Layered Optical Elements for Directional Light Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light emitting devices face challenges in achieving a balance between adjusting the direction of emanating light and efficiently extracting light of a predetermined wavelength, particularly in devices requiring high brightness and small size, such as eyewear displays.

Innovation Solution

A light emitting device with optical elements formed as a color filter layer on the incident side and a transparent layer on the emanating side, allowing for exposure of both layers to the interface, which adjusts the direction of light emission and enhances light extraction efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the thickness of the color filter is increased to secure lens power for light direction adjustment, then the light direction adjustment capability is improved, but the light extraction efficiency for light of a predetermined wavelength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens powerVSAvoidlight extraction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The optical element is divided into two functional layers: a color filter layer for wavelength selection and a transparent layer for light direction adjustment. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently - the color filter layer can be thin for high light extraction efficiency while the transparent layer provides the necessary lens power for light direction control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the optical element have different properties - the color filter layer provides wavelength-selective filtering while the transparent layer provides refractive index contrast for light direction adjustment. This local differentiation of functional properties enables simultaneous optimization of both light extraction efficiency and light direction control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of moving object

If light emitting elements are made smaller to reduce device size, then the device compactness is improved, but the brightness output decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidbrightness

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent layer is formed with a curved surface that functions as a lens to concentrate and direct light from the small light emitting element. This curvature enables the small element to achieve high brightness output by focusing the emitted light into a concentrated beam rather than allowing it to diverge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The refractive index of the transparent layer is specifically selected to be higher than that of the color filter layer, creating an optical interface that enhances light directionality. This parameter optimization allows small light emitting elements to achieve enhanced brightness and directional control.

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

The solution achieves a suitable balance between light direction adjustment and efficient wavelength extraction, improving brightness and reducing light loss in devices like eyewear displays.

Implementation Method 1

optical elements formed in such a way as to correspond to the light emitting elements and configured to adjust a direction of emanating light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

one of a color filter layer and a transparent layer is formed to constitute a lower layer portion on an incident side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS12461287B2Light emitting device and electronic device for direction adjustment of emanating light

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A light emitting device includes a light emitting region constituted by light emitting elements arranged in a matrix, in which optical elements are included as optical elements formed in such a way as to correspond to the light emitting elements and configured to adjust a direction of emanating light, the optical elements being formed in such a way that one of a color filter layer and a transparent layer is formed to constitute a lower layer portion on an incident side and another is formed to constitute an upper layer portion on an emanating side, and the upper layer portion and at least a part of the lower layer portion are formed to be exposed to an interface with an outside.