Integrated Optical Element for LCD Space Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturization of liquid crystal display devices poses challenges in arranging polarizing plates and phase difference compensation plates, leading to increased installation space requirements and durability issues, along with higher costs due to the need for multiple substrates and adhesives.
Innovation Solution
An optical element that integrates the functions of a polarizer and phase difference compensation plate, featuring a transparent substrate with a wire grid polarizer and a phase difference compensation element, including an optically anisotropic layer and matching layer, which reduces space requirements, enhances durability, and reduces costs by eliminating the need for separate components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If two phase difference compensation plates and a rotation mechanism are used to achieve optical compensation, then contrast is improved, but installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the polarizing plate and phase difference compensation plate into a single integrated optical element. The polarizer layer and phase difference compensation layer are formed on the same substrate, eliminating the need for separate components and rotation mechanisms, thus significantly reducing installation space while maintaining optical compensation functionality for improved contrast
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated optical element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a polarizing plate and a phase difference compensation plate. The single substrate supports both the polarizer layer with wire grid structure and the phase difference compensation layer with oblique vapor deposition films, allowing one component to fulfill the roles of previously separate components
2Illumination intensity
If two substrates and adhesives are used to form phase difference compensation plate, then phase difference compensation is achieved, but durability decreases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the two separate substrates into a single substrate that supports both the polarizer layer and phase difference compensation layer. This eliminates the adhesive layer between substrates, improving durability by removing the potential failure point of bonding while maintaining the phase difference compensation function through the oblique vapor deposition films on the single substrate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the adhesive layer and one of the two substrates from the structure. By forming both functional layers on a single substrate using vapor deposition techniques, the design removes the adhesive bonding step entirely, thereby improving reliability and reducing cost without compromising the phase difference compensation performance
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 integrated optical element significantly reduces space requirements, improves durability, and decreases costs by combining the functions of polarizer and phase difference compensation in a single component, while maintaining superior optical performance.
Implementation Method 1
an absorption-type wire grid-type polarizing plate which cancels out light that has been reflected by a metal grid by means of an interference effect
Implementation Method 2
a method of implementing optical compensation by using two phase difference compensation plates which are formed by oblique vapor deposition films
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an optical element which significantly reduces arrangement space, has superior durability, and also enables increased costs to be curbed. Functions of a polarizer and a phase difference compensation element are integrated. Specifically, the optical element has a transparent substrate, and a polarizer on one side of the transparent substrate, and has a phase difference compensation element on a side of the transparent substrate opposite from the polarizer.