Light Source Module With Fluid-Based Local Brightness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light source modules, particularly side-lit and direct-lit types, face challenges in adjusting local brightness efficiently and cost-effectively, with side-lit modules unable to adjust local brightness due to the placement of light bars and direct-lit modules requiring numerous expensive light emitting chips.
Innovation Solution
A light source module incorporating a light adjusting element with immiscible polar and non-polar fluids in an accommodation chamber, where a control electric field between electrodes controls the distribution of polar fluid to adjust local brightness, allowing for precise control of light exiting regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If side-lit light source module is used with light bar placed at the side of light guide plate, then the structure is simple, but local brightness adjustment is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses immiscible polar and non-polar fluids in a fluid layer to achieve light adjustment. By applying voltage to change the wetting properties of the polar fluid on the dielectric layer, the fluid distribution changes, thereby controlling light extraction in different regions. This hydraulic approach replaces the need for individual light emitting chips while enabling local brightness control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the polar fluid by applying voltage, which alters its hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity characteristics. This parameter change causes the polar fluid to redistribute between contacting and non-contacting regions with the dielectric layer, enabling dynamic control of light extraction efficiency in different areas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If direct-lit light source module is used with multiple light emitting chips to adjust local brightness, then local brightness can be adjusted, but the cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light emitting function from multiple individual light emitting chips and consolidates it into a single light source combined with a fluid-based light control system. This extraction reduces the number of components while maintaining the ability to adjust local brightness through fluid manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a functional copy of the light control effect achieved by multiple light emitting chips, but using a different physical mechanism - immiscible fluids with controllable wetting properties. This copying achieves the same functional outcome (local brightness control) with a simpler, lower-cost implementation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If immiscible polar and non-polar fluids are used in accommodation chamber, then local brightness can be adjusted without numerous light emitting chips, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric layer serves multiple functions: it provides electrical insulation between the electrode and the fluid, acts as a surface for controlling fluid wetting properties through voltage application, and maintains the structural integrity of the fluid layer system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric layer acts as an intermediary between the electrical control system and the immiscible fluid system. It translates electrical voltage into changes in fluid wetting properties, enabling control of the polar fluid distribution without direct electrical contact with the fluids, thus simplifying the overall control mechanism.
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 adjustable local brightness of the light exiting surface without the need for numerous light emitting chips, reducing costs and improving light exiting efficiency by controlling the distribution and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the polar fluid.
Implementation Method 1
a control electric field is formed between the first electrode and the second electrode layer to control hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the polar fluid, in the control region corresponding to the first electrode, on a surface of the dielectric layer
Implementation Method 2
a refractivity of the polar fluid is greater than or equal to the refractivity of the dielectric layer, a refractivity of the non-polar fluid is less than the refractivity of the dielectric layer
Data Source
AI summary
A light source module includes a light adjusting element including a first substrate, a second substrate and a fluid layer, the fluid layer includes polar fluid, the first substrate includes a light guide layer, a first electrode layer and a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer is in contact with the fluid layer, a refractivity of the dielectric layer is equal to that of the light guide layer, a refractivity of the polar fluid is greater than or equal to that of the dielectric layer, the light adjusting element incudes control regions corresponding to first electrodes included in the first electrode layer one by one, a second electrode layer is provided in the first or second substrate, a control electric field is formed between the first electrode and the second electrode layer to control hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the polar fluid on a surface of the dielectric layer.