Illumination Device With Stacked Liquid Crystal Light Distribution

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing illumination devices with multiple light sources require movable components and drivers to change light orientation, leading to increased size and space requirements, making it difficult to implement.

Innovation Solution

An illumination device with a light distribution controller using stacked liquid crystal panels to control light transmission regions, allowing individual control of light sources without changing their orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If movable components and drivers are provided to change the orientation of each light source, then the orientation of light sources can be changed, but the size of the illumination device increases and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight orientation controlVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical movable components with a light distribution controller that uses liquid crystal panels to control light transmission regions. This substitution eliminates the need for physical movement of light sources while achieving the same effect of directing light to different orientations through electronic control of light transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a light distribution controller as an intermediary component between the light sources and the target space. This controller uses liquid crystal panels to mediate light transmission, allowing light direction control without moving the light sources themselves, thus reducing device size while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If movable components and drivers are provided to change the orientation of each light source, then the orientation of light sources can be changed, but space around the illumination device is needed for operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight orientation controlVSAvoidoperation space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls light distribution in the optical path dimension rather than moving light sources in physical space. By using liquid crystal panels to control light transmission regions, the system achieves orientation control through optical dimension manipulation instead of mechanical displacement, reducing required operation space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light sources are controlled individually, then light distribution flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distribution controlVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control functions for multiple light sources into a single light distribution controller. Instead of providing separate drivers for each light source, one controller manages all light sources by adjusting the light transmission regions of liquid crystal panels, thereby maintaining light distribution flexibility while reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light distribution controller serves as a universal control device that can individually control multiple types of light sources through a single interface. The liquid crystal panels act as a multi-functional element that regulates light transmission for all light sources, simplifying the control architecture while preserving individual light distribution flexibility.

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

Enables flexible and efficient light distribution control of multiple light sources, reducing device size and enabling automated operation based on sensor feedback.

Implementation Method 1

The light distribution controller includes a plurality of liquid crystal panels stacked in a facing direction of the light distribution controller and the light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid crystal effect: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentUS12366344B2Illumination device

Publication Date: 2025.07.22 JAPAN DISPLAY INC

AI summary

According to an aspect, an illumination device includes: a light distribution controller having a light distribution control region in which a transmission region of light is changeable; a plurality of types of light sources each disposed at a position facing the light distribution controller; and a controller configured to control operation of the light distribution controller and the plurality of types of light sources. The light distribution controller includes a plurality of liquid crystal panels stacked in a facing direction of the light distribution controller and the light source.