Catadioptric Micro-Optic Array for Directional Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display technologies face challenges in providing directional light output distributions that are resistant to gas ingress, thermal variations, and environmental pressure changes, while maintaining high luminance and resolution, especially in applications requiring privacy and efficient power usage.
Innovation Solution
An illumination apparatus comprising an array of micro-LEDs aligned with a catadioptric optical structure, which includes catadioptric optical elements with specific refractive index materials and interfaces designed to provide a directional light output distribution, minimizing light attenuation and misalignment due to environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a micro louvered film is added to achieve narrow directional light output distribution, then privacy and night time display are improved, but light attenuation in the wanted direction significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the optical medium from gaseous (air gaps in conventional structures) to solid (solid catadioptric optical elements). This parameter change eliminates the harmful effects of gas ingress, thermal expansion, and pressure changes while maintaining the directional light control function. The solid state provides structural stability and prevents the light attenuation problems associated with gaseous fillers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining catadioptric optical elements (which utilize both reflection and refraction) with solid transparent materials of specific refractive indices. This composite structure achieves narrow directional light output distribution through the integrated optical properties of the composite materials, eliminating the need for micro louvered films that cause significant light attenuation.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional backlight structures with gaseous fillers are used, then manufacturing is easier, but resistance to gas ingress, thermal variations, and pressure changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the optical medium from gaseous to solid. This parameter change fundamentally improves environmental stability by eliminating gas ingress, thermal expansion, and pressure sensitivity issues while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through direct bonding techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the gaseous filler material from the optical structure and replaces it with solid transparent materials. This extraction eliminates the harmful effects of gas ingress and environmental sensitivity while maintaining the optical functionality through the solid material's optical properties.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fixed layers such as prismatic films and diffusers are added to alter directional light output distribution, then viewing angle control is improved, but the backlight assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate optical elements (prismatic films, diffusers, and directional control structures) into a single integrated solid catadioptric optical element. This merging reduces assembly complexity while maintaining viewing angle control through the integrated catadioptric design that combines reflection and refraction in one element.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid catadioptric optical element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides directional light control, maintains structural stability, eliminates gas ingress issues, and controls viewing angles. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying the overall backlight assembly.
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 achieves a directional illumination system that enhances privacy, reduces power consumption, and increases LED lifetime by minimizing light attenuation and misalignment, while maintaining high luminance and resolution across varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
catadioptric optical structure aligned with the LEDs of the plurality of LEDs to provide a directional light output distribution
Implementation Method 2
catadioptric optical structure aligned with the LEDs of the plurality of LEDs to provide a directional light output distribution
Implementation Method 3
a first transparent non-gaseous material with a first refractive index arranged between the first and second cross-sectional outer interfaces and the at least one transparent inner interface
Implementation Method 4
catadioptric optical structure aligned with the LEDs of the plurality of LEDs to provide a directional light output distribution
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~1D
AI summary
A directional illumination apparatus comprises an array of micro-LEDs that may be organic LEDs (OLEDs) or inorganic LEDs and an aligned solid catadioptric micro-optic array arranged to provide a water vapour and oxygen barrier for the micro-LEDs as well as reduced sensitivity to thermal and pressure variations. The shape of the interfaces of the solid catadioptric micro-optic array is arranged to provide total internal reflection for light from the aligned micro-LEDs using known transparent materials. A thin and efficient illumination apparatus may be used for collimated illumination in environmental lighting, display backlighting or direct display.