Liquid Crystal Purification Flow Chamber with Sorbent

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current purification methods for liquid crystal mixtures are inefficient, leaving residues of solvents and polar compounds that lead to functional losses in liquid crystal displays, and require lengthy purification processes.

Innovation Solution

A purification device with a flow chamber equipped with a flow distribution element and a filter element, where the liquid crystal mixture flows through a sorbent-filled chamber, ensuring uniform distribution and effective separation of impurities, reducing purification time and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional stirring process with sorbent is used for purification, then sorption can be performed, but purification efficiency is low and residues of solvents or polar compounds remain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification efficiencyVSAvoidresidues of solvents or polar compounds
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical stirring process with a flow-based system where liquid crystal mixture flows through a column containing sorbent material. This substitution of mechanical mixing with flow-driven contact enables more efficient sorption, effectively removing solvent and polar compound residues that persisted in the traditional method.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs porous sorbent material (such as silica gel or activated carbon) packed in a column. The porous structure provides extensive surface area for adsorption, enabling efficient removal of impurities including solvent residues and polar compounds from the liquid crystal mixture as it flows through the column.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If traditional mixing device with plate filter is used, then purification can be performed, but purification time is lengthy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification qualityVSAvoidpurification time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous flow purification where the liquid crystal mixture continuously flows through the sorbent column, replacing the batch processing of traditional methods. This continuous action maintains constant contact between the mixture and sorbent, achieving thorough purification more quickly and eliminating the lengthy processing times associated with traditional stirring and filtration sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the purification function into a dedicated column unit with sorbent material, distinct from mixing and filtration operations. This segmentation allows each process step to be optimized independently, with the column providing rapid sorption-based purification that reduces overall processing time while maintaining high purification quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If sorbent is added to mixing device for purification, then cleaning process can be carried out, but mixing or filling processes require additional design effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification effectivenessVSAvoiddesign effort for mixing or filling processes
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the purification function from the mixing device by implementing a separate, dedicated column unit containing sorbent material. This extraction eliminates the need to modify mixing or filling equipment for purification purposes, reducing design complexity while maintaining effective purification through the standalone column system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 significantly reduces purification time, enhances the purity and yield of the liquid crystal mixture, and minimizes solvent and polar compound residues, resulting in higher quality final products with lower production costs.

Implementation Method 1

with at least one flow distribution element that is in the flow chamber in the region of inlet opening is arranged... as uniformly as possible over the entire chamber Cross-sectional area distributed transversely to the direction of flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow distribution:

Implementation Method 2

A cleaning agent or a sorbent through which the liquid crystal mixture flows or flows around is expediently arranged in the flow-through chamber. Through the interaction of Liquid-crystal mixture with the cleaning agent or the sorbent can be very effectively cleaned or separated from the components of the liquid-crystal mixture to be removed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSorption: Sorption

Implementation Method 3

Through the filter element, which covers the outlet opening and the liquid crystal mixture at The cleaning agent or the sorbent as well as components adhering to or absorbed therein and larger particles are held back so that only the cleaned liquid crystal mixture can leave the flow chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3080599A1Cleaning device
Publication Date: 2016.10.19 MERCK PATENT GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a cleaning device (1), preferably for cleaning a liquid crystal mixture, having a flow chamber (2) which has an inlet opening (3) and an outlet opening (4) arranged opposite the inlet opening in order to allow the liquid crystal mixture to be introduced into and to be discharged from the flow chamber (2), having at least one flow distributing element (5) which is arranged in the flow chamber (2) in the region of the inlet opening (3), and having at least one filter element (6) which is arranged in the region of the outlet opening (4). The flow chamber (2) length which is measured in the flow direction is greater than the maximum inner width of the flow chamber (2) transversely to the flow direction at least by a factor of 2. A cleaning means, preferably a sorbent, is arranged in the flow chamber (2). The flow chamber (2) has a column-type design at least in one section, and the inner width corresponds to a diameter in said section. The cleaning device (1) is made of metal, plastic, or a metal/plastic composite material. An adhesion-reducing inner coating is applied onto inner surfaces (7) of the flow chamber (2), and the inner surfaces (7) of the flow chamber (2) have a roughness of less than 1 µm. Heating and/or cooling elements are attached to the cleaning device (1).