Stacked Liquid Crystal Panels for Precise Light Distribution Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices using liquid crystal lenses struggle to effectively control light distribution and irradiation area due to limitations in electrode spacing and orientation, leading to inefficiencies in light manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with multiple liquid crystal panels stacked over a light source, featuring electrodes with varying spacings, widths, and orientations to generate orthogonal electric fields, allowing for precise control of light diffusion and rotation, enhancing light distribution control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If liquid crystal panels with regular electrode spacing are used to control light distribution, then the lighting device can control irradiation area and distance, but periodic refractive index distribution causes moiré generation and light coloration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the electrode spacing irregular rather than periodic. Specifically, the spacing between adjacent electrodes in at least one liquid crystal panel is designed to be non-uniform, which disrupts the periodic refractive index distribution that causes moiré effects and light coloration, while still enabling control of light distribution patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by varying electrode spacing in different regions of the liquid crystal panel. Different spacing values are used in different local areas to create specific refractive index profiles that control light diffusion locally, preventing the formation of periodic patterns that cause moiré effects
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple liquid crystal panels are stacked to improve light diffusion control, then precision of light diffusion improves, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the light diffusion control function across multiple liquid crystal panels. Each panel contributes to the overall light diffusion control, and by stacking panels with different electrode configurations, the system achieves precise control of irradiation area and distance that would be difficult to achieve with a single panel
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple liquid crystal panels with different electrode spacing patterns into a single integrated lighting device. The combined effect of multiple panels with irregular electrode distributions creates a composite optical system that achieves superior light diffusion control while the irregular spacing prevents periodic artifacts
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
The solution enables precise control over light irradiation area and distance, improving the efficiency and flexibility of light manipulation, enabling targeted illumination patterns.
Implementation Method 1
the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer is controlled by the electric field between the electrodes, allowing the liquid crystal panel to function as a lens, thereby controlling the light distribution
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a lighting device including a light source, a first liquid crystal panel over the light source, and a second liquid crystal panel over the first liquid crystal panel. Each of the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel includes: a substrate; a plurality of lower electrodes arranged over the substrate in a stripe shape; a first orientation film over the plurality of lower electrodes; a liquid crystal layer over the first orientation film; a second orientation film arranged over the liquid crystal layer and having an orientation direction orthogonal to that of the first orientation film; a plurality of upper electrodes arranged over the second orientation film, orthogonal to the plurality of lower electrodes, and arranged in a stripe shape; and a counter substrate over the plurality of upper electrodes.