Dual-fed IR Emitter Pixel Coupling Circuit

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infrared display devices face challenges in maintaining good display dynamics and precision, particularly when displaying high and low temperature scenes, due to power supply variations and voltage drops affecting the accuracy of infrared emission.

Innovation Solution

The infrared display device incorporates a coupling circuit with switch elements that decouple the storage capacitor from the primary power supply during writing phases and couple it to a secondary power supply to isolate it from voltage drops, ensuring accurate voltage transmission and minimizing power supply disturbances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the storage capacitor is coupled to the primary power supply during writing phases, then the pixel can operate with a single power supply system, but voltage drops and power supply variations affect the accuracy of voltage storage and transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply system complexityVSAvoidvoltage storage accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into two separate supplies: a first power supply for the infrared emitter and a second power supply for the storage capacitor. This segmentation isolates the storage capacitor from voltage drops in the first power supply during writing phases, ensuring accurate voltage storage while maintaining operational simplicity through dedicated supply paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A coupling circuit with switch elements acts as an intermediary between the storage capacitor and the power supplies. During writing phases, the coupling circuit connects the storage capacitor to the second power supply while isolating it from the first power supply, preventing voltage drops from affecting stored voltage accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the storage capacitor is isolated from the primary power supply during writing phases, then voltage storage accuracy is improved, but the device requires additional coupling circuits and switch elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage storage accuracyVSAvoidcoupling circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into two separate supplies: a first power supply for the infrared emitter and a second power supply for the storage capacitor. This segmentation isolates the storage capacitor from voltage drops in the first power supply during writing phases, ensuring accurate voltage storage while maintaining operational simplicity through dedicated supply paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A coupling circuit with switch elements acts as an intermediary between the storage capacitor and the power supplies. During writing phases, the coupling circuit connects the storage capacitor to the second power supply while isolating it from the first power supply, preventing voltage drops from affecting stored voltage accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If high current is applied to the membrane to display hot scenes, then the infrared emission intensity increases, but power supply variations and voltage drops become more significant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrared emission intensityVSAvoidpower supply stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into two separate supplies: a first power supply for the infrared emitter and a second power supply for the storage capacitor. This segmentation isolates the storage capacitor from voltage drops in the first power supply during writing phases, ensuring accurate voltage storage while maintaining operational simplicity through dedicated supply paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If the storage capacitor is coupled to the primary power supply during display phases, then the system operates with unified power supply, but power supply variations distort the displayed voltage value

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply system simplicityVSAvoiddisplayed voltage accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into two separate supplies: a first power supply for the infrared emitter and a second power supply for the storage capacitor. This segmentation isolates the storage capacitor from voltage drops in the first power supply during writing phases, ensuring accurate voltage storage while maintaining operational simplicity through dedicated supply paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A coupling circuit with switch elements acts as an intermediary between the storage capacitor and the power supplies. During writing phases, the coupling circuit connects the storage capacitor to the second power supply while isolating it from the first power supply, preventing voltage drops from affecting stored voltage accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution enhances precision and reduces power supply disturbances, allowing for accurate infrared emission across varying temperature ranges without significant power fluctuations.

Implementation Method 1

a storage stage coupled to an input of the control stage, the storage stage comprising at least one storage capacitor which, during phases called 'writing in the storage capacitor' charges to the setpoint voltage and during phases called 'phases of displaying the value stored by the storage capacitor' delivers the setpoint voltage to the control stage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

The emitter in each pixel may be in the form of a membrane through which a higher or lower Imembrane current is passed depending on the intensity that is to be displayed. The Imembrane current heats the membrane which emits, by Joule effect, IR radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4576056A1Dual-fed ir emitter pixel

Publication Date: 2025.06.25 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES

Figure 1~3A
Figure 3B~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

IR display device for displaying a scene and comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel being provided with: - an IR emitter (105), - a storage stage (120) coupled to the control stage (110), the storage stage comprising at least one storage capacitor (Cmem, Cmem1) which, during phases known as "writing in the first storage capacitor", charges to the set voltage (Vcons) and during phases known as "display phases" delivers the set voltage (Vcons) to the control stage, the first pixel being further provided with a coupling circuit (130, 430, 730), comprising one of the switch elements (131, 132; 431, 432, 433, 434;731, 732, 733, 734, 735, 736, 737, 738) the coupling circuit (130, 430, 730) being configured to: - during the writing phases in the storage capacity: decouple the storage capacity (Cmem, Cmem1) from said first supply line (191) while coupling the storage capacity to another supply line (187), - during display phases: couple the first storage capacity (Cmem, Cmem1) to the first supply line (191) while decoupling the storage capacity (Cmem, Cmem1) from the other supply line.;