Adjustable Mask Plate for LCD Photo-Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photo-alignment methods for liquid crystal displays are complex and costly due to the need for multiple masks and steps to achieve uniform alignment, particularly when forming regions with the same alignment in pixels, leading to increased costs and process complexity.
Innovation Solution
A mask plate with adjustable transparent sections and shield plates is used to expose alignment films on both top and bottom panels simultaneously, allowing for alignment of liquid crystal molecules in multiple sections with fewer exposure processes, thereby simplifying the process and reducing costs by making the mask plate reusable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple photo masks and multiple irradiation steps are used to achieve uniform alignment in multiple sections, then the alignment quality is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mask plate is divided into multiple transparent sections (first transparent section, second transparent section, third transparent section, fourth transparent section) corresponding to different pixel sections. Each transparent section allows UV light to pass through to specific areas, enabling simultaneous alignment of multiple sections in a single exposure step while maintaining precise control over which areas receive alignment treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple alignment functions into a single mask plate structure. The mask plate simultaneously performs alignment for top and bottom panels across multiple pixel sections (first, second, third, and fourth sections) in one exposure process, merging what would traditionally require multiple separate masks and exposure steps into a unified device and process.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple photo masks and multiple irradiation steps are used to achieve uniform alignment in multiple sections, then the alignment quality is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mask plate is divided into multiple transparent sections (first transparent section, second transparent section, third transparent section, fourth transparent section) corresponding to different pixel sections. Each transparent section allows UV light to pass through to specific areas, enabling simultaneous alignment of multiple sections in a single exposure step while maintaining precise control over which areas receive alignment treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The single mask plate performs multiple alignment functions simultaneously - it aligns both top and bottom panels, and covers multiple pixel sections (first, second, third, and fourth sections) in one exposure process. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized masks, reducing overall manufacturing cost.
3Device complexity
If a single mask plate with multiple transparent sections is used for simultaneous exposure, then the process complexity is reduced, but the precision of controlling alignment in specific sections may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mask plate is divided into multiple transparent sections (first transparent section, second transparent section, third transparent section, fourth transparent section) corresponding to different pixel sections. Each transparent section allows UV light to pass through to specific areas, enabling simultaneous alignment of multiple sections in a single exposure step while maintaining precise control over which areas receive alignment treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the mask plate have different optical properties - some areas are transparent to UV light while others are opaque. This local differentiation allows precise control over which specific pixel sections receive alignment treatment, with each transparent section tailored to correspond to specific alignment requirements of underlying pixel sections.
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 method achieves efficient alignment of liquid crystal molecules in multiple sections with reduced exposure processes and lower costs, simplifying the manufacturing of liquid crystal display devices by using a mask plate that can align films in both panels with fewer steps and exposures.
Implementation Method 1
a linearly-polarized ultraviolet is irradiated to a polymer alignment film having sensitizer, so that the polymers are aligned
Implementation Method 2
providing a mask plate for shielding the top panel and the bottom panel
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is related to a photo-alignment method, comprising the following steps. A top panel and a bottom panel each with an alignment film are provided; a mask plate for shielding the top panel and the bottom panel is provided, and a transparent section of the mask plate is disposed; an ultraviolet is emitted along a first incident direction by the mask plate for exposing the alignment film of the top panel and the bottom panel; the transparent section of the mask plate is adjusted, an ultraviolet is emitted along a second incident direction by the mask plate for exposing the alignment film of the top panel and the bottom panel. The manufacture of the alignment film in the whole liquid crystal display device can be accomplished by a mask plate undergoing exposure twice, so that the exposure times decrease and the process is simplified.