Patterned Polarizer for Transflective LCD Backlight Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transflective LCDs face inefficiencies in backlight recycling due to light being absorbed by polarizers when recycled, leading to reduced brightness in transmissive mode and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A patterned polarizer is placed between the active layer and the backlight system, extending over the apertures in the partial mirror, reducing light absorption and allowing more recycled light to be reused, thereby enhancing backlight recycling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional linear polarizer is used at the backlight side to enable reflective mode operation, then the display can operate in both transmissive and reflective modes, but light efficiency is poor and power consumption is high due to light absorption during recycling
Solution Approach 1:
The polarizer is segmented into two distinct functional zones: a first polarizer region covering the aperture area for transmissive mode light passage, and a second polarizer region covering the reflective area for reflective mode operation. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally without the other's negative effects, enabling dual-mode operation while reducing overall light loss and power consumption.
2Loss of energy
If a conventional linear polarizer is used at the backlight side, then the display can recycle backlight light, but a large fraction of recycled light is absorbed in the polarizer and lost
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the polarizer are assigned different optical properties: the first polarizer region has polarization characteristics optimized for transmissive mode light passage through apertures, while the second polarizer region has characteristics optimized for reflective mode operation. This local differentiation of optical properties reduces light absorption losses in each respective function while maintaining overall polarizer 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
This approach increases brightness in the transmissive mode without increasing backlight power or reduces power consumption while maintaining brightness, by minimizing light loss during recycling.
Implementation Method 1
a patterned polarizer is arranged between the active layer and the backlight system of the transflective LCD device, said patterned polarizer extending substantially over an area of said apertures in said partial mirror
Implementation Method 2
The partial mirror is arranged for reflecting ambient light while at the same time passing light originating from the backlight system
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a transflective LCD incorporating a partial mirror (224) as the transflector. In the transmissive display mode, light from a backlight system (240) passes apertures (226) in the transflector (224). According to the invention, recycling of light to the backlight system (240) is improved by substantially only polarizing light that passes an aperture. This is achieved by means of a patterned polarizer (222) extending over the apertures in the partial mirror.