Optical Sheet Structure Using Ultra-Low Index Layer for Total Reflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical sheets for light guide plate type liquid crystal displays face reduced light utilization efficiency due to the use of low refractive index layers that are not sufficiently low, leading to inadequate total reflection and increased optical characteristics when integrating optical films without air layers.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a low refractive index layer with a refractive index of 1.25 or less, integrated via pressure-sensitive adhesive layers, which maintains optical characteristics and reduces thickness without a base, while protecting the layer from physical damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If optical films are integrated without an air layer using conventional low refractive index layers, then device thickness is reduced and integration is achieved, but optical characteristics deteriorate due to insufficient total reflection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoidoptical characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the refractive index parameter of the low refractive index layer to 1.30 or less (conventional layers have higher refractive indices), which enables sufficient total reflection of oblique incident light while maintaining integration without air layers, thus resolving the contradiction between thickness reduction and optical characteristic maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure combining a low refractive index layer (with refractive index 1.30 or less) and pressure-sensitive adhesive layers to achieve both integration functionality and optical performance, where the composite material system provides both mechanical bonding and optical reflection functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If conventional low refractive index layers are used to integrate optical films, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but light utilization efficiency decreases due to inadequate total reflection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing complexityVSAvoidlight utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the refractive index parameter to 1.30 or less, the patent achieves effective total reflection of oblique incident light, preventing light leakage and improving light utilization efficiency while maintaining simple integrated manufacturing without air layers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If air layers are used as total reflection layers between optical films, then optical characteristics are maintained, but device thickness increases and integration is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical characteristicsVSAvoiddevice thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces air layers (refractive index ~1.0) with a solid low refractive index layer (refractive index 1.30 or less) that provides equivalent total reflection functionality while enabling physical integration and thickness reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The low refractive index layer serves as an intermediary between optical films, providing both the total reflection function previously requiring air layers and enabling mechanical integration through pressure-sensitive adhesive bonding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enhances optical performance, reduces thickness, and improves assembly yield by integrating optical films without air layers, maintaining transparency and strength through adhesive layers.

Implementation Method 1

oblique incident light is not totally reflected, and retroreflection cannot be used

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3572868B1Optical sheet for light guide plate type liquid crystal display, backlight unit for light guide plate type liquid crystal display, and light guide plate type liquid crystal display
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 NITTO DENKO CORP
  • EP3572868B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3572868B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3572868B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides an optical sheet for a light guide plate type liquid crystal display, including a low refractive index layer having an extremely low refractive index. The optical sheet A12 for a light guide plate type liquid crystal display (1000) according to the present invention includes a first optical film (light guide plate) (1010), a low refractive index layer (20), and a second optical film (reflection plate) (1020) laminated in this order, and the low refractive index layer (20) has a refractive index of 1.25 or less.