Liquid Crystal Light Deflector With Uniform Alignment Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid crystal lenses have a complicated electrode configuration and suffer from non-uniform optical properties due to vertical electric fields disrupting the alignment of liquid crystals during transitions between lensing and non-lensing modes.

Innovation Solution

A liquid crystal light deflector with a simplified electrode configuration that applies a predetermined electric field to transition to a deflected state and a uniform electric field to return to a non-deflected state, avoiding disrupted alignment and ensuring uniform refractive index distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a lateral electric field is generated between the planar electrode and the second linear electrodes to change the liquid crystal layer back to the initial arrangement direction, then the response time is reduced, but a vertical electric field is simultaneously generated that disrupts the alignment and causes non-uniform optical properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidalignment uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode structure is segmented into first linear electrodes, second linear electrodes, and a planar electrode, allowing independent control of different electric field components. The first linear electrodes generate only the necessary vertical electric field for alignment recovery, while the planar electrode is used only for lensing mode activation, preventing unwanted vertical field generation during alignment recovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful vertical electric field component is extracted and isolated to specific electrode pairs (first linear electrodes with second linear electrodes), while the planar electrode is removed from the alignment recovery process. This separation ensures that only the necessary lateral electric field is applied during alignment recovery, eliminating the harmful vertical field component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If three types of electrodes (first linear electrodes, second linear electrodes, and planar electrode) are used to generate the first and second electric fields, then the lensing mode and non-lensing mode transitions are enabled, but the electrode configuration becomes complicated and the drive circuit configuration becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode transition capabilityVSAvoidelectrode configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second linear electrodes serve multiple functions: they act as one electrode for generating the lensing electric field with the planar electrode, and simultaneously serve as the counter electrode for generating the alignment recovery electric field with the first linear electrodes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated electrodes for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using the planar electrode and second linear electrodes to generate the alignment recovery field (which creates the harmful vertical field), the invention inverts the approach by using the first linear electrodes and second linear electrodes to generate the recovery field. This reversal of the electrode pair selection eliminates the vertical field problem while maintaining the necessary alignment recovery function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 solution reduces response time and prevents non-uniform optical properties by aligning liquid crystals uniformly, allowing efficient transitions between deflected and non-deflected states while simplifying the electrode configuration.

Implementation Method 1

electrodes to apply an electric field to the liquid crystals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

a liquid crystal layer disposed between the two electrode structures... changes the direction of alignment in the liquid crystal layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid crystal alignment change: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentUS20250321451A1Liquid crystal light deflector and driving method of liquid crystal light deflector

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 SHANGHAI AVIC OPTO ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A liquid crystal light deflector includes a liquid-crystal light deflection panel and a controller. The liquid-crystal light deflection panel includes liquid crystals and electrodes to apply an electric field to the liquid crystals. The controller applies, to the liquid crystals, a predetermined electric field for driving the liquid crystals toward the direction orthogonal to the initial alignment direction of the liquid crystals, and thus causes the liquid-crystal light deflection panel to transition to the first state causing deflection. The controller applies, to the liquid crystals, a uniform electric field for driving at least some of the liquid crystals toward the direction orthogonal to the initial alignment direction, and thus causes the liquid-crystal light deflection panel to transition from the first state to the second state causing no deflection.