Multilayer Liquid Crystal Diaphragm for Compact Adjustable Aperture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic apparatuses, such as smartphones, have fixed camera apertures that limit exposure control and imaging quality, and existing adjustable aperture systems are complex and costly, making them unsuitable for small-sized devices.

Innovation Solution

An optical module with a multilayer liquid crystal diaphragm that includes fully transmissive and variable light-transmission areas, controlled by an electrode unit, allowing for adjustable aperture settings at low cost and small size, utilizing liquid crystal material whose transmittance changes with applied voltage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed aperture is used in the camera section, then the device structure remains simple and compact, but exposure control and imaging quality are limited for different exposure scenes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexposure control adaptabilityVSAvoidaperture structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a liquid crystal diaphragm layer that can dynamically change its light transmission properties based on applied voltage. The liquid crystal material transitions between transparent and opaque states, enabling the aperture to adapt to different exposure scenes without mechanical moving parts, thus achieving dynamic adaptability while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameter (transmittance) of the diaphragm layer by applying different voltages to the liquid crystal material. This electrical parameter control allows the aperture to adjust its light transmission characteristics across different scenes, improving exposure control adaptability without increasing mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional adjustable aperture system is implemented, then exposure control for different scenes is improved, but the structure becomes very complex and the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaperture adjustabilityVSAvoidaperture system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical aperture mechanisms with an electrically controlled liquid crystal diaphragm layer. Instead of using moving mechanical parts to adjust the aperture, the system uses voltage-controlled liquid crystal transmittance changes, eliminating complex mechanical structures while maintaining aperture adjustability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a thin liquid crystal diaphragm layer as the aperture control element. This flexible film structure can be integrated into the camera module without adding significant bulk or complexity, providing adjustable aperture functionality through electrical control rather than mechanical means

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional adjustable aperture system is implemented, then exposure control for different scenes is improved, but the device size increases making it unsuitable for small-sized electronic apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaperture adjustabilityVSAvoidoptical module size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing mechanical aperture adjustment mechanisms with an electrically controlled liquid crystal diaphragm, the patent eliminates the need for complex mechanical linkages, gears, and moving parts that would increase device volume. The thin-film liquid crystal structure maintains compact dimensions while providing full aperture adjustability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid crystal diaphragm layer is implemented as a thin film structure that can be integrated into the optical path without significantly increasing the optical module's volume. This thin-film approach enables aperture adjustability in small-sized electronic apparatus where space is constrained

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 better imaging quality and user experience by providing an adjustable aperture at a lower cost and smaller size, effectively addressing the limitations of fixed apertures in electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

a variable light-transmission area filled with material having variable transmittance... transmittance of the variable light-transmission area varies in accordance with the adjustment voltage applied by the electrode unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid crystal variable transmittance: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentUS10027899B2Optical module with variable light-transmission area and electronic apparatus using the optical module

Publication Date: 2018.07.17 LENOVO (BEIJING) LTD

AI summary

An optical module that achieves an adjustable aperture with a multilayer liquid crystal diaphragm, and an electronic apparatus using the optical module are described. The optical module includes at least one diaphragm layer having a light-transmission area that is fully transmissive and a variable light-transmission area filled with material having variable transmittance; and an electrode unit for applying an adjustment voltage to the at least one diaphragm layer. Transmittance of the variable light-transmission area varies in accordance with the adjustment voltage applied by the electrode unit.