LCD Panel Illumination Mode via Additional Electric Field

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid crystal display (LCD) panels have limited light transmittance, making them inadequate as a front illumination source, especially in applications like selfie photography, due to their typical light transmittance of about 4% in image display mode.

Innovation Solution

The LCD panel is designed to switch into an illumination mode with enhanced light intensity by incorporating a light transmittance enhancing circuit that applies an additional electric field to the liquid crystal layer, using a touch electrode layer and transistor circuits to reorient liquid crystal molecules, thereby increasing light transmittance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the light intensity of backlight is set to the highest intensity, then the illumination provided by the display panel is improved, but the power consumption increases and the light transmittance remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination brightnessVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical parameters (voltage and waveform) applied to the liquid crystal layer to switch between display mode and illumination mode. By applying a specific high-voltage waveform, the liquid crystal molecules are reoriented to maximize light transmittance, enabling the display panel to function as an effective illumination source without requiring excessive backlight intensity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If the light transmittance of LCD apparatus is increased for illumination mode, then the illumination effectiveness is improved, but the image display quality may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight transmittanceVSAvoidimage display quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic switching mechanism that allows the liquid crystal layer to change its molecular orientation based on the operational mode. A mode switching circuit receives control signals to determine whether to prioritize image display or illumination function, dynamically adjusting the electrical parameters applied to the liquid crystal layer to maintain optimal performance for the current mode without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a flash light is installed on the backside of the LCD apparatus, then the illumination function is provided, but the device complexity increases and frontside illumination capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination functionVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the display panel itself multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as an image display device and as an illumination source. By controlling the liquid crystal layer's optical properties through electrical parameter adjustment, the same panel structure performs dual functions, eliminating the need for separate flashlight components and reducing overall device complexity.

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

This solution significantly enhances light transmittance and illumination brightness, allowing the LCD panel to serve effectively as a front illumination source, with light transmittance increased by up to 22% in illumination mode compared to image display mode.

Implementation Method 1

a light transmittance enhancing circuit configured to apply an additional electric field to the liquid crystal layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

reorient liquid crystal molecules, thereby increasing light transmittance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid crystal effect: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentEP3507651B1Liquid crystal display panel, liquid crystal display apparatus, and controlling method thereof
Publication Date: 2021.12.15 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3507651B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3507651B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3507651B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present application discloses a liquid crystal display panel having a plurality of pixels for image display, each of which includes a subpixel region and an inter-subpixel region. The liquid crystal display panel includes an array substrate, a package substrate facing the array substrate, and a liquid crystal layer between the array substrate and the package substrate; a pixel electrode layer and a common electrode layer for applying an electric field for driving the liquid crystal layer, the pixel electrode layer including a plurality of pixel electrodes, the common electrode layer including a plurality of common electrodes; a first electrode signal line layer including a plurality of first electrode signal lines; and a plurality of circuits, each of the plurality of circuits having an output terminal electrically connected to a first electrode signal line of the first electrode signal line layer, an input terminal configured to receive an input voltage, and a control terminal configured to receive a control voltage; at least a portion of the first electrode signal line electrically connected to the output terminal is in the inter-subpixel region of the liquid crystal display panel. The portion of the first electrode signal line in the inter-subpixel region of the liquid crystal display panel is configured to generate an additional electric field with at least one of the common electrode, the pixel electrode, a touch electrode, and another first electrode signal line; the additional electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer for enhancing light transmittance of the liquid crystal layer.