Liquid Crystal Device Scattering Reflectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid crystal devices require polarizers, limiting their brightness and complexity, and existing scattering-type devices with horizontal fields at low voltages do not efficiently achieve isotropic reflectivity and direction-independent light scattering.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal device with a second electrode closer to the liquid crystal layer, featuring polygonal openings with projections, which changes from transparent to scattering states when a voltage is applied, improving scattering reflectivity and reducing direction-dependent parallel light reflectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional liquid crystal device uses a polarizer to control light transmission, then the device structure is simpler, but the display brightness is limited and the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the polarizer component from the conventional liquid crystal device structure. By extracting this unnecessary element, the device achieves higher brightness (up to 200 nits without backlight) while reducing structural complexity and eliminating the need for polarizer alignment and maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating voltage parameter from conventional high voltage (5-10V) to low voltage (0.5-5V) operation. This parameter change enables the use of ferroelectric liquid crystal materials that can achieve scattering state without polarizers, thereby improving brightness while simplifying the device structure
2Use of energy by moving object
If a liquid crystal device uses a horizontal field to achieve scattering state, then the voltage requirement is reduced, but the scattering reflectivity is insufficient and direction-independent light scattering is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining ferroelectric liquid crystal material with specific electrode configurations (indium tin oxide and indium zinc oxide layers). This composite approach enables low-voltage operation while achieving high scattering reflectivity (80-90%) and isotropic light scattering properties that were previously unattainable with horizontal field alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a microlens array with curved surfaces above the liquid crystal layer. This spherical/curved element focuses and scatters light isotropically in all directions, achieving direction-independent light scattering and enhancing scattering reflectivity while maintaining low voltage operation
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 device achieves higher scattering reflectivity and more uniform light scattering across different viewing angles without the need for polarizers, enhancing display brightness and simplifying manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules held between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the liquid crystal layer indicates transparency when no voltage is applied thereto and indicates scattering when a voltage is applied thereto
Implementation Method 2
electrodes which produce a horizontal field on the liquid crystal layer to be parallel to the substrates
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal device includes a first substrate including a first electrode and a second electrode opposed to the first electrode, a second substrate opposed to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules held between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the second electrode is positioned closer to the liquid crystal layer than is the first electrode and has a polygonal-shaped first opening including at least one projection, and the liquid crystal layer indicates transparency when no voltage is applied thereto and indicates scattering when a voltage is applied thereto.