Dome-Shaped Light Blocking Member for LCD Cell Gap Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In liquid crystal displays, column spacers can slide away from their normal positions when subjected to pressure or impact, leading to inconsistent cell gaps and defects in image quality due to the lack of a stable structure that maintains the gap between substrates.

Innovation Solution

A dome-shaped light blocking member with a concave surface is integrated on one substrate to accommodate the column spacer, ensuring the substrates can return to their original positions and maintain a consistent cell gap even under external forces or impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a column spacer is used to maintain cell gap, then the cell gap can be maintained under normal conditions, but the column spacer slides away from its normal position when pressure or impact is applied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell gap maintenanceVSAvoidspacer position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The light blocking member is formed with a dome-shaped portion having a concave surface that fits over the column spacer. This curved, dome-shaped structure provides mechanical support and constraint to the column spacer, preventing it from sliding away when pressure or impact is applied, while maintaining the cell gap under normal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Device complexity

If the column spacer slides away from its normal position, then the structure becomes simple, but light leakage and cold bubble faults occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespacer structureVSAvoidlight leakage and cold bubble faults

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dome-shaped light blocking member with its curved concave surface provides mechanical constraint to the column spacer, preventing sliding that would cause light leakage and cold bubble faults. The curved structure is more effective at distributing and resisting external forces compared to flat or angular designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a dome-shaped light blocking member with concave surface is added to accommodate the column spacer, then the cell gap stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell gap uniformityVSAvoidlight blocking member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light blocking member serves multiple functions: it blocks light in its primary function, and the dome-shaped portion with concave surface simultaneously provides mechanical support and positioning for the column spacer. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, making the overall structure more efficient despite the added geometric complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9513504B2Liquid crystal display and manufacturing method thereof

Publication Date: 2016.12.06 LONESTAR CRYSTAL DISPLAY LLC

AI summary

A liquid crystal display includes: a first substrate and a second substrate facing the first substrate; a column spacer disposed on the first substrate; a light blocking member disposed on the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The light blocking member includes a dome shaped portion having a concave surface.