Light Guide Plate with Controllable Light-Adjusting Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anti-peeping display technologies can only shrink or enlarge the viewing angle by adding or removing shutter-type films, which is inconvenient for practical use.
Innovation Solution
A light guide plate with controllable light-adjusting panels that can switch between transparent and opaque states using an electric field, allowing for adjustable viewing angles without the need for additional films.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a shutter-type anti-peeping film is disposed over the display screen to shrink the viewing angle, then the anti-peeping effect is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate because the film must be manually added or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the light guide plate's light-emitting surface dynamically adjustable between transparent and opaque states through electrowetting liquid control. This allows the viewing angle to be dynamically changed without manual film attachment or removal, resolving the contradiction between anti-peeping effect and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manually adding or removing shutter films with an electrical control system using electrowetting liquid. The electrical signal controls the liquid's wetting properties to change the light guide plate's transparency, eliminating the need for mechanical film handling and improving ease of operation while maintaining anti-peeping functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a shutter-type anti-peeping film is used to control viewing angle, then the anti-peeping effect is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional films and their installation/removal processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the anti-peeping function directly into the light guide plate structure by incorporating electrowetting liquid between the light guide plate and display screen. This integration eliminates the need for separate shutter films and their complex installation/removal processes, reducing device complexity while maintaining the anti-peeping effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical film-based anti-peeping system with an electrical control system using electrowetting liquid integrated into the light guide plate. This substitution eliminates the need for additional mechanical components and simplifies the overall device structure while achieving the same anti-peeping functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the viewing angle is enlarged by removing the anti-peeping film, then the ease of operation is improved, but the anti-peeping effect is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling real-time, reversible switching between transparent and opaque states of the light guide plate through electrical control of the electrowetting liquid. This allows users to conveniently adjust the viewing angle while the anti-peeping effect can be instantly restored by sending another electrical signal, eliminating the need to physically remove or add films.
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
Enables seamless transition between wide and narrow viewing angles by controlling the light-emitting properties of the light guide plate, enhancing user convenience and eliminating the need for anti-peeping films.
Implementation Method 1
the light adjusting layer is configured to be in an opaque state or in a transparent state depending on whether there is an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode
Implementation Method 2
whether there is an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode
Implementation Method 3
lights entering into the light guide plate from the lateral light incident side thereof are guided to emit out from the light-emitting side at least via a total internal reflection at the non-flat side
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide plate is disclosed, including a plurality of light-adjusting panels disposed on or over a light-emitting side of the light guide plate. The plurality of light-adjusting panels are arranged in an array with a gap arranged between every two adjacent light-adjusting panels, and are configured to be controllable in a transparent state or in an opaque state to thereby realize a switch between a large divergence angle or a small divergence angle. Each light-adjusting panel includes oppositely disposed first electrode and second electrode, and a light adjusting layer disposed therebetween. The light adjusting layer is configured to be in an opaque state or in a transparent state depending on whether there is an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode. A backlight assembly and a display apparatus containing the light guide plate, as well as a control method thereof, are also disclosed.