Vehicle Display Glass with Adjustable Transparency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle display arrangements lack the ability to dynamically adjust transparency and efficiently integrate various operational information displays, such as navigation, telephone, music, and infotainment system outputs, while maintaining visibility of essential vehicle metrics.

Innovation Solution

A display arrangement featuring a glass with adjustable transparency, utilizing cholesteric liquid crystal or polymer dispersed liquid crystal layers, combined with a projection system like DLP or LCOS projectors, allows for the display of operational information on the glass, which can switch between transparent and opaque states rapidly, and can be segmented for independent control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a glass with adjustable transparency is arranged in front of the first display device, then the ability to dynamically adjust transparency and integrate various operational information displays is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic transparency adjustment capabilityVSAvoiddisplay arrangement structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The glass with adjustable transparency changes its optical parameter (transparency) dynamically based on voltage application. The glass can switch between transparent and opaque states, allowing the display arrangement to adapt between different viewing modes without changing the physical structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The glass serves multiple functions: it acts as a protective cover for the first display device, a transparent window when needed, and an opaque projection surface when needed. The second display device can project information onto the glass when it is opaque, eliminating the need for separate display components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If information is projected onto the glass with adjustable transparency, then the integration of various operational information displays is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation display integrationVSAvoidprojection system integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The second display device creates an optical copy of information and projects it onto the glass surface. This allows various operational information from different systems (navigation, telephone, music, infotainment) to be displayed without requiring separate physical displays for each system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Speed

If the glass with adjustable transparency switches between transparent and opaque states rapidly, then the responsiveness of the display arrangement is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestate switching speedVSAvoidglass transparency control energy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The glass transparency is controlled periodically or on-demand based on the display mode requirements. The system switches between transparent and opaque states as needed for different display scenarios, rather than maintaining a constant state, optimizing energy usage based on actual operational needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 dynamic and efficient display of vehicle operational information, enhancing user experience by providing adjustable transparency and integrated information projection without obstructing essential metrics, with rapid state switching and independent segment control.

Implementation Method 1

A glass with adjustable transparency according to the invention is especially a glass that can assume a state, depending on the applied voltage, especially by orthogonal polarization of light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCholesteric liquid crystal: Cholesteric Liquid Crystal

Implementation Method 2

utilizing cholesteric liquid crystal or polymer dispersed liquid crystal layers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymer dispersed liquid crystal: Liquid Crystals

Implementation Method 3

especially by orthogonal polarization of light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOrthogonal polarization of light: Polarisation

Implementation Method 4

Appropriate projectors include digital light processing (DLP) projectors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDigital light processing (DLP):

Implementation Method 5

or liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) projectors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid crystal on silicon (LCOS):

Data Source

PatentUS7382237B2Display arrangement for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2008.06.03 VOLKSWAGEN AG

AI summary

A display arrangement for a vehicle has, in particular, a multipurpose instrument or is configured as a multipurpose instrument. The display arrangement includes a first display device to display information concerning operation of the vehicle, a glass with adjustable transparency arranged in front of the first display device, with reference to the viewing direction of the display arrangement, and a second display device to display information concerning operation of the vehicle or additional information concerning operation of the vehicle.