Liquid Crystal Alignment Layer Photo-Alignment Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for manufacturing liquid crystal alignment layers, such as the rubbing method and photo-alignment method using polyimide, face challenges including dust generation, electrostatic discharge, high energy requirements for light irradiation, and the need for additional heat treatment processes, which hinder productivity and stability in liquid crystal display devices.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of a liquid crystal aligning agent with a polymer containing specific repeating units, allowing for light irradiation immediately after drying the coating film, followed by heat treatment to achieve alignment, thereby reducing light irradiation energy and eliminating the need for high-temperature heat treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rubbing method is used to align liquid crystals, then alignment is achieved, but fine dust and electrostatic discharge are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rubbing method with a photo-alignment method using a specific polymer composition. The polymer film is subjected to light irradiation to induce molecular orientation, eliminating the need for physical contact with fibers that generate dust and electrostatic discharge. This substitution of mechanical alignment with optical alignment resolves the contradiction between achieving reliable alignment and avoiding harmful factors.
2Reliability
If polyimide is used in the photo-alignment method, then good alignment performance is achieved, but high energy for light irradiation and additional heat treatment are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the polymer composition by incorporating specific repeating units (Formulas 1-3) with particular molecular structures and ratios. This chemical parameter change enables the polymer to achieve effective alignment with lower light irradiation energy compared to conventional polyimide. The optimized composition reduces the energy threshold for photo-alignment while maintaining or improving alignment quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite polymer structure combining multiple repeating units (Formulas 1-3) with specific functional groups and aromatic rings. This composite material design synergistically enhances light sensitivity and alignment efficiency, allowing the material to achieve effective alignment at lower energy levels than single-component polyimide while eliminating the need for additional heat treatment processes.
3Reliability
If conventional photo-alignment method is used, then alignment is achieved, but productivity is limited due to high energy requirements and additional processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the polymer composition parameters to enable effective alignment at lower light energy levels and without additional heat treatment. This parameter optimization reduces the total process time and energy consumption, thereby increasing production efficiency while maintaining alignment stability. The specific repeating unit ratios and molecular structures are designed to maximize photo-alignment efficiency.
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 approach enables the production of a liquid crystal alignment layer with enhanced alignment properties and stability while simplifying the process and reducing energy consumption, making it suitable for practical mass production.
Implementation Method 1
a photo-alignment method, in which anisotropy is induced in the polymer film through not friction but light irradiation to align liquid crystals
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal alignment layer, a liquid crystal alignment layer manufactured by using the same, and a liquid crystal display device including the liquid crystal alignment layer. More specifically, provided are the method of manufacturing the liquid crystal alignment layer with enhanced alignment property and stability, in which a liquid crystal aligning agent is applied onto a substrate, and after drying, alignment treatment is immediately performed by light irradiation while omitting a high-temperature heat treatment process, and then the alignment-treated coating film is cured by heat treatment, thereby reducing light irradiation energy required in the process and simplifying the process by omitting the high-temperature heat treatment process before light irradiation, the liquid crystal alignment layer, and the liquid crystal display device including the same.