Optical Path Control Member for Flat Display Viewing Angle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Curved liquid crystal display devices face issues with damage, high power consumption, and reliability deterioration due to high temperature/high humidity/thermal shock conditions, and they struggle to control viewing angles effectively without physical curvature.

Innovation Solution

A display device design that includes a flat display panel, a backlight unit, and an optical path control member with a light conversion layer featuring partitioned receiving portions in pyramid shapes, which control light emission directionally to manage viewing angles without physical curvature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a curved display panel is used to control viewing angles, then the viewing angle control is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to damage and reliability deterioration under high temperature/high humidity/thermal shock conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing angle controlVSAvoidreliability under environmental conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical curvature of the display panel with an optical path control member that uses refractive index differences to control light emission direction. The optical path control member includes a first electrode, second electrode, and light conversion layer with receiving portions formed in pyramid shapes, which control light direction through optical refraction rather than physical curvature, thereby maintaining panel flatness and improving reliability under environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a curved display panel is used to control viewing angles, then the viewing angle control is improved, but the power consumption increases due to high power consumption to improve luminance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing angle controlVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical curvature system with an optical control system using an optical path control member that has refractive index differences between its components. This allows viewing angle control through optical refraction at the interface between the light conversion layer and receiving portions, eliminating the need for high power consumption to maintain curvature and improve luminance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a curved display panel is used to control viewing angles, then the viewing angle control is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to the need for external forcing to curve the panel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing angle controlVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the complex manufacturing process of curving panels by using an optical path control member with refractive index differences to control light emission direction. The receiving portions formed in pyramid shapes create the necessary optical path control through material properties rather than mechanical curvature, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the approach from mechanical curvature to optical parameter control by using refractive index differences between the light conversion layer and receiving portions. This allows viewing angle control through optical refraction, eliminating the need for external forcing during manufacturing and simplifying the production process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables directional light emission for central viewers, mimicking the effect of a curved display without physical curvature, thereby enhancing luminance, reducing power consumption, and improving environmental reliability.

Implementation Method 1

The light generated by the backlight unit may be scattered by the scattered particles and may be emitted to a front of the display panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

The light generated by the backlight unit may be refracted at an interface between the receiving portion and the partition portion and may be emitted toward a central portion of the display panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS12242154B2Display device

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 LG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

Embodiments relate to a display device including: a display panel configured to display an image; a backlight unit below the display panel, the blacklight unit configured to emit light; and an optical path control member interposed between the display panel and the backlight unit. The optical path control member includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light conversion layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The light conversion layer includes: a partition portion; and receiving portions which are formed in a pyramid shape within the partition portion and in which scattered particles are dispersed.