Prism-Louver Optical Isolation for High Forward Transmittance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical isolation devices struggle to achieve high forward transmittance while maintaining a significant optical isolation ratio, which is crucial for applications in optical communication, security, and display enhancement.

Innovation Solution

The proposed optical isolation element comprises a light control film, a first optical path changing element, and a second optical path changing element, which are designed to alter the optical path of incident light. The light control film absorbs light incident at angles other than the predetermined angle, while the optical path changing elements, comprising prism films with specific triangular cross-sections, adjust the light's angle of emission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional optical isolation devices are used, then backward transmittance is reduced, but forward transmittance also decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackward transmittanceVSAvoidforward transmittance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The optical isolation device is divided into multiple functional layers: a first prism sheet with prisms having a first apex angle, a second prism sheet with prisms having a second apex angle, and an absorbing louver film. Each layer performs a specific function in the optical path, allowing independent optimization of forward transmittance and backward transmittance characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the optical isolation device have different optical properties. The first and second prism sheets have different apex angles to handle light at different stages, and the absorbing louver film is positioned at a specific location to absorb backward-propagating light while allowing forward light to pass through the optical path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If optical isolation ratio is increased, then backward transmittance is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical isolation ratioVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An absorbing louver film is introduced as an intermediary element between the two prism sheets. This film specifically absorbs backward-propagating light that has passed through the prism sheets, providing additional optical isolation without requiring complex modifications to the prism structures themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical isolation device combines different optical elements with distinct functions: refractive prism structures for light direction control and an absorbing louver film for selective light absorption. This composite structure achieves high optical isolation ratio by combining the advantages of different material types and optical mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 configuration achieves high forward transmittance while significantly reducing backward transmittance, resulting in an excellent optical isolation ratio. The optical isolation element can be applied in various fields, including optical communication, security, and display enhancement.

Implementation Method 1

The light control film absorbs light incident at angles other than the predetermined angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the optical path changing elements, comprising prism films with specific triangular cross-sections, adjust the light's angle of emission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3726262B1Optical isolation device
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP3726262B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3726262B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(e)
  • EP3726262B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present application relates to an optical isolation element. The present application provides an optical isolation element with an excellent optical isolation ratio which can be formed simply and at low cost. Such an optical isolation element can be applied, for example, not only to the fields of optical communication or laser optics, security and privacy protection, but also to members for brightness enhancement in displays or military products requiring hiding and covering, and the like.