LCD Panel Sealant-Stop Structure Prevents Overflow Cutting Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

During the assembly of LCD panels, the sealant frame often overflows, leading to cutting issues when the excess sealant extends beyond the designated scrape line, potentially damaging the panel.

Innovation Solution

A sealant-stop structure, either in the form of a trench or a bulged strip, is integrated between the sealant frame and the substrate to guide and accommodate the overflow, preventing it from exceeding the cutting line.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sealant frame is applied during substrate assembly, then the sealing function is achieved, but the sealant overflows and causes cutting problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidcutting precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a stop structure as an intermediary element between the sealant frame and the substrate. This stop structure serves as a mediator that receives the overflowed sealant, preventing it from reaching the cutting line. The stop structure includes a stop layer formed on the substrate, creating a physical barrier that intercepts excess sealant during the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of sealant overflow into a beneficial outcome by designing the stop structure to deliberately accommodate and contain the overflow. Instead of trying to completely prevent overflow (which is difficult to achieve), the invention allows overflow to occur but directs it into a designated area (the stop structure), thereby protecting the cutting line while maintaining the sealing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If the sealant frame is applied during substrate assembly, then the sealing function is achieved, but the overflow exceeds the scrape line and damages the panel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidpanel damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by pre-forming the stop structure on the substrate before the sealant frame application. This stop structure acts as a cushion or buffer zone that is prepared in advance to receive and contain any potential sealant overflow, thereby protecting the panel from damage before the harmful effect can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If a traditional sealant frame is used without additional structures, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the sealant overflow causes cutting issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidcutting precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the stop structure formation with the existing substrate preparation process. The stop layer is formed as part of the substrate structure, and the stop structure is created using the same manufacturing steps already in place, thereby integrating the overflow protection function into the existing manufacturing flow without adding significant process complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8031320B2LCD panel and array substrate thereof

Publication Date: 2011.10.04 AU OPTRONICS CORP

AI summary

An LCD panel includes an array substrate, an opposite substrate and a liquid crystal layer. The opposite substrate is opposite to the array substrate, and the liquid crystal layer is disposed between the array substrate and the opposite substrate. The array substrate includes a substrate, an array, a sealant and a stop structure. The array disposed on the substrate is a thin-film transistor array or a color filter array. The sealant has a first end and a second end, and the first and second ends form an inlet. The stop structure is placed at least between the first end of the sealant frame and a side of the substrate.