Light Guiding Plate with Polarization Layers for LCD Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Liquid crystal display (LCD) devices suffer from low light efficiency due to the removal of half of incident light by polarization plates, limiting polarization transformation and increasing manufacturing complexity with fine gaps between optical sheets.

Innovation Solution

A light guiding plate with a polarization transformation layer and a polarization extraction layer, utilizing refractive members and liquid crystal polymers to transform and extract polarization components, enhancing light efficiency and assembly productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple optical sheets are assembled together to transform polarization, then polarization transformation function is achieved, but fine gaps are formed between sheets causing birefringence and reducing transformation efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolarization transformation functionVSAvoidpolarization transformation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the polarization transformation function and polarization extraction function into a single integrated light guiding plate structure. The polarization transformation layer and polarization extraction layer are formed on the same substrate, eliminating the need for multiple separate optical sheets and their associated gaps, thereby resolving the birefringence issue while maintaining polarization transformation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guiding plate uses composite material structure with polarization transformation layer (containing liquid crystal polymers) and polarization extraction layer (with refractive members) formed on a light guiding plate body. This composite structure achieves both polarization transformation and extraction functions in a single integrated component without the gaps between separate sheets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple thin optical sheets are assembled together to achieve polarization transformation, then the function is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolarization transformation functionVSAvoidassembly productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple optical sheets into a single light guiding plate with integrated polarization transformation and extraction layers. This reduces the number of assembly steps from assembling multiple thin sheets to a single plate structure, significantly improving manufacturing productivity and reducing assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

While integrating functions, the patent segments the light guiding plate into distinct functional layers (polarization transformation layer with liquid crystal polymers, polarization extraction layer with refractive members, and light guiding plate body) that can be manufactured separately and then combined in a simplified process, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving complex functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If polarization plates are used to polarize light in LCD devices, then light polarization is achieved, but half of the incident light is removed reducing light efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight polarization capabilityVSAvoidlight efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful light loss caused by traditional polarization plates into a beneficial effect by using the polarization transformation layer to transform the polarization direction of light that would otherwise be blocked. The transformed light is then extracted by the polarization extraction layer, converting what would be waste into useful light output and improving overall light efficiency

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 solution effectively transforms and extracts polarization components, increasing light efficiency and simplifying manufacturing by maximizing the use of polarized light, thereby improving the performance and production of LCD devices.

Implementation Method 1

the light is subject to birefringence, so that the polarization transformation is not easily performed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBirefringence: Birefringence

Implementation Method 2

a polarization transformation layer on a surface of the light guiding plate body to transform a polarization component of light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

a polarization extraction layer on the polarization transformation layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS7847880B2Light guiding plate with refractive member, backlight assembly having the same, and display device having the same

Publication Date: 2010.12.07 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A light guiding plate, a backlight assembly having the light guiding plate and a display device having the backlight assembly include a light guiding plate body, a polarization transformation layer on a surface of the light guiding plate body to transform a polarization component of light emitted through the light guiding plate, and a polarization extraction layer on the polarization transformation layer.