This innovative solution eliminates the birefringence effect caused by plastic material, enhancing the safety, efficiency, and design performance offered by glass.
This optical effect can cause chromatic variations and image distortions for drivers wearing polarized sunglasses.
“This development allows us to set the highest standards for safety and comfort,” says Laura del Hoyo, Head of the R&D department.
Bilbao, October 16, 2024 – Walter Pack will take advantage of its presence at the IZB Fair in Wolfsburg to unveil one of its latest innovations for the automotive sector: a development that completely eliminates the so-called “rainbow effect” experienced during driving on plastic information and control displays (infotainment). This new advancement, developed by the company’s R&D department, significantly enhances the safety, efficiency, and design conditions of vehicle displays, positioning Walter Pack at the forefront of high-value plastic solutions in the automotive industry.
The platform for this new solution’s presentation will be the IZB Fair in Wolfsburg, Germany, Europe’s leading automotive supplier exhibition, held from October 22 to 24, where Walter Pack will participate alongside its strategic partner, Antolin.
Chromatic variations
The solution designed by Walter Pack effectively eliminates the consequences of birefringence caused by plastic material and the “black-out effect”, which occurs when the driver experiences a sudden darkening of the display while wearing polarized sunglasses and turning their head 90 degrees to view the vehicle’s screens. Birefringence is an optical effect that occurs when light interacts with plastic surfaces, splitting the beam into multiple rays traveling at different speeds through the material. For drivers wearing polarized sunglasses, which are specifically designed to reduce glare and visual fatigue during driving, this can result in visual disturbances, such as chromatic variations or image distortions.
Material research
To achieve an enhanced and safer user experience, Walter Pack’s R&D team conducted comprehensive research on this complex phenomenon and identified the most suitable materials to mitigate these effects. They then determined the methodology required to integrate these materials into the displays and proceeded with extensive testing and validation, culminating in the design of physical demonstrators.
Functional demonstrators
In collaboration with its strategic partner, Antolin, Walter Pack first conducted an in-depth analysis of the physical phenomenon to identify user challenges, followed by a thorough technological scouting for potential solutions. Finally, they carried out the necessary tests to validate the selected solutions. These tests proved successful in correcting and eliminating the effect, adding value to Walter Pack’s existing solutions for plastic lenses in vehicle interiors. Through a project-based research methodology, the R&D department performed several trials to achieve the complete correction of the effect and subsequently initiated the production of functional physical demonstrators, which are now ready to showcase their effectiveness. This treatment is featured in the Sunrise cockpit concept, an innovative design incorporating plastic displays with complex geometries, optimized to eliminate the “rainbow effect” and enhance visibility and safety.
“Top Level of Safety”
As Laura del Hoyo, Head of Walter Pack’s R&D Department, explains, “This new development helps us set the highest standards for safety and comfort during driving, allowing users to wear polarized sunglasses while clearly viewing all the information displayed on the screen.”
More Benefits Than Glass
This development provides Walter Pack with a competitive edge in designing information and control displays, improving visibility, and thus safety, while also increasing efficiency by reducing the weight of consoles compared to using glass. It also expands the design possibilities beyond what glass can offer.
Eliminating the rainbow effect marks another step forward in offering high-value plastic solutions for the automotive sector. This development not only improves the birefringence levels of Walter Pack’s WS Lens, already validated by several automotive manufacturers, but also strengthens the company’s commitment to maintaining the highest levels of quality by optimizing existing market solutions.
About Walter Pack
Walter Pack is a leader in the design and development of high-value decorative plastic components. Through the efforts of its Color & Trim and R&D departments, the company has become an international reference in advanced IMD, IML, and especially IMF technologies, which form the core of its business. Walter Pack’s participation in the NER Group further underscores the company’s commitment to talent, teamwork, and social development.
