Liquid Crystal Element with Concentric Arcuate Electrodes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid crystal lenses, voltage drop occurs between the ends of ring-shaped electrodes due to their longer lengths, leading to non-uniform driving of the liquid crystal lens.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal element with concentrically arranged first and second arcuate electrodes, where the electrode placement area includes annular band-shaped areas with a larger number of electrodes outwardly, and lead wires with lower resistance per unit length to minimize voltage drop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If ring-shaped electrodes are used in liquid crystal lens, then the electrode coverage area is improved, but voltage drop occurs between the ends of electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides each ring-shaped electrode into multiple arcuate electrode segments arranged concentrically. Each segment has a shorter length than the original continuous ring electrode, which reduces the voltage drop between ends. The segments are positioned at different angular positions around the optical axis, collectively providing the required electrode coverage area while maintaining voltage uniformity across each individual segment.
2Area of stationary object
If electrodes are arranged concentrically with larger radius outward, then the electrode coverage area is improved, but the electrode length increases causing more voltage drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrodes into multiple arcuate portions arranged concentrically. By distributing the total electrode coverage area across multiple shorter segments rather than using fewer longer continuous electrodes, the design achieves extensive radial coverage while keeping each individual electrode segment's length manageable, thus reducing voltage drop.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the angular dimension by arranging multiple arcuate electrode segments at different angular positions around the optical axis. This allows the system to achieve large radial coverage area without requiring each individual electrode to span the entire circumference, effectively converting a one-dimensional length problem into a two-dimensional spatial distribution solution.
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 inhibits voltage drop between the ends of each electrode, ensuring uniform driving of the liquid crystal lens and reducing aberrations, thereby achieving high-precision light refraction or divergence.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal layer LQ
Implementation Method 2
The first arcuate electrodes 1 are disposed concentrically about an optical axis AX of the liquid crystal element 100 and apply first voltage V1 to the liquid crystal layer LQ
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal element is provided that can inhibit occurrence of voltage drop between one end and the other end of each electrode. A liquid crystal element (100) includes a liquid crystal layer LQ, a plurality of first arcuate electrodes (1), and a plurality of second arcuate electrodes (2). The first arcuate electrodes (1) are disposed concentrically about an optical axis (AX) of the liquid crystal element (100) and applies first voltage (V1) to the liquid crystal layer (LQ). The second arcuate electrodes (2) are disposed concentrically about the optical axis (AX) and applies second voltage (V2) to the liquid crystal layer (LQ).