Liquid Crystal Cell Adhesive Layer for Stable Gap Under Autoclave

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for maintaining cell gap and adhesion between substrates in liquid crystal cells face challenges, particularly during high-temperature and high-pressure processes, leading to pressing black spots and adhesive contamination.

Innovation Solution

An optical device with specific properties, including a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on the upper substrate and spacers on the lower substrate, utilizing materials with controlled storage elastic modulus and tangent delta values to maintain cell gap and adhesion, preventing pressing black spots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is used to maintain cell gap and provide adhesion between substrates, then adhesion force and cell gap maintenance are improved, but pressing black spots occur during high-temperature and high-pressure autoclave processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion forceVSAvoidpressing black spots
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the storage elastic modulus (10^4 to 10^6 Pa) and tangent delta value (0.05 to 0.5) of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer at elevated temperatures (80-120°C). These parameter specifications ensure the adhesive maintains optimal balance between elasticity and viscosity during autoclave processing, preventing pressing black spots while securing sufficient adhesion force and cell gap maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If adhesive is applied on column surface or wall surface to fix substrates, then adhesion between substrates is improved, but adhesive control becomes difficult and contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion between substratesVSAvoidadhesive thickness and area control
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the adhesive application from problematic column or wall surfaces and relocates it to a flat substrate surface. By forming the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer directly on the substrate before liquid crystal filling, the invention eliminates the need for complex micro-stamping processes, enables precise control of adhesive thickness and area, and prevents contamination of alignment films and liquid crystal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on the substrate before assembling the liquid crystal cell. This advance preparation ensures the adhesive is already in optimal position and condition, facilitating precise control during subsequent assembly steps and preventing contamination issues that would arise from later adhesive application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If liquid crystal cell is subjected to high-temperature and high-pressure autoclave process for bonding, then adhesion between substrates is improved, but pressing black spots are expressed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidpressing black spots
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by specifying optimal ranges for storage elastic modulus (10^4 to 10^6 Pa) and tangent delta (0.05 to 0.5) of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer at autoclave temperatures (80-120°C). These parameter changes ensure the adhesive maintains appropriate mechanical properties during high-temperature and high-pressure bonding, achieving reliable adhesion while preventing pressing black spots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution effectively maintains cell gap and adhesion between substrates, ensuring stability and preventing defects even after high-temperature and high-pressure processes.

Implementation Method 1

the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (10c) has a storage elastic modulus of 18,000 Pa or more at a temperature of 110°C and a frequency of 1 rad/sec, and a tangent delta value of 0.32 or less at a temperature of 110°C and a frequency of 1 rad/sec

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4478116B1Optical device
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP4478116B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4478116B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4478116B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present application relates to an optical device. The optical device of the present application can properly maintain a cell gap of a liquid crystal cell, have excellent adhesion between an upper substrate and a lower substrate, and can prevent pressing black spots after a high-temperature and high-pressure autoclave process.