Piezoelectric Instrument Cluster Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle instrument panels rely heavily on multiple LEDs and associated electronics for illumination, which increases cost and complexity while seeking to enhance aesthetic appearance and maintain functionality.
Innovation Solution
The use of piezoelectric material on the dial surface or pointer in the instrument cluster assembly, where the pointer's rotation causes mechanical stress to illuminate specific indicia, reducing the need for multiple LEDs and associated electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple LEDs and associated electronics are used for illumination, then aesthetic appearance and functionality are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the illumination function from multiple separate LED components and concentrates it into a single piezoelectric material element. The piezoelectric material is positioned to illuminate only the currently indicated value on the dial, replacing the need for multiple LEDs distributed around the instrument cluster. This extraction principle reduces device complexity while maintaining illumination quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the illumination source and the indicator mechanism. When the pointer contacts the piezoelectric material at different positions around the dial, different segments are illuminated, allowing a single component to replace multiple LEDs and their associated control electronics across different operational states.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple LEDs and associated electronics are used for illumination, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the illumination function from multiple separate LED components and concentrates it into a single piezoelectric material element. This reduction in component count directly lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the aesthetic appearance through precise illumination of only the currently indicated value.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric material is a simpler, more cost-effective component compared to multiple LEDs with their associated electronics. By using this single piezoelectric element that can be easily positioned and controlled, the overall manufacturing cost is reduced while achieving the desired aesthetic illumination effect.
3Device complexity
If piezoelectric material is used for illumination, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but illumination coverage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the piezoelectric material to illuminate only the specific area corresponding to the currently indicated value on the dial. This localized illumination approach is appropriate because instrument clusters only need to highlight the current reading, not the entire dial surface. The piezoelectric material is placed at strategic positions around the dial to provide focused illumination where needed.
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
This solution provides a cost-effective and aesthetically appealing illumination method by utilizing piezoelectric material to illuminate indicia on the instrument cluster, minimizing the number of LEDs and electronics required, thereby simplifying the design and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
Piezoelectric material is disposed on the dial surface or the pointer. The piezoelectric material is configured to deform due to contact between the pointer and the dial surface.
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument cluster for a motor vehicle includes a dial surface having a plurality of indicia located thereon. A pointer contacts the dial surface and is configured to rotate with respect to the dial surface. Piezoelectric material is disposed on one of the dial surface and the pointer. The piezoelectric material is configured to deform due to contact between the pointer and the dial surface.