Motor Vehicle Optical Display Solid Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for displaying visual messages outside a motor vehicle require complex sensor systems and projection surfaces, which increase circuitry complexity and may not effectively limit message visibility to specific viewers based on distance and position.
Innovation Solution
A self-illuminating display device with a light source that projects a light field onto a projection element, limited to a predetermined solid angle range by a delimiting device, allowing the message to be visible only to viewers within a specific area, without the need for external projection surfaces, and adjusts its angle based on the motor vehicle's pitch and speed to maintain message visibility across uneven surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex sensor system is used to determine distance and activate display devices, then the visual message can be displayed to warn following vehicles, but the circuitry complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core warning function from complex sensor systems and implements it through simple optical elements (holographic films, diffusers, and light sources) that passively display messages based on geometric optics rather than active sensing and processing
Solution Approach 2:
The display system uses the vehicle's own existing structures (rear window, taillight housing) as projection surfaces and leverages ambient light conditions to activate the display, eliminating the need for separate sensor systems to detect following vehicles
2Ease of operation
If a projection surface outside the motor vehicle is used to make the optical message visible, then the message can be displayed to following drivers, but the system requires additional external components and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing vehicle components (rear window, taillight housing) serve dual functions: their original structural purpose plus serving as projection surfaces for optical messages, eliminating the need for dedicated external projection surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The optical message display function is merged with existing vehicle components rather than being implemented as a separate external system, combining the warning message display with the vehicle's existing structure and lighting system
3Adaptability or versatility
If the light field is not limited to a predetermined solid angle range, then the message can be seen by more viewers, but the message becomes visible to irrelevant road users and causes distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies directional control to limit the optical message visibility to specific local zones (rearward direction only) using optical elements that control light propagation angles, ensuring the message is visible only to following vehicles and not to other road users
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 efficient display of visual messages outside the motor vehicle with reduced circuitry complexity, ensuring the message is visible only to relevant viewers based on distance and position, while maintaining message visibility during pitch movements, thereby effectively warning following drivers of unsafe distances without disturbing other road users.
Implementation Method 1
The light source (4) is designed to project light (6) onto a projection element (5) of the display device (3). The projection element (5) is designed to generate a light field (9) representing the message (M) from the light (6). For this purpose, the projection element (5) can, for example, be transilluminated by the light (6) or be illuminated by the light (6) and form the light field (9) by reflection.
Implementation Method 2
In order to make the optical message visible only to viewers who are in a specific part of the exterior of the motor vehicle (1), the display device (3) has a limiting device (8) that is designed to limit the light field (9) in the exterior to a predetermined solid angle range.
Implementation Method 3
a pivoting device (17) which is designed to set a respective angle of inclination (19) of the projection element (5) and/or the delimiting device (8) as a function of a pitch angle of the motor vehicle (1).
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) with a display device (3) comprising a light source (4) and designed to display an optical message (M) in an exterior area (12) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the light source (4) is designed to project light (6) onto a projection element (5) of the display device (3), the projection element (5) being designed to generate a light field (9) representing the message (M) from the light (6). The display of the message (M) is intended to be adapted to the driving situation (24) with minimal sensor effort. A limiting device (8) of the display device (3) is designed to limit the light field (9) in the exterior area (12) to a predetermined solid angle range (W, 28).