Stacked Liquid Crystal Light Control Element for Bright Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid crystal light control elements with a single layer are inadequate for regulating light in bright environments, limiting their ability to control the amount of light reaching imaging devices effectively.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal light control element comprising multiple liquid crystal light control units, each with a liquid crystal layer held between transparent electrodes, stacked in the thickness direction to control light transmission in response to applied voltage, allowing for broader light regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional liquid crystal light control element with a single liquid crystal layer is used, then the device occupies less space, but it is limited in the amount of light that can be regulated and cannot adequately control light in bright environments
Solution Approach 1:
The light control element is divided into multiple liquid crystal light control units stacked in the thickness direction. Each unit contains its own liquid crystal layer and transparent electrodes, allowing independent voltage application to each layer. This segmentation enables enhanced light regulation capability while maintaining a compact structure suitable for integration into imaging devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple liquid crystal light control units are stacked in the thickness direction, then light control capability in bright environments is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple liquid crystal light control units are merged into a single integrated element with stacked layers. The transparent electrodes are positioned on top of each other in the thickness direction, allowing all units to be controlled through a unified structure. This merging approach enhances light control range while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical iris diaphragm is used to control light, then light regulation is achieved, but it occupies a large space in the lens barrel
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical iris diaphragm is replaced with a liquid crystal light control element that uses voltage-controlled liquid crystal molecules to regulate light transmission. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical iris blades and driving mechanisms, significantly reducing the space required in the lens barrel while maintaining light control functionality.
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 configuration enables adequate light control for imaging devices in bright conditions, reducing light transmittance to low levels and allowing for proper operation, while also enabling size reduction of the lens barrel and imaging device.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid crystal layer 1614 consists of a large number of rod-like liquid crystal molecules 1625, which are hermetically sealed in a container such that they incline while keeping their long axes parallel to each other. The angle of inclination (with respect to the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer) varies in proportion to the voltage applied to the light control element 16.
Implementation Method 2
The liquid crystal molecules 1615 permit more light to pass through as the angle of orientation of their long axes decreases with respect to the passage of light, resulting in an increased light transmittance. By contrast, the liquid crystal molecules 1615 permit less light to pass through as the angle of orientation of their long axes increases with respect to the passage of light, resulting in a decreased light transmittance.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal light control element, a lens barrel, and an imaging device, which are so designed as to adequately control the amount of light led to the imaging element at the time of photographing in a bright ambience are provided.The lens barrel includes an optical system, a liquid crystal light control element, and an imaging element. The object image captured by the optical system reaches the imaging element through the liquid crystal light control element, which is composed of a first liquid crystal light control unit, a second liquid crystal light control unit, and a first and a second liquid crystal layers, which are placed on top of the other in their thickness direction.