Light Control Sheet Electrode Layout for Region Division Wiring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for dividing a light control sheet into regions result in surface damage or complex wiring due to cutting or laser irradiation, compromising appearance and production efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A light control sheet design with conductive and non-conductive portions in transparent electrode layers, featuring a bridge portion and connection structure for simplified wiring and voltage application, allowing for easy division and efficient production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a cutting device is used to divide the light control sheet into regions, then the sheet can be divided into multiple regions, but the transparent support layers are also cut together with the transparent electrode layers, requiring surface protection and resulting in poor appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregion division capabilityVSAvoidsurface quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the light control sheet into multiple regions through laser irradiation that creates non-conductive portions in the transparent electrode layers. The laser beam selectively irradiates specific regions to form insulating barriers, thereby dividing the sheet into independently controllable regions without physically cutting the transparent support layers, thus maintaining surface integrity while achieving region division.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If laser irradiation is used to divide the light control sheet into regions, then the transparent support layers are not cut, but the laser beam is transmitted through the light control layer, insulating both transparent electrode layers and requiring complex wiring for voltage application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface qualityVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating non-conductive portions only in specific localized regions where region division is needed, rather than insulating the entire transparent electrode layers. The laser beam is selectively applied to form insulating barriers only at the boundaries between regions, while leaving other areas conductive for voltage application. This localized approach maintains electrical functionality in controlled areas while achieving region division.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Weight of moving object

If laser irradiation insulates both transparent electrode layers in each region, then region division is achieved, but wires for voltage application need to be connected to respective transparent electrode layers, complicating production and control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregion division capabilityVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the transparent electrode layers to serve dual functions: they act as conductive elements for voltage application in the light control units, and simultaneously serve as the medium for creating insulating barriers through selective laser irradiation. The same transparent electrode layers that conduct electricity are also the ones that are locally modified to create region boundaries, eliminating the need for separate insulating structures and simplifying the overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design enables simplified wiring and reduced complexity in voltage control, maintaining appearance quality and enhancing production efficiency while allowing flexible arrangement of wiring components.

Implementation Method 1

irradiating a portion of the laminate sheet from a first end to a position in front of a second end with a laser beam to form a non-conductive portion that has a linear shape and a conductive portion that is divided by the non-conductive portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser irradiation: Laser

Implementation Method 2

The alignment state of the liquid crystal composition is changed depending on whether a voltage is applied to the pair of transparent electrode layers; thus, the light control sheet is switchable between a transparent state in which light is transmitted through the light control layer and an opaque state in which light is prevented from being transmitted through the light control layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid crystal alignment change: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentEP4715456A1Light control sheet and method for manufacturing light control sheet
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 TOPPAN HOLDINGS INC
  • EP4715456A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4715456A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4715456A1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

A sheet region of a light control sheet has an insulating portion in which a non-conductive portion of each of a first transparent electrode layer and a second transparent electrode layer that are a pair of transparent electrode layers, is located, and a light control unit in which a conductive portion of each of the first transparent electrode layer and the second transparent electrode layer that are the pair of transparent electrode layers, is located and that is divided by the insulating portion. A second end region has a bridge portion that is connected to the light control unit and extends in a strip shape along an outer edge of the light control sheet, and a second connection portion that extends from the bridge portion and is configured to be connected to a second wiring portion. The conductive portion of the second transparent electrode layer is located in each of the bridge portion and the second connection portion.