Liquid Crystal Display Polarizing Layer Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid crystal display devices face issues with reduced contrast ratio due to misalignment of polarizing layers and the need for additional layers, leading to increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal display device structure where a polarizing layer with uniaxial absorption anisotropy serves as both an alignment layer and an overcoat, aligning with the liquid crystal molecules and simplifying the structure by eliminating the need for separate alignment layers, while using an unpolished substrate with undulations to reduce fabrication steps and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a polarizing layer is added to improve contrast ratio, then contrast ratio is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the polarizing layer and alignment layer into a single integrated layer. The polarizing layer is formed to have both polarization function and alignment function, eliminating the need for a separate alignment layer. This merging reduces the number of layers and fabrication steps while maintaining the contrast ratio improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The polarizing layer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides polarization control, serves as an alignment layer for liquid crystal molecules, and acts as an overcoat layer. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated layers for each function.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple layers are added to improve contrast ratio, then contrast ratio is improved, but fabrication steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the formation of the polarizing layer with the formation of the alignment layer into a single fabrication step. By forming the polarizing layer with integrated alignment properties, the process eliminates the need for separate alignment layer formation steps, reducing overall fabrication complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The polarizing layer is designed as a multi-functional layer that performs polarization, alignment, and overcoat functions simultaneously. This reduces the number of separate fabrication steps required, as one layer formation process achieves multiple objectives that would traditionally require separate steps.
3Manufacturing precision
If a separate alignment layer is used, then liquid crystal molecule alignment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the alignment function and polarization function into a single layer. The polarizing layer is formed with alignment properties that enable it to serve as both the polarization layer and the alignment layer, eliminating the need for a separate alignment layer while maintaining precise liquid crystal molecule alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The polarizing layer is designed to perform multiple functions including polarization control and molecular alignment. This multi-functionality reduces the number of layers required in the device structure, simplifying the overall architecture while maintaining the precision of liquid crystal molecule alignment.
4Reliability
If additional layers are added to prevent misalignment, then alignment stability is improved, but fabrication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The polarizing layer is designed as a multi-functional layer that provides polarization control, molecular alignment, and surface overcoat functions simultaneously. This integrated design ensures alignment stability through the inherent properties of the polarizing layer material and structure, eliminating the need for additional dedicated alignment layers.
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 configuration enhances contrast ratio, reduces fabrication complexity, and lowers production costs by integrating the polarizing layer as both an alignment and overcoat layer, ensuring precise alignment and stability of liquid crystal molecules.
Implementation Method 1
the polarizing layer has a uniaxial absorption anisotropy and serves as an alignment layer for regulating a direction of alignment of the liquid crystal molecules
Implementation Method 2
a voltage is applied between the pixel electrode and the common electrode, thereby generating an electric field parallel to a substrate surface and driving the liquid crystal molecules in a plane parallel to the substrate surface
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal display device (1) includes a first substrate (2), a second substrate (3) provided to face the first substrate (2), a liquid crystal layer (4) sandwiched between the first substrate (2) and the second substrate (3), a first polarizing plate (5) and a second polarizing plate (6) respectively provided on a side of the first substrate (2) and a side of the second substrate (3) which are opposed to sides to which the liquid crystal layer (4) is provided, and a common electrode (7) and a pixel electrode (9) provided to the liquid crystal layer (4) side of the first substrate (2). Alignment of liquid crystal molecules (4a) of the liquid crystal layer (4) is controlled by an electric field generated between the common electrode (7) and the pixel electrode (9). A polarizing layer (13) is provided on the liquid crystal layer (4) side of the second substrate (3) so as to be in contact with the liquid crystal layer (4). The polarizing layer (13) has a uniaxial absorption anisotropy, and serves as an alignment layer for regulating a direction of alignment of the liquid crystal molecules (4a).