Nano Capsule Liquid Crystal Layer for Flexible Display Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid crystal display devices (LCDs) require complex alignment processes and additional substrates, leading to reduced production rates and susceptibility to display quality degradation due to external pressures or impacts.

Innovation Solution

A nano capsule liquid crystal layer with additives having a center molecular portion and peripheral molecular portions, dispersed in a buffer layer, which reduces the driving voltage and eliminates the need for separate alignment layers, allowing for a single-substrate manufacturing process and improved flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional liquid crystal display devices use separate substrates with alignment layers, then liquid crystal molecules can be aligned, but the production rate is reduced and the device becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid crystal alignmentVSAvoidproduction rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the alignment layer function and liquid crystal layer into a single integrated structure. The liquid crystal molecules are directly formed on the electrode without requiring separate alignment layers, merging two previously distinct components into one, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and improving production rate while maintaining alignment precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the separate alignment layer from the conventional liquid crystal display structure. By removing this unnecessary intermediate component and directly forming liquid crystal molecules on the electrode, the device becomes simpler and more efficient while achieving the required molecular alignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If conventional LCDs use multiple separate substrates, then liquid crystal can be contained, but the device becomes heavier and more susceptible to display quality degradation from external pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay quality stabilityVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate substrates into a single integrated substrate structure. The liquid crystal molecules are directly formed on the electrode substrate, eliminating the need for separate containment substrates, thereby reducing overall device weight while improving reliability by reducing susceptibility to external pressure and impact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a thin film structure where liquid crystal molecules are directly deposited on the electrode, creating a flexible and impact-resistant configuration. This thin film approach reduces the device's susceptibility to display quality degradation from external pressure while maintaining effective liquid crystal containment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional LCDs require alignment processes and rubbing, then liquid crystal molecules can be properly oriented, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid crystal orientationVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a self-service mechanism where liquid crystal molecules are directly formed on the electrode with inherent orientation capability. The molecules self-align during the formation process without requiring external alignment layers or mechanical rubbing processes, thereby maintaining precise orientation while dramatically simplifying the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical rubbing and alignment processes with a direct formation method. Instead of using mechanical means to orient liquid crystal molecules, the invention uses a process where molecules are directly deposited or formed on the electrode, substituting complex mechanical alignment operations with a simpler formation process that achieves the same orientational result

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

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 enables a lightweight, cost-effective, and flexible LCD with improved display quality and reduced production costs, while maintaining optical properties and birefringence effects for efficient light transmission and alignment.

Implementation Method 1

maintaining optical properties and birefringence effects for efficient light transmission and alignment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBirefringence: Birefringence

Data Source

PatentEP3173863B1NANO capsule liquid crystal layer and liquid crystal display device including the same
Publication Date: 2020.06.10 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3173863B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3173863B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3173863B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A nano capsule liquid crystal layer (140) includes a buffer layer (143); a plurality of nano capsules (142) disposed in the buffer layer (143), an inside of each of the nano capsules (142) including: liquid crystal molecules (141), and additives (150) each having a center molecule (151) and at least two first peripheral molecules (155) connected to the center molecule (151) and spaced apart from each other, and that are mixed with the liquid crystal molecules (141), wherein the first peripheral molecules (155) have the same phase as the liquid crystal molecules (141).