Lenticular Array Focusing Light Between Photovoltaic Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing backlit display screens face challenges in integrating solar cells to increase autonomy while maintaining brightness and resolution, as previous methods either result in low brightness or degrade image quality due to limited photovoltaic surface area and precise lens positioning requirements.
Innovation Solution
A digital display screen with integrated photovoltaic cells, featuring a network of pixels, photovoltaic cells with orifices, and a lenticular array that focuses light between adjacent photovoltaic cells, allowing for a high photovoltaically active surface area without substantial design modifications to the pixel control part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If photovoltaic cells are integrated into the display screen surface, then battery life is extended, but the screen brightness and resolution are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is segmented into distinct functional zones: pixel areas for light emission and photovoltaic cell areas for energy generation. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its primary function without interfering with the other, maintaining screen brightness while enabling photovoltaic power generation.
Solution Approach 2:
A lens system acts as an intermediary between the pixel light source and the photovoltaic cells. The lens focuses light from the pixels onto the photovoltaic cells, enabling efficient energy conversion while keeping the photovoltaic cells positioned away from the pixel surface, thus avoiding degradation of image quality.
2Use of energy by moving object
If photovoltaic cell surface area is increased to improve energy conversion, then battery life is extended, but the space between pixels is reduced, degrading resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The photovoltaic cells are positioned in a different spatial dimension (behind the pixel array rather than on the front surface). This vertical arrangement allows the photovoltaic cells to have large surface area for energy conversion without occupying horizontal space that would reduce pixel density and resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens system serves as an intermediary that bridges the spatial gap between the pixel array and photovoltaic cells. It focuses light from the pixels onto the photovoltaic cells positioned behind them, enabling large photovoltaic surface area without compromising the pixel-to-pixel spacing required for high resolution.
3Use of energy by moving object
If lenses are used to focus backlighting onto photovoltaic cells, then energy conversion is improved, but lens positioning precision requirements become extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
The lens system is integrated into the existing display structure, serving dual functions: maintaining the display's optical performance and focusing light onto the photovoltaic cells. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate precision positioning mechanisms, as the lens is part of the standard display assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens system automatically focuses light onto the photovoltaic cells through its inherent optical properties, without requiring active adjustment or complex positioning mechanisms. The lens is positioned at a fixed distance from the pixels during manufacturing, and its curvature is designed to provide the necessary focusing effect passively.
4Ease of manufacture
If photovoltaic cells are deposited as semi-transparent layers, then integration is simplified, but the photovoltaic surface area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single semi-transparent layer covering the entire screen, the photovoltaic cells are segmented into discrete areas positioned behind specific pixel regions. This segmentation allows for larger total photovoltaic surface area while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized deposition processes on defined areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The photovoltaic cells are moved from a front-surface semi-transparent layer configuration to a rear-positioned structure behind the pixel array. This dimensional change allows the photovoltaic cells to have larger surface area without compromising transparency or requiring complex semi-transparent material deposition across the entire display surface.
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 achieves high brightness and photovoltaic conversion efficiency while maintaining image quality, allowing for extended autonomy in portable devices without degrading the screen's imaging characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a lenticular array for focusing the light emitted by said image areas into the orifice between two adjacent photovoltaic cells
Implementation Method 2
photovoltaic cells have been integrated into these devices, producing some of the current needed for their operation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a display device (1), in particular a digital display screen, including integrated photovoltaic cells and comprising: (a) an array (3) of image zones (4) emitting light or backlit by a light source (2) placed behind the array (3) of image zones (4); (b) an array (6) formed by a plurality of photovoltaic cells (7, 8) and a plurality of holes (13), in which array two adjacent photovoltaic cells form a hole; and (c) a lens array (5) that can be used to focus the light emitted by the image zones (4) in the hole between two adjacent photovoltaic cells (7, 8). The device (1) is characterised in that the lens array (5) is positioned between the array (3) of image zones (4) and the array (6) of photovoltaic cells (7, 8).