Vehicle Seatback Projector for Unobstructed Driver View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle display devices with projectors mounted on ceilings can obstruct the driver's field of view when checking the rear side, and similarly affect rear-seat occupants, leading to potential motion sickness due to downward line of sight when viewing projected images.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle display device with a projector positioned inside the seatback of a vehicle seat, projecting images onto a transparent screen disposed upward and rearward of the headrest, with the projection lens exposed through an opening in the seatback, allowing image projection without obstructing the driver's or rear-seat occupant's view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the projector is disposed on the ceiling of the vehicle cabin, then the projector can project images onto the transparent screen, but the projector blocks the driver's field of view when checking the rear side
Solution Approach 1:
The projector is relocated from the ceiling (vertical dimension) to the seatback (horizontal dimension), changing the spatial dimension of installation. This allows the projector to be positioned in the B-pillar region where it can still project images onto the transparent screen while being out of the driver's direct line of sight when checking mirrors.
Solution Approach 2:
The seatback structure serves as an intermediary housing for the projector, masking it from the driver's view while still allowing optical function. The B-pillar region acts as an intermediate space that accommodates the projector without interfering with the driver's field of view or the projection path to the transparent screen.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the transparent screen is disposed vehicle rearward of the seatback, then the screen can be positioned for rear-seat entertainment, but it blocks the driver's field of view when checking the rear side
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent screen is repositioned from the rearward horizontal plane to an upward-inclined plane above the seatback. This dimensional change allows the screen to be visible to rear-seat passengers while being positioned above the driver's line of sight when checking mirrors, eliminating the field of view obstruction problem.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the transparent screen is disposed vehicle rearward of the seatback, then the screen can be positioned for rear-seat entertainment, but it creates a feeling of pressure for rear-seat occupants
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the screen upward and inclining it above the seatback, the screen is positioned in a spatial dimension that is accessible and visible to rear-seat passengers without creating a sense of confinement or pressure. The upward positioning creates more perceived headroom and reduces the feeling of being enclosed.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the line of sight of rear-seat occupants is directed downward to view the screen, then the screen can be positioned for entertainment, but the occupants are likely to get motion sickness
Solution Approach 1:
The screen is repositioned from a downward-viewing position to an upward-inclined position above the seatback. This causes rear-seat occupants to direct their line of sight upward rather than downward, which aligns better with the natural horizon reference and reduces the conflict between visual and vestibular systems, thereby minimizing motion sickness risk.
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 prevents the projector from blocking the driver's or rear-seat occupant's view, reduces the feeling of pressure, and minimizes the risk of motion sickness by directing the line of sight upward, while maintaining a clear field of view and enabling larger screen dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
a projector that is disposed inside a seatback of a vehicle seat and projects a video image onto the transparent screen
Data Source
AI summary
A projector is disposed inside a seatback of a front seat as a vehicle seat; therefore, when a driver as an occupant seated in the front seat checks the rear side with a rearview mirror or the like, the projector can be restrained from entering the field of view of the driver. Accordingly, different from the case in which the projector is disposed on a ceiling of the vehicle cabin or the like and exposed into the vehicle cabin, it is possible to restrain the projector from blocking the field of view of the driver.