Liquid Crystal Device Apertured Electrode Viewing Angle

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In liquid crystal devices using the FFS system, the V-shaped pixel electrode structure creates regions where liquid crystal molecules cannot be sufficiently driven, leading to reduced transmittance and aperture ratio, and increased viewing angle variations.

Innovation Solution

The liquid crystal device incorporates a common electrode with apertures and a pixel electrode formed on an insulating layer, where the apertures are positioned to create non-uniform electric fields, allowing liquid crystal molecules to be realigned in multiple directions, reducing viewing angle changes and improving aperture ratio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a V-shaped pixel electrode is used to create two-directional transverse electric fields, then viewing angle characteristics are improved, but the aperture ratio decreases due to undriven liquid crystal regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing angle characteristicsVSAvoidaperture ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pixel electrode is segmented into multiple independent linear sections rather than forming a continuous V-shape. These segmented electrodes are arranged in a matrix pattern with gaps between them, allowing electric fields to be generated in multiple directions without creating undriven triangular regions. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining viewing angle characteristics while eliminating the aperture ratio penalty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the pixel electrode are designed with different orientations and configurations. The linear sections are arranged to create locally optimized electric field patterns that drive liquid crystal molecules effectively in all directions. This local quality variation ensures uniform liquid crystal driving across the entire pixel region while maintaining high aperture ratio.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If the pixel electrode and common electrode are in the same layer, then device structure is simplified, but liquid crystal molecules above the pixel electrode are not sufficiently driven

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode layer structureVSAvoidliquid crystal driving effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode structure transitions from a planar same-layer configuration to a stacked multi-layer configuration. The pixel electrode and common electrode are separated into different layers with an insulating layer between them, enabling transverse electric fields to effectively penetrate and drive liquid crystal molecules throughout the entire cell gap, including regions above the pixel electrode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If apertures are added to the common electrode to create non-uniform electric fields, then liquid crystal alignment is improved, but device manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid crystal alignment controlVSAvoidelectrode fabrication process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The common electrode is designed with a porous structure containing multiple apertures that allow electric field lines to pass through and create non-uniform field distributions. This porous configuration enables precise control of liquid crystal alignment and multi-directional driving while maintaining compatibility with standard thin-film fabrication processes, thus not significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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

This configuration enhances the aperture ratio and reduces viewing angle variations, resulting in improved transmittance and display quality by allowing liquid crystal molecules to be effectively driven across the entire pixel region.

Implementation Method 1

a second electrode that is formed on the insulating layer corresponding to a pixel region so as to generate an electric field, the electric field being generated between the first and second electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

when liquid crystal is driven, a transverse-directional electric field (a transverse electric field) is generated between the first electrode serving as a common electrode and the second electrode serving as a pixel electrode, so that the alignment of liquid crystal is controlled

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid crystal alignment: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentUS7486365B2Liquid crystal device and electronic apparatus

Publication Date: 2009.02.03 MAGNOLIA WHITE CORP

AI summary

A liquid crystal device includes: a pair of substrates with liquid crystal interposed therebetween; a first electrode formed on one of the pair of substrates; an insulating layer formed on the first electrode; and a second electrode that is formed on the insulating layer corresponding to a pixel region so as to generate an electric field, the electric field being generated between the first and second electrodes. The first electrode is provided with a plurality of apertures within the pixel region.