Liquid Crystal Display Sub-Pixel Alignment Direction Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid crystal displays have uniform sub-pixel alignment directions, resulting in fixed luminance and chromaticity coordinates for white light, which are not adjustable.

Innovation Solution

A liquid crystal display with sub-pixels having different alignment directions relative to the alignment films, allowing for adjustable luminance and chromaticity coordinates by varying the alignment directions of sub-pixels within a pixel unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If all sub-pixels have the same alignment direction relative to the alignment films, then the manufacturing process is simple and uniform, but the luminance and chromaticity coordinates of white light are fixed and not adjustable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of luminance and chromaticity coordinatesVSAvoidcomplexity of alignment direction configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different alignment directions to different sub-pixels (red, green, blue) within the same pixel unit. Specifically, the red sub-pixel has a first alignment direction while the green and blue sub-pixels have a second alignment direction that is offset by a predetermined angle. This local differentiation enables independent control of luminance and chromaticity coordinates for each sub-pixel, allowing adjustable white light characteristics without requiring complex overall device restructuring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If different alignment directions are assigned to different sub-pixels, then the luminance and chromaticity coordinates become adjustable, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of white light characteristicsVSAvoidprecision of alignment direction control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the alignment direction control by dividing sub-pixels into different groups based on their color characteristics. The red sub-pixel is assigned a first alignment direction while green and blue sub-pixels are assigned a second alignment direction offset by a predetermined angle. This segmentation allows independent optimization of alignment for each sub-pixel type, enabling precise control of white light luminance and chromaticity coordinates through standardized alignment patterns rather than requiring complex individual alignment for each sub-pixel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If uniform alignment is used across all sub-pixels, then the display structure is simple, but the display cannot satisfy individual user requirements for different white light tones

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to display different white light tonesVSAvoidease of alignment film fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces asymmetry in the alignment direction configuration by assigning different alignment directions to different sub-pixel groups. Specifically, the red sub-pixel uses a first alignment direction while the green and blue sub-pixels use a second alignment direction that is offset by a predetermined angle. This asymmetric alignment configuration enables the display to satisfy individual user requirements for different white light tones (warm or cool) by controlling the relative intensities of red, green, and blue sub-pixels, while maintaining a relatively simple fabrication process through standardized alignment patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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

Enables adjustable white light luminance and chromaticity coordinates, allowing for warm or cool tone displays by adjusting the alignment directions of sub-pixels, satisfying individual user requirements and improving display effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

An initial rotation angle is provided to liquid crystal molecules M in the liquid crystal layer by means of the first alignment film 13 and the second alignment film 14

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid crystal alignment: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentUS9720284B2Liquid crystal display and method for fabricating the same and electronic apparatus

Publication Date: 2017.08.01 XIAMEN TIANMA MICRO ELECTRONICS

AI summary

A liquid crystal display and a method for fabricating the same, an electronic apparatus are provided. The liquid crystal display includes: a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate; and multiple pixel units disposed between the first and the substrates, where each of the pixel units includes multiple sub-pixels with different colors; where each of the sub-pixels includes a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second substrates, a first alignment film disposed between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer and a second alignment film disposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer; where at least two sub-pixels in a pixel unit have different alignment directions relative to the first alignment film; and an alignment direction of a sub-pixel relative to the first alignment film is parallel to an alignment direction of this sub-pixel relative to the second alignment film.