Liquid Crystal Display with Differential Light Reflecting Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid crystal display devices cannot display images when the power is turned off, limiting their expressive capabilities in designs requiring image display without active power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating light-reflective regions with differing types of light reflecting layers in a matrix arrangement, allowing patterns to be displayed even when the device is in a non-driven state by utilizing external light, and using a liquid crystal layer in a normally white mode to ensure constant light transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If liquid crystal display devices are used to display images, then display functionality is achieved, but the device cannot display images when power is turned off
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is segmented into light-reflective regions and light-transmissive regions, with further division into multiple types of light-reflective regions (first, second, third types) that reflect light differently. This segmentation enables pattern display in non-driven state through differential light reflection, while maintaining conventional liquid crystal display functionality in driven state.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display device are given different optical properties: light-reflective regions with various reflection characteristics for pattern display, and light-transmissive regions for conventional image display. This local differentiation allows the device to exhibit diverse display capabilities depending on the region and operational state.
2Adaptability or versatility
If light-reflective regions with multiple types of light reflecting layers are incorporated, then pattern display in non-driven state is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single display device structure: conventional liquid crystal display functionality, reflective display for pattern indication, and multi-type light reflection for grayscale pattern display. By integrating these functions into one device with shared components (substrates, liquid crystal layer, polarizing plates), the overall device complexity is managed while achieving versatile display capabilities.
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
Enables the display of identificatory or other patterns when the power is off, enhancing the display device's expressive capabilities and maintaining a superior display quality with constant light transmission in a non-driven state.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of subpixels having light-reflective regions constituted of light reflecting layers, and a display area constituted of the subpixels arranged in a matrix, and has the innovative feature that, by means of the light reflecting layers, which are of at least two differing types, patterns are displayed in the display area when the display device is in a non-driven state
Implementation Method 2
in the non-driven state, at least the light-reflective regions are in a normally white mode that is displayed as white. With such feature, in what is known as a liquid crystal display device, which uses liquid crystals, the liquid crystal layer will be regulated so that at least the light-reflective regions will produce a white display in the non-driven state
Data Source
AI summary
Light reflecting layers 45a that totally reflect light are provided inside the subpixels 10 disposed in particular regions on an inner face of a TFT array substrate 4, and light reflecting layers 45b that scatter light are provided inside the subpixels 10 other than those. Thanks to this, the reflectance of the light reflecting layers 45a can be rendered different from that of the light reflecting layers 45b. As a result, differences can be created in the display light formed by the light reflecting layers 45a and by the light reflecting layers 45b, by means of the light that is reflected thereat. Thereby, fine adjustment of the display light brightness and contrast is enabled, so that a liquid crystal display device 1 with extensive power of expression and superior display characteristics is provided.