Optical Film Non-Parallel Columnar Structures Reduce Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional brightness enhancing films for LCDs suffer from optical interference issues due to regular structures, leading to Moiré patterns and increased costs, and are prone to damage affecting light gathering efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An optical film with a structured surface layer featuring non-parallel, adjacent columnar structures that reduce optical interference while maintaining high brightness, fabricated using UV-curable resins on a transparent substrate, allowing for irregular patterns that enhance light gathering and diffusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If regular strip-shaped prism structures are used in brightness enhancing films, then light gathering effect is improved, but optical interference occurs causing Moiré patterns and Newton rings

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebrightnessVSAvoidoptical interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by replacing regular parallel strip-shaped prism structures with irregular non-parallel columnar structures. The columnar structures have varying orientations, widths, and heights, creating an asymmetric pattern that breaks the regularity responsible for optical interference while preserving the light gathering capability through their three-dimensional geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs curvature by using columnar structures with rounded tops and curved surfaces instead of sharp-edged parallel prisms. The curved geometry of the columnar structures facilitates smoother light refraction and reduces the formation of interference patterns while maintaining effective light convergence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Productivity

If regular brightness enhancing structures are used, then light gathering efficiency is improved, but damage to the structure causes dark spots and reduced performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight gathering efficiencyVSAvoidstructural durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple functional characteristics into the columnar structure system. The structures integrate light gathering, light diffusion, and enhanced mechanical strength properties, creating a composite functional unit that is both efficient and durable against damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The curved geometry of the columnar structures provides better mechanical strength and resistance to damage compared to sharp-edged prisms. The rounded shapes distribute stress more evenly and are less prone to creating dark spots when damaged, while still maintaining effective light gathering through their three-dimensional form.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If diffusion film is added above brightness enhancing film to reduce optical interference, then optical interference is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical interferenceVSAvoidbacklight module complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of the brightness enhancing film and diffusion film into a single integrated columnar structure layer. The non-parallel columnar structures simultaneously provide light gathering, light diffusion, and interference reduction capabilities, eliminating the need for separate diffusion film layers and simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The columnar structures serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as light gathering elements, light diffusion media, and interference reduction structures. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require separate components, reducing device complexity while achieving the desired optical performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 optical film achieves a brightness gain comparable to conventional films while significantly reducing optical interference, maintaining at least 90% brightness and preventing damage-induced dark spots, with lower production costs and less stringent processing requirements.

Implementation Method 1

gathering the scattered light rays coming from the lightguide plate in all directions by means of refraction and internal total reflection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

gathering the scattered light rays coming from the lightguide plate in all directions by means of refraction and internal total reflection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 3

curing a special acrylic resin with energetic UV light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS7891856B2Optical film
Publication Date: 2011.02.22 ETERNAL MATERIALS CO LTD
  • US7891856B2 patent drawing
  • US7891856B2 patent drawing
  • US7891856B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The subject invention provides an optical film comprising a transparent substrate and a structured surface layer, wherein the structured layer is positioned on the upper surface of the substrate and comprises a plurality of non-parallel, adjacent columnar structures. The optical film according to the subject invention can effectively enhance the brightness of a liquid crystal display and reduce the optical interference.