Liquid Crystal Composition with Photo-Aligned Halogen Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid crystal display technologies face issues with the adhesive strength of rubbed alignment layers, which can lead to peeling or contraction in harsh environments, and the rubbing method generates static electricity and fine dust, while non-contacting alignment methods are cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A liquid crystal film comprising a substrate layer and a liquid crystal layer formed by a composition with a photo-alignment material including a halogen element, which is phase-separated from the liquid crystal compound, allowing for alignment without a special alignment layer, thereby preventing mixing of components and ensuring stable orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a rubbing method is used to form an alignment layer, then the liquid crystal compound can be aligned in a predetermined direction, but the adhesive strength is insufficient causing peeling or contraction in harsh environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidadhesive strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the alignment layer and liquid crystal layer into a single integrated layer by incorporating photo-alignment material directly into the liquid crystal composition. This eliminates the interface between separate layers, preventing peeling and contraction while maintaining alignment precision through in-situ alignment during polymerization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite material system where photo-alignment material (containing halogen elements and polymerizable groups) is mixed with liquid crystal compounds. This composite structure allows the alignment function and liquid crystal function to coexist in one layer, improving both adhesive strength and alignment precision simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If a rubbing method is used to form an alignment layer, then the liquid crystal compound can be aligned, but static electricity and fine dust are generated during the rubbing process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidstatic electricity and fine dust
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical rubbing process with a photochemical alignment process. The photo-alignment material in the liquid crystal composition is aligned by UV irradiation rather than mechanical rubbing, eliminating static electricity and fine dust generation while achieving precise alignment through light-induced orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If a non-contacting alignment method is used to avoid rubbing problems, then static electricity and fine dust are reduced, but the process becomes cumbersome requiring a special alignment layer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestatic electricity and fine dustVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the alignment layer and liquid crystal layer into one integrated layer by incorporating photo-alignment material into the liquid crystal composition. This eliminates the need for a separate special alignment layer while maintaining the advantages of non-contacting photo-alignment, thereby reducing process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid crystal composition serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the liquid crystal phase for optical modulation and contains photo-alignment material for alignment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate alignment layer formation processes, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.

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

4Manufacturing precision

If a separate alignment layer and liquid crystal layer are formed, then alignment can be achieved, but the components may mix in one layer affecting mutual functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidlayer composition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates local differentiation within the single layer by having photo-alignment material and liquid crystal compounds occupy different regions or phases within the same layer. The photo-alignment material aligns in the direction of UV irradiation while liquid crystal molecules align with it, maintaining both alignment precision and compositional stability through spatial organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution enables the formation of a stable liquid crystal layer with aligned molecules in a simplified process, maintaining orientation even in harsh environments without the need for a separate alignment layer, thus improving the reliability and efficiency of liquid crystal display technologies.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid crystal layer formed by a liquid crystal composition formed on the substrate layer, wherein the liquid crystal composition comprises a photo-alignment material including a halogen element and a liquid crystal compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhoto-alignment: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0008425 discloses a light alignment method using light irradiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight irradiation alignment: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

the photo-alignment material is phase-separated from the liquid crystal compound in an orientationally ordered state in the liquid crystal layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase separation: Phase Change

Implementation Method 4

The liquid crystal compound is filled in a panel of a display device, and redisposed by supply of voltage, whereby it may be used to control quantity of light penetrating through the panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectro-optic effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Data Source

PatentEP2811005B1Liquid crystal composition
Publication Date: 2018.04.18 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP2811005B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2811005B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2811005B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present application relates to a liquid crystal composition, a liquid crystal cell, a liquid crystal film, and methods of preparing the same. As an exemplary liquid crystal composition, according to the present application can provide a liquid crystal layer aligned without a special alignment layer. According to the liquid crystal composition, all of the liquid crystal cell, in which the liquid crystal layer is maintained in a non-polymerized state, and the liquid crystal film prepared by polymerizing the liquid crystal layer can be provided.