PDLC Display Light Leakage Suppression via End Portion Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices employing polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) suffer from undesired light leakage at the end portions, which degrades the display quality and impression of the device.
Innovation Solution
The display device incorporates a functional member, such as a light-shielding member or a reflective member, disposed on at least a part of the end portions to suppress light leakage. Additionally, a diffusing member can be used to enhance luminance uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light guide is used to propagate light from the light source, then the light can be distributed along the display panel, but light may leak at the end portion opposite to the light incident surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful light leakage from the system by introducing a light-shielding member that specifically targets and blocks the leaked light at the end portion of the light guide, separating the useful light propagation function from the harmful light leakage effect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful light leakage into a beneficial effect by using a reflective member to redirect the leaked light back into the display panel, transforming the waste light into useful illumination that enhances overall light utilization efficiency
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a light-shielding member is disposed on the end portion to suppress light leakage, then light leakage is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film light-shielding members that can be deposited directly onto the end portion of the light guide, using flexible film technology to achieve light blocking without adding bulky structural elements, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the light-shielding function with existing structural components of the display panel, integrating the light-shielding member into the boundary structure between the light guide and the display area, thereby avoiding additional independent components and reducing overall device complexity
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 implementation of these functional members effectively reduces undesired light leakage, maintains luminance uniformity, and enhances the overall display quality and appearance of the device.
Implementation Method 1
various types of illumination devices employing polymer dispersed liquid crystal (hereinafter called 'PDLC') capable of switching a diffusing state of diffusing incident light and a transmitting state of transmitting incident light
Implementation Method 2
a light-shielding member disposed on at least a part of the second end portion
Implementation Method 3
various display devices employing PDLC have been reviewed in recent years
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate including a first end portion and a second end portion located at a position different from the first end portion, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a light source device located above the first substrate and disposed along the first end portion, and a light-shielding member disposed on at least a part of the second end portion.