Liquid Crystal Polarizing Layers for Foldable Display Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid crystal display (LCD) panels with polarizers on upper and lower surfaces are too thick, prone to peeling or cracking during bending, and unable to fold due to their thickness exceeding 100 micrometers.
Innovation Solution
A display panel comprising two flexible substrates with polarizing layers made of liquid crystal molecules, where the first angle between the molecules and the substrate differs from the second angle, and both layers are doped with azo or anthraquinone dyes, with moisture and oxygen barrier layers enhancing flexibility and reducing thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional LCD panels are provided with polarizers on upper and lower surfaces, then the display function is achieved, but the thickness exceeds 100 micrometers making it unsuitable for bending and folding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the conventional rigid polarizer layers from the LCD panel structure. Instead of using traditional polarizers that increase thickness, the invention uses liquid crystal molecules directly aligned on the flexible substrate to achieve polarization function, thereby removing the source of excessive thickness while maintaining display functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and arrangement parameters of the polarizing layer by using liquid crystal molecules with specific alignment angles (first angle and second angle) on the flexible substrate. This parameter change allows the polarizing function to be achieved with much thinner layers compared to conventional polarizers, enabling the panel to be bent and folded.
2Reliability
If conventional LCD panels use rigid structures with polarizers, then the display performance is maintained, but film peeling or cracking occurs during folding process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible thin film structures throughout the panel, including the flexible substrate and the thin liquid crystal polarizing layers. This flexible film construction allows the entire panel to be bent and folded without causing film peeling or cracking, while still maintaining display performance through the liquid crystal molecules' polarization function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures combining flexible substrates with liquid crystal molecules and protective layers. This composite construction provides both flexibility for bending and the necessary structural integrity to prevent film peeling or cracking during the folding process, while maintaining display performance.
3Length of moving object
If the panel thickness is reduced to enable folding, then flexibility is improved, but the structural integrity and protection against moisture and oxygen deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested protective structure where moisture and oxygen barrier layers are integrated within the thin panel structure. These barrier layers are positioned between the flexible substrate and the liquid crystal polarizing layers, providing protection against moisture and oxygen while maintaining the overall thin thickness necessary for folding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different regions of the panel. The flexible substrate and liquid crystal layers provide flexibility and polarization function, while the moisture and oxygen barrier layers provide protection. This local differentiation of material qualities allows the panel to be thin enough for folding while maintaining structural integrity and environmental protection.
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 reduces the thickness of the display panel, improves flexibility, and minimizes the risk of film peeling and cracking, enabling the panel to bend without damage and potentially replacing conventional polarizers in OLED displays.
Implementation Method 1
the first polarizing layer comprises a plurality of first liquid crystal molecules, the second polarizing layer comprises a plurality of second liquid crystal molecules, a first angle is formed between each of the first liquid crystal molecules and the first flexible substrate along a first direction, and a second angle is formed between each of the second liquid crystal molecules and the second flexible substrate along the first direction
Implementation Method 2
the first polarizing layer and the second polarizing layer are both doped with dyes. the dyes are azo dyes or anthraquinone dyes
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a display panel, a manufacturing method of the display panel, and a display device. The display panel comprises a first flexible substrate, a second flexible substrate, a first polarizing layer, and a second polarizing layer. The first polarizing layer comprises first liquid crystal molecules, and the second polarizing layer comprises second liquid crystal molecules. A first angle is formed between each of the first liquid crystal molecules and the first flexible substrate along a first direction, and a second angle is formed between each of the second liquid crystal molecules and the second flexible substrate along the first direction.