Digital Speedometer Display With Smooth Digit Transitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital speedometers experience abrupt number changes during speed transitions, leading to visual flickering and potential distraction, which can be dangerous while driving, and require significant space and higher costs for smooth analog simulation.

Innovation Solution

Implement a digital display with animated number transitions using Bezier curves and particle systems to create smooth number changes, reducing space requirements and computational costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a digital display with abrupt number changes is used, then the display is simple and space-efficient, but the visual stability deteriorates causing flickering and distraction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay structureVSAvoidvisual stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing multiple intermediate states between digit transitions. Before an abrupt number change occurs, the system prepares a sequence of intermediate digit states that will be displayed in succession, smoothing the transition and eliminating flickering while maintaining a relatively simple display structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by transitioning from static digit display to dynamic intermediate state display. The system dynamically generates and displays multiple intermediate states between digit changes, creating a smooth visual transition that maintains stability while keeping the overall display mechanism simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If a delay is implemented between digit changes, then visual stability improves, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccurate current value display

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual stabilityVSAvoidspeed display accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing intermediate digit states that serve as mediators between the actual speed value and the displayed value. These intermediate states provide continuous visual feedback during transitions, maintaining both visual stability and measurement precision by showing approximate values during the transition process rather than delaying the display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a bar display with numerous segments is used to simulate analog meter, then visual stability improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual stabilityVSAvoiddisplay structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies copying by creating a simplified digital representation of analog meter behavior through intermediate digit states. Instead of physically copying an analog meter with numerous segments, the system copies the smooth transition effect using minimal digital elements, achieving visual stability without the complexity and cost of a full analog-style bar display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Stability of the object's composition

If numerous display segments are used for smooth analog simulation, then visual stability improves, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses cheap short-living objects by employing simple intermediate digit states that are generated and discarded in rapid succession. These temporary display states provide the smooth transition effect without requiring permanent, expensive physical segments, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining visual stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP3631686B1Speedometer display
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 TVS MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3631686B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3631686B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3631686B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The present invention is a speedometer display to avoid abrupt changes of numbers. A digital display in speedometer includes a set of control points (20, 21) which forms numbers by twisting, winding, moving, and so on to form digits. This type of transition results in providing a pleasant display to a user and a smooth transition between digits. The space of display is also reduced, and the cost of implementing the same is minimal. The presentation of the number transition is further extended to various forms like a thread forming into digits, bursting and converging of digits, dots joining to form digits, smoky digits and calendar type (flipping) of numbers. The speedometer can be used in all systems with digital display units and all the vehicles using a digital display.