Quantum Dot Display Light Reflecting Layer External Light

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Image display devices using quantum dots suffer from decreased contrast and visibility due to external light, such as sunlight, causing the color filter to emit light even in black display modes, which impairs image quality.

Innovation Solution

A light reflecting layer with a peak wavelength matching the excitation light source is disposed on the observer side of the image display device to reduce external light incidence on the quantum dot wavelength conversion layer, using a polarizing reflective layer like a cholesteric liquid crystal layer to effectively cut external light while maintaining emitted light brightness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a color filter containing quantum dots is used to achieve narrow emission wavelength bands and high color reproducibility, then color display performance is improved, but external light causes the quantum dots to emit light unintentionally, decreasing contrast and visibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission wavelength band narrownessVSAvoidexternal light influence
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the 'Blessing in disguise' principle by converting the harmful effect of external light into a beneficial filtering mechanism. The light reflecting layer is designed to reflect specific wavelength bands (including the excitation wavelength of quantum dots) while transmitting other wavelengths, thereby converting the problematic external light into a selectively reflected component that prevents unwanted quantum dot emission and maintains display contrast.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The light reflecting layer serves as an intermediary element positioned between the external environment and the quantum dot-containing color filter. This intermediary layer selectively reflects harmful wavelength bands (including blue light at 450nm that excites quantum dots) while allowing other wavelengths to pass through, thereby protecting the quantum dots from unintended excitation by external light sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a light reflecting layer is added to block external light, then visibility and contrast are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal light blockingVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light reflecting layer is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a protective element against external light and as an optical management component within the display structure. By integrating this layer into the existing display architecture, the patent achieves external light blocking without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as the same layer performs multiple optical functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting the optical properties (reflection wavelength bands, transmission characteristics) of the light reflecting layer to match the specific requirements of the quantum dot emission characteristics. By optimizing these parameters, the layer effectively blocks external light at critical wavelengths while maintaining overall device simplicity through precise parameter control rather than complex structural additions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter 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

This configuration significantly enhances visibility of the display image by efficiently reflecting external light containing the excitation wavelength, reducing its impact on the quantum dot emission and maintaining brightness, thus improving contrast and image quality even in environments with external illumination.

Implementation Method 1

a light reflecting layer which includes, in a reflection wavelength region, a peak wavelength of a light source that emits excitation light to be used for emission of the quantum dots

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

when a member containing quantum dots is irradiated with excitation light from a backlight, the quantum dots are excited and emit fluorescence

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 3

a first light reflecting layer which has a reflection center wavelength range of 430 nm to 480 nm, and is formed by fixing a cholesteric liquid crystalline phase emitting circular polarization light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCircular polarization: Cholesteric Liquid Crystal

Data Source

PatentEP3591443B1Image display device
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 NIPPON KAYAKU CO LTD
  • EP3591443B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3591443B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3591443B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an image display device provided with: a wavelength conversion layer (22b) containing quantum dots; and a light reflecting layer (16) provided on an observer side with respect to the wavelength conversion layer (22b) and including, in a reflection wavelength region, a peak wavelength of a light source that emits excitation light to be used for emission of the quantum dots.