Vehicle Mode Display Layout for Clear Shift Lever Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle display systems fail to make the selected mode conspicuous and lack an appealing design, making it difficult for drivers to easily recognize the selected mode, especially in narrow spaces like shift levers and wiper switches.

Innovation Solution

A display system with an image display part that distinguishes the selected mode from non-selected modes through variations in color, brightness, character size, and animation, utilizing a lens array and light sources to create visible and intuitive mode indicators without complex displays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a conventional illumination display is used to indicate the selected mode, then the display structure is simple, but the selected mode is not conspicuous and lacks design appeal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay structureVSAvoidmode recognition clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes by illuminating the selected mode with a light source that emits light in a color different from the background. This creates a conspicuous visual distinction between selected and non-selected modes, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and clear mode recognition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional surface display to a three-dimensional illumination effect by positioning the light source to create apparent elevation or depth. This dimensional change makes the selected mode more conspicuous while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If a complex display system is used to make the selected mode conspicuous, then the mode recognition is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode recognition clarityVSAvoiddisplay system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential function needed for mode indication by using a simple light source positioned to illuminate specific regions. This selective extraction achieves clear mode recognition without implementing a complex display system, resolving the contradiction between recognition clarity and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a simple, cost-effective light source rather than a complex display system. This approach prioritizes functional effectiveness over structural complexity, achieving conspicuous mode indication with minimal components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Enhances visibility and intuitiveness of the selected mode, improving operability and reducing the complexity and cost of the display system.

Implementation Method 1

a lens array and light sources to create visible and intuitive mode indicators

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight condensing: Focusing

Data Source

PatentUS12459360B2Display system

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 OMRON CORP

AI summary

A display system includes an image display part displaying an image indicating a mode selected in a driving device of a vehicle having a plurality of modes. The image display part displays all images indicating each of the plurality of modes, and displays the image indicating the selected mode to be different in at least one of color, brightness, character format, and size from an image indicating a non-selected mode.