Display Device With Light Guides for Linear Color Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices face challenges in introducing light of multiple colors in a linear pattern through the side surface of a display panel, as they often rely on point light sources with gaps that prevent uniform emission, and conventional methods like using a white linear light source or surface light source are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A display device design incorporating point light sources emitting different colors, light guides with internal reflection, and a display panel with a converter that changes light direction internally between surfaces to achieve linear pattern emission on the side surface, enabling full-color display through a field sequential method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If point light sources of different colors are arranged in a row to emit light for each color, then full-color display is enabled, but light cannot be emitted in a linear pattern because of gaps between the point light sources of the same color
Solution Approach 1:
Light guides are introduced as intermediary components between the point light sources and the display panel. These light guides capture light from the point light sources and transmit it through total internal reflection to the side surface of the display panel, effectively bridging the gap between discrete point sources and the requirement for continuous linear pattern emission.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guides extend the light transmission path from a point-source configuration to a linear configuration by utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness of the display device). The light travels through the light guides in a direction perpendicular to the display panel surface, then emerges at the side surface to create the required linear pattern.
2Shape
If a white linear light source is used to introduce light through the side surface, then linear pattern emission is achieved, but individual introduction of light for each of the three primary colors cannot be accomplished
Solution Approach 1:
The white linear light source concept is segmented into multiple discrete point light sources, each emitting a specific primary color (red, green, blue). These segmented color sources are then individually coupled to light guides, enabling both linear pattern emission and individual color control simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guides serve multiple functions: they transmit light from point sources, maintain linear pattern emission, and enable individual color control. This multi-functional component resolves the contradiction by making the same optical path capable of handling both geometric requirements and color separation requirements.
3Device complexity
If a surface light source is used to introduce light through the side surface of the display panel, then light introduction is simplified, but the method cannot achieve full-color display without a color filter
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional surface light source approach is replaced with a field sequential method using point light sources and light guides. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical color filter systems while achieving full-color display through temporal sequencing of primary color emissions.
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 full-color display by allowing light of multiple colors to be incident on the side surface in a linear pattern, resulting in visually recognizable full-color images through time-division monochrome image display.
Implementation Method 1
the light being incident on the end face and undergoing internal reflection, between the first surface and the second surface, and linear pattern emission from the first surface
Implementation Method 2
a converter that changes a traveling direction of the light, for each pixel of the image, propagating away from the side surface internally between the front surface and the back surface, to a direction toward the display surface
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes: point light sources emitting light of different colors; light guides each of which includes an end face facing a corresponding one of the point light sources, a first surface connected to the end face, and a second surface diagonally facing the end face and the first surface, the light being incident on the end face and undergoing internal reflection, between the first and second surfaces, and linear pattern emission from the first surface; and a display panel including a side surface that faces the first surface and on which the light is incident, front and back surfaces, and a converter that changes a traveling direction of the light, for each pixel of the image, propagating away from the side surface internally between the front and back surfaces, to a direction toward the display surface.