Grooved Pixel Electrode Structure for Wide Viewing Angle LCD

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid crystal display devices with multiple domains increase production costs due to complex pixel electrode structures, which also limit the viewing angle.

Innovation Solution

A pixel structure featuring a substrate with an insulating layer and pixel electrodes comprising first and second sub-electrodes, where the second sub-electrodes are grooved and protruded, connected to each other, and symmetrical to central lines parallel to data and scan lines, enhancing viewing angles without increasing production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pixel electrodes are arranged in four extending directions to create multiple display domains, then the viewing angle is improved, but the production cost is greatly enhanced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing angleVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pixel electrode is segmented into first sub-electrodes and second sub-electrodes with different structures. The first sub-electrodes are disposed on a flat region while the second sub-electrodes are disposed on a grooved region of the insulating layer. This segmentation allows creation of multiple display domains with different liquid crystal alignment directions, enabling wider viewing angles without requiring four separate pixel electrodes in different extending directions, thus reducing production cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the insulating layer are given different local qualities: a flat region for the first sub-electrodes and a grooved region for the second sub-electrodes. The grooves have specific depth ratios (0.3 to 0.7 times the pixel electrode thickness) to control liquid crystal alignment. This local quality differentiation enables multiple display domains to be formed within a single pixel electrode structure, achieving wide viewing angle without increasing production complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If pixel electrodes are arranged in four extending directions to expand viewing angle, then the display performance is improved, but the device complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing angleVSAvoidpixel electrode structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using four separate pixel electrodes in different extending directions, the invention segments a single pixel electrode into first and second sub-electrodes with different structures. The first sub-electrodes are on flat regions and the second sub-electrodes are on grooved regions, creating multiple display domains within one electrode structure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining wide viewing angle capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional arrangement of pixel electrodes in different extending directions to a three-dimensional structure by introducing grooves with specific depth ratios into the insulating layer. This vertical dimension (groove depth) allows differentiation of sub-electrode regions without requiring horizontal extension in multiple directions, simplifying the overall device structure while achieving multiple display domains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9995971B2Pixel structure and liquid crystal display panel
Publication Date: 2018.06.12 TCL CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO LTD

AI summary

A pixel structure having a substrate, an insulating layer and a pixel electrode is disclosed. The pixel electrode has first sub-electrodes and second sub-electrodes. The first sub-electrodes are arranged on a first region of the insulating layer and spaced apart from each other, and the second sub-electrodes are continuously disposed on a second region of the insulating layer. The first region is a flat region of the insulating layer, and the second region is a grooved region of the insulating layer.