Liquid Crystal Display Alignment Layer Mixture for Anchoring Energy and Light Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LCD alignment methods, such as rubbing and photo-alignment, face issues like light leakage due to disordered cloth arrangements and low anchoring energy, making them unsuitable for large-scale production.
Innovation Solution
A method combining rubbing and photo-alignment techniques using a mixture of rubbing and UV alignment materials, where the alignment layer undergoes a photo-isomerization or photo-dimerization reaction to ensure consistent liquid crystal alignment, thereby addressing the limitations of both methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rubbing alignment method is used, then anchoring energy is improved, but light leakage occurs due to disordered rubbing cloth arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment layer is divided into two functional segments: a rubbing alignment layer for providing strong anchoring energy and a photo-alignment layer for preventing light leakage through polarized UV irradiation. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines rubbing alignment and photo-alignment methods into a single alignment layer structure. The alignment layer includes both rubbing alignment material and UV alignment material, merging the advantages of mechanical rubbing (strong anchoring) and photo-alignment (uniform alignment without light leakage) into one integrated system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If photo-alignment method is used, then light leakage is prevented, but anchoring energy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment layer is segmented into a rubbing alignment layer (for strong anchoring energy) and a photo-alignment layer (for preventing light leakage). This segmentation allows the rubbing layer to provide strong anchoring while the photo-alignment layer prevents light leakage, solving the contradiction between these two requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges rubbing alignment material and UV alignment material into a single alignment layer, combining the strong anchoring energy from rubbing with the light leakage prevention from photo-alignment. This merging resolves the contradiction by integrating both functional benefits into one unified structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If rubbing cloth arrangement is disordered, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rubbing cloth arrangement with a photo-alignment process using polarized UV rays. This substitution eliminates the need for precise mechanical alignment of rubbing cloth, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining or improving alignment precision through optical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the alignment mechanism from mechanical (rubbing cloth physical contact) to optical (polarized UV irradiation). This parameter change allows for more tolerant manufacturing processes while achieving consistent alignment precision, as the photo-alignment process is less sensitive to mechanical variations than the rubbing method.
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 enhances anchoring energy, reduces light leakage, and eliminates afterimage issues, enabling the production of high-quality LCDs without the need for additional cleaning steps.
Implementation Method 1
using materials that undergo photo-isomerization or photo-dimerization reactions to enhance anchoring energy
Implementation Method 2
using materials that undergo photo-isomerization or photo-dimerization reactions to enhance anchoring energy
Implementation Method 3
a rubbing process on the substrate coated with the alignment layer
Implementation Method 4
irradiating polarized UV rays onto the substrate coated with the alignment layer
Data Source
AI summary
An LCD device includes first and second substrates, an alignment layer formed over at least one of the substrates, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the substrates. The alignment layer is formed of a mixture of rubbing alignment and UV alignment materials. A method of fabricating the LCD device includes preparing first and second substrates; coating an alignment layer over at least one of the substrates; performing a rubbing process on the substrate coated with the alignment layer; and irradiating polarized UV rays onto the substrate coated with the alignment layer, wherein the alignment layer is formed of a mixture of rubbing alignment a UV alignment materials. The rubbing process obtains high anchoring energy is obtained, thereby preventing afterimages. Also, the process of irradiating the polarized UV rays eliminates the problem of light leakage.