Array Substrate Electrode Segmentation for Liquid Crystal Restoration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In liquid crystal display devices using the vertical electric field mode, external pressure can cause liquid crystal molecules to deflect reversely, making it difficult to restore them to the maximum deflection state, resulting in lower actual brightness and impaired display quality.

Innovation Solution

The array substrate design includes electrode strips with one end connected to conductive connection strips and the other end spaced to form an opening, creating a unique electric field direction that allows liquid crystal molecules at the opening to deflect slightly, facilitating quick restoration of molecules at other locations to their original state, thereby enhancing display quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If liquid crystal molecules are deflected to maximum state for highest brightness, then display brightness is improved, but the molecules become vulnerable to external pressure causing reverse deflection and slower restoration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay brightnessVSAvoidresistance to external pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode structure is segmented into multiple electrode strips with openings between them, creating localized electric field regions. This segmentation allows different areas of the liquid crystal layer to experience different electric field conditions, with opening regions providing areas where molecules can be slightly deflected rather than maximally deflected, thus improving pressure resistance while maintaining overall brightness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the electrode structure provide different local electric field characteristics. The electrode strips create regions of maximum deflection for brightness, while the openings create regions of slight deflection for pressure resistance. This local quality variation resolves the contradiction by optimizing different areas for different functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If liquid crystal molecules are deflected to maximum state, then brightness is improved, but restoration speed after external pressure is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay brightnessVSAvoidrestoration speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented electrode structure with openings creates multiple localized regions with different deflection characteristics. The opening regions act as restoration zones where slightly deflected molecules can quickly return to initial state and influence neighboring maximally deflected molecules, accelerating overall restoration speed while maintaining brightness in the electrode strip regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid crystal molecules in the opening regions serve as intermediaries that facilitate the restoration process. These molecules experience slight deflection and can quickly restore, then transfer this restoration effect to the maximally deflected molecules in adjacent electrode strip regions, thereby accelerating the overall restoration process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If uniform electrode structure is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but display quality is reduced due to inability to prevent reverse deflection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode fabrication simplicityVSAvoiddisplay quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode is divided into multiple strips with openings, creating a patterned structure that is more complex than a uniform electrode but still manufacturable using standard thin-film deposition and patterning techniques. This segmented structure enables the dual functionality of preventing reverse deflection while maintaining reasonable manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode structure incorporates local quality variations through the electrode strip and opening pattern, allowing different regions to serve different functions. This local differentiation improves display quality by preventing reverse deflection while maintaining compatibility with existing manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design improves display effect by maintaining liquid crystal molecules in a slight deflection state at the opening while restoring them to the maximum deflection state at other locations, preventing reverse deflection and ensuring quick recovery under pressure, thus maintaining target brightness and quality.

Implementation Method 1

A transverse electric field applied to liquid crystal molecules is caused by the pixel electrode and the common electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

corresponding liquid crystal molecules are in a maximum deflection state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric permittivity: Dielectric Permittivity

Data Source

PatentEP3217217B1Array substrate, display device and manufacturing method for array substrate
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3217217B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3217217B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~2
  • EP3217217B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

An array substrate, a display device and a method for manufacturing an array substrate are provided. The array substrate includes: two first conductive connection strips arranged opposite to each other; and multiple electrode strips arranged between the two first conductive connection strips. The multiple electrode strips are electrically connected to each other via the two first conductive connection strips. Slits are formed between adjacent electrode strips. The multiple electrode strips include at least one electrode strip, of which one end is electrically connected to one of the two first conductive connection strips and another end is spaced at a distance from the other of the two first conductive connection strips to form an opening. The opening is communicated with two adjacent slits.