Liquid Crystal Element Wrinkle Reduction via Base Layer Rigidity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optical devices using liquid crystal elements face appearance defects such as wrinkles during lamination with outer substrates, which affect their performance and appearance.
Innovation Solution
The optical device features a liquid crystal element with a structure of sequentially laminated first and second base layers, each with a specific flexural rigidity range (2.2 × 10^-4 N·m to 1 × 10^-2 N·m), Young's modulus, thickness, and Poisson's ratio, optimized to reduce wrinkles during lamination with an outer substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a liquid crystal element is laminated with an outer substrate to manufacture an optical device, then the device achieves transmittance control functionality, but appearance defects such as wrinkles occur during lamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the flexural rigidity of base layers to a specific range (2.2×10^-4 N·m to 1×10^-2 N·m) and controlling the thickness ratio between base layers and liquid crystal layers. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by enabling wrinkle-free lamination while preserving transmittance control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structure with multiple base layers having different properties (flexural rigidity, thickness) combined with liquid crystal layers. This composite approach allows the base layers to provide mechanical stability during lamination while the liquid crystal layers maintain optical functionality, thus resolving the appearance quality issue without sacrificing transmittance control.
2Manufacturing precision
If the base layer thickness is increased to reduce wrinkles during lamination, then appearance quality improves, but the device weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of simply increasing base layer thickness, the patent changes the parameter of flexural rigidity to an optimized range and controls the thickness ratio between base layers and liquid crystal layers. This resolves the contradiction by achieving wrinkle prevention through material property optimization rather than sheer thickness increase, thus avoiding excessive weight gain.
3Manufacturing precision
If the flexural rigidity of base layers is optimized to reduce wrinkles, then appearance quality improves, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific parameter ranges for flexural rigidity (2.2×10^-4 N·m to 1×10^-2 N·m) and thickness ratios during the design phase. While this requires precise control, it simplifies the manufacturing process by providing clear specification targets, avoiding the need for complex real-time adjustments during lamination.
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
This configuration effectively minimizes appearance defects like wrinkles, enabling the production of optical devices with improved transmittance control and durability for various applications, including eyewear and vehicle sunroofs.
Implementation Method 1
a light transmission control layer and a shock-absorbing layer are positioned in the cavity... The light transmission layer consists of liquid crystal cells. The transmission ratio of the cells can be controlled variably. The light transmission control layer comprises an electro-optic material
Implementation Method 2
the first base layer and the second base layer constituting the liquid crystal element have a flexural rigidity (D) of 2.2 × 10^-4 N·m to 1 × 10^-2 N·m... When the base layer satisfies the flexural rigidity (D) in the above range, appearance defects such as wrinkles may be reduced at the time that the liquid crystal element comprising the base layer is laminated with an outer substrate
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
Figure 8
AI summary
The present application relates to an optical device. The optical device of the present application can vary transmittance and improve appearance defects such as wrinkles that may occur according to lamination of a liquid crystal element and an outer substrate. Such an optical device can be used for various applications such as eyewear, for example, sunglasses or AR (augmented reality) or VR (virtual reality) eyewear, an outer wall of a building or a sunroof for a vehicle.