Vehicle LCD See-through Plate Gate Port Relocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid crystal display devices for vehicles suffer from nonuniform orientation of resin molecules in the see-through plate, leading to anisotropy of refractive index near the gate port, causing black shadows when viewed through polarizing glasses, which obstructs the visibility of display contents.

Innovation Solution

The see-through plate is designed with a gate port positioned at a distance from the visible range of the liquid crystal display, and a trapezoidal shape with a protruding portion to minimize molding stress, reducing anisotropy and allowing light to pass through, while a dust-preventative rib and colored, arc-shaped design enhance visibility and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the gate port is positioned near the liquid crystal display area for easy molding, then manufacturing ease is improved, but anisotropy of refractive index occurs causing black shadows that reduce visual recognition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemolding easeVSAvoidvisual recognition quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The gate port is extracted from the visible display area and relocated to the side wall of the see-through plate. This separation removes the source of molding stress-induced anisotropy from the critical visual recognition zone, eliminating black shadows while maintaining molding functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The side wall of the see-through plate serves as an intermediary structure that accommodates the gate port away from the display area. This intermediate positioning allows resin injection without directly affecting the front surface quality, mediating between molding requirements and visual quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the see-through plate covers the entire front opening for protection, then protection capability is improved, but dust may enter through gaps reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoiddust entry
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The see-through plate functions as a continuous protective shell covering the front opening. By forming an integrated protective barrier without gaps, it prevents dust entry while maintaining visibility, embodying the flexible shell principle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The see-through plate extends asymmetrically to cover the entire front opening including areas beyond the display region. This asymmetric extension ensures complete coverage and eliminates gaps where dust could enter, while the gate port is positioned asymmetrically on the side wall

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 configuration ensures clear visual recognition of display contents even through polarizing glasses by minimizing anisotropy-induced black areas, providing effective dust protection and enhancing depth perception with a three-dimensional appearance.

Implementation Method 1

a see-through plate made of synthetic resin, covering an opening portion on the front of the casing, protecting the liquid crystal display, preventing entry of dust from the outside to the inside of the casing, and allowing excellent visibility of the liquid crystal display

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

a liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal sealed in between a pair of glass substrates and also having a polarizing plate provided on each of a front side and a rear side of the glass substrates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 3

a liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal sealed in between a pair of glass substrates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid crystal optical modulation: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentEP2479602B1Liquid crystal display device
Publication Date: 2014.04.02 NIPPON SEIKI CO LTD
  • EP2479602B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2479602B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2479602B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a liquid crystal display device wherein display contents of a liquid crystal display can be excellently viewed. The liquid crystal display device (1) is provided with: a casing (6) which houses the liquid crystal display (2) provided with polarization plates (2c, 2d) on the front side and the rear side; and a see-through plate (7) which covers the front opening of the casing (6) and is composed of a synthetic resin. The see-through plate (7) is provided with a side wall (7a) such that the side wall surrounds the outer side of the end portion of the front opening of the casing (6), and on an area at a distance from a region where the liquid crystal display (2) is viewed, said area being on the side wall (7a), a gate port (7c) is provided when the see-through plate (7) is formed of the resin. Thus, even if the display contents of the liquid crystal display (2) are viewed through polarization glasses, light is transmitted since refractive-index anisotropy due to the formation is not generated in the area at a distance from the gate port (7c), by providing the gate port (7c) on the side wall (7a) area of the see-through plate (7), and the display contents of the liquid crystal display (2) can be excellently viewed.