Liquid Crystal Display Panel Edge Alignment via Dummy Pixels

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Solution Overview

Problem

In liquid crystal display panels, the random tilt of LC materials in non-display areas leads to red light leakage through the edges, causing inaccurate panel displays when viewed from the side, as existing alignment processes do not align LC materials at the edges effectively.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of dummy pixel structures with corresponding electrodes in the non-display areas, which apply a specific voltage to align LC materials during the phase separation alignment process, ensuring they are aligned similarly to those in the display areas, thereby preventing light leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If alignment voltage is applied only in the display area during PSA process, then LC materials in the display area are aligned properly, but LC materials in the non-display area tilt randomly causing red light leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLC material alignment precisionVSAvoidred light leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the electrode structure into two distinct segments: pixel electrodes in the display area and dummy electrodes in the non-display area. This segmentation allows independent voltage control - pixel electrodes receive alignment voltage during PSA process while dummy electrodes remain inactive, preventing random LC tilting at edges without interfering with the alignment process in the display area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dummy electrodes act as an intermediary structure in the non-display area. They serve as a mediator to control the electric field distribution at the edges, preventing the harmful random tilting of LC materials that would otherwise occur in the non-display area due to voltage application during the PSA process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If voltage is applied during PSA process to align LC materials, then display area LC materials align uniformly, but edge area LC materials cannot be controlled and tilt randomly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLC material orientation uniformityVSAvoiddisplay accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by providing different electrode structures in different areas: the display area has pixel electrodes that receive alignment voltage for uniform LC orientation, while the non-display area has dummy electrodes that prevent edge effects. This local differentiation ensures proper LC alignment stability in the display area without causing random tilting at the edges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the non-display area is left without electrode structures, then manufacturing is simpler, but LC materials at the edge tilt randomly causing light leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidlight leakage through edges

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dummy electrodes are implemented as simple, inexpensive conductive structures (such as transparent conductive oxide layers or metal patterns) that are easily manufactured using standard TFT fabrication processes. Although they add a minimal structural element, their simplicity and ease of integration make them a cost-effective solution to prevent the harmful edge light leakage effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 solution effectively aligns LC materials in both display and non-display areas, preventing red light leakage and maintaining accurate panel displays by controlling the tilt and orientation of LC molecules, ensuring consistent and uniform display characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

One of these alignment processes is called the 'phase separation alignment (PSA)' process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase separation alignment:

Implementation Method 2

the LC materials at the edge of the display area to align during a PSA process so that the LCD panel is not subjected to the leaking in of red light from the edges

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS7643108B2Liquid crystal display panel

Publication Date: 2010.01.05 AU OPTRONICS CORP

AI summary

A liquid crystal display panel is provided. The panel comprises a first substrate and a second substrate which have a display area and a non-display area, which is located around the display area. The panel comprises a plurality of dummy pixel structures in the non-display area to provide a voltage for aligning the liquid crystal materials in the non-display area.