Coatable Multi-Layer Polarizer for Uniform Dichroic Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Host-guest type polarizers face challenges in achieving uniform polarization due to difficulties in mixing hosts and guests at appropriate ratios, leading to inconsistent polarization degrees across visible rays, and are costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A coatable polarizer comprising multiple polarization layers with dichroic dyes of different colors, such as red, green, blue, cyan, yellow, and magenta, are used to align dichroic dyes precisely along the host material, ensuring complete absorption of light in specific directions and maintaining high polarization efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple types of guest dyes are mixed to the host material to absorb light of particular polarization components, then the polarization function is achieved, but the polarization degree is not uniformly maintained across visible rays due to insufficient mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single polarization layer into multiple polarization layers, with each layer containing a specific guest dye (red, green, or blue) mixed with the host material. This segmentation allows for precise control of each dye-host mixture ratio independently, ensuring uniform polarization degree across visible rays while simplifying the mixing process for each individual layer.
2Reliability
If the polarizer is manufactured through conventional PVA-based methods with orientation and dye processes, then the polarizer function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases and process time is lengthened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the orientation function and dye absorption function into a single integrated polarization layer structure. The host material provides liquid crystal orientation properties while guest dyes provide light absorption, eliminating the need for separate orientation and dyeing processes used in conventional PVA-based polarizers, thus reducing manufacturing steps and improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of host liquid crystal molecules combined with guest dichroic dyes in specific ratios. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of orientation and polarization functions within each layer, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining polarizer performance.
3Reliability
If the polarizer is manufactured through conventional methods with multiple layers, then the required polarization function is achieved, but the polarizer becomes relatively thick leading to poor heat and moisture resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning specific functions to specific layers: each polarization layer is optimized with particular guest dyes for specific wavelength ranges (red, green, or blue), allowing thin individual layers to work together efficiently. This reduces overall thickness while maintaining polarization function and improving heat and moisture resistance.
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 multi-layer polarizer achieves consistent transmittance and polarization degrees across visible rays, reducing manufacturing costs and improving heat and moisture resistance, while maintaining high polarization efficiency even at reduced thicknesses.
Implementation Method 1
R, G, and B dyes as guests are mixed to liquid crystal as hosts, and when the hosts are aligned in an alignment direction of an alignment layer therebelow, the R, G, and B dyes are also aligned to absorb light parallel to the alignment direction (absorption direction) of the dyes and allow light perpendicular thereto to be transmitted therethrough, thus polarizing light
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a coatable polarizer which incurs low manufacturing cost and has an excellent polarization degree and transmittance. A plurality of polarization layers are formed on the coatable polarizer, and each of the polarization layers include about 5 to 7 wt % of dichroic dyes, whereby a light component parallel to an alignment direction of a dichroic dye, among light having a wavelength corresponding to a color, is absorbed to have polarization characteristics.