Multi-zone mirror graded transition for uniform reflectance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-zone mirrors struggle to achieve a seamless transition between opaque and transflective areas, leading to variations in color and intensity of the reflected image, and prior art fails to match the reflectance and color between these areas effectively, affecting the aesthetic appearance and stealthy performance of the mirror.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a multi-zone reflector design with a graded or abrupt transition between opaque and transflective areas, utilizing a split reflector stack with a graded opacifying layer and varying thickness of reflecting layers to decouple reflectance and transmittance values, ensuring a uniform color and reflectance across the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-zone reflector design with different transmission zones is implemented, then the functional performance is improved, but the visual appearance uniformity deteriorates due to color and intensity variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing different optical characteristics in different zones of the reflector. The first zone has first optical characteristics while the second zone has second optical characteristics, allowing each zone to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall visual uniformity through controlled transition regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the optical properties (transmission, reflection, absorption) across different zones. By controlling the optical characteristics in each zone and their transition regions, the patent achieves both functional versatility and visual appearance uniformity simultaneously.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a transition region between opaque and transflective zones is created, then the visual appearance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the reflector into distinct zones (first zone, second zone, and transition region) with different optical characteristics. This segmentation allows for controlled visual transitions while providing clear manufacturing guidelines for creating each zone with specific optical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to create transition regions where optical properties gradually change between zones. This approach improves visual appearance by eliminating abrupt boundaries while maintaining manageable manufacturing complexity through controlled parameter transitions.
3Device complexity
If the reflectance and transmittance are coupled in existing designs, then the structure is simpler, but the ability to independently adjust optical properties in each zone is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling independent control of optical characteristics in different zones. The first zone can have first optical characteristics while the second zone has second optical characteristics, allowing independent adjustment of reflectance and transmittance in each zone without being constrained by coupled designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses segmentation to separate the optical control of different zones. By dividing the reflector into distinct zones with independently controllable optical properties, the patent achieves both structural simplicity and independent adjustment capability simultaneously.
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 design achieves a visually unperceivable transition between zones, maintaining stealthy characteristics and optimizing the aesthetic appearance by ensuring uniform reflectance and color across the mirror surface, while allowing independent adjustment of reflectance values in each zone.
Implementation Method 1
a lower reflecting layer disposed adjacent the supporting base, the lower reflecting layer substantially completely covering a first transflective zone of the reflector
Implementation Method 2
an opacifying layer having a lower surface facing the supporting base and an upper surface, the opacifying layer disposed substantially outside the first transflective zone adjacent to the lower reflecting layer
Implementation Method 3
an upper reflecting layer extending substantially completely over the opacifying layer and the first transflective zone of the reflector
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-zone reflector having an opaque zone and a transflective zone. The reflector includes a supporting base, a lower reflecting layer disposed adjacent the supporting base, and an upper reflecting layer extending over the opacifying layer and the transflective zone of the reflector. The lower reflecting layer substantially completely covers the transflective zone, and the opacifying layer is disposed substantially outside the transflective zone adjacent to the lower reflecting layer. Over at least a portion of the transflective zone, the upper and lower reflecting layers have a common surface.