Concentric Ring Electrode Liquid Crystal Cell for Variable Focal Length
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid crystal spectacles face issues with large thickness, complex driving methods, poor focusing effects, low transmittance, and limited effective working area due to the limitations of existing liquid crystal cells and Fresnel lenses.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal cell design featuring a ring-like electrode layer with concentric first and second ring-like electrode regions, where the second region has a smaller order and fewer electrodes, allowing for increased size and reduced focal length while maintaining transmittance, suitable for fabricating liquid crystal spectacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional liquid crystal lens is used, then the spectacles can be made, but the thickness is large and the effective working area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid crystal cell is divided into multiple Fresnel zone plate regions with different orders (first, second, third regions with orders 6, 4, and 2 respectively). Each region is driven by independent electrode structures, allowing segmented control of optical paths. This segmentation enables the cell to achieve lens effects with reduced thickness while maintaining a large effective working area through the combined action of multiple zones.
2Measurement precision
If a Fresnel lens with multiple zones is used, then the focusing effect is improved, but the driving method becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple Fresnel zone plate regions with different orders are merged into a single liquid crystal cell structure. The electrode layers are designed with concentric ring patterns that can be driven by voltage signals applied to the entire cell or specific electrode regions. This merging approach maintains complex focusing capabilities while simplifying the driving method compared to controlling multiple separate lenses.
3Illumination intensity
If the liquid crystal cell size is increased, then the transmittance is improved, but the focal length increases which limits usability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses Fresnel zone plate regions with different orders (6, 4, and 2) to create multiple focal points at different distances. By changing the voltage applied to the liquid crystal cell, the optical paths in different Fresnel regions are modulated to achieve variable focal lengths. This parameter change approach allows the cell to maintain large size for high transmittance while providing adjustable focal lengths for different viewing distances.
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 design enhances the size and reduces the focal length of the liquid crystal cell, improving transmittance and focusing effects, making it suitable for a wider range of users without increasing manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the first ring-like electrode region is configured to drive corresponding liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer, so as to form a first Fresnel zone plate region of the liquid crystal cell
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal cell, a method of driving a liquid crystal cell, and a liquid-crystal-based spectacle lens are provided. The liquid crystal cell includes: a ring-like electrode layer, a liquid crystal layer, and an opposite electrode layer. The second ring-like electrode region is concentric with the first ring-like electrode region and surrounds the first ring-like electrode region; the first ring-like electrode region is configured to drive corresponding liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer, so as to form a first Fresnel zone plate region in the liquid crystal cell; the second ring-like electrode region is configured to drive corresponding liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer, so as to form a second Fresnel zone plate region of the liquid crystal cell; an order of the second Fresnel zone plate region is smaller than an order of the first Fresnel zone plate region.