Vehicle Trim Display Module With Gesture Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transportation vehicle trims with display functionality face issues such as contamination from grease and dirt, inadequate moisture protection, and sealing failures due to temperature changes, leading to potential damage and impaired appearance.
Innovation Solution
A transportation vehicle trim with a self-contained, water-tight basic module housing electrical components, a light guiding module for backlighting, and a gesture recognition sensor for contactless input, using a thermoplastic synthetic material and infrared sensors for gesture detection, ensuring protection against moisture and reducing mechanical and chemical impairment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touchscreen arrangement is used for input, then user interaction capability is improved, but grease and dirt particles are transferred to the trim, impairing appearance and causing permanent damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical touchscreen system with an optical sensing system using infrared transmitters and receivers. The infrared transmitters project invisible infrared light barriers across the display area, and the receivers detect interruptions in these light barriers to identify user inputs. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact, preventing grease and dirt transfer while maintaining full input functionality.
2Reliability
If a housing sealed against moisture is used, then protection against moisture is improved, but temperature changes cause tensions and embrittlement leading to sealing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the housing from conventional materials to a thermoplastic synthetic material with specific thermal properties. This material exhibits superior resistance to thermal expansion and contraction, maintaining dimensional stability across temperature ranges. The material's inherent flexibility and elasticity allow it to accommodate temperature-induced stresses without developing cracks or losing sealing effectiveness, thus preventing moisture ingress while withstanding thermal cycling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electrical components are integrated into the trim, then display functionality is improved, but moisture and environmental influences can damage these components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hermetically sealed housing that acts as a protective shell encapsulating all electrical and electronic components. This sealed enclosure creates a controlled internal environment that isolates sensitive components from external moisture and environmental factors. The housing design includes precise sealing interfaces and gaskets that maintain the protective barrier, allowing the trim to provide full display functionality while keeping vulnerable electronics safe from degradation.
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 provides a durable, moisture-protected, and aesthetically maintained trim with enhanced user interaction through contactless gesture recognition, reducing damage and maintaining the vehicle's appearance while allowing for efficient information conveyance.
Implementation Method 1
a gesture recognition sensor, which comprises an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiving sensor as sensor elements
Implementation Method 2
a light guiding module for backlighting
Data Source
AI summary
A transportation vehicle trim with display functionality having a light shade unit with at least one window section which is transparent at least area by area in the visible wavelength area for a transillumination, and a functional unit having at least one illuminant or at least one illuminant and one input unit, wherein the functional unit is formed as a basic module having a self-contained, water-tight housing, in the interior of which the at least one illuminant and the input unit are arranged, wherein the basic module is mechanically connected to the light shade unit. A front side of the housing of the basic module facing a viewing side of the light shade unit may be smaller than an area across which backlit information areas of the transportation vehicle trim extend. Individual light exit areas of the basic module are coupled via light guiding elements to the backlit information areas.