display an image toward an inside of the vehicle, the external display area being configured to display an image toward an outside of the vehicle.