Light Control Film with Optically Isolated Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light control films provide privacy only in specific directions and increase thickness or reduce light transmittance when attempting to secure all directions, as they are one-dimensional and lack effective optical isolation.
Innovation Solution
A light control film with optically-isolated, light-transmissive cavities surrounded by a light-absorbing material, allowing light transmission only within a defined viewing region centered around the normal to the surface, effectively blocking light outside this region and providing security in all directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two conventional light control films are overlapped to achieve light control in all directions, then viewing security in all directions is improved, but film thickness increases and light transmittance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional parallel groove structures to two-dimensional arrays of optically-isolated cavities. This dimensional change allows the film to provide light control in all directions (360-degree viewing security) while maintaining a single-layer structure, thereby avoiding the thickness increase that would result from overlapping multiple conventional films.
Solution Approach 2:
The film is segmented into multiple optically-isolated cavities arranged in arrays, where each cavity acts as an independent light control element. This segmentation allows light to pass through cavities from all directions while maintaining thin film structure, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive viewing security and film thickness.
2Reliability
If two conventional light control films are overlapped to achieve light control in all directions, then viewing security in all directions is improved, but light transmittance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning to two-dimensional cavity arrays, the invention achieves omnidirectional light control in a single layer, avoiding the light transmittance reduction that would occur with multiple overlapping films. The cavities allow light to pass through from all directions while maintaining high transmittance.
Solution Approach 2:
The light control property is localized to the cavity structures rather than requiring uniform coverage across multiple film layers. Each cavity provides localized light control functionality, allowing light to pass through unaffected areas while blocking light at angles, thereby maintaining high overall light transmittance while achieving comprehensive viewing security.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional parallel grooved films are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but light control effect is limited to one direction only
Solution Approach 1:
The film structure is segmented into repeated cavity units arranged in arrays, which can be manufactured using standardized processes. This segmentation maintains manufacturing simplicity while the two-dimensional arrangement provides light control in all directions, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity array structure serves multiple functions: it provides light control in all directions, maintains thin film profile, and can be manufactured using standard processes. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the structure adaptable to omnidirectional light control while remaining manufacturable.
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 achieves 360-degree viewing security while maintaining light transmittance by using optically-isolated cavities with a light-absorbing material, ensuring privacy and security without the drawbacks of increased thickness or reduced light transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a light absorptive material extending between the first and second major surfaces; Each of the plurality of cavities is optically isolated from adjacent cavities. Each of the light-transmissive cavities effectively block light which enters the cavity outside of a viewing (i.e., cutoff) angle.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a light control film that is capable of transmitting light, or allowing a viewer to observe information, only within a viewing region centered around the normal (perpendicular line) to a surface. The light control film generally blocks information or light outside of this viewing region, and provides security in all directions including right-and-left and up-and-down of the film. The light control film includes a plurality of light-transmissive cavities that are surrounded by a light absorbing material, such that each of the plurality of cavities is optically isolated from adjacent cavities. Each of the light-transmissive cavities effectively block light which enters the cavity outside of a viewing (that is, cutoff) angle.