Electrochromic Aperture Crystallite Dispersion for Phase Distortion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional imaging systems in portable electronic devices often have fixed or suboptimal apertures, leading to undesirable imaging effects like phase distortion, high absorption, and clouding due to the manufacturing methods of electrochromic apertures.

Innovation Solution

A switchable aperture system utilizing an electrochromic material with a counter electrode made of transition metal oxide crystallites dispersed in a lithiated metal oxide, where the aperture can transition between transparent and opaque states by applying voltage, minimizing phase distortion and improving transparency through uniform path length and index of refraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional manufacturing methods are used for electrochromic apertures, then the aperture can be made variable, but phase distortion, high absorption, and clouding occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariable apertureVSAvoidphase distortion, high absorption, and clouding

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the electrochromic material, specifically using a dispersion of crystallites of a transition metal oxide (5-15 nm diameter) within a field of a lithiated second transition metal oxide. This parameter change in crystallite size and material composition reduces phase distortion and absorption while maintaining variable aperture functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite material structure consisting of transition metal oxide crystallites dispersed in a lithiated second transition metal oxide matrix. This composite approach combines the electrochromic properties of transition metal oxides with the structural stability of the lithiated oxide field, achieving both variable aperture capability and reduced optical defects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If the aperture is made thinner to improve transparency, then bleach-state transparency increases, but the aperture becomes more fragile

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebleach-state transparencyVSAvoidfragility

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thickness parameter of the electrochromic layer to optimize transparency while using the composite crystallite structure to maintain mechanical strength. The dispersed crystallite configuration provides structural integrity even at reduced thicknesses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The composite structure of transition metal oxide crystallites within a lithiated second transition metal oxide field provides enhanced mechanical strength that allows the aperture to be made thinner without increasing fragility. The matrix material supports the crystallites and maintains structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Volume of moving object

If a fixed aperture is used in portable devices, then device profile is minimized, but imaging performance is suboptimal for all scenes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice profileVSAvoidimaging performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic aperture system using electrochromic material that can change its optical properties in response to electrical signals. This allows the aperture to adapt its opening size dynamically to optimize imaging performance for different scenes while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for portable devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution provides a thinner, more transparent, and less fragile aperture with improved bleach-state transparency and reduced crystallite size, enhancing image quality by minimizing imaging artifacts such as phase distortion and increasing the aperture's effectiveness as a protective layer.

Implementation Method 1

The switchable aperture can leverage an electrochromic property of an electrochromic material disposed onto a transparent substrate such as glass to define a bleached (transparent) state and a colored (opaque) state of that substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Implementation Method 2

The counter electrode of embodiments described herein is defined by a dispersion of crystallites of a transition metal oxide (e.g., nickel oxide) suspended within a field of a lithiated second transition metal oxide, such as a lithiated tungsten oxide or a lithiated tantalum oxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCharge carrier movement: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20230070931A1Systems and Methods for Manufacturing a Controllable Aperture for a Portable Electronic Device Imaging System

Publication Date: 2023.03.09 APPLE INC

AI summary

An imaging system for a portable electronic device includes a variable aperture between a lens group and an image sensor. The variable aperture is defined by an electrochromic stack that defines a switching region and a central non-switching region. The electrochromic stack is defined by a layer of electrochromic material in which an electrochromic crystallite dispersion (e.g., nickel oxide) is suspended in a field of a lithiated ion conductor layer (e.g., lithiated tungsten nickel oxide).