Light Control Film Alignment for Sunlight-Readable Vehicle Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large vehicle display devices face challenges with sunlight entering from windows and light reflection, making it difficult to read and increasing driver distraction, which existing blocking films struggle to address effectively, especially as devices increase in size.

Innovation Solution

A light control film with viewing angle control patterns and alignment patterns is applied to display devices, blocking light above certain angles while allowing front-direction light transmission, enhancing display quality and safety by reducing reflections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a separate blocking film is provided around the display device to block sunlight and reduce reflections, then light reflection and sunlight interference are reduced, but device complexity and difficulty of installation increase, especially for large display devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight reflection and sunlight interferenceVSAvoidstructure complexity and installation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the light blocking function with the display device structure itself by forming a light blocking layer that extends from the pixel array layer to the front surface of the display device. This integration eliminates the need for separate blocking films and their complex installation procedures, while effectively reducing light reflection and sunlight interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light blocking layer extends in the vertical dimension from the pixel array layer to the front surface, creating a three-dimensional structure that blocks light from multiple angles. This dimensional approach provides comprehensive light blocking without requiring additional separate components around the display device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the light blocking layer extends to block light from all angles, then sunlight interference and reflections are reduced, but front-direction luminance is reduced, making the display harder to read

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesunlight interference and reflectionsVSAvoidfront-direction luminance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The light blocking layer is positioned specifically at the edges and periphery of the pixel array layer, while the central region maintains full light transmission. This localized light blocking approach effectively reduces sunlight interference from lateral directions while preserving front-direction luminance for optimal display readability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts potentially harmful lateral light reflections into beneficial directional control by using the light blocking layer to redirect only the harmful angled light while allowing useful front-direction light to pass through unaffected. The light blocking layer transforms the problem of light reflection into a solution that enhances display visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 film effectively limits viewing angles to prevent distracting reflections and maintains front-direction luminance, improving display device readability and safety without reducing overall luminosity.

Implementation Method 1

blocking the light emitted with the angle greater than a predetermined angle from the display panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

The light control film according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be used to increase front direction luminance of a display device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelective light transmission and blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3771938B1Light control film and display device comprising the same
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3771938B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3771938B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3771938B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device includes a light control film including a first alignment pattern. The display device further includes a display panel including a second alignment pattern. The first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern are at least partially overlapped with one another.