Polarization Selective Microlens Array for Display Light Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display technologies, such as LCD and OLED displays, face limitations in energy efficiency due to polarizers and color filters blocking a significant portion of the backlight, leading to reduced light transmittance and power efficiency, especially in high-resolution displays.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a polarization selective microlens assembly between the light source and the display panel, which includes a first microlens array to collimate light and a second microlens array to focus polarized light through subpixel apertures, enhancing light transmittance by reducing light blockage by TFTs and black matrices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional polarizers and color filters are used in display panels, then display functionality is achieved, but light transmittance and power efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backlight modulation function into two separate components: a microlens array for spatial light concentration and a polarization converter for polarization transformation. This segmentation eliminates the need for traditional polarizers and color filters that block light, thereby reducing energy loss and improving power efficiency while maintaining display functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a microlens array as an intermediary optical element between the backlight and display panel. This intermediary concentrates light onto subpixel apertures and works in conjunction with a polarization converter to achieve spatial and polarization-based light modulation without the light-blocking effects of conventional polarizers and color filters.
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution display panels with dense subpixel arrangements are used, then display resolution is improved, but light blockage by TFTs and black matrices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating light locally at each subpixel aperture using the microlens array. This ensures that light is precisely delivered where needed (through the apertures) while minimizing light blockage by surrounding TFTs and black matrices, thereby maintaining high resolution and improving light transmittance simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the two-dimensional constraint of planar light delivery by introducing optical focusing in the third dimension through the microlens array. This dimensional approach allows light to be concentrated onto small aperture areas from a larger backlight area, enabling high-resolution displays with improved light transmittance despite increased density of TFTs and black matrices.
3Ease of operation
If traditional polarizer-based backlight modulation is used, then polarization control is achieved, but significant light loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical polarizer-based polarization control system with an optical system combining a microlens array and polarization converter. This substitution eliminates the light-blocking mechanism of traditional polarizers while achieving the desired polarization control through optical focusing and polarization transformation, thereby reducing energy loss.
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 significantly increases light transmittance and power efficiency by ensuring that a greater portion of the backlight passes through the display panel, particularly in high-resolution displays, thereby improving the overall performance of non-emissive and emissive display devices.
Implementation Method 1
a microlens array disposed between the light-emitting elements and the polarization converter. The microlens array includes a plurality of microlenses configured to transform a first portion of the image light as a first polarized light
Implementation Method 2
transform a first portion of the image light as a first polarized light that is incident onto the converting regions, and transform a second portion of the image light as a second polarized light that is incident onto both of the converting regions and the non-converting regions
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a light source configured to output a light. The device also includes a display panel including a plurality of subpixel areas. The device also includes a microlens assembly disposed between the light source and the display panel. The microlens assembly includes a first microlens array configured to substantially collimate the light into a first polarized light, and a second microlens array configured to focus the first polarized light as a second polarized light propagating through apertures of the subpixel areas.