Rear Projection Dial Plate with Slit Member for Automotive Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional indicating devices, such as speedometers and engine revolution meters, lack an effective projection mechanism to clearly display information, resulting in inadequate visibility and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A nonopaque disc-shaped dial plate with a slit member that emits light through slits to project images, including tick marks and symbols, onto the dial plate, utilizing a light source and a driver unit to rotate the pointer and adjust light intensity, enhancing visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional indicating device structure is used, then the device can display information, but the visibility and projection clarity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The dial plate is segmented into multiple transparent regions (first, second, third transparent regions) with different light transmission characteristics. Each region allows light to pass through selectively, creating distinct projected images of tick marks and symbols. This segmentation enables clear projection without requiring a complex mechanical projection mechanism, as the transparent regions themselves act as projection masks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light guide plate as an intermediary component between the light source and the dial plate. The light guide plate receives light from the light source and distributes it uniformly across the dial plate, enhancing the visibility of projected images. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall projection mechanism by replacing complex optical systems with a straightforward light distribution approach.
2Illumination intensity
If light is emitted through the slit member to project images, then visibility is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of the slit member with the dial plate structure itself. The tick marks and symbols are directly formed as transparent regions on the dial plate, eliminating the need for a separate slit member. This integration simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the projection function, as the dial plate simultaneously serves as both the display background and the projection mask.
Solution Approach 2:
The dial plate is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as the display background, the projection mask, and the structural support for the indicating device. By making the dial plate itself transparent in specific regions, it performs the projection function without requiring additional components, thereby reducing structural complexity while improving projection clarity.
3Device complexity
If a nonopaque dial plate is used, then the structure is simple, but the projection of images is not clear
Solution Approach 1:
The dial plate employs local quality variation by having different transparency characteristics in different regions. The first, second, and third transparent regions have specific light transmission properties that allow light to pass through and form clear projected images, while other regions remain opaque to provide contrast and structural integrity. This local differentiation enables clear projection while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
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 provides clear and adjustable projection of tick marks and symbols, improving user visibility and interaction with the indicating device, particularly in automotive applications.
Implementation Method 1
The light source may be configured to emit light through the slits of the slit member toward the dial plate to project a plurality of images on the dial plate
Implementation Method 2
A slit member may have slits each extending through the slit member in a thickness direction. The light source may be located on an opposite side of the slit member from the dial plate
Data Source
AI summary
A dial plate being nonopaque is in a disc shape. A slit member has slits each extending through the slit member in a thickness direction. A light source is located on an opposite side of the slit member from the dial plate. The light source is configured to emit light through the slits of the slit member toward the dial plate to project images on the dial plate.