Organic Electroluminescent Dot-Matrix Display for Measuring Instruments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional measuring instruments with LCD displays face challenges in visibility due to narrow view angles, high production costs associated with redesigning displays for different instruments, and difficulty in reading information in dark environments.

Innovation Solution

The use of organic electroluminescent display devices or electronic paper with a dot-matrix arrangement, providing a wide view angle, self-luminosity, and flexibility to change display content, along with a curved and cylindrically shaped display surface, enhances visibility and reduces production costs by allowing common use across various instruments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If LCD displays are used for measuring instruments, then the display can be manufactured with current technology, but the view angle is narrow and visibility is poor in dark areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay visibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the display technology from LCD to organic electroluminescent display. This parameter change enables self-luminosity and wide view angles (nearly 180 degrees), directly resolving the visibility issue in dark areas and at various angles while maintaining manufacturability through established organic electroluminescent display production processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated LCD designs are created for each measuring instrument, then the display can be optimized for specific instruments, but the production cost increases due to redesign and remanufacturing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay customizationVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using a standardized organic electroluminescent display module that can be adapted to multiple measuring instrument types. The display content can be programmatically customized for different instruments (vernier caliper, micrometer, indicator) without requiring physical redesign, thereby maintaining adaptability while significantly reducing production costs through economies of scale

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic programmability to the display system, allowing the same physical display hardware to dynamically change its content and configuration based on the specific measuring instrument application. This enables a single display design to serve multiple purposes across different instrument types, eliminating the need for dedicated designs for each instrument

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If LCD displays are used, then the display structure is simple, but the view angle is limited to approximately 40 degrees

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay structureVSAvoidview angle
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the display technology parameter from LCD to organic electroluminescent display, which fundamentally alters the light emission characteristics. This parameter change results in a view angle of nearly 180 degrees compared to LCD's 40 degrees, while the overall display structure remains relatively simple and suitable for portable measuring instruments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 significantly improves visibility with a wide view angle, reduces production costs by enabling easy redesign of display content, and enhances usability by allowing reading from multiple angles and environments, including dark areas.

Implementation Method 1

the display is provided by an organic electroluminescent display device or an electronic paper including an assembly of organic electroluminescence devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3144631B1Organic electroluminescent dot-matrix display for a measuring instrument and measuring instrument with such display
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 MITUTOYO CORP
  • EP3144631B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3144631B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3144631B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A measuring instrument comprising a display (50) on which measurements are displayed, wherein the display (50) is provided by an organic electroluminescent display device (50A) comprising an assembly of organic electroluminescence devices or an electronic paper, the display (50) is a dot-matrix type in which display elements are arranged in a matrix, the display (50) is provided with a scale-segment image display area (82) that displays a plurality of scale-segment images arranged in a circle and a reversed image display area (83) that reversely displays the scale segment image corresponding to an angular area in accordance with the measurements, and the measuring instrument is provided with a scale-interval switch (60) that switches an interval between the scale segment images in accordance with a display resolution.