Vehicle Sun Visor With Transflective LCD Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle interior solutions for displaying driving information are either distracting or require significant renovation of the windshield, failing to provide a safe and efficient method for drivers to access operational and positional data without diverting attention from the road.
Innovation Solution
A tandem sun visor system combining an opaque sun visor with a transflective liquid crystal display (LCD) that can pivotally position in front of the driver, using ambient light and solar cell-powered active shading to project vehicle operational and positional information as a mid-air image, eliminating the need for backlighting and allowing safe driver attention on the road.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional LCD displays are positioned in the center fascia, then driving information can be displayed, but the driver's view is obstructed and distractions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display is moved from the traditional 2D center fascia plane to a 3D position above the driver's line of sight, utilizing the vertical dimension. The LCD panel is mounted on an adjustable arm that positions it in the upper field of view, allowing information to be displayed without obstructing the forward road view.
Solution Approach 2:
An adjustable mounting arm serves as an intermediary between the LCD display and the vehicle structure. This intermediary component allows flexible positioning of the display at optimal locations that do not interfere with the driver's primary view while still providing accessible information display.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If Heads Up Display is used to beam images to the windshield, then driver view is maintained, but significant renovation of the windshield is required
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is extracted from the windshield structure entirely. Instead of integrating the display into the windshield glass requiring professional renovation, the LCD is mounted independently on the vehicle's existing interior structure (dashboard, A-pillar, or ceiling), eliminating the need for windshield modification while maintaining the benefit of unobstructed driver view.
3Loss of information
If additional LCD displays are added to the dashboard, then driving information is enhanced, but the crowded display space creates more viewing restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The display solution moves from the constrained 2D dashboard surface to the 3D space above the driver. By utilizing vertical mounting positions and adjustable arm mechanisms, the system provides enhanced information display capabilities without consuming additional dashboard real estate, thereby avoiding further crowding of the display area.
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 system provides safe and efficient access to driving information by integrating shading and display functions within the sun visor, reducing distractions and enhancing driver safety by keeping critical information visible without obstructing the driver's view.
Implementation Method 1
an auxiliary shade member of transflective liquid crystal display extending in parallel with the sun visor member for receiving the video format signal to display a mid-air image of the vehicle operational and positional information
Implementation Method 2
solar cell-powered active shading
Data Source
AI summary
A tandem sun visor and display are combined for providing shading and transparent driving prompt image in a vehicle to the operator in control. The sun visor comprises an opaque and elongated sun visor member horizontally mounted about two pivot axes above the operator in the vehicle to block the direct sunlight from the upper front or upper side of the operator, a transparent LCD display that doubles as an electronic sun visor and a swivel mount for pivotally positioning the LCD display in front of the vehicle driver. The shade can be tuned so that the operator can see the environment as well as GPS map, messages or vehicle operational data.