Quantum Dot Backlight Film With Micro-Optics for Thinner Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturers face challenges in reducing display device thickness without compromising display quality or performance, particularly in achieving desirable reductions in overall device thickness while maintaining optical characteristics and brightness.
Innovation Solution
The integration of luminescent nanostructures, such as quantum dots, within the display device, combined with optical elements like specular reflectors and light blocking elements, allows for the omission or combination of layers, enhancing thickness uniformity and improving display stability and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If quantum dots are used to improve display efficiency, then energy efficiency and color quality are improved, but manufacturing complexity and alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines quantum dots with micro-lens arrays into a single integrated structure where the quantum dots are positioned on the lens surface. This merging eliminates the need for separate quantum dot layers and micro-lens assemblies, reducing manufacturing steps while maintaining the energy efficiency benefits of quantum dots.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the quantum dots provide color conversion and the micro-lens array provides light extraction and directional control. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing while preserving the energy efficiency improvements.
2Loss of energy
If quantum dots with micro-lens arrays are integrated, then light extraction efficiency is improved, but alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the quantum dots directly onto the micro-lens array surface, the patent eliminates the alignment step between separate quantum dot layer and micro-lens assembly. The quantum dots are positioned on the lens surface during a single manufacturing process, removing the need for post-alignment operations while maintaining effective light extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-lens array is pre-formed with its optical elements before the quantum dots are deposited on its surface. This preliminary formation of the micro-lens structure allows the quantum dots to be positioned automatically during deposition, eliminating subsequent alignment steps while ensuring proper optical alignment for light extraction.
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 approach maintains display quality and performance while achieving significant reductions in overall device thickness, improving brightness efficiency, and enabling wide color gamut coverage without significant brightness loss.
Implementation Method 1
Quantum dots are semiconductor nanocrystals that exhibit quantum confinement effects that can be utilized to convert blue light emitted by light-emitting diodes to other colors
Implementation Method 2
Micro-lens arrays are commonly used to extract light from light-emitting diodes and other light sources
Data Source
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AI summary
A display device is provided having a quantum dot formed directly on a surface or substrate of a backlight unit, without requiring an intervening layer. An optically transmissive layer is formed thereon. The quantum dot film may be provided that includes a population of optical features to permit the omission of additional films, such as a separate optical film. A population of optical features may include a population of embedded microspheres to achieve optical effects, to improve the overall thickness uniformity of the quantum dot film, or both. Additionally or alternatively, the quantum dot film may be provided having optical features embossed thereon, such as reflective and/or refractive features, prisms, grooves, grooved prisms, lenticular lenses, micro-lenses, micro- spheres, any other lenses, pitches, or other suitable brightness enhancement and/or optical features. Thereby, a separate optical film may be omitted from the overall device structure.