Reflective Pillar Array With Light Blocking for Clear Floating Images
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mid-air display technologies suffer from low light extraction efficiency, ghost image generation, and direct image formation, which affect the clarity and sharpness of floating images.
Innovation Solution
A reflective structure and array design featuring a substrate with reflective pillars and light blocking layers that control light paths to enhance light extraction efficiency and prevent ghost and direct image generation, using materials like PMMA and metals for reflective and blocking layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a reflective pillar array is used to generate floating images, then light extraction efficiency is improved, but ghost images and direct images are generated causing reduced clarity
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the optical path by introducing a light blocking layer with openings positioned between the reflective pillar array and the observer. This segmentation blocks direct light paths that cause ghost images and direct images while allowing reflected light paths to reach the observer, thereby resolving the contradiction between light extraction efficiency and image clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
A light blocking layer serves as an intermediary element between the reflective pillar array and the observer. This intermediary selectively blocks unwanted direct light paths while permitting the desired reflected light paths to pass through, thus eliminating ghost images without compromising the light extraction efficiency of the reflective pillars.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If light blocking layers are added to prevent ghost images, then image clarity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light blocking layer is merged with the substrate structure, where openings are formed directly in the substrate to create the light blocking effect. This integration reduces device complexity by combining multiple functions (substrate support and light blocking) into a single structural element, while still achieving ghost image elimination.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support, positions the reflective pillars, and simultaneously acts as a light blocking layer through its inherent opacity and integrated openings. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate light blocking components, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining image clarity.
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 achieves high light extraction efficiency and clear, sharp floating images by selectively blocking unwanted light paths, reducing ghost and direct images.
Implementation Method 1
light incident from an original image (or object) passes through a dihedral corner reflector array (DCRA) device and is collected again on the opposite side of the DCRA. The DCRA may generate a floating image (mid-air image) by forming an image at a position exactly equal to the distance between the original image and the DCRA.
Implementation Method 2
a first light blocking layer covering the first surface of the substrate, wherein the first light blocking layer includes an opening adjacent to the reflective pillar and exposing a portion of the first surface of the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A reflective structure includes a substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a reflective pillar provided on the substrate; and a first light blocking layer covering the first surface of the substrate, wherein the first light blocking layer includes an opening adjacent to the reflective pillar and exposing a portion of the first surface of the substrate.