S 600 Sedan (140.057) V12-6.0L (120.982) (1996)
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Driver/Vehicle Information Display: Description and Operation
GF54.30-P-3015A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Location/Task/Function
Task
The liquid crystal displays (LCDs) can display numbers, letters and other symbols. They are therefore used as the output devices of electronic systems.
They are increasingly used as a replacement for the conventional analog indicating instruments and indicator lamps.
Operating principle
The operating principle of the liquid crystal display is explained using a seven-segment display as an example (see illustration). A spacer frame (d) which
surrounds a thin layer of liquid crystal (e) is sandwiched between the glass plates (a) and (f). Transparent electrodes (segments) are attached to glass
plate (a) in the shape of the desired characters.
The transparent counter-electrode (h) is on glass plate (f). If a voltage is applied between the contact (g) of the counter-electrode (h) and one or more
contacts (b) of the segmented electrodes (c), the optical properties of the liquid crystal between the counter-electrode (h) and the energized electrodes (c)
change. If the LCD is viewed in the direction of the arrow, the energized electrodes (c) appear dark and are thus visible. By actuating the appropriate
electrodes (c) it is possible to display any number.
The liquid crystal display also has 2 polarization filters (i). These types of display have a better contrast and require a lower supply voltage (approx. 1.5 -
5 V).
Other characters can also be displayed if the appropriate electrode layout or shape is selected. Strip-type electrodes are usually used in the multifunction
display (A1p13). Here strip-type electrodes are attached to both of the glass plates (a) and (f). The strips on glass plate (a) are arranged vertically to the
strips on glass plate (f). This arrangement allows individual dots (pixels) to be actuated. If different dots are actuated repeatedly in sequence at a
sufficiently high speed , it is possible to produce almost any "image".
