Retractable Vehicle Display with Supported Flexible OLED Screen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices in motor vehicles suffer from wear due to moving parts and lack of a housing that protects the screen, and they are not optimally sized for varying content needs, leading to suboptimal viewing experiences.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a fixed support element and adjustable screen that slides into a storage volume, featuring a flexible OLED layer with varying stiffness areas and a pivoting mechanism for size adjustment, allowing the screen to be tailored to content needs and protected from wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a display device is provided in a motor vehicle to improve information presentation, then the driver's attention may be distracted from the road

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation presentationVSAvoiddriving safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The display device dynamically adjusts its operation based on driving conditions. The controller monitors vehicle speed and determines whether the vehicle is stationary or moving. When the vehicle is moving, the controller restricts or disables certain display functions to minimize driver distraction. When the vehicle is stationary, the display device can provide full information presentation capabilities. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system's behavior context-dependent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters based on vehicle state. Specifically, the controller modifies the display parameters (such as brightness, content type, or activation status) according to whether the vehicle is moving or stationary. This parameter change allows the display device to optimize information presentation while maintaining driving safety by adapting to current driving conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If display content is restricted when the vehicle is moving to ensure safety, then the usefulness of the display device is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving safetyVSAvoiddisplay functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display device transitions between different operational modes based on vehicle motion state. When stationary, the system provides full display functionality including messaging, entertainment, and information services. When moving, the system dynamically adjusts to provide only essential information or restricts certain functions. This dynamic mode switching ensures both safety during motion and full adaptability when stationary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller periodically monitors the vehicle's motion state and adjusts display content accordingly. The system continuously evaluates whether the vehicle is moving or stationary and modifies display behavior in real-time. This periodic assessment ensures that the display device maintains appropriate functionality while prioritizing safety during motion and versatility during stationary periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4117950B1Display device and motor vehicle comprising a display device, and method for displaying display content
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 AUDI AG
  • EP4117950B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4117950B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4117950B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a display device (10) comprising a screen device (12) and a storage volume (14). The screen device (12) is mounted in a movable manner out of the interior (30) of the storage volume (14) and into the interior (30) of the storage volume (14) through an opening (16) of the storage volume (14) along a specified movement direction (18) between a storage position and at least one use position which differs from the storage position. The display device (10) has a support element (36) which extends away from the interior (30) of the storage volume (14) starting from the opening (16) along the specified movement direction (18) and is designed to mechanically support the screen device (12) when the screen device is at least partly moved out of the storage volume (14).