Prismatic Optical Element for Reflection-Type LCD Light Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reflective liquid crystal display systems suffer from low light utilization efficiency due to large-angle emergent light from edge-lit light guide plates, leading to significant light energy loss as three-color light cannot enter corresponding color films, complicating the display structure and limiting directional control of light.
Innovation Solution
An optical element with a substrate and prisms having sequentially decreasing refractive indexes is introduced, arranged between the light source and the liquid crystal panel, effectively reducing the angle of emergent light and enhancing light utilization efficiency by deflecting light closer to a vertical direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an edge-lit light guide plate is used as a front light source system, then light can be provided to the liquid crystal panel, but most emergent light is in a large angle direction causing light energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is divided into multiple prisms, and each prism is further divided into multiple sub-prisms with different refractive indexes. This segmentation allows different regions of the optical element to control light in different ways, optimizing the overall light utilization efficiency while reducing large-angle emergent light.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sub-prisms within the optical element have different refractive indexes, creating local quality variations. This allows the optical element to selectively control light propagation angles in different regions, directing more light at appropriate angles for color film entry while reducing large-angle emergent light that causes energy loss.
2Ease of operation
If prisms with sequentially decreased refractive indexes are used, then light propagation direction can be controlled, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The complex optical element is segmented into multiple prisms with progressively decreasing refractive indexes. This segmentation simplifies the overall design by breaking down the complex light control function into multiple simpler stages, where each prism handles a specific portion of the light redirection task.
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive index parameter is systematically varied across the different prisms, creating a gradient structure. This parameter change approach allows for controlled light propagation direction adjustment while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as the complexity is managed through gradual parameter transitions rather than abrupt structural changes.
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 increases light utilization efficiency and screen brightness by reducing the angle of emergent light, thereby improving the overall performance of the reflection-type liquid crystal display system.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of prisms comprises a plurality of sub-prisms arranged side by side along a first direction with refractive indexes sequentially decreased
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an optical element used in a reflection-type liquid crystal display system. The optical element includes a substrate, and a plurality of prisms formed on a surface of the substrate and sequentially arranged along a first direction. Each of the plurality of prisms includes a plurality of sub-prisms sequentially arranged along the first direction with refractive indexes sequentially decreased.