IPS LCD Columnar Spacer Recess Alignment Stopper
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The wall electrode IPS type liquid crystal display devices face issues with image quality deterioration due to friction and impact, which can cause alignment failures and bright spots from positional gaps between substrates, especially when the thickness of electrodes is less than 100% of the cell thickness, and existing solutions do not adequately address these problems.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a columnar spacer or protrusion on the second substrate that fits into a recess on the first substrate to prevent positional gaps and provide a stopper function, ensuring the cell gap is maintained even under force, and using a photo alignment film to improve contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a wall electrode structure is used to improve aperture ratio and transmittance, then the electrode area is increased while maintaining compact footprint, but the device becomes susceptible to alignment failures and image quality deterioration under friction and impact
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional layers: the wall electrode structure on the first substrate, the liquid crystal layer, and the alignment film on the second substrate. This segmentation allows the wall electrode to maintain electrical function while the alignment film independently provides mechanical stability and alignment control, preventing alignment failures under stress
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode structure transitions from a planar two-dimensional configuration to a three-dimensional wall-like structure with vertical extent. This dimensional change increases the effective electrode area for improved transmittance while the alignment film maintains a separate planar interface with the liquid crystal, ensuring alignment stability is not compromised by the vertical electrode structure
2Length of stationary object
If the electrode thickness is reduced to maintain cell gap compatibility, then the cell gap is maintained, but the device becomes more vulnerable to positional gaps and alignment failures under impact
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment film acts as an intermediary layer between the wall electrode structure and the liquid crystal layer. It provides a stable reference plane for liquid crystal alignment while being mechanically decoupled from the thick wall electrode, allowing the cell gap to be maintained without the entire structure becoming vulnerable to impact-induced positional gaps
3Illumination intensity
If photo alignment film is used to improve contrast, then the contrast is enhanced, but the alignment film becomes susceptible to stripping and flaws under friction
Solution Approach 1:
The wall electrode structure serves as a cushioning element that absorbs and distributes mechanical stress before it can reach the alignment film. The vertical wall structure provides mechanical reinforcement that prevents the alignment film from stripping or developing flaws under friction, while still allowing the photo alignment properties to function for enhanced contrast
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 effectively reduces image quality deterioration by preventing positional gaps and alignment failures, maintaining display quality under friction and impact, and enhancing contrast without compromising the function of the wall electrode.
Implementation Method 1
it is preferable to use a photo alignment film for the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention as the alignment film applied to the side wall
Implementation Method 2
the electric field for driving the liquid crystal layer is directed to be in substantially parallel with a principal plane of a TFT substrate (in a horizontal direction)
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal display device includes a TFT substrate, a CF substrate, and a liquid crystal interposed between the TFT substrate and the CF substrate, and drives the liquid crystal in a horizontal electric field. The TFT substrate includes a recess, and the CF substrate includes a columnar protrusion. The protrusion of the CF substrate is fitted to the recess of the TFT substrate so as to function as a stopper for preventing a positional gap between the TFT substrate and the CF substrate.