Electric Field Sensing Element Using Insulated Metal Oxide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrochromic substances face challenges in achieving response speeds comparable to liquid crystals, as they rely on ion migration through an electrolyte, limiting their sensitivity and speed in changing optical transmittance.

Innovation Solution

A novel electric-field-sensitive element is created using a translucent metal oxide with a band gap of 3.2 eV or more, coated with an insulating layer, and sandwiched between electrode layers of different materials, allowing reversible changes in visible light transmittance when an electric field is applied, exemplified by tin dioxide, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide with ultraviolet excitation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If electrochromic substances are used to change optical transmittance, then power consumption is reduced and transparency in translucent state is improved, but response speed becomes slower compared to liquid crystals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidresponse speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the electrolyte component from the electrochromic system. By removing the electrolyte and replacing it with an insulating coating on a semiconductor layer, the patent eliminates the ion migration mechanism that limits response speed, while maintaining the electrochromic effect through direct electronic field control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an insulating coating as an intermediary layer between the electrode and the semiconductor. This insulating coating enables the electrochromic effect to occur without requiring ion migration through an electrolyte, thus achieving fast response speeds comparable to liquid crystals while maintaining low power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If ion migration through electrolyte is used for electrochromism, then color change is achieved, but sensitivity and speed are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor change capabilityVSAvoidsensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention substitutes the mechanical ion migration process with an electronic field control mechanism. By using a semiconductor layer with insulating coating, the system responds to electric fields through electronic carrier modulation rather than physical ion movement, dramatically improving sensitivity and response speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Illumination intensity

If doped tin oxide is used for electrochromism, then contrast ratio is improved, but response speed remains slow due to electrochemical reactions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrast ratioVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental operating parameter from electrochemical potential-driven ion migration to direct electric field-driven electronic carrier modulation. This parameter change enables the system to achieve both high contrast ratio (through controlled carrier depletion) and fast response speed (through direct electronic control without chemical reaction delays).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach enables rapid and reversible changes in visible light transmittance, achieving response times of around 5-20 ms, surpassing typical liquid crystal speeds and offering high contrast and power efficiency without the need for polarizing plates or backlights.

Implementation Method 1

a translucent metal oxide which is a semiconductor having a band gap of 3.2 eV or more is given an effective excitation energy in a state in which it is provided with an insulating coating, the metal oxide turns into a substance having a visible light transmittance value that changes through application of an electric field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Implementation Method 2

the translucent metal oxide with a band gap of 3.2 eV or more, coated with an insulating layer, and sandwiched between electrode layers of different materials, allowing reversible changes in visible light transmittance when an electric field is applied, exemplified by tin dioxide, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide with ultraviolet excitation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet excitation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2078980B1Electric field sensing element and display device making use of the same

Publication Date: 2019.01.09 GUALA TECH

Figure 1~2
Figure 3(A)~3(C)
Figure 4(A)~4(C)

AI summary

An electric-field-sensitive element (1) includes: an optical function layer (5) that includes a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of tin dioxide, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, and an insulating material covering the metal oxide, the optical function layer (5) having a visible light transmittance that changes through application of an electric field; and a first and second electrode layer (7, 9) that sandwich the optical function layer (5) therebetween.