Curved Electrode LCD for Transmittance and Viewing Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid crystal display devices face challenges in achieving high transmittance and resolution while maintaining a wide viewing angle and suppressing color mixture and contrast ratio degradation, particularly due to issues with electric field leakage and misalignment between substrates.
Innovation Solution
The liquid crystal display device employs a configuration with pixel electrodes and common electrodes formed on the array and counter-substrates, respectively, generating an oblique electric field that aligns liquid crystals, and uses a specific arrangement of polarizers to control light polarization, increasing the inter-electrode distance and maintaining a horizontal electric field for improved transmittance and resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the inter-electrode distance is increased to improve transmittance and resolution, then the electric field strength decreases, but the liquid crystal switching performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrode configuration parameters by introducing curved electrode shapes and adjusting the inter-electrode distance distribution across different regions. This allows optimization of both transmittance and electric field strength by creating a non-uniform electric field distribution that maintains switching performance while improving light transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the electrode design by creating curved electrodes that extend in the thickness direction. This three-dimensional configuration allows the electric field to be distributed more effectively across the liquid crystal layer, maintaining strong switching fields while increasing the effective aperture area for improved transmittance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the viewing angle is widened to improve display quality, then the electric field distribution becomes non-uniform, but the liquid crystal alignment becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different electrode curvature characteristics to different regions of the display. The curved electrode design creates locally optimized electric field distributions that maintain consistent liquid crystal alignment across various viewing angles. Each region's electrode configuration is tailored to ensure uniform electric field strength while supporting wide viewing angle requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If the electrode processing is made finer to improve resolution, then the manufacturing complexity increases, but the alignment precision becomes more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrode structure into distinct curved electrode regions and straight electrode regions. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing processes in each region while achieving high overall resolution. The curved electrodes are processed as separate elements, reducing the complexity of precise alignment and positioning required for fine-pitch electrodes.
4Manufacturing precision
If the substrate misalignment is minimized to improve display quality, then the manufacturing precision must be extremely high, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates alignment marks and positioning structures in advance during the electrode fabrication process. These pre-configured alignment features compensate for potential substrate misalignment by providing reference points that maintain proper electrode positioning even when substrate alignment is not perfectly precise, thereby reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision 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 enhances transmittance, suppresses color mixture, and maintains high resolution and contrast ratio across various pixel pitches without requiring fine electrode processing, while supporting a wide viewing angle and minimizing the impact of substrate misalignment.
Implementation Method 1
liquid crystal molecules are switched by an oblique electric field which is generated between a pixel electrode formed on an array substrate and a counter-electrode formed on a counter-substrate
Implementation Method 2
liquid crystal molecules are switched by a lateral electric field which is substantially parallel to a major surface of the array substrate
Implementation Method 3
a first polarizer which is disposed on an outer surface of the first insulative substrate and includes a first polarization axis, and a second polarizer which is disposed on an outer surface of the second insulative substrate and includes a second polarization axis having a positional relationship of crossed Nicols with the first polarization axis
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including a first insulative substrate, and a first electrode, a second substrate including a second insulative substrate, and a second electrode, a liquid crystal layer held between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first polarizer including a first polarization axis, and a second polarizer including a second polarization, wherein the first polarization axis is substantially parallel or substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the first electrode.