Cross-Shaped Pixel Electrode for LCD Signal Line Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid crystal display devices face challenges in reducing the number of signal lines and drivers while maintaining image quality, and in preventing electric field leakage between pixels, which affects display quality and cost efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The liquid crystal display device employs a laterally elongated pixel structure with a cross-shaped pixel electrode configuration, where the pixel electrode is surrounded by the common electrode, and the switching element is connected at a central part of the pixel, forming necessary capacitance for image display and allowing for four domains within one pixel, thus reducing the number of signal lines and preventing electric field leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the number of signal lines and drivers is reduced, then production costs are lowered, but it becomes difficult to maintain image quality and control electric field leakage between pixels
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel electrode is divided into multiple independent electrodes (first pixel electrode, second pixel electrode, third pixel electrode, fourth pixel electrode) arranged in a specific pattern. This segmentation allows each electrode to control a specific domain within the pixel, enabling precise electric field control and preventing field leakage between pixels while using fewer signal lines. The common electrode is also segmented into multiple regions that correspond to these domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional vertical electric field control to lateral electric field control by arranging pixel electrodes and common electrode regions in a planar configuration. The first and second pixel electrodes are positioned adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction, as are the first and second common electrode regions, creating lateral electric fields that switch liquid crystal molecules without requiring complex vertical electrode structures.
2Reliability
If a conventional pixel structure is used, then image display is achieved, but electric field leakage occurs between pixels affecting display quality
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel electrode is divided into multiple independent electrodes (first pixel electrode, second pixel electrode, third pixel electrode, fourth pixel electrode) arranged in a specific pattern. This segmentation allows each electrode to control a specific domain within the pixel, enabling precise electric field control and preventing field leakage between pixels while using fewer signal lines. The common electrode is also segmented into multiple regions that correspond to these domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a specific arrangement of transparent insulating films and conductive films as intermediaries between the pixel electrodes and common electrode regions. These intermediate layers precisely control the formation of lateral electric fields, ensuring that electric fields are generated only within intended pixel domains and do not leak into adjacent pixels, thereby maintaining display 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 configuration reduces the number of signal lines and drivers, lowers production costs, enhances viewing angle compensation, and maintains high transmittance and contrast ratio, while suppressing color mixture and variance in brightness due to misalignment.
Implementation Method 1
liquid crystal molecules are switched by a lateral electric field which is substantially parallel to a major surface of the array substrate
Implementation Method 2
attention is paid to the configuration which makes use of a lateral electric field (including a fringe electric field)
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including a pixel electrode having a cross shape and surrounded by a first gate line, a second gate line, a first source line and a second source line, the pixel electrode including a main pixel electrode which extends in a first direction and a sub-pixel electrode extending in a second direction, a second substrate including a common electrode, the common electrode including main common electrodes which extend in the first direction and are located, respectively, above the first gate line and above the second gate line, and a liquid crystal layer held between the first substrate and the second substrate.