Asymmetric Microstructure Front Light Module for Uniform Display Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional front light modules for non-self-luminous display panels, such as electrophoretic displays, suffer from issues like bright and dark lines due to uniformity of light reflection, leading to non-uniform illumination and image defects.
Innovation Solution
A front light module with a light guide plate featuring asymmetrically distributed optical micro-structures on its surface, which scatter light to suppress bright and dark lines, ensuring uniform illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If micro-structures are added to the light guide plate to improve color saturation, then color saturation is improved, but reflective light at the interface increases causing rays in dark images and optical defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring micro-structures with different shapes, sizes, or orientations in different regions of the light guide plate. This asymmetric distribution causes light to reflect and refract at varied angles, preventing concentrated reflective rays while maintaining color saturation improvement.
2Illumination intensity
If collimation dot micro-structures are used to increase light towards the display direction, then brightness is improved, but obvious bright lines or dark lines appear that change with viewer angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by varying the characteristics of micro-structures in different local regions of the light guide plate. Different regions have micro-structures optimized for their specific positions, creating locally adapted light control that collectively achieves uniform overall illumination without bright or dark lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetric configuration of micro-structures prevents uniform light concentration in specific directions. By distributing micro-structures with varying orientations and shapes, the patent scatters light more evenly across different viewing angles, eliminating the formation of obvious bright or dark lines.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform micro-structure distribution is used to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but bright lines and dark lines appear due to accumulated refraction and reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately introduces asymmetric variations in micro-structure distribution to prevent the accumulation of refraction and reflection effects. While this increases manufacturing complexity compared to uniform distribution, it can be achieved through cost-effective methods such as injection molding with asymmetric patterns or applying asymmetric micro-structure films.
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 module provides uniform illumination, eliminating bright and dark lines, resulting in a uniform display image.
Implementation Method 1
the light reflected downward by the optical micro-structure changes from uniformity to scattering
Implementation Method 2
during a light transmission process, the emitted light at a consistent angle will be accumulated through refraction and reflection of continuous collimation dot micro-structures
Implementation Method 3
The vertical reflective light caused by the micro-structures passes through a multi-layer material interface
Data Source
AI summary
A front light module configured to be disposed on a display panel to illuminate the display panel is provided. The front light module includes a light source and a light guide plate. The light guide plate has a first surface facing away from the display panel, a second surface facing the display panel, and a light incident surface facing the light source. The light incident surface connects the first surface and the second surface. The first surface has multiple sets of optical micro-structures. Each of the sets of the optical micro-structures includes multiple optical micro-structures disposed or distributed asymmetrically.