Liquid Crystal Display Insulating Protection Layer for Sealant Erosion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current liquid crystal display devices face the challenge of the seal agent eroding the metal electrode near the frame during manufacturing, particularly in narrow-frame TV products, where the seal agent's proximity to the display region increases the risk of electrode damage.

Innovation Solution

A second insulating protection layer is introduced above the transparent electrode, extending to the periphery of the display region, and an ultraviolet curing seal agent is used with a reflector below the base substrate, allowing for pre-curing of the seal agent to prevent erosion and reduce its height, thereby minimizing the risk of polluting liquid crystal molecules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the seal agent is positioned close to the display region to reduce frame width, then the frame width is reduced, but the risk of seal agent eroding the metal electrode increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe widthVSAvoidelectrode protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a first insulating protection layer and a second insulating protection layer as intermediary structures between the seal agent and the metal electrode/transparent electrode. These insulating layers act as mediators that prevent direct contact and potential erosion while allowing the seal agent to be positioned close to the display region, thus reducing frame width without compromising electrode protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating protection layers are formed in advance before the seal agent is applied. The first insulating protection layer is formed over the metal electrode, and the second insulating protection layer is formed over the transparent electrode, creating a preliminary protective barrier that prevents seal agent erosion before the seal agent comes into contact with the electrode structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Length of moving object

If the seal agent is positioned close to the display region, then the frame width is reduced, but the seal agent may pollute the liquid crystal molecules

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe widthVSAvoidliquid crystal pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The second insulating protection layer serves as an intermediary barrier between the seal agent and the liquid crystal molecules. This layer prevents direct contact between the seal agent and the liquid crystal, eliminating the pollution risk while allowing the seal agent to be positioned close to the display region for reduced frame width

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple separate masks are used for forming the second insulating protection layer and curing the seal agent, then the manufacturing precision is maintained, but the device complexity and manufacturing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern accuracyVSAvoidmask process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the formation of the second insulating protection layer and the curing of the seal agent into a single photolithography process using one ultraviolet light mask. The mask is designed with transparent regions corresponding to both the second insulating protection layer pattern and the seal agent curing pattern, allowing both operations to be completed simultaneously, thus reducing device complexity and manufacturing time while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ultraviolet light mask serves multiple functions: it defines the pattern for the second insulating protection layer, defines the curing pattern for the seal agent, and enables both processes to occur in a single exposure step. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate manufacturing steps while maintaining the required precision for both operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution effectively prevents the seal agent from eroding the metal electrode, allows the seal agent to be closer to the display area for a narrower frame, and simplifies the curing process, reducing the risk of polluting liquid crystal molecules.

Implementation Method 1

using an ultraviolet ray mask to irradiate and cure the seal agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltraviolet curing: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP2720079B1Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP2720079B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2720079B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A liquid crystal display device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided, wherein the sealing agent (4) is prevented from eroding the pixel electrodes (6) in the vicinity of the sealing of the liquid crystal cell by an insulating protection layer (5). The liquid crystal display device comprises: an upper substrate (1, 12) comprising: a color filter (2) and a black matrix (3) formed in the same layer; a lower substrate (11, 13), forming a liquid crystal cell with the upper substrate (12)and comprising: a gate metal bus (10), a gate insulating layer (9), a source/drain metal bus (8) and a first insulating protection layer (7); a transparent electrode (6), formed on the first insulating protection layer (7); and a second insulating protection layer (5), covering the transparent electrode (6); and a seal agent (4), provided at the periphery of the display area, wherein an upper portion of the seal agent is attached to the substrate (1) and a lower portion is attached to the second insulating protection layer (5).