LCD Pixel Electrode Boundary Slits Stabilize Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid crystal display apparatuses with a vertical alignment mode and alignment division structure face issues with displaying problems such as afterimages due to new disclination occurrences when pixel size is large, and shading recesses with a black matrix reduces transmittance.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal display apparatus is designed with a pixel electrode structure that includes a boundary region with n boundary slits, (n-1) first bridging portions, and (n-2) dent patterns, which stabilize discontinuous points in liquid crystal alignment, thereby suppressing displaying problems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the pixel size is increased, then the display area is improved, but new disclination occurs causing afterimages
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel electrode is divided into multiple regions (first pixel electrode portion and second pixel electrode portion) with slitted structures, creating distinct zones that control liquid crystal alignment independently. This segmentation prevents the formation of large-scale disclination lines that cause afterimages while maintaining overall pixel functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the pixel electrode are given different structures (slitted regions with different orientations) to locally control the alignment of liquid crystal molecules. This local differentiation allows each region to manage its own alignment characteristics, preventing the propagation of disclination across the entire pixel.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the alignment division structure is formed with 4D-ECB mode, then the viewing angle characteristics are improved, but disclination occurs at the boundary between liquid crystal domains
Solution Approach 1:
The bridging portion acts as an intermediary structure between the first and second pixel electrode portions. It provides a transition zone that mediates the alignment transition between different liquid crystal domains, preventing the formation of harmful disclination lines at the domain boundary while maintaining the 4D-ECB alignment division structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridging portion is preliminarily designed with specific dimensional constraints (width of 3.0 μm or more and length of 3.0 μm or more) to preemptively prevent disclination formation. By establishing this protective structure in advance, the patent eliminates the harmful effect before it can manifest during device operation.
3Reliability
If the bridging portion dimensions are increased, then the disclination suppression is improved, but the pixel area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific parameter ranges for the bridging portion (width ≥ 3.0 μm, length ≥ 3.0 μm) that optimize the balance between disclination suppression and pixel area utilization. These parameter changes ensure the bridging portion is sufficiently large to prevent disclination while minimizing its impact on the overall pixel area.
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 proposed solution effectively suppresses displaying problems associated with discontinuous points in liquid crystal alignment, even in large pixel sizes, while maintaining high transmittance by stabilizing discontinuous points with the provided alignment stabilizing patterns.
Implementation Method 1
pretilt directions of liquid crystal molecules are defined by alignment films
Implementation Method 2
liquid crystal layer of vertical alignment type
Implementation Method 3
stabilize discontinuous points in liquid crystal alignment, thereby suppressing displaying problems
Data Source
AI summary
Each pixel includes first through fourth liquid crystal domains. The first through fourth liquid crystal domains are arranged in this order along the pixel longitudinal direction. The reference alignment direction of the second liquid crystal domain and the reference alignment direction of the third liquid crystal domain are respectively essentially the 135° direction and essentially the 315° direction, or respectively essentially the 45° direction and essentially the 225° direction. The pixel electrode includes a first through fourth slitted regions corresponding to the first through fourth liquid crystal domains, and a boundary region located between the second and third slitted regions. The boundary region includes n boundary slits (where n≥3) extending essentially in parallel to the pixel transverse direction; (n-1) first bridging portions each located between two adjacent boundary slits; and (n-2) dent patterns each located between two adjacent first bridging portions.