Vehicle Display Device With Dynamic Transparency Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices in motor vehicles face challenges with space efficiency and clarity due to superimposed display levels, leading to potentially unclear or blurred graphics, which affects visibility and readability.

Innovation Solution

A display device with multiple flat display elements arranged in a sandwich-like manner, where at least one display element has a transparent surface and a privacy protection element that can change transparency or opacity based on a control signal, allowing for improved depth effects and readability by selectively overlaying or revealing display content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple display levels are superimposed using mirror combinations or transparent screens, then a large number of different pieces of information can be presented, but the display levels become unclear or blurred

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of information displayedVSAvoidclarity of display
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The display device divides the display area into multiple display levels (first display level and second display level) that can be independently controlled. Each display level can be selectively made transparent or opaque, allowing information to be segmented across different depths while maintaining clarity of individual elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display device dynamically adjusts the transparency of individual display levels based on control signals. The control device can switch between transparent and opaque states for each display level, enabling dynamic control over which information is visible and at what depth, thereby preventing blurring while displaying multiple pieces of information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If transparent screens are used to create depth effect, then multiple display levels can be arranged in space, but readability is reduced due to superposition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth effect capabilityVSAvoidreadability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display device dynamically switches between transparent and opaque states for individual display levels based on readability requirements. When readability is prioritized, the control device makes the affected display level opaque, preventing superposition blur. When depth effect is desired, transparency is activated, allowing versatile adaptation between the two modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different display levels can have different transparency properties simultaneously. The control device can make one display level transparent while keeping another opaque, allowing local optimization of both depth effect and readability in different regions of the display device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If mirror combinations are used to create multiple virtual image planes, then transparency with multiple images in depth is achieved, but a relatively large amount of space is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiple virtual image planesVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The display device arranges multiple display levels in the depth dimension (z-axis) rather than using lateral space. By stacking display elements at different depths and controlling their transparency, the device creates multiple virtual image planes without requiring the lateral space that mirror combinations would demand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The display device nests multiple display levels within a compact structure, with each display level positioned at a different depth. The transparent display elements allow deeper levels to be visually accessible while physically nested within the same spatial envelope, achieving space-efficient multi-plane display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 enhances visibility and readability by creating a flexible, three-dimensional effect that can be adjusted to prioritize clarity, thereby improving driving safety and user experience.

Implementation Method 1

a privacy protection element which is set up to change a degree of transparency and/or opacity depending on a control signal from a control device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Data Source

PatentEP3658402B1Display device for a motor vehicle, method for operating a display device, control unit, and motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.05.12 AUDI AG
  • EP3658402B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3658402B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3658402B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a display device (12) for a motor vehicle (10), comprising: a first planar display element (16) arranged in a first display plane of the display device (12), and at least one additional planar display element (17, 18) arranged in an additional display plane of the display device (12), and arranged upstream of the first display element (16) in a viewing direction of a user. Together with the first display element (16), the at least one additional display element (17, 18) forms a multi-layered combination of display elements (16, 17, 18), and the at least one additional display element (17, 18) is provided, in each case, with an at least partially transparent display surface (29, 30) and a visual protection element (20, 20') for setting a degree of a transparency of at least one region of the display element (17, 18). The invention further relates to a method for operating a display device (12) that is carried out by means of a control unit (32).