Removable Vehicle Infotainment Display with Wireless Link

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infotainment systems in vehicles often require users to adopt uncomfortable postures or compromise their seating position to view screens, especially when multiple infotainment functions are available, and there is a need for a flexible display solution that allows users to operate these systems without physical strain or distraction while driving.

Innovation Solution

A removable display unit with a detachable holding mechanism, integrated power source, and wireless data transmission capabilities, allowing users to position the screen optimally and operate infotainment functions independently of the vehicle's interior layout, with features like touch screens, built-in controls, and secure authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the display unit is fixed in a specific location in the vehicle interior, then the infotainment system can be operated, but the user must adopt uncomfortable postures or compromise seating position to view the screen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfortable viewing positionVSAvoidfixed mounting structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit is designed to be movable and repositionable within the vehicle interior rather than being permanently fixed. The holder device allows the display unit to be moved to different locations and orientations, enabling users to find comfortable viewing positions without compromising their seating position, especially important for drivers who need to maintain safe driving posture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The infotainment system is divided into separate functional modules: the control device remains fixed while the display unit can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the display function to be separated from the control functions, enabling flexible placement of the screen in optimal viewing locations for different users and situations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple screens are provided for different seating positions, then all users can view the display unit comfortably, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-position viewing capabilityVSAvoidmultiple display units
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single display unit is designed to serve multiple users and multiple seating positions through its repositionable holder device. The same display unit can be moved to provide optimal viewing angles for drivers, front passengers, and rear passengers, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated screens while maintaining universal access for all occupants

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

Solution Approach 2:

The holder device provides dynamic repositioning capability that allows one display unit to adapt to different viewing requirements. The display can be adjusted in position and orientation to serve multiple users sequentially or simultaneously, providing multi-position viewing capability without requiring multiple fixed screens

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the display unit is made removable and portable, then users can position it freely for optimal viewing, but ensuring secure connection and power supply becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefree positioning capabilityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into a portable display unit and a fixed holder device with separate connection interfaces. The display unit contains its own processor and can operate independently, while the holder provides stable mechanical support and wireless communication connections, ensuring reliability without compromising portability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional mechanical cable connections are replaced with wireless communication technologies (such as wireless video and audio transmission). This substitution eliminates the need for physical cable connections while maintaining stable and reliable data, video, and audio transmission between the movable display unit and the vehicle's infotainment system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If wireless data transmission is used for portability, then the display unit can be freely positioned, but power supply without exposed contacts becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveportable operationVSAvoidpower transmission system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Traditional mechanical electrical contacts are replaced with wireless power transmission technology. The holder device provides inductive or resonant wireless charging to the display unit when docked, eliminating exposed electrical contacts while maintaining reliable power supply. This allows the display unit to operate portably without cables while ensuring safe and efficient charging

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3003770B1Motor vehicle infotainment system having a separate display unit
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 AUDI AG
  • EP3003770B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3003770B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (10) having an infotainment system (12). The infotainment system (12) has a control device (30) for providing infotainment functions and a display unit (34), which is structurally separate from the control device (30) and which has a screen (42) for displaying display data. The display unit (34) is retained in a motor-vehicle interior (10') of the motor vehicle (10) by a retaining device (36, 38, 40). The problem addressed by the invention is that of providing a display unit (34) which, for the use of the different infotainment functions, enables a reasonable posture during the viewing of the display unit (34). This problem is solved in that the retaining device (36, 38, 40) and the display unit (34) are designed to be nondestructively and reversibly detachable from each other, and the control device (30) is designed to transfer the display data to the display unit (34) even while the display unit is detached from the retaining device (36, 38, 40).