Registered Reflective Element for TIR Display Brightness

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Solution Overview

Problem

The 'dark pupil' problem in TIR-based displays reduces reflectance and brightness due to light rays passing through non-reflective regions, and the use of transparent conductive coatings absorbs a significant amount of incident light, making it difficult to achieve efficient reflection.

Innovation Solution

A reflective element with a conductive coating is added to the surface of hemi-beads, aligned with the dark pupil regions to recycle light rays, eliminating the need for transparent conductive coatings and enhancing brightness by reflecting light back to the viewer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If transparent conductive coatings are used on hemi-beads, then electrical conductivity is achieved, but light absorption increases and brightness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidbrightness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the transparent conductive coating from the hemi-bead surface entirely. Instead, it uses a reflective coating that provides both electrical conductivity and high reflectivity, eliminating the light absorption problem associated with transparent conductive coatings while maintaining the necessary electrical functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameter of the coating from transparent (absorbing light) to reflective (returning light). By using a reflective coating with high reflectivity in the visible spectrum, the system achieves both electrical conductivity and high brightness, resolving the contradiction between conductivity and illumination intensity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If light rays pass through dark pupil regions, then the display structure is simple, but reflectance and brightness are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay structureVSAvoidreflectance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of light loss through dark pupil regions into a beneficial effect by placing reflective coatings at strategic locations. The reflective coating captures light that would otherwise be lost and redirects it back through the dark pupil regions to the viewer, transforming light loss into light enhancement while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The reflective coating acts as an intermediary element between the light source and the viewer. It intercepts light rays passing through the dark pupil regions and redirects them back toward the viewer, serving as a mediating structure that enhances reflectance without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If reflective coating is added to hemi-beads, then brightness is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebrightnessVSAvoiddisplay structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reflective coating serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical conductivity, enhances light reflection for brightness improvement, and maintains structural integration with the hemi-bead. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving brightness enhancement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Illumination intensity

If light recycling is implemented through reflective elements, then reflectance increases, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereflectanceVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the reflective coating application with the existing hemi-bead manufacturing process. By integrating the reflective coating step into the current production line and using standard coating techniques, the manufacturing complexity is minimized while still achieving the light recycling function and enhanced reflectance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution significantly increases the reflectance and brightness of TIR-based displays by recycling light rays through the dark pupil regions, improving the display's angular viewing range and overall performance.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a substantial fraction of the light rays passing through sheet 12 and beads 14 undergoes TIR at the inward side of beads 14. The light rays undergo TIR two or more times at the bead:liquid TIR interface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9280029B2Registered reflective element for a brightness enhanced TIR display

Publication Date: 2016.03.08 WUXI CLEARINK LTD

AI summary

The brightness of a TIR-based display is enhanced with a registered reflective element by recycling and reflecting light that passes through the dark pupil region of each hemi-spherical protrusion in the hemi-spherical surface back to the viewer. A method to fabricate a brightness enhanced TIR display comprising an apertured membrane with a thin conductive reflective metal layer facing and registered with the pupils of the hemi-spherical surface.