Transparent projection film structure

Abstract

A transparent projection film structure is provided. The transparent projection film structure includes a substrate layer and multiple light-guiding microstructures disposed on the substrate layer. Each light-guiding microstructure has at least one inclined surface, the angle between the inclined surface and the substrate layer is defined as a first angle, and the light-guiding microstructures are arranged along a direction defined by a first axis and a direction defined by a second axis. The transparent projection film structure also includes multiple reflective layers disposed on the light-guiding microstructures. The angle between one side of the orthographic projection of each light-guiding microstructure onto the substrate layer and the first axis is defined as a second angle, the second angle being variable and ranging from -35° to +35°.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a transparent projection film structure, and more particularly to a transparent projection film structure comprising multiple light-guiding microstructures and a reflective layer. Prior Technology

[0002] With the development of display technology, electronic devices with display screens are being used in increasingly wider and more diverse applications. Consequently, viewers' demands for the display quality of display screens are also increasing.

[0003] Transparent display technology can be broadly classified into transmissive transparent displays and projection transparent displays. Transmissive transparent displays are made to make the display panel transparent by introducing transparent materials or cutting holes, while projection transparent displays use projection to project images onto a structure that can be projected and is also transparent, thus achieving a transparent display effect.

[0004] Existing transparent displays struggle to maintain good image quality in high-brightness environments (e.g., outdoors). There is a need to develop transparent projection film structures that can adapt to high-brightness environments and meet the requirements of high transmittance and high image brightness, thereby further improving background transmittance and image quality. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides a transparent projection film structure, which includes multiple light-guiding microstructures arranged in a specific manner and / or at different angles. It can maintain good imaging quality in high-brightness environments, thereby enabling the widespread application of transparent projection technology in various scenarios, and further integrating interactive systems to achieve excellent transparent display and interactive effects.

[0006] Some embodiments disclosed herein include a transparent projection film structure. The transparent projection film structure includes a substrate layer and a plurality of light-guiding microstructures disposed on the substrate layer. Each light-guiding microstructure has at least one inclined surface, the angle between the inclined surface and the substrate layer is defined as a first angle, and the light-guiding microstructures are arranged along a direction defined by a first axis and a direction defined by a second axis. The transparent projection film structure also includes a plurality of reflective layers disposed on the light-guiding microstructures. The angle between one side of the orthographic projection of each light-guiding microstructure onto the substrate layer and the first axis is defined as a second angle, the second angle being variable and ranging from -35° to +35°. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0007] Figure 1 is a partial perspective view illustrating a transparent projection film structure according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a partial top view illustrating a transparent projection film structure according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a transparent projection film structure according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 4 is a partially enlarged (cross-sectional) view illustrating the substrate layer, light guide microstructure, and reflective layer according to some embodiments disclosed herein. Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a transparent projection film structure according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 6 is a top view illustrating some light-guiding microstructures according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a transparent projection film structure according to some other embodiments disclosed herein. Figure 8 is a partial perspective view illustrating a transparent projection film structure according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a transparent projection film structure according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 10 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a transparent projection film structure according to some other embodiments disclosed herein. Figure 11 is a partial top view illustrating a transparent projection film structure according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Implementation

[0008] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples to implement the various features of this invention. The following disclosure describes specific examples of the various components and their arrangements to simplify the explanation. Of course, these specific examples are not intended to be limiting. For example, if the disclosed embodiment describes a first feature formed on or above a second feature, it indicates that it may include embodiments where the first feature and the second feature are in direct or indirect contact.

[0009] It should be understood that additional operational steps may be performed before, during, or after the method, and in other embodiments of the method, some operational steps may be replaced or omitted.

[0010] Furthermore, spatially related terms may be used, such as "below," "under," "down," "above," "above," "above," and similar terms. These spatially related terms are used to facilitate the description of the relationship between one or more elements or features in the diagram, including different orientations of the device in use or operation, as well as the orientations described in the diagram. When the device is turned to different orientations (rotated 90 degrees or other orientations), the spatially related adjectives used will also be interpreted according to the orientation after the turn.

[0011] In the instruction manual, the terms "about," "approximately," and "substantially" usually indicate within 20%, 10%, 5%, 3%, 2%, 1%, or 0.5% of a given value or range. They mean an approximate quantity, meaning that even without a specific explanation of "about," "approximately," or "substantially," the meaning of "about," "approximately," or "substantially" can still be implied.

[0012] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains, such as terms defined in commonly used dictionaries. They shall be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the relevant art and the background or context of this disclosure, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal manner, unless specifically defined in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0013] The different embodiments disclosed below may use the same or similar reference numerals and / or markings for the purpose of simplification and clarity, and are not intended to limit the specific relationship between the different embodiments and / or structures discussed.

[0014] In the embodiments disclosed herein, the transparent projection film structure includes a substrate layer and a plurality of light-guiding microstructures disposed on the substrate layer. Each light-guiding microstructure has at least one inclined surface, the angle between the inclined surface and the substrate layer is defined as a first angle, and the light-guiding microstructures are arranged along a direction defined by a first axis and a direction defined by a second axis. The transparent projection film structure also includes a plurality of reflective layers disposed on the light-guiding microstructures. The angle between one side of the orthographic projection of each light-guiding microstructure onto the substrate layer and the first axis is defined as a second angle, the second angle being variable and ranging from -35° to +35°.

[0015] Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a transparent projection film structure 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a partial top view of the transparent projection film structure 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the transparent projection film structure 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, Figure 3 may be a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' (i.e., along the Y-axis) in Figure 2, but the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto. It should be noted that, for simplicity, some components of the transparent projection film structure 100 have been omitted in Figures 1 through 3.

[0016] Referring to Figures 1 through 3, in some embodiments, the transparent projection film structure 100 includes a substrate layer 10. For example, the transparency of the substrate layer 10 may be between about 30% and 95%, and the haze of the substrate layer 10 may be less than or equal to about 5%. In some embodiments, the substrate layer 10 may comprise glass, titanium dioxide, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PI), epoxy resin, polyester (e.g., OKP4), poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, other similar materials, or combinations thereof.

[0017] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, in some embodiments, the transparent projection film structure 100 also includes a plurality of light-guiding microstructures 20, which are disposed on the substrate layer 10. For example, the light guide microstructure 20 may comprise plexiglass (e.g., poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA), epoxy resin, silicone resin, polyurethane, polyester (e.g., OKP4), other suitable materials, or combinations thereof, but the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto. Furthermore, the light guide microstructure 20 may be formed by a photoresist reflow method, hot embossing method, photolithography, ultra-precision processing, UV imprinting, other suitable methods, or combinations thereof. For example, the steps for forming the light guide microstructure 20 may include spin coating, photolithography, etching, other suitable processes, or combinations thereof, but the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto. In addition, the refractive index of the light guide microstructure 20 is about 1.5 to 2, the transmittance of the light guide microstructure 20 is greater than or equal to about 80%, and the haze of the light guide microstructure 20 is less than or equal to about 15%.

[0018] In some embodiments, in a top view such as Figure 2, the light guide microstructures 20 are arranged along a direction defined by a first axis (e.g., the X-axis) and a direction defined by a second axis (e.g., the Y-axis). In this embodiment, the first axis (e.g., the X-axis) is perpendicular to the second axis (e.g., the Y-axis), but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some other embodiments, the first axis and the second axis may be two axes that are not parallel to each other in any plane. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the light guide microstructures 20 are arranged correspondingly to each other along the direction defined by the X-axis and the direction defined by the Y-axis. In other words, the positions of each light guide microstructure 20 may correspond to each other.

[0019] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, in some embodiments, the distance Dx between two adjacent light-guiding microstructures 20 is between about 50 micrometers (μm) and about 400 micrometers (e.g., about 50 micrometers to about 200 micrometers) in the direction defined by the first axis (e.g., the X-axis). Alternatively, in some embodiments, the distance Dy between two adjacent light-guiding microstructures 20 is between about 50 micrometers and about 400 micrometers (e.g., about 50 micrometers to about 200 micrometers) in the direction defined by the second axis (e.g., the Y-axis). In a top view, for example, shown in Figure 2, the width W of the light-guiding microstructure 20 is between about 5 micrometers and about 20 micrometers. In this embodiment, the orthographic projection of the light-guiding microstructure 20 onto the substrate layer 10 may be, for example, a rectangle, and the width W of the light-guiding microstructure 20 may be defined as the width of the long side of the rectangle, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some other embodiments, the orthographic projection of the light-guiding microstructure 20 onto the substrate layer 10 may be, for example, a trapezoidal, triangular, conical, or any other suitable shape, which may be changed according to actual needs.

[0020] Referring to Figure 3, in some embodiments, the transparent projection film structure 100 includes a plurality of reflective layers 40 disposed on the light-guiding microstructure 20. In this embodiment, the reflective layers 40 are in direct contact with the inclined surface of the light-guiding microstructure 20, but this disclosed embodiment is not limited thereto. In some other embodiments, other components (e.g., adhesive materials) may be included between the reflective layers 40 and the light-guiding microstructure 20.

[0021] In some embodiments, the reflective layer 40 may comprise a metal. For example, the metal may include gold (Au), nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), iridium (Ir), titanium (Ti), chromium (Cr), tungsten (W), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), other suitable materials, alloys of the foregoing, or combinations thereof, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the reflective layer 40 may be formed by processes including physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, evaporation, sputtering, similar processes, or combinations thereof, but the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the reflective layer 40 may comprise aluminum, silver, titanium, titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, silicon dioxide, zinc oxide, tantalum dioxide, other similar materials, or combinations thereof.

[0022] Figure 4 is a partially enlarged (cross-sectional) view illustrating the substrate layer 10, the light-guiding microstructure 20, and the reflective layer 40 according to some embodiments of this disclosure. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in some embodiments, each light-guiding microstructure 20 has a bevel 20S, and in the cross-sectional views shown, for example, in Figures 3 and 4, the angle between the bevel 20S and the substrate layer 10 is defined as a first angle θ1. In some embodiments, the first angle θ1 is variable and ranges from about -50° to about +50°.

[0023] In this embodiment, the first angle θ1 can be gradually changed. For example, As previously mentioned, Dx represents the spacing between the multiple light-guiding microstructures 20 in the X-axis direction, with a spacing range, for example, from approximately 50 micrometers to approximately 400 micrometers, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. As shown in Figure 3, when the user U and the projector PJ are on the same side, the user U can be positioned in front of the image center of the transparent projection film structure 100. With the user U's line of sight at eye level as a reference, the absolute value of the first angle θ1 gradually increases in the +Y direction (e.g., from 0 to approximately +50°), and the absolute value of the first angle θ1 gradually increases in the -Y direction (e.g., from 0 to approximately -50°), but this disclosure is not limited thereto. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in this embodiment, in the cross-sectional views shown, for example, in Figures 3 and 4, each light-guiding microstructure 20 can be, for example, a right-angled triangle, and the reflective layer 40 is disposed on the inclined surface 20S of the right-angled triangle layer, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some other embodiments, the aforementioned right angle may be replaced with an obtuse angle, or the light guide microstructure 20 may include rounded corners, and the reflective layer 40 may be disposed on the inclined surface 20S facing the user U. In other words, in some embodiments, each light guide microstructure 20 can be any geometry including at least one inclined surface (i.e., not parallel to the surface of the substrate layer 10), and this also applies to other suitable embodiments disclosed herein. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, in some embodiments, the height H of each light guide microstructure 20 is between about 5 micrometers (μm) and about 10 micrometers.

[0024] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the transparent projection film structure 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, Figure 5 may be a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' (i.e., along the X-axis) in Figure 2, but the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto. As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the first angle θ1 is gradually changing. For example, when the user U and the projector PJ are on the same side, the user U may be located in front of the image center of the transparent projection film structure 100. With reference to the user U's line of sight, the absolute value of the first angle θ1 gradually increases in the +X direction (e.g., from 0 to approximately +50°), and the absolute value of the first angle θ1 gradually increases in the -X direction (e.g., from 0 to approximately -50°), but the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto.

[0025] Figure 6 is a top view illustrating some light-guiding microstructures 20 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, Figure 6 is a top view showing the light-guiding microstructures 20 in the same column as the light-guiding microstructures 21 in Figure 2, but the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto. Referring to Figures 2 and 6, in some embodiments, the angle between one side of the orthographic projection of each light-guiding microstructure 20 (21) onto the substrate layer 10 and the X-axis is defined as a second angle θ2, which is variable and ranges from about -35° to about +35°. Alternatively, the angle between one side of the orthographic projection of each light-guiding microstructure 20 (21) onto the substrate layer 10 and the Y-axis is defined as a second angle θ2, which is variable and ranges from about -35° to about +35°.

[0026] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the second angle θ2 can be gradual. For example, As previously stated, Dy represents the spacing between the plurality of light-guiding microstructures 20 in the Y-axis direction, with a spacing range, for example, from approximately 50 micrometers to approximately 400 micrometers, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In other words, the second angle θ2 of the light-guiding microstructure 20 through which line B-B' passes is 0, and the absolute value of the second angle θ2 gradually increases in the +Y direction (e.g., from 0 to approximately +35°), and the absolute value of the second angle θ2 gradually increases in the -Y direction (e.g., from 0 to approximately -35°), but the embodiments disclosed in this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0027] Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the transparent projection film structure 100 according to some other embodiments of this disclosure. For example, Figure 7 may be a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' (i.e., along the Y-axis) in Figure 2, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. Referring to Figure 7, in this embodiment, each light-guiding microstructure 20 may be, for example, trapezoidal, and the reflective layer 40 is disposed on the top surface and two inclined surfaces of the trapezoidal structure. It should be noted that Figure 7 does not show the variation of the angle (i.e., the first angle θ1) between the inclined surfaces of the trapezoidal structure and the substrate layer, but this does not mean that these angles are fixed.

[0028] Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of the transparent projection film structure 102 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Similarly, for simplicity, some components of the transparent projection film structure 102 have been omitted in Figure 8. As shown in Figure 8, in some embodiments, the light-guiding microstructures 20 are arranged alternately along the direction defined by the X-axis and along the direction defined by the Y-axis. Similarly, in this embodiment, the distance Dx between two adjacent light-guiding microstructures 20 along the direction defined by the X-axis is between about 50 micrometers (μm) and about 200 micrometers; or, the distance Dy between two adjacent light-guiding microstructures 20 along the direction defined by the Y-axis is between about 50 micrometers and about 200 micrometers, but the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto.

[0029] Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the transparent projection film structure 104 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, Figure 9 may be a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' (i.e., along the Y-axis) in Figure 2, but the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto. Similarly, for simplicity, some components of the transparent projection film structure 104 have been omitted in Figure 9. In this embodiment, the transparent projection film structure 104 further includes a plurality of scattering particles 30, which may be disposed on the reflective layer 40. For example, the scattering particles 30 may contain the same or similar material as the light guide microstructure 20, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the light guide microstructure 20 may be surface-treated (e.g., a surface roughening process may be performed) to form a scattering surface. In other words, the scattering particles 30 may be part of the light guide microstructure 20, but the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto.

[0030] In the cross-sectional view of this embodiment, the light-guiding microstructure 20 is a right-angled triangle, and the reflective layer 40 and the scattering particles 30 are disposed on the inclined surface of the right-angled triangle. It should be noted that Figure 8 does not show the change of the angle between the inclined surface of the right-angled triangle and the substrate layer (i.e., the first angle θ1), but this does not mean that these angles are fixed.

[0031] Figure 10 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the transparent projection film structure 104 according to some other embodiments of this disclosure. In the cross-sectional view of this embodiment, the light-guiding microstructure 20 may be, for example, trapezoidal, and the reflective layer 40 and scattering particles 30 are disposed on the top surface and two inclined surfaces of the trapezoidal structure. It should be noted that Figure 10 does not show the variation of the angle (i.e., the first angle θ1) between the inclined surfaces of the trapezoidal structure and the substrate layer, but this does not mean that these angles are fixed.

[0032] Figure 11 is a partial top view illustrating a transparent projection film structure 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, Figure 1 or Figure 2 may be an enlarged view of region E in Figure 11, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As shown in Figure 11, multiple hollow regions 20C may be formed between the light-guiding microstructures 20, and the hollow regions 20C may be formed, for example, in a circular or elliptical shape. Each hollow region 20C may be selected according to its applicable pattern, size, distribution area, etc. In some embodiments, the transparent projection film structure 100 may be divided into multiple 10×10 μm anti-glare structural units 100U, and then the light-guiding microstructures 20 may be formed on the anti-glare structural units 100U, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0033] In summary, the transparent projection film structure disclosed in this embodiment includes multiple light-guiding microstructures with specific arrangement and / or different angles (i.e., first angle θ1 and / or second angle θ2), which can maintain good imaging quality in high-brightness environments. This allows transparent projection technology to be widely applied to various scenarios, thereby integrating interactive systems to achieve excellent transparent display and interactive effects.

[0034] Those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains should understand that, based on the embodiments of this disclosure, other processes or structures can be designed or modified to achieve the same purpose and / or advantages as the embodiments described herein. Such equivalent structures can be modified, replaced, and substituted in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the features, advantages, and characteristics described in this disclosure can be combined in any suitable manner. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Additionally, although this disclosure has been presented above with reference to several preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0035] 100, 102, 104: Transparent projection film structure 100U: Anti-glare structural unit 10: Substrate layer 20, 21: Light guiding microstructure 20C: Hollow area 20S: Incline 30: Scattering particles 40: Reflective layer A-A',B-B': line Dx, Dy: Distance E: Area H: Height PJ: Projector U: User W: Width X, Y, Z: Coordinate axes θ1: First angle θ2: Second angle

Claims

1. A transparent projection film structure, comprising: One substrate layer; A plurality of light-guiding microstructures are disposed on the substrate layer, wherein each of the light-guiding microstructures has at least one inclined surface, the angle between the at least one inclined surface and the substrate layer is defined as a first angle, and the light-guiding microstructures are arranged along a direction defined by a first axis and a direction defined by a second axis; and a plurality of reflective layers are disposed on the light-guiding microstructures, wherein the angle between one side of the orthographic projection of each of the light-guiding microstructures onto the substrate layer and the first axis is defined as a second angle, the second angles of the light-guiding microstructures are not exactly the same and are between -35° and +35°, wherein the second angles of the light-guiding microstructures gradually change along the second axis, the second angle is equal to, and Dy is the distance between two adjacent light-guiding microstructures in the direction defined by the second axis.

2. The transparent projection film structure as described in claim 1, wherein Dy is between 50 micrometers and 400 micrometers.

3. The transparent projection film structure as described in claim 1, wherein the first angle of the light-guiding microstructures is not exactly the same as each other and is between -50° and +50°.

4. The transparent projection film structure as described in claim 3, wherein the first angle of the light-guiding microstructures gradually changes along the first axis or the second axis.

5. The transparent projection film structure as described in claim 4, wherein the first angle is equal to, and Dx is the distance between two adjacent light-guiding microstructures in the direction defined by the first axis.

6. The transparent projection film structure as described in claim 5, wherein Dx is between 50 micrometers and 400 micrometers.

7. The transparent projection film structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light-guiding microstructures are arranged correspondingly to each other along a direction defined by the first axis and along a direction defined by the second axis.

8. The transparent projection film structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light-guiding microstructures are arranged alternately along a direction defined by the first axis and along a direction defined by the second axis.

9. The transparent projection film structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein in a cross-section, each of the light-guiding microstructures is a geometric shape comprising at least one bevel.

10. The transparent projection film structure as described in claim 9, wherein each of the reflective layers is disposed on the at least one inclined surface.

11. The transparent projection film structure as described in claim 1, wherein each of the light-guiding microstructures has a scattering surface, or the transparent projection film structure further comprises: A plurality of scattering particles are disposed on these reflective layers.

12. The transparent projection film structure as described in claim 1, wherein the height of each of the light-guiding microstructures is between 5 micrometers and 10 micrometers.

13. The transparent projection film structure as described in claim 1, wherein the width of each of the light-guiding microstructures is between 5 micrometers and 20 micrometers.

14. The transparent projection film structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the light-guiding microstructures comprises plexiglass, epoxy resin, silicone resin, polyurethane, polyester, or a combination thereof.

15. The transparent projection film structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflective layers comprise aluminum, silver, titanium, titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, silicon dioxide, zinc oxide, tantalum dioxide, or combinations thereof.

Images