Smart Blind Optical Element Using Guest/Host Polarizing Layers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Smart blinds with polarizing plates and retardation films face issues with non-uniform optical characteristics due to fine deviations in optical axes, leading to inconsistent visual sensitivity across surfaces, especially laterally.
Innovation Solution
The use of a smart blind design incorporating a first and second polarizing layer with absorption axes in different directions, where at least one layer is a guest/host-type polarizing element composed of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and dichroic dye, allowing for adjustable light transmission and blocking modes without an additional external power source, and enabling uniform polarization characteristics across surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a liquid crystal film is used as the retardation film in a smart blind, then the smart blind can adjust light transmission rate, but fine deviation in optical axis on lateral surface results in ununiform optical characteristics and poor visual sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the retardation film component from the smart blind structure, retaining only the polarizing plates. This extraction eliminates the source of optical axis deviation while preserving the light transmission control function through the polarizing plates' absorption axes arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different absorption axis orientations in different regions of the polarizing plates. By locally varying the absorption axis directions in the polarizing plates, the system achieves uniform optical characteristics across the entire surface including lateral surfaces, without requiring precise alignment of a retardation film
2Loss of time
If a smart blind uses a polarizing plate and retardation film combination, then external power source is not needed, but the structure becomes complex with multiple layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the retardation film from the multi-layer structure, simplifying the smart blind to consist of only polarizing plates. This reduction in layers decreases device complexity while maintaining the passive operation capability without external power source
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the light transmission control function into the polarizing plates themselves by arranging their absorption axes in different directions. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate retardation film and reduces the overall layer structure 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 achieves uniform polarization and excellent transmission/blocking characteristics on both front and lateral surfaces, enhancing visual sensitivity and eliminating the need for additional retardation films.
Implementation Method 1
a dye layer including a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, and a dichroic dye... having an anisotropic optical absorption effect by absorbing light parallel to an arrangement direction of a dichroic dye and transmitting light perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the dye
Implementation Method 2
a dye layer including a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, and a dichroic dye... since the dye is arranged together by arrangement of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound
Implementation Method 3
a first polarizing layer and a second polarizing layer which are disposed to face each other... Each of the first and second polarizing layers may include a first region having an absorption axis formed in a first direction, and a second region having an absorption axis formed in a second direction different from the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
An optical element and a use of the optical element are provided. The exemplary optical element can be useful in realizing a smart blind having excellent transmission and blocking characteristics in front and lateral surfaces thereof without using a retardation film by employing a polarizing layer whose polarization characteristics are patterned using a guest/host-type dye layer including a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye. Such an optical element may be applied to various light modulating devices such as smart blinds, smart windows, window protective films, flexible display elements, active retarders for displaying a 3D image, or viewing angle adjustment films.