LCD Panel Dual-Frequency Liquid Crystal Low-Temperature Operation

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid crystal display (LCD) devices are limited by narrow temperature operating ranges, making them unsuitable for outdoor use without the addition of a heating element, which increases costs and boot time and complicates maintenance.

Innovation Solution

An LCD panel with a multi-electrode and dual-frequency liquid crystal design that operates at high frequency at low temperatures, increasing its working temperature without a heating element, using a combination of positive and negative liquid crystals and fringe field switching (FFS) and twisted nematic (TN) technologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a heating element is added to enable outdoor use, then the LCD device can work at low temperatures, but the boot time is extended, costs increase, and maintenance becomes inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworking temperature rangeVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the heating element from the LCD device structure entirely. Instead of adding external heating components, the invention uses the existing liquid crystal material's dual-frequency characteristics to generate heat internally through high-frequency driving, thereby eliminating the need for separate heating elements and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid crystal layer serves a dual function: it acts as both the display medium and the heating element. By utilizing the dual-frequency liquid crystal material's property to exhibit negative liquid crystal characteristics at high frequencies, the system generates heat internally through the liquid crystal layer itself, eliminating the need for external heating components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Temperature

If a heating element is added to enable outdoor use, then the LCD device can work at low temperatures, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworking temperature rangeVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the heating element from the LCD device structure entirely. Instead of adding external heating components, the invention uses the existing liquid crystal material's dual-frequency characteristics to generate heat internally through high-frequency driving, thereby eliminating the need for separate heating elements and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid crystal layer serves a dual function: it acts as both the display medium and the heating element. By utilizing the dual-frequency liquid crystal material's property to exhibit negative liquid crystal characteristics at high frequencies, the system generates heat internally through the liquid crystal layer itself, eliminating the need for external heating components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If high frequency driving is used at low temperatures, then the LCD panel emits more heat and increases working temperature, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworking temperatureVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the energy loss in the form of heat generation into a beneficial effect. By utilizing the dual-frequency liquid crystal material's property to exhibit negative liquid crystal characteristics at high frequencies, the system intentionally uses the energy dissipation as heat to warm the liquid crystal layer, converting what would normally be wasted energy into a useful heating function that enables low-temperature operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Enables LCD devices to function within wide temperature ranges, reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying maintenance by emitting more heat at low temperatures, while maintaining performance at temperatures above 0°C.

Implementation Method 1

a material of the liquid crystal layer includes a dual-frequency liquid crystal composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDual-frequency liquid crystal effect: Liquid Crystals

Implementation Method 2

using a combination of positive and negative liquid crystals and fringe field switching (FFS) and twisted nematic (TN) technologies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFringe field switching (FFS): Electric Field

Implementation Method 3

using a combination of positive and negative liquid crystals and fringe field switching (FFS) and twisted nematic (TN) technologies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTwisted nematic (TN) effect: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentUS11586076B2LCD panel, manufacturing method thereof, and LCD device

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 TCL CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO LTD

AI summary

The disclosure provides a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and an LCD device. The LCD panel adopts a structure with multiple electrodes and dual-frequency liquid crystals. When a temperature of the LCD panel is low (below 0° C.), the LCD panel is driven at high frequency, so that it emits more heat. Therefore, a working temperature of the LCD panel is increased without adding a heating element. LCD devices using such LCD panels have wide working temperature ranges, and are well suited to be used outdoors.