Seven-Segment LED Vehicle Display Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle display devices for four-wheel drive vehicles require expensive liquid crystal displays, leading to higher manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle display device using a combination of upper-side and lower-side segments arranged vertically, implemented with seven-segment LEDs to display vehicle information, reducing costs compared to liquid crystal screens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a liquid crystal display is used to display vehicle information, then the display quality and information presentation are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive liquid crystal displays with inexpensive seven-segment LED displays. Although seven-segment displays have limited display capabilities compared to liquid crystal screens, they provide sufficient information for vehicle monitoring at a fraction of the cost, aligning with the principle of using cheap components to achieve the required function without unnecessary complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses seven-segment displays that divide information presentation into discrete segments. Each segment can be independently controlled to display specific digits or symbols, allowing efficient presentation of vehicle information (such as speed, RPM, gear position) through combinations of segments rather than requiring a continuous display surface
2Loss of information
If a dedicated display device is installed to show drive force distribution, then the visibility and driver notification are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing seven-segment display serve multiple functions: it displays both常规 vehicle information (speed, RPM, gear) and drive force distribution data. By programming the display controller to show different information at different times or using different segment patterns, the same physical display device provides multiple functions without requiring separate dedicated displays for each type of information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the display of drive force distribution information with the existing vehicle information display system. Rather than adding a separate dedicated display device, the control unit integrates multiple information streams and presents them through the existing seven-segment display, merging multiple functions into a single display system to reduce overall device complexity
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 use of seven-segment LEDs minimizes manufacturing costs while effectively displaying drive force distribution between wheels, enhancing visibility and driver notification without the need for a dedicated display device.
Implementation Method 1
a number-displaying element having upper-side and lower-side segments arranged vertically in a line are combined to display vehicle information
Data Source
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AI summary
Two vertically arranged seven-segment LEDs near the lateral center, where the odometer and trip-meter are lined up above and below the instrument panel, are used and display a frame. Seven-segment LEDs to the left and right of the two vertically arranged seven-segment LEDs that display the frame are used and display the drive power distribution of the left and right rear wheels relative to the left and right front wheels and the drive power distribution difference of the left and right rear wheels.