Dual-Sided Optical Film With Split Light Spreading Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dual-sided optical films lack the ability to provide selective privacy and spotlight capabilities that are electronically switchable, as they do not effectively manage light spreading characteristics to adapt to different viewing conditions.
Innovation Solution
The development of dual-sided optical films with split spreading structures, where one portion has a low light spreading characteristic and an adjacent portion has a high light spreading characteristic, combined with extended prismatic features, allowing for the selective control of light output based on which light source is energized, resulting in a wide or narrow output beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dual-sided optical film uses uniform light spreading structures on both surfaces, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the system cannot provide selective privacy or spotlight capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The optical film is divided into distinct functional zones: a first region with first optical structures for wide light spreading and a second region with second optical structures for narrow light spreading. This segmentation allows different portions of the film to perform different optical functions, enabling selective privacy capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optical film are assigned different optical properties - the first region has structures optimized for wide light distribution while the second region has structures optimized for narrow light distribution. This local differentiation of optical characteristics enables the film to provide both privacy protection and spotlight functionality in a single component.
2Illumination intensity
If the optical film uses only high light spreading structures, then light distribution is maximized, but spotlight capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The film is segmented into a first region with high light spreading structures that maximize light distribution, and a second region with structures that maintain spotlight capability. This allows the system to provide both wide illumination and focused spotlight functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical film enables dynamic control of light distribution characteristics by selectively activating different regions or adjusting the contribution of each region, allowing transition between wide light distribution mode and spotlight mode based on operational requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the optical film uses only low light spreading structures, then spotlight capability is maintained, but adaptability to different viewing conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optical film is divided into regions with different light spreading characteristics, allowing it to adapt to different viewing conditions by utilizing the appropriate region. The first region provides wide light spreading for general viewing, while the second region maintains spotlight capability for focused viewing scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical film is designed to perform multiple functions within a single component: it can provide wide light distribution for general illumination, narrow light distribution for spotlight effects, and adapt to various viewing conditions. This multi-functionality is achieved through the combination of different optical structures in different regions.
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 a display system with switchable privacy/sharing functionality and a luminaire system with selective spotlight capability, allowing for adaptable light distribution based on the energized light sources, enhancing viewing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Light that enters a given prismatic feature from one inclined surface thereof can be associated primarily with light transmitted through the low light spreading portion of its associated split spreading structure
Implementation Method 2
The high light spreading characteristic may be associated with a surface that is roughened and/or curved (e.g. a lenslet or portion thereof), and the low light spreading characteristic may be associated with a surface that is smooth
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~2A
Figure 3
AI summary
Dual-sided optical films have extended split spreading structures formed on one major surface, and extended prisms formed on an opposite major surface. One portion of each split spreading structure has a low light spreading characteristic, and another portion has a high light spreading characteristic. For each split spreading structure, the low light spreading portion may be disposed alongside the high light spreading portion. The split spreading structures may be arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the prisms. Light that enters a given prism from one inclined surface thereof can be associated primarily with light transmitted through the low light spreading portion of the split spreading structure, and light that enters the given prism from the other inclined surface thereof can be associated primarily with light transmitted through the high light spreading portion.