Color Tunable Optical Device Using Liquid Crystal and Phase Retarder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current color tunable optical devices, such as electrochromic sunglasses and polarization filters, are limited in their ability to adjust color temperature and have fixed color systems, with mechanical mechanisms that restrict their application range.
Innovation Solution
A color tunable optical device using a liquid crystal layer and a phase retarder to convert linearly polarized light into elliptically polarized light with varying wavelengths, eccentricities, and tilt angles, which is then screened by polarizers to achieve color tuning effects, allowing for electrical control of color changes without geometric constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electrochromic sunglasses use a fixed arrangement of first and second linear polarizers, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the color temperature cannot be adjusted during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid crystal layer between the first polarizer and phase retarder that can dynamically change its molecular alignment direction by applying voltage. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the optical system to transform from a fixed color system to a tunable one, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity by adding only a controllable element rather than a completely new mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the alignment direction parameter of the liquid crystal molecules to control the rotation angle of polarized light. By varying this parameter through voltage control, the system achieves different color temperatures without mechanical movement, thus improving adaptability while maintaining relatively simple device structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If the liquid crystal layer rotates linearly polarized light by electrically controlling liquid crystals, then the fixed polarizer arrangement is overcome, but the color temperature change is insignificant and the birefringence effect decreases as electric field intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a phase retarder as an intermediary element between the liquid crystal layer and the second polarizer. This phase retarder works in conjunction with the liquid crystal layer to enhance the color tuning effect. The phase retarder compensates for the decreasing birefringence effect at high voltages, maintaining reliable color tuning effectiveness across the full voltage range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite optical system combining liquid crystal material with phase retarder material. This composite structure leverages the electro-optic properties of liquid crystals and the phase modulation capabilities of the phase retarder to achieve significant and reliable color temperature changes that neither component could achieve alone
3Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical rotation of polarization filters is used to achieve color tuning, then color temperature adjustment is possible, but the mechanism is necessarily circular and limits application to cameras only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation system with an electrical control system using liquid crystals. Instead of physically rotating filters, voltage control adjusts the liquid crystal alignment to achieve the same color tuning effect. This substitution eliminates circular mechanical structures, enabling application in various formats including flat lenses for sunglasses, windows, and displays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamically controllable liquid crystal alignment to replace static mechanical rotation. The liquid crystal layer can be electrically adjusted in real-time without mechanical movement, making the system adaptable to various applications beyond cameras, including eyewear, architectural windows, and electronic displays
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
Enables significant and controllable color changes within a range of a driving power source, expanding the application of color tunable devices to various optical applications like glasses, billboards, and windows, while overcoming the limitations of fixed color systems and diminishing color changes with increasing voltage.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid crystal layer is applied to rotate a linear light having been polarized by the first polarizer with different angles by electrically controlling the liquid crystals
Implementation Method 2
changes an alignment direction of liquid crystal cells of the liquid crystal layer
Implementation Method 3
a phase retarder to convert a linearly polarized light into an elliptically polarized mixed light
Implementation Method 4
the elliptically polarized mixed light is further screened by polarizers so as to achieve color tuning effects
Data Source
AI summary
A color tunable optical device electrically connects to a driving power source, and includes a first polarizer, a liquid crystal layer, a phase retarder and a second polarizer. The first polarizer converts a first mixed light into a first polarized mixed light. The liquid crystal layer is located behind the first polarizer and electrically connected to the driving power source for changing an arrangement direction of liquid crystal cells of the liquid crystal layer, and receives the first polarized mixed light. The phase retarder is located behind the liquid crystal layer to generate a second polarized mixed light. The second polarizer is located behind the phase retarder, and a second mixed light is generated by changing an incident angle of the second polarized mixed light incident on the second polarize, wherein a color of the second mixed light is different from that of the first mixed light.