Vehicle Handle Display Optics for Reflection-Free Control Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices for motor vehicle handles suffer from reflections of control element edges or recesses on the display surface, which impair readability and aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

A display device with an optical body featuring a wedge-shaped section where the first and second planes intersect, incorporating a transition with chamfers or bends to deflect light away from the display surface, and a reflective coating to conceal mounting edges, preventing reflections and enhancing visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a control element is embedded in the optical body, then the control element can be integrated into the display device, but reflections from the control element edges or recesses appear on the display surface, impairing readability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration of control elementVSAvoidreflections on display surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a wedge-shaped section that creates a transition zone between the display surface and reflective surface, deflecting light into a different spatial dimension (away from the display surface) to eliminate harmful reflections while preserving control element integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The wedge-shaped transition section acts as an intermediary element between the control element recess and the display surface, intercepting and deflecting light before it can reflect onto the display surface, thus resolving the reflection problem while maintaining integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If light is coupled into the optical body at the first coupling surface, then information can be displayed on the display surface, but light may be reflected at the reflective surface back onto the display surface, creating disturbing reflections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay readabilityVSAvoidreflections from light coupling
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different surface properties to different regions: the display surface remains optically smooth for information display, while the wedge-shaped transition section has a specific geometry designed to deflect light away from the display surface, creating local quality differences that eliminate reflections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively minimizes reflections, improves readability, and maintains an aesthetically pleasing appearance by deflecting light away from the display surface and concealing mounting edges, thereby enhancing the overall display quality.

Implementation Method 1

the edges of a recess for embedding the control element, or the recess or the control element itself, may be reflected onto a display surface formed by the optical body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

at least a portion of the light can be deflected away from the display surface and/or the first plane at the transition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP4479265B1Display device with a transition formed in a wedge-shaped section for deflecting a light disturbing a display
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 MARQUARDT GMBH
  • EP4479265B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4479265B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4b
  • EP4479265B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~6e

AI summary

The invention relates to a display device (1) for displaying information for a motor vehicle handle (3) which has an operating element (2), having an optical body (10) with a display surface (14) which lies on a first plane (11), a reflective surface (15) which lies on a second plane (12), and a recess (20) which intersects the first plane (11) for receiving the operating element (2), wherein the first plane (11) and the second plane (12) intersect each other, thereby forming a wedge-shaped section (19), and the optical body (10) defines a transition (30) between the display surface (14) and the reflective surface (15) in the wedge-shaped section (19), said transition being designed to not deflect light (L1, L2, L3) coupled in the direction of the wedge-shaped section (19) to the display surface (14) on the recess (20).