PDLC Display with Transflective Layer for Non-Driving Aesthetics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flat display devices appear unattractive in a non-driving state as they maintain a black color, which can negatively impact their aesthetic appearance, especially in home appliances.
Innovation Solution
A display device incorporating a polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) layer with a reflective dispersed layer and a transflective layer that allows the display area to appear as a specific color or white even when not powered, using a PDLC layer between substrates and a transflective layer to manage light transmission and reflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional flat display devices are used, then the display area shows images during driving, but the display area appears black during non-driving state, resulting in poor aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining PDLC (polymer dispersed liquid crystal) layer with transflective layer and reflective layer to create a multi-functional structure that achieves both display performance and aesthetic appearance, resolving the contradiction between display functionality and visual appeal in non-driving state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by exploiting the phase transition properties of liquid crystals in the PDLC layer, which can change from transparent to opaque state based on applied voltage, enabling the display to show images during driving while maintaining a uniform opaque appearance during non-driving state
2Ease of manufacture
If PDLC layer with transflective layer is added to improve aesthetic appearance during non-driving state, then the display area shows specific color or white appearance, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transflective layer serves multiple functions: it reflects external light to enhance the opaque appearance during non-driving state, and it transmits backlight during driving state to enable image display. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while achieving aesthetic improvement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the reflective function and transmissive function into a single transflective layer, and combines it with the PDLC layer to create an integrated structure that achieves both aesthetic appearance and display functionality without requiring separate independent components for each function
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 a display area to maintain a visually appealing appearance in both driving and non-driving states without power consumption, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of devices like home appliances by allowing the display to appear as a specific color or white even when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
a PDLC layer between a first substrate and a second substrate
Implementation Method 2
a transflective layer arranged between the PDLC layer and the second substrate to transmit light externally emitted from the display panel and reflect externally incident light
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a display device that includes a display area having an appearance of a specific color in a non-driving state or displaying a specific screen by using PDLC to improve esthetic appearance as in a home appliance. The display device comprises a reflective dispersed layer arranged on a display panel, wherein the reflective dispersed layer includes a PDLC layer between a first substrate and a second substrate, and a transflective layer arranged between the PDLC layer and the second substrate to transmit light externally emitted from the display panel and reflect externally incident light.