Liquid Crystal Display Refractive Index Layer Light Utilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current liquid crystal display devices face challenges in improving light utilization efficiency, particularly in transmissive designs used for projectors, due to issues with light shielding, alignment disorders, and high aspect ratio slit structures, which lead to reduced image quality and increased heat generation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a liquid crystal display device configuration with a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer with a rectangular cross-sectional shape between the counter substrate and the liquid crystal layer, optimizing refractive indices and shapes to enhance light diffraction and reduce light absorption in the wiring region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a light-shielding region is provided in the drive substrate to block light in the wiring region, then light absorption in the wiring region is reduced, but light utilization efficiency deteriorates due to alignment disorders and reduced image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight absorption in wiring regionVSAvoidlight utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A low-refractive-index layer is introduced as an intermediary between the light-shielding region and the liquid crystal layer. This layer has a refractive index lower than both the drive substrate and the liquid crystal layer, creating a refractive index gradient that reduces alignment disorders while maintaining light-shielding effectiveness. The low-refractive-index layer acts as a mediator that allows light to pass through more smoothly, improving image quality while still blocking harmful light in the wiring region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The refractive index parameter is changed by introducing a low-refractive-index material in the light-shielding region. By changing this optical parameter, the patent reduces alignment disorders and improves light transmission characteristics. The specific refractive index value is selected to be lower than both adjacent layers, creating optimal optical conditions for light utilization while maintaining the light-shielding function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the wiring width is reduced to increase aperture ratio, then light utilization efficiency improves, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight utilization efficiencyVSAvoidwiring width control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The low-refractive-index layer serves as an intermediary that enables wider wiring designs while maintaining optical performance. By providing this intermediate layer, the patent allows for larger wiring widths that are easier to manufacture with standard precision, while the low-refractive-index layer compensates for any light loss, maintaining high light utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If high refractive index materials are used to improve light diffraction, then light utilization efficiency improves, but heat generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight utilization efficiencyVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using high-refractive-index materials to improve light diffraction, the patent inverts the approach by using a low-refractive-index layer. This inversion creates a different optical mechanism that improves light utilization efficiency through reduced alignment disorders and smoother light transmission, while avoiding the heat generation problem associated with high-refractive-index materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 configuration significantly improves light utilization efficiency, reduces heat generation, and simplifies the manufacturing process, leading to a brighter and more efficient projector with reduced noise from cooling fans.

Implementation Method 1

improve light utilization efficiency by bending light rays applied to a wiring line with a microlens provided for each pixel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight diffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

a liquid crystal layer; a drive substrate including a light-shielding region and a transmissive region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid crystal effect: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentUS11927846B2Liquid crystal display device and electronic apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.03.12 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A liquid crystal display device according to the present disclosure includes: a liquid crystal layer; a drive substrate including a light-shielding region and a transmissive region; a plurality of pixel electrodes that is transmissive and provided at a position corresponding to the transmissive region on the drive substrate; a counter substrate disposed to be opposed to the drive substrate with the plurality of pixel electrodes and the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween; a first layer provided between the counter substrate and the liquid crystal layer and including a material having a first refractive index; and a second layer that is provided in at least a portion of a region corresponding to the light-shielding region in the first layer, includes a material having a second refractive index lower than the first refractive index, and has a rectangular cross-sectional shape in a thickness direction.