Transflective Array Substrate Rough Surface for Diffuse Reflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid crystal display (LCD) technologies face challenges in achieving clear display performance both indoors and outdoors due to low backlight utilization, leading to poor diffuse reflection effects and limited viewing angles, especially under strong light conditions.

Innovation Solution

The development of a transflective array substrate with a reflection region featuring a particle layer providing a granular rough surface and a reflection electrode with an uneven, continuous shape, which enhances diffuse reflection and reduces specular reflection, thereby improving viewing angles and visual effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a conventional backlight structure is used, then the display can be seen indoors, but the utilization ratio of light is greatly decreased and the display cannot be seen clearly outdoors with strong light

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay brightnessVSAvoidbacklight utilization ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is divided into two distinct regions: a pixel region for displaying images and a reflection region for enhancing ambient light reflection. This segmentation allows the device to simultaneously utilize both backlight and ambient light, improving overall light utilization efficiency and display visibility under different lighting conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reflection region serves multiple functions: it reflects ambient light to enhance display visibility outdoors, reduces glare from strong light sources, and complements the backlight system. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between indoor and outdoor display performance while improving backlight utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Illumination intensity

If a smooth reflecting layer is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the diffuse reflection effect is poor and viewing angles are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereflectivityVSAvoidsurface structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reflecting layer is designed with locally varied properties: the pixel region maintains a relatively smooth surface for standard display function, while the reflection region features a rough surface with microparticles for enhanced diffuse reflection. This local differentiation optimizes each region's function without unnecessarily complicating the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The reflection region incorporates a rough surface with microparticles that create curved and irregular micro-structures. These micro-curves and spherical-like particle shapes scatter light in multiple directions, significantly improving diffuse reflection effect and viewing angles compared to a flat smooth surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If a rough surface is created on the reflecting layer, then the diffuse reflection effect is improved, but the manufacturing precision and surface uniformity become difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing angleVSAvoidsurface uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A resin layer is introduced as an intermediary material between the base substrate and the reflection region. This resin layer serves as a medium to embed microparticles and create the desired rough surface structure. By controlling the resin layer's properties and the particle embedding process, the patent achieves both the required surface roughness for diffuse reflection and acceptable manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls the roughness parameters of the reflection region by adjusting particle size distribution, particle concentration, and resin layer thickness. These parameter changes allow optimization of diffuse reflection effect while maintaining manufacturing feasibility and surface uniformity within acceptable tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution significantly increases reflectivity and viewing angles while minimizing specular reflection, resulting in improved display performance under various lighting conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a particle layer 112, the particle layer 112 being configured to provide a granular rough surface 1111

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

a reflection electrode 108 on the particle layer 112

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3678179B1Array substrate and manufacturing method thereof, and display device
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3678179B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3678179B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4A
  • EP3678179B1 patent drawingFigure 4B~5

AI summary

Provided are an array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device. The array substrate comprises a base substrate (101), a layered structure (1110), and a reflective electrode (108). The base substrate (101) comprises a pixel region (PR). The pixel region (PR) comprises a reflective region (RR). The layered structure (1110) is located in the reflective region (RR) and comprises a granular layer (112). The granular layer (112) is configured such that one side of the layered structure (1110) away from the base substrate (101) has a granular, rough surface (1111). The reflective electrode (108) is provided over the granular layer (112). The array substrate can enhance diffuse reflection of a reflective region.