IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,885,989
Granted Patent B2
US 11,885,989 · App. 16/772,498 · Granted Jan 30, 2024

High transmission light control film

Inventors: Daniel J. Schmidt (Woodbury, MN); Caleb T. Nelson (Woodbury, MN); Kevin W. Gotrik (Hudson, WI); Raymond J. Kenney (Woodbury, MN); John A. Wheatley (Stillwater, MN); Kenneth A. Epstein (St. Paul, MN); Gary T. Boyd (Woodbury, MN); Corey D. Balts (Eau Claire, WI)
Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
G02B5/0263G02B5/286G02B6/0053G02B5/305G02B2207/123
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,885,989
App. No.
16/772,498
Granted
Jan 30, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A light control film, comprises a light input surface and alight output surface opposite the light input surface. Alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions are disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface. The absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30 and the alternating transmissive region and absorptive regions have a relative transmission at a viewing angle of 0 degrees of at least 75%.

Claims (33)

1. A light control film, comprising:

a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface;

alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface, wherein the absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30 and the light control film has a relative transmission of at least 75% at a viewing angle orthogonal to the light input surface, wherein the aspect ratio of the absorptive regions is calculated by dividing the height of the absorptive region by the maximum width of the absorptive region, wherein the transmissive regions and the absorptive regions are joined by a continuous land layer, and wherein each absorptive region has a width nearest the continuous land layer that is less than an average width of the absorptive region.

2. The light control film of claim 1 wherein the absorptive regions have a width parallel to light input surface and a height orthogonal to the light input surface.

3. The light control film of claim 1 wherein the light control film has a relative transmission at a viewing angle of +30 degrees or −30 degrees relative to an axis orthogonal to the light input surface of less than 50%.

4. The light control film of claim 1 wherein the light control film has an average relative transmission for viewing angles ranging from +35 to +80 degrees relative to an axis orthogonal to the light input surface or an average relative transmission for viewing angles ranging from −35 to −80 degrees relative to an axis orthogonal to the light input surface of less than 10%.

5. The light control film of claim 1 wherein the transmissive regions have a wall angle less than 5 degrees relative to an axis orthogonal to the light input surface.

6. The light control film of claim 1 wherein the transmissive regions and absorptive regions have a height ranging from 50 to 200 microns.

7. The light control film of claim 1 wherein the absorptive regions have an average width no greater than 5 microns.

8. The light control film of claim 1 wherein the absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 50, wherein the aspect ratio of the absorptive regions is calculated by dividing the height of the absorptive regions by the width of the absorptive regions.

9. The light control film of claim 1 wherein the absorptive regions have an average pitch of 10 to 200 microns.

10. The light control film of claim 1 wherein the transmissive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 2, wherein the aspect ratio of the absorptive regions is calculated by dividing the height of the absorptive region by the width of the absorptive regions.

11. The light control film of claim 1 wherein the absorptive regions comprise an organic light absorbing material.

12. The light control film of claim 1 wherein the absorptive regions comprise light-absorbing particles having a median particle size less than 500 nanometers.

13. The light control film of claim 1 wherein the absorptive regions comprise at least 25 wt.-% of light-absorbing particles.

14. The light control film of claim 1 wherein the absorptive regions comprise polyelectrolytes.

15. The light control film of claim 1 wherein the transmissive regions comprise a radiation cured (meth)acrylate polymer, wherein the aspect ratio of the absorptive regions is calculated by dividing the height of the absorptive region by the width of the absorptive region.

16. The light control film of claim 1 wherein the alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions are disposed on a base layer.

17. The light control film of claim 1 wherein the light control film further comprises a cover film.

18. The light control film of claim 1 wherein the light control film has a relative transmission at a viewing angle of 0 degrees relative to an axis orthogonal to the light input surface of at least 75%.

19. A light control film comprising a first light control film according to claim 1 disposed upon a second light control film.

20. The light control film of claim 19 wherein the second light control film is according to claim 1 and the first and second light control films are positioned such that the absorptive regions range from being parallel to orthogonal with each other at a viewing angle of 0 degrees relative to an axis orthogonal to the light input surface.

21. The light control film of claim 20 wherein the second light control film is according to claim 1 and the first and second light control films are positioned such that the absorptive regions are coincident with each other at a viewing angle of 0 degrees relative to an axis orthogonal to the light input surface.

22. The light control film of claim 1 wherein the transmission is for a wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm.

23. A microstructured film, comprising:

a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface;

alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface, wherein the absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30 and comprise an organic light absorptive material, wherein the aspect ratio of the absorptive regions is calculated by dividing the height of the absorptive region by the maximum width of the absorptive region, wherein the transmissive regions and the absorptive regions are joined by a continuous land layer, and wherein each absorptive region has a width nearest the continuous land layer that is less than an average width of the absorptive region.

24. A microstructured film, comprising:

a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface;

alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface, wherein the absorptive regions comprise a plurality of particles having a median particle size of less than 100 nanometers, wherein the absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30, wherein the aspect ratio of the absorptive regions is calculated by dividing the height of the absorptive region by the maximum width of the absorptive region, wherein the transmissive regions and the absorptive regions are joined by a continuous land layer, and wherein each absorptive region has a width nearest the continuous land layer that is less than an average width of the absorptive region.

25. A microstructured film comprising:

a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface;

alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface, wherein the absorptive regions comprise a polyelectrolyte, wherein the absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30, wherein the aspect ratio of the absorptive regions is calculated by dividing the height of the absorptive region by the maximum width of the absorptive region, wherein the transmissive regions and the absorptive regions are joined by a continuous land layer, and wherein each absorptive region has a width nearest the continuous land layer that is less than an average width of the absorptive region.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 15, 2020
From: SCHMIDT, DANIEL J.; NELSON, CALEB T.; GOTRIK, KEVIN W.; KENNEY, RAYMOND J.; WHEATLEY, JOHN A.; EPSTEIN, KENNETH A.; BOYD, GARY T.; BALTS, COREY D.
To: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
Reel/Frame 052942/0004 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62598248 · Dec 13, 2017
Related Publication 20200400865A1 · Dec 24, 2020