Liquid Crystal Display Alignment via Polymerizable Monomer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid crystal display technologies face challenges in achieving high contrast and reliable display performance due to issues such as coating irregularity, dust generation, and defects caused by the formation of alignment films, which affect the alignment of liquid crystals and the overall reliability of the display.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal display configuration where one substrate has a conventional alignment film and the other substrate has an alignment-controlling layer formed by polymerizing a polymerizable monomer, allowing for controlled alignment of liquid crystals without the need for additional alignment films on both substrates, thereby increasing contrast and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional alignment film is formed on both substrates, then the alignment of liquid crystal can be controlled, but coating irregularity and dust generation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the alignment film from one substrate (the array substrate) and replaces it with an alignment-controlling layer formed by polymerizing a polymerizable monomer added to the liquid crystal composition. This extraction eliminates the coating and rubbing processes that cause dust generation and coating irregularity on that substrate, while maintaining alignment control through the polymerization-based alignment-controlling layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a polymerizable monomer as an intermediary substance that is added to the liquid crystal composition. This monomer polymerizes to form an alignment-controlling layer that mediates the alignment of liquid crystal molecules without requiring conventional coating and rubbing processes, thereby eliminating dust generation and coating irregularity.
2Manufacturing precision
If alignment film formation is performed, then liquid crystal alignment is achieved, but display reliability decreases due to defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment film formation process from one substrate to eliminate the high-temperature baking step that causes defects such as color filter degradation, intracellular phase difference layer deformation, and alignment film peeling. The alignment function is retained through the polymerization-based alignment-controlling layer formed from the polymerizable monomer in the liquid crystal composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of alignment film formation from high-temperature thermal processing to low-temperature polymerization processing. By adding a polymerizable monomer to the liquid crystal composition and polymerizing it after enclosing between substrates, the alignment-controlling layer is formed without high-temperature baking, thereby preventing thermal damage to other layers and improving display reliability.
3Device complexity
If polymerizable monomer is added to liquid crystal composition and polymerized, then alignment film formation steps are reduced, but alignment control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the alignment film formation function with the liquid crystal composition itself by adding a polymerizable monomer to the liquid crystal material. The monomer polymerizes to form an alignment-controlling layer that provides alignment control precision comparable to conventional alignment films, while eliminating separate coating and baking steps. The alignment control precision is maintained through proper selection of the polymerizable monomer and polymerization conditions.
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 configuration enhances the alignment of liquid crystals, achieving high contrast and excellent display reliability by minimizing defects associated with alignment film formation while maintaining efficient polymerization and alignment control.
Implementation Method 1
an alignment-controlling layer, which is formed by polymerization of a polymerizable monomer added to a liquid crystal composition forming the liquid crystal layer
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal display includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer, and an alignment-controlling layer. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the pair of substrates and includes a liquid crystal material. The alignment-controlling layer, which is formed by polymerization of a polymerizable monomer added to a liquid crystal composition forming the liquid crystal layer so as to be brought into contact with the liquid crystal layer, and controls an alignment of the liquid crystal material to the substrate at a predetermined angle. One substrate of the pair of substrates has an alignment film coated and formed so as to be brought into contact with the alignment-controlling layer, and the other substrate has no alignment film.