Curved LCD Alignment Layers Reduce Light Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flat LCD devices experience a distance deviation from the viewer's main viewing point to the screen, leading to a decreased sense of immersion due to their flat design, which worsens with larger sizes and results in light leakage at the corners when curved.

Innovation Solution

A curved LCD device design featuring substrates with curved surfaces, alignment layers, and a liquid crystal layer, where the alignment layers are oriented parallel to the curvature to orient liquid crystal molecules, reducing torsional stress and light leakage by minimizing twist angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a flat LCD device design is used, then the manufacturing process is simple and cost-effective, but the distance from the viewer's main viewing point to the screen varies depending on locations, decreasing the sense of immersion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsense of immersion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature to the LCD device by forming the substrates and liquid crystal layer in a curved configuration along a first direction. This curvature ensures that the distance from the viewer's main viewing point to the screen is substantially equal at the center and side areas, thereby improving the sense of immersion while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through appropriate alignment layer orientation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Area of stationary object

If the LCD device size is increased, then the display area is enlarged, but the distance deviation from the main viewing point to the screen increases, further decreasing immersion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoiddistance uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The curved configuration of the LCD device allows for larger display areas while maintaining distance uniformity from the viewer's main viewing point. The curvature radius is designed to ensure that even in large-sized devices, the distance from the center and side areas to the viewer remains substantially equal, preventing increased distance deviation that would otherwise occur with larger flat displays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a curved LCD device design is implemented, then the sense of immersion is improved, but light leakage may occur at the corners due to torsional stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesense of immersionVSAvoidlight leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by orienting the alignment layers in different directions at different locations. Specifically, the alignment layers are oriented substantially parallel to the curvature direction at the center area, while at the side areas, they are oriented to minimize torsional stress. This location-specific orientation prevents light leakage at the corners while maintaining the immersive curved display effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If alignment layers are oriented perpendicular to the curvature direction, then liquid crystal molecules align properly, but torsional stress increases causing light leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid crystal alignmentVSAvoidlight leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by varying the alignment layer orientation based on location. At the center area, alignment layers are oriented perpendicular to the curvature direction for proper liquid crystal alignment. At the side areas, alignment layers are oriented substantially parallel to the curvature direction to minimize torsional stress and prevent light leakage, thus achieving both proper alignment and stress reduction in different locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local 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

The curved design ensures equal distances from the viewer to the center and sides, enhancing immersion and reducing light leakage by up to 29% compared to traditional designs, while maintaining effective light transmittance and response time.

Implementation Method 1

first and second alignment layers on inner surfaces of the first and second substrates, respectively; a liquid crystal layer between the first and second alignment layers; and a seal pattern in an edge area surrounding the liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates, wherein the first and second alignment layers have an alignment direction substantially parallel with the first direction to orient liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid crystal orientation: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentUS9964808B2Curved liquid crystal display device

Publication Date: 2018.05.08 LG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A curved liquid crystal display device may include first and second substrates having curved surfaces along a first direction; first and second alignment layers on inner surfaces of the first and second substrates, respectively; a liquid crystal layer between the first and second alignment layers; and a seal pattern in an edge area surrounding the liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates, wherein the first and second alignment layers have an alignment direction substantially parallel with the first direction to orient liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer.