Curved Display Pixel Electrode Shape for Liquid Crystal Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In display devices with curved areas, such as wearable devices, the alignment of liquid crystals is often disrupted due to the step difference caused by the light blocking member, leading to smears in the display.
Innovation Solution
A display device design featuring a light blocking member with a curved inner edge, where the pixel electrodes of pixels outside and inside the curved area have distinct shapes, and the light blocking member covers less than all of the pixel electrode inside the curved area, reducing the step difference and aligning liquid crystals correctly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a light blocking member with predetermined curvature is disposed on pixels arranged in staircase shape to create a curved display area, then the display area can have curvature, but the light blocking member causes step difference that disrupts liquid crystal alignment and creates smears
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different pixel electrode shapes to pixels in different locations: pixels outside the curved area use a first shape while pixels inside the curved area use a second shape. This local differentiation allows the light blocking member to be positioned without causing step differences that would disrupt liquid crystal alignment, thereby eliminating smears while maintaining the curved display area.
2Shape
If the light blocking member is disposed on all pixel electrodes to define display and non-display areas, then clear area definition is achieved, but step differences are exacerbated causing more severe smears at curved portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by having the light blocking member cover only a portion of pixel electrodes inside the curved area rather than all pixel electrodes uniformly. This selective coverage maintains clear area definition while reducing step differences at curved portions, thereby minimizing smears.
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 significantly reduces smears at curved portions of the display area by ensuring proper liquid crystal alignment, enhancing the display quality of curved LCD devices.
Implementation Method 1
a pixel electrode of the first pixel has a different shape from a shape of a pixel electrode of the second pixel
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a first substrate; a second substrate covering the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate; a plurality of pixels on the first substrate; and a light blocking member disposed on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate, the light blocking member disposed in a curved area and defining a display area and a non-display area. The plurality of pixels includes a first pixel outside the curved area; and a second pixel in the curved area, and a pixel electrode of the first pixel has a different shape from a shape of a pixel electrode of the second pixel.