Curved Liquid Crystal Display Alignment Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Curved liquid crystal displays face issues with misalignment between substrates during curving, leading to decreased light transmittance and the formation of unwanted patterns or stains due to interference in liquid crystal molecule alignment.
Innovation Solution
A curved liquid crystal display design featuring a first and second curved substrate with specific liquid crystal alignment layers, including vertical alignment functional groups and a multilayer structure with varying reactive mesogen content, along with patternless and patterned electrodes, to maintain vertical alignment of liquid crystals and prevent misalignment-induced stains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a curved liquid crystal display is designed to compensate for image quality differences across the screen, then the display can provide more uniform appearance, but misalignment between substrates occurs during curving leading to decreased light transmittance and formation of unwanted patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different alignment functional groups to different regions of the alignment layer. Specifically, it uses a first alignment functional group in a first region and a second alignment functional group in a second region, where these groups have different alignment characteristics. This local differentiation allows the display to maintain proper liquid crystal alignment across the curved surface while preventing misalignment-induced defects, thereby resolving the contradiction between alignment precision and light transmittance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetric alignment characteristics by employing different alignment functional groups with distinct properties in different regions of the alignment layer. This asymmetric design compensates for the substrate curvature effects and prevents uniform misalignment, maintaining both alignment precision and light transmittance across the curved display surface.
2Shape
If a curved liquid crystal display is manufactured by curving flat substrates, then the display achieves the desired curved shape, but misalignment patterns and stains are generated due to interference in liquid crystal molecule alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates alignment functional groups directly into the alignment layer structure before the liquid crystal is injected and before the curving process. These pre-installed functional groups with different alignment characteristics guide the liquid crystal molecules into proper alignment even when the substrate is curved, preventing misalignment patterns and stains from forming during the curving manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing different alignment functional groups in different regions of the alignment layer, the patent creates locally optimized alignment conditions that accommodate the curved geometry. This local quality differentiation ensures uniform liquid crystal alignment across the entire curved surface, maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving the desired curved shape.
3Illumination intensity
If vertical alignment functional groups are used in the liquid crystal alignment layer, then liquid crystal molecules can be vertically aligned to improve light transmittance, but misalignment still occurs during substrate curving process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric alignment functional groups with different alignment characteristics in different regions of the alignment layer. This asymmetric design compensates for the mechanical stresses and geometric distortions that occur during substrate curving, maintaining consistent vertical alignment of liquid crystal molecules and preventing misalignment while preserving high light transmittance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes functional groups with different alignment parameters (such as different tilt angles or orientation characteristics) in different regions. By changing these alignment parameters locally, the system adapts to the curved substrate geometry and maintains vertical alignment consistency, preventing misalignment patterns while preserving the light transmittance benefits of vertical alignment.
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
The solution enhances light transmittance and prevents the generation of unnecessary patterns or stains by ensuring consistent liquid crystal alignment, even during substrate curving, thereby improving display quality.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal alignment layer disposed between the liquid crystal layer and the first curved substrate and including at least one vertical alignment functional group
Implementation Method 2
the alignment direction of liquid crystals in the liquid crystal layer is determined and the polarization of incident light is controlled
Implementation Method 3
The second curved liquid crystal alignment layer may contain a polymerization initiator
Data Source
AI summary
A curved liquid crystal display includes a first curved substrate; a second curved substrate facing the first curved substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first curved substrate and the second curved substrate; a first curved liquid crystal alignment layer disposed between the liquid crystal layer and the first curved substrate and including vertical alignment functional groups; and a second curved liquid crystal alignment layer disposed between the liquid crystal layer and the second curved substrate.