Variable Projection Surface for Driver Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles transitioning to piloted driving, drivers may sit further away from the dashboard, making it difficult to perceive information displayed on rear-projection systems due to fixed image sizes.

Innovation Solution

A rear-projection display system with a variable-sized translucent or transparent projection surface, where the distance between the projector and projection surface can be adjusted, allowing the surface to be flexibly wound up or down on rolls or with cladding elements that move to change coverage, ensuring the information display remains legible regardless of the driver's position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the driver's seat is moved further away from the dashboard for comfort in autonomous driving, then driver comfort and space are improved, but the visibility of information on the display device deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver comfortVSAvoidinformation visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The projection surface is designed to be movable relative to the projector, allowing dynamic adjustment of the projection distance. When the driver's seat moves to a rest position further from the dashboard, the projection surface moves accordingly to maintain optimal viewing distance and information visibility, resolving the contradiction between driver comfort and information visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of projection surface position dynamically. By adjusting the distance between the projector and projection surface based on driver seat position, the system maintains legible information display regardless of whether the driver is in active driving position or rest position, thus resolving the visibility issue while allowing seat movement for comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If the projection surface size is increased for better visibility at rest position, then information visibility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation visibilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism for the projection surface is merged with the existing driver's seat adjustment system. The projection surface position is automatically adjusted based on driver seat position detection, eliminating the need for separate control systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining improved information visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The projection surface adjustment system operates autonomously by detecting driver seat position and automatically adjusting the projection surface distance accordingly. This self-service mechanism eliminates complex manual controls while ensuring information remains visible at both active driving and rest positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables the adjustment of the display size to match the driver's location, ensuring clear visibility of information whether actively driving or in a rest position, enhancing usability and comfort during autonomous driving.

Implementation Method 1

a projector (5) and a translucent or transparent projection surface (4), on the back of which the projector (5) projects the information display visible from the front

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission through translucent/transparent material: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3687848B1Display device comprising a projector on the rear side of a projection area
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 AUDI AG
  • EP3687848B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3687848B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3687848B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Motor vehicle comprising at least one display device (3), the display device (3) comprising a projector (5) and a projection area (4), on the rear side of which the projector (3) projects the represented information that can be recognized from the front side, the size of the projection area (4) being variable.