Transparent Common Electrode Structure for LCD Manufacturing Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid crystal display devices require multiple photolithography steps, increasing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal display device configuration with a reduced number of photolithography steps, featuring a second transparent common electrode that covers gate lines and data lines through an intermediate insulating film, improving aperture ratio and manufacturing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional photolithography processes are used to form common electrodes and pixel electrodes separately, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but the number of photolithography steps increases to seven or eight times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the formation of the common electrode and pixel electrode into a single photolithography step by using a unified electrode structure where the common electrode is formed in the same photoresist pattern as the pixel electrode. This consolidation reduces the total number of photolithography steps from seven or eight times to fewer steps, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency and productivity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the number of photolithography steps is reduced, then manufacturing cost decreases, but manufacturing precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrode formation process into distinct functional regions within a single photolithography step. By using different material layers (such as transparent conductive oxide for common electrode and metal for pixel electrode) deposited on the same photoresist pattern, the design maintains manufacturing precision while reducing the number of photolithography steps, thereby lowering manufacturing cost.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional separate electrode structures are used, then electrode function is achieved, but aperture ratio is reduced due to additional wiring layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by forming the common electrode and pixel electrode in different material layers stacked on top of each other within the same planar footprint. This three-dimensional electrode arrangement allows both electrodes to coexist without occupying additional lateral space, thereby increasing the aperture ratio while maintaining the necessary electrode functions.
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
The solution reduces the number of photolithography steps from seven or eight to four, enhancing aperture ratio and transmittance while lowering manufacturing costs and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage is applied between a pixel electrode and a counter electrode, and the light transmission of liquid crystal between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode is controlled by an electric field generated therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a liquid crystal display device including: gate lines formed in a first direction on a second transparent substrate; data lines formed in a second direction; first transparent common electrodes; a protective insulating film; transparent pixel electrodes arranged in the first direction and the second direction and formed so as to be opposed to the first transparent common electrodes on a surface of the protective insulating film; thin film transistors connected to the transparent pixel electrodes; a second transparent common electrode formed on the surface of the protective insulating film; and a liquid crystal layer formed on the protective insulating film, the transparent pixel electrodes, and the second transparent common electrode. The second transparent common electrode covers the gate lines and the data lines through intermediation of the protective insulating film.