Vehicle Display Apparatus with Segmented Light Guiding Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle display apparatuses with integrated liquid crystal display devices occupy significant space on the dash panel, impairing the appearance and requiring the display unit to be installed close to the user, which limits design flexibility and increases installation space requirements.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle display apparatus with a separate display unit and emitting unit, where the display unit includes a liquid crystal cell and a second polarizing plate, and the emitting unit comprises a backlight, a first polarizing plate, and a light guiding plate, allowing for a more compact installation by orienting the display unit relative to the light emitting surface, reducing the need for direct integration and enhancing appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the liquid crystal display device is integrated on the dash panel, then the display function is achieved, but the appearance is impaired and installation space is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay functionVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid crystal display device is divided into two separate units: a display unit containing the liquid crystal cell and second polarizing plate, and an emitting unit containing the backlight, first polarizing plate, and light guiding plate. This segmentation allows the display unit to be mounted on the dash panel while the emitting unit is positioned separately, reducing the installation space occupied on the dash panel and improving appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the liquid crystal display device is integrated on the dash panel, then the display function is achieved, but the appearance is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay functionVSAvoidappearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the display unit from the emitting unit, the display unit can be designed with a sleek, minimal profile that does not protrude significantly from the dash panel, thereby improving the overall appearance while maintaining the display function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the display unit is raised on the dash panel, then the display is visible, but the space above the dash panel is occupied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay visibilityVSAvoidspace above dash panel

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit is separated from the emitting unit, allowing the display unit to be positioned close to the driver for visibility while the emitting unit is located away, reducing the space occupied above the dash panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A light guiding plate is used as an intermediary component to guide light from the backlight to the liquid crystal cell, enabling the emitting unit to be positioned separately from the display unit while maintaining proper optical alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration allows for a more aesthetically pleasing and space-efficient installation by separating the display and emitting units, reducing the installation space near the user and enabling the display unit to be visible while the emitting unit is located away, thus improving the overall appearance and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a light guiding plate (23) located between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizing plate and spaced from the liquid crystal cell. The light guiding plate (23) is configured to transmit a part of light after passing through the first polarizing plate and to guide the transmitted light to enter the liquid crystal cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission and guidance: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

A polarizing axis of the first polarizing plate and a polarizing axis of the second polarizing plate extend in different directions. When linearly polarized light after passing through the first polarizing plate enters the second polarizing plate, the second polarizing plate is configured to shut off the linearly polarized light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization filtering: Polarisation

Implementation Method 3

a liquid crystal cell (31) including a pair of translucent circuit boards having a liquid crystal layer therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid crystal optical modulation: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentUS10838249B2Vehicle display apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.11.17 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A backlight is located on an incident side of a liquid crystal cell with a space. A first polarizing plate between the liquid crystal cell and the backlight is spaced from the liquid crystal cell. A second polarizing plate is located on an outgoing side of the liquid crystal cell. A light guiding plate is located between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizing plate with a space from the liquid crystal cell to transmit a part of light and to guide the light to enter the liquid crystal cell. The display unit and the emitting unit are separately provided. The polarizing axes of the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate extend in different directions. When linearly polarized light after passing through the first polarizing plate enters the second polarizing plate, the second polarizing plate shuts off the linearly polarized light.