Reflective Polarizer Unit for Liquid Crystal Display Light Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid crystal displays suffer from low light efficiency due to the use of absorptive polarizers, which waste light by absorbing unwanted polarized light, increasing manufacturing costs and reducing display performance.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal display design incorporating a first optical conversion layer with a reflecting unit and a polarizing unit on a substrate, and a polarizer on a second substrate, where the polarizing unit transmits light in one direction and reflects light in a perpendicular direction, optimizing light usage and reducing the need for absorptive polarizers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If absorptive polarizers are used to control polarization of incident light, then the liquid crystal display can display images, but light efficiency deteriorates because only some of the light sources are effectively used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces absorptive polarizers with reflective polarizers that reflect unwanted polarized light instead of absorbing it. The reflective polarizer unit includes a first reflective polarizer and a second reflective polarizer that work together to reflect light with polarization directions not aligned with the display requirements, thereby converting energy loss into useful reflected light that can be redirected back through the liquid crystal layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers light that would otherwise be wasted by absorptive polarizers. The reflective polarizer system reflects unwanted polarized light back into the optical path, allowing it to be redirected through the liquid crystal layer and potentially reused, thereby recovering energy that would have been lost.
2Ease of manufacture
If absorptive polarizers are used on outer surfaces of display panels, then polarization control is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of polarization control and light reflection into a single integrated component - the reflective polarizer unit. This unit combines reflective polarizing film with reflective layers, eliminating the need for separate absorptive polarizers and reducing the total number of components required in the display structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective polarizer unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it controls polarization of light, reflects unwanted polarized light back into the optical path, and reduces the need for additional light management components. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity and manufacturing cost.
3Ease of manufacture
If reflective polarizing units are disposed in pixel areas, then light efficiency is improved and manufacturing cost is decreased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pixel area into different functional regions: some areas contain reflective polarizing units while other areas contain transmissive polarizing units. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system compatibility with standard liquid crystal display structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different polarizer types in different locations within the pixel area based on local requirements. Reflective polarizing units are placed in areas where light efficiency improvement is most beneficial, while transmissive polarizing units are used in areas where simple polarization control suffices, optimizing performance while managing complexity.
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 design enhances light efficiency by reflecting or transmitting light based on polarization direction, improving luminance and reducing manufacturing costs by minimizing the demand for absorptive polarizers, while maintaining effective image display.
Implementation Method 1
The polarizing unit transmits light that oscillates in a first direction among the incident lights, and reflects light that oscillates in a second direction different from the first direction among the incident lights
Implementation Method 2
The reflecting unit reflecting incident light
Implementation Method 3
The liquid crystal display generates an electric field in the liquid crystal layer by applying voltage to the electric field generating electrodes, and through the electric field, determines an orientation of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer and controls polarization of incident light
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate, and a first optical conversion layer disposed on the first substrate. The first optical conversion layer includes a reflecting unit reflecting incident light, and a polarizing unit. The polarizing unit transmits light which oscillates in a first direction among the incident light, and reflects light which oscillates in a second direction different from the first direction among the incident light. The reflecting unit and the polarizing unit of the first optical conversion layer may be disposed in at least one pixel area.