Slit Grating for 2D-3D Switching via Liquid Composite Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing process of liquid crystal slit gratings for 2D/3D switchable display devices is complex and costly, and polarizers in these devices reduce light utilization rates.

Innovation Solution

A slit grating using a liquid composite layer with light-shielding and light-transmitting liquids, controlled by electrically-induced dielectric sublayers, replaces the liquid crystal layer, eliminating the need for polarizers and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a liquid crystal slit grating is used to achieve 2D/3D switchable display, then the 3D display function is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve2D/3D switchable display functionVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the polarizer component from the liquid crystal display structure. By eliminating the polarizer, the manufacturing process is simplified while maintaining the 2D/3D switchable display function through the liquid crystal layer alone, which can control light transmission and blocking without requiring polarizing filters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the liquid crystal layer by applying different voltages to switch between 2D and 3D modes. In 2D mode, the liquid crystal molecules are aligned to transmit light uniformly, while in 3D mode, specific voltage patterns create light-blocking regions that form the slit grating structure, enabling mode switching without additional mechanical components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a liquid crystal slit grating with polarizers is used, then the 3D display function is achieved, but the light utilization rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve3D display functionVSAvoidlight utilization rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the polarizer component from the display structure. Polarizers inherently block 50% of incident light regardless of its polarization state, and in liquid crystal displays they create additional light loss. By eliminating this component, the system achieves 3D display functionality while significantly improving light utilization efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the optical mechanism of polarizers with an electro-optical mechanism using the liquid crystal layer's inherent light modulation properties. The liquid crystal molecules can be electrically controlled to orient in different directions, thereby controlling light transmission and blocking without requiring polarizing filters, achieving 3D effect through electrical field control rather than optical polarization filtering

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 improves light utilization rates and reduces production costs by enabling efficient switching between 2D and 3D display modes with reduced demands on liquid material layers and cell thickness.

Implementation Method 1

the electrically-induced dielectric sublayers to absorb or repel the light-shielding liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrowetting: Electrowetting

Data Source

PatentEP3086157B1Slit grating and preparation method therefor, and display device
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3086157B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3086157B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3086157B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a slit grating, a method for manufacturing the same and a display device. The slit grating includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate, an electric-controlled dielectric layer and a liquid composite layer arranged between the upper substrate and the lower substrate. The liquid composite layer consists of a light-shielding liquid and a light-transmitting liquid incompatible with each other. The electric-controlled dielectric layer has an electrically-induced light-shielding-liquid-philic or light-shielding-liquid-phobic property. According to the present disclosure, a liquid crystal layer is replaced with the liquid composite layer consisting of the light-shielding liquid and the light-transmitting liquid incompatible with each other, and the distribution of the light-shielding liquid and the light-transmitting liquid is controlled by means of the electrically-induced light-shielding-liquid-philic or light-shielding-liquid-phobic property of the bar-like electric-controlled dielectric sublayers, so as to achieve the switch between a 2D display mode and a 3D display mode. Due to the absence of polarizers desired for the liquid crystal slit grating, it is able to improve the light utilization rate. Moreover, as compared with the liquid crystal slit grating, for the slit grating of the present disclosure, there is less demand on a liquid material layer and a cell thickness, so it is able to simplify the manufacturing process.