Film-Based Lightguide with Folded Coupling for Thin Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional edge-lit light emitting devices with rigid lightguides are limited in design flexibility and production efficiency due to their thick frames and large volume, which restricts the reduction of thickness and overall volume, and challenges in coupling sufficient light flux into thinner lightguides.
Innovation Solution
A film-based lightguide with a light emitting region, coupling lightguides that are folded and extended, and a light mixing region, where the coupling lightguides have varying lengths and orientations, allowing for a tapered and extended coupling lightguide region that enhances light distribution and reduces thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid lightguides with thick frames are used, then structural stability is improved, but device thickness and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid lightguide structures with flexible film-based lightguides that can be bent and folded. The film lightguide maintains optical functionality while enabling thin-profile device designs, directly addressing the contradiction between structural stability and device volume reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The lightguide is divided into multiple functional regions including a light input region, light mixing region, and light emitting region. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall device compactness and flexibility.
2Volume of moving object
If lightguide thickness is reduced, then device thickness is improved, but light coupling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements different optical properties in different regions of the film lightguide. The light input region has optimized coupling structures, the light mixing region has specific refractive index characteristics, and the light emitting region has extraction features. This local optimization ensures efficient light coupling and distribution despite the thin overall profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies optical parameters such as refractive index, thickness, and geometric configuration of the film lightguide to enhance light coupling efficiency. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves effective light flux coupling into thinner lightguide structures.
3Manufacturing precision
If rigid frame structures are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but design flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static rigid frame structures to dynamic flexible film-based structures. The film lightguide can be bent, folded, and configured in various shapes while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled film formation processes and structured design.
4Reliability
If thick lightguides are used, then light flux coupling is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin film structures with engineered optical properties to achieve effective light flux coupling without requiring thick lightguide materials. The film-based approach simplifies device architecture while maintaining coupling efficiency through optimized optical design.
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 film-based lightguide design enables thinner and more flexible light emitting devices with improved light distribution and reduced volume, allowing for increased design configurations and production efficiency by effectively coupling light flux into a thinner lightguide.
Implementation Method 1
a lightguide including a light emitting region with a light extraction feature... a plurality of coupling lightguides... extended from the body of the film
Data Source
AI summary
A light emitting device comprises a lightguide formed from a film having an array of coupling lightguides in the form of strips extending from a lightguide region of the film, the coupling lightguides are folded and stacked, and a light source is positioned to emit light into edges of the stacked coupling lightguides to propagate into a light mixing region and then into a light emitting region. The light mixing region comprises a plurality of reflecting surfaces that reflect a portion of the light from the coupling lightguides toward one or more of the lateral edges of the film prior to exiting the film in the light emitting region. The plurality of reflecting surfaces may a light transmitting material printed in the form of lines on the surface of the film and may improve the uniformity of light emitted from the light emitting region.