Liquid Aperture Structure for Low-Voltage, Concentric Light Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid apertures based on electrowetting effect are not mature enough to meet the requirements for adjusting the amount of incoming light effectively, and they suffer from issues such as high drive voltage, limited adjustable range of hole size, non-roundness, and unreliability in maintaining a central opening.
Innovation Solution
A liquid aperture design with a specific structure comprising a first substrate, electrode plates, insulation and hydrophilic/hydrophobic layers, and a sidewall, utilizing an electrowetting principle to adjust the light inlet hole size through controlled electric fields, ensuring low-voltage operation and consistent aperture shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional electrowetting-based liquid aperture is used, then the aperture can control light entry, but the drive voltage is too high and the adjustable range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid aperture is divided into multiple independent liquid chambers (first liquid chamber, second liquid chamber, etc.), each controlled by separate electrode plates. This segmentation allows independent control of different aperture regions, enabling a broader adjustable range while maintaining low drive voltage through localized electrowetting effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional aperture control to three-dimensional control by stacking multiple liquid chambers and electrode plates in layers. This dimensional expansion enables more precise control over the aperture's shape and size, achieving both low voltage operation and extended adjustable range simultaneously.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional liquid aperture is used, then power consumption is low, but the hole shape is not round and concentricity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the liquid aperture are controlled independently through separate electrode plates and liquid chambers. By applying voltage selectively to specific electrode plates, the patent can locally adjust the liquid's position and shape, ensuring uniform circular geometry and perfect concentricity while maintaining low overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates control logic that monitors the aperture's shape and position, adjusting voltage distribution across multiple electrode plates to maintain optimal circular geometry. This feedback mechanism ensures consistent roundness and concentricity without requiring excessive power input.
3Speed
If conventional liquid aperture is used, then response speed is fast, but reliability in maintaining central opening is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures multiple liquid chambers and electrode plates in specific positions before operation. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the central opening is inherently stable and maintains its position during aperture adjustments, combining fast response with high reliability without requiring additional corrective actions.
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 allows for precise and repeatable adjustment of light inlet size with improved roundness and concentricity, meeting consumer requirements for light control in electronic devices with minimal power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
An existing liquid aperture may implement driving adjustment on a size of a hole based on electrowetting effect. When a voltage is applied between a liquid electrode and a solid electrode, a contact angle of a micro droplet may be changed. In other words, a wetting property of a hydrophobic surface is changed by using an electric field, and the contact angle of the droplet on the hydrophobic surface may be changed.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid aperture, an electronic device, and a driving method and apparatus for a liquid aperture are provided. The liquid aperture includes a first substrate, a first electrode plate, an insulation layer, a hydrophobic layer, a hydrophilic layer, a sidewall, a second electrode plate, and a second substrate that are disposed adjacent to each other in sequence in a direction of an optical axis of the liquid aperture. A first hollow structure is formed in a middle of the sidewall. The hydrophilic layer includes a first hydrophilic part and a second hydrophilic part. There are N second hollow structures between the first hydrophilic part and the second hydrophilic part. The first hollow structure communicates with the N second hollow structures to form a closed cavity. The closed cavity is filled with a transparent electrolyte and dyed oil. The dyed oil is incompatible with the transparent electrolyte.