Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Array Substrate for Adaptive Transflective Display

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid crystal display (LCD) technologies face challenges in maintaining display quality across varying lighting conditions, with transmissive LCDs consuming high power and reflective LCDs being unusable in low light, and transflective LCDs experiencing uneven brightness due to separate reflective and transmissive regions.

Innovation Solution

An array substrate with a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer that switches between transparent and opaque states based on applied voltage, combined with a reflective layer, allowing the display to adapt between transmissive and reflective modes, enhancing uniformity and reducing the need for complex undulating microstructures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If transmissive LCD technology is used, then display quality in low light conditions is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay quality in low lightVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid crystal layer dynamically changes its optical properties between transparent and opaque states based on applied voltage, allowing the display to adapt between transmissive and reflective modes depending on ambient lighting conditions, thus optimizing both display quality and power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If reflective LCD technology is used, then power consumption is reduced, but display quality in low light conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddisplay quality in low light

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid crystal layer dynamically switches between transparent and opaque states based on applied voltage, enabling the display to operate in transmissive mode with backlight illumination when ambient light is low, thereby maintaining display quality while consuming less power than conventional transmissive LCDs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If transflective LCD with separate reflective and transmissive regions is used, then adaptability to different lighting conditions is improved, but brightness uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to lighting conditionsVSAvoidbrightness uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The reflective layer and liquid crystal layer are merged into a single integrated structure where the liquid crystal layer uniformly covers the entire display area, eliminating the need for separate reflective and transmissive regions. This integration ensures uniform brightness across the display while maintaining adaptability to different lighting conditions through voltage-controlled optical state changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If undulating microstructures are added to achieve transflective functionality, then adaptability to lighting conditions is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransflective functionalityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical undulating microstructures with a simpler electro-optical system consisting of a liquid crystal layer and reflective layer. The desired transflective functionality is achieved through electrical control of liquid crystal orientation rather than through complex physical microstructures, significantly reducing device complexity

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

This solution improves display quality by maintaining uniformity and adaptability across different lighting conditions, reducing power consumption, and simplifying construction, while eliminating the need for complex subcomponents like undulating microstructures, thereby enhancing the overall display performance.

Implementation Method 1

The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer may be configured to switch between a transparent state and an opaque state in accordance with a voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-optic effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Implementation Method 2

a reflective layer on a side of the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer opposite from the base substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11327354B2Array substrate, method of driving array substrate, method of fabricating array substrate, and display panel

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 HEFEI BOE OPTOELECTRONIC TECH CO LTD

AI summary

An array substrate, a method of driving an array substrate, a method of fabricating and array substrate, and a display panel including an array substrate are provided. The array substrate includes a base substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode on the base substrate, a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a reflective layer on a side of the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer opposite from the base substrate. The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer is configured to switch between a transparent state and an opaque state in accordance with a voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode.