LC Panel Dimmer with Dichroic Dye for High Transmittance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dimmers with liquid crystal (LC) panels for augmented reality systems face limitations in maximum transmittance due to the use of two polarizers, which restrict the ability to achieve high aperture ratios and precise pixel control.
Innovation Solution
A dimmer design featuring a liquid crystal panel with dichroic dye and a driving circuit that controls LC angles, where the capacitance ratio of the LC capacitor to the storage capacitor is greater than 10:1, allowing for reduced or removed storage capacitors and fewer polarizers, enabling higher transmittance and aperture ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If two polarizers are used in the LC panel, then the polarization control is achieved, but the maximum transmittance is severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes one or both polarizers from the traditional LC panel structure. Instead of using polarizers to control light transmission, the invention uses LCs doped with dichroic dye that can directly control polarization and transmittance through voltage application, thereby eliminating the need for separate polarizer components and achieving higher maximum transmittance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of how polarization control is achieved - transitioning from passive polarizer-based control to active LC molecule orientation control through voltage application. By changing the tilt angle of LC molecules (parameter), the dichroic dye alignment changes, which dynamically controls the polarization state and transmittance of light without requiring fixed polarizers.
2Area of moving object
If a storage capacitor is included in each pixel, then the pixel control stability is improved, but the aperture ratio is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the storage capacitor from the pixel structure. The invention achieves pixel control stability without a storage capacitor by using the inherent capacitance of the LC layer itself and the dichroic dye-LC interaction mechanism, which maintains the held state through the voltage-dependent orientation of LC molecules and dichroic dye alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the LC layer serve multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as both the light modulation medium and the storage element. The LC molecules' ability to maintain their oriented state after voltage removal provides the memory function traditionally required by a separate storage capacitor, thereby eliminating the need for additional components while maintaining pixel control stability.
3Illumination intensity
If the LC panel uses traditional LCD technology with polarizers, then the implementation is simple, but the maximum transmittance and pixelated control are insufficient for AR applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by doping LC molecules with dichroic dye to create a new functional material system. This composite LC-dichroic dye mixture enables simultaneous control of polarization and light transmission through a single layer, achieving high maximum transmittance while maintaining the ability to implement pixelated control for AR applications.
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 enhances the aperture ratio and maximum transmittance of the dimmer, making the difference between brightness and darkness more apparent, while minimizing side effects by optimizing the arrangement of LCs and dichroic dye to set polarization direction and sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
The LC panel has a plurality of LCs doped with dichroic dye. The driving circuit is configured to control an LC angle of LCs in each of the plurality of pixels
Implementation Method 2
An LC panel of the dimmer is able to set the polarization direction and the sensitivity of polarization by arranging the LCs and the dichroic dye
Implementation Method 3
The LC panel has a plurality of LCs doped with dichroic dye. The dichroic dye is driven by surrounding LCs and presents an angle correlated with the LC angle of the surrounding LCs
Data Source
AI summary
A dimmer includes a liquid crystal (LC) panel and a driving circuit. The LC panel has a plurality of LCs doped with dichroic dye. The LC panel comprises a plurality of pixels. The driving circuit is electrically connected to the LC panel, and configured to control driving of the pixels of the LC panel. At least one of the pixels has a storage capacitor and an LC capacitor coupled in parallel. A ratio of a capacitance value of the LC capacitor to a capacitance value of the storage capacitor is greater than 10:1. The driving circuit is configured to control an LC angle of LCs in each of the pixels, and the dichroic dye is driven by surrounding LCs and presents an angle correlated with the LC angle of the surrounding LCs.