Variable Thickness Covering for 3D Display Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display devices with multiple planar display regions appear as a single plane to observers, lacking a three-dimensional impression due to the absence of depth perception.
Innovation Solution
A single transparent covering with varying thicknesses, optically bonded to the display regions, creates an air-gapless connection, allowing light to be perceived as elevated, providing a three-dimensional effect by approximately a third of the covering's thickness, and enhancing haptic perception through surface structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single planar covering is used for all display regions, then the construction is simple, but the display regions appear to lie in a single plane without three-dimensional effect
Solution Approach 1:
The covering is configured with varying thickness across different regions, creating local variations in optical path length. This allows different display regions to appear at different depths while using a single continuous covering structure, thus achieving three-dimensional appearance without complex multi-layer construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional planar covering to a three-dimensional varying-thickness covering. By introducing thickness variation as an additional dimensional parameter, the covering creates depth perception and three-dimensional appearance while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If air gaps exist between display regions and covering, then separation is achieved, but light diffraction occurs causing optical disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
Optical bonding material is introduced as an intermediary substance between the display regions and the covering. This bonding material eliminates air gaps that cause light diffraction, while the refractive index matching between the bonding material and covering ensures seamless optical transmission without disturbances.
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive index of the optical bonding material is matched to that of the covering material, creating optical homogeneity at the interface. This eliminates refraction and diffraction effects at the bonding interface, ensuring uniform light transmission while maintaining physical separation between components.
3Shape
If varying thickness regions are created in the covering, then three-dimensional optical effect is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The covering employs continuous curved surfaces with varying thickness instead of sharp edges or multiple planar layers. This curvature approach simplifies manufacturing processes such as injection molding or thermoforming, while still achieving the desired three-dimensional optical effect through gradual thickness transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite construction combining the transparent covering material with optical bonding material. This allows the covering to be manufactured as a separate component with integrated thickness variations, then bonded to display regions, simplifying production compared to creating monolithic varying-thickness structures.
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 solution achieves a seamless, three-dimensional display appearance without optical disturbances, suitable for instrument clusters in vehicles, using materials like polymethyl methacrylate or thermoformed glass, ensuring reliable connection and production feasibility.
Implementation Method 1
being connected, by its side which faces away from the observer side, to the planar display regions using optical bonding, with the refractive index of the material of the covering corresponding to the refractive index of the optical bonding material
Implementation Method 2
the image plane of the planar display regions is optically perceived by the observer as being elevated toward the observer in the regions of greater thickness with respect to the regions of lower thickness
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a display device comprising a display plane, on which one or more planar display regions 10, 11 are arranged, said planar regions 10, 11 being covered by transparent coverings. A single transparent covering 3 covers all the planar display regions 10, 11 of the display device, is formed three-dimensionally on the viewer's side by regions of differing thicknesses and is connected on the side facing away from the viewer to the planar display regions 10, 11 by means of optical bonding. The refractive index of the material of the covering 3 corresponds to the refractive index of the optical-bonding material 8.