Liquid Crystal Device Flexible Wiring Board Staggered Connector Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid crystal devices face challenges in efficiently managing light diffusion and polarization control, leading to issues with light scattering and coloration, particularly when multiple liquid crystal cells are stacked and connected with flexible wiring boards of varying lengths and configurations.

Innovation Solution

A liquid crystal device comprising multiple liquid crystal cells stacked in a specific order, with flexible wiring boards and connectors arranged to minimize stress and prevent connection errors, utilizing a configuration where the flexible wiring boards are bent along the edges of the liquid crystal cells and the circuit board, and the connectors are positioned at different distances from the edge, ensuring equal lengths and staggered arrangements to enhance reliability and reduce costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If flexible wiring boards of varying lengths are used to connect multiple liquid crystal cells, then the device can accommodate different configurations and sizes, but stress concentration and connection reliability issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies homogeneity by making all flexible wiring boards equal in length, which eliminates variability-induced stress concentration and connection reliability issues while maintaining adequate adaptability for the device configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

2Reliability

If connectors are positioned at different distances from the edge, then connection errors can be prevented through staggered arrangement, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection error preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by positioning connectors at different distances from the edge in a staggered arrangement, which prevents connection errors between overlapping flexible wiring boards while the equal length specification maintains manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Illumination intensity

If multiple liquid crystal cells are stacked to achieve light diffusion and polarization control, then optical performance is improved, but coloration issues and stress management become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight diffusion controlVSAvoidcoloration issues
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the optical control function across multiple stacked liquid crystal cells, where each cell contributes to overall light diffusion and polarization control, achieving improved optical performance while distributing stress and minimizing coloration through the segmented structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Area of stationary object

If flexible wiring boards are bent along the edges of liquid crystal cells, then space efficiency is improved, but stress on connecting portions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoidstress on connecting portions
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies homogeneity by making all flexible wiring boards equal in length and arranging them in a staggered pattern, which distributes stress evenly across connecting portions while maintaining space efficiency through edge-bending configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

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 proposed configuration improves the reliability of the liquid crystal device by reducing stress on the connecting portions, preventing connection errors, and minimizing coloration issues by ensuring consistent light diffusion and polarization control across the device.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid crystal layer LC1 between the first substrate S11 and the second substrate S22

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid crystal effect: Liquid Crystals

Implementation Method 2

polarization control across the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization control: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentUS12050386B2Liquid crystal device
Publication Date: 2024.07.30 JAPAN DISPLAY INC
  • US12050386B2 patent drawing
  • US12050386B2 patent drawing
  • US12050386B2 patent drawing

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal device includes a first liquid crystal cell, a second liquid crystal cell, a first flexible wiring board including a first terminal and connected to the first liquid crystal cell, a second flexible wiring board including a second terminal and connected to the second liquid crystal cell, and a circuit board including a first connector connected to the first terminal and a second connector connected to the second terminal. The first flexible wiring board and the second flexible wiring board are arranged without overlapping each other in plan view. A first distance from an edge of the circuit board to the first connector and a second distance from the edge to the second connector are different from each other.