Angular Selective Light Control Sheet With Embedded Opaque Louvers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light control films with micro-louver structures are difficult and expensive to manufacture at an industrial scale, limiting their effectiveness in controlling light propagation based on incidence angles.
Innovation Solution
The development of angularly selective light control sheets using optically transmissive elastic materials with embedded opaque micro-louver structures, created by slitting the material with a sharp object and introducing opaque material into the slits, which can be stretched and fused to form a monolithic structure, allowing for variable transmissivity based on incidence angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods (skiving billets, molding, embossing, etching) are used to create micro-louvered light control films, then light propagation angles can be limited, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and expensive at industrial scale
Solution Approach 1:
The method segments the light control function into discrete micro-louver structures embedded within the film. Each louver acts as an independent light-blocking element, allowing precise control over light propagation angles while simplifying the overall manufacturing process through a systematic multi-step approach
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the micro-louver structures during the film manufacturing process rather than adding them as a final step. The grooves are formed, opaque material is introduced, and the structure is sealed all within the manufacturing sequence, eliminating post-production complexity
2Reliability
If conventional methods are used to produce light control films with micro-louver structures, then angular light control is achieved, but manufacturing cost and difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The method utilizes parameter changes by controlling the depth, width, and orientation of grooves formed in the film, as well as the type and distribution of opaque material introduced. These parameter adjustments allow optimization of angular light control performance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility at industrial scales
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary opaque material (such as pigments, dyes, or metallic particles) that is deposited within the grooves to create the light-blocking function. This intermediary approach allows the base film to be manufactured separately and then functionalized, simplifying the overall manufacturing process
3Stability of the object's composition
If opaque material is introduced into slits and slits are allowed to close upon themselves, then a monolithic structure is formed, but the process requires precise control of material introduction and curing
Solution Approach 1:
The method applies self-service by allowing the slits to close upon themselves automatically after opaque material introduction. The elastic material naturally contracts to seal the slits, forming a monolithic structure without requiring external sealing mechanisms or complex precision control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions by employing heat or chemical curing processes that cause the opaque material or elastic material to undergo a phase change, locking the slit closure in place and forming a stable monolithic structure. This phase transition approach simplifies precision control by using inherent material properties
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 provides high opacity at high incidence angles while maintaining unimpeded light transmission at normal or low incidence angles, offering a cost-effective and efficient method for manufacturing light control films with improved angular selectivity.
Implementation Method 1
an optically transmissive elastic material that allows for its slitting using a sharp object such as a blade or razor
Implementation Method 2
the slits may be allowed to close upon themselves to form a monolithic structure
Implementation Method 3
the structural characteristics of the formed structure are enhanced by including an adhesive material into the opaque material or otherwise fusing the slits using heat
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making an angular selective light control sheeting is disclosed. The method includes providing a sheet of an optically transmissive elastic material, providing a slitting blade, advancing the slitting blade into the optically transmissive elastic material to a predetermined depth, moving the slitting blade relatively to the sheet along a straight or curvilinear path so as to form a channel in the elastic material, and introducing an opaque material into the channel.