Liquid Crystal Medium Composition for Faster IPS and FFS Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid crystal displays face challenges such as slow switching times, high rotational viscosity, and insufficient resistance to environmental factors, which affect their performance and longevity, particularly in applications requiring fast response and reliability like televisions and monitors.

Innovation Solution

A liquid crystalline medium comprising a compound of formula I and additional biphenyls of formulas B-1 to B-4, which reduces rotational viscosity and improves elastic constants, enhancing switching times and stability across a wide temperature range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If conventional liquid crystal mixtures are used, then the display can be manufactured with standard materials, but the switching times are slow and rotational viscosity is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching timesVSAvoidrotational viscosity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the liquid crystal mixture. Specifically, it introduces compounds with particular molecular structures (cyclohexyl rings, specific alkyl chain lengths, and functional groups) that fundamentally alter the physical parameters of the mixture, achieving significantly reduced rotational viscosity and faster switching times compared to conventional mixtures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by creating a multi-component liquid crystal mixture where each component serves a specific function. The mixture includes compounds of formula I (providing low rotational viscosity), compounds of formula II (contributing to nematic phase stability), and compounds of formula III (enhancing dielectric properties). This composite approach allows optimization of multiple properties simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If standard liquid crystal phases are used, then the display can operate at common temperatures, but the nematic phase range is limited and temperature stability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenematic phase rangeVSAvoidtemperature stability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes by selecting compounds with specific melting points and clearing points that expand the nematic phase temperature range. The cyclohexyl-containing compounds and compounds with specific molecular weights contribute to maintaining liquid crystalline order at both low and high temperatures, thereby extending the operational temperature window.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by incorporating compounds with different thermal properties into specific regions of the mixture formulation. Certain components are optimized for low-temperature stability while others are optimized for high-temperature stability, allowing the overall mixture to maintain performance across a broad temperature range through localized functional specialization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If conventional liquid crystal materials are used, then the display can be produced with existing technology, but resistance to environmental factors such as moisture, air, and radiation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the inert atmosphere principle by selecting liquid crystal compounds with high chemical inertness. The cyclohexyl rings and fluorinated alkyl chains in the molecular structures provide resistance to oxidation and hydrolysis, creating an inherently stable environment that resists degradation from moisture, air, and radiation without requiring additional protective layers or complex sealing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes by modifying the chemical stability parameters of the liquid crystal mixture through selective compound composition. The inclusion of aromatic rings, cyclohexyl groups, and specific functional groups increases the activation energy for degradation reactions, thereby enhancing resistance to environmental factors while maintaining compatibility with standard manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Speed

If liquid crystal mixtures with significantly negative dielectric anisotropy are used, then switching performance improves, but long-term stability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching performanceVSAvoidlong-term stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by formulating a multi-component mixture where compounds of formula I provide the significantly negative dielectric anisotropy needed for fast switching, while compounds of formula II and III contribute to long-term stability through their molecular structures. The synergistic interaction between components allows achievement of both fast switching performance and extended operational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes by carefully balancing the dielectric anisotropy parameter through compositional adjustment. By optimizing the ratio and selection of compounds with different dielectric properties, the mixture achieves significantly negative dielectric anisotropy for fast switching while maintaining molecular structures that ensure long-term stability under operational conditions.

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 medium achieves low switching times, broad nematic phase ranges, and improved reliability with reduced image sticking, suitable for high and low temperatures, making it suitable for advanced display technologies like IPS and FFS.

Implementation Method 1

The invention relates to a liquid crystalline medium... particularly suitable for electro-optical displays with active matrix addressing based on the ECB effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectECB effect (electrically controlled birefringence): Birefringence

Implementation Method 2

as well as for IPS (in-plane switching) or FFS (fringe field switching) displays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIPS (in-plane switching) effect:

Implementation Method 3

as well as for IPS (in-plane switching) or FFS (fringe field switching) displays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFFS (fringe field switching) effect:

Implementation Method 4

high values for the optical anisotropy Δn

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical anisotropy: Anisotropy

Implementation Method 5

values for the dielectric anisotropy of Δε ≤ -0.5 in order to be used for highly informative display elements based on the ECB effect. Electro-optical display elements based on the ECB effect have a homeotropic edge orientation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric anisotropy: Dielectric Permittivity

Data Source

PatentEP3660128B1Liquid crystalline medium
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 MERCK PATENT GMBH
  • EP3660128B1 patent drawing
  • EP3660128B1 patent drawing
  • EP3660128B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a liquid crystalline medium containing the compound of formula I and additionally containing one or more biphenyls of formulas B-1 to B-4, and its use for an active matrix display, in particular based on the VA, PSA, PS-VA, PM-VA, SS-VA, PALC, IPS, PS-IPS, FFS or PS-FFS effect.