Liquid Crystal Device Columnar Spacer Reception Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid crystal devices face challenges in enhancing surface pressing strength while preventing vacuum bubbles, which are generated due to the shrinkage of liquid crystals, and have limited optimal dripping amounts during layer formation, complicating manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of columnar spacers with contact and non-contact reception portions on the substrates allows for a dual-stage cell gap maintenance, improving surface pressing strength and preventing vacuum bubbles without varying spacer heights, and widening the optimal liquid crystal dripping range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the density of columnar spacers is increased to improve surface pressing strength, then surface pressing strength is improved, but vacuum bubbles are susceptible to be generated due to cell gap shrinkage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the spacer reception portion into two segments: contact reception portions that touch the columnar spacers and non-contact reception portions that do not. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different functions - the contact portions maintain cell gap when no external force is applied, while the non-contact portions prevent buckling when external force is applied, thereby improving surface pressing strength without causing vacuum bubbles
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by creating spatially varying properties in the spacer reception portion. The contact reception portions have the property of being in contact with spacers to maintain gap, while non-contact portions have the property of not contacting to allow buckling prevention. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between strength improvement and vacuum bubble prevention
2Strength
If columnar spacers having different heights are mixed to maintain cell gap under external force, then surface pressing strength is improved, but manufacturing process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of varying the spacer heights to achieve dual-stage cell gap maintenance, the invention inverts the approach by varying the reception portion configurations while keeping spacers uniform. The contact and non-contact reception portions create different effective gap heights without requiring different spacer dimensions, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining strength
3Ease of manufacture
If the amount of liquid crystal dripped is low to form liquid crystal layer, then manufacturing is simpler, but vacuum bubbles are susceptible to be generated due to insufficient liquid crystal sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The non-contact reception portions act as a beforehand cushioning mechanism that prevents vacuum bubble generation. By providing regions where spacers can buckle without maintaining rigid contact, the structure cushions against negative pressure effects that would otherwise cause vacuum bubbles when liquid crystal amount is low, enabling simpler manufacturing with adequate reliability
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a liquid crystal device including a first substrate and a second substrate which face each other with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, wherein a plurality of columnar spacers for maintaining a gap between the first substrate and the second substrate is arranged on a surface of a liquid crystal layer side of the first surface, and spacer reception portions are arranged on a surface of a liquid crystal layer side of the second substrate in regions which face the columnar spacers, and wherein the spacer reception portions include contact reception portions which are in contact with the columnar spacers and non-contact reception portions which are not in contact with the columnar spacers.