Application of TFT LCD Modules in Automotive Displays

As automotive technology advances, the level of intelligence in automotive electronic products continues to rise, and the performance of applications such as in-vehicle screens and intelligent interactive terminals is gaining increasing attention from users.

Within the context of automotive intelligence, in-vehicle displays have become the primary interface for human-vehicle interaction, making them the third-largest small and medium-sized panel application market after the smartphone and tablet markets.

Automotive displays can be categorized into 4 main types: instrument displays, heads-up displays (HUD), central control displays, and infotainment displays. Among these, central control and instrument displays jointly account for 80% of the entire automotive display market.

Currently, in-vehicle central control displays provide central information display, assist in driving with features like reverse camera and navigation, control in-car devices like air conditioning and audio, and offer entertainment functionality. These displays, often the largest in the cabin, serve as the primary interactive medium for vehicle information settings and entertainment.

Instrument clusters, on the other hand, utilize LCD panels to display information such as mileage, RPM, and fuel level, reflecting the vehicle's operational status. Replacing traditional mechanical gauges, these instrument screens can display a greater variety of flexible vehicle information.

The central control display and instrument cluster have the highest penetration rates among in-vehicle displays. The demand for in-vehicle displays is rapidly increasing, with a clear trend towards larger displays of 10 inches and above.

 

Currently, trends in automotive displays include larger screens, higher definition, enhanced interaction, multi-screen setups, and diverse form factors. These trends are characterized by:

1. Larger Screens: Integrated information demands have led to a need for richer display content, driving the demand for larger screens, which have grown from 2 inches initially to 10 inches and beyond.
2. Higher Definition: Applications such as real-time traffic, internet television, driver assistance, diagnostics, vehicle information, mobile office, wireless communication, and online entertainment require higher-definition information displays.
3. Enhanced Interaction: Touchscreens are becoming standard in in-vehicle displays, alongside voice recognition, gesture recognition, biometric identification, VR, and other interaction methods.
4. Multi-Screen Setups: Beyond instrument clusters, central control screens, and HUDs, there are also interior/side rearview mirror screens, overhead screens, rear seat entertainment screens, rear armrest screens, and rotary knob screens.
5. Diverse Form Factors: Pursuing aesthetics and technology within the vehicle interior, integrated, curved, unconventional, and ultra-wide display designs open up possibilities for personalized design.

 

Compared to consumer electronics, automotive displays require higher stability, reliability, and environmental adaptability due to their direct impact on driver and passenger convenience, safety, and experience.

1. Automotive display components prioritize stability over display effects, with requirements for working environment temperature, storage temperature, and operating voltage adaptability exceeding those of smartphone display components.
2. In terms of reliability testing, conditions such as high/low-temperature storage, high-temperature and high-humidity, and thermal shocks that typically lead to aging times of 240 hours in smartphone-type display components require over 500 hours for automotive display components.

3. Furthermore, automotive displays generally require a working lifespan exceeding 50,000 hours at room temperature. In contrast, the typical working lifespan of commonly used OLED screens is only around 30,000 hours, which presents a significant limitation to widespread OLED adoption in automotive applications.
4. LCD remains the mainstream technology for current automotive displays, and future advancements may move towards Mini LED technology. Presently, LCD panels maintain market dominance due to their cost-effectiveness and mature technology. As a leading source manufacturer of LCD modules, Innolux provides advanced in-vehicle display solutions and products.

 

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