Roofliner Display Rail Positioning for Vehicle Viewing Comfort

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle display devices are often ergonomically uncomfortable due to fixed viewing distances and inefficient use of interior space, as they lack flexible adjustment mechanisms to accommodate varying passenger positions and components.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a movable display unit and control unit that adjusts its position along the vehicle's longitudinal extent, allowing for flexible placement and maintaining optimal viewing distances from both front and rear seats, using guide rails and sensors to ensure comfortable positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the display unit is fixed at a predefined distance from the viewer, then the installation space is simplified, but the ergonomic comfort for users is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveergonomic comfortVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit is made movable along guide rails instead of being fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. This enables the display distance to be adapted to different user preferences and seating configurations while maintaining a relatively simple installation structure using standardized rail systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If adjusting mechanisms are added to adapt viewing distance, then ergonomic flexibility is improved, but the device complexity and installation effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing distance flexibilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit is made movable along guide rails instead of being fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. This enables the display distance to be adapted to different user preferences and seating configurations while maintaining a relatively simple installation structure using standardized rail systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical adjusting mechanisms with a simpler system using guide rails and a movable mounting arrangement. The display unit can be positioned and secured at different locations along the rails without requiring complex actuators or adjustment mechanisms, thus reducing overall device complexity.

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

3Area of stationary object

If the display unit is positioned closer to the front seats, then the installation space is utilized more efficiently, but the comfort of front occupants is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation space utilizationVSAvoidoccupant discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit's position is made adjustable along the guide rails, allowing it to be moved forward to maximize space utilization when the front seats are repositioned or when additional headroom is needed. This dynamic positioning capability ensures that the display can be optimally placed without permanently compromising front occupant comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit receives information about the position of the front seats and automatically adjusts the display unit's position along the guide rails to maintain an optimal distance. This feedback mechanism ensures that the display remains at a comfortable viewing distance even when seat positions change, while still allowing for flexible space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the display unit is positioned farther from the front seats, then the comfort of front occupants is improved, but the installation space utilization is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoccupant comfortVSAvoidinstallation space utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit's position is made adjustable along the guide rails, allowing it to be moved forward to maximize space utilization when the front seats are repositioned or when additional headroom is needed. This dynamic positioning capability ensures that the display can be optimally placed without permanently compromising front occupant comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11981266B2Display device, vehicle and method for operating a display device
Publication Date: 2024.05.14 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • US11981266B2 patent drawing
  • US11981266B2 patent drawing
  • US11981266B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A display device for the interior of a vehicle includes: (i) a display unit, which is designed for optical display of information and has a display element for this purpose and which can be or is arranged in a longitudinal extension direction of the vehicle behind a front row of seats, preferably on a roof lining of the vehicle; (ii) a movement unit, which is designed to move the display unit, in particular with the display element pivoted away from the roof lining of the vehicle, in the longitudinal extension direction, in particular controllably, between various working positions and/or to hold the display unit in a given working position; and (iii) a control unit which is designed to control the movement unit in such a way that the display unit and the display element are arranged at a predetermined first distance or first distance range from an element of the front row of seats.