Integrated Backlighting Element for Vehicle Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices for motor vehicles require complex and costly assemblies due to the need for multiple components, increasing assembly time and complexity as the number of parts increases.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a single, integrated backlighting element combining a light guide and reflective parts, where the reflective element is formed as a non-transparent film applied to the light guide during injection molding, simplifying assembly and eliminating the need for separate casing elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If multiple separate components (light guide, reflective element, casing) are used to achieve backlighting functionality, then the device can perform its function, but the assembly complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly complexityVSAvoidbacklighting functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the light guide, reflective element, and casing into a single integrated backlighting element. The light guide portion and reflective element portion are formed as one piece through injection molding, eliminating the need for separate assembly of these components while maintaining all necessary backlighting functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated backlighting element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light from the light source, reflects light to ensure uniform illumination, and provides structural casing for the display device. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate components are assembled to create the backlighting system, then the necessary functionalities are achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functional parts into a single injection-molded component. The light guide and reflective element are formed together in one manufacturing process, reducing the number of parts from three (light guide, reflective element, casing) to one integrated piece, thereby lowering material and manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses injection molding parameters to create different functional regions within a single component. By controlling material flow, cooling rates, and mold design, the process creates both transparent (light guide) and reflective (reflective element) zones in one piece, simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If multiple separate components are used for backlighting, then the functional requirements are met, but the assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly timeVSAvoidassembly duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the light guide, reflective element, and casing into a single component that can be installed as one unit. This eliminates the need for multiple assembly steps involving separate components, significantly reducing assembly time and increasing production productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach simplifies the assembly process by integrating light guide, reflective, and casing functionalities into a single part, reducing assembly complexity and cost while enabling uniform light distribution and optical filtering.

Implementation Method 1

a reflective element part, the light guide part of the backlighting element and the reflective element part being functionally combined with each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a light guide part providing the light guide functionality

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight guide: Waveguide (optics)

Data Source

PatentUS9368048B2Display device and method of manufacture

Publication Date: 2016.06.14 JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HLDG LLP

AI summary

The invention relates to a display device, to a backlighting element, and to a method of manufacturing a backlighting element and a display device, the display device comprising a display element, the display element being backlit using a light source, a backlighting element being provided to backlight the display element, the backlighting element comprising a light guide part providing the light guide functionality, the backlighting element comprising a reflective element part, the light guide part of the backlighting element and the reflective element part being functionally combined with one another, the reflective element part and the light guide part of the backlighting element being joined, during the manufacture of the backlighting element, to form a single component.