Vehicle Instrument Dial Back Surface Static Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle instruments with liquid crystal display panels are prone to improper displays due to static electricity accumulation, as existing solutions only address static electricity from the front surface, neglecting the back surface where black print films can accumulate charges and leak into the display panel.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle instrument design featuring a translucent dial with a non-black print region on the back surface surrounding the opening and where the dial touches other members, using a white print film to prevent static electricity from flowing into the liquid crystal display panel, thereby distinguishing between conductive and non-conductive regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If black print film is applied on the back surface of the dial to prevent light leakage, then light shielding performance is improved, but static electricity accumulates and flows into the liquid crystal display panel causing improper display

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight leakageVSAvoidstatic electricity accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The back surface of the dial is divided into two distinct regions: a black print region for light shielding and a non-black print region (white or transparent) for static electricity dissipation. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between light shielding and static electricity prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the back surface are assigned different properties: the black print region provides light shielding, while the non-black print region provides electrical conductivity for static electricity dissipation. This local differentiation of properties allows the dial to simultaneously achieve both light shielding and static electricity prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If black ink containing carbon black is used for printing on the dial, then light shielding capability is improved, but conductivity is reduced causing static electricity accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight leakageVSAvoiddisplay accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dial back surface is segmented into black print regions (for light shielding) and non-black print regions (for static electricity dissipation). This segmentation ensures that the carbon black ink does not compromise display reliability, as the non-black regions provide alternative pathways for static electricity dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The non-black print region acts as an intermediary zone that provides electrical conductivity between the black print regions and the liquid crystal display panel. This intermediary region prevents static electricity accumulation while maintaining the light shielding effectiveness of the black regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If existing static electricity suppression methods are applied only to the front surface, then front surface static electricity is suppressed, but back surface static electricity accumulates and leaks into the display panel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay accuracyVSAvoidback surface static electricity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying static electricity suppression only to the front surface as in conventional designs, this invention applies the suppression mechanism to the back surface by creating non-black print regions. This inverted approach effectively prevents back surface static electricity accumulation that would otherwise leak into the display panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Effectively suppresses static electricity from flowing into the liquid crystal display panel, preventing improper displays and maintaining the required shading properties, ensuring accurate and reliable instrument readings.

Implementation Method 1

white printing is generally performed on the other parts than the regions subjected to the black printing, in order to use reflection of light effectively as illumination light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

black printing is often performed on the back surface of the dial in order to prevent light from leaking out from an opening, a pointer shaft hole or the like formed in the dial

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

Black ink used for the black printing on the dial contains carbon black with conductivity... charges caused by static electricity are apt to be accumulated because the charges do not migrate as quickly as that in metal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9662981B2Instrument for vehicle

Publication Date: 2017.05.30 YAZAKI CORP

AI summary

A dial, an LED, a black print film and a liquid crystal display panel are provided. A non-black print region where the black print film is absent is provided in, of a back surface of the dial, a circumferential part surrounding an opening and including an inner edge defining the opening.