Movable In-Vehicle Display With Stage-Based Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-vehicle digital displays are difficult to operate while moving due to their size and the presentation of large quantities of data without section minimization, making navigation through lists or pages cumbersome for drivers.

Innovation Solution

A self-aligning digital display unit with a touchscreen that moves up and down in stages, matching user interface graphics to the display's position and speed, and a cover that extends the display's size and functionality, with animations depicting a virtual door opening to correspond with interactive functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the display size is increased to show more information, then the quantity of information displayed is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to smaller graphics and harder navigation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of informationVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display information is segmented into multiple pages that can be navigated through. The system divides large quantities of data into manageable sections, allowing users to access different pages of information without overwhelming the display area with all data simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display unit is made physically movable between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic positioning allows the display to be closer to the driver for detailed navigation tasks or farther for reduced distraction, adapting to different operational contexts and improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the display is made stationary to maintain stable graphics position, then the stability of graphic position is improved, but the adaptability to different usage scenarios deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of graphic positionVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit transitions from a static to a dynamic component, capable of moving between retracted and extended positions. This allows the system to adapt to different usage scenarios while maintaining stable graphic positioning within each state, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically adjusts the display position and corresponding graphic animations based on detected user interactions or system states. The graphics self-align with the display movement, eliminating the need for manual repositioning and maintaining stability during transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the display is extended to provide more functionality, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit is combined with control console functionality, merging multiple features into a single integrated assembly. This reduces overall device complexity by consolidating components rather than adding separate mechanisms for display and control functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable display unit serves multiple functions: it provides information display, acts as a control interface, and adapts to different usage scenarios. This multi-functionality increases adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same mechanical movement enables various operational modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the graphics are kept static relative to the display base during motion, then the stability of graphic position is improved, but the realism of motion representation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegraphic position stabilityVSAvoidanimation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a virtual copy of the physical display movement through corresponding graphic animations. When the display unit moves physically, the graphics animate to reflect this movement, providing visual feedback that enhances realism while maintaining positional stability through coordinated animation rather than static positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2936291B1Moving control console
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2936291B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2936291B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP2936291B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

A moving control console comprises a touchscreen, a motor connected to the said digital display unit and a housing in which the said digital display unit is movable in different stages. The user interface graphics animations on the digital display are matched to the movement of the said digital display.