LCD Column Spacers for Gap Control and Touch Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid crystal display (LCD) devices require a large amount of liquid crystal material for filling the gap between substrates, which increases process time and expense, and are prone to display defects during touch operations due to substrate shifting and pressure application.
Innovation Solution
The LCD device employs first and second column spacers and spacer patterns on the substrates to maintain a desired vertical gap, reducing the amount of liquid crystal material needed and preventing substrate shift and display defects by dispersing pressure with depression-preventing spacers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If liquid crystal material is filled to completely fill the space between substrates, then the display area is maximized, but the process time and expense increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts liquid crystal material from certain regions by forming column spacers and spacer patterns that create gaps, specifically removing liquid crystal from regions corresponding to gate lines, data lines, and TFT structures where liquid crystal would cause defects or are not needed for display functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the liquid crystal filling process by defining specific regions (pixel regions) where liquid crystal should be present and other regions (non-pixel regions including gate lines, data lines, and spacer locations) where liquid crystal should be excluded, using column spacers and spacer patterns to maintain this segmentation
2Area of stationary object
If liquid crystal material is filled to completely fill the space between substrates, then the display area is maximized, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts liquid crystal material from certain regions by forming column spacers and spacer patterns that create gaps, specifically removing liquid crystal from regions corresponding to gate lines, data lines, and TFT structures where liquid crystal would cause defects or are not needed for display functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the liquid crystal filling process by defining specific regions (pixel regions) where liquid crystal should be present and other regions (non-pixel regions including gate lines, data lines, and spacer locations) where liquid crystal should be excluded, using column spacers and spacer patterns to maintain this segmentation
3Strength
If substrates are assembled with tight contact to eliminate gaps, then the panel strength is maximized, but substrate shifting and display defects occur during touch operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates column spacers and spacer patterns as preventive cushioning elements before assembly, which beforehand prevent substrate shifting and pressure concentration during touch operations by maintaining controlled gaps and distributing mechanical stress
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different local qualities by creating specific gap regions at critical locations (gate lines, data lines, TFT regions) using column spacers and spacer patterns, allowing these regions to accommodate stress and prevent defects while maintaining overall panel strength
4Manufacturing precision
If column spacers are formed to maintain cell gap, then the cell gap uniformity is improved, but the amount of liquid crystal material used increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different local qualities by creating specific gap regions at critical locations (gate lines, data lines, TFT regions) using column spacers and spacer patterns, allowing these regions to accommodate stress and prevent defects while maintaining overall panel strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the spacer structure into two types: column spacers for maintaining cell gap and spacer patterns for reducing liquid crystal volume, creating a segmented approach that addresses both gap uniformity and material reduction
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates facing each other; gate lines and data lines formed on the first substrate such that the gate lines and the data lines intersect each other to define pixel regions; thin film transistors formed at respective intersections of the gate lines and the data lines; a black matrix layer formed on the second substrate such that the black matrix layer corresponds to a region other than the pixel regions; color filter layers extending in an extension direction of the data lines in respective pixel regions; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates; first column spacers formed on one of the first and second substrates such that each first column spacer corresponds to an associated one. of the gate lines or to a channel region of an associated one of the thin film transistors.