Array Substrate Electrode Segmentation for Liquid Crystal Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional FFS type LCD array substrates suffer from irregular slit patterns at the midline of pixel units, leading to disordered liquid crystal molecule alignment and degraded display quality due to incomplete electric field formation, resulting in dark spots.
Innovation Solution
The array substrate design includes a first electrode with two or more regions of different tilt angles, with a gate line and TFT switch positioned between these regions to form a horizontal electric field, separating and connecting the regions without additional patterns, thus maintaining uniform potential and improving display quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a first electrode with slits is used in FFS type LCD to form driving electric field, then liquid crystal molecules can be driven to orient in specific direction, but irregular slit patterns at the midline of pixel units cause disordered liquid crystal molecule alignment and dark spots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic midline region from the first electrode pattern. By designing the first electrode to exclude the midline area where irregular slit patterns occur, the source of disordered liquid crystal molecule alignment is eliminated, preventing dark spot formation while maintaining effective electric field formation in the remaining electrode regions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the first electrode into multiple regions with different slit patterns. Specifically, the electrode is divided such that different areas have slits oriented at different angles, allowing independent control of liquid crystal orientation in different regions. This segmentation enables the midline region to be excluded or specially treated without affecting the overall electrode functionality
2Ease of manufacture
If additional connection patterns are added to connect regions of the first electrode, then the regions can be connected, but the aperture ratio is reduced and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connection function into the existing gate line structure. The gate line is extended or modified to directly connect the multiple regions of the first electrode, eliminating the need for separate connection patterns. This integration maintains aperture ratio by avoiding additional electrode material deposition while providing the necessary electrical connections between electrode regions
Solution Approach 2:
The gate line is given multiple functions: it serves both as the control electrode for the TFT switch and as the connection conductor for the first electrode regions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated connection patterns, maintaining high aperture ratio while achieving electrode region connectivity
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 enhances display quality by preventing dark spots and maintaining the aperture ratio, reducing the need for additional patterns and minimizing the influence on display effects, ultimately increasing the luminance and reducing backlight power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the first electrode and the second electrode form a horizontal electric field for driving in operation
Implementation Method 2
driving the liquid crystal molecules to orient to a direction
Data Source
AI summary
An array substrate comprises a first substrate and a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of the data lines provided on the first substrate, the plurality of gate lines and the plurality of the data lines define a plurality of pixel units arranged into a matrix form. Each of the plurality of pixel units comprising: a first electrode having slits, comprising two or more regions where the slits have the different tilt degrees; a second electrode; and a thin film transistor switch, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are used to form a horizontal electric field for driving liquid crystal molecules, the gate line and the thin film transistor switch are arranged between each two regions of the first electrode, and the thin film transistor switch is controlled by the gate line to operate each region of the first electrode.