Display Panel Edge Trenches for Alignment Film Shrinkage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid crystal displays (LCDs) face issues with light leakage due to the shrinkage of the alignment film layer at the edge of the display panel, leading to reduced display quality and increased probability of display failure due to uneven diffusion of the alignment liquid.
Innovation Solution
A display panel design featuring two substrates with protruding regions and trench regions along the perimeter edges, where the alignment film layers extend into the trenches to prevent shrinkage, retaining the alignment liquid and reducing light leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the alignment film layer is applied conventionally without protruding regions and trenches, then the manufacturing process is simple, but light leakage occurs due to shrinkage of the alignment film layer at the edge
Solution Approach 1:
The edge region of the substrate is segmented into protruding regions that extend beyond the main substrate area. These protruding regions are further divided into trench regions with etched trenches, creating a segmented structure that physically constrains the alignment film layer and prevents edge shrinkage, thereby eliminating light leakage while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a two-dimensional flat alignment film layer to a three-dimensional structure by adding protruding regions and trenches. The alignment film layer is extended onto the protruding regions and confined within trenches, utilizing the vertical dimension to prevent shrinkage and maintain film integrity at the edges, thus preventing light leakage
2Device complexity
If the alignment film layer shrinks at the edge, then the structure remains simple, but display quality deteriorates due to uneven diffusion of alignment liquid
Solution Approach 1:
Protruding regions and trenches are prepared in advance on the substrate before applying the alignment film layer. The trenches are etched and the protruding regions are formed beforehand, creating pre-established constraints that guide the alignment film layer during application and prevent subsequent shrinkage, ensuring uniform alignment liquid diffusion and high display quality
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate is given different local qualities: the main substrate area remains flat while the edge regions are transformed into protruding regions with trenches. This local modification creates specific zones that constrain the alignment film layer only where needed at the edges, preventing shrinkage and ensuring uniform alignment liquid diffusion without affecting the overall simple structure
3Object-affected harmful factors
If trenches are added to retain alignment liquid, then light leakage is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate edge is segmented into protruding regions that contain trenches, creating a modular structure. Each protruding region with its trenches acts as an independent unit for retaining alignment liquid and preventing shrinkage, allowing the complexity to be localized only at the edges while the main substrate remains simple
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding regions with trenches act as intermediary structures between the alignment film layer and the substrate. These intermediary structures physically retain the alignment liquid and constrain the alignment film layer, preventing edge shrinkage and light leakage while adding minimal complexity through the protrusion and trench formation
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 effectively reduces light leakage and improves display quality by maintaining the alignment film layer's integrity, thereby decreasing the likelihood of display failure caused by uneven diffusion of the alignment liquid.
Implementation Method 1
each trench being configured to retain a portion of the first alignment film layer or the second alignment film layer when sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate so as to limit shrinkage of the first alignment film layer or the second alignment film layer during operation of the display panel
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel includes: a first substrate; a second substrate; a first alignment film layer provided on the first substrate, wherein the first alignment film is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate; a plurality of protruding regions formed about a perimeter edge portion of the first substrate, wherein the plurality of protruding regions include an associated trench region provided in a plurality thereof, wherein each trench region includes at least one trench, each trench being configured to retain a portion of the first alignment film layer or the second alignment film layer when sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate so as to limit shrinkage of the first alignment film layer or the second alignment film layer during operation of the display panel.