Liquid Crystal Composition Viscosity Control for Uniform Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid crystal compositions face challenges in achieving uniform alignment and high-quality film formation due to low fluidity after solvent evaporation, making it difficult to maintain uniformity and optical properties in liquid crystal display devices.

Innovation Solution

A liquid crystal composition with a viscosity of 1,500 mPa·s to 2,500 mPa·s at normal temperature, comprising a liquid crystal compound and a compound with a melting point of 20°C or less, which allows for uniform coating and alignment without the need for heat, ensuring excellent fluidity and uniform alignment even after solvent evaporation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a liquid crystal compound is applied with a solvent and then the solvent is dried, then the liquid crystal compound can be coated on the alignment layer, but the liquid crystal compound has low fluidity after solvent drying making it difficult to align liquid crystals according to the alignment layer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid crystal alignment uniformityVSAvoidcoating process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the viscosity parameter of the liquid crystal composition by blending specific compounds (Formula 1 and Formula 2) to achieve optimal fluidity in the range of 100-500 cP. This parameter optimization enables the composition to maintain appropriate fluidity after solvent drying, allowing liquid crystals to align properly with the alignment layer without requiring complex additional processing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If heat is applied to improve fluidity and alignment, then liquid crystal alignment may be improved, but the process becomes more complex and energy-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid crystal alignment uniformityVSAvoidcoating process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the liquid crystal composition to self-align with the alignment layer through optimized composition formulation rather than requiring external heat treatment. The blended compounds (Formula 1 and Formula 2) provide inherent fluidity control that allows the liquid crystals to spontaneously align with the alignment layer patterns, eliminating the need for additional heating equipment and process steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If the viscosity of the liquid crystal composition is too low, then the composition can be easily coated, but the liquid crystal alignment uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating easeVSAvoidliquid crystal alignment uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the viscosity parameter by blending compounds of Formula 1 and Formula 2 in specific ratios, achieving a balanced viscosity range of 100-500 cP. This optimized viscosity enables both easy coating application and uniform liquid crystal alignment, resolving the trade-off between coating ease and alignment quality without requiring extreme viscosity values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition enables uniform liquid crystal alignment over a wide area, resulting in a high-quality liquid crystal layer with improved optical properties and process efficiency by eliminating the need for heat in the coating process.

Implementation Method 1

a compound having a melting point of 20°C or less

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting point: Melting

Implementation Method 2

a liquid crystal composition having a viscosity of 1,500 mPa·s (cps) to 2,500 mPa·s (cps) at normal temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscosity:

Data Source

PatentEP2806012B1Liquid crystal composition
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP2806012B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2806012B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2806012B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a liquid crystal composition, a liquid crystal film, a method for preparing the liquid crystal film, and a display device. According to an illustrative liquid crystal composition of the present application, the liquid crystal composition may be uniformly coated at normal temperature without any need for adding heat, and thus the process is economical in terms of process, thereby allowing an equipment to be simply manipulated. Also, according to an illustrative liquid crystal composition, an appropriate fluidity may be secured even after a solvent for the liquid crystal composition is dried, and thus uniform alignment may be induced. Furthermore, according to an illustrative liquid crystal composition, uniform liquid crystal alignment may be performed even while liquid crystals are aligned in a wide area.