Dimming Panel With Segmented Electrodes To Stop Light Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dimming panels face challenges in enhancing display effects in both bright and dark states, leading to suboptimal overall impression due to light leakage and electrode strip visibility.

Innovation Solution

A dimming panel design featuring a first and second substrate with a liquid crystal layer, where the first electrode is composed of strip-shaped transparent conductive material and the second electrode is planar, with a complementary relationship ensuring seamless coverage and reduced electric signal interference, along with a driving circuit for controlled voltage application to align liquid crystal molecules and chromatic dye molecules for optimal transparency and opacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If strip-shaped transparent conductive material is used for the first electrode, then the electrode can be formed with good transparency, but light leakage and electrode strip visibility occur reducing display effect

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetransparencyVSAvoidlight leakage and electrode strip visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The first electrode is divided into multiple strip-shaped transparent conductive material segments arranged in parallel, with gaps between adjacent strips. This segmentation allows the electrode to maintain transparency while the gap structure prevents light leakage and eliminates visible electrode strips in the transparent state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A second electrode with complementary strip-shaped structure is introduced as an intermediary element. The second electrode is positioned on the opposite side of the liquid crystal layer, with its strip pattern complementary to the first electrode. This intermediary structure works together with the first electrode to eliminate light leakage and electrode visibility through the complementary gap alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If complementary strip-shaped electrode structures are used, then light leakage is eliminated, but electrode structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight leakageVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Both electrodes are segmented into multiple strip-shaped conductive regions with complementary patterns. The first electrode has strips at specific positions while the second electrode has strips in complementary positions, creating a coordinated segmented structure that eliminates light leakage through the gap alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode structures employ asymmetric complementary patterns where the strip positions and dimensions of the first and second electrodes are different but coordinated. This asymmetric design allows the gaps between adjacent strips of opposite electrodes to align perfectly, eliminating light leakage while managing structural complexity through purposeful asymmetry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of manufacture

If planar second electrode is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but electric signal interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode fabricationVSAvoidelectric signal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The second electrode is segmented into multiple strip-shaped conductive regions with gaps between adjacent strips, complementary to the first electrode structure. This segmentation reduces electric signal interference by localizing the electric field between corresponding strips of opposite electrodes, while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard strip fabrication processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 brightness and improved display effect by eliminating light leakage and electrode strip visibility, enhancing the overall impression of the dimming panel, particularly when used as dimming glass.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second substrates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid crystal orientation: Liquid Crystals

Implementation Method 2

with a driving circuit configured to apply a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field effect: Electric Field

Implementation Method 3

enhancing the overall impression of the dimming panel, particularly when used as dimming glass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4095594B1Dimming panel and manufacturing method therefor
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP4095594B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4095594B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4095594B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A dimming panel and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The dimming panel includes: a first base substrate and a second base substrate opposite to the first substrate; a first electrode on the first base substrate; a second electrode on the second base substrate; and a liquid crystal layer between the first base substrate and the second base substrate, wherein the first electrode includes a plurality of first electrode strips arranged at intervals in a first direction and a plurality of second electrode strips arranged at intervals in the first direction, the plurality of first electrode strips are located in a first electrode layer, the plurality of second electrode strips are located in a second electrode layer that is located on a side of the first electrode layer away from the first base substrate, and an orthographic projection of a combination of the plurality of first electrode strips and the plurality of second electrode strips on the first base substrate is an integrated plane without gaps.