Light Guide System for Perceived Display Area Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices in motor vehicles face challenges in extending the display area while minimizing screen dimensions and improving ergonomics without increasing costs, as larger screens are costly and existing solutions do not effectively enhance user interaction.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a light guide system with a first portion outside the peripheral edge producing lateral illumination and a second portion extending inside to create an auxiliary illumination beam within the display window, enhancing perceived screen size and ergonomics through customizable lighting effects and depth simulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the display screen diagonal is increased to extend the display area, then the display area is improved, but the cost of the display device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the display area by utilizing the third dimension (depth) through light guides that create virtual image planes beyond the physical screen boundaries. Light guides with refractive indices between 1.3 and 1.7 generate lateral and auxiliary illumination beams that form virtual images, effectively expanding the perceived display area without increasing the physical screen diagonal or cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the display screen diagonal is increased to improve ergonomics, then the ergonomics is improved, but the cost of the display device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveergonomicsVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of the display content through light guides that generate lateral and auxiliary illumination beams. These light guides produce virtual images that appear to extend beyond the physical screen, providing enhanced ergonomics and user interaction without requiring a larger physical display screen, thereby avoiding increased costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Area of moving object

If light guides are added to extend the display area, then the perceived display area is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperceived display areaVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates light guides directly into the housing structure, merging the illumination function with the structural housing. The light guides are positioned within the housing and work in conjunction with the display screen to create extended virtual images, combining multiple functions into a unified structure rather than adding separate complex components.

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

The light guide system effectively enlarges the perceived display area, improves ergonomics by making functions easier to locate, and achieves these enhancements at a lower cost by maintaining the electronic screen size, offering a variety of lighting effects and depth simulation.

Implementation Method 1

the light guide comprising: a first portion which is arranged outside the peripheral edge and which produces a lateral beam of illumination outside the peripheral edge, and a second portion which extends in the extension of the first portion, facing vis the display window, and which produces an auxiliary beam of illumination in the display window

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

the light guide is made by molding with the adjacent wall of the casing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2890583B1Display device provided with a light guide
Publication Date: 2016.02.03 DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • EP2890583B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a display device (10) comprising a casing (12) containing a display screen (14) arranged facing a display window (18) defined by a peripheral edge (20). The device is characterised in that the casing (12) is provided with at least one light guide (32, 34) associated with at least one light source (36, 38), said light guide (32, 34) comprising: a first portion (40) which is arranged outside the peripheral edge (20) and which produces a side illumination beam (F1) outside the peripheral edge (20); and a second portion (42) which extends from the first portion (40), facing the display window (18), and which produces an auxiliary illumination beam (F2) in the display window (18).