Electro-optic Device Peripheral Light Shielding Electrode

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electro-optic devices face challenges in efficiently shielding peripheral areas from light without increasing manufacturing processes or costs, often requiring complex configurations and additional light shielding films.

Innovation Solution

The use of a liquid crystal layer between substrates, with second electrodes applying voltage to the peripheral area to block light, eliminating the need for separate light shielding films and simplifying the configuration by utilizing existing power supply wirings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a separate light shielding film is formed on the substrate to shield the peripheral area from light, then the light shielding effect is improved, but the number of manufacturing processes and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight shielding effectVSAvoidnumber of manufacturing processes

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the light shielding function with the existing pixel electrode structure by extending the pixel electrode into the peripheral area. This merging approach allows the same electrode structure to serve both as a driving electrode for liquid crystal and as a light shielding element, thereby eliminating the need for a separate light shielding film and reducing manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pixel electrode is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the driving electrode for liquid crystal molecules in the pixel area and as a light shielding electrode in the peripheral area. This multi-functionality approach allows a single structure to achieve both liquid crystal control and light shielding, reducing the overall device complexity and manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a separate light shielding film is formed on the substrate to shield the peripheral area from light, then the light shielding effect is improved, but the device configuration becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight shielding effectVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the light shielding function with the existing pixel electrode structure by extending the pixel electrode into the peripheral area. This merging approach allows the same electrode structure to serve both as a driving electrode for liquid crystal and as a light shielding element, thereby eliminating the need for a separate light shielding film and reducing manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pixel electrode is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the driving electrode for liquid crystal molecules in the pixel area and as a light shielding electrode in the peripheral area. This multi-functionality approach allows a single structure to achieve both liquid crystal control and light shielding, reducing the overall device complexity and manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a separate light shielding film is formed on the substrate to shield the peripheral area from light, then the light shielding effect is improved, but the layout of device members is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight shielding effectVSAvoidlayout flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the light shielding function with the existing pixel electrode structure by extending the pixel electrode into the peripheral area. This merging approach allows the same electrode structure to serve both as a driving electrode for liquid crystal and as a light shielding element, thereby eliminating the need for a separate light shielding film and reducing manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pixel electrode is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the driving electrode for liquid crystal molecules in the pixel area and as a light shielding electrode in the peripheral area. This multi-functionality approach allows a single structure to achieve both liquid crystal control and light shielding, reducing the overall device complexity and manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach effectively shields peripheral areas from light with a simple configuration, reducing manufacturing processes and costs while maintaining image quality and allowing for greater design flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

second electrodes that are formed on the side of the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer and apply voltage for shielding a peripheral area around the pixel area from light to the liquid crystal layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-optic effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Data Source

PatentUS7999897B2Electro-optic device and electronic apparatus

Publication Date: 2011.08.16 138 EAST LCD ADVANCEMENTS LTD

AI summary

An electro-optic device includes first electrodes that apply voltage to the liquid crystal layer in the pixel area and second electrodes that apply voltage to the liquid crystal layer in the peripheral area for shielding the peripheral area from light.