LCD Resizing via Laser Circuit Severing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Resizing liquid crystal displays (LCDs) often results in electrical shorts due to torn row and column lines at the cut edge, leading to visual defects like 'line out' effects, which existing methods struggle to prevent or mitigate effectively.
Innovation Solution
The method involves identifying a cut line across the display, using a laser to sever electrical circuits adjacent to the cut line, thereby isolating potential shorts before resizing, and resealing the display to prevent electrical connections from forming along the cut edge, ensuring the integrity of the image generation medium and mechanical alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical scribing and breaking or sawing is used to cut the display, then the display can be resized to new dimensions, but electrical shorts occur due to torn row and column lines at the cut edge
Solution Approach 1:
The laser severing operation is performed before the mechanical cutting process to pre-isolate electrical circuits that would otherwise be torn and cause shorts. By cutting the leads adjacent to the intended cut line in advance, the patent prevents electrical shorts from occurring during the resizing process.
Solution Approach 2:
A laser beam is introduced as an intermediary tool between the mechanical cutting process and the electrical circuits. The laser selectively severs leads and circuits without physical contact, preventing the mechanical tearing that would cause electrical shorts while allowing the display to be resized.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the display is cut through the original seal and image-generating medium to create a resized target portion, then the display can be resized, but electrical shorts may occur connecting circuit elements at the cut edge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the harmful electrical connections by using a laser to sever leads and circuits adjacent to the cut line. This extraction of electrical pathways prevents shorts from forming when the display is mechanically cut through the seal and image-generating medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser severing operation applies a preliminary anti-action by cutting electrical circuits before the mechanical cutting process creates shorts. This preemptive measure counteracts the harmful effect of electrical shorts that would otherwise occur during the resizing process.
3Strength
If sealant is applied along the cut edge to reestablish seal integrity, then the display structure is preserved, but electrical shorts may still occur from torn circuit lines
Solution Approach 1:
The laser severing of electrical circuits is performed as a preliminary action before applying the sealant. By isolating electrical leads in advance, the patent ensures that subsequent sealant application and mechanical cutting will not create electrical shorts, thereby maintaining both structural integrity and electrical 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 approach effectively prevents electrical shorts during the resizing process, ensuring the target display portion functions without visual defects, and reduces the risk of latent damage, maintaining the display's structural strength and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
using a laser to sever electrical circuits adjacent to the cut line
Implementation Method 2
heating, burning, melting, and/or otherwise severing leads and/or other electrical circuits adjacent the cut line
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are provided for resizing an electronic display that includes front and back plates, a perimeter seal spacing apart the plates and defining an enclosed cell area between the plates that includes an original display image area, image-generating medium sealed in the enclosed cell area, and electrical circuits on inner surfaces of the plates extending throughout the original display image area. For example, a cut line may be identified that intersects across the original display image area of the display. A laser may be directed adjacent the cut line to heat and/or separate leads of the electrical circuits adjacent the cut line. The display may be cut adjacent the cut line, e.g., before or after separating leads along the cut line, resulting in a target display portion with an exposed edge, and an excess display portion, and then the exposed edge may be sealed.