Reflective Display Cover Plate With Side Lighting and Microstructures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reflective displays using ambient light suffer from insufficient brightness due to lack of ambient light, and adding light source modules increases thickness and affects contrast.
Innovation Solution
A reflective display design that includes a cover plate with a light source disposed on or under it, omitting the light guide plate and adhesive, reducing the number of layers and enhancing contrast by using microstructures and an adhesive to bond the reflective display module directly to the cover plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source module is added above the reflective display module to improve brightness, then the brightness is improved, but the thickness increases and contrast deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cover plate and light guide plate into a single integrated component. The cover plate itself serves as the light guide structure, with light sources disposed on its lateral surfaces. This integration eliminates the need for separate light guide plates and reduces the number of stacked layers, thereby improving brightness while controlling thickness and maintaining contrast.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing light sources only above the display module (vertical arrangement), the patent utilizes the lateral surfaces of the cover plate (horizontal arrangement) to dispose light sources. This dimensional change allows light to be introduced from the sides and guided through the cover plate, achieving uniform illumination without increasing vertical thickness.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple layers are stacked above the reflective display module to provide lighting, then the lighting function is achieved, but the contrast is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cover plate and light guide plate into one integrated component, reducing the number of separate layers from three (cover plate, light guide plate, adhesive) to two (integrated cover-light guide plate, adhesive). This merger maintains the lighting function while simplifying the overall structure and improving contrast by reducing interfacial reflections between multiple layers.
3Strength
If a light guide plate and adhesive are used to bond the protective cover, then the structural integrity is achieved, but the thickness and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the light guide function into the cover plate itself, the patent eliminates the need for a separate light guide plate and its associated adhesive layers. This reduction in material layers directly decreases both the weight and thickness of the overall display structure while maintaining structural integrity through the optimized single-layer design.
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 design results in a thinner, lighter display with improved contrast and uniform brightness by reducing the number of layers and optimizing light distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The adhesive is located between the plurality of microstructures and the reflective display module. The reflective display module is bonded to the second surface of the cover plate via the adhesive.
Data Source
AI summary
A manufacturing method of a reflective display includes at least the following steps. A reflective display module having a display surface is provided. An adhesive is formed on the display surface of the reflective display module. A plurality of microstructures is formed on the adhesive. A cover plate is provided over the reflective display module, the microstructures, and the adhesive. The cover plate has a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface. The second surface is located between the first surface and the reflective display module, and the third surface is connected to the first surface and the second surface. The second surface of the cover plate is adhered to the adhesive having the microstructures thereon to bond the microstructures onto the second surface of the cover plate. A light source is disposed adjacent to the third surface of the cover plate.