Front-Lit Display Vertical Light Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Front-lit displays face challenges in maintaining light uniformity, efficiency, and contrast ratio due to the arrangement of light emitting elements, which enlarges etendue and complicates ray path control, and the use of diffusers disrupts polarization and reduces light efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A front-lit display design featuring light emitting elements arranged vertically, with a coupling lens having vertical columnar structures to improve light uniformity and efficiency, and polarizers to maintain polarization, reducing etendue and simplifying ray path control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light emitting elements of different colors are arranged horizontally or in delta arrangement, then color uniformity is improved, but etendue is enlarged and ray path control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal arrangement (first direction) to vertical arrangement (second direction) of light emitting elements. This dimensional change allows the elements to be positioned along the vertical axis while maintaining compact horizontal footprint, thereby reducing etendue in the horizontal direction and simplifying ray path control while preserving color uniformity through the vertical stacking configuration
2Illumination intensity
If a diffuser is provided to improve light uniformity, then light distribution is improved, but polarization is disrupted and light efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the diffuser component from the optical path. Instead of using a diffuser to achieve light uniformity, the invention relies on the vertical arrangement of light emitting elements and the inherent optical properties of the display stack to provide uniform illumination, thereby eliminating the polarization disruption and light efficiency loss caused by the diffuser
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the arrangement parameter of light emitting elements from horizontal to vertical orientation. This parameter change fundamentally alters the light distribution characteristics, achieving uniformity through geometric arrangement rather than scattering, thus maintaining polarization and light efficiency while still providing uniform illumination
3Illumination intensity
If a diffuser is provided to improve light uniformity, then light distribution is improved, but contrast ratio is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the diffuser component that degrades contrast ratio. By eliminating the diffuser, the sharpness of light boundaries is preserved, maintaining high contrast ratio while achieving uniformity through the vertical arrangement of light emitting elements and optimized optical path design
4Ease of manufacture
If light emitting elements are arranged horizontally, then ease of manufacture is improved, but etendue is enlarged and ray path control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges light emitting elements vertically (second direction) instead of horizontally (first direction). This vertical stacking approach maintains manufacturing simplicity through standardized mounting processes while dramatically reducing horizontal etendue and simplifying ray path control, as the compact vertical arrangement allows for more direct and predictable light paths to the display panel
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 achieves improved light uniformity, efficiency, and contrast ratio without increasing etendue or complicating ray path control, while maintaining polarization, resulting in a more effective front-lit display.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling lens includes a plurality of vertical columnar structures arranged along the first direction and respectively extending along the second direction
Implementation Method 2
The light guide plate has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, and a plurality of light guiding microstructures located between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the light beams from the first polarizer enter the light guide plate through the side surface
Implementation Method 3
The first polarizer is disposed on transmission paths of the light beams from the coupling lens
Implementation Method 4
The second polarizer is disposed on the first surface of the light guide plate
Data Source
AI summary
A front-lit display includes a light source, a coupling lens, a first and a second polarizers, a light guide plate, and a reflective display panel. The light guide plate has a first surface, a second surface, a side surface connecting the first and second surfaces, and light guiding microstructures located between the first and second surfaces. The first polarizer, the coupling lens, and the light source are sequentially disposed at a side of the side surface. Light emitting elements of the light source that emit light beams of different colors are arranged along a first direction instead of a second direction. The first direction is parallel to the side surface and the first surface, and the second direction is parallel to the side surface and perpendicular to the first surface. The coupling lens includes vertical columnar structures arranged along the first direction and respectively extending along the second direction.