Stacked Optical Dimmer with Shared Powering for Compact Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical dimmers in near-eye displays are bulky and inefficient due to the need for separate powering structures for each dimming element, which increases the overall size and footprint, making them unsuitable for compact configurations like eyeglasses.
Innovation Solution
A stacked optical dimmer design with electrical bridges and a shared powering structure that connects transparent electrodes of multiple dimming elements, allowing for compact spacing and efficient power distribution without increasing the device's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate powering structures are provided for each dimming element, then each dimming element can be independently powered, but the overall device size and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the powering structures of multiple dimming elements into a single shared powering structure. The first and second dimming elements share common power and ground connections, eliminating the need for separate powering structures for each element. This consolidation reduces the overall device footprint while maintaining independent control capability through the controller that can selectively activate different dimming elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared powering structure serves multiple functions by providing power to both the first and second dimming elements simultaneously or independently. The power distribution architecture is designed to be universal, allowing the same power structure to support multiple dimming elements with different attenuation requirements, thereby reducing component count and device size.
2Area of stationary object
If a stacked optical dimmer design with shared powering structure is used, then the device footprint is reduced, but the complexity of electrical connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical connections into distinct functional groups: power connections, ground connections, and signal connections. By organizing the shared powering structure with separate power and ground paths, the complexity of electrical connections is managed through systematic segmentation rather than random wiring. This segmentation allows for cleaner design and easier manufacturing despite the shared architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary connection structures that facilitate the shared power distribution. These intermediaries simplify the electrical connections between the shared powering structure and the multiple dimming elements, reducing the apparent complexity by providing standardized connection interfaces that abstract away the underlying wiring complexity.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple dimming elements are stacked to achieve higher attenuation, then ambient light reduction is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested architecture where multiple dimming elements are stacked in a compact configuration. The first and second dimming elements are positioned in sequence along the optical path, with the shared powering structure nesting the electrical connections within the same spatial envelope. This nesting allows multiple attenuation stages to be achieved without proportionally increasing the device footprint, as the electrical infrastructure is shared rather than duplicated.
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 effectively doubles the attenuation of external light, enhancing the visibility of AR imagery by reducing ambient light brightness while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for eyeglasses-like near-eye displays.
Implementation Method 1
Each active dimming element includes first and second transparent electrodes and an electroactive material between them. The electroactive material has an optical property controllable by applying voltage between the first and second transparent electrodes.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical dimmer including a stack of active dimming elements is disclosed. Each active dimming element includes a pair of transparent electrodes and an electroactive material between the electrodes. A first electrical bridge couples first transparent electrodes of the active dimming elements. A second electrical bridge couples second transparent electrodes of the active dimming elements. A powering structure is coupled to one of the active dimming elements for applying voltage to that active dimming element. The first and second electrical bridges couple the voltage to other active dimming element(s) of the stack. The first and second electrical bridges and the powering structure are spaced apart from one another along a perimeter of the stack, providing for a compact and customizable overall configuration.