Multilayer Exterior Display Switching Between Transparent and Reflective Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exterior vehicle signage, such as LED and LCD displays, are not reconfigurable and require power to function, making them ineffective when the vehicle is powered down and prone to damage.

Innovation Solution

A multilayer display system comprising a transparent display unit and a reflective display unit, where the transparent unit is active when power is available and the reflective unit is used when power is low or unavailable, with a display control unit automatically switching between them based on vehicle power status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If LED or LCD display systems are used on exterior body panels, then visible signage can be displayed, but the displays consume power and do not work when the vehicle is powered down

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidfunctionality when vehicle is powered down

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The display system is segmented into two independent display units: a transparent display unit for when power is available and a reflective display unit for when power is unavailable. Each unit operates independently based on power availability, allowing the system to maintain signage functionality across all power states without continuous power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between the transparent and reflective display units based on vehicle power status. The display control unit automatically selects which display unit to use, enabling the system to adapt its operation to available power conditions and maintain reliability without continuous energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If traditional exterior signage such as painted characters or stickers is used, then no power is required, but the signage is not readily reconfigurable and may need to be physically replaced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidreconfigurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The reflective display unit requires power only to change content, but not to hold and display content. Once content is written to the reflective display, it maintains the signage without requiring continuous power, enabling reconfigurable signage that behaves like permanent signage in terms of power requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The multilayer display system provides multiple functions: it can display reconfigurable signage content like electronic displays, yet maintains the power-off functionality of traditional signage through the reflective display unit. The system universally handles both powered and unpowered states with a single integrated solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a single display unit is used, then the system is simpler, but it cannot provide continuous signage functionality across different power states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of display unitsVSAvoidcontinuous signage functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges a transparent display unit and a reflective display unit into a single multilayer display system. The two display units are positioned at different layers and can be controlled independently, combining their complementary strengths to achieve continuous signage functionality across all power states while managing complexity through integrated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds a temporal dimension to display operation by switching between transparent and reflective modes based on power availability. This dimensional approach to operation allows the system to maintain functionality across time-varying power conditions without requiring excessive complexity in the display hardware itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Illumination intensity

If the transparent display unit is used when power is available, then vibrant content can be displayed, but contrast may be insufficient in certain lighting conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay brightnessVSAvoidcontrast

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reflective display unit provides a dark background that enhances contrast for content displayed on the transparent display unit when power is available. By applying different display characteristics to different layers (transparent front layer for vibrant content, reflective rear layer for dark background), the system achieves both brightness and contrast simultaneously in different locations of the display structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11244589B1Exterior facing multilayer display systems and methods of use

Publication Date: 2022.02.08 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Exterior facing, multilayer display systems and methods of use are provided herein. An example method includes determining an amount of power for a multilayer display, the multilayer display having a first layer comprising a transparent display unit and a second layer comprising a reflective display unit, the second layer being bonded to the first layer, selecting the transparent display unit when the amount of the power is above a threshold amount, determining that amount of the power is above a threshold amount is below the threshold amount, and selecting the reflective display unit when the power is below the threshold amount.