Curved LCD Vertical Alignment Light Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Curved liquid crystal displays manufactured in in-plane switching mode experience significant light leakage due to misalignment of substrates, which is not as severe in vertical field mode, necessitating a solution to maintain display quality.

Innovation Solution

The liquid crystal molecules are initially aligned vertically when the electric field is not formed, and when the electric field is applied, they align horizontally to prevent light leakage, using a configuration with a first substrate having gate lines, data lines, thin film transistors, color filters, pixel electrodes, and a second substrate with vertical alignment layers and a light blocking member to maintain alignment and prevent light leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If curved liquid crystal displays are manufactured in in-plane switching mode, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but light leakage increases due to substrate misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidlight leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-aligning liquid crystal molecules vertically to the substrate surfaces before the display operates. This initial vertical alignment is established through specific alignment layer treatments and electric field configurations during the manufacturing process. When the display is later curved or subjected to substrate misalignment, the pre-established vertical alignment prevents light leakage that would otherwise occur in in-plane switching modes, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing flexibility and light leakage control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the alignment parameter of liquid crystal molecules from the conventional in-plane orientation to a vertical orientation relative to the substrate surfaces. This parameter change is achieved through modified alignment layer treatments and electric field applications during manufacturing. The vertical alignment parameter remains stable even when substrates are curved or misaligned, thereby preventing light leakage while maintaining manufacturing flexibility for curved display configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If liquid crystal molecules are initially aligned horizontally for in-plane switching, then switching performance is improved, but display quality deteriorates due to light leakage in curved configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching performanceVSAvoiddisplay quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a vertical alignment of liquid crystal molecules before the display enters operation. This pre-alignment is achieved through specific alignment layer treatments and initial electric field configurations during manufacturing. The vertical alignment serves as a stable baseline that prevents light leakage in curved configurations, while still allowing effective switching performance when electric fields are applied during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by allowing the liquid crystal molecules to transition from their initial vertical alignment state to different orientations when electric fields are applied during operation. The molecules can dynamically adjust their orientation in response to applied voltages, maintaining switching performance while the vertical alignment framework prevents light leakage in curved configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If substrates are curved to create curved displays, then product versatility is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates causing light leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct versatilityVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the alignment parameter from in-plane orientation to vertical orientation relative to the substrate surfaces. This vertical alignment parameter is inherently more robust to substrate curvature and misalignment than in-plane alignment. The vertical alignment is established through modified alignment layer treatments and remains stable even when substrates are curved, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while enabling versatile curved display configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing vertical alignment of liquid crystal molecules during manufacturing, before the substrates are curved or assembled. This pre-established vertical alignment creates a tolerance buffer that accommodates subsequent substrate curvature and potential misalignment, thereby maintaining alignment precision across diverse curved configurations and enabling greater product versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively reduces light leakage and maintains excellent display quality even with misalignment of the upper and lower panels, improving luminance uniformity and color accuracy in curved liquid crystal displays.

Implementation Method 1

liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are aligned to be vertical to surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate when an electric field is not formed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid crystal alignment: Liquid Crystals

Implementation Method 2

The liquid crystal molecules may be aligned to be horizontal to the surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate and in the direction of the electric field, when the electric field is formed in the liquid crystal layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field effect on liquid crystal: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS10108055B2Curved liquid crystal display
Publication Date: 2018.10.23 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • US10108055B2 patent drawing
  • US10108055B2 patent drawing
  • US10108055B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A curved liquid crystal display including a first substrate having a curved shape; a plurality of gate lines and data lines on the first substrate; a plurality of thin film transistors connected to the gate lines and data lines; a plurality of color filters on the thin film transistors; a plurality of pixel electrodes and common electrodes on the plurality of color filters, the plurality of pixel electrodes and common electrodes overlapping with each other with a first insulating layer therebetween; a second substrate having a curved shape, the second substrate facing the first substrate; vertical alignment layers on inner sides of the first substrate and the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer between the vertical alignment layers, wherein liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are aligned to be vertical to surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate when an electric field is not formed.