Bent Common Electrodes for High-Aperture Liquid Crystal Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid crystal devices with lateral electric field modes face challenges in achieving high display luminance and aperture ratio due to disordered liquid crystal alignment at electrode ends, leading to reduced viewing angle and luminance.
Innovation Solution
The liquid crystal device features linear electrodes extending in the long-axis direction of sub-pixels with bent portions inclined in opposite directions, data lines bent to minimize dead spaces, and slits connected across bent portions to enhance aperture ratio and viewing angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If linear electrodes are arranged to extend in the long-axis direction of sub-pixels, then the aperture ratio is improved, but the viewing angle is narrowed due to disordered liquid crystal alignment at electrode ends
Solution Approach 1:
The linear electrode is divided into multiple segments by introducing bent portions at regular intervals. Each bent portion creates a new domain with different electric field directions, causing liquid crystal molecules to align in different orientations. This segmentation of the electrode structure enables multi-domain liquid crystal alignment, achieving both high aperture ratio and wide viewing angle simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode configuration transitions from a simple one-dimensional linear extension to a two-dimensional pattern with bent portions. By introducing spatial variation in the electrode geometry (bent portions at different positions and angles), the patent creates multiple electric field directions across the sub-pixel, enabling liquid crystal molecules to align in diverse orientations and achieve wide viewing angle while maintaining high aperture ratio
2Area of stationary object
If linear electrodes extend in the long-axis direction to maximize aperture ratio, then dead spaces are minimized, but liquid crystal alignment becomes disordered at electrode ends reducing display luminance
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode structure is designed with different local characteristics: straight portions for high aperture ratio and bent portions for controlled liquid crystal alignment. The bent portions are strategically positioned to create localized electric field variations that guide liquid crystal orientation, ensuring uniform alignment across the entire sub-pixel and maintaining high display luminance while preserving maximum aperture ratio
3Adaptability or versatility
If multi-domain structure is formed by arranging linear electrodes in different directions, then viewing angle is widened, but dead spaces increase along data lines reducing aperture ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode configuration dynamically adapts to the sub-pixel geometry by incorporating bent portions at specific locations. The bent portions create multiple electric field directions for wide viewing angle, while the overall linear extension in the long-axis direction maintains maximum aperture ratio. This dynamic design allows the electrode to simultaneously satisfy both viewing angle and aperture ratio requirements
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 achieves a high aperture ratio, wide viewing angle, and high display luminance by minimizing dead spaces and aligning liquid crystals effectively, thereby improving overall display performance.
Implementation Method 1
an electric field is applied to a liquid crystal layer in a direction of a substrate plane to thereby control alignment of liquid crystal molecules
Implementation Method 2
control alignment of liquid crystal molecules
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal includes first and second substrates, the first substrate including intersecting data lines and scan lines. A liquid crystal layer is sandwiched therebetween. Also, a plurality of sub-pixels districted by data lines and gate lines, and arranged along the long-axis and the short-axis directions in a matrix. A pixel electrode in the sub-pixels includes a central portion. A common electrode including linear electrodes arranged along the data lines and disposed with gaps therebetween. Sub-pixels are bent at the center portion, such that the linear electrodes or the gaps in both sides of the sub-pixels are inclined in opposite directions with respect to the long-axis direction. At least one of the linear electrodes or at least one of the gaps has a bent portion at the central portion of the respective pixel electrode. The common electrode is provided on liquid crystal layer side over the pixel electrode.