Smoothing Film for Vehicle Interface Air Zone Masking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing man-machine interfaces with tactile control systems in vehicles suffer from aesthetic and visual defects due to surface discontinuities between the display device and the frame, leading to unsightly reflections and blurring, caused by positioning tolerances that result in air zones at the edges of the interface.
Innovation Solution
The upper face of the display device is positioned substantially above the frame, and both are covered with a smoothing film that includes a masking layer, which adjusts the position and masks the air zones on the frame's edges, making them invisible to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the upper face of the display device is positioned above the upper face of the frame, then the interface achieves a smooth and uniform appearance, but air zones appear at the edges due to positioning tolerances, causing unsightly reflections and blurring
Solution Approach 1:
A smoothing film is introduced as an intermediary element between the display device and the frame. This film covers both components and the air zones between them, creating a continuous optical surface that eliminates reflections and blurring while preserving the elevated position of the display device for aesthetic purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a thin smoothing film that can conform to the spatial relationship between the display device and frame. This flexible film bridges the gap created by positioning tolerances, providing a uniform surface that eliminates optical defects without constraining the relative positioning of the components
2Shape
If a smoothing film is applied to cover both the display device and frame, then the upper part of the interface becomes smooth and uniform, but the air zones become visible through the transparent film, creating unattractive effects
Solution Approach 1:
The smoothing film is designed with locally differentiated properties: it is transparent in regions covering the display device and frame surfaces, but includes opaque masking layers in regions where air zones would be visible. This local variation in optical properties allows the film to maintain smooth appearance while hiding defects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates masking layers that change the optical properties of the smoothing film from transparent to opaque in specific regions. These masking layers are positioned to cover air zones, effectively 'changing color' or transparency of the film locally to eliminate visible defects while preserving overall transparency for display purposes
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
This solution ensures a smooth, uniform, and aesthetically pleasing interface by relocating air zones away from the tactile interaction device to the frame, where they can be masked, thereby eliminating unsightly reflections and blurring, enhancing the overall visual experience.
Implementation Method 1
the air zone causing inappropriate reflection following the change of index of the light rays, which thus makes said air zone apparent
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a man-machine interface furnished with a viewing device (1,9,13,16,25,26), in particular a tactile interaction device, disposed opposite a frame (2), characterized in that the upper face (9A) of the viewing device, in particular tactile interaction device, is disposed substantially above the upper face (4) of the frame and in that said device and said frame are covered with a smoothing film (8). Application to motor vehicle.