Liquid Crystal Grating for Seamless Spliced Screens

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large screen splicing technology faces challenges in minimizing the seam width between display modules, resulting in a divided display image due to the frame width limitations, which cannot be reduced infinitely without compromising structural strength, leading to seams that are too wide for high-quality image display.

Innovation Solution

A liquid crystal grating is applied to the spliced screen, comprising grating units with display and frame regions, where voltage differences between frame electrodes control the deflection of liquid crystal molecules, making the frame region visible and thus minimizing the seam appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If the frame width of display modules is reduced to minimize spliced seam width, then the seam width decreases, but the structural strength and material thickness requirements cannot be met

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespliced seam widthVSAvoidframe structural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A liquid crystal grating layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the display modules. This grating layer includes frame regions that optically mask the physical frames, allowing the frames to maintain their structural strength while appearing invisible in the spliced seam area. The liquid crystal molecules in the frame regions are controlled to deflect light away from the seam area, effectively hiding the frame structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid crystal grating utilizes optical properties to change the visibility of the frame regions. By controlling the liquid crystal molecules in the frame regions to deflect light, the frames transition from being visible to invisible, allowing the spliced seam to appear seamless while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the frame width is reduced to improve display quality, then the image continuity improves, but the frame can no longer provide sufficient structural support

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage continuityVSAvoidframe support capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid crystal grating acts as an optical intermediary that decouples the structural function from the visual appearance. The physical frames maintain their width for structural support, while the liquid crystal grating's frame regions optically mask them, preserving image continuity without compromising structural capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid crystal grating is divided into display regions and frame regions. The frame regions specifically target the spliced seam areas to provide optical masking, while the display regions maintain normal light transmission. This segmentation allows selective optical control to preserve image continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a liquid crystal grating is added to mask frame regions, then the seam visibility decreases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseam visibilityVSAvoidgrating structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid crystal grating serves multiple functions: it maintains the display function in the display regions while simultaneously providing seam masking in the frame regions. This multi-functionality is achieved by integrating both display and frame regions into a single grating structure that can be controlled by a unified driving method.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame regions and display regions are merged into a single liquid crystal grating layer. This integration allows the grating to simultaneously perform display and seam masking functions, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall device structure despite the added functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 liquid crystal grating improves the display effect by making the seam appear invisible, enhancing the continuity and integrity of the image, while allowing for both 2D and 3D display capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

control deflection of the liquid crystal molecules in the frame region, thus the optical path of the light rays scattered into the frame region may be changed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical path control: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3101469B1Liquid crystal grating, manufacturing method therefor, and splicing screen
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3101469B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3101469B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3101469B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6a

AI summary

A liquid crystal grating and a manufacturing method and a driving method therefor, and a spliced screen including a liquid crystal grating are disclosed. The liquid crystal grating includes: a first substrate (11) and a second substrate (12) arranged opposite to the first substrate; and liquid crystal molecules (15) filled between the first substrate (11) and the second substrate (12). The first substrate (11), the second substrate (12) and the liquid crystal molecules (15) are provided to define at least one grating unit (2). Each grating units (2) includes: a display region (22); a frame region (21) surrounding the display region (22); a first frame electrode (131) located on the first substrate (11) and arranged corresponding to the frame region (21); and a second frame electrode (141) located on the second substrate (12) and arranged corresponding to the frame region (21). The first frame electrode (131) and the second frame electrode (141) are configured for forming a voltage difference when displaying in the display region (22), so as to control deflection of the liquid crystal molecules (15) in the frame region (21), such that light rays scattered into the frame region (21) are emitted out from the frame region (21) of the second substrate (12). The above liquid crystal grating enables a seam of a spliced screen to have a certain display brightness, thereby improving the display effect of the spliced screen.