Electrochromic Aperture with Annular Recesses for Even Light Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochromic apertures suffer from uneven color-transition due to etching recesses, leading to light leakage or opacity, and lack multi-level control, which affects image quality and is unsuitable for portable consumer electronics.
Innovation Solution
The electrochromic aperture is structured with annular recesses on transparent conductive layers and independently controlled electrochromic units, ensuring seamless transitions and avoiding light leakage, with a cambered design to reduce thickness and fit achromatic lens combinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If annular recesses are etched on transparent conductive layers to achieve multi-level control, then the aperture can be divided into multiple independently controlled regions, but the electrochromic layer and ion storage layer become rough at recesses causing uneven color-transition and light leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is divided into multiple independently controllable regions through annular recesses etched on transparent conductive layers, enabling multi-level control of light transmission. Each region can be controlled separately by applying voltage to specific conductive layer sections.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the aperture are given different control characteristics through the etched recess structure. The conductive layers have localized properties that enable independent control of different aperture zones, creating local quality variations for multi-level regulation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If annular recesses are etched on transparent conductive layers, then multi-level control is achieved, but light leakage or opacity occurs in recess regions affecting image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The recess regions that could cause light leakage are converted into beneficial elements by filling them with electrochromic material. These previously harmful opaque regions now contribute to the color-transition effect, enabling multi-level control without light leakage issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical properties of the recess regions are changed by filling them with electrochromic material. The parameter transformation converts the harmful opacity into a beneficial feature that participates in the color-transition process, eliminating light leakage while maintaining multi-level control.
3Device complexity
If a fixed aperture structure is used, then the lens module has simple structure, but the light throughput is constant and cannot control depth of field or background blur
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed aperture is transformed into a dynamic structure through the electrochromic aperture. By applying voltage to the conductive layers, the aperture can dynamically adjust its light transmission properties, enabling control of depth of field and background blur while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional etching method is used to create multi-level control, then the aperture can be divided into controlled regions, but the aperture thickness becomes relatively large limiting application in portable devices
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture structure utilizes thin-film electrochromic layers and conductive layers to achieve multi-level control. This thin-film approach replaces traditional thick etched structures, significantly reducing aperture thickness and enabling application in portable consumer electronics while maintaining multi-level control capability.
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
Achieves multi-level control with even color-transition, reduces light leakage, and minimizes thickness, enhancing image quality and compatibility with portable devices.
Implementation Method 1
the electrochromic film includes a first transparent conductive layer, an ion storage layer, an ion transfer layer, an electrochromic layer and a second transparent conductive layer arranged on a transparent substrate in sequence
Implementation Method 2
the ion transfer layer is a solid electrolyte layer
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochromic aperture, which comprises a first transparent substrate (11), a first transparent conductive layer (12), an ion storage layer (13), an ion transfer layer (14), an electrochromic layer (15), a second transparent conductive layer (16), and a second transparent substrate (17). The ion transfer layer (14) is a solid electrolyte layer. Also provided is a method for manufacturing the electrochromic aperture, relating to an etching operation after coating on the ion storage layer (13) and the electrochromic layer (15) is finished. Also provided is a lens modules having the electrochromic aperture.