LCD Light Shield Reduces Flexoelectric Flicker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid crystal displays using the lateral electric field drive mode suffer from image quality degradation due to the flexoelectric effect, which causes variations in light transmittance between frames, leading to flickers and reduced image quality, especially when AC drive is employed.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a light shield or a dummy electrode in the liquid crystal display configuration to reduce the flexoelectric effect by preventing light from passing through regions prone to polarization, thereby maintaining consistent light transmittance across frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If AC drive is employed to prevent liquid crystal degradation, then liquid crystal material longevity is improved, but light transmittance varies between frames causing flickers and image quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful flexoelectric effect into a beneficial solution by strategically positioning light shields in outermost regions where the effect occurs. Instead of trying to eliminate the flexoelectric effect entirely, the invention uses light shields to block the problematic polarized light from reaching the viewer, thereby maintaining both AC drive benefits and image quality stability
2Reliability
If light shield is added to prevent flexoelectric effect influence, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies light shields only in specific outermost regions of the pixel electrode where the flexoelectric effect is most pronounced, rather than uniformly across the entire display. This localized approach maintains image quality in critical areas while minimizing the overall addition to device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The light shield structure is integrated with the existing pixel electrode and common electrode configuration, merging the light shielding function with the existing electrode structure rather than adding completely separate components
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 implementation of a light shield or dummy electrode effectively minimizes flickers and burn-in, achieving high image quality with a simple configuration without complicating the electrode arrangement or molecular structure of the liquid crystals.
Implementation Method 1
a light shield spaced from the pixel electrode and the common electrode. The light shield extends along the second direction and is positioned to overlap at least part of an outermost strip of the first pixel electrode along the first direction
Implementation Method 2
When alignment deformation such as splay deformation or bend deformation occurs in a liquid crystal configured of such liquid crystal molecules, polarization may be induced. Such a phenomenon is known as a flexoelectric effect
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal display with a first substrate and a first pixel electrode on the first substrate. The first pixel electrode extends along first and second directions and has a plurality of first pixel electrode strips arranged along a first direction. The display also has a common electrode on the first substrate that is spaced from the pixel electrode along a third direction. In addition, the display has a light shield extending along the second direction and positioned to overlap at least part of an outermost strip of the first pixel electrode along the first direction.