Photo-Aligned LCD Panel with Micro-Slit Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MVA-LCD panels face challenges with complex manufacturing processes and unfavorable display contrast ratios due to light leakage from disclination of liquid crystal molecules around alignment protrusions and slits, limiting aperture ratio and contrast.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a photo-alignment layer and patterned pixel electrodes with intersected and stripe electrodes and micro-slits is used, where liquid crystal molecules are arranged at pre-tilt angles and perpendicular to substrates, aligning along slits when an electric field is zero, eliminating disclination and enhancing contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If alignment protrusions and alignment slits are disposed on electrodes to achieve wide viewing angle, then liquid crystal molecules can be arranged at different tilt angles, but light leakage arises from disclination of liquid crystal molecules surrounding the alignment structures, leading to reduced display contrast ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the problematic alignment protrusions and alignment slits from the electrode structure, extracting the harmful elements that cause disclination and light leakage. Instead, it uses a photo-alignment layer with micro-slits that achieves wide viewing angle without the disclination issues of conventional alignment structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a photo-alignment layer as an intermediary between the electrode and the liquid crystal molecules. This photo-alignment layer with micro-slits serves as a mediator that guides liquid crystal alignment to achieve wide viewing angle while preventing the disclination and light leakage problems associated with direct alignment structures on electrodes.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a light shielding layer is disposed to improve light leakage, then display contrast ratio is improved, but aperture ratio of the display is limited or reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the light shielding layer that was previously needed to compensate for light leakage from alignment structures. By eliminating the source of light leakage through the use of photo-alignment layer with micro-slits, the light shielding layer becomes unnecessary, thereby restoring the aperture ratio without compromising contrast ratio.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If polymer-stabilized alignment (PSA) method is used to establish multi-directional alignment, then wide viewing angle and high contrast ratio can be achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes rather complicated and defects arise during polymerizing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex PSA manufacturing process entirely. Instead of using reactive monomers, applying specific voltages, and irradiating with light beams to polymerize liquid crystal stabilizing layers, it employs a simpler photo-alignment layer formation process that achieves the same wide viewing angle and high contrast ratio without the complications of polymerization defects and multi-step procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex, time-consuming PSA process with a simpler, more efficient photo-alignment layer formation method. This alternative approach uses a disposable photo-alignment layer that can be formed through a single exposure process, eliminating the need for repeated polymerization steps and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining high display performance.
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 simplifies the manufacturing process and significantly increases the display contrast ratio of MVA-LCD panels, achieving contrast ratios of over 4000 and up to 10,000 with improved viewing angles and reduced light leakage.
Implementation Method 1
forming a photo-alignment layer on a first substrate... liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer at a side near the photo-alignment layer are arranged at a pre-tilt angle
Implementation Method 2
a liquid crystal layer is formed between the photo-alignment layer of the first substrate and the patterned pixel-electrodes of the second substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel is provided. A photo-alignment layer and a patterned pixel electrode are formed on a first and a second substrates respectively. A liquid crystal layer is formed between the photo-alignment layer and the patterned pixel electrode. The patterned pixel electrode includes intersected electrodes having a first directional portion and a second directional portion intersected therewith, and stripe electrodes having slits therebetween connect at least one of the first directional portion and the second directional portion. When an electric field between the first and the second substrates is substantially zero, the liquid crystal molecules near the photo-alignment layer have a pre-tilt angle while those on another side are substantially perpendicular to the second substrate. As the liquid crystal layer is driven, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are substantially arranged along an extending direction of the slits.