Vehicle Display Covering Layer with Integrated Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display systems in vehicles are cumbersome and unsightly, lacking aesthetic appeal while also hiding internal lighting components from view effectively.
Innovation Solution
A light-based output device with a covering layer made from materials like leather, fabric, wood, or metal, incorporating force and touch sensors, and electronic shutters, which allows light to pass through while providing haptic feedback and hiding internal components when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a conventional display system is used in a vehicle, then information can be displayed to the user, but the system becomes cumbersome and unsightly while failing to effectively conceal internal lighting components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display system with the interior panel structure by integrating the light guide, diffuser, and covering layer directly into the dashboard or door panel. This combination eliminates the need for separate display housings and mounting structures, reducing overall device complexity while achieving a clean, integrated aesthetic appearance that effectively conceals internal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin film structures including a light guide layer, diffuser layer, and covering layer that are integrated into the panel. These thin films allow light to pass through while maintaining a sleek, minimalist appearance and effectively hiding internal lighting components from view, thus improving aesthetic appearance without adding complexity.
2Shape
If a covering layer is used to conceal internal components, then aesthetic appearance improves, but light transmission to the display is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a light guide layer with spatially varying optical properties. The light guide has different refractive indices and light transmission characteristics in different regions, allowing light to be effectively guided and diffused while maintaining high visibility through the covering layer. This localized optimization ensures that aesthetic appearance is improved without sacrificing light transmission where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes optical effects including light diffusion and refraction through the covering layer and diffuser layer. These optical phenomena manipulate light transmission properties to maintain visibility while concealing internal components, effectively resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and light transmission intensity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If touch sensors and force sensors are integrated into the covering layer, then user interaction capability improves, but the structural integrity and light transmission properties are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the covering layer including structural support, light transmission, touch sensing, and force sensing. By making the covering layer multi-functional, the system achieves enhanced user interaction capability without requiring additional separate components that would compromise structural integrity. The covering layer serves as both a protective structural element and an interactive sensing surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures where the covering layer is combined with sensor elements in a unified construction. This composite approach allows the covering layer to maintain its structural integrity and light transmission properties while incorporating touch and force sensing capabilities, thus improving user interaction without compromising strength.
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 creates an aesthetically pleasing display system that effectively conceals internal components while providing clear visibility of light-based information and haptic feedback, enhancing user experience and system appearance.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide layer, a diffuser layer, and a covering layer
Implementation Method 2
a light guide layer, a diffuser layer, and a covering layer
Data Source
AI summary
A light-based output device may be used to display images, symbols, and other information for a user of a system such as a vehicle. A display may be formed from a display layer, a covering layer that covers the display layer, and components such as force and touch sensors and electronic shutters. Haptic feedback may be provided using actuators that are coupled to the covering layer. A movable button member may be used to press the covering layer outwardly within an opening, thereby creating a portion of the covering layer that protrudes from other portions of the covering layer. The button member may also be placed in a position in which the covering layer on the button member is flush with other portions of the covering layer. A touch sensor may be incorporated into the covering layer and may overlap a display and areas outside the display.