Vehicle Display Heating Control Based on Temperature and Event Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle display apparatuses often malfunction in low temperatures, leading to potential accidents due to sluggish or failed operation, as they are not effectively heated in outdoor environments.

Innovation Solution

A processor-controlled display apparatus that receives temperature information and event data to manage a heating element, ensuring the display operates by producing heat based on interior or exterior temperature, user approach, door opening, or remote engine start events, and can communicate with external devices for control signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the display apparatus is heated using a heating element controlled by temperature information, then the display operates normally in low temperatures, but the device complexity increases due to additional heating control systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay operation reliabilityVSAvoidheating control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processor is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes temperature information, determines heating control signals, and controls the heating element. By making the processor multi-functional, the patent avoids adding a separate dedicated heating control unit, thus improving reliability through comprehensive temperature management while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the temperature sensing function, processing function, and heating control function into a single integrated system. The processor receives temperature information from the sensing unit and directly generates heating control signals without requiring separate control logic, merging multiple functions into one component to reduce overall system complexity while ensuring reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Temperature

If the heating element is controlled based on interior and exterior temperature information, then the display maintains optimal temperature in varying environmental conditions, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay temperature stabilityVSAvoidheating element energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary heating actions by receiving temperature information in advance and activating the heating element before the display temperature drops to critical levels. This proactive approach allows the display to maintain optimal temperature while minimizing total energy consumption by heating only when and where needed, rather than continuously or reactively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The processor dynamically adjusts heating parameters based on the relationship between interior and exterior temperatures. When the temperature difference is large, heating is activated; when the difference is small, heating is reduced or stopped. This parameter-based control optimizes energy consumption while maintaining display temperature stability across varying environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the display apparatus uses heating element controlled by processor, then the display operates reliably in cold conditions, but the ease of operation decreases due to manual intervention requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecold environment operation reliabilityVSAvoidheating control operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display apparatus performs self-service by automatically sensing temperature conditions and controlling its own heating element without requiring manual user intervention. The sensing unit continuously monitors temperature, the processor automatically determines whether heating is needed, and the heating element activates or deactivates autonomously, making the system easy to operate while maintaining reliable cold-weather performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If the heating element is controlled based on event information such as door opening or user approach, then the display is warmed in advance for user comfort, but the loss of time increases due to heating duration management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidheating duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects events such as door opening or user approach in advance and immediately activates the heating element to warm the display before the user needs to interact with it. This preliminary heating action ensures user comfort is achieved quickly without requiring prolonged heating periods, thus minimizing time loss while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element operates in periodic cycles triggered by specific events rather than continuously. When events like door opening or user approach are detected, heating is activated for a predetermined period or until a temperature threshold is reached, then stopped. This periodic operation provides user comfort when needed while minimizing unnecessary heating duration and associated time loss.

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

The solution ensures the display apparatus functions normally in low temperatures, preventing accidents by maintaining optimal operating conditions without the need for engine idling, enhancing fuel efficiency and preventing malfunctions.

Implementation Method 1

controlling a heating element of the display apparatus to produce heat based on the received at least one of the interior temperature information and the exterior temperature information about the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3208133B1Heatable display apparatus for vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 ZKW GRP GMBH
  • EP3208133B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3208133B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3208133B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display apparatus for a vehicle and including a display; a heating element configured to provide heat to the display; an interface configured to receive at least one of interior temperature information and exterior temperature information about the vehicle; and a processor configured to control the heating element to produce heat based on the received at least one of the interior temperature information and the exterior temperature information about the vehicle.