Switchable Lens Element Using Polymer Stabilized Blue Phase LC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern lens element applications require liquid crystal media that can operate over a broad temperature range with high dielectric anisotropy, low viscosity, and UV stability, while also reducing operating voltage and temperature dependency, and minimizing the need for alignment layers and rubbing processes.
Innovation Solution
A lens element comprising a blue phase LC material with specific compounds that exhibit a wide blue phase range, high dielectric anisotropy, low viscosity, and good thermal and UV stability, integrated into an electro-optical device such as an autostereoscopic display, where the blue phase LC medium is polymer stabilized to enhance stability and switchability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional liquid crystal media are used in lens elements, then the basic lens function is achieved, but the operating temperature range is limited and the viscosity is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the liquid crystal medium by incorporating specific compounds ( Formula I with fluorinated groups, Formula II with cyclohexyl rings, Formula III with ester groups) to achieve a broad blue phase temperature range while maintaining low viscosity and high dielectric anisotropy properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite liquid crystal medium by combining multiple compounds with specific molecular structures and functional groups, achieving synergistic effects that broaden the temperature range while optimizing viscosity and optical properties for lens element operation
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional liquid crystal media are used in lens elements, then the basic switching function is achieved, but the operating voltage is high and temperature dependency is significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the dielectric anisotropy parameter by selecting compounds with specific fluorinated and aromatic structures, enabling high dielectric anisotropy that reduces the operating voltage required for switching while minimizing temperature dependency through careful molecular structure selection
3Reliability
If conventional liquid crystal media are used in lens elements, then the basic optical function is achieved, but UV stability and thermal stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical stability parameters by incorporating fluorinated groups and aromatic rings with high bond dissociation energies, providing enhanced UV resistance and thermal stability while maintaining the liquid crystal's optical and electro-optical properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional organic compounds with less UV and thermal stability with specially designed fluorinated liquid crystal compounds that offer superior stability, extending the operational lifetime and reliability of the lens element under harsh environmental conditions
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 provides a stable and efficient switchable lens effect with reduced operating voltage and temperature dependency, enabling improved performance in autostereoscopic displays and other electro-optical devices, while simplifying manufacturing by eliminating the need for alignment layers and rubbing processes.
Implementation Method 1
When no electric potential is applied to the electrodes, the refractive index of the liquid crystal material is substantially higher than that of the inverse lens array... When an alternating electric potential of approximately 50 to 100 volts is applied to the electrodes, the refractive index of the liquid crystal material is substantially the same as that of the inverse lens array
Implementation Method 2
the blue phase material to an isotropic state for the 2D mode and to a birefringent state for the 3D mode
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a switchable lens element comprising an inverse lens structure formed by an isotropic material and an isotropic cover sheet wherein the resulting lens structure comprises an electrically switchable polymer stabilized blue phase LC medium having the same refractive index in its isotropic state. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of such a lens element in an electro-optical device i.e. an autostereoscopic display device operable in a 2D mode or a 3D mode, in which a lens arrangement directs the output from different pixels to different spatial positions to enable a stereoscopic image to be viewed and wherein the lens arrangement comprises a plurality of said switchable lens elements.