Pivoting Dashboard Display Surface for Hidden Screen Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing road vehicle display systems protrude from the dashboard, compromising aesthetics and design integration, while increasing in size to accommodate larger central screens.

Innovation Solution

An integrated content display device with a pivotable support element that rotates between a projection surface and an aesthetic surface, maintaining the dashboard's aesthetic finish and curvature, allowing seamless integration with the vehicle's design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If a large central screen is arranged on the dashboard, then the display area and information visibility are improved, but the aesthetic appearance and design integration are worsened due to protrusion from the dashboard surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is designed to be rotatable between a first position (concealing the display surface within the dashboard) and a second position (protruding to provide display area). This dynamic positioning allows the system to switch between aesthetic mode and display mode, resolving the contradiction between appearance and functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions the display element from a two-dimensional flat surface embedded in the dashboard to a three-dimensional protruding structure when in use. The rotatable support element enables the display to occupy additional spatial dimension, providing necessary display area while retracting to maintain aesthetic appearance when not in use.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If independent screens are installed on the dashboard, then the display functionality is improved, but the design integration and visual harmony are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay functionalityVSAvoiddesign integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The display surface is integrated with the aesthetic surface on the same rotatable support element, creating a unified structure that combines both functional and aesthetic aspects. When retracted, the aesthetic surface merges with the dashboard design; when extended, the display surface provides functionality, eliminating the appearance of separate independent screens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support element serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for both the aesthetic surface and display surface, enables rotation between positions, and integrates the display system with the dashboard design. This multi-functionality allows a single structure to address both aesthetic and functional requirements.

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

3Shape

If the display device is made retractable or pivotable, then the aesthetic integration is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic integrationVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is segmented into distinct components: the support element, the display surface, and the aesthetic surface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall mechanism - the support element handles rotation, while the surfaces provide their respective functions without mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4375108B1Road vehicle provided with integrated content display device
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 FERRARI SPA
  • EP4375108B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4375108B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4375108B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A road vehicle (1) comprising a vehicle dashboard (4), comprising in turn an exposed surface (9) visible from the interior of the passenger compartment (3); a content display device (5); a first projection device (11), which is configured to project onto the first projection surface (10) one or more contents (IM); at least one first aesthetic surface (12), also configured so as to substantially correspond to said part of the exposed surface (9); a support element (14), pivotably mounted on the vehicle dashboard (4) and on which at least the first projection surface (10) and the first aesthetic surface (12) are arranged around an axis (A) of symmetry; a movement system (15) configured to rotate of the support element (14) between a first configuration and a second configuration.