Asymmetric Protrusion Alignment for Liquid Crystal Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid crystal displays face issues with transmissivity reduction and panel stains due to misalignment of display panels, and they struggle to effectively control the pretilt of liquid crystal molecules, which affects image quality, especially in curved displays.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal display design featuring a first and second substrate with a liquid crystal layer in between, where the first alignment layer includes a photo-reactive group and a reactive mesogen, and the second alignment layer does not, allowing for the formation of protrusions between the first alignment layer and the liquid crystal layer through photopolymerization, promoting a higher pretilt angle for adjacent liquid crystal molecules and minimizing protrusions on the second side, thus preventing stains and maintaining transmissivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If protrusions are formed between both alignment layers and the liquid crystal layer through photopolymerization, then pretilt control is improved, but panel stains and misalignment issues worsen due to symmetric protrusion formation on both sides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the first alignment layer photo-reactive while keeping the second alignment layer non-photo-reactive. This creates asymmetric protrusion formation only on the first substrate side, enabling localized pretilt control without the harmful symmetric protrusions that cause panel stains and misalignment issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements asymmetry by introducing photo-reactive groups into only one alignment layer (the first alignment layer). This asymmetric configuration causes protrusions to form exclusively between the first alignment layer and liquid crystal layer, preventing the dual-sided protrusion formation that leads to staining and alignment problems while maintaining effective pretilt control.
2Manufacturing precision
If photopolymerization is applied to both alignment layers, then liquid crystal molecule orientation is improved, but transmissivity reduction occurs due to misalignment between upper and lower display panels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by restricting photopolymerization to only the first alignment layer. This localized approach maintains precise liquid crystal molecule orientation control where needed while avoiding the transmissivity reduction that occurs when both alignment layers are photo-reactive and cause misalignment between panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements asymmetry by making only the first alignment layer photo-reactive. This asymmetric design achieves effective liquid crystal orientation control through protrusion formation on one side only, preventing the transmissivity loss associated with symmetric dual-sided photopolymerization and panel misalignment.
3Device complexity
If no protrusions are formed, then panel simplicity is maintained, but pretilt angle control of liquid crystal molecules deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition of only one alignment layer to include photo-reactive groups. This selective parameter change enables protrusion formation and pretilt angle control without significantly increasing overall device complexity, as the second alignment layer remains simple and non-photo-reactive.
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 the pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules adjacent to the first alignment layer, improving response speed and preventing stains in curved displays by controlling the formation of protrusions, thereby maintaining image quality and transmissivity even with panel misalignment.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of protrusions are formed between the first alignment layer and the liquid crystal layer in the irradiating of the UV light
Implementation Method 2
eluting the reactive mesogen included from the first alignment layer into the liquid crystal layer by applying heat
Implementation Method 3
The liquid crystal display generates an electric field in the liquid crystal layer by applying a voltage to the field generating electrodes. The orientation of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer is determined by the generated electric field
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal display including: a first substrate; a second substrate configured to overlap the first substrate and to be separate from the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and including a liquid crystal molecule; a first alignment layer disposed between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer; a second alignment layer disposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer; and a plurality of protrusions disposed between the first alignment layer and the liquid crystal layer, wherein at least one protrusion of the plurality of protrusions includes an orientation polymer including a polymerized reactive mesogen, the first alignment layer includes a photo-reactive group, and the liquid crystal layer includes a photoreaction initiator.