Vehicle Instrument Cluster Brightness Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing flush-fitted instrument clusters for motor vehicles experience unwanted jumps in brightness due to differences in background brightness between electronic and electromechanical display devices, particularly when their images overlap in the driver's field of vision.
Innovation Solution
A flush-fitted instrument cluster design that includes a first electronic display device and a second electromechanical display device, with a reflecting optical combination device that adjusts the transparency and brightness of non-overlapping background surface areas to match the overlapping areas, ensuring uniform brightness and avoiding jumps in brightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the electronic display device and electromechanical display device are arranged to be always within the viewer's field of vision, then the information display capability is improved, but a brightness jump occurs between overlapping and non-overlapping background areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the background treatment between overlapping and non-overlapping areas. The non-overlapping background area of the electromechanical display device is made transparent or translucent, while the overlapping area maintains its original opaque black background. This localized differentiation resolves the brightness jump by making the non-overlapping area match the brightness level of the overlapping area, where the electronic display's background already provides the necessary luminance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter (transparency/translucency) of the non-overlapping background area of the electromechanical display device. By transforming this area from opaque to transparent/translucent, the background brightness in the non-overlapping region increases to match the overlapping region, thereby eliminating the unwanted brightness jump while preserving both displays within the viewer's field of vision.
2Measurement precision
If the background of the electromechanical display device is made jet-black, then the contrast of the mechanical display is improved, but a brightness jump occurs when overlapped with the electronic display background
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the background treatment between overlapping and non-overlapping areas. The non-overlapping background area of the electromechanical display device is made transparent or translucent, while the overlapping area maintains its original opaque black background. This localized differentiation resolves the brightness jump by making the non-overlapping area match the brightness level of the overlapping area, where the electronic display's background already provides the necessary luminance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter (transparency/translucency) of the non-overlapping background area of the electromechanical display device. By transforming this area from opaque to transparent/translucent, the background brightness in the non-overlapping region increases to match the overlapping region, thereby eliminating the unwanted brightness jump while preserving both displays within the viewer's field of vision.
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
This design minimizes brightness fluctuations by making the non-overlapping background surface areas of the electromechanical display devices transparent or translucent, matching their brightness to the overlapping areas, resulting in a uniform and seamless visual experience for the driver.
Implementation Method 1
A multifunction device, preferably in the form of a semitransparent mirror, is positioned between the electronic display device and the electromechanical display device in such a way that it combines the imaging light of the electronic display device and the electromechanical display device as a consolidated display in the viewer's line of vision.
Implementation Method 2
A multifunction device, preferably in the form of a semitransparent mirror, is positioned between the electronic display device and the electromechanical display device
Data Source
AI summary
A flush-fitted instrument cluster for a motor vehicle includes a first display device, a second display device, and a reflecting optical combination device. The first display device (2) displays a first image located in a direct field of vision (3) of a viewer. The first image includes a background surface area (2c). The second display device (4; 40, 41) is arranged at an angle to the first display device (2) and displays a second image including a background surface area (40a, 42a; 41a, 43a). The reflecting optical combination device (5) selectively displays the second image in the field of vision (3) of the viewer with the first image. The first image and the second image are not completely overlapping in the field of vision (3) of the viewer to form an overlapping surface area (40a, 41a) and non-overlapping surface area (42a, 43a). When the background surface area (40a, 42a; 41a, 43a) of the second display device (4; 40, 41) and the background surface area (2c) of the first display device (2) have varying degrees of luminance between the overlapping surface area (40a, 41a) and the non-overlapping surface area (42a, 43a), at least one of transparency and brightness of the non-overlapping surface area (42a, 43a) is adjusted to minimize an unwanted jump in brightness.