Through-Material Vehicle Interior Display for Low-Glare Information

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Solution Overview

Problem

Incorporating digital display and illumination systems into vehicles without compromising their appearance or increasing driver distraction, especially in luxury vehicles where high-resolution displays are not necessary for providing information and ambient lighting.

Innovation Solution

A through-material illumination system that integrates light sources and electronic components into vehicle surfaces, allowing video content and visual information to be displayed through flexible materials like fabric, which are inconspicuous when not in use, reducing glare and enabling adaptable and versatile interior designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If high-resolution LED displays are used to provide information and visual stimulation, then information quality and visual stimulation are improved, but driver distraction increases and appearance is compromised due to exposed connections and reflective surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation qualityVSAvoiddriver distraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the light source from the traditional display screen and integrates it directly into the vehicle's interior surfaces (dashboard, doors, pillars). This allows the illumination function to be separated from the need for high-resolution screens, eliminating reflective surfaces and exposed connections while maintaining information delivery through ambient lighting patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination system serves multiple functions: it provides ambient lighting for atmosphere, displays information through varying light patterns and intensities, and acts as a decorative element. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate high-resolution displays while reducing driver distraction through softer, more integrated lighting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If traditional display screens are attached to vehicle interior surfaces, then information display capability is improved, but appearance is compromised due to exposed electrical connections and non-integrated look

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation display capabilityVSAvoidappearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the display function with the vehicle's existing interior surfaces by integrating light sources directly into the dashboard, doors, and pillars. The electrical connections are concealed within the vehicle's structure, and the light-emitting elements are embedded or covered by translucent materials, making the display system indistinguishable from the interior design itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses translucent panels, fabrics, or thin film materials to cover the light sources, allowing light to pass through while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the interior surfaces. These flexible covering materials can be integrated into existing interior designs without requiring visible screens or exposed components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Measurement precision

If high-resolution displays with reflective surfaces are used, then information clarity is improved, but suitability for moving vehicle environment deteriorates due to glare and intensity requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation clarityVSAvoidglare
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs adjustable color temperature and hue in the illumination system to adapt to different driving conditions and ambient lighting. The light can shift between warm and cool tones, and between different intensities, providing clear information delivery without creating harmful glare on reflective surfaces, as the illumination is diffused through translucent materials rather than reflected off screens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

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

Enhances the user experience by providing unobtrusive and impactful information and ambient lighting, adaptable to various environments, and reducing the need for high-resolution displays, maintaining a clean and modern appearance while minimizing driver distraction.

Implementation Method 1

light transmitted from the light source is visible through the flexible material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

light transmitted from the light source is visible through the flexible material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight diffusion: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP3508380B1Display and illumination system for a vehicle interior
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 HARMAN BECKER AUTOMOTIVE SYST GMBH
  • EP3508380B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3508380B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3508380B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A through-material display and illumination system for the interior of a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises a flexible material such as a fabric for forming a surface of the interior of the vehicle, and a light source concealed by the flexible material; light emissions from the light source are transmitted and visible through the flexible material, providing information and ambient illumination to the driver and passengers of the vehicle.