Peripheral Part Spacer Common Voltage Application in LCD Fabrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for fabricating liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are costly and time-consuming due to the need for a separate 'short point process' to apply a common voltage, which uses noble metals and can lead to contamination.
Innovation Solution
A method where a transparent conductive layer is deposited on both the display and peripheral parts of the substrates, with the peripheral part spacer serving as the common electrode, allowing for the application of a common voltage without the need for a separate short point process, thereby reducing fabrication steps and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate short point process is used to form conductors for applying common voltage, then the common voltage can be applied to the common electrode, but the fabrication process becomes time-consuming and expensive due to the use of noble metals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the common electrode formation with the existing transparent conductive layer deposition process. The transparent conductive layer is deposited over the entire substrate including the peripheral part, eliminating the need for a separate short point process. This integration reduces fabrication steps and costs while maintaining the common voltage application function.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral part of the substrate is given multiple functions: it serves as both the substrate extension and as the common electrode support. The transparent conductive layer on the peripheral part functions as the common electrode, eliminating the need for separate noble metal conductor formation. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall structure and reduces material costs.
2Reliability
If a separate short point process is used to form conductors for applying common voltage, then the common voltage can be applied to the common electrode, but the fabrication cost increases due to the use of noble metals such as Au or Ag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive noble metals (Au, Ag) with a cheaper transparent conductive material that is already deposited on the substrate. The transparent conductive layer, typically made of materials like ITO (indium tin oxide), serves as the common electrode, significantly reducing material costs while maintaining the necessary electrical conductivity for common voltage application.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent conductive layer serves multiple functions: it provides the common electrode function, maintains the substrate's structural integrity, and eliminates the need for separate conductor material deposition. This multi-functional approach reduces both material and processing costs.
3Reliability
If conductors are deposited as paste on the common electrode applying part, then the common voltage can be applied, but the conductive material may diffuse and contaminate the LCD
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces paste-based conductive materials with a transparent conductive layer deposited in a controlled vacuum deposition process. This eliminates the use of paste materials that can diffuse and contaminate the LCD, while providing a clean, stable common electrode structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical paste deposition process with a vacuum deposition process. The transparent conductive layer is deposited in a controlled vacuum environment, preventing material diffusion and contamination. This substitution of deposition method eliminates the harmful effects associated with paste-based conductor formation.
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 approach reduces the number of processing steps and material costs while maintaining the cell gap and enabling efficient voltage application, enhancing the viewing angle and image quality of the LCD.
Implementation Method 1
depositing a transparent conductive layer to cover an entire surface of the substrate, the display part spacer and the peripheral part spacer
Data Source
AI summary
Liquid crystal displays and fabrication methods thereof are provided. The liquid crystal display includes first substrate and second substrate facing the first substrate, and liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. The first substrate includes a peripheral part spacer of which a surface includes a transparent conductive material, the peripheral part spacer being connected to a common voltage connector of the second substrate. A common voltage is applied to the first substrate through the common voltage connector and the peripheral part spacer. The peripheral part spacer is formed in the same process step with a display part spacer. To provide the peripheral part spacer with conductivity, the surface of the peripheral part spacer is covered with a transparent conductive material in the same process step in which the common electrode is formed on the first substrate. Accordingly, the peripheral part spacer configured to apply a common voltage to a common electrode can be formed without additional processing.