Switchable Retarder Optical Transmissivity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transparent display apparatuses have fixed transmissivity levels, making it difficult to adjust optical transmissivity to desired levels without significant power consumption, as external controllers like shutters reduce overall transmissivity and are power-intensive.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a combination of polarizers and switchable retarders, including a conversion retarder with a liquid crystal layer, to control phase-delayed values and adjust transmissivity with minimal power consumption, allowing for both transparent and black modes without substantial reduction in overall transmissivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If external controllers like shutters are used to adjust optical transmissivity, then transmissivity control is achieved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical shutters with an optical system comprising polarizers and switchable retarders. The polarizers and retarders control light transmission through optical phase manipulation rather than mechanical blocking, eliminating the need for power-intensive mechanical components while achieving the same transmissivity control function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes switchable retarders that can change their optical parameters (phase delay values) between different states. By switching the retardation phase between specific values (e.g., 0 to λ/2, or between different quarter-wave states), the system dynamically adjusts optical transmissivity without mechanical movement or high power consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If external controllers like shutters are used to adjust optical transmissivity, then desired transmissivity levels are achieved, but overall transmissivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system using polarizers and retarders manipulates light phase and polarization rather than physically blocking it. This allows for transmissivity adjustment while maintaining high overall light transmission efficiency, unlike mechanical shutters that inherently block a portion of light regardless of their state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs optical films (polarizers and retarders) that manipulate light properties through phase and polarization changes. These optical components can adjust transmissivity levels by controlling light wave characteristics without absorbing or blocking significant amounts of light, thereby maintaining high illumination intensity.
3Device complexity
If fixed transmissivity levels are used in transparent display apparatuses, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different viewing conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces switchable retarders that can dynamically change their optical state between different phase delays. This dynamic capability allows the display apparatus to adapt to different viewing conditions (indoor/outdoor, day/night) by switching between predetermined transmissivity modes, transforming a static device into an adaptive one without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system with multiple polarizers and switchable retarders serves multiple functions: it controls transmissivity, manages polarization states, and enables different viewing modes (transparent and black modes). This multi-functional design achieves adaptability while keeping the overall device structure integrated and relatively simple.
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
Enables adjustable transmissivity with low power consumption, maintaining high overall transmissivity in transparent mode and blocking light effectively in black mode, thus optimizing display performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first polarizer on a first surface of the transparent display device, the first polarizer being configured to linearly polarize the external light and to transmit the linearly polarized light therethrough
Implementation Method 2
a first retarder between the first polarizer and the first surface of the transparent display device, the first retarder being configured to delay a phase of the external light and to transmit the phase-delayed light therethrough
Implementation Method 3
a second polarizer on a second surface of the transparent display device, the first and second surfaces of the transparent display device being opposite each other, and the second polarizer being configured to linearly polarize the external light and to transmit the linearly polarized light therethrough
Implementation Method 4
a conversion retarder between the second polarizer and the second surface of the transparent display device, the conversion retarder being configured to delay a wavelength of the external light within a range from a first phase to a second phase and to transmit the wavelength-delayed light therethrough when power is supplied to the conversion retarder
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes a transparent display device, a first polarizer on a first surface of the transparent display device, a first retarder between the first polarizer and the first surface of the transparent display device, a second polarizer on a second surface of the transparent display device opposite the first surface, and a conversion retarder between the second polarizer and the second surface of the transparent display device, the conversion retarder being configured to delay a wavelength of the external light within a range from a first phase to a second phase and to transmit the wavelength-delayed light therethrough when power is supplied to the conversion retarder.