Optical Film with Curved Surfaces for TIR Reflection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical films are ineffective in reducing reflectivity in display devices, leading to privacy concerns and increased manufacturing complexity due to the need for multiple films to achieve both wide viewing angles and low reflectivity.
Innovation Solution
An optical film with arced surfaces and a filling part having different refractive indices is used to implement total internal reflection (TIR) and adjust light reflection angles, incorporating a prismatic optical structure to satisfy both wide viewing angles and low reflectivity requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional optical film is used, then manufacturing process is simple, but reflectivity reduction effect is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The optical film is divided into multiple independent optical structures (prismatic shapes) arranged in an array. Each structure contains air holes with specific geometric configurations, creating segmented optical pathways that collectively achieve both wide viewing angles and low reflectivity through distributed total internal reflection events.
Solution Approach 2:
The air holes within each optical structure are designed with curved or rounded geometries rather than sharp angular shapes. This curvature optimization enhances the total internal reflection effect at the air-hole interfaces, improving light control and reducing reflectivity while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through curved mold designs.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple optical films are used to achieve wide viewing angles and low reflectivity, then optical performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical functions (wide viewing angle enhancement and reflectivity reduction) into a single integrated optical film structure. The prismatic optical structures with air holes simultaneously perform both functions through unified geometric design, eliminating the need for separate films and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical film structure is designed to perform multiple functions concurrently: the prismatic shapes provide viewing angle expansion while the air holes within the same structures provide reflectivity reduction through total internal reflection. This multi-functional design allows one film to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized films.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If optical structures with high refractive index difference are used to enhance TIR effect, then reflectivity reduction is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the inherent high refractive index difference between the polymer matrix (refractive index ~1.5) and air holes (refractive index ~1.0) to maximize the total internal reflection effect. By designing the air hole geometry parameters (size, shape, distribution) rather than changing material composition, the solution achieves strong TIR effect while avoiding complex refractive index control during manufacturing.
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 optical film achieves low reflectivity and wide viewing angles with a simplified manufacturing process, reducing the need for multiple films and lowering production costs.
Implementation Method 1
adjust values of refractive indexes of the filling part and the optical structure to adjust a critical angle of refraction between the optical structure and the filling part, thereby implementing the total internal reflection (TIR) of the optical structure
Implementation Method 2
arced surfaces capable of reflecting at least a portion of environment light are provided in the optical structures, so that the curvatures of the arced surfaces can be adjusted to implement the adjustment of the angle of reflection to the environment light
Implementation Method 3
adjust values of refractive indexes of the filling part and the optical structure to adjust a critical angle of refraction between the optical structure and the filling part
Data Source
AI summary
An optical film and a display device are provided. The optical film includes: multiple optical structures, wherein one side of each optical structure away from a display surface is provided with multiple arced surfaces for reflecting at least a portion of environment light, and each optical structure has a first refractive index; and a filling part being filled between the optical structures and having a second refractive index greater than the first refractive index. Adjusting curvatures of the arced surfaces can implement the adjustment of the angle of reflection to the environment light.