Light Redirecting Film With Structured Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display systems, such as LCDs, face challenges in enhancing brightness while masking physical and optical defects like scratches and moiré patterns, and conventional diffuser films are often required to achieve this, which can complicate the optical design.
Innovation Solution
The development of optical films with structured surfaces featuring microstructures that redirect light and provide a matte finish, reducing optical haze and increasing clarity, allowing for improved brightness and defect masking without the need for additional diffuser films.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional diffuser films are used to mask defects and improve brightness uniformity, then defect masking and brightness uniformity are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional films required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of defect masking, brightness uniformity improvement, and light redirection into a single optical film with a structured surface. This eliminates the need for separate diffuser films while achieving the same or better optical performance, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The structured surface of the optical film performs multiple functions simultaneously: it masks physical defects like scratches, improves brightness uniformity, and redirects light towards the viewer. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate films.
2Illumination intensity
If diffuser films are added to improve brightness uniformity, then brightness uniformity is improved, but the number of optical layers and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the brightness uniformity improvement function with the light redirection function in a single film. The structured surface both diffuses light to improve uniformity and redirects it towards the viewer, eliminating the need for separate diffuser layers.
3Illumination intensity
If the structured surface has higher slope magnitude to redirect light more effectively, then light redirection efficiency is improved, but optical haze increases and clarity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the slope magnitude parameter of the structured surface to fall within a specific range (less than about 7.5 degrees for at least 85% of the surface). This parameter control allows the film to redirect light effectively while maintaining low optical haze and high clarity, avoiding the trade-off between redirection efficiency and optical quality.
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
These optical films enhance brightness and mask defects effectively, maintaining optical performance with low optical haze and high clarity, reducing the visibility of physical defects and enhancing display cosmetics.
Implementation Method 1
The optical film has a structured surface... At least 85% of the structured surface of the film has a slope magnitude that is less than about 7.5 degrees
Implementation Method 2
The optical film has a structured surface... redirecting light
Implementation Method 3
The optical film has an optical haze of less than about 10% and an optical clarity of less than about 50%
Data Source
AI summary
Optical films for redirecting light are described, and optical systems, such as display systems, incorporating such optical films are described. The optical film may include a first structured surface including a plurality of prismatic structures, and a second structured surface opposing the first structured surface and including a plurality of microstructures. An effective transmission of the optical film is not more than 1% less than a film with a comparable construction except for a smooth, non-structured second surface.