Liquid Crystal Display Spacer Density for Cell Gap Uniformity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid crystal display devices, particularly in the One Drop Fill (ODF) method, variations in the amount of liquid crystal material can lead to display defects due to uneven cell gaps, and the narrow frame demand restricts spacer arrangement, causing adhesiveness issues and gravity unevenness, especially near mounting portions where spacer heights tend to be lower.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of pillar-shaped spacers with varying spacer area densities in the peripheral areas, with higher densities near mounting portions to increase the thickness of the seal material and control gravity unevenness, ensuring consistent cell gaps and improved display quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If pillar-shaped spacers are arranged in the seal material to maintain uniform cell gap, then cell gap uniformity is improved, but spacer arrangement flexibility is reduced due to narrow frame demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the spacer area density at different locations within the seal material. Specifically, the spacer area density is set to be different at the mounting end peripheral area compared to other peripheral areas, allowing optimized spacer arrangement at critical locations while maintaining overall cell gap uniformity.
2Strength
If spacer area density is increased near mounting portions to prevent seal material crushing, then seal material thickness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by concentrating spacers in specific regions. The spacer area density is increased at the mounting end peripheral area to prevent seal material crushing and maintain thickness, while other peripheral areas have different spacer densities, creating a non-uniform but optimized distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the seal material region into different zones with different spacer densities. The mounting end peripheral area is identified as a critical zone requiring higher spacer density, while other areas have adjusted densities, effectively dividing the problem into manageable segments.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform spacer area density is used across all peripheral areas, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but gravity unevenness occurs near mounting portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses gravity unevenness by applying local quality through varying spacer area densities. The mounting end peripheral area has a different spacer area density compared to other areas, which compensates for gravitational effects on liquid crystal material distribution and prevents display quality variations.
Data Source
AI summary
An array substrate including a first substrate, an under-resin layer formed on one surface of the first substrate, a display area, and an integrated circuit mounted on a mounting portion located apart from the under-resin layer. A counter substrate is arranged facing the array substrate and includes a second substrate and a shield layer formed on the second substrate for shielding a peripheral area surrounding the display area. A plurality of pillar-shaped spacers is arranged on the under-resin layer in the peripheral area, the pillar-shaped spacers formed in the seal material. Spacer area density of the pillar-shaped spacers arranged in the peripheral area adjacent to the mounting portion seen from the counter substrate side is larger than that of the pillar-shaped spacers arranged in the peripheral area not adjacent to the mounting portion.