Liquid Crystal Display Device With Switchable Lateral And Vertical Electric Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid crystal display devices used for see-through displays face issues with background blur and deteriorated display quality due to a trade-off between stability of alignment and response characteristics, particularly when used in field sequential methods.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal display device with a pixel structure featuring a first and second substrate with a liquid crystal layer, where the first substrate includes an upper electrode and a lower electrode generating a lateral field, and the second substrate includes a counter electrode generating a vertical field, allowing for switchable black, white, and transparent displaying states, with specific potential differences applied during vertical scanning periods to optimize alignment and response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a vertical field is generated across the liquid crystal layer to achieve black displaying state, then alignment stability is improved, but response characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic field switching by alternating between vertical and lateral electric fields across different time periods. The vertical field is applied during first time periods to achieve black displaying state with stable alignment, while lateral fields are applied during second time periods to achieve white displaying state with rapid response. This temporal dynamics resolves the contradiction by making the field direction adaptive to the required display state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic switching between vertical and lateral electric fields in a time-division manner. Multiple first time periods alternate with multiple second time periods, creating a periodic pattern where vertical fields provide alignment stability during black displaying intervals, and lateral fields enable rapid response during white displaying intervals. This periodic action allows the system to optimize for different parameters at different times.
2Speed
If a lateral field is generated across the liquid crystal layer to achieve white displaying state, then response characteristics are improved, but alignment stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches the electric field direction from lateral to vertical based on the required display state. During second time periods when white displaying is needed, lateral fields are applied to leverage their rapid response characteristics. During first time periods when black displaying is needed, vertical fields are applied to achieve stable alignment. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by matching field direction to functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic alternation between lateral and vertical electric fields. Second time periods with lateral fields are periodically interspersed with first time periods with vertical fields. This periodic structure allows the system to exploit the rapid response of lateral fields when needed while periodically reinforcing alignment stability with vertical fields, thus resolving the trade-off between speed and stability.
3Reliability
If voltage is continuously applied to maintain displaying state, then display quality is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electric fields periodically rather than continuously. The liquid crystal display alternates between first time periods with vertical fields and second time periods with lateral fields, creating a time-division multiplexed operation. During non-active time periods, voltage is reduced or eliminated, allowing the liquid crystal molecules to relax to their natural state. This periodic application maintains display quality during active periods while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous voltage application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains display functionality through continuous periodic switching between different field configurations rather than continuous single-state maintenance. The alternating vertical and lateral fields continuously update the liquid crystal alignment to maintain the desired display state, while the periodic nature of this switching allows energy recovery during relaxation phases, achieving both display quality and energy 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
The device excels in both stability of alignment and response characteristics, preventing background blur and enhancing display quality for see-through applications by allowing precise control of electric fields across the liquid crystal layer.
Implementation Method 1
the lower electrode generating a lateral field across the liquid crystal layer with the upper electrode
Implementation Method 2
the counter electrode generating a vertical field across the liquid crystal layer with the upper electrode
Implementation Method 3
a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate
Data Source
AI summary
In particular case second vertical scanning period includes a write period in which a first potential difference V1 is to be given to an upper electrode and a lower electrode. In another particular case, the second vertical scanning period includes a write period in which a second potential difference V2 being greater than the first potential difference V1 is given to the upper electrode and the lower electrode. In the former write period, substantially the same potential as that of a counter electrode is given to the upper electrode, and a different potential from that of the counter electrode is given to the lower electrode. In the latter write period, substantially the same potential as that of the counter electrode is given to the lower electrode, and a different potential from that of the counter electrode is given to the upper electrode.