Vehicle Window Display for External Temperature Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle window assemblies do not effectively communicate in-cabin temperature or vehicle status information to external observers, particularly when the vehicle is parked and occupied, posing safety concerns for occupants in extreme temperature conditions.
Innovation Solution
A display device is integrated into the vehicle's window assembly, capable of backlighting alphanumeric characters and icons, which activates in response to elevated in-cabin temperatures, occupancy, and vehicle parking status, providing visible alerts and information to external viewers, and optionally integrating with the vehicle's communication network for additional alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a display device is integrated into the window assembly to communicate vehicle status information, then information visibility to external observers is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is integrated directly into the window assembly structure, merging the display function with the existing window components. The illumination source, mask element, and window panel work together as a unified system, eliminating the need for separate external display structures and reducing overall system complexity despite adding display functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The window assembly serves multiple functions: it provides structural enclosure, allows light transmission, and now displays vehicle status information. The same physical components (window panel, illumination source, mask element) fulfill both traditional window functions and information display functions simultaneously.
2Reliability
If the display device is activated based on multiple triggering events (temperature, occupancy, parking status), then safety monitoring capability is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is activated by feedback from various vehicle systems including temperature sensors, occupancy sensors, and vehicle status systems. When these sensors detect critical conditions (high temperature, occupied vehicle, parked status), they trigger the display to communicate the vehicle status to external observers, creating a closed-loop safety monitoring system.
Solution Approach 2:
The display device is pre-configured with a mask element containing temperature indicator characters and icons positioned on the exterior surface of the window assembly. This preliminary setup allows for rapid activation and clear communication of temperature warnings without requiring complex real-time generation of display elements.
3Loss of information
If the illumination source backlights alphanumeric characters and icons on the window, then information clarity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination source is activated periodically or on-demand based on triggering events rather than operating continuously. The display illuminates only when critical conditions are detected (high temperature, occupancy combined with parking status), significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining clear information communication when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask element includes temperature indicator characters and icons that can be illuminated in different colors or patterns to convey different temperature conditions and vehicle status information, providing clear visual differentiation with a single illumination source.
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 effectively communicates critical vehicle status information, enhancing safety by alerting external observers to potentially hazardous conditions and providing convenient access to vehicle diagnostics during refueling, thereby ensuring occupant safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The display device includes an illumination source (such as a light emitting diode (LED)) that is operable to backlight or illuminate an iconistic mask or element
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular window assembly includes a glass window panel and a display device. The display device includes a display element at the glass window panel and an electrical connector that extends from the display element for electrical connection to a wire harness of a vehicle. The display device is operable to backlight or illuminate at least one icon or alphanumeric character so that the at least one icon or alphanumeric character is viewable at the glass window panel by a person exterior the vehicle. With the window assembly mounted at a vehicle, the display device may be activated to backlight or illuminate the at least one icon or alphanumeric character to indicate at least one vehicle status, and may include indication responsive at least in part to determination that an in-cabin temperature of the vehicle is above a threshold level.