Ion Beam Alignment Layer for Liquid Crystal Pre-Tilt Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LCD technologies face challenges in achieving a controllable pre-tilt angle for liquid crystal molecules, leading to increased production time and costs, as well as issues with particle generation and static electricity during the rubbing process, which affect the uniformity and reliability of the alignment film.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the formation of an alignment layer with ion-altered and non-altered areas using an ion beam irradiating apparatus, allowing for a single alignment layer to control the pre-tilt angle of liquid crystal molecules, eliminating the need for multiple rubbing processes and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubbing process is used to align the alignment layer, then the liquid crystal molecules can be oriented, but particles are generated and static electricity is produced, affecting uniformity and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rubbing process with an ion beam irradiation process. Instead of using physical contact between a rubbing cloth and the alignment layer, ion beams are used to irradiate the alignment layer, causing the polymer chains to orient in the desired direction. This substitution eliminates the mechanical contact that generates particles and static electricity, thereby resolving the technical contradiction between alignment effectiveness and harmful factor generation.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple alignment layers are formed to control pre-tilt angle, then the pre-tilt angle can be controlled, but production time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different alignment characteristics in different regions of a single alignment layer through selective ion beam irradiation. By controlling the ion beam irradiation parameters (such as irradiation angle, energy, and duration), different pre-tilt angles can be achieved in different areas of the same alignment layer. This allows for precise pre-tilt angle control without the need to form multiple alignment layers, thereby reducing production time and costs while maintaining manufacturing precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple rubbing processes are used to achieve controllable pre-tilt angle, then the pre-tilt angle can be controlled, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by varying the ion beam irradiation parameters (energy, current density, irradiation time, angle of incidence) to control the pre-tilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules. By adjusting these parameters, different pre-tilt angles can be achieved in a single alignment layer formation process. This eliminates the need for multiple rubbing processes with different conditions, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining the ability to precisely control the pre-tilt angle.
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 enables a controllable pre-tilt angle for liquid crystal molecules without the drawbacks of traditional rubbing methods, improving the uniformity and reliability of the alignment film, and reducing power consumption by allowing fast response times without the need for an initial voltage in the OCB mode LCD device.
Implementation Method 1
positioning the substrate with alignment layer on a stage of an ion beam irradiating apparatus, forming a non-altered area in the alignment layer by switching OFF an ion generator while one of the stage and ion generator is moving, and forming an ion-altered area in the alignment layer by switching ON the ion generator while the one of the stage and ion generator is stopped
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal display device includes: a first substrate having a black matrix, a color filter layer and a common electrode; a second substrate having gate lines, data lines and thin film transistors connected to pixel electrodes; a first alignment layer on the first substrate; a second alignment layer on the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer having a plurality of liquid crystal molecules and positioned between the first and second alignment layers, wherein each of the first and second alignment layers has a first area with ion-altered side chains and a second area with non-altered side chains.