Integrated Polarizer Solar Cell for Slim Display Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional displays incorporating solar cell modules for renewable energy or auxiliary power suffer from increased thickness, which is not suitable for slim device designs.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a polarizer with light-polarized dye into a photon-electric conversion element that absorbs photon energy for power generation while also performing optical polarization, eliminating the need for an extra solar cell module and reducing display thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a solar cell module is added to a display for renewable energy or auxiliary power, then the display can generate electric power, but the thickness of the display increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the solar cell module and polarizer into a single integrated component. The polarizer is positioned between the liquid crystal panel and the solar cell module, merging two separate functional elements (polarization and power generation) into one structure, thereby eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall display thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated polarizer-solar cell module performs multiple functions simultaneously: it polarizes light for the liquid crystal display function and converts incident light into electric power for renewable energy generation. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate elements, reducing thickness while maintaining both display and power generation capabilities.
2Power
If a solar cell module is added to a display for auxiliary power, then the display can operate with larger power, but the device becomes thicker and less slim
Solution Approach 1:
The solar cell module is merged with the polarizer structure, creating an integrated component that provides both polarization and auxiliary power functions. This combination eliminates the need for a separate solar cell module that would add substantial thickness, while still delivering the required auxiliary power capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated component serves dual purposes: maintaining the optical polarization function required for display operation and generating auxiliary electric power. This multi-functionality enables the display to achieve larger power capability without the thickness penalty of adding a dedicated solar cell module.
3Length of stationary object
If the thickness of a display is reduced to form a slim-type design, then the display meets modern design requirements, but there is no space for an extra solar cell module
Solution Approach 1:
The polarizer and solar cell module are merged into a single integrated structure positioned between the liquid crystal panel and the backlight unit. This integration allows the display to maintain a slim profile without sacrificing renewable energy generation capability, as the combined component occupies the same space as the traditional polarizer would alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated polarizer-solar cell module performs both optical polarization and photovoltaic energy conversion functions within a single thin component. This multi-functionality enables the display to achieve slim-type design while still incorporating renewable energy generation, as the component fulfills multiple roles that would traditionally require separate elements.
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 polarizer efficiently converts incident light into electric power, enhancing light usage efficiency and reducing display thickness without adding bulk, thus achieving a slim-type display design.
Implementation Method 1
The light-polarized dye added into the photon-electric conversion element absorbs photon energy of an incident light, which has a direction of vibration parallel to absorption axis of the light-polarized dye, for photon-electric conversion and providing power to the display
Implementation Method 2
Only photon energy of the incident light, which has a direction of vibration perpendicular to absorption axis of the light-polarized dye, can pass though the second polarizer to be a light source of the display
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4~5A
AI summary
A display and a polarizer capable of photo-electric conversion are provided. The display capable of photo-electric conversion comprises: a first substrate having a first top surface and a first bottom surface, a second substrate having a second top surface and a second bottom surface, a liquid crystal layer disposed between said first bottom surface of said first substrate and said second top surface of said second substrate, a first polarizer disposed on said first top surface of said first substrate, and a photo-electric conversion element, wherein a light-polarized dye is added into said photo-electric conversion element to form a second polarizer. Photon energy of incident light, which has a vibration direction parallel to the absorption axis of said light-polarized dye, is absorbed by said light-polarized dye for photo-electric conversion.