Enclosed Sealant Observation Windows for LCD Cell Gap Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid crystal display (LCD) fabrication processes face challenges in achieving uniform cell gaps and sealant distribution due to spacer clustering and non-uniform sealant observation windows, leading to inhomogeneous electrical fields and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
The design of interlaced, enclosed sealant observation windows with smooth curves on the TFT-side substrate allows for uniform sealant diffusion and monitoring, reducing spacer accumulation and blind points, and enabling convenient observation without additional processes or masks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional opened holes or trenches are used as sealant observation windows, then the sealant spreading condition can be monitored, but the spacers accumulate in the corners to form thicker cell gap causing unequal cell gap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional opened holes or trenches with enclosed circular patterns as sealant observation windows. The circular shape without sharp corners prevents spacer accumulation, thereby maintaining uniform cell gap while still enabling monitoring of sealant spreading conditions through the transparent circular regions.
2Device complexity
If equal spaced and parallel sealant observation windows are used, then the monitoring layout is simple, but blind spots exist between windows when sealant shifts or edges locate in regions between windows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring function into multiple interlaced circular observation windows arranged in staggered rows. This segmentation approach ensures that adjacent windows overlap in their monitoring coverage, eliminating blind spots while maintaining a relatively simple overall layout structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an interlaced asymmetric arrangement where odd-numbered rows are shifted horizontally relative to even-numbered rows. This asymmetric positioning ensures comprehensive coverage of the sealant spreading path, preventing any region from falling between observation windows even when sealant position varies.
3Ease of manufacture
If the sealing width is too narrow, then the fabrication process becomes simpler, but the outgassing is poor, liquid crystal filling is incomplete, and cell gap uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces enclosed circular observation windows at specific locations within the sealing region. These localized structural modifications provide specific functions (spacer prevention and monitoring) without requiring a complete redesign of the entire sealing structure, thus maintaining fabrication simplicity while improving cell gap uniformity.
4Manufacturing precision
If the sealing width is too wide, then the cell gap uniformity improves, but the dicing difficulty increases due to sealant peeling and pollution to liquid crystal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses enclosed circular observation windows to provide localized spacer prevention exactly where needed in the sealing region. This allows for a more optimized sealing width that balances cell gap uniformity with reduced dicing difficulty, as the circular patterns prevent corner accumulation without requiring excessive sealing width.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal display includes: a first substrate and a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer filling between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a plurality of sealant observation windows arranged on the second substrate, wherein each sealant observation windows is an enclosed pattern formed by smooth curve; and a sealant covering a portion of sealant observation windows and surrounding the liquid crystal layer to bond the first substrate and the second substrate. In the present invention, those sealant observation windows can avoid the condition of unequal cell gap and increase the convenience of monitoring the spreading condition of the sealant.