Liquid Crystal Display Subpixel Electrode Alignment for Viewing Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vertical alignment mode liquid crystal displays (LCDs) often have lower side visibility compared to front visibility, which limits their overall performance in terms of viewing angle and response speed.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a liquid crystal display design featuring a pixel electrode with two subpixel electrodes and a common electrode, where the liquid crystal molecules are pretilted in different directions using branches on the electrodes, allowing for varied voltage application to improve side visibility and response speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If vertical alignment mode is used to achieve fast response speed, then response speed is improved, but side visibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel electrode is divided into multiple subpixel electrodes (first subpixel electrode and second subpixel electrode) with different alignment directions. This segmentation allows each subpixel to control LC molecule tilting in specific directions, improving side visibility while maintaining fast response speed of VA mode.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the pixel electrode are given different alignment characteristics through multiple subpixel electrodes with different alignment directions. This local differentiation optimizes light transmission for both front and side viewing angles while preserving the fast response characteristic of vertical alignment mode.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple alignment layers are used to pretilt LC molecules in various directions, then viewing angle is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple alignment layers with different orientations, the patent segments the pixel electrode into multiple subpixel electrodes, each with a single alignment direction. This achieves multi-directional LC pretilting through electrode segmentation rather than layer multiplication, reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of stacking multiple alignment layers with an electrical field approach using multiple subpixel electrodes. The electric fields from different subpixel electrodes collectively achieve the same effect as multiple alignment layers would, simplifying the device structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If one pixel is divided into two subpixels with different voltages, then side visibility is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel is segmented into two subpixels with different alignment directions, allowing each to contribute to both front and side visibility. This geometric segmentation provides side visibility improvement without requiring complex voltage control, as each subpixel operates with standard voltage levels.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing voltage parameters to improve side visibility, the patent changes the geometric and alignment parameters of the subpixel electrodes. This parameter substitution avoids the need for precise voltage control while achieving the desired visibility improvement.
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
This design enhances the liquid crystal display's viewing angle, response speed, and transmittance by ensuring liquid crystal molecules are aligned to optimize light polarization, thereby improving both front and side image visibility.
Implementation Method 1
voltages are applied to the field-generating electrodes to generate an electric field in the LC layer, which determines the orientations of LC molecules therein, thereby adjusting the polarization of light incident thereto
Implementation Method 2
adjusting the polarization of light incident thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal display includes a pixel electrode including a first subpixel electrode and a second subpixel electrode spaced apart with a gap therebetween, a common electrode facing the pixel electrode, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode and including a plurality of liquid crystal molecules. The first and second subpixel electrodes include a plurality of branches, and each of the first and second subpixel electrodes includes a plurality of subregions. The branches extend in different directions in different subregions.