Transparent Light Guide with Switchable Extraction Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transparent media technologies, such as glass and smart glass, lack the ability to provide configurable lighting solutions that can adapt to varying environmental conditions and user needs, limiting their functionality in applications like automotive and architectural settings.
Innovation Solution
A transparent structure incorporating a light source, a transparent light-carrying layer, and a scattering film or layer, where the light source is optically coupled with the transparent light-carrying layer, allowing light to be guided through by total internal reflection and scattered for illumination, with switchable light extraction layers and mirror layers controlled by voltage for adjustable transparency and lighting modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional transparent media (glass, smart glass) are used, then transparency is maintained, but lighting capability and configurability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated transparent structure: the transparent light-carrying layer serves as both the structural transparent element and the light guide, while the scattering film is integrated directly onto this layer. This merging approach enables lighting capability without requiring separate complex lighting systems, thus improving adaptability while controlling structure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent light-carrying layer performs multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains structural transparency for visibility, guides light through total internal reflection for illumination, and works with the scattering film to distribute light evenly. This multi-functionality allows a single component to provide both transparency and configurable lighting, enhancing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If light is guided through the transparent light-carrying layer by total internal reflection, then lighting efficiency is improved, but light extraction capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The scattering film acts as an intermediary between the light-carrying layer and the external environment. It receives guided light from the transparent light-carrying layer and scatters it in multiple directions, enabling effective light extraction while preserving the efficient total internal reflection transport mechanism. This mediator resolves the contradiction by providing a dedicated interface for light extraction without disrupting the high-efficiency light guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The scattering properties are localized to specific regions or layers (the scattering film) rather than being distributed throughout the entire light-carrying structure. This allows the bulk of the transparent light-carrying layer to maintain high transparency and efficient light guidance, while only the localized scattering regions provide light extraction functionality, thus maintaining lighting efficiency while enabling sufficient light extraction where needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If switchable light extraction layers and mirror layers are added for adjustable transparency, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates switchable light extraction layers and mirror layers that can dynamically change their optical properties in response to control signals. These layers can switch between different states (e.g., transparent/opaque, reflective/transmissive) to provide adjustable transparency and lighting modes. The dynamic nature of these layers enables adaptability to different environmental conditions and user preferences, while their integrated design minimizes the increase in overall device complexity.
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 lighting and display capabilities, enhancing visibility, task lighting, and privacy while maintaining transparency, adaptable to different environments and user preferences.
Implementation Method 1
The transparent light-carrying layer is optically coupled with the light source so at least part of the light from the light source is guided through the transparent light-carrying layer by total internal reflection
Implementation Method 2
The scattering film scatters at least part of the light from the light source out of the transparent light-carrying layer to provide illumination
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure involve a transparent structure. The structure may include at least one light source, a transparent light-carrying guide layer optically coupled with the at least one light source. The structure may include refractive layers where a light absorbing feature is operably associated with the light-carrying guide layer to absorb any light not internally reflected in the light guide layer, at least adjacent the light source.