Fiber-Optic Piezo Projection for Flexible Vehicle Display Placement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle display systems face challenges in projecting images at the most desirable locations due to the size constraints of conventional displays, which limits their effectiveness in presenting information to vehicle occupants.
Innovation Solution
A display system utilizing fiber-optic cables with a light source and a piezoelectric actuator, where the fiber-optic cables are coupled to the light source and attached to various vehicle body locations, such as A-pillars or headliners, allowing the piezoelectric actuator to vibrate the fiber ends and project images onto these surfaces when the light source is activated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional displays are used in vehicles, then images can be presented to occupants, but the display size limits the ability to project images at desirable locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical display systems with a fiber-optic based system. Light from a compact source is transmitted through flexible fiber-optic cables to projection points on vehicle surfaces, eliminating the need for large mechanical display units while enabling images to be projected at multiple desirable locations including A-pillars, headliners, and windshields.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system is segmented into separate functional components: a compact light source, flexible fiber-optic cables for light transmission, and projection points at various vehicle locations. This segmentation allows the system to be distributed throughout the vehicle interior, enabling image projection at multiple locations simultaneously without requiring a single large display unit.
2Ease of operation
If display systems occupy vehicle interior space, then images can be displayed, but valuable interior space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses thin fiber-optic cables to deliver light to projection surfaces throughout the vehicle interior. This allows the display functionality to be distributed across existing vehicle surfaces (A-pillars, headliners, windshields) without consuming valuable interior volume, as the fiber-optic cables occupy minimal space and can be routed through existing structural elements.
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
Enables flexible and compact display systems that can project images onto vehicle body surfaces without occupying interior space, providing effective image projection on desired areas like A-pillars, headliners, or windshields, enhancing information presentation for vehicle occupants.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the fiber-optic cable end adjacent to the second fiber end. The piezoelectric actuator is actuated to vibrate the second fiber end of the fiber-optic cable
Implementation Method 2
a fiber-optic cable coupled to the light source. The fiber-optic cable has a first fiber end and a second fiber end opposite the first fiber end. The first fiber end is coupled to the light source, and the second fiber end is attached to a vehicle body
Data Source
AI summary
A display system for a vehicle includes a light source configured to emit a light and a fiber-optic cable coupled to the light source. The fiber-optic cable has a first fiber end and a second fiber end opposite the first fiber end. The first fiber end is coupled to the light source. The second fiber end is attached to a vehicle body of a vehicle. The display system includes a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the fiber-optic cable end adjacent to the second fiber end. The piezoelectric actuator is actuated to vibrate the second fiber end of the fiber-optic cable to project an image on the vehicle body adjacent the second fiber end while the light source is activated.