Light Guide Deadfront Structure for Seamless Curved Vehicle Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display technologies face challenges in achieving a seamless deadfront appearance while maintaining high-quality display visibility, especially in automotive interiors where curved surfaces are common.
Innovation Solution
A light guide-based deadfront article for displays, comprising a cover structure with a glass layer and a light transmitting ink layer, combined with a light guide layer and a light extraction layer that forms a pattern corresponding to a display graphic, allowing light from a light source to be carried via total internal reflection and extracted to create visible graphics when the display is on.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a display has a glass or plastic cover surface, then the display is protected and has structural integrity, but the edge of the display is visible even when turned off, creating a non-seamless appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a light-blocking layer with a color or pattern that matches the appearance of the cover surface when the display is off. This layer is positioned between the cover surface and the display, creating a deadfront effect where the display area appears identical to the non-display area. When the display is on, the light-emitting elements illuminate through the cover surface, making the display content visible while maintaining the seamless appearance when off.
2Shape
If a light-blocking layer is added to achieve deadfront appearance, then seamless appearance is improved, but display quality and visibility may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The light-blocking layer is designed with spatially varying properties - it blocks light in areas where display content should not be visible (maintaining deadfront appearance) while allowing light to pass through in areas where display content should be visible. The layer may have different optical densities, patterns, or transparency levels in different regions to optimize both deadfront appearance and display visibility locally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining the cover surface, light-blocking layer with specific optical properties, and display elements. The light-blocking layer uses materials with carefully selected optical characteristics that balance light blocking for deadfront effect while maintaining sufficient light transmission for display visibility, creating a composite system that achieves both objectives.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the deadfront article is curved to fit vehicle interior surfaces, then adaptability to vehicle interiors is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the deadfront article with curved or contoured shapes that match the curvature of vehicle interior surfaces. The cover surface, light-blocking layer, and supporting structure are all configured to accommodate curved geometries, allowing the display to be integrated into curved dashboard panels or door panels. This curvature design enables the display to conform to the aesthetic and ergonomic requirements of vehicle interiors.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved deadfront article may be manufactured in segmented sections or modules that can be individually formed and then assembled together. This segmentation approach simplifies the manufacturing of complex curved shapes by breaking them down into manageable segments that are easier to produce and assemble, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining the desired curved appearance.
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 provides a high-quality deadfront appearance when the display is off, while allowing for high-contrast, visible graphics when the display is on, and can be curved to fit various vehicle interior surfaces using a cold-forming process.
Implementation Method 1
light from the first light source is carried within the glass light guide layer via total internal reflection
Implementation Method 2
the light within the glass light guide layer is extracted out by the light extraction layer in the shape of the display graphic
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a deadfront article for a display are disclosed herein. The deadfront article includes a cover structure having: an inner surface; an outer surface opposite the inner surface; a glass layer located between the inner surface and the outer surface; and a first layer of light transmitting ink or pigment located between the inner surface of the cover structure and the glass layer. The deadfront article also includes a light guide layer having: an inner surface; and an outer surface facing toward the inner surface of the cover structure. A light extraction layer located on at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the light guide layer.