Circular-Based Light Guide Texture for Uniform Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current display technologies face challenges in energy efficiency and user experience due to high demands for multimedia use, particularly in mobile devices, where backlight or frontlight designs in LCDs struggle to provide uniform illumination without generating excessive stray or back-scattered light.

Innovation Solution

A textured light guide with recessed regions having a circular-based profile is used to redirect light rays from a small-area light source to a larger display area, minimizing stray light and allowing for efficient backlighting or frontlighting with reduced back-scattered light, while maintaining hermetic sealing and operational effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a small-area light source is used for backlighting or frontlighting, then energy efficiency is improved, but uniform illumination across the display area deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiduniform illumination

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide is segmented into multiple sections along its length, with each section containing a distinct texture pattern. This segmentation allows different regions to optimize light extraction for their specific positions, achieving uniform illumination across the entire display area while maintaining energy efficiency from the compact light source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different texture patterns are applied to different regions of the light guide based on local illumination requirements. Regions closer to the light source use textures with lower extraction efficiency, while regions farther away use textures with higher extraction efficiency, creating local quality variations that achieve overall uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If conventional light guiding methods are used, then light distribution is achieved, but stray light and back-scattered light increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distributionVSAvoidstray light and back-scattered light

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The texture patterns incorporate curved surfaces with specific radii of curvature that redirect light rays at controlled angles. This curvature geometry optimizes light extraction while minimizing stray light and back-scattering by directing light forward at precise angles rather than allowing random scattering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts potentially harmful back-scattered light into useful forward-directed light by using textured surfaces that refract and reflect light at controlled angles, transforming stray light into beneficial illumination that enhances display visibility without creating glare or hotspots.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Illumination intensity

If the light guide structure is modified to improve illumination uniformity, then manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination uniformityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves illumination uniformity by varying parameters such as texture pattern geometry, size, and density across different regions of the light guide. These parameter changes are implemented through standard manufacturing techniques like injection molding or embossing, avoiding the need for complex multi-step processes or expensive specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 uniform illumination with reduced stray and back-scattered light, enhancing user experience and energy efficiency, and allows for flexible light source management, such as isolating areas sensitive to specific light sources for form-changing icons.

Implementation Method 1

redirecting elements that are optical microstructures configured to outcouple light rays travelling in the light guide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

outcouple light rays travelling in the light guide... Light rays that are not absorbed or reflected by the pixelated display panel will impinge on a second optical layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS9261639B1Collimating light guide texture

Publication Date: 2016.02.16 MODILIS HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

An optical display device comprises a light source, a pixelated display panel, and a light guide to collect light from the light source and to transport the light via total internal reflection. A first surface of the light guide includes recessed regions having a circular-based profile, such as a quarter-circle profile, to reflect the light from the light guide to the pixelated display panel. A first optical layer covering at least a portion of the first surface of the light guide fills the recessed regions included in the first surface of the light guide. A second optical layer covering at least a portion of a second surface of the light guide transmits the reflected light to the pixelated display panel.