Liquid Crystal Device Spacers With Different Aspect Ratios
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid crystal devices with touch key functions face challenges in maintaining a uniform inter-substrate gap due to spacer size variations and temperature changes, leading to contrast degradation and manufacturing complexity, as well as the risk of substrate short-circuiting when the opposing substrate is pressed.
Innovation Solution
The use of spacers with different aspect ratios made from positive type photosensitive materials like acryl or polyimide resin, formed through photolithography, allows for uniform gap maintenance across the substrate and adaptability to temperature changes, preventing substrate contact and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If spacers are formed using photolithography technique, then spacers can be formed between substrates, but size variation of spacers occurs making it difficult to maintain uniform inter-substrate gap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the thermal expansion coefficients of different materials. The sealing member is designed with a first expansion coefficient while the substrate has a second expansion coefficient, and these coefficients are specifically selected to compensate for temperature-induced dimensional changes, thereby maintaining uniform spacer dimensions and inter-substrate gap across temperature variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent directly addresses thermal expansion effects by designing the sealing member with specific thermal expansion characteristics. The first expansion coefficient of the sealing member is engineered to differ from the second expansion coefficient of the substrate, allowing the sealing member to expand or contract in a manner that compensates for substrate dimensional changes, thus maintaining consistent spacer dimensions and uniform inter-substrate gap.
2Area of stationary object
If spacer size is reduced to increase aperture ratio, then aperture ratio is improved, but strength of spacers becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material principles by creating a sealing member with complex internal structure that combines multiple functional elements. The sealing member integrates spacer functions, sealing functions, and thermal compensation functions into a single composite structure, allowing small-diameter spacers to maintain sufficient strength while preserving aperture ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sealing member into multiple functional regions including protruding portions that serve as spacers, sealing portions, and reinforcement structures. This segmentation allows the spacer portions to be small in diameter for high aperture ratio while the overall sealing member structure provides distributed support and strength.
3Strength
If density of spacers is increased to supplement strength insufficiency, then spacer strength is improved, but number of exposure processes increases making manufacturing complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the sealing member to simultaneously perform multiple functions: maintaining inter-substrate gap, providing structural strength, compensating for thermal expansion, and enabling touch key detection. The protruding portions of the sealing member serve as both spacers and structural reinforcement elements, eliminating the need for additional spacer formation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of spacers and sealing members into a single integrated component. The sealing member includes protruding portions that function as spacers, combining the gap-maintenance function with the sealing function, thereby eliminating separate spacer formation processes and reducing manufacturing complexity.
4Ease of operation
If opposing substrate is pressed for touch key function, then input detection is enabled, but substrates may contact causing short-circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-establishing the protruding portions of the sealing member as cushion elements between the substrates. These protruding portions are positioned to contact first when the opposing substrate is pressed, providing mechanical cushioning that prevents direct substrate contact and potential short-circuits while still allowing touch key detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the protruding portions of the sealing member as intermediary elements between the substrates. These intermediaries absorb the mechanical stress of pressing operations, mediating between the touch input function and the electrical isolation requirement, allowing capacitance detection without substrate contact.
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
This approach ensures high reliability and stable inter-substrate gaps, preventing display quality deterioration and substrate short-circuiting, while maintaining a complex-free manufacturing process and enabling high-grade image display with touch key functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The spacers having a pillar form can be formed by performing light-exposure processing with respect to a positive type photosensitive material, such as acryl or polyimide
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal device includes a substrate, an opposing substrate disposed so as to face the substrate, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the substrate and the opposing substrate, and a plurality of spacers disposed between the substrate and the opposing substrate and having different aspect ratios from each other.