Variable Power Optical Element Radial Liquid Crystal Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing variable power optical elements using liquid crystals have limited optical power variation, which is insufficient for certain applications, and increasing this variation often results in reduced light transmission, making them unsuitable for many uses.
Innovation Solution
A variable power optical element comprising a substrate with separate closed cells containing a mixture of two nematic or cholesteric liquid crystals, where the proportion of the second liquid crystal increases with radial distance from the center, allowing for controlled orientation changes and increased optical power variation without reducing light transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the liquid crystal mixture proportion is increased to achieve greater optical power variation, then the optical power variation is improved, but light transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is divided into multiple separate closed cells, each containing a liquid crystal mixture with specific proportions. This segmentation allows different regions to have optimized liquid crystal compositions that balance optical power variation and light transmission independently, rather than using a uniform composition throughout the entire element.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cells contain liquid crystal mixtures with varying proportions of first and second liquid crystals tailored to local requirements. Cells in regions requiring higher optical power have compositions optimized for that function, while other cells maintain compositions that prioritize light transmission, achieving both goals simultaneously in different locations.
2Power
If a single liquid crystal composition is used throughout the reservoir, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the optical power variation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single uniform liquid crystal composition, the reservoir is divided into multiple separate closed cells, each containing a mixture of first and second liquid crystals in different proportions. This segmentation enables greater optical power variation while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing through standardized cell assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element uses composite liquid crystal materials consisting of mixtures of first and second liquid crystals in varying proportions across different cells. This composite approach enables tuning of optical properties to achieve greater power variation while the modular cell structure keeps the overall device complexity manageable.
3Power
If multiple separate closed cells are used with varying liquid crystal proportions, then the optical power variation is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is divided into multiple separate closed cells that can be manufactured and assembled independently. This segmentation allows for optimized liquid crystal compositions in each cell while maintaining a modular structure that manages device complexity through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple closed cells serve dual functions: they enable greater optical power variation through different liquid crystal proportions while also providing a modular architecture that simplifies manufacturing and assembly. The same cell structure design can be replicated across different cells with varying compositions, reducing 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
The optical element achieves a greater variation in optical power between control states, enhancing its applicability in image projection, observation, and ophthalmic instruments while maintaining transparency and minimal weight, similar to existing elements.
Implementation Method 1
a controllable polarization system, capable of causing changes between a homeotropic orientation and a planar orientation of nematic or cholesteric liquid crystals contained in the cells
Implementation Method 2
The liquid crystal then has locally an apparent value of the refractive index varying between the value for the planar orientation and that for the homeotropic orientation
Implementation Method 3
When an electrical voltage is applied between the reference electrode and one of the polarization electrodes, the liquid crystal situated at this polarization electrode is deviated by an angle that increases with the value of the electrical voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A variable power optical element is divided into cells which contain two liquid crystals mixed according to different proportions. The proportion of one of the liquid crystals in each cell increases on the basis of the radial distance between a central point of the optical element and said cell. An appropriate selection of the two liquid crystals results in a higher variation of the optical power between two control states of said optical element. More particularly, the optical element may consist of an ophthalmic lens which changes between a convergent lens state and a divergent lens state.