Light Control Sheet Wiring Layout for Larger Active Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing light control sheets face a limitation in the size of the light control region, which restricts their application to larger areas.

Innovation Solution

The light control unit reduces the width of the mount section on the first transparent electrode relative to the extending section, allowing for a larger light control region by optimizing the circuit board design with foldable extending sections and projecting sections for precise mounting and reduced width.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the mount section width is reduced to increase the light control region, then the light control region area increases, but the mounting stability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight control region areaVSAvoidmounting stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit board is segmented into a mount section and an extending section with different width characteristics. The mount section has a first width while the extending section has a second width greater than the first width, allowing the light control region to be maximized while the extending section provides sufficient mounting stability and wiring space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit board extends in multiple directions from the mount section. The extending section projects in a first direction parallel to the edge of the light control sheet, and also extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, creating a L-shaped or T-shaped configuration that provides both mounting stability and adequate wiring space without increasing the mount section width.

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

2Area of stationary object

If the circuit board extends beyond the light control sheet edge, then the wiring space increases, but the aesthetic appearance and integration deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring space areaVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The extending section is designed to extend in a first direction parallel to the edge of the light control sheet, providing adequate wiring space. The extending section also has a width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, creating a compact L-shaped or T-shaped configuration that minimizes protrusion while maintaining functional requirements.

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

3Reliability

If the mount section width is increased to improve mounting stability, then the mounting reliability improves, but the light control region area decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidlight control region area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit board is divided into functional sections with different width characteristics. The mount section has a minimized first width to maximize the light control region, while the extending section has a greater second width to provide sufficient mounting stability and wiring space, separating the conflicting requirements into different spatial zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4152087B1Light control unit
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 TOPPAN INC
  • EP4152087B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4152087B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4152087B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

A light control unit includes a light control sheet and a wiring member. The light control sheet includes a first transparent electrode, a second transparent electrode, and a light control layer interposed between the first and second transparent electrodes. The first transparent electrode has a first wiring region including part of an edge of the first transparent electrode and exposed from the light control layer. The second transparent electrode has a second wiring region including part of an edge of the second transparent electrode and exposed from the light control layer. The wiring member includes a mount section and an extending section. The mount section is mounted to the first wiring region and extends in a first direction along the edge of the first transparent electrode. The extending section extends in a second direction away from the mount section toward outside of the first transparent electrode, the second direction intersecting with the first direction. The mount section has a first width along a first perpendicular direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the extending section has a second width along a second perpendicular direction perpendicular to the second direction, such that the first width is less than the second width.