Light Guide Deadfront Structure for Hidden Display Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Achieving a seamless deadfront appearance in displays, particularly in automotive interiors and consumer electronics, while maintaining high-quality display visibility when active, is challenging due to the visibility of display edges even when turned off.
Innovation Solution
A light guide-based deadfront article with a cover structure featuring a glass layer, a light guide layer, and a light extraction layer that forms a pattern corresponding to a display graphic, where light from a source is carried via total internal reflection and extracted to be visible through the glass layer when active, while the deadfront layer blocks visibility when inactive, using a cold-forming process to shape the glass into curved forms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a display surface is made with a glass or plastic cover to achieve a unified appearance, then the aesthetic quality is improved, but the display edges become visible when the display is turned off, worsening the deadfront appearance
Solution Approach 1:
A deadfront layer is introduced as an intermediary element between the cover surface and the display components. This layer selectively blocks light transmission in non-display areas when the display is off, while allowing light transmission in display areas when the display is on, thereby achieving both unified appearance and hidden edges
Solution Approach 2:
The deadfront layer is applied selectively to specific regions of the cover surface corresponding to non-display areas. This localized application allows the cover to maintain its unified aesthetic appearance while only blocking edges in areas where displays are not present, preserving visibility in display regions
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional hot-forming processes are used to shape the glass, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the manufacturing cost increases and optical properties may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process transitions from hot-forming (high temperature) to cold-forming (room temperature or low temperature). By changing the temperature parameter, the glass can be shaped without thermal degradation, preserving optical properties while reducing manufacturing costs and eliminating the need for complex heating equipment
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 that hides display components when off and reveals graphics clearly when on, with improved optical properties and reduced manufacturing costs compared to traditional hot-forming processes, allowing for complex curved shapes in vehicle interior systems.
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.