Glass Light Guide Plate Microstructures for Electrophoresis Contrast

Solution Overview

Problem

Typical electrophoresis display devices suffer from degraded optical contrast and increased thickness due to numerous interfaces between layers, which hinder the improvement of optical performance and design thinness.

Innovation Solution

A front light display device featuring a glass light guide plate with microstructures and a single layer of optical clear adhesive, eliminating the need for a transparent substrate, protection sheet, and additional adhesives, thereby reducing interfaces and enhancing optical contrast while serving as both a light guide and packaging element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple layers and interfaces are used in typical electrophoresis display devices, then waterproofing and structural integrity are achieved, but optical contrast is degraded and device thickness is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovewaterproofingVSAvoidoptical contrast

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the light guide plate and packaging substrate into a single integrated glass light guide plate that simultaneously provides light guidance, waterproofing, and structural support functions. This eliminates the need for separate transparent substrate, protection sheet, and multiple optical clear adhesive layers, thereby reducing the number of interfaces from 5 to 1, minimizing light reflections, and improving optical contrast while maintaining waterproofing integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The glass light guide plate serves multiple functions: it guides light from the light source, provides waterproofing encapsulation for the display module, offers structural support, and acts as a packaging element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall device complexity and interface数量

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple layers and components are stacked in typical electrophoresis display devices, then waterproofing and structural integrity are achieved, but device thickness is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovewaterproofingVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the light guide plate and packaging substrate into a single integrated glass light guide plate that simultaneously provides light guidance, waterproofing, and structural support functions. This eliminates the need for separate transparent substrate, protection sheet, and multiple optical clear adhesive layers, thereby reducing the number of interfaces from 5 to 1, minimizing light reflections, and improving optical contrast while maintaining waterproofing integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The glass light guide plate serves multiple functions: it guides light from the light source, provides waterproofing encapsulation for the display module, offers structural support, and acts as a packaging element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall device complexity and interface数量

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 improves optical contrast and facilitates a thinner design by minimizing interfaces and components, resulting in enhanced light transmission and display quality with a waterproof glass light guide plate.

Implementation Method 1

After light emitted by a light source enters the light guide plate, the light would sequentially pass through the optical clear adhesive, the protection sheet, another optical clear adhesive, the transparent substrate, and the electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

Because the refraction indexes of the aforesaid layers are not the same, interface reflections are formed at the interfaces between every two adjacent layers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS10139545B2Front light display device and manufacturing thereof

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 E INK HLDG INC

AI summary

A front light display device includes a reflective display module, a light guide plate, an optical clear adhesive, plural microstructures, and a light source. The light guide plate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a third surface adjacent to the first and second surfaces. The light guide plate is made of a material including glass. The optical clear adhesive is located between the reflective display module and the first surface of the light guide plate. The microstructures are located on the first surface of the light guide plate. The light source faces the third surface of the light guide plate.