Display Device with Aligned Polarizers for Liquid Crystal Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display devices with liquid crystal lenses suffer from reduced optical efficiency and increased manufacturing costs due to the use of polarizers with different optical axes, leading to light loss and decreased diffraction efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A display device design featuring a liquid crystal lens with lower and upper electrodes and a liquid crystal layer aligned between them, where the polarizers have the same optical axis, reducing light loss and maintaining high diffraction efficiency by optimizing the alignment angles between the electrodes and polarizers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If polarizers with different optical axes are used in conventional display devices, then the liquid crystal lens can be configured to provide multi-viewpoint images, but optical efficiency is reduced and manufacturing costs increase due to light loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical axis parameter of the polarizers from being different (conventional) to being the same (invention). Specifically, both the first and second polarizers are configured with optical axes parallel to the first directional axis, which minimizes light loss while maintaining the liquid crystal lens's ability to provide multi-viewpoint images through voltage-controlled refraction index changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different alignment configurations to different regions of the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal molecules are aligned between a lower alignment axis and an upper alignment axis, where the lower alignment axis is defined between the first directional axis and the third directional axis, while the upper alignment axis is substantially parallel to the first directional axis. This local differentiation optimizes both optical efficiency and multi-viewpoint functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If polarizers with different optical axes are used in conventional display devices, then the liquid crystal lens can be configured to provide multi-viewpoint images, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the manufacturing process by setting both polarizers to have the same optical axis orientation (parallel to the first directional axis), eliminating the need for precise angular alignment of different polarizers. This parameter standardization reduces manufacturing complexity and costs while preserving the multi-viewpoint image capability through the liquid crystal lens's voltage-controlled optical properties.
3Reliability
If the lower alignment axis is defined between the first directional axis and the third directional axis, then diffraction efficiency is maintained, but the alignment configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a differentiated alignment configuration where the lower alignment axis is positioned between the first directional axis and the third directional axis (at an angle of 5-15 degrees), while the upper alignment axis is substantially parallel to the first directional axis. This local differentiation across the liquid crystal layer maintains high diffraction efficiency by optimizing light interaction at each interface, while the overall structure remains manageable through clear geometric definitions.
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 brightness and visibility by minimizing light loss and maintaining high diffraction efficiency, while reducing manufacturing costs by using polarizers with the same optical axis.
Implementation Method 1
When an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer, an arrangement of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer is controlled by the electric field. The liquid crystal layer has a function of a lenticular lens or a Fresnel zone plate lens in accordance with a variation in arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer.
Implementation Method 2
a first polarizer disposed on the display panel and having a first optical axis substantially parallel to the first directional axis... a second polarizer disposed on the liquid crystal lens and having a second optical axis substantially parallel to the first directional axis
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a display panel including a display surface defined by first and second directional axes perpendicular to each other, a first polarizer disposed on the display panel and having a first optical axis parallel to the first directional axis, a liquid crystal lens including lower electrodes disposed on the first polarizer and extending in a third directional axis crossing the first directional axis, an upper electrode spaced apart from the lower electrodes, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the lower electrodes and the upper electrode and aligned between a lower alignment axis and an upper alignment axis, and a second polarizer disposed on the liquid crystal lens and having a second optical axis parallel to the first directional axis, where the lower alignment axis is defined between the first directional axis and the third directional axis on the display surface.