Vehicle Projection Screen With Adjustable Opacity for Multi-Angle Viewing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle entertainment systems have constrained viewing angles and small screens, limiting occupant comfort and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A display system with a projection screen featuring adjustable opacity and a projector, controlled by a controller to adjust opacity based on viewing location, using transparent phosphors and liquid-crystal layers to enable multi-angle viewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a traditional display screen is used in the vehicle entertainment system, then the viewing area is limited to a small screen size, but the viewing angle is constrained requiring occupants to view from a specific location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a projector to create an optical copy of the display content on a projection screen, replacing the traditional fixed display screen. This allows the viewing area to be expanded to the entire projection screen surface while maintaining the ability to control the image quality and viewing characteristics through the projection system and screen material properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamically adjustable projection screen with variable opacity that can switch between transparent and opaque states. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different viewing conditions and occupant positions, enabling multiple viewing angles while controlling when and how the display is visible from different locations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a projection screen with adjustable opacity is used, then multi-angle viewing is enabled, but the device complexity increases due to additional components like liquid-crystal layers and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The projection screen serves multiple functions: it acts as both a transparent window for normal visibility and an opaque display surface when activated. The same screen structure provides both the viewing aperture function and the display surface function, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall system complexity despite the added functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter (opacity) of the projection screen dynamically based on viewing requirements. By adjusting the opacity parameter of the screen material, the system achieves different viewing modes without adding complex mechanical or structural components, simply controlling the optical properties of existing materials.
3Adaptability or versatility
If transparent phosphors and liquid-crystal layers are used in the projection screen, then adjustable opacity for multi-angle viewing is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projection screen is constructed as a composite material structure combining transparent phosphor layers with liquid-crystal layers. This composite approach integrates the light-modulating properties of phosphors with the optical switching capabilities of liquid crystals, achieving adjustable opacity and multi-angle viewing in a single integrated screen component that can be manufactured as a unified structure.
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 flexible, multi-angle viewing of images inside and outside the vehicle, enhancing occupant comfort and convenience by allowing viewing from various perspectives.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid-crystal layer includes a plurality of liquid-crystals. The plurality of liquid-crystals has at least one of a parallel orientation and a scattering orientation. To set the opacity of the projection screen to the opaque mode, the controller is further programmed to apply a zero voltage potential across the first electrode and the second electrode of the second film layer to orient the plurality of liquid-crystals in the scattering orientation. To set the opacity of the projection screen to the transparent mode, the controller is further programmed to apply a non-zero voltage potential across the first electrode and the second electrode of the second film layer to orient the plurality of liquid-crystals in the parallel orientation.
Implementation Method 2
The first film layer including a plurality of transparent phosphors. The projector is an ultraviolet projector configured to selectively excite the plurality of transparent phosphors of the first film layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A display system for a vehicle includes a projection screen having an adjustable opacity, a projector for projecting an image on the projection screen, and a controller in electrical communication with the projector. The controller is programmed to adjust the opacity of the projection screen and direct the projector to project the image on the projection screen.