Optical Construction with Aligned Polarizers for Haze Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical constructions, such as those in liquid crystal displays, face increased transmitted haze due to the integration of electrically conductive layers like metal nanowire-based transparent conductor layers, which reduces display performance by decreasing contrast ratio and visual quality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an optically transparent, electrically conductive light scattering layer between a reflective polarizer and an absorptive polarizer, with the pass axes of the polarizers aligned, to reduce excess haze by depolarizing forward scattered light and attenuating backscattered light that aligns with the absorptive polarizer's pass axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an electrically conductive light scattering layer is integrated into the optical construction, then electromagnetic interference shielding and touch sensing capabilities are improved, but transmitted haze increases and contrast ratio decreases
Solution Approach 1:
An absorptive polarizer layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the reflective polarizer layer and the light scattering layer. This intermediate layer selectively absorbs backscattered light that would otherwise contribute to haze, while allowing forward-scattered light to pass through. The absorptive polarizer acts as a mediator that filters out harmful light paths without blocking the useful light transmission, thereby reducing transmitted haze while preserving the electromagnetic interference shielding and touch sensing capabilities provided by the conductive light scattering layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the polarization state parameter of light to resolve the haze problem. By introducing an absorptive polarizer layer with its pass axis aligned with the reflective polarizer, the system changes the polarization parameter of transmitted light. The absorptive polarizer blocks light with polarization orientations that would create haze while transmitting light with orientations that maintain image quality, thus reducing transmitted haze without compromising the functional capabilities of the conductive layer.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an absorptive polarizer layer is added to reduce excess haze, then transmitted haze is reduced and visual quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The absorptive polarizer layer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it reduces transmitted haze by absorbing backscattered light, maintains electromagnetic interference shielding capabilities, and preserves touch sensing functionality. By making this single layer multi-functional, the patent avoids the need for additional separate components to address each issue individually, thereby reducing overall device complexity despite the increased number of polarizer layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the haze reduction function with the existing polarizer layer structure. Instead of adding a separate haze-filtering component, the absorptive polarizer layer is integrated into the existing stack of polarizer and light scattering layers. This merging approach combines the polarization filtering function with the haze reduction function in a single layer, reducing the need for additional independent components and simplifying the overall device architecture.
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 results in lower transmitted haze, improving the visual quality and contrast ratio of displays by reducing excess haze, with transmitted haze levels between 0.1% and 10%, compared to constructions without an absorptive polarizer.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective polarizer layer having a first pass axis
Implementation Method 2
reflective polarizer layer
Implementation Method 3
an absorptive polarizer layer having a second pass axis
Implementation Method 4
absorptive polarizer layer
Implementation Method 5
at least one electrically conductive light scattering layer arranged between the reflective polarizer layer and the absorptive polarizer layer
Implementation Method 6
depolarizing forward scattered light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical construction includes a reflective polarizer layer having a first pass axis and an absorptive polarizer layer having a second pass axis that is substantially aligned with the first pass axis. At least one electrically conductive light scattering layer is arranged between the reflective polarizer layer and the absorptive polarizer layer.