LCD Spacer and Light Blocking Member Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid crystal displays (LCDs), alignment errors between pixel electrodes and color filters can occur when formed on different panels, leading to display quality issues, and the formation of a light blocking member with sufficient optical density is challenging due to spacer height limitations, affecting light leakage and uniformity.
Innovation Solution
A light blocking member and spacer are simultaneously formed using the same material in the non-display area of an LCD, with the spacer maintaining the cell gap and the light blocking member preventing light leakage, ensuring proper alignment and optical density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cell gap is not uniform, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the display quality deteriorates due to non-uniform image
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer structure is divided into multiple segments: a first spacer in the first opening and a second spacer in the second opening. This segmentation allows each spacer to independently maintain cell gap uniformity in its respective region, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and cell gap uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacers act as intermediary elements between the first substrate and the second substrate, physically maintaining a uniform interval (cell gap) throughout the display area. This intermediary structure ensures cell gap uniformity without complicating the overall manufacturing process.
2Ease of manufacture
If the height of the spacer is low, then the manufacturing process is easier, but the light blocking member cannot be formed with sufficient optical density to prevent light leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The light blocking member and the spacer are merged into a single integrated structure made of the same material. This combination allows the spacer to simultaneously serve as both a cell gap maintainer and a light blocking member, achieving sufficient optical density without requiring separate high-height components.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer structure is designed to perform multiple functions: maintaining cell gap uniformity and providing light blocking capability. By making the spacer and light blocking member from the same material, the structure achieves multi-functionality, preventing light leakage while maintaining ease of manufacture.
3Manufacturing precision
If the black matrix is formed with a larger than predetermined size, then the alignment error is reduced, but the aperture ratio is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The light blocking member is strategically positioned only in the non-display area with precise dimensional control. This local quality approach ensures that light blocking is effective where needed while minimizing the impact on the aperture ratio in the display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the light blocking function from the planar (2D) black matrix to a three-dimensional (3D) spacer structure that extends vertically. This dimensional change allows the light blocking member to be positioned precisely in the non-display area without reducing the aperture ratio in the display area.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a liquid crystal display having a display area and a non-display area which includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing the first substrate, a layer having a first opening, a spacer disposed in the first opening, and a first light blocking member disposed in the non-display area. The spacer is disposed in the first opening to maintain an interval between the first substrate and the second substrate. The spacer and the first light blocking member include the same material.