Light-Directing Structure for Asymmetrical Optical Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light-directing devices, such as optical films and lenses, are limited in their ability to produce asymmetrical structures, making it impossible to create optical prisms and Fresnel structures, and they lack the capability to achieve multiple optical effects like wavelength-dependent refraction and color/brightness effects.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a translucent substrate with a light-directing structure formed by a pattern of transparent material, including optical prisms, which can be produced using a printing method to achieve various optical effects by arranging multiple prisms in a Fresnel structure, allowing for wavelength-dependent refraction and color/brightness effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lens structures are used, then light beams can be collected or scattered, but multiple optical effects like wavelength-dependent refraction and color/brightness effects cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the light-directing function into multiple independent optical elements (lenses and prisms) that can be arranged in various configurations. Each element performs a specific optical function, and their combination enables multiple optical effects simultaneously without requiring a single complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
The device merges lenses and prisms into a single integrated light-directing structure that combines refraction (from lenses) and wavelength-dependent refraction (from prisms). This merging allows both functions to work together to achieve multiple optical effects including enlarging, reducing, and spectral expansion
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical films with repeating patterns are used, then light direction and glare reduction can be achieved, but asymmetrical structures and Fresnel structures cannot be produced
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates asymmetrical prism structures with varying angles and orientations, breaking the symmetry of conventional repeating patterns. This asymmetry enables the creation of Fresnel structures and directional light control that cannot be achieved with uniform repeating patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses dynamic arrangement of optical elements where lenses and prisms can be positioned and oriented differently in various regions. This dynamic configuration allows the same manufacturing process to produce diverse structures including Fresnel zones by varying the parameters of individual elements
3Length of stationary object
If simple lenses are used, then light beams can be collected or scattered, but the device height is substantially larger perpendicular to the substrate plane
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from three-dimensional volumetric lenses to two-dimensional surface-based optical structures. By forming lenses and prisms as surface relief structures on a flat substrate, the device achieves equivalent optical functions with minimal thickness perpendicular to the substrate plane
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 device enables the production of optical prisms and Fresnel structures that can refract light beams, achieving a wide range of optical effects, including enlarging, reducing, and spectral expansion, with reduced production costs and increased flexibility, while being thinner and more efficient than conventional lenses.
Implementation Method 1
a light beam which passes through the optical prism is refracted depending on wavelength, and thus, in addition to the enlarging or reducing effect which is caused by the light-directing structure, a special colour and/or brightness effect can also be achieved with the light-directing structure
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing a device wherein, in a first production step, a translucent substrate is prepared, and wherein, in a second production step, a transparent material is printed onto the translucent substrate by a printing method. In the second production step, applications in the form of droplets of transparent material are arranged on the translucent substrate. In the second production step, an element which is formed from multiple applications and further applications is generated. The droplets to generate the element are deposited circularly in concentric rings, and the outermost deposited droplets have a first diameter, and the droplets deposited at a center have a second diameter that is different from the first diameter to build up a lens-like light-directing structure.