Thin Multilayer Light Guide Film With Low-Index Extraction Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The designability of laminated films is reduced due to the thickness of the structure including the light guide plate and the first protective plate, as described in Patent Document 1.
Innovation Solution
A laminated film with a light guide element having a thickness of 1000 µm or less and a total thickness of 1500 µm or less, incorporating a low refractive index layer with a refractive index of 1.30 or less, and a light extraction portion to enhance designability and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a light guide plate and protective plate are used as described in Patent Document 1, then light extraction and protection are improved, but the structure thickness increases reducing designability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the refractive index parameter of the protective plate to 1.30 or less (lower than conventional values), which enables better light extraction efficiency while maintaining a thin structure. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by achieving improved light extraction without increasing thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a specific low refractive index material only to the protective plate layer that requires light extraction functionality, while keeping other layers at their conventional thicknesses. This localized application of special properties allows the protective function and light extraction to coexist in a thin overall structure.
2Length of stationary object
If the light guide element thickness is reduced to improve designability, then visual presence is reduced, but light extraction efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the refractive index parameter of the protective plate to 1.30 or less, the patent compensates for the reduced light guide element thickness. The lower refractive index creates a greater refractive index difference at the interface, enhancing light extraction efficiency even when the light guide element is thinner.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining the light guide element with a specially formulated low refractive index protective plate. This composite material approach allows the thin light guide element to maintain high light extraction efficiency through the optical properties of the composite structure rather than relying solely on the light guide element's thickness.
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 laminated film achieves excellent designability by reducing visual presence and flexibility, minimizing placement defects, and maintaining luminance and hue consistency on adherends such as glass, windows, and ceilings.
Implementation Method 1
a low refractive index layer disposed on one side of the light guide element and having a refractive index of 1.30 or less
Data Source
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AI summary
An object is to provide a laminated film and a roll having excellent designability. The laminated film includes: a light guide element configured to guide light incident from a light source; and a low refractive index layer disposed on one side of the light guide element and having a refractive index of 1.30 or less. The light guide element includes a light extraction portion configured to extract light guided by the light guide element. The thickness of the light guide element is 1000 µm or less, and the total thickness from a first surface of the light guide element, which is the surface on the side opposite to the side on which the low refractive index layer is disposed, to a second surface of the low refractive index layer, which is opposite to the light guide element, is 1500 µm or less.