Front Light Module Micro-Grooves for Low-Power Reflective Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reflective display panels struggle with low brightness in low ambient light conditions due to the lack of an effective front light source module, necessitating additional light sources that do not cause excessive power consumption or bulkiness.
Innovation Solution
A front light source module with a side light source, a light guide layer, and a first light adjusting layer featuring micro-groove structures with specific angles and dimensions, utilizing a nano-imprint material to enhance light transmission and minimize light leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If a reflective display panel is used to achieve low power consumption and thinness, then power consumption is reduced and thickness is decreased, but brightness is insufficient in low ambient light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a reflective display panel with a front light source module into an integrated display system. The light guide layer merges the light transmission function with the reflective display structure, allowing ambient light to be utilized for reflection while front light supplements brightness in low ambient conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between low power consumption and sufficient brightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide layer serves multiple functions: it transmits front light from the light source, reflects ambient light toward the display panel, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain low power consumption while ensuring sufficient brightness across different ambient light conditions.
2Illumination intensity
If additional light sources are added to improve brightness in low ambient light, then brightness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front light source module is designed to provide light only when needed (in low ambient light conditions). The light guide layer directs light locally to the display panel area, and the exit surface is positioned to illuminate only the necessary display region, thus improving brightness while minimizing power consumption by avoiding unnecessary illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system can switch between reflective mode (using ambient light) and front light mode (using artificial light source) based on ambient light conditions. This periodic or conditional activation of the light source ensures brightness is maintained while power consumption is optimized by activating the light source only when ambient light is insufficient.
3Illumination intensity
If a front light source module is added to reflective display panel, then brightness in low ambient light is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front light source module is integrated with the reflective display panel structure by combining the light guide layer with the display panel assembly. This merging approach adds the light source functionality without creating a separate, complex subsystem, thus improving brightness while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide layer performs multiple functions including light transmission, light reflection, and structural support, which reduces the need for additional separate components. This multi-functionality approach improves brightness while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple by avoiding the addition of multiple specialized components.
4Illumination intensity
If micro-groove structures are added to light adjusting layer, then light transmission is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-groove structures have optimized parameters including a depth of 5-20 μm and an inclination angle of 30°-60°. These specific parameter ranges are chosen to achieve effective light transmission enhancement while remaining within the capabilities of standard manufacturing processes, thus balancing light transmission improvement with manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-groove structures are positioned specifically on the exit surface of the light guide layer where light extraction is most critical. This localized application of complex structures only where needed maximizes light transmission improvement while minimizing the overall manufacturing complexity and precision requirements for the entire device.
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 module effectively provides sufficient light to reflective display panels in low ambient conditions, enhancing brightness and contrast while maintaining low power consumption and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
the first inclined surface is configured to face the light incident side... an angle α between the first inclined surface and a plane where a surface of the first light adjusting layer away from the light guide layer is located is in a range from 26° to 42°
Implementation Method 2
a refractive index of the first light adjusting layer is greater than or equal to that of the light guide layer
Data Source
AI summary
A front light source module is provided to include a side light source; a light guide layer with a light incident side opposite to the side light source in a first direction; and a first light adjusting layer, the first light adjusting layer and the light guide layer are stacked in a third direction, a portion of the first light adjusting layer away from the light guide layer is provided with micro-groove structures, each including: a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface opposite to each other in the first direction, the first inclined surface is configured to face the light incident side, closer to the light incident side than the second inclined surface, angle α between the first inclined surface and a plane where surface of the first light adjusting layer away from the light guide layer is located is in a range from 26° to 42°.