Electro-Optic Lens Power Reduction via Threshold Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-optic devices require high power consumption to reorient liquid crystals, leading to reduced device life and larger power sources, which is undesirable for applications like spectacle lenses and displays.
Innovation Solution
An electro-optic device with a patterned electrode set and a conductive layer, where the conductive layer is driven near the threshold voltage, allowing the patterned electrode to be driven at a lower voltage, reducing overall power consumption by applying voltage below the threshold voltage necessary for director reorientation in liquid crystals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a voltage is applied across the liquid crystal using the conductive layer as a ground, then the liquid crystal director reorients and optical transmission changes, but the power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter by applying a voltage below the threshold voltage to the conductive layer, rather than using it as a ground. This parameter change allows the liquid crystal to reorient with lower power consumption while maintaining the desired optical transmission, thereby extending device life between battery charges
2Power
If a voltage is applied across the liquid crystal to reorient the director, then the optical transmission changes, but a higher voltage is required compared to driving the conductive layer near threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter by applying a voltage below the threshold voltage to the conductive layer, rather than using it as a ground. This parameter change allows the liquid crystal to reorient with lower power consumption, thereby extending device life between battery charges
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 design reduces power consumption in electro-optic devices, enabling the use of lower voltage power supplies and smaller batteries, extending the time between charges, particularly beneficial for applications like eyewear, while maintaining the desired optical transmission and diffraction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
substantially homogenously aligned liquid crystals have a surface anchoring energy and significant elastic constants that result in no director reorientation at RMS voltages below a threshold level (VTh). If the RMS voltage applied across the liquid crystal is higher than VTh, the director reorients and the optical transmission changes
Implementation Method 2
Electro-optic devices have been developed for use in many applications, including spectacle lenses, optical systems, liquid crystal displays and other devices
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electro-optic device having reduced power consumption. More specifically, an electro-optic device is provided comprising: a liquid crystal layer between a pair of opposing transparent substrates; a patterned electrode set positioned between the liquid crystal layer and the inward-facing surface of the first transparent substrate; a conductive layer between the liquid crystal layer and the inward-facing surface of the second transparent substrate; and means for applying voltage to the patterned electrode set and the conductive layer, wherein the voltage applied to the conductive layer is below the threshold voltage (the RMS voltage difference above which the optical transmission of the liquid crystal layer changes).