Dummy Color Filter for LCD Spacer Height Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in liquid crystal display (LCD) technology is achieving uniform cell gaps across large area displays due to difficulties in precisely controlling the height of spacers formed by inkjet deposition of photoresist, leading to non-uniformity and reduced response speed for moving images.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a dummy color filter with a thickness corresponding to the spacer height, allowing for precise control of spacer formation through inkjet deposition, ensuring uniformity and reliability in spacer height across the display panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the cell gap dimension is decreased to increase response speed, then the response speed of liquid crystal molecules is improved, but the height of spacers must be decreased which makes it difficult to control uniformity of spacer heights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming a dummy color filter layer before spacer deposition. This dummy layer pre-establishes the target height reference, allowing the spacer material to be deposited to a predetermined height relative to this reference structure, thereby ensuring uniformity even when spacer height is reduced for faster response times
Solution Approach 2:
The dummy color filter layer acts as an intermediary structure between the substrate and the spacer material. It serves as a height reference and foundation that enables precise control of spacer deposition, mediating the relationship between the reduced spacer height requirement and the need for manufacturing uniformity
2Volume of moving object
If the volume of inkjet deposited photoresist is decreased to match reduced spacer height, then the cell gap can be reduced, but it becomes difficult to achieve uniformity in spacer heights across large area displays
Solution Approach 1:
The dummy color filter layer enables self-service by providing an inherent height reference that guides the spacer formation process. The spacer material automatically conforms to the height of the dummy layer, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms to achieve uniformity across large area displays
Solution Approach 2:
By pre-forming the dummy color filter layer with the desired height characteristics, the patent establishes a template that guides subsequent spacer deposition. This preliminary structure ensures that even with reduced photoresist volume, the spacer achieves uniform height through the reference provided by the dummy layer
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 method enhances the uniformity and reliability of spacer heights, improving the response speed of liquid crystal displays by maintaining consistent cell gaps, thereby supporting the display of moving images effectively.
Implementation Method 1
when an inkjet or alike process is used to deposit to-be-cured volumes of spacer material
Implementation Method 2
when an inkjet or alike process is used to deposit to-be-cured volumes of spacer material
Implementation Method 3
the corresponding display panel is structured to include: a first substrate, a second substrate and a spacer that defines a spacing apart as between the first and second substrates
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a spacer disposed there between. The second substrate includes a black matrix pattern, a color filter, a dummy color filter and a common electrode. The black matrix pattern is formed with an opening portion which is filled by the color filter. The dummy color filter is made of same material as the color filter and extends in a vertical direction along which the spacer also extends. The spacer is formed between the first substrate and the second substrate in correspondence with location of the dummy color filter so that the effective spaced apart distance that the spacer provides between the first and second substrates is a function of a thickness of the dummy color filter.