Light Modulator Connection Area for Fracture-Resilient Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light modulators are prone to substrate fractures due to thermal and mechanical stresses, leading to permanent loss of functionality when electrodes break, as they cannot be electrically connected beyond the fracture point.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a connection area that allows for electrical connection to electrodes on the substrate, even in the event of fractures, by laterally offsetting the edges of the substrates to accommodate the contact area, enhancing manufacturing simplicity and robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If substrates are made robust to resist thermal and mechanical stresses, then substrate strength is improved, but substrate complexity increases due to the need for fracture compensation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is segmented into two separate substrates (first substrate and second substrate) that can be laterally offset from each other. This segmentation allows each substrate to be simpler in design while collectively providing fracture compensation functionality through their relative positioning and the contact area design.
Solution Approach 2:
A contact area is introduced as an intermediary element between the first and second substrates. This contact area enables electrical connection to the electrodes and provides a mechanism for fracture compensation without requiring complex integrated designs in the substrates themselves.
2Ease of operation
If electrodes are positioned at substrate edges for easy connection, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased susceptibility to fracture at connection points
Solution Approach 1:
The connection area is positioned in a lateral offset region, utilizing the dimensional space created by offsetting the first and second substrates. This allows electrical connections to be made at the edge area without placing electrodes directly at vulnerable substrate fracture points, thus maintaining ease of connection while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact area serves as an intermediary that enables electrical connection to electrodes while being positioned in a region that is laterally offset from the main substrate body. This intermediary positioning protects the connection points from substrate fractures while maintaining accessibility for electrical connections.
3Ease of operation
If contact area is added to enable electrical connection, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into applying electrodes to the first substrate and then laterally offsetting the second substrate to create the contact area. This segmentation allows the contact area to be formed through a simple positioning step rather than requiring complex integrated manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second substrates are intentionally designed with asymmetric positioning, where the second substrate is laterally offset relative to the first substrate. This asymmetric design creates the contact area naturally through the offset configuration, simplifying manufacturing by avoiding the need for complex symmetric integration.
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
Ensures continued functionality of the light modulator despite substrate fractures, improving manufacturing ease and product robustness by enabling electrical connections to electrodes, thus maintaining optical modulation capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
A controller may apply an electric potential to the electrodes to obtain an electric field between the electrodes providing electrophoretic movement of the particles towards or from an electrode
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 1e
AI summary
Some embodiments are directed to a light modulator. The light modulator has a contact area on one of its substrates, to enable an electrical connection to at least the one or more driving electrodes applied on the substrate. A first edge of the first substrate is laterally offset from a corresponding first edge of the second substrate to accommodate the contact area in the laterally offset part.