Ball Spacer Barrier for LCD Aperture Ratio

Solution Overview

Problem

Liquid crystal display (LCD) devices using ball spacers to maintain cell gaps face issues with light leakage and reduced aperture ratio due to the spacers' ability to move into pixel regions, compromising image quality.

Innovation Solution

A barrier is disposed on one of the substrates to control the movement of the spacer, preventing it from entering the pixel region and maintaining the cell gap, thereby enhancing image quality by restricting the spacer's movement within the barrier.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a ball spacer is used to maintain the cell gap, then the restoring force when touched or pressed is strong, but the spacer can move to the pixel region causing light leakage and reduced aperture ratio

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestoring forceVSAvoidlight leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display panel is divided into distinct regions: a non-pixel region where ball spacers are located and a pixel region where light passes through. A barrier structure is introduced to segment and separate these regions, preventing spacer movement from the non-pixel region into the pixel region, thus eliminating light leakage while preserving the restoring force benefit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A barrier structure (formed by first and second barriers) is introduced as an intermediary element between the ball spacer and the pixel region. This barrier acts as a mediator that restricts spacer movement while allowing the spacer to maintain its function in the non-pixel region, solving the conflict between restoring force and light leakage prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If a ball spacer is used to maintain the cell gap, then the restoring force when touched or pressed is strong, but the aperture ratio is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestoring forceVSAvoidaperture ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display panel is divided into distinct regions: a non-pixel region where ball spacers are located and a pixel region where light passes through. A barrier structure is introduced to segment and separate these regions, preventing spacer movement from the non-pixel region into the pixel region, thus eliminating light leakage while preserving the restoring force benefit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A barrier structure (formed by first and second barriers) is introduced as an intermediary element between the ball spacer and the pixel region. This barrier acts as a mediator that restricts spacer movement while allowing the spacer to maintain its function in the non-pixel region, solving the conflict between restoring force and light leakage prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If a column spacer is fixed on the substrate, then the spacer does not move to the pixel region, but the restoring force when touched or pressed is weak

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight leakageVSAvoidrestoring force

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Ball spacers are used instead of fixed column spacers because they possess inherent elastic properties that enable them to provide restoring force automatically when pressed or touched. The ball spacer returns to its original shape and position without external intervention, delivering strong restoring force while the barrier structure prevents movement into the pixel region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state and position parameters of the spacer by using a movable ball spacer confined within a barrier structure. The ball spacer maintains elasticity and mobility within its constrained region, allowing it to provide strong restoring force while preventing intrusion into the pixel region, thus resolving the contradiction between restoring force and light leakage prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8345212B2Plane switching type liquid crystal display device having ball spacers formed on a barrier between the gate line and the common line

Publication Date: 2013.01.01 LG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

Provided are an LCD device and a method for manufacturing the same. The LCD device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a spacer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a barrier. The barrier is disposed at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate to control the movement of the spacer. In the method, the first substrate is formed. The second substrate is formed. The barrier is formed on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate. The spacer is disposed within the barrier. Since the LCD device controls the movement of the spacer, a high aperture ratio is realized.