Optical Guiding Structure for Transparent Display Light Transmittance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Transparent displays face challenges in allowing sufficient background light transmittance due to impermeable metal wires, thin film transistors, or ink contraction zones, which hinder users' view of images behind the display.
Innovation Solution
A display device design incorporating a non-transparent structure with an optical guiding structure and a reflective layer that reflects ambient light through openings, enhancing light utilization and transmittance, and an electrochromic block to control background light, allowing the display of predetermined images while increasing contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal wires, thin film transistors, or ink contraction zones are used in transparent displays, then display functionality is achieved, but light transmittance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An optical guiding structure acts as an intermediary component between the non-transparent display elements and the background. This structure captures light that would otherwise be blocked by metal wires and TFTs, and redirects it through the display area, thereby maintaining display functionality while improving light transmittance.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical guiding structure utilizes the side surfaces of the non-transparent elements to redirect light path from a blocked dimension to an open dimension. By capturing light at the sides of the non-transparent structures and guiding it through openings, the system compensates for the light-blocking effect in the front dimension.
2Reliability
If the display structure blocks ambient light, then display contrast is improved, but background visibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical guiding structure applies different light handling properties to different regions: it blocks light where needed (through the non-transparent structures for contrast) while simultaneously guiding light through openings where visibility is required. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between contrast and background visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical guiding structure creates a feedback mechanism where light blocked by non-transparent elements is captured and redirected back through the display area. This feedback loop ensures that light which would otherwise be lost is instead utilized to maintain both contrast and background visibility 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
The solution significantly increases ambient light transmittance and improves contrast by reflecting ambient light through openings and controlling background light, enabling clear viewing of both display content and the background.
Implementation Method 1
The reflective layer is disposed on the side surfaces. The ambient light entering the display device via a side of the second substrate is reflected by the reflective layer and exists via the opening.
Implementation Method 2
The electrochromic block is located between the non-transparent structure and the second substrate, the electrochromic block including a first transparent electrode, a conductive layer and an electrochromic medium.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device including a first substrate, a second substrate, a display element layer, a non-transparent structure, an optical guiding structure and a reflective layer is disclosed. The second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate adjacent to a display surface of the display device. The display element layer is disposed between the first and the second substrates. The non-transparent structure, located between the optical guiding structure and the display element layer, defines at least one opening of the display device. The optical guiding structure corresponds to the one opening. The optical guiding structure includes a plurality of insulating structures each having a first surface adjacent to the non-transparent structure and side surfaces connected to the first surface. The reflective layer is disposed on the side surfaces. The ambient light entering via the second substrate is reflected by the reflective layer and exists via the opening.